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The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking, Book 1)

(2008, Fiction - Science Fiction, Written by Patrick Ness)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Exciting but very violent dystopian thriller.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The society in this story is very sexist, in some cases to the point of deliberately massacring women.
  • Violence:

    Lots, and quite grim and gruesome, including a man who has part of his face torn off, a man who beats and stabs a boy, a dog killed by breaking its back, children killing, and a girl shot in the belly. There are many injuries with realistic consequences, and many deaths. One especially gruesome climactic fight involves breaking of bones, snapping of gristle, crushing of eyeballs, and lots of blood.
  • Sex:

    A mention of castrating sheep.
  • Language:

    "F--k" used once, "effing" used often as a stand-in, "goddamn" used several times.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    A girl is drugged, adults smoke and drink to drunkenness.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking, Book 1)

Parents need to know that this is a gruesomely violent book, with horrible injuries described graphically, and a shocking level of brutality, especially of men towards boys, women, and animals. One climactic fight involves the breaking of bones, snapping of gristle, crushing of eyeballs, and lots of blood -- not for the faint-hearted or sensitive.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the central issue of killing. Why is it so important to make Todd a killer? Why does he resist even when it seems justified and necessary? Why doesn't he resist with the Spackle? What do you think of the resolution to the Aaron problem?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    a good read for adults too!

    This is a violent book but it does not glorify violence it really shows how brutality sickens the soul and twists the mind The farm work is realistic unfortunately so is the hatred filled actions and statements from some characters. This *is* a book that demands discussion after reading however so it might not be for everyone

  2. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    For early to mid teens.

    I loved it... it was violent at times and laguage was used but honesly kids are gonna hear it like its not as if a little five year old is reading it! Its an early to mid teens book... the plot is fantastic, the characters are believeable and a great message to fight for what you believe in! GO READ IT.

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