Reviews

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, Siobhan Dowd

sumayyaha's review against another edition

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3.0

Rating - 3 stars
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(FIRST READ - Illustrated edition - 2017)
Sadly, I did not enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I thought it would be full of emotion but its not. I thought the dialogue was dull but I did enjoy the story. I hope you enjoy this book more than me, I guess its just not my style.

(SECOND READ - Novel - 2022)
I have similar thoughts to my first review. The rating is the same, the dialogue was dull, but the story was enjoyable in that self-inflicting pain way. There was a bit of dialogue from his mom at the end that just made me tear up and resounded with me deeply. Besides my appreciation for this book being an accessible journey through the fear of grief and loss, I don't have much other feelings towards it.

yodamom's review against another edition

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4.0

Short and fast this YA book will rip open your heart and bring you to tears. It is a sad tale of a young boy faced with the death that is slowly taking his mother. Beautifully written, hard to read.

booksbrewsbanter's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad

5.0

We’ll damn. I’m a wreck, and I think I cried for at least a third of this book. My heart is aching. 

This book was a recommendation from Rachel Gillig herself, so of course it went on the TBR. Inspiration for her Nightmare character??? I also remembered I’d read the Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness probably 9 years ago (omg I’m old), so I was familiar with the author. I am both pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this, and also an emotional mess because of the journey our main character goes on in such a small book. I loved it 

vinther's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

reader4evr's review against another edition

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4.0

What a beautiful and sad story all at once. I LOVED the illustrations, they totally brought the story alive!

I think fans of TFioS will like this even though this is a darker story.

lauralovesowls's review against another edition

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emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

shes_book_obsessed's review against another edition

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3.0

It was interesting and something I wouldn’t normally choose, difference is good.

bookph1le's review against another edition

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5.0

Books often affect me. It's one of the main reasons why I am the bookworm I am. But every so often a really special book comes along, one that punches me straight in the gut, crossing that divide between making me teary and making me weep. This book made me weep. Ness has such a talent for making readers feel things, and I'm going to try to address that more later.

For now, I'll say this is a deeply affecting book about grief, and having recently faced grief myself, I really, really felt this book.

achillesheeled's review against another edition

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5.0

read this in one sitting and cried the whole time oooohhh

cait_readsxox's review against another edition

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5.0

Omg this book is amazing and heart wrenching.. I’m crying a little right now. This book is a masterpiece.