More Than This
Ratings76
Average rating4
Undecided on the rating. Even though the moral in here was strong and it ended abruptly, on an open note, I enjoyed it quite a bit. Also, why must you always end books like this 😑 Chaos Walking also did this at the end!
A very uncertain 3.5 stars. I need to review this book to get some thoughts down on paper so to speak.
Firstly, I think the ambitious topic, feelings, themes and philosophical ideas this book attempts to explore are handled very well.
Secondly, it took me several months to finish this book (with many books read in between the start and end date). This is unheard of for me, especially for a book which I can say I liked, at the very least. I will finish a book in 3-7 days, no more, unless I don't like it, in which case I will try to revisit it, but will probably not finish the book. I finished the last 40% off in one sitting this afternoon, but it took me many many attempts to get up to that point.
I was promised thoughtful brilliance, but instead was given a plodding plot that didn't know what it was, or what it wanted. And I stand by that statement, at the conclusion of my reading, even if I am better of for the reading of the book, even if something was imparted to me. My reaction to the book is still a big “hmm..okay”; because the book throws the ideas it explores in your face, then tries its best to arrange the puzzle in the course of 648 pages, leaves you with a general impression of what the puzzle depicts, and leaves in rages after it seemingly has used up all the pieces available. And I suppose that message, of confusion and something more, cryptic as it is, is the final message this book tries to leave. But are 648 pages really need to tell that? A 150 pages novella could achieve what this book has achieved.
Back to the quantifiable things I guess. Ness has a enthralling writing style that keeps you wanting more, even if you never get it. Tomasz and Regine are wonderful, and the book is clever and frustrating in all the best ways. The plot is layered beautifully, never complex for the sake of complexity, and always delivering something in the side plots ideas it explores. I never reached the same existential acceptance that others achieved over the course of this book. And that is okay.
So, if this review has confused you, go read the book. Its great, even if you don't really know why.
I was really looking for a romance this time. But I really lived that it was a fictionworød it was set in, and romance in the flashbacks.
Estava em uma vibe young adult com reflexões e questionamentos sobre a vida quando fui jogado em uma aventura inesperada. Pensei que estava lendo uma coisa quando tudo se transformou em algo que eu não estava esperando que viesse naquele momento.
Adorei as personagens secundárias mas a vibe do livro no geral não me fez exclamar muitas vezes “Meu. Deus.”, embora tenha sido uma leitura rápida e agradável.
Pros: interesting philosophy, some fun characters, heart-wrenching situations
Cons: somewhat open ended story
For Parents: some sexual content, gay content (nothing graphic), suicide, some violence, off screen bullying and abuse
When Seth Wearing drowns in the ocean he expects that to be the end. So he's shocked when he wakes up outside the house in England where he lived as a child. The house his family moved from quickly after the incident. The incident that changed his younger brother.
His new world is abandoned, overgrown with plants and empty of human life. And Seth has no idea what's going on. But he suspects this is Hell.
This is an interesting story that will keep you on your toes. While I did see a few of the plot twists coming, others were complete surprises. It's a tough novel to discuss without potentially spoiling some of the plot twists, but I'll try.
I love Seth as a character. He's constantly doubting the new world he finds himself in, while at the same time reliving in dreams the best and worst times of his life. I also love Thomasz, with his broken english and intelligent plans. He really doesn't get the credit he deserves from the other characters. Regine is also great as a feisty overweight black teen who understands more about Seth than Seth's willing to tell. Seth's best friends are interesting too, and I was blown away when a particular relationship came to light. It put the use of the friendly insult ‘homo' they use in a different, and more positive, light.
Some of the characters have truly gut-wrenching moments to share. There is some abuse and bullying mentioned, as well as other violence. But as with the sexual content, there's nothing graphic.
It takes a while to discover what's really going on, and at times Seth's reticence to explain his past and inability to explain what he discovers about his present is frustrating as you want to know what he's learned/experienced. The ending was fairly open to interpretation, which makes the book thought-provoking, though I'd have liked another chapter delivering more of a sense of closure.
This is a book about growing up. About learning that everyone else is the centre of their universe just as you are the centre of yours. While it's easy to take everything others do personally, not every action is meant as a reaction to you or what you've done. Despite having some valuable life lessons this isn't a preachy novel and Seth doesn't come by these realizations easily. But they are good, hopeful, lessons for teens. And I hope a lot of teens - and adults - pick up this book.
A really well laid out, thrilling sci-fi novel with many surprises. Only problem I had was its ambiguous ending, just waiting for a sequel but also has a feeling like there's never going to be one. This could very well map out our future world.
What a fantastic roller coaster ride of a book. It kept me off balance wondering what would happen next but not giving me much idea of what that would be. I can't even give the slightest detail to friends who may want to read it someday as I feel almost anything beyond what happens in the first 5 pages or so is on some level, a spoiler. Fantastic!
Un roman étrange et intriguant du début à la fin. C'est réussi, même si ce n'est pas mon roman préféré de Patrick Ness.
I can't deny the book keeps you guessing, and that there are twists upon twists. An interesting read if you're not someone that needs a neat bow and actual closure. :)
Fun book. Disappointing ending.
Just as the title of this review says: I was enjoying the book and suddenly it was over without actually resolving anything. Bummer.
‘uuuggghhhhhhhhh' is all I have to say. a wonderful story, I loved every minute; I was hooked. I just kinda wish, oh I don't know, that there was more than this?
Besides that, I genuinely enjoyed the story, and every twist and turn it held. Interesting characters as well, and riveting stories told within. I would recommend it to those who enjoy sci-fi like books, and a good mind-blower.
This review is just to help me remember key points about the book. If you find it helpful or relatable that's cool too.Pride Month Edition
The everyday horror in a strange world. Touches on the common enough secrets behind closed doors and inside closets and hidden genocide. Hard to review without spoiling the plot. Layers of metaphor and explores repressed memory and the blurred lines of lives virtual and real.