A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness-206 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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-synopsis from Goodreads.

This is our next Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book to Movie Club pick. It is a haunting, emotional exploration of grief and loss. It is very well written and I would give it 5 out of 5 stars. 

Release by Patrick Ness

Release by Patrick Ness - 279 pages

Adam Thorn is having a bad day.  He's having to hide his boyfriend from his ultra-conservative religious family while also throwing a going away party for his former boyfriend.  Then things really start to go bad.  His boss at work ups the sexual harassment.  His best friend is moving away.  And now the world might be ending as a ghost has emerged from the local lake looking for retribution.

This was a very strange book.  I enjoyed the main story about Adam.  It was the second story about the ghost that was jarring.  I think it would have been a better book without its inclusion.  It took away from the main story and didn't really seem to add much to the book.  It also seemed to throw every possible topic into the book -- homosexuality, pregnancy, sexual harassment, parental issues, and more.  Still, teens would probably enjoy the story.

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness - 317 pages

Once again the indie kids are battling an apocalyptic event.  The Immortals are trying to enter and take over our world.  They're fighting to save not just their lives, but the entire world.  But that isn't this story.  This is the story of the regular kids -- the kids just hoping to make it to graduation before the high school is blown up  . . . again.

I listened to this on audio.  I truly enjoyed the book. It was interesting to see the "story" from the point of view other than the Chosen One.

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness - 320 pages

When the apocalypse comes, there is always the Chosen One.  It's one of the indie kids with too cool names.  They must fight the battle to save the world.

This isn't their story.  This is the story of the other kids -- the regular kids just trying to live their lives and make it through graduation without the high school being blown up . . . again.

I absolutely loved this book.  I loved the premise as soon as I heard.  And the book lived up to all of my expectations.  I could not put it down once I started it -- I read it straight through.  A great book for all teens.