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53 pages 1 hour read

More Than This

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2013

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Book Brief

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Patrick Ness

More Than This

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2013
Book Details
Pages

480

Format

Novel • Fiction

Theme
Publication Year

2013

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

Lexile Level

HL800L

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Super Short Summary

More Than This by Patrick Ness follows Seth Wearing, a teenage boy who dies by suicide and wakes up in a strange, desolate version of his childhood hometown. As he explores what he believes to be his personal hell, he learns that humanity entered an alternate online reality to escape an ecological collapse. Seth meets other teenagers who also "died" and together, they evade a machine that seeks to reinsert them into the simulation while confronting their own traumas and the nature of reality. Topics include suicide, suicidal ideation, domestic abuse, anti-LGBTQ+ biases, and physical violence.

Mysterious

Emotional

Contemplative

Dark

Suspenseful

Reviews & Readership

4.1

70,523 ratings

72%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Patrick Ness's More Than This is a compelling mix of mystery and philosophical introspection, praised for its imaginative premise and deep emotional resonance. Critics admire its complex characters and thought-provoking themes. However, some find the pacing uneven and the resolution unsatisfying. Overall, it offers a rich, if occasionally challenging, reading experience.

Who should read this

Who Should Read More Than This?

Readers who enjoy introspective, genre-blending novels with young adult protagonists will appreciate More Than This by Patrick Ness. Fans of John Green's Looking for Alaska and Neal Shusterman's Scythe series will find the blend of mystery, emotional depth, and speculative elements compelling and thought-provoking.

4.1

70,523 ratings

72%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Character List

Seth Wearing

Seth is a high school boy and the protagonist of the story, which is narrated from his perspective. He faces significant challenges related to his past and develops over the course of the narrative.

Regine is a tall and assertive girl with a strong presence who becomes close friends with Seth. She comes across as tough but is deeply caring and supportive.

Tomasz is a young and clever boy with a distinctive messy hairstyle, known for providing comic relief through his dramatic demeanor. He shares a close friendship with Seth and Regine.

Gudmund is one of Seth's close friends and has a secret romantic relationship with him. He is depicted as bright and easygoing.

Book Details
Pages

480

Format

Novel • Fiction

Theme
Publication Year

2013

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

Lexile Level

HL800L

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