Summary from GoodReads:

We were in the square, in the square where I’d run, holding her, carrying her, telling her to stay alive, stay alive till we got safe, till we got to Haven so I could save her – But there weren’t no safety, no safety at all, there was just him and his men…Fleeing before a relentless army, Todd has carried a desperately wounded Viola right into the hands of their worst enemy, Mayor Prentiss. Immediately separated from Viola and imprisoned, Todd is forced to learn the ways of the Mayor’s new order. But what secrets are hiding just outside of town? And where is Viola? Is she even still alive? And who are the mysterious Answer? And then, one day, the bombs begin to explode…”The Ask and the Answer” is a tense, shocking and deeply moving novel of resistance under the most extreme pressure. This is the second title in the “Chaos Walking” trilogy.

My Review:

After reading The Knife of Never Letting Go I admit, I had my doubts about the sequel.  How can anything top that writing (not to mention some.. less than enthusiastic reviews I read).  I flip-flopped a bit, debating on whether to pick up The Ask and the Answer immediately or read something else first – but finally my curiosity won over.  I had to know what happened.

I am sorry I doubted Patrick Ness.  This second book in the trilogy further cemented my complete awe for the man’s writing.  I wondered how he would deal with a potential romance relationship, how he would justify the continuation of two characters who seemed to be at deaths door.  But he pulled it off and then some.

This book, however, fully convinced me that it’s for an older audience.  There are war-time torture technique’s used, and although we’re not given all the details (just Todd’s horror impressions on what he is seeing), the effect is traumatic and chilling.  The overall message being portrayed in this book is terrifying, depressing and it has me longing for hope from.. somewhere.

This series is intense and it’s worthy of every award and nomination it’s received.  I cannot believe I haven’t seen more buzz about it and will do my best to get the word out because it deserves to be read.

Check out these review(s):

At Home with Books

Manda’s Movements