Thursday 15 May 2014

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness | Book Review



The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

( Chaos Walking #1 )
Young Adult / Dystopia / Science Fiction
Paperback, 512 pages

Summary:

Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts in an overwhelming, never-ending stream of Noise. Just a month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd and his dog, Manchee - whose thoughts Todd can hear, too, whether he wants to or not - stumble upon an area of complete silence. They find that in a town where privacy is impossible, something terrible has been hidden - a secret so awful that Todd and Manchee must run for their lives.


But how do you escape when your pursuers can hear your every thought?
summary from: goodreads

5 out of 5 stars

The plot of this book is very interesting. The whole idea of being able to each others thoughts is both scary and fascinating. To not have the privacy of your own mind, definitely not something we are used to. The plot is also very fast paced with many cliff-hangers and twists. 

The writing style is very unique. I must admit that you have to get used to it. I needed around 50 pages, but then I was hooked. I think the writing style adds to the authenticity of what Todd was going through, to the world he is living in. In my opinion the writing was fabulous.

Todd is a great and very realistic character. When he is put in some difficult situations he reacts the way most people would do. He has a lot of frustration, anger but also curiosity. He is full of pride. He is stubborn. He doesn't want help from others. But he also has a sweet and caring side. He can be protective and thoughtful. All in all he is real character, with flaws and weaknesses but also strengths. What I also liked is the growth of his character through the book. It was simply beautiful to see him grow.

I also though the villains of this book were amazing. Villains I like to be evil and nasty. And this book has them. I loved hating them.

I really enjoyed this book and I am also very exited to pick up the next one in this amazing series.


Quotes:

"The Noise is a man unfiltered, and without a filter, a man is just chaos walking."

"Hope may be the thing that pulls you forward, may be the thing that keeps you going, but that it's dangerous, that it's painful and risky, that it's making a dare in the world and when has the world ever let us win a dare?"

"War is like a monster," he says, almost to himself. "War is the devil. It starts and it consumes and it grows and grows and grows." He's looking at me now. "And otherwise normal men become monsters, too."



Wednesday 7 May 2014

Carrie by Stephen King | Book Review


Carrie by Stephen King
Horror / Thriller / Paranormal
Paperback, 242 pages

Summary:

Carrie White is no ordinary girl.

Carrie White has the gift of telekinesis.


To be invited to Prom Night by Tommy Ross is a dream come true for Carrie - the first step towards social acceptance by her high school colleagues.


But events will take a decidedly macabre turn on that horrifying and endless night as she is forced to exercise her terrible gift on the town that mocks and loathes her . . .

summary from: goodreads                           

3.5 out of 5 stars

Although I was already familiar with the plot of this book, as I had already seen the movie, I was still unable to put this book down. There is just something compelling about Stephen King and his story telling.

I feel that, more than anything, Carrie is a tragic and very sad story. It is a story about bullying gone wrong and how it breaks someone. Carrie's life is miserable. At home she has to deal with her religion obsessed mother and at school with bullies who treat her like dirt. I was scared, not of Carrie and her powers, but for her. Trough the whole book I was asking myself how people can be so cruel to someone who has never done them any wrong. In the end, a part of me, was rooting for Carrie.

The only reason I rated Carrie 3.5 stars and not higher is because I have read other Stephen King books, I am aware that he can write better stuff.