"More Than This" by Patrick Ness

Title: More Than This

Author: Patrick Ness

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Publication date: September 10th, 2013

My rating: 5 of 5

(Book read from May 12th to May 30th, 2014, from the review copy received from the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange of an honest review.)

 

 

Summary:

 

From two-time Carnegie Medal winner Patrick Ness comes an enthralling and provocative new novel chronicling the life — or perhaps afterlife — of a teen trapped in a crumbling, abandoned world.

A boy named Seth drowns, desperate and alone in his final moments, losing his life as the pounding sea claims him. But then he wakes. He is naked, thirsty, starving. But alive. How is that possible? He remembers dying, his bones breaking, his skull dashed upon the rocks. So how is he here? And where is this place? It looks like the suburban English town where he lived as a child, before an unthinkable tragedy happened and his family moved to America. But the neighborhood around his old house is overgrown, covered in dust, and completely abandoned. 

What’s going on? And why is it that whenever he closes his eyes, he falls prey to vivid, agonizing memories that seem more real than the world around him? Seth begins a search for answers, hoping that he might not be alone, that this might not be the hell he fears it to be, that there might be more than just this... 

 

 

My Thoughts on the Book:

More Than This is one of those rare books that I just don't know how to review them. That happened to me last year with A Monster Calls, and now it happened again with my second Patrick Ness read - More Than This.

From the first line, Patrick Ness's amazing writing style & wonderful way with words is obvious, and you'll find yourself intrigued & ensnared by the promise of the story. And Patrick Ness definitely delivers. 

While reading this book, he managed to make me feel (along with the main character) lonely, sad, heartbroken, and hopeful. You might also feel like he's playing mind games with you, or maybe the truth is even more horrifying than it seems. I don't want to go into details, you'll just have to read it for yourself & decide. 

The pacing of the story isn't fast, it's on the slow side, especially in the first part, but it's perfectly done, it definitely contributes to the mood of the story, and will make you want to read more.

 

I also loved the characters. The main character Seth slowly climbed into my heart, and now doesn't want to leave. I loved how (with the way the book was written) I slowly got to know him, and before the book was finished, I loved him as a character. He's far from perfect, but then again, no one is. What I really liked was how much he actually grew with everything he goes through this book, and how he decides to cope with it all. In the end, he's one strong character - much stronger than when this book begins. Tomasz was adorable and so much fun, and I also loved Regine as a character - she was awesome!

As for the story itself, after this one big surprising thing that happened a.k.a was revealed after Seth met Tomasz & Regine, nothing else surprised me, I could predict what will happen next quite easily while reading (though not quite how it will end). Also, the first 3rd or so of the book (while Seth was alone), it was more haunting & more eerie, and more mysterious than the rest of the book.

That being said, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. To be honest, I felt a little bit underwhelmed with the ending. I usually love open endings, but I would've loved just a little bit more, but then the book would've go on & on. ;) Patrick Ness is one amazing author, and I can't wait to read from of his books. Next - his Chaos Walking trilogy (finally).

 

More Than This is a haunting story that will capture you, and not let you go, that will make you think, and that will stay with you long after you've finished it. That's why I highly recommend this book!

 

 

 

Challenges:

2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge

Clean Sweep ARC Challenge May 2014

2014 TBR Pile Reading Challenge