Walker Books

ISBN: 9781406331172
Imprint: Walker
May 4, 2017
Australian RRP: $24.99
New Zealand RRP: $27.99
Oh my,oh my! Another one of my favourite writers! Ever since the Chaos Walking Trilogy first came to my notice I have been a fervent admirer of Patrick Ness’ writing and of course with the film of A Monster Calls soon to be released, his work is even more resonant with readers at present.

On one Saturday small town teenager Adam finds his world falling to pieces but at the same time he is being released from its confines. The son of a fundamentalist preacher, Adam’s homosexuality has become the ‘elephant in the room’ with his family with who he is constantly at loggerheads. In just twenty four hours everything turns around for him while at the same time the ghost of a recently murdered girl arises from the nearby lake seeking retribution and her own release. As is common with Ness’ writing the parallel narratives – one all too earthly and one very much mystical reality – weave in and out around the residents of Adam’s town.

Adam’s struggle with resolving his feelings about his first love and finding the joy with his new one form a large portion of his twenty-four hours but there is also the imminent loss of his long time female friend as she plans to move away, the revelation that his ‘perfect’ big brother has impregnated a girl who is not even his ‘girlfriend’ and the horrible unwanted advances of his creepy boss to deal with.

John Green describes Ness’ writing as ‘insanely beautiful’ and I have to agree. If you have never read any of his work – you should!

Given the central theme of Adam’s sexuality being prominent in this plot, this is not a book for every school library but for many it will be a turning point as a coming –of- age novel that validates being true to oneself and finding inner strength.

Highly recommended for older readers from around 15 years upwards.