‘The Knife of Never Letting go’ by Patrick Ness is a fantastic achievement – an original work of fiction which delivers drama, suspense, alien landscapes and compelling characters, oh and it just so happens to have been written for the Young Adult market.

The novel is set in Prentisstown, a newly colonised planet that has fragmented into dystopian chaos with warring groups and ideologies. This setting is instantly recognisable to anyone who is living through, or has experienced adolescence, and yet remains uniquely fresh. Our hero Todd, bursting with boyhood naivety, is the perfect symbol of an age. Once we discover that we can hear the thoughts of his loyal canine companion, Manchee we’re hooked.

The action begins from the outset with a succinct writing style that packs a punch and keeps you turning the pages as quickly as the action unfolds. Ness’s stylistic approach appeals to both the young adult and time pressured adult looking to cram a chapter on a lunch-break or commute.

There are bucket loads of clever devices in this novel; the recurring mad preacher villain and the native alien Spackles are well crafted, but the winner is the concept of ‘noise’ – a germ contaminant which allows everyone’s inner thoughts to be audible.  A typographic device is used to convey this concept, see the image below, with some pages literally surrendered to an overload of sound.

Todd’s adventure is fast paced and could have dwelled for longer at times. Certain elements, for example the story of Todd’s adopted family, are rushed and unexplored. Perhaps these themes are revisited in books 2 and 3?

Searching for coming of age fiction, sci-fi action or self-affirming then look no further!!