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foreveralicexox's review against another edition
Haven't returned to it for a while and pretty sure I was only a few pages in. Entering summer and I know I have a few summery books on my apple books I will want to read first!
christel_booksmart's review against another edition
4.0
"The Noise is a man unfiltered, and without a filter, a man is just chaos walking."
I started reading this book with trepidation. Trepidation because it is purportedly aimed at children-teens. So I wasn't expecting a sophisticated storyline or language. But upon reading the first few chapters, I was pleasantly surprised. Sure, the language was simplistic, but ironically, was a clever means of portraying Todd, the protagonist's, immaturity and innocence; themes which persisted throughout the whole book. I soon realised that this book was similar to Harry Potter- sufficiently sophisticated in characters and storyline so as to be enjoyed by readers of any age. There were many great themes explored in this book; namely the idea of "Noise" and how characters in the book could all hear each other's every thought. It seems nowadays that everyone wants to share almost every aspect of their lives on social media. But what if we lived in a world where NOTHING was secret? Where we had no choice but to share our every thought?
"Say you were standing on a hilltop with someone who had no Noise. Would it be like you were alone there? How would you share it? Would you want to?"
Would we appreciate the privacy we do have? Would we stop craving attention and validation on social media, treating every site like our personal diaries? I think this book explored these underlying issues very well.
Patrick Ness also managed to reduce me to a blubbering mess. He had this 22 year adult crying real tears in a book not aimed at my age group. If this book can make an adult cry, it can certainly be enjoyed by all ages.
So, Ness made me 1) think, and 2) feel, like the best books do. Therefore, I don't think the idea that this is a "children's" book should prevent people from reading it. It is a good story with great underlying themes and great characters. And it ends, like all good books in a series do, with a cliffhanger. So I'm now compelled to read the second book.
Overall, this is a great book with a great message, and I encourage everyone to read it.
"I think maybe everybody falls. I think maybe we all do. And I don't think that's the asking. I think the asking is whether we get back up again."
I started reading this book with trepidation. Trepidation because it is purportedly aimed at children-teens. So I wasn't expecting a sophisticated storyline or language. But upon reading the first few chapters, I was pleasantly surprised. Sure, the language was simplistic, but ironically, was a clever means of portraying Todd, the protagonist's, immaturity and innocence; themes which persisted throughout the whole book. I soon realised that this book was similar to Harry Potter- sufficiently sophisticated in characters and storyline so as to be enjoyed by readers of any age. There were many great themes explored in this book; namely the idea of "Noise" and how characters in the book could all hear each other's every thought. It seems nowadays that everyone wants to share almost every aspect of their lives on social media. But what if we lived in a world where NOTHING was secret? Where we had no choice but to share our every thought?
"Say you were standing on a hilltop with someone who had no Noise. Would it be like you were alone there? How would you share it? Would you want to?"
Would we appreciate the privacy we do have? Would we stop craving attention and validation on social media, treating every site like our personal diaries? I think this book explored these underlying issues very well.
Patrick Ness also managed to reduce me to a blubbering mess. He had this 22 year adult crying real tears in a book not aimed at my age group. If this book can make an adult cry, it can certainly be enjoyed by all ages.
So, Ness made me 1) think, and 2) feel, like the best books do. Therefore, I don't think the idea that this is a "children's" book should prevent people from reading it. It is a good story with great underlying themes and great characters. And it ends, like all good books in a series do, with a cliffhanger. So I'm now compelled to read the second book.
Overall, this is a great book with a great message, and I encourage everyone to read it.
"I think maybe everybody falls. I think maybe we all do. And I don't think that's the asking. I think the asking is whether we get back up again."
a_leo_reading's review against another edition
4.0
I am realy happy that I listened to the audio book of this. Because if I did not, I would have hated it.
the plot at characters are amazing.
And the the world is fascinating
the plot at characters are amazing.
And the the world is fascinating
wlliewithane's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
alex_watkins's review against another edition
5.0
Stop what you're doing, head to your local library and get this book. I am still thinking about this book, as soon as I finished I used my iphone to put a hold on the sequel. In fact you should probably just get the sequel too, so you don't have to wait, you'll have it there at the ready. Well written, but beyond that written with a unique style (a feat usually left to Pulitzer prize winning adult books (not that this is at that level, but simply that is like the criteria for Pulitzer prizes)). The back of the book says it has a great first line, and it does, but the rest of the book is better. The set-up is good as well, settlers on an alien world, and a germ that lets everyone hear each other's thoughts, called the noise. This extends to animals, which leads to some of the books humor but it is well done. Which then leads to probably the strangest coincidence (or perhaps not). A scene of a boy with a talking dog, chasing a giant bird. Although I doubt Up copied this scene the book released only a year before Up, seems like this must have already been in the Screenplay, but it is just so damn odd.
Anyway after a strong beginning the main character boy began to annoy me a bit (just so stupid) which is often a flaw in young adult books, but then unlike in most other young adult novels the character grows, and his infurating actions springboard into a character who learns. In addition when a somewhat startling secret is reveled the characters know what's coming which is such an antidote to rampant but totally unbelievable dramatic irony.
Strangely enough I found out about this book through the New Yorker review of Hunger Games (a little late new yorker), that was more an investigation into the current wave of teen dystopia. Though after reading I would say this is more pure science fiction
The book is exciting, funny, intriguing and sad (one part had me bawling). Read it. Now.
Anyway after a strong beginning the main character boy began to annoy me a bit (just so stupid) which is often a flaw in young adult books, but then unlike in most other young adult novels the character grows, and his infurating actions springboard into a character who learns. In addition when a somewhat startling secret is reveled the characters know what's coming which is such an antidote to rampant but totally unbelievable dramatic irony.
Strangely enough I found out about this book through the New Yorker review of Hunger Games (a little late new yorker), that was more an investigation into the current wave of teen dystopia. Though after reading I would say this is more pure science fiction
The book is exciting, funny, intriguing and sad (one part had me bawling). Read it. Now.
khloholden07's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
"The Knife of Never Letting Go" is a captivating journey into a dystopian world where the constant chatter of everyone's thoughts is both a curse and a burden. Ness masterfully immerses readers in this bleak reality where Todd Hewitt and Viola navigate a treacherous landscape, their relationship hindered by Todd having Noise while Viola's thoughts remain silent. The characters are compelling, the suspense is relentless, and the use of language effectively underscores the alien nature of their world. While the revelation of the big secret falls somewhat short of expectations, the overall experience is gripping and intense. A solid 4-star read, leaving me eager to explore the subsequent books for further depth and revelations.
djryan's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0