The Knife Of Never Letting Go Review

 Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts in an overwhelming, never-ending stream of Noise. Just a month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd and his dog, Manchee -- whose thoughts Todd can hear too, whether he wants to or not -- stumble upon an area of complete silence. They find that in a town where privacy is impossible, something terrible has been hidden -- a secret so awful that Todd and Manchee must run for their lives.

But how do you escape when your pursuers can hear your every thought?







                                        

 

 

Something about the way this novel begins bothers me. Not quite sure what it is; maybe it's the way the author presents Todd, or the way the situation is first displayed- but there is an extremely childish feeling to the novel at first. Considering that Tod is 12, going into this novel I felt like I was reading a middle-grade book. However, as the story progressses that definitly changes.

This novel revolves aroundd the idea that thoughts are no longer secrets. People dont keep secrets, because everyone can hear your thoughts, and the thoughts of your dog and the thoughts of the cow across the street. Women have been wiped out, due to the same desiese that caused all men's thoughts to be heard. In Prentisstown, when a boy turns 13 he becomes a man. But to become a man means you must complete a task... one that changes you forever. Todd is the last boy in town, but he doesn't get the chance to turn into a man before he has to run for his life. He runs into a girl, the only girl he's ever seen, and together they run from a secret that's bigger then them both.

This story is so different, and once you get through a portion of the novel, it's such an amazing story. once half way through and past all the childish nonsense in the beginning, it's hard to put down. Todd and Viola start off on rough grounds and on eachother necks the whole time- which gets slightly annoying while they're on the run. But it's easy to spy their love flourishing. It's so innocent ( they're still kids! ) But so cute. As the story unravels and Todd realizes who he's running from, Todd and Viola can only depend on each other for survival.
Todd undergoes major emotional/attitude changes. He goes from a kid that's running because he's been told to, to a man that protects his loved ones & fights for what he believes in.
I love books that have characters like this. It makes the story more interesting and believable.

The ending absoloutly tore my heart out. I couldn't help but cry. The way Todd and Viola progressed through out for such an ending... Makes it impossible not to hop out of your bed (even at 3 am) and pick up the next installment, The Ask & The Answer!

Happy reading!