A Monster Calls is terrific story about a young boy and how he copes and accepts his mother’s illness. Patrick Ness’s storytelling is at its best, as he draws the reader in almost in an addictive manner. The combination of illustrations and storytelling takes you away in a different world, and allows you to become the boy and understand the monster’s lessons. The illustrations just let your mind expand and wonder off until the entire story is over. Once you start reading you cannot stop, the novel becomes addicting and sucks you in with every page. Whether you have had a friend or family member with an illness, Patrick Ness will leave you with how to accept and cope with that rough patch in your life. The flow of the novel is fluent, and understanding the story is clear and precise. Ness, does not leave you questioning a part in the novel, and always leads you wanting more. The Monster is able to change the boy’s entire way of life by having him accept and acknowledge his mother’s disease. The boy is arrogant and not fully accepting his mother’s illness, but by the end of the novel he has matured and told the truth to his mother and most importantly to himself. No matter your religion, A Monster Calls will give you the teachings of good morals, and a plethora of coping mechanisms. Death is an everyday issue, and A Monster Calls has been given to help us understand and live through the only thing promised in life. It brings you to realize issues that happen every day, and will help one continue to be humble. The novel reflects reality in multiple ways, and every page is a new life lesson to be learned. We all have a friend, or family member struggling in life with some sort of disease, and this book can help all through the sorrow of their loved one. The topics of bullying, friendship, and love are all involved. A great life message, which should be read by all, so that we truly understand life and all of its twist and turns. A Monster Calls has a little taste of everything and without a doubt can teach you a lesson to last a lifetime. Whether you are looking for some advice, or just truly looking for a phenomenal book to read, I can say A Monster Calls will not disappoint.