Book Blog #121: The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Title: The Knife of Never Letting Go
Author: Patrick Ness
# of Pages: 479 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopian
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis: Todd Hewitt is the only boy in a town of men. Ever since the settlers were infected with the Noise germ, Todd can hear everything the men think, and they hear everything he thinks. Todd is just a month away from becoming a man, but in the midst of the cacophony, he knows that the town is hiding something from him -- something so awful Todd is forced to flee with only his dog, whose simple, loyal voice he hears too. With hostile men from the town in pursuit, the two stumble upon a strange and eerily silent creature: a girl. Who is she? Why wasn't she killed by the germ like all the females on New World? Propelled by Todd's gritty narration, readers are in for a white-knuckle journey in which a boy on the cusp of manhood must unlearn everything he knows in order to figure out who he truly is.
Review: Would you rather have to speak everything on your mind or never speak again?

The Knife of Never Letting Go addresses the former. The Noise presents the reader with a unique twist to this dystopian world. It's crazy; it's beautifully horrifying! And I love it.

Although I would categorize this book as a young adult, science fiction, and dystopian, it is also a mystery. There are cliff-hangers at the end of pretty much every chapter, so prepare yourself to be reading for long periods of time.

There were a few aspects of the book I didn't like.

Just as Todd said, I can't see why Aaron will not. Just. Die. The fact that he kept coming back throughout the whole book (besides the very ending) was a bit much, especially with his injuries.

I don't know if this is going to change in the other two books, but Manchee's death occurred too early. He's practically one of the main characters, and he's killed off like he's nothing! I don't know what Ness' reasons are, but he should have AT LEAST waited until a bit later in the book. Why waste time developing Manchee if he's going to be gone, just like that?

Overall, The Knife of Never Letting Go is a very good book! Recommend!