Book Review: A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

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description

The monster showed up after midnight. As they do.
But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting. He’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming…
This monster is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.
It wants the truth.

“There is not always a good guy. Nor is there always a bad one. Most people are somewhere inbetween.”

Wow, this book is utter perfection, it’s beautiful, it’s emotional, and now I need to convince all of you how much you need to read it!

Conor’s mom has cancer and every day he has to live in fear of losing her, he also has to deal with everyone treating him differently because of his sick mother. If all that isn’t enough to break your heart, just wait, there’s more.

The monster in the story comes walking to Conor in order to help him, with what you may ask? Read the book and you shall know. Anyways, in order for the monster to do this he will tell Conor 3 stories (3 truths as it were) in exchange Conor must tell the monster a fourth, his own truth. In other words Conor’s deepest secret or fear. Which I cannot go into further detail about because I don’t want to spoil the best part.

The stories the monster tells to Conor are more intricate then you’d probably expect, the plot and characters are not black and white, they all fit into a moral gray area. There are no bad guys and there are no good guys, but rather people who are in between.They’re fascinating stories, they were one of the best parts of the book.

This is a book that will teach you something special and never at any point did this book get preachy. Nobody likes having ideas forced on them right? No problem with that here.

There is a point in the plot where you’ll start to question if the monster is real or is part of Conor’s imagination due to all of the pressure and stress he lives through because of his mother’s sickness. I like to think of this story as a fantasy, it’s more enjoyable that way than thinking Conor might have cracked under pressure.

I really don’t have a single complaint about this book, none whatsoever. The only thing that could even vaguely be considered me complaining is that I thought the ending was a little abrupt. That’s just because I wasn’t ready for it to end though! I’m selfish like that, I wanted more!

Overall this book is VERY bittersweet, it’s touching. Don’t expect to keep your eyes dry while reading this one! I know I was tearing up, a lot actually.

Then last but not least, the illustrations throughout were absolutely gorgeous! They add so much to the story I couldn’t imagine reading it without them. So when (because I know you will) read this book, I definitely recommend going with the illustrated version. Just look at these!

I somehow wish I could better convey my feelings on this book, it really is a hard one to review because of how great it is. My words will never do it justice, it is definitely a story that will stay with you long, long after you finish the last page.