A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (original idea by Siobhan Dowd)
Publisher: Walker Books
Goodreads Summary: An unflinching, darkly funny, and deeply moving story of a boy, his seriously ill mother, and an unexpected monstrous visitor.

At seven minutes past midnight, thirteen-year-old Conor wakes to find a monster outside his bedroom window. But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting - he's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments. The monster in his backyard is different. It's ancient. And wild. And it wants something from Conor. Something terrible and dangerous. It wants the truth. From the final idea of award-winning author Siobhan Dowd - whose premature death from cancer prevented her from writing it herself - Patrick Ness has spun a haunting and darkly funny novel of mischief, loss, and monsters both real and imagined.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Review: Conor O'Malley is just a boy. He has a recurring nightmare which he doesn't want to face, and school is hard for him, especially when everyone pities him because of his sick mother. It doesn't help that he's the target of the golden boy Harry, also known as the school bully.

I've never seen anything like this book before. The concept is surprisingly original. It's a tale of self discovery, about realising and admitting some things even if you don't want to. The stories told in A Monster Calls have so much relevance to everyone. They are tales of teaching and show you that most things aren't black and white, they're filled with colour and conflict.

A Monster Calls explores many different ideals such as who the bad guy in the story is, whether thoughts are the sam as actions, and why you need to heal yourself moe than anyone else. Conor must face his nightmare, and piece by piece Patrick Ness shows us Conor O'Malley; the lost boy who hates himself.

There aren't too many characters in this book, but they have a lot of meaning. Harry may be a bully, but he is the only one punishing a boy who believes he deserves every punishment there is, Lily symbolises a friendship broken by one mistake, and so on.

Patrick Ness has breathed to life a brilliant idea by Siobhan Dowd. While we will never get to see how she intended to develop it, Patrick Ness has done a wonderful job with A Monster Calls. It is a deserving story which should be read by all; the book fits people of all ages and backgrounds, the storyline is just that powerful and universally understood.
Purchase Location: Borrowed From Library
Edition: Hardcover
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of Patrick Ness and bedtime stories.