Recently I stumbled across a great book in the school library, and I almost decided not to check it out. I’m glad I did because it can honestly be said that I have found a new favorite author.
More Than This is a beautifully written novel by award-winning author Patrick Ness. What sets this book apart from most young adult novels is that it doesn’t rely on a generic, overused plot. Ness also incorporates some sensitive subjects into the storyline but has a way of making them part of the story, rather than the focus. In my opinion, this plays an important part in the reader developing a connection with the character; not only that, but Ness creates believable personalities for his characters. They are unique, but relatable at the same time.
What I enjoyed most of all about reading More Than This was the amount of plot twists throughout the whole story. This kept me on my toes refusing to set this book down, but the truly cool thing he did with this story that I really admired was how he used flashbacks to fill in the gaps and answer the questions these unexpected twists and turns created.
What pulls this novel together in the end was how well it was written. Ness has an obvious talent for being descriptive and fluid. The words flow seamlessly while the story plays out like a movie in the reader’s head, making this book an all-around enjoyable read.
If I could rate this book I would give it four out of five starts. All in all, More Than This is an exceptional read, but it lacked a real climax. That is the only issue I could pinpoint. Despite that, the story will draw you in from the very first page. The intro had me on the edge of my seat, literally holding my breath. I would love to spill all the details but unfortunately it is one of those books that if I give away even a little bit, it spoils the whole thing. It is also difficult to explain what exactly is going on in this book. Although, I can tell you it will be the quickest 500 pages ever, it is certainly a must read for everybody in my opinion. I’m looking forward to reading more by Patrick Ness.