In Patrick Ness's A Monster Calls, how does Conor's relationship with the monster change throughout the course of the novel?

At
first, Conor thinks that the monster's nothing more than a dream. There's certainly something
dream-like about how the monster first appears to Conor: by the moonlight near the old church
and graveyard. Under the circumstances, Conor can be forgiven for thinking that the strange
apparition outside is all just a dream. But once he realizes that the monster's real and means
him no harm, Conor gradually starts to develop a close relationship with him.

The monster is incredibly wise, and through the stories he tells Conor, imparts his
wisdom on matters of life and death. In turn, this allows Conor to gain a greater degree of
self-understanding, making him better able to deal with the various issues that cause problems
in his life, such as his mother's terminal illness. The relationship between monster and boy
becomes one of mentor and student, of a moral guide leading his young charge to face up to the
truth of his situation, thus liberating him.