Article written by Darren

Bart, is a fully signed up member of Book Addicts Anonymous ;) Despite, constantly fighting a losing battle against his T.B.R pile, he is never happier than when he manages to sneak a new book in to the house!

41 Responses

  1. Nymeth
    Nymeth October 17, 2009 at 7:43 pm | | Reply

    “If reading TKONLG was akin to riding a rollercoaster. Then, The Ask and the Answer is like riding the same rollercoaster, at a slower speed, backwards, blindfolded with all the harnesses removed.”

    Ha, YES! That’s a perfect description. And you know, I’m glad I read Nation last year and that it’s number one spot was thus secured ;)
    .-= Nymeth´s last blog ..The Turn of the Screw by Henry James =-.

    1. Bart
      Bart October 18, 2009 at 9:50 am | | Reply

      ‘snot fair! Too many good books! :p

  2. Allison
    Allison October 18, 2009 at 1:38 am | | Reply

    Man.. I REALLY need to read the first book… especially if you’ve enjoyed the 2nd one so much!
    .-= Allison´s last blog ..After years of hesitation, I am doing it. #NaNoWriMo =-.

    1. Bart
      Bart October 18, 2009 at 9:48 am | | Reply

      Yep! You really do! ;)

  3. Becky
    Becky October 18, 2009 at 3:23 am | | Reply

    You did such a great review with this one! It’s a tough one to review because the less you know the better. But I think you did the book justice!!! I think it is one of the best, best books I’ve read this year–if not every other year too. It really restored my faith in reading.
    .-= Becky´s last blog ..The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had (MG) =-.

    1. Bart
      Bart October 18, 2009 at 9:48 am | | Reply

      Thank you, glad you liked my review, it really was a great book. :D

  4. Chris
    Chris October 18, 2009 at 6:31 am | | Reply

    I went ahead and read this review, though I was scared to death there would be spoilers! I should’ve known I could trust you ;) Ok…now I’m dying to just pull it off the shelf and read!!!!! The problem is, I’m reading 3 books already and trying to finish them before the readathon. Why do you do this to me Darren, why!!! LOL.
    .-= Chris´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon – Sunday Reading Journal =-.

    1. Bart
      Bart October 18, 2009 at 9:28 am | | Reply

      As if I’d spoil you!

      It would be impossible to talk about the plot without spoilers anyway, which is why I didn’t. You may want to pad the walls in your new house though, if you through your the last one against the wall… :p

      I wouldn’t read it for the readathon though, you wont be capable of reading anything else afterwards!

  5. Beth F
    Beth F October 18, 2009 at 2:58 pm | | Reply

    First, thank you for this: “Sorry you’re not going to get a synopsis with this one, no way, no how. The only way to go into this one is blind, folks. So I’m just going to talk about the experience of reading it.” Okay, now I’ll go back and read the post….

    I’m back: Ok, I’ll go buy the Knife of Never Letting Go and then TAATA (or whatever that hashtag was).

    Sigh. Book blogging is the death of me . . . no retirement because I can’t save any money.
    .-= Beth F´s last blog ..Awarded Three Times Over =-.

    1. Bart
      Bart October 19, 2009 at 9:38 pm | | Reply

      Yay! Peer pressure works for good as well sometimes! :D

  6. Jenny
    Jenny October 18, 2009 at 4:04 pm | | Reply

    I’m glad you enjoyed it so much – now the long agonizing wait for the third book. Though I can’t imagine things are going to end well…
    .-= Jenny´s last blog ..This week on BTT =-.

    1. Bart
      Bart October 19, 2009 at 9:36 pm | | Reply

      Oh god, don’t. It doesn’t look good for them does it?

  7. Louise
    Louise October 18, 2009 at 4:44 pm | | Reply

    I didn’t read the review or the comments, because I have just ordered this book and am looking forward to read it. The first one was brillant and I will come back here and see what you said about this one once I’ve read it myself.
    .-= Louise´s last blog ..Can you see them? The widgets? =-.

    1. Bart
      Bart October 19, 2009 at 9:32 pm | | Reply

      You’re safe reading the review you know, kept it spoiler free and everything! (Although I was fairly honest about the potential state of your emotions at the end of reading the book!)

  8. Jill
    Jill October 18, 2009 at 10:14 pm | | Reply

    I’ve got The Knife of Never Letting Go. I’ve just got to get it to the top of my TBR pile! That book is a big example of how following book bloggers introduced me to a book. Never heard of it before then!

    1. Bart
      Bart October 19, 2009 at 9:28 pm | | Reply

      It really has gone viral throughout the blogosphere recently hasn’t it? And deservedly so, as well. I just know you’ll enjoy it once it makes it way to the top of your TBR pile!

  9. Debi
    Debi October 19, 2009 at 12:41 am | | Reply

    Okay, I didn’t allow myself to read this review, because I just started the book. But I must say your first line is the most utterly brilliant beginning to a review I’ve EVER seen! :D
    .-= Debi´s last blog ..Dangerous Angels…random thoughts =-.

    1. Bart
      Bart October 19, 2009 at 9:19 pm | | Reply

      Thanks! I was quite proud (read: smug!) about it myself. :D

  10. Kailana
    Kailana October 19, 2009 at 3:00 am | | Reply

    I considered reading this book earlier today, but I have too many other commitments at the moment…

    1. Bart
      Bart October 19, 2009 at 9:18 pm | | Reply

      It’s well worth your time once you get around to it! :D

  11. Alyce
    Alyce October 20, 2009 at 4:43 am | | Reply

    I skimmed your review because I haven’t read The Knife of Never Letting Go yet. I ordered it today though, and can’t wait to read it!
    .-= Alyce´s last blog ..The Maze Runner by James Dashner – Review =-.

  12. Jena
    Jena October 22, 2009 at 4:06 am | | Reply

    Thanks for not revealing the plot; I appreciate it when reviewers recognize that it’s best to go into a book blind. And I’ll add it to my list, ’cause I’m really curious. Thanks!
    .-= Jena´s last blog ..Revised Read-a-Thon List =-.

    1. Bart
      Bart October 22, 2009 at 9:11 pm | | Reply

      Both the books have been ones which are much better not knowing what happens ahead of time. I’m sure you’ll enjoy both of them.

  13. Priscilla
    Priscilla October 23, 2009 at 7:29 pm | | Reply

    Sold! I’ve been making a list of YA fiction for myself, and I’ve just added four titles to my list, just from reading this post. I love books that force me to reassess everything, and from your review it sounds like the Ness books will do that.
    .-= Priscilla´s last blog ..Booking Through Thursday: One Question =-.

  14. Aarti
    Aarti October 25, 2009 at 2:08 am | | Reply

    I have always wanted to comment on your blog, and now I can as a cheerleader! CLEARLY I need to get a copy of The Knife of Never Letting Go and get going with this series since everyone loves it! It’s on the wish list and hopefully I get my hands on it soon…

    Good luck reading!

  15. Stephanie
    Stephanie October 25, 2009 at 9:34 am | | Reply

    Oh man. I finished The Knife of Never Letting Go last week. It almost killed me. And yet, that didn’t stop me from requesting this one from the library!! I just picked it up!! I may wait a week or so to start, but I have a feeling I’ll have the same love/hate I had for the first one. I loved it….and yet it tore at my heart.

  16. Valentina
    Valentina October 27, 2009 at 11:51 pm | | Reply

    “It grabs hold, screws with every emotion you have, chews you up, guts out your insides, and spits you out the other end. Leaving you an empty gibbering husk of a reader. And you know what? You eagerly go back for more!”

    so true! I was holding my breath all the time. If it had been a movie I would have watched it through my hands, trying to hide from the horrible bits. But no matter how heart-wrenching, it was impossible to move away from it…it’s probably going to be my favourite read of the year, even more than Knife…

    1. Bart
      Bart October 29, 2009 at 9:57 pm | | Reply

      It’s certainly an exhausting experience to read! (But one I wouldn’t miss!)

      I’m trying not to think about how long until book 3!

  17. Celia
    Celia November 3, 2009 at 5:02 am | | Reply

    I loved your line at the end of the review, “this does everything that a book should do, grip you, burn itself into your imagination…” That’s so perfect. I haven’t read this one, but it’s waiting. I just finished The Knife of Never Letting Go, and I feel like I need a bit of down time before I go on to the next. Ness’ writing is so flipping intense…a lot to stomach at once.
    Wonderful review! (and thanks for going spoiler-free!)

    1. Bart
      Bart November 3, 2009 at 9:21 pm | | Reply

      Intense is probably an understatement! ;)

  18. Louise
    Louise November 17, 2009 at 9:23 pm | | Reply

    I just finished it and had to check your review. My own will be up in a day or two, and I’ll post the link here. But much as I LOVED the TKONLG, I was much less thrilled with TAATA…but definitely still going to read # 3.

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  21. shanda
    shanda January 29, 2010 at 12:20 pm | | Reply

    Wow, that was a beautifully written review. I am 100 pages from finishing this darn book and agree with everything you wrote, and you clarified it in such an amazing way.

    1. Bart
      Bart January 30, 2010 at 12:19 am | | Reply

      Thanks! 100 pages from the end, eh? I’ll listen for the scream then!

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