Wow. That’s the only word I can think to type right now, huddled up in front of my computer, my eyes glazed over and my movements still quite sluggish from staying in the same position for hours barreling through this book, only stopping to eat or possibly stretch. Just….wow. It was new, it was provocative, it was different. It is getting increasingly difficult to find a book that introduces a completely different idea that has not been influenced by other factors (other novels, media, recent events), but Patrick Ness certainly has—and with great and reckless abandon. His writing style and character development are close to flawless, and, along with vivid language and a sense of literary awareness, shape this book and make it a wonderful read. The only compliant I have is that, at the beginning, many unknown factors that are foreshadowed in a quick amount of time, making it a little hard to keep up with the novel until it eventually catches back up with itself again. Ending with a storyline that opens the door for a possible (and hopeful) sequel, More Than This by Patrick Ness is a glorious read for someone who is looking to add a little something more to their booklist.
“Hey.” He says, whispering it now. No one answers. Not a bird or a squirrel or the fox and her kits. No one answers from any quarter. He’s alone.”
I would recommend this book for ten and up, or for advanced comprehensive readers, as the storyline and plot can be hard to follow for younger booklovers. It has a few basic expletives, brief sexual references, and also mentions homosexuality, so if it bothers you or your child, you have been forewarned.
The boy is alone. Completely. He knows not where to go, or who to turn to. Will he be able to survive his strange new world—or will it be the one to finally conquer him? Patrick Ness’s More Than This is the only way to find out!
