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

4.0

"Men lie, and they lie to theirselves worst of all."

I gotta say the pace is iiiiiiiiimpressively sloooow. But Ness did a good job of making me want to read on to the next chapter. The pace may be slow but the writing and world-crafting are thrilling. I like how the author wrote using the language of the main character, it added a touch of reality to one of definitely the craziest bits of fiction I've ever read. And what's crazier than the craziest is that everything actually makes sense once you read the explanations.

While nearing the end, I wondered what this book's deeper meaning is.

"Nobody does nothing for you. If you don't change it, it don't get changed."

When Viola tells Todd that his town's beliefs are wrong it shows how we form prejudices against beliefs different from what we were taught, often thinking that they are invalid. I'm looking at you, white people.

"'They couldn’t stand the silence,' Viola says, her voice still. 'They couldn’t stand women knowing everything about them and them knowing nothing about women.'"

Now that is a big punch in the patriarchy's face. Thank you, Patrick Ness.


Another thing this book has going for it is its wealth of surprises. Some were, weirdly, expected while some will blindside you like that goddam ending.

"You've overcome obstacles and dangers and things that should've killed you. You've outrun an army and a madman and deadly illness and seen things most people will never see. How do you think you could have possibly come this far if you didn't have hope?"

While reading, you might wonder if Todd effing Hewitt will ever catch an effing break (like me) well the answer to your asking is NOPE.

It's official, Patrick Ness is one of those authors who relish in making our favorite characters suffer so much. Okay, maybe relish is a strong word but still.

Also, I feel like it's important to mention that this book made me cry hot, fat tears. I can't remember the last time a book hit so close to home and Patrick Ness has done did it. Just WHYYYYY?


I really recommend reading this book especially if you're looking for one with a unique world (hey, it's called New World) and characters, human and dog, who will worm their way into your big reading heart.