The New World by Patrick Ness

The New World by Patrick Ness

Readers are introduced to Viola Eade, a young girl whose family has been chosen to lead their society to a new world. Emotional and heartbreaking, The New World explores what happens to Viola shortly before the beginning of The Knife of Never Letting Go, and will leave the reader wanting to know what's next for Viola. 

Prequel to the Chaos Walking trilogy. 25 pages.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story delivers a powerful message about love and grief in an incredibly unique way. It's a quick, intense kind of read that leaves your nerves frazzled. It's dark, haunting, and memorable. The writing and execution are perfect.

In reviewing this book, I have realized it actually deserves 5 stars, and I originally gave it 4. Let's blame emotional distress for my initial rating. Also, this is the first time I think I have ever increased a book rating, after thinking about a story further. Usually, it's the opposite, so I guess this story gets even better after some space and reflection. . . and once you are no longer so sad that you feel like someone carved your heart out with a spoon.

Pages: 224

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love this concept, and the writing is solid and creative, as it always is with Patrick Ness. It took a bit of time to settle into the concept, but I appreciated the characters from almost the first moment. This story made a lot of interesting points, sometimes subtly, sometimes not. I was hoping for something just a bit more, but I can't put my finger on what. Overall, I enjoyed it and am glad I read it.

The Concept: This story is about a group of teens who aren't the chosen ones. They live in a world full of chaos and teens who have special powers, are supernatural creatures, or have been chosen to save the world. This story isn't about those kids. It's about the rest of the ordinary teens who just live there, inside the world of chaos, and try to have a normal life of their own, despite all the unexplained phenomenon, explosions, creatures, and mishaps occurring around them.

Pages: 336