2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss the Patrick Ness book, The Knife of Never Letting Go.

Pages: 512 pages

Length: 1 month

Participants: Allie, Kristin MB, Maida, SarahKat

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.


Happy Buddy Reading!

So... I already started this and am about 60% through it. I love this book.

It's totally addictive :) one of my favourite series! Maybe I'll join you guys for a reread if my schedule allows it

Just started reading this book.

This books has been on my TBR for a while so I really want to get to it soon. I’ll see when I can get it from the library!

70%.... end of Part V... seriously don't look at this until you're there.

(view spoiler)[ I do not cry. I am crying. This is what I was worried about since the beginning and the worst has happened. Ugh!

Good effing dog, Manchee. (hide spoiler)]

I have finished it today and love it. It is a ruddy effing good book

I agree Maida!

Maida, I added you to the readers. Samantha, as soon as you confirm you have the list, I will add you. Welcome to the Buddy Ready.

Thanks Khadijah and Samantha.

Kristin wrote: "I am on page 222 and just finished Chapter 20. There is so much sadness in this book. ."

(view spoiler)[ I agree Kristin. On one hand it feels like it's written for the young because of the pace, but I think some of the brutality is over and above what I would expect in a generic YA novel. I don't want to say too much because I can't remember when things happen since I finished early.

I see what you mean about the characters not being complex. I did not feel very connected to the main characters (except Manchee!). That is probably why. They are all good. Although, towards the end I think we start seeing that dynamic change a little bit. It also makes sense for Todd to be that at first. He has grown up in a very black and white world. I think this whole adventure will see him discover the gray areas and become a full person. (hide spoiler)]

Side note: Is this group continuing the series as a buddy read?

Crud!! I forgot all about this book!!!

Started trying to read it a few times and wasn’t getting anywhere so I put it aside. I have no desire now to pick it up again. I’m glad there are a few of you reading together. So sorry!

Kristin wrote: "In response to SarahKat's last post:
[spoilers removed]

I just finished Part 4. I know I am behind. To be honest, I had a hard time getting through the last part, especially the last chapter. When..."

(view spoiler)[ Yes, the Spackle-killing was what stuck in my mind as more brutal than YA. I hated that part. It actually made me feel a bit sick.

I agree with your thoughts on Aaron too! He is really the only part of the book that is just really obnoxious to me. I thought he had to be some supernatural being as well because he just won't die. Otherwise it's just ridiculous that he's still alive and pursuing them. (hide spoiler)]

Understandable. I have a lot of reading on my plate as well. Of course all my library holds came through at once instead of staggering every few weeks like I thought. We're too late to request a February buddy read anyway. I will definitely finish this series at some point though. I wonder if the movie will be a trilogy or if they're going to squeeze the whole book series into one movie?

Kristin, in regards to your Part V spoiler, (view spoiler)[I bawled. I had to set the book down and decide if it was worth even continuing the read it. Manchee's confused "Todd?" was just too much.

I agree about the Ben thing but I think it was important to Todd that he hear much of that info from Ben, instead of from the journal, to hear a man's (a good man) side of things as well as his mother's journal. (hide spoiler)]

The end.. (view spoiler)[ See?! We have to read the next one at some point! I don't think Viola will die though. Ness killed off the dog. Don't kill off the girl too! I actually had to go back and read that part again to make sure what happened actually just happened. (hide spoiler)]

I don't think my copy had the short story or maybe I was so emotionally unstable after finishing the book I didn't notice. Either way, I didn't read it.