Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness

Published: 2010
Format: eBook
Genre: YA fiction
Series: Chaos Walking book 3

Three armies march on New Prentisstown, each one intent on destroying the others. Todd and Viola are caught in the middle, with no chance of escape. As the battles commence, how can they hope to stop the fighting? How can there be peace when they’re so hopelessly outnumbered? And if war makes monsters of men, what terrible choices await?. But then a third voice breaks into the battle, one bent on revenge… (patrickness.com)

It's been such a long time since I read the first two books in this series. When I finished The Ask and the Answer, Monsters of Men wasn't even released - and I'm only getting to read it now. If you're familiar with this series, you know that each book pretty much starts off where the previous one left off. It's one continuous, seamless story. If you're able to read all three consecutively this is a really cool experience! If, like me, you wait over a year to continue the adventure, some of the spark is unfortunately lost in the process.

Everything about this series is marvellous: the characters are deep and genuine, the writing is unlike anything I've come across, and the plot is, to be frank, really cool. A connection is formed with each person in the story, and the book quickly absorbs you into its world. This is what made me fall in love with the first two books, but it sadly contributed to my disappointment with Monsters of Men. I almost feel guilty criticizing the book in this way, because it's partly my fault that I waited this long to read it. I lost the connection with each amazingly complex character. I lost the connection with the frightening world that Ness created. I lost the connection with the series itself, and found myself not caring about the fate of Todd and Viola.

I must admit: once I got about half way through the book my morale improved a bit, but I don't think I appreciated the book like it deserves to be appreciated. There's a lot of fighting in Monsters of Men, and I totally wasn't following. I couldn't distinguish one fight from the next, and the end goal was totally unimportant to me. Characters died, momentous events happened, yet it didn't seem to matter to me. What a contrast compared to how I felt reading the two first books!

In the end, I like the conclusion to this epic series. It wasn't too perfect, and it wasn't too depressing. Just the right balance, just the right feeling left with you. Looking back, I won't be able to forgive myself for potentially ruining Monsters of Men! I should have re-read the previous books, but there just isn't enough time in the day. So please, do not let this review scare you away from these book - the series as a whole is absolutely fabulous. Unlike anything I've ever (or will ever) read. Ness touches upon extremely relevant topics and morals while fabrication such unique characters. Despite my disappointment with Monsters of Men, the Chaos Walking trilogy will always hold a special place in my heart.

Related links:
Review: The Knife of Never Letting Go
Review: The Ask and the Answer

The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness

Published: 2009
Pages: 519
Genre: YA fiction
Series: Chaos Walking book 2

In the second book of the Chaos Walking trilogy, Todd and Viola find themselves separated. Todd is forced to join sides with the Mayor, now turned President. Meanwhile, Viola is cared for by a healer, who soon turns out to be the leader of a rebellious society called The Answer. When these two sides collide, Todd and Viola fight to save each other and, ultimately, the world they live in.

Having read The Knife of Never Letting Go a few weeks ago, I was all too eager to get started on the sequel. I really wish I read it sooner. For more than one reason, though! The first being that I forgot some of the details of what happened in the first book, and was a little lost for a few pages. The second being that an endless amount of important events happen in The Ask and the Answer, all of which are critical to the entire series! Why wait to read it?

After I read the first couple of chapters, I was a little disappointed. Not too much was happening yet, and it didn't feel normal to have Todd and Viola separated. That feeling remained for most of the book, actually. I was wishing and wishing for them to get together and go on an exciting adventure like the one in The Knife of Never Letting Go - that's what made me fall in love with this series in the first place! But, you know, after I got into the book a little more, the adventure appeared. Todd and Viola were still apart, but they each had their issues and were not sure what side they belonged on. The excitement factor in the book escalated rapidly, and it was living up to my expectations - yay!

We get to see a lot more of Viola in this book, and I did like how it alternated between hers and Todd's perspective. Also, their characters are built upon a lot, especially Todd's. It was frightening how he was slowly losing everything he fought to keep and was submitting to the Mayor, and it was scary how he was even doubting Viola's intentions. I'll stop there, because I don't want to spoil the book for anyone, but I want you to know that there are constant battles in this book - not only physical, but mental.

I've said it before but I'll say it again: Ness' writing style is so unique. There are run-on sentences galore, but he chose to write like this for a reason. It truly mimics what it going on inside the minds of Todd and Viola, and it does this with impact! The font changes, the sentence structure... I love it. This combined with the imaginative and addictive story is pure delight.

Taking it all into account, The Ask and the Answer is a strong sequel that sets up the third book perfectly. As is the tradition so far, the book ends in a cliffhanger that is almost cruel on Ness' part - I need to know what happens next! Need to need to need to! But that's another thing I adore about this trilogy: the books seem to fit together seamlessly and feel like one long, continuous story. The "pointless writing", as I call it, is very minimal. The Ask and the Answer picked up exactly where the first one left off, and I expect Monster of Men to do the same.

Recommendation: Obviously, those who have started this series won't want to miss The Ask and the Answer! But if you haven't, at least give the first book a try. It truly is an amazing trilogy.

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

Published: 2003
Pages: 374
Genre: Science fiction, dystopian
Series: MaddAddam Trilogy book 1

Snowman, known as Jimmy before mankind was overwhelmed by a plague, is struggling to survive in a world where he may be the last human, and mourning the loss of his best friend, Crake, and the beautiful and elusive Oryx whom they both loved. In search of answers, Snowman embarks on a journey - with the help of the green-eyed children of Crake - through the lush wilderness that was so recently a great city, until powerful corporations took mankind on an uncontrolled genetic engineering ride. (from back of book)

This book was generously given to me by Marce from Tea Time With Marce. I'd really like to thank her, because I've once again discovered a great book trilogy. Having read multiple books by this author, I was bracing myself for something strange with Oryx and Crake.

Despite my anticipation, I was not prepared for the insanely crazy yet oddly realistic world that Atwood created in this book. I was immersed in a world where families live in secured compounds, "pigoons" are genetically made to grow organs, strange wolf-dog hybrids (called a "wolvog") roams the earth, and a synthetically made plague killed off most of the human population. It was very weird, but incredibly fascinating and, ironically enough, not that far-fetched at all.

The characters in this book are so interesting, and I say that in the most literal sense of the word. Snowman comes across as a negative, depressed guy. But once we learn of his past and all the events that lead up to this assumption, it's understandable. Crake, the science genius, is too mysterious for words. His seemingly twisted ideology of the world is disturbing, but, at the same time, brilliant. I wasn't sure whether he was to be trusted or not - what fun! Oryx is probably the most incomprehensible character of all. She ressembles a young girl Snowman and Crake saw in their childhood, and is innocent and naive in adulthood. Just who is she?

I must say, though, that this book isn't straightforward in the least. It jumps around, it's vague, it's confusing, it's strange. That's why I love it! It's one of those books that would make no sense if all the information was laid out on a silver platter. Its strength is in its ability to force the reader to think in other ways and other perspectives.

As for writing style, it seems Atwood has drifted away from her exquisite imagery and eloquent language to focus more on the character/plot aspects. That's not to say that she has written this book badly - not at all! It was still a complete pleasure to read, but I don't feel the writing compares to that of, say, Cat's Eye. To tell you the truth, I was oblivious to this until I finished the book and was reflecting back on what I just read. In no way does it spoil the book.

On the whole, Oryx and Crake feels like a whole new level of literature. It's scary, crazy, fantastic, and wonderful. The next time I go to the library, can you guess what I'll be looking for? The sequel, of course: The Year of the Flood.

Recommendation: Atwood lovers won't want to miss this book. If you're not a fan already, and you're willing to try something new (that might scare you a bit), consider Oryx and Crake.

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Published: 2008
Pages: 479
Genre: YA fiction, science fiction
Series: Chaos Walking book 1

Todd Hewitt is the last boy in Prentisstown, living in a world where you can hear everyone's thoughts. One day, he comes upon an area of complete silence, something that should be impossible. Soon after this event, Todd forced to flee Prentisstown, running from something that he doesn't even understand.

Wow, wow, wow. You know, I'm generally not the action/adventure/science fiction type, but you can forget I ever said that. In fact, erase it from your memory. The Knife of Never Letting Go was so wild, so imaginative, so shocking, that I can't understand why I've ignored it for this long.

The first thing I noticed when I started reading was Ness' odd use of language and spelling. He frequently uses words such as "yer" instead of "your", and spells words like "explanation" as "explanayshun". I was a bit put off at first, but that's simply because I've never read anything like it before. It quickly became a part of the book and emphasized the fact that Todd is living on New World, a whole different culture of sorts. Ness' writing was effective, emotional, and at times even funny. I fell in love with the characters and the world he created almost instantly. Todd's dog, Manchee, was such a good addition to the book! And what a personality he had. (Ow, Todd?)

Not only does The Knife of Never Letting Go have an array of unforgettable characters, but the book is also such a page turner that it's on the brink of being painful to put down. Pretty much every chapter is left making you crave more, and there are twists and surprises everywhere you look. You'd think that a book like this would be totally plot-driven, but you'd be wrong. Every single element of this book works, and together creates a masterpiece that everyone should consider reading. Don't follow my example and wait to read this book - treat yourself to it right now.

I don't want to get too analytical, but there are countless messages and meanings you can take away from this book. Trusting yourself, the desire for power, the importance of privacy, are all touched upon and make this book so much more than simply an exciting and addictive story. It has substance, which was unexpected but very, very welcome.

Recommendation: YA readers sould get this book for sure, but even if this isn't your normal genre (like me!) don't ignore it. You'd only be punishing yourself.