Children's Book review

The Knife of Never Letting Go

By Patrick Ness

Published by Walker Books

Winner of the 2008 Booktrust Teenage Prize, this is Ness’s first book for young adults.

He imagines a small town in which women have been banished and only men remain, with Todd being the last boy, about to reach manhood. Due to a virus, everyone can hear each other’s thoughts: ‘Noise’.

When Todd discovers a patch of silence he also discovers his first female, Viola, and despite initial mistrust, together they attempt to evade the men who are following Todd.

As they flee he discovers much about himself, his family, about friendship and about prejudice.

The first in a series, this enthralling sci-fi/fantasy novel grips readers throughout, presenting them with tough questions about identity, ethics and the nature of truth.

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Reading age: 9+
Interest level: 11+