Book Review UKYA

REVIEW: More Than This by Patrick Ness

More Than This is the first of Ness’ books that I’ve read and, understanding the hype that comes with his books, I was very nervous about starting this.

The novel starts with the main character drowning. That may seem like a spoiler, but it’s not. When Seth drowns, he wakes up in an empty world; he is the only person there. It just so happens that the place he wakes up is the English town in which he moved from after a horrific incident happened to his younger brother, Owen. Where is he?

More Than This is very hard to put into one genre. I would describe it as a futuristic psychological science fiction thriller because it’s a mish mash of lots of different elements. It worked surprisingly well and I was glad that it didn’t get confusing.

Seth, the protagonist, really grows throughout the novel. His arc is particularly notable because he goes on such a journey. We see him open up and really come into himself. His situation is difficult and Ness has written such an emotional and true character.

I’m trying not to spoil anything in this review because so much goes on throughout the novel that could spoil things later on. I was kept guessing and then Ness would throw something at you that sent you reeling. I think I had whiplash whilst reading this!

I really loved the writing style. Written in third person with flashbacks from before Seth’s death, More Than This wouldn’t have worked any way else. The flashbacks were revealing but didn’t give away too much and having it written in third person meant that you weren’t always stuck in Seth’s head.

I really enjoyed More Than This and will be posting something to do with it next week. It’s something different to the norm and I’ll definitely be recommending it now. It’s not often that you read a book that you completely fall in love with, but this is one of them.

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9 Comments

  • Reply
    Sunny A
    Twitter:
    23 September, 2013 at 8:15 am

    Hi Lucy, Great Review! I also haven’t read any Patrick Ness books but I’m thinking of making this my first and it sounds so good. I’ve only seen 5 star reviews for it but I’m trying not to expect much which I’ve been told is the best way to go about it. Excited for your upcoming post.
    Sunny A recently posted…REVIEW: The Lost Prince by Julie KagawaMy Profile

  • Reply
    Maya @ The Book Nook
    23 September, 2013 at 9:44 am

    I LOVE PATRICK NESS SO MUCH!! This is the only book of his I haven’t read, and I really really must because I’ve seen nothing but good reviews. I foresee I trip to the bookshop soon…. Lovely review, Lucy!
    Maya @ The Book Nook recently posted…BLOG TOUR: Ingrid Jonach on Killing Her DarlingsMy Profile

  • Reply
    Melanie (YA Midnight Reads)
    23 September, 2013 at 10:31 am

    This seems to go under a lot of genres, I am a huge fan of Ness, he’s my second fav. author after Rick Riordan so I can’t wait to buy a copy.

    Fab review, Lucy! <33
    Melanie (YA Midnight Reads) recently posted…Review: Where The Stars Still Shine by Trish DollerMy Profile

  • Reply
    Anya
    Twitter:
    23 September, 2013 at 4:20 pm

    Great review! I’ve seen a couple of others and it seems that most people were confused/thrown by this book – but is that just Ness’ style? Because it seems like it!

  • Reply
    Amber @ The Mile Long Bookshelf
    24 September, 2013 at 7:02 pm

    I love seeing 5 star reviews of books 🙂 More Than This sounds amazing, a lot of my friends have it but not meee 🙁 Have you read The Knife of Never Letting Go? It’s meant to be really good. Fab review as always. 🙂
    Amber @ The Mile Long Bookshelf recently posted…Interview with author Andy RobbMy Profile

    • Reply
      Lucy Powrie
      24 September, 2013 at 7:06 pm

      I haven’t read it because quite a major part was spoiled for me and so I was put off, but I have it and am planning on reading it too.

      Thanks for stopping by, Amber!

  • Reply
    Anna
    25 September, 2013 at 4:05 pm

    I live in fear of not completely falling in love with a Patrick Ness book, but it looks like I don’t have too much to worry about with this one. Just need to prepare myself emotionally for it now…
    Anna recently posted…YA REVIEW – ‘Pantomime’, Laura Lam (Strange Chemistry, 2013)My Profile

  • Reply
    Caitlin
    25 September, 2013 at 10:23 pm

    I went to the Patrick Ness event in London where he had to talk about the book without talking about the book! You managed to do that really well in your review 🙂 I really need to get round to reading this one

    Cait x
    Caitlin recently posted…Caitlin Considers: When Life Gets in the WayMy Profile

  • Reply
    Eve @ AbH
    28 September, 2013 at 11:20 am

    I’ve seen huge posters for this on the underground, it looks amazing! Seth sounds like such a great character, and the style this is written in- with the flashbooks- sounds interesting. I’ll be looking out for your related post!

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