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Release

By: Patrick Ness
Narrated by: Michael Crouch
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About this listen

The most personal and tender novel yet from Patrick Ness, the twice Carnegie Medal-winning author of A Monster Calls.

Adam Thorn doesn't know it yet, but today will change his life. Between his religious family, a deeply unpleasant ultimatum from his boss and his own unrequited love for his sort-of ex, Enzo, it seems as though Adam's life is falling apart. At least he has two people to keep him sane: his new boyfriend (he does love Linus, doesn't he?) and his best friend, Angela. But all day long, old memories and new heartaches come crashing together, throwing Adam's life into chaos. The bindings of his world are coming untied one by one; yet in spite of everything he has to let go, he may also find freedom in the release.

From the New York Times best-selling author of A Monster Calls comes a raw, darkly funny and deeply affecting story about the courage it takes to live your truth.

©2017 Patrick Ness. Published by Walker Books Ltd. London & Walker Books Australia Pty. Ltd, Sydney (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers Coming of Age Difficult Situations Family & Relationships Friendship LGBTQ+ Literature & Fiction Funny Heartfelt

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All stars
Most relevant  
2 separate stories inter-twining as one. Each affecting the other. Poetic and strange. I love it

weird, I think

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one of the shortest stories, but still really good. touches on important topics, advocating for younger generations and still bringing some whimsical tones to it. recommend

a good and quick read

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The two stories come together at the end but i really think they would work a lot better if they were two separate novels, and the fantasy style one has so much room to grow.

I don't like the narration of this. There is not much distinctiveness between a lot of the characters.

two separste stories that are forced to be lijked.

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very clever links to Mrs Dalloway. A good book for teens that manages to deal with a lot of issues in a clear way. The reader is excellent.

different but good

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Strong characters, an impelling storyline, and an exploration of teenage relationships family ties in a small town, with a dash of fantastical elements too. Highly recommended.

A Fabulous Read

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Although well written, this book's storyline is long winded and cumbersome. Disappointing for a Patrick Ness fan.

Not up to Ness's own high standards

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Such a shame, I loved ‘a monster calls’ and was was keen to try something new by Patrick Ness. This title had been nominated on the shortlist for the Carnegie award, so I was hoping it would carry a similar punch of emotion and draw me into the characters world in the same way.

It didn’t - quite simply the characters are completely flat and the plot bumbles from one cliché to another. The story lacks heart, lacks humour and sadly for me personally I just didn’t find any enjoyment from this.

I listened to the end in the hope that I could find something to take away from the experience, sadly it wasn’t to be.

Quality production and narration but the story itself lacks any meaningful purpose or interest

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