Review: "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness

Hi Guys! I'm here to review "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness. I loved this book, and I can't wait to review it. So, let's get started!

This is a book about a boy named Conor, who's mother is battling cancer. She gets rushed to a hospital, and her son tries to block out the inevitable end. The monster then comes calling, and tells Conor that he will come to him three times. Twice to tell a story, and once more for Conor to tell him his story, eventually helping him come to terms with the circumstances.

Now, this book is an emotional roller coaster. I defiantly had a few cries, but it is a fantastic book.

I'll start with the topic. Cancer is a tender subject, as I know firsthand how it feels to have a family member with cancer. This book addresses this topic gingerly, and it isn't as hard to read about. Yes, it pulls at your heart strings, but it isn't as painful to read about. Tip for any writers who want to write a character with cancer or any other disease: be aware of how you write it. Just keep in mind that there are people dealing with these sicknesses, and that you should address it with care.

The characters were written in a fantastic way. They seem like real people. You can relate with their emotions, and feel more apart of the story because of this. Conor, for example, has to deal with both the stress that comes with a family member with cancer along with bullying at school. He meets most of his trials with his head held high, with the exception of a few times because he is just a young boy. The rest of the characters felt real in their own ways as well, even though some of them, like the monster, won't show up in real life in the way they were shown in the book.

I think the monster represents the struggle Conor has about coming to terms with what a disease like Cancer means in most cases. He tells Conor stories about the times he had gone walking before, helping those who truly needed help. The third time he visits, he has Conor tell him his story, forcing him to come to terms with the fact that his Mother was extremely sick, and the things that could happen because of that.

I understand that this book may be too sad or emotional for some people, and that is OK. I found it helpful because I am going through something similar to Conor. I highly recommend this book. It helps you realize that there may be things in your life that you need to come to accept. It did for me, anyway.

Hope you guys are having a great day, and happy reading!