read with Marines discussion

I will be rereading The Knife of Never Letting Go in January and perhaps moving on to The Ask and the Answer, but we'll see how that goes.

This is a very casual and relaxed buddy read. There is no reading schedule. Get to it when you can and come on over to discuss as you can.

Please start every post with the chapter through which you have read. That way people know if it's safe to read without fear of spoilers.

If you have any questions, let me know! And I really am hoping all of you love Todd and Viola.

CHAPTERS 1-5

Okay, so I figured that either people will come want to chat with me here about the book or else it'll be a good place for me to keep my thoughts.

First off, I remember that on my first read, I was struggled with the voice and dialect. That isn't the case for me on reread because I knew to expect it and also because it's part of what I ended up liking about the book. Question: How did you feel about the voice? Was it hard for you to get into?

MANCHE. Bless that dog. I love him so much and anytime he says, "Ow? Todd?" I can't help but make AWW STOP NO noises.

I think the beginning chapter does an great job setting up the world for you, especially with how it teases out the concept of Noise. We start with a talking dog and it builds piece by piece from there, all the way just talking a lot about Noise in a way that made me think about IRL noise, if that makes sense.

"It's weird, it is, out there, hiding somewhere, in the trees or somewhere outta sight, a spot where your ears and your mind are telling you there's no Noise. It's like a shape you can't see except by how everything else is touching it. Like water in the shape of a cup, but with no cup." Simple, but effective description.

"It's a trick Ben taught me to help settle my Noise. You closer yer eyes and as clearly and calmly as you can you tell yourself who you are, cuz that's what gets lost in all that Noise."

"The Noise is a man unfiltered, and without a filter, a man is just chaos walking." HE SAID THE THING!

And by the end of chapter five we have Todd heading off on the run, though we aren't sure why quite yet. We do meet Ben and Cillian, though. I love Ben and Cillian, though we meet them so briefly. I like how Todd sees them and describes them, by the colors in their noise.

Chapters 1-5

Hello, all. I'm very excited to be a part of this buddy read! This is the first book by Patrick Ness that I have read, and I've enjoyed it very much. First Thoughts.

I have read several reviews that people said they had a problem with the voice and the dialect. I personally didn't have those problems. To me, the tone was very organic, and kind of Southern. I was reminded a little of the style that Huck Finn was written in. I just heard Todd's voice in my head, like he was talking to me. I liked the informality of it.

I love the building of the world, and the descriptions we get in the first chapter. My favorite was "...even tho it's dark, there's slashes of light that come down from holes in the roof..." Like I said, a lot of this book felt very Southern to me, and this sentence reminded me of driving along tree-lined roads in North Carolina watching the sun shine through the branches. Such a beautiful image (and memory).

Manchee is WONDERFUL. I, too, got a little wibbly every time there was an "Ow, Todd?" moment. Although if I had to hear my pets thinking about poo all the time, I might get a little testy, too.

The concept of Noise is pretty frightening to me. I don't think I would be able to hear unfiltered thoughts All The Time without having a total mental breakdown. But from the little bit of Prentisstown we see, sanity might be on the uncommon end of the spectrum.

I immediately distrusted the Mayor. Anyone who orders books burned is clearly a force of evil.

I adore both Ben and Cillian, even though we don't see a lot of them. It does bother me slightly that Ness uses the Noise to show Todd a bunch of stuff the reader isn't allowed to see. I realize the reader can't learn everything at once, this method just seems a little...clunky? (not sure if that's the right word but it's all I can think of)...to me.

But that's a minor complaint. Overall, I love the introduction and the set up the first few chapters gives us.

Wendy wrote: "Chapters 1-5

Hello, all. I'm very excited to be a part of this buddy read! This is the first book by Patrick Ness that I have read, and I've enjoyed it very much. First Thoughts.

I have read sev..."

I don't think I could live through Noise either. It's a fascinating concept to me, though, to think about my own unfiltered thoughts and imagining that projected out and then x 100 for everyone else. Yick.

I NEVER thought of the Noise as a plot device, but you are so right about how it (conveniently) allows Ness to reveal things to us! The other end of that is that if we didn't hear certain things in the noise, we'd be thinking, "well, how come Todd didn't know if there is noise everywhere...?" It's a tricky place to write in. I'm going to pay more attention now to what kinds of things Ness lets us see because of the Noise and if I feel it's too convenient.

:)

Pg 9

I guess I'm one of those people that just could not get through the voice and dialect (although I was calling it writing style). I was expecting the protagonist to be a lot older, and I just can't adhere to the misspelled words. I've never had such a strong reaction to put down a book after only a few pages.

Sorry Marines, I really wanted to read this book, but all I'm left with is disappointment. Maybe I'll try it again in the future.

Kayla wrote: "Pg 9

I guess I'm one of those people that just could not get through the voice and dialect (although I was calling it writing style). I was expecting the protagonist to be a lot older, and I just ..."

No worries! I knew it was a possibility, which is why I brought that up as a discussion point. Todd is nearly illiterate, which goes on to play into the plot in a way. I think the fact that the author brings that to the forefront with the way Todd speaks and "writes" was really wonderful, but at the same time, it can alienate some readers! It's a shame, too, because I think the voice settles.

Thems the shakes though! ;)
Thank you for trying!

Chapter 6-10

I rated this book 4 stars after I originally read it and a big reason why was Aaron. In the words of Todd, effing Aaron. And I didn't know a star off just because I "hated" the villain. I thought Aaron was just kind of ridiculous in his super villain evil ways. I think it's too early to really talk about that yet, but he shows up in the swamp to punch Todd in chapter 6, and I just thought I'd mention: I HATE AARON.

Another part of Todd's voice is that he (the author) often uses these run on sentences that have the potential to drive you nuts, but I think he uses them really well. Take this from a chase scene:

"And the quiet moves, too, and tho I can feel the pressure in my chest again and the terrible mournful things coming into my eyes, this time I don't stop, this time I run after my dog and I don't stop and I take in my breath and I swallow away the pressure and I wipe the water from my eyes and I grip the knife and I can hear Manchee barking and I can hear the silence and it's just around this tree just around this tree just around this tree and I'm yelling and I'm going round the tree and I'm running at the silence and my teeth are bared and I'm screaming and Manchee's barking and--
And I stop."

Hot damn if you can't just HEAR the chase in the way he writes it. The run on becomes motion and then he stops and the sentences stops and it's abrupt and so so so well done.

"But a knife ain't just a think, is it? It's a choice, it's something you do. A knife says yes or now, cut or not, die or don't. A knife takes a decision out of your hand and puts it in the world and it never goes back again."

Random comparison, but I'm reading Rebel Spring at the same time as this and the comparison is really interesting in one regard: I feel like all of the characters have a really superficial grasp on their actions and what they mean. Everyone is just walking around growling threats and talking about all the people they would kill if they had the chance. I don't like it in the larger story. I was just reminded of that as I was reading about Todd here, holding the knife and thinking about the irrevocable decisions of a knife. At this point, Aaron has almost killed him twice, but a knife is a choice.

:)

Chatpers 1-5

1st off I want to thank Mari for setting up this thread so we can discuss this book! 2nd where has Patrick Ness been my whole life! Apparently on my TBR list hahahaha

This story had me from the get go and that is very hard for a book to do with me, cause I am that annoying reader who is trying to guess what happens by reading the blurb. I got a little confused with the Noise situation but got it once it go explained by Todd. Manchee is freaking hilarious!! Love that dog! not sure if I would want a dog where I had to hear him all day but in this book I am like more of the dog!!

The illustration that they have in the book of the Noise around Todd was kind of breathtaking meaning overwhelming, how do you live in a world where everyone's thoughts were coming at you? yea no thanks but makes for a very interesting plot.

I love Ben and Cillian, they obviously cared so much for Todd as their own it was devastating to read how they had to let him go, get him safe, it happen all so fast.

About the language, I really don't have issue with it at all, like mentioned before he is illiterate and I love the author making that known to the audience, it felt more real to me....if that makes sense.

can't wait to read on.....

Veronica wrote: "Chatpers 1-5

1st off I want to thank Mari for setting up this thread so we can discuss this book! 2nd where has Patrick Ness been my whole life! Apparently on my TBR list hahahaha

This story had..."

You are so welcome! Thank you for participating. :)

The Noise is equal parts awful to think about in-real-life, but amazing to read about. I love the way he describes the noise of different animals and how simple but true to the animal's personality it can be. Manchee is SUCH a dog and it's brilliant and I love him too.

I love that part where are the words are in a jumble and there are so many feelings and emotions. I can almost hear that sound of being in a crowd and hearing things but only being able to discern bits and pieces. Imagine that ALWAYS. It's crazy.

How far along are you? :)

Mari wrote: "Veronica wrote: "Chatpers 1-5

1st off I want to thank Mari for setting up this thread so we can discuss this book! 2nd where has Patrick Ness been my whole life! Apparently on my TBR list hahahaha..."

I just finished Chap 5 on Wednesday! I will pick it up over the weekend!

CHAPTER 17

I know it's all part of the build up but the thing that's annoying me most about this book is the fact that no one is telling Todd ANYTHING! It's obvious that everything he thought he knew was a lie and he wasn't taught anything of value, and yet people keep acting surprised and keep telling him they'll fill him in later. Why do they think he keeps acting out? He's 14 years old, lied to his whole life, in a place where no one is communicating with him.

This theme was a big part of The Maze Runner too and why I couldn't finish that book. I'm enjoying the plot a little more in this one since it has opened up to be more of a scifi than a plain dystopian, but I am finding myself annoyed a lot.

Samantha wrote: "CHAPTER 17

I know it's all part of the build up but the thing that's annoying me most about this book is the fact that no one is telling Todd ANYTHING! It's obvious that everything he thought he ..."

I'll have to pay attention to that as I get further! I think initially it was easy to see why they kept things from Todd because of the Noise. When keeping secrets is already nearly impossible, I guess it would be important to keep it from as many people as possible. As the story goes on, though, that excuse becomes less and less valid. And though the beginning hinges on Todd not knowing anything, the whole plot doesn't have to. USE YOUR WORDS.

I hope that settles for you as you go on!

I'm only on chapter three (cause my library takes forever to get books) but my first thought is: Stop being so mean to your dog!!!!!!!

Which, I think says a lot about me and my life.

I'm only on chapter three (cause my library takes forever to get books) but my first thought is: Stop being so mean to your dog!!!!!!!

Which, I think says a lot about me and my life.

I'm only on chapter three (cause my library takes forever to get books) but my first thought is: Stop being so mean to your dog!!!!!!!

Which, I think says a lot about me and my life.

Chapters 1-5

The writing definitely took a bit to get used to. The first three chapters were hard to get through because of the misspellings and grammar but I'm okay with it now.

Ugh, Todd, be nicer to your dog!!!

I'm all about having explicit representation and not just hinting at things so I really want to know if Ben and Cillian are a couple. That's what I'm getting from the text but who knows at this point. It is very early on in the book though so maybe their relationship will be clarified later on in the book.

Very intrigued to know what happens when a boy becomes a man. I hope that is revealed at some point and isn't just left up to the reader's imagination.

This book is giving me serious The Giver vibes which makes me happy because I love The Giver.

Chapters 1-5

The writing definitely took a bit to get used to. The first three chapters were hard to get through because of the misspellings and grammar but I'm okay with it now.

Ugh, Todd, be nicer to your dog!!!

I'm all about having explicit representation and not just hinting at things so I really want to know if Ben and Cillian are a couple. That's what I'm getting from the text but who knows at this point. It is very early on in the book though so maybe their relationship will be clarified later on in the book.

Very intrigued to know what happens when a boy becomes a man. I hope that is revealed at some point and isn't just left up to the reader's imagination.

This book is giving me serious The Giver vibes which makes me happy because I love The Giver.

I'm up to chapter 20 now and just.... It's driving me nuts that people don't tell Todd anything and then when someone does tell him something - Todd doesn't tell us!!!!!! We just got a glimpse of someone showing Todd what the real history was and the he doesn't tell the reader. I get that you don't want the reader to know too much too soon, but when it's in first person I at least want to know as much as much as the narrator knows! Gah!

Has anyone finished the book yet? I did last night AND I HAVE FEELINGS.

Chapters 11-20

It's a small thing, but I love how Viola runs faster than Todd.

During my first read, I was totally stressed and kind of annoyed with the THINGS GO WRONG A LOT progression of the book. I still can't tell if I'm annoyed for in story reasons (I'm stressed for the characters) or out of story reasons (the author needs to shake it up and add more highs to his lows). Any opinions?

Did you know Viola could speak? Were you spoiled or did you guess?

"Her accent's funny, different from mine, different from anyone in Prentisstown's. Her lips make different kinds of outlines for the letters, like they're swooping down on them from above, pushing them into shape, telling them what to say. In Prenstisstown, everyone talks like they're sneaking up on their words, ready to club them from behind." PRETTY. I love that description.

There have been a few of you talking about how NO ONE TELLS TODD ANYTHING. I really hate when people don't use their words and it feels more like a plot point than an actual thing that fits with the story line. First one I noticed: when Todd and Viola meed Hildy and she doesn't immediately just say, "bro. You aren't contagious." I mean, it comes out later, but not after some tension and even more things left unsaid.

To counter that, Todd being so secretive about his book frustrates me for in story reasons, because I understand that more. I mean, I wish he'd suck it up and let someone see it, but I get his shame for not being able to read and having this one thing that belonged to his mother and in some ways Ben and Cillian and feeling hesitant to let that piece of him go.

I love how Hildy is all over Tam's noise.

When Todd tells Manchee to run and Manche runs TOWARDS the man with the machete. Good dog. I don't even have a dog and I miss my dog when Manchee nips at Todd in pain and then licks him to make it better.

Emily, I have finished, I've just been really bad about commenting. I inhaled the book in about 24 hours and have been going back through to form more coherent thoughts, but I don't like to comment on my phone because it's kind of a pain. I was hoping to post some thoughts a lot this weekend.

With the the "so many bad things are happening!" feeling - for me it was more of I could see the pattern. They would calm down for a chapter, maybe, then someone would chase them. They'd escape, relax, get chased, repeat. While it kept things moving, I did feel like he needed to shake things up a bit. I'm hoping the second book will have some variances in the plot line.

And just... AH USE YOUR WORDS PEOPLE. Like, I get the idea of not telling kids everything right because it may or may not be appropriate or you want to protect them... but come on! YOU HAVE TO TELL HIM THINGS. But then, Todd wouldn't tell us the reader things, and that drove me crazy too. Like, he would see or hear something in someone's Noise but wouldn't tell the reader what it was. WHAT? Yes, you can't tell the reader too much too soon but come on.

Manchee! MANCHEE!

And Wendy - I hear ya on not wanting to comment on your phone. I'm the same way. I wanted to wait to do a longer comment when I was at my computer and could actually type.

Chapter 12: I just one to rant one thing....Aaron...really?? How is this guy not dead yet? I mean does he have nine lives or something????!!! Okay, rant over, I need to keep reading!

Leslie wrote: "Chapter 12: I just one to rant one thing....Aaron...really?? How is this guy not dead yet? I mean does he have nine lives or something????!!! Okay, rant over, I need to keep reading!"

My #1 complaint in the whole thing was that. JUST. DIE. ALREADY.

Chap. 6-26

I kinda binged over the weekend guys cause I need answers!!! lol I was thrown off when I finally figured out "oh its a spaceship and they are not on earth?" I really didn't know this was a sci fi YA, call me crazy...I thought this might be a survival story but I am still game to finish this!

I didn't thin Viola was EVER going to speak! So glad she did cause let me tell you Todd is kinda getting on my nerves....the constant, oh I get it and not telling us...its annoying....and him whining and being rude to Manchee hahaha im like enough and have her READ your moms book ALREADY...

At this point I am wanting to know where Viola is, and if there are more Spackle, where are they?! I do hope some of the ppl in Farbranch survived. I really liked Hildy.

off to chapter27....

oh and yes, what does Aaron have 9 lives???

Okay, let's finish this thing:

Chapter 21-42

There is something about Todd standing at the hill looking between the faces of Prentisstown men, wondering how they could've taken up arms. Men he thought he knew.

We've discussed a bit about the up and down kind of pace of the whole book and how bad upon bad things keep happening. I came across this line: There ain't nothing good that don't got real bad waiting to follow it.

It makes me think that the plotting of it is purposeful on Ness's part and not just repetitive plotting he didn't notice. I don't think that makes it any less annoying to experience, but it's something to think that Ness took us through the good, bad, calm cycle on purpose. He thought there was something worthwhile there.

Todd's relief when he realizes Ben and Cillian aren't in the army. And then his realization about what that means. D:

MANCHEE. I know a lot of you have mentioned this death (or Tweeted me about it!) but I was wondering how you felt about it, beyond just ALL THE SADS. I personally didn't feel emotionally manipulated by it because I think Ness did a great job of leading up to it. Poor Manchee had a habit of running head first into danger and we see him lose a tail and hurt his eye because of it. So, when he runs at Aaron to save Todd, of course he does. OF COURSE THE BEAUTIFUL DOG DOES. And I think also there was a brilliant moment of leading up to this, where you can tell Todd is almost saying goodbye to him. The plan is "run and run" but you can tell that Todd that in his hazy state knows that this a possibility. That he's sending his dog in to die. He calls him a good dog and has a little love session. It definitely gives you a sense of forewarning. That whole scene though, where Todd is barely aware enough to call out to Manchee, and he's barking Todd and ugh. Feelings. I loved that damn dog so much and I think we see a ton of Todd's growth in how he comes to love it too, and quits being so mean to him.

/Manchee feels.

Todd stumbling down hills in delirium to find Viola. My heart.

TODD AND BEN! I like this reunion because I love Ben but the whole thing felt kind of contrivant and exposition-y. I *get* why Ben didn't want to stay and he would be a danger to the kids, but I don't know. As much as I loved seeing Ben and letting them have their brilliant father/son moments, it did feel heavy-handed.

I do like the confrontation (of sorts) between Todd and Viola just after Ben leaves them again, where she reminds him that she lost her parents too. Because you do forget that in all of this turmoild, told from Todd's perspective, Viola has been through just as much. But she doesn't have noise (or the benefit of a POV in this book) so it's peripheral. So she reminds him and then tells him that they keep going because they only have each other now. One of the reasons I love Todd and Viola is because, yes, they've only known each other for a short amount of time but you can see the progression of their friendship so clearly. I love that.

I think that's most clearly shown after VIola reads from Todd's mother's journal and Todd realizes that he can "read Viola's noise" even though she doesn't have any.

Viola starts picking up Todd-isms like effing and ain't. And ain't that just the way it goes when you spend time with someone? You pick up a little of them.

"I think how hope may be the thing that pulls you forward, may be the thing that keeps you going, but that it's dangerous, too, that it's painful and risky, that it's making a dare to the world and when has the world ever let us win a dare?"

"I think maybe everybody falls," I say. "I think maybe we all do. And I don't think that's the asking." "I think the asking is whether we get back up again." <-- Said in the waterfall church, too.

And the end.

And basically this book is, "we run and run and run and never get away." Dammit, Patrick Ness.

Hey Mari, I'm not done with this first book yet (so close!) but I was wondering if you were going to continue discussions through the rest of the trilogy??

I finished last night.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED????

Leslie wrote: "Hey Mari, I'm not done with this first book yet (so close!) but I was wondering if you were going to continue discussions through the rest of the trilogy??"

Yes! I'll read the last two much faster hopefully, but I still intend to post general thoughts and feelings here in this forum. :)

Veronica wrote: "Chap. 6-26

I kinda binged over the weekend guys cause I need answers!!! lol I was thrown off when I finally figured out "oh its a spaceship and they are not on earth?" I really didn't know this wa..."

I think I noticed a little more how badly Todd starts off this story. I don't know if it's future knowledge that has made me feel squishy towards him, but I just love him. He definitely starts off as a pain in the butt, but it never wore on me because I just felt so terribly for him. He's never told anything because there are no secrets that can be kept when men have noise. And then one day to the next, he's running for his life and venturing out into a world he didn't know existed. He's stubborn about his world view because... well. It's his entire world view!

I think he comes a long way by the end of the book. Are you finding that or was he just annoying throughout the whole thing?

Sarah wrote: "I finished last night.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED????"

MISERY.

I just got to part chapter 32 and now I'm going to go cry my eyes out....be back later.....

Mari wrote: "Veronica wrote: "Chap. 6-26

I kinda binged over the weekend guys cause I need answers!!! lol I was thrown off when I finally figured out "oh its a spaceship and they are not on earth?" I really di..."

I have moved a little further now and I am easing up on him a bit...less annoying for sure. I feel bad for him with the running but I want him to suck it up and just say look this is what I need to do! Let's do this! I think I am at that point now when he is on the boat....and he is on a MISSION! Go Todd!!

Part 1: Chapters 1-6

So on Twitter this morning I mentioned that I couldn't really get into the book. Well, on my break I picked it back up and tried again and inhaled a whole lot of chapters in 15 minutes. I am hooked. I'm still hella confused but I really want to konw and I want to see what happens and I feel protective of Todd and Manchee and Ben and Cillian, even as I only had a few pages with the latter. Anyway. The rest of my shift is gonna draaaaag cause now I just wanna reeeaaaaad.

Ashley wrote: "Chapters 1-5

The writing definitely took a bit to get used to. The first three chapters were hard to get through because of the misspellings and grammar but I'm okay with it now.

Ugh, Todd, be ni..."

I'm at about this point myself and same, took a little bit to get adjusted and pulled in and know I need answersss. And I had the same eye roll please be nice to the puppy moment many times.

My gut is telling me that Cillian and Ben are a couple, though it's definitely vague. Which is interesting because you definitely get a kind of conservative vibe from the town, you know?

Question, did you read Gathering Blue as well as The Giver?

And now I need to start the next one because what kind of ending was that?!? Todd just can't get a break!

Chapter 7-19.
Oh my gosh. First of all this book is frustratingly good at teasing little bits of information and then not telling you A THING. I need to knooooow.
Second, MANCHEEEEEE.
Third, now Todd is leaving Farbranch without warning them of anything! This kid is killing me. Get someone to help you read Todd I can't stand it!

Pg. 225 and I've finally been told I've been pronouncing Cillian wrong. *facepalm*

Chapter 31.
Oh my god. Oh my god. No. No no no no no no please no.

We're here for you Samantha. We know. ::hugs::

FINISHED!!

Seriously, this book really got me like wooooo! That ending! What a ending?

I was seriously depressed about Manchee, kinda still cant talk about it but it was inevitable I guess :(. I really did start to see where Todd was coming from with all the whining that I complained about earlier, I think I gained mores perspective of him when he went after Viola. This boy was lied to his whole life, nothing makes sense in this journey at all, he cant read his moms diary. So I felt for him, I truly did. When Viola finally read it to him....tears....tears...cause not only was there his loss but hers too!! Mari has mentioned this in her review we tend forget this girl lost her parents too, in front her eyes, how that must be like a weight around her neck! But she pulls thru for Todd for both of them for HOPE!

And then Ben, oh Ben, when he called him his father! so touching! Sad that Ben didn't follow them but I knew where he was coming from.

The whole Aaron coming after Todd at the end...stressful as heck! that dude is like terminator you can't just hit him or injure this dude he was like indestructible!! Annoying man!!

Then the end.....omg the end...I knew when they roll up on the city and there was no one around...I knew it...I was like crapppppp They are THERE!! And Viola is like hanging on to her life and bam the Mr Prentiss....THE END!! ughhhhhh and he is president....wth

I must continue but I will take a little breather till the next one. It stressed me out!! hahaha

Here's my review if ya'll are interested https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Samantha wrote: "Chapter 31.
Oh my god. Oh my god. No. No no no no no no please no."

:( right there with you girl....

Veronica wrote: "FINISHED!!

Seriously, this book really got me like wooooo! That ending! What a ending?

I was seriously depressed about Manchee, kinda still cant talk about it but it was inevitable I guess :(. ..."

I'm so glad you liked it and thank you for sharing your thoughts.

You never really get over Manchee.

Hello everyone! We've still got a couple days left if anyone is finishing up, and I am trying to read the others in the series, so I'll probably come back here and share some thoughts on the last two books.

I just wanted to say, though: THANK YOU! Thank you so much for reading this with me and for sharing all of your wonderful thoughts. This was a ton of fun for me and I hope you enjoyed it as well. I wasn't sure when I started this if anyone would participate so I'm grateful to everyone. :)

Next month, we'll be reading The Night Circus, so if you are interested in reading (or reareading) that, I'll see you there! If not, in March we have The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making.

Thanks again!

xx

Samantha wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Chapters 1-5

The writing definitely took a bit to get used to. The first three chapters were hard to get through because of the misspellings and grammar but I'm okay with it now.

U..."

I definitely get a conservative vibe from the town/society as well. It's a possibility that they are just friends living together to run the farm, and after all there are no woman left to live with but that isn't the vibe I'm getting from them.

I have read Gathering Blue and the other sequels to The Giver. I've only read the sequels once though while I've read The Giver a few times.

Ashley wrote: "Samantha wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Chapters 1-5

The writing definitely took a bit to get used to. The first three chapters were hard to get through because of the misspellings and grammar but I'm oka..."

Okay, well I just kept thinking that sometimes Todd reminded me of Matt from Gathering Blue. Frustrating but endearing and obviously the comparisons between the two society's are there as well.
Yep, that was not the vibe I got from Ben and Cillian at all. It's interesting.

Okay, so now that I've finished the book and gotten over the stress of that ending, my thoughts will hopefully be a bit more coherent.

On the whole, I enjoyed the book and my gut reaction rating was 4/5 stars, but upon further consideration, I'm thinking this might a 3.5 star book.

I really do love the relationship between Todd and Viola. They obviously come from completely different worlds and totally different understandings of how their life is affected and informed by the lives of others and I really loved how they go from completely mistrusting and not knowing what the heck to do with each other to recognizing that they're pretty much the only person the other one has in the entire world. The understanding that grows between the two of them as they spend more time together and the mutually fierce protectiveness was wonderful to see.

Todd as an individual character grated me quite a bit though. I became more okay with him the further along we got in the story, but at the beginning his narration felt almost whiny at points and I'm realizing that, even when they're young and I know immaturity is to be expected, I have a really hard time with whiny protagonists. His stubbornness in not letting Viola help him to read and his general thought process of "I have to do everything on my own" and blah blah blah was just so infuriating. On top of the fact that every time he would learn something from someone else's Noise about the truth of Prentisstown, he would vaguebook and not tell us about it. A lot of it could be inferred, but it was still like, "Dude. Come on. Just tell us what's happening."

My heart is broken over Manchee. I do not think I will ever get over him.

I'm kind of over YA literature where nobody tells the protagonist anything. I understand that it was somewhat necessary for plot because basically the only reason he would be allowed into any of the other settlements was the fact that he didn't know the history of Prentisstown, but man, it was irritating.

Perhaps my biggest issue with the whole thing was Aaron. Like...I get that he was supposed to be the "perfect sacrifice" and blah blah blah, but seriously, dude should've died at the beginning of the book when the croc chewed up his face. No human being could've survived all of the things he survived and I had a really hard time suspending my disbelief that he was still alive at the end of the book for anything other than plot device. And even though Viola stabbed him in the throat and he fell over the edge of the cliff or whatever, at this point, I wouldn't at all be surprised to see him show up in book two.

Sarah wrote: "Okay, so now that I've finished the book and gotten over the stress of that ending, my thoughts will hopefully be a bit more coherent.

On the whole, I enjoyed the book and my gut reaction rating w..."

I pretty much completely agree with everything you said! Great review! I thought Todd was whiny too till the end, I was kinda like yes please get control of yourself & just do what needs to be done already, save Viola! Stop whining!

How Aaron survived got me too....like what is he like a superhuman or what! hahaha