A review by pamshenanigans
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Read in 2021:

All this book tells me is that most men really are T R A S H and that we truly DO NOT DESERVE DOGS.

Read in 2018:

Mini-plot: A planet exists where everyone (literally) can hear each other's thoughts. Yep. Including animals. In this planet, there are different settlements. Todd, the main character, is from a town called Prentisstown, where only men exist.

Actual rating: 100 effing stars (I didn't say effing)
Story: A++++++ (as I expected from a Patrick Ness book)

My two cents:
I don't even know where to begin this review, to be quite honest. Reading that book has been quite a ride for me. The story isn't what I was expecting, and I hate myself for having put this off for years because "Oh god no, the book is too long." You know what, past Pam? THE BOOK ISN'T EVEN ENOUGH. I tore through the book like how Todd and Viola ran day and night just to get to Haven.

*Random thoughts while reading the book*
*WE DON'T AND WILL NEVER DESERVE DOGS
*Todd is annoying sometimes. But sometimes I forget that he's still a kid
*This is a different planet?? ? ?
*IS AARON INVINCIBLE??? TF ????
*MANCHEE???

*Things I love about this book*
*Todd's innocence - The way the book is written, it's easy (at times) to digest and internalize that Todd is really a 13-year old boy, from the way he thinks to the way he spells some words. We only know what Todd knows and that adds to the thrill of reading the book. 
*Consistently unfortunate events - Omygod. This book will have you wishing Todd can take a break. I feel so bad and sad that this little boy is dealing with lots of fucked up things that not even I, as an adult, can survive against. However, I love how these events shaped Todd's character development and fate. 
*Had me at the edge of my seat - A book has to be really interesting for me to focus and keep reading, especially if it's a long-ass one. This book is beyond interesting. 
*Story is unique - A place where everyone can hear everyone's thoughts in the future? Life in other planets? Count me in! Whenever people ask me what superpower I'd like to have, I always say mind-reading. While reading this book, I realized how problematic and inconvenient it could be, especially if your enemy is telepathic as well. So I'll have to rethink my superpower wish. 
*BASICALLY EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK TBH
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