The Ask and the Answer

Patrick Ness

Oct 2010 · Candlewick Press

About this ebook

Part two of the literary sci-fi thriller follows a boy and a girl who are caught in a warring town where thoughts can be heard – and secrets are never safe.

Reaching the end of their flight in The Knife of Never Letting Go, Todd and Viola did not find healing and hope in Haven. They found instead their worst enemy, Mayor Prentiss, waiting to welcome them to New Prentisstown. There they are forced into separate lives: Todd to prison, and Viola to a house of healing where her wounds are treated. Soon Viola is swept into the ruthless activities of the Answer, while Todd faces impossible choices when forced to join the mayor’s oppressive new regime. In alternating narratives the two struggle to reconcile their own dubious actions with their deepest beliefs. Torn by confusion and compromise, suspicion and betrayal, can their trust in each other possibly survive?

Ratings and reviews

Loved it. Can't explain why, really. The characters were intriguing; the underlying ideas of gender, species and roles in society were very interesting. All three books in this series felt the same way. I enjoyed each one the same.

Kept me reading until the very end, and I simply couldn't put it down. The ending twist was very surprising, but sets up for the next book very well.

Amazing sequel, can't wait for the movie! The next book is even better. This is currently my favorite series!

About the author

Patrick Ness, an award-winning novelist, has written for England’s Radio 4 and Sunday Telegraph and is a literary critic for The Guardian. Born in Virginia, he currently lives in London.