Published: September 15, 2011
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 215 pages
Source: Amazon.com
First Line: "The monster showed up just after midnight."
At seven minutes past midnight, thirteen-year-old Conor wakes to find a monster outside his bedroom window. But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting — he’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments.
The monster in his backyard is different. It’s ancient. And wild. And it wants something from Conor. Something terrible and dangerous. It wants the truth.
From the final idea of award-winning author Siobhan Dowd — whose premature death from cancer prevented her from writing it herself — Patrick Ness has spun a haunting and darkly funny novel of mischief, loss, and monsters both real and imagined.
A MONSTER CALLS is now one of my favorite books of all time. The writing style inside the book was perfect, the characters were so interesting and fascinating, and the illustrations in the book were creepy and elegant.
If you are thinking that this book is horror, you are mislead. While this looks as if it might be a scary book, it is not. It is almost a coming-of-age novel. But there is one scary thing about A MONSTER CALLS: the truth.
Yes, that is the main storyline. The monster wants “the truth” from our main character, Conor. While that doesn’t sound intriguing at first, once you do find out what the truth is, it’s shocking and a bit frightening.
This whole story idea is brilliant. Siobhan Dowd, who was the person to create this story, but, unfortunately, passed away before she could complete the book herself, has one of the most vivid and creative imagination I’ve ever seen.
And Patrick Ness did a phenomenal job with A MONSTER CALLS. I finished this book in a day. The way he wrote this story was pure and fresh, but disturbing in some ways.
And even though it is middle grade, A MONSTER CALLS is one not to be missed. The characters inside the book were all so interesting and unlike any characters before. I have to say that the Monster was my favorite.
The Three Tales in A MONSTER CALLS made this story whole. In these tales, the Monster explains why he comes walking because “Conor called to him”. In the end, when the truth is explained, this is also is explained.
And that’s the thing about this novel: everything makes sense in the end. All the loose ends are tied up, and it ended just the way I wanted it to. I had no questions left after the end of the book, since all of my previous questions had been answered!
Jim Kay did an amazing job with the illustrations. Next time you are in a bookstore, pick this book up and just look at the illustrations. You will be in awe. And you most definitely need to buy this book and experience the journey for yourself!
Overall, A MONSTER CALLS is one of the best books I have ever read, with it’s quirky characters and dark storyline. You will not be disappointed by this read!
M Y R A T I N G:
I love this book as well. Such an amazing read.
ReplyDeleteLoved everything about this book and still think about it too this day.