A review by nila
The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious fast-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

After running from a relentless army for what seemed like forever, Todd and Viola has finally reached their goal: the city of Haven. Bruised, battered and carrying a gunshot Viola, Todd, stumbles into the place that was their last hope for safety, only to find that the gates of the city does not introduce freedom, as they had hoped, but another one of Mayor Prentiss' traps.

Imprisoned and separated from his dear Viola, Todd learns to follow the rules of the Mayor's new regime. In a world where one can hide nothing, and no one has any secrets, Todd tries to separate the truth among so many lies: Where is Viola? And who are the mysterious Answer? On his way he make discoveries of what is outside the town that only raises more questions than it brings answers. Soon, a second part joins the march down the path to certain waging war. A path where bombs are dropped without mercy. And in the midst of it all, are two teenagers trying to find each other while depicting utter resistance against the extreme pressure of the Mayor's rule.

Yes, I've literally shed tears reading this and also laughed my head figuratively off.


I want to point out this ridiculously clever trick he uses: he will introduce you to multiple potential storylines, out of which, some will have quite predictable outcomes, but then there will be one thing that will catch you completely off guard, and it will have you on the edge of your seat. There were moments where I had to just get up from the chair and just pace around my room before getting back to the book.

Patrick Ness' writing is brilliant. His respect and understanding of the reader is so evident. He excels in character development and continuity, which adds the to the brilliant experience of reading this novel. 

I had such high hopes for this sequel and it did not disappoint. Never mind being a hundred percent engaged in the story, but I haven't been MOVED by a novel in so long and it's such a great refreshing feeling. This feeling is the reason I read, the reason I turn page after page.