MORE THAN THIS - PATRICK NESS

A boy drowns, desperate and alone in his final moments. He dies.

Then he wakes, naked and bruised and thirsty, but alive.

How can this be? And what is this strange deserted place?

As he struggles to understand what is happening, the boy dares to hope. Might this not be the end? Might there be more to this life, or perhaps this afterlife?

More Than This is one giant, exhilarating mouse chase. It leaves you guessing until the end, and even long after the book has finished. Patrick Ness uses a technique both evil and smart, in that he leaves most chapters on a cliffhanger. If you put down the book, you will be itching to pick it back up again.

Every character in this story is mysterious. From the Driver to Seth, they all have their mysteries and secrets attached to them. Some secrets will unravel throughout the book, but others remain secrets to the reader. Whilst this can be frustrating at times, it is also an interesting way to allow the reader to form their own conclusions and impressions about the characters. The Driver was the most interesting character, which is funny, as it does not speak throughout the book. I have my theories on the Driver and its connection with Seth, but I'm going to leave you to form your own theories yourself. 

The story was fast paced throughout and very creepy. However, it also has a heart and is very touching in places. The story deals with themes such as sexuality, abuse, escapism and fear in various ways. I feel these topics were handled well, both in the obvious appearances in the book as well as the abstract.

Overall, More Than This is a must read. It keeps you on your toes throughout and shocks you in ways you may not even fully understand. Ideal for anyone who is looking for a fast paced, sci - fi / mystery, with amazing characters and deep themes explored.

5/5