Monsters of Men: With Bonus Short Story (Chaos Walking) Paperback – July 22, 2014

Patrick Ness must hate Suzanne Collins.Why?Raise your hand if you've ever heard of The Hunger Games Trilogy. Now raise your hand if you've ever heard of Chaos Walking Trilogy?That's why.But I can't figure out why. Both are series about dystopian futures staring young people trying to overthrow oppressive leaders. Both were published at the same time. Both sold film rights to Lions Gate Entertainment. Both are great.The biggest difference? Chaos Walking is better--much better.So why hasn't anyone heard of Chaos Walking? I don't know, but I'm about to do my part to correct this gross injustice.For starters, check out what Wikipedia has to say for Chas Walking:On the overall series, the Costa Prize Judges said that they were "convinced that this is a major achievement in the making," while the Guardian stated that "I would press Patrick Ness's Chaos Walking trilogy urgently on anyone, anyone at all. It is extraordinary." In their review of the final book, Publisher's Weekly called the series "one of the most important works of young adult science fiction in recent years." Robert Dunbar wrote in The Guardian that the series "will almost certainly come to be seen as one of the outstanding literary achievements of the present century, whether viewed as fiction for the young or for a wider readership."The Knife of Never Letting Go was received with near universal praise for its originality and narration from critics such as Ian Chipman from Booklist and Megan Honig from The School Library Journal. It went on to win several awards and recognitions, including the Guardian Award, and the 2008 James Tiptree, Jr. Award.The second book was also received well, with praise from Publishers Weekly, Children's Literature and Kirkus Reviews, all noting the excellent plot and cast. It was named as one of "the best YA science fiction novels of the year" by Publisher's Weekly while Kirkus called the characters "heartbreakingly real" and praised the questions brought up about "the meaning of war and the price of peace." The book won the 2009 Costa children's fiction prize and was recognized widely for its success.The third book, Monsters of Men, has received greatly positive reviews and won the 2011 Carnegie Medal. It was also nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke award for best science fiction novel, only the second time that a young adult novel made it on to the shortlist.All three books have been shortlisted for the Carnegie Book Award.[...]Convinced yet? Let's ask Wikipedia what it thinks of The Hunger Games:Praise has focused on the addictive quality of especially the first book, and the action. John Green of The New York Times compared The Hunger Games with Scott Westerfeld's Uglies series. Catching Fire was praised for improving upon the first book. Mockingjay was praised for its portrayal of violence, world building, and romantic intrigue.[...]Not exactly gushing, is it.The Chaos Walking Trilogy makes people gush.How about some of my favorite quotes?"We are the choices we make."― Patrick Ness, The Knife of Never Letting Go"Faith with proof is no faith at all."― Patrick Ness, The Ask and the Answer"Choices may be unbelievably hard but they're never impossible. To say you have no choice is to release yourself from responsibility and that's not how a person with integrity acts."― Patrick Ness, Monsters of Men"It's not how we fall. It's how we get back up again."― Patrick Ness, Monsters of MenReady to give it a try? I'm not going to recap the synopsis, you can read that anywhere. Here's what you need to know from me that you can't get anywhere else:Don't give up if you feel frustrated at the writing style after the first few pages. Patrick Ness uses his words as part of the story, and so his style feels a bit awkward at first. For example, some words are spelled fonetiklee because Todd can't read. Also the books are full of stream of consciousness sentences that would earn you an "F" if you tried to use them in English class. But it's intentional. The author's use of words adds to the feeling of the story and endures you to the characters.And speaking of the characters . . .The characters in Chaos Walking are some of the best I've ever read. Every character--from Todd and Viola even down to the horses they ride--is powerful and flawed and full of meaning. Todd, Viola, the Mayor are the major players, but there are no minor players. Everyone is important. Many times I'll describe a book as "character driven" or "plot driven." These books are both--enduring characters living through a powerful story.And speaking of the story . . .I typically don't like 1st person narration because it's so hard to get it right. The Chaos Walking Trilogy is written entirely 1st person--and it couldn't be any other way. It's what makes the story work, and I'm extremely impressed. Todd narrates the first book, Todd and Viola narrate the second, and the third book is narrated by Todd and Viola and one other special guest who I don't think I'll divulge . . . but just know that it works great.And speaking of great . . .Read Chaos Walking.For you parents out there, here's what else you need to know. Chaos Walking has the same level of violence and death as that other trilogy. Also, there is some PG-13 language. I rate all three books 16+.

Ok, I am an adult who loves to read young adult fiction but this book is a book every adult should read too. It's fabulous! Honestly, this series is one of the best I have ever read. I personally don't think you can pick up book three in this series without reading the first two books but in short this the tale of a boy and a girl on a dangerous journey together on the planet New World and yes, the very future of humantity on this planet rest in the hands of these two kids. Although on the surface this tale is one we may have heard before, Mr. Ness introduces something new called "noise" that completly sets his tale apart. Because on New World the thoughts of all men are broadcast for everyone to hear. I must admit it took me a while to adjust to the authors writing style and the "noise" of his main characters but boy was it worth it. I completly fell in love with both Todd and Viola and so enjoyed watching them learn to love one another and then fight for that love again and again. And of course every good tale has to have a villian and boy does Mayor Prentince deliver. But the best surprise of all was the authors ability to bring to life New World's indigenous life form otherwise known as the "Spackle". They are so alien and yet so similair to the humans that have settled New World. I found myself rooting for them despite the deadly consequences for the human populous. All in all this book took my breath away. It really captures the complexity of relationships and the constant testing of our hearts. A wonderful conclusion to an amazing series. The only word of caution I would give for parents is that there are some subtle references to homosexual relationships that sort of took me by surprise.

Really, what is there to say about this book...?The series itself was fascinating. The first book gripped me so much I read it all in a few hours, I just couldn't put it down. Not only that, it had me so emotionally riled up I ended up crying near the end(something I rarely do)...I had high hopes from book one onward, and I think that is what... disappointed me. That's just the word for it. The first book leaves you with such high expectations, you are prepared for an imaginative, intense, heart breaking, wild ride through the rest of the series and once its all done and over with you... feel like something is missing.The second book was very, very good. But the constant switch from Viola's and Todd's point of view got on my nerves, I found myself just wanting to skip Viola's POV and get back to Todds. Don't get me wrong, I liked Viola as a character, but... Todds POV and story was just much more interesting to me.And then there's this book, the final book, Monsters of Men. Really, after the second, book, my expectations had dampened slightly, but I still hoped that the third book would redeem the series, and hence leave me stunned by it. Sadly, this was not to be...The constant switch between POV annoyed me, and the story just seemed to drag on and on and build up forever. And build up to what, really? Really, WHAT WAS IT BUILDING UP TO? The ending disappointed me greatly.Nonetheless, the series overall was a very good read, better than I've been able to enjoy in a long time. It was a thrilling adventure, and I will return to read it again someday.Something that I feel Ness really did well was drawing you close to the characters. I felt what they felt, hurt with them, loved with them, hated with them. I think this was not felt as much in the third book...I do recommend this series, highly, because I feel, that even with its faults, the Chaos Walking series shines above the rest, it is a truly imaginative and emotionally riling world.

Enjoyed the whole series. Easy reading with good story line

I loved every single page from the first book... couldn't stop reading. It's a great work of fiction that I won't forget!

Exceptional plot and character development! PATRICK ness is an absolute genius! Not a single detail is left unattended for! I doubt I’ll ever read a trilogy that is as perfect as this chaos walking

Brilliant story with unique storyline.Purchased both on kindle and audible. Audio version was brilliantly narrated and characters were clear.

This was bloody brilliant. I have to say, this is the BEST ya sci-fi book I've read so far.I'm astounded and half speechless, so what follows shall be broken passages that may not cohere so well.Recommended to everyone who enjoys fantasy and sci-fi, and really anyone who just likes fiction.Absolutely perfect characterization, tone and such powerful themes... Ness is a genius.I can understand why some may not like this, but to me, this is nothing short of a masterpiece.