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A review by emilynied
The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I will never shut up about this book. It's probably the best sequel I've ever read. The end of the book just shatters any preconceptions you had about the story and you're left scrambling wondering what else is left for Mr. Patrick Ness to throw at you. SPOILER ALERT there's a lot coming. I've never read a book quite like this that challenges the protagonist like this. Ness isn't afraid to go there and the Todd Hewitt we met and grew to know in The Knife of Never Letting Go is no more... I loved the pacing in this story and the natural divisions of the narrative work so well to keep the reader enticed.
I can't go too much into Todd and Viola in this story without spoiling it but again, Ness challenges the traditional narrative for protagonists. He continues the themes of good vs. evil formed in the first book by sticking the characters in an entirely new environment. Mayor Prentiss is probably one of the best villains i've ever read and the way he works within the world is SO GOOD BUT OBVIOUSLY SO BAD. This story challenges what it means to be a hero and a good person and an adult versus a child. Davy Prentiss was a big surprise for me in this book and it actually hit harder for this read than it has in previous ones. Again, Ness is the character development king. You just have to read it to experience it.
The story is so well developed and we get elements touched on briefly in "The Knife" that are expanded on and bloom into big plot points. The world is developed even further and we as the reader learn along with Todd and Viola who like us, are unsure and lack the information needed to make good, informed choices. Their relationship continues to develop and I adored reading about their strong, strong friendship. I love them so much.
All of the side characters work so well in tandem with the world being build and they just breath life into the story. I can't wait to read the last book in this series yet again, and be amazed yet again at this amazing, amazing series.
I can't go too much into Todd and Viola in this story without spoiling it but again, Ness challenges the traditional narrative for protagonists. He continues the themes of good vs. evil formed in the first book by sticking the characters in an entirely new environment. Mayor Prentiss is probably one of the best villains i've ever read and the way he works within the world is SO GOOD BUT OBVIOUSLY SO BAD. This story challenges what it means to be a hero and a good person and an adult versus a child. Davy Prentiss was a big surprise for me in this book and it actually hit harder for this read than it has in previous ones. Again, Ness is the character development king. You just have to read it to experience it.
The story is so well developed and we get elements touched on briefly in "The Knife" that are expanded on and bloom into big plot points. The world is developed even further and we as the reader learn along with Todd and Viola who like us, are unsure and lack the information needed to make good, informed choices. Their relationship continues to develop and I adored reading about their strong, strong friendship. I love them so much.
All of the side characters work so well in tandem with the world being build and they just breath life into the story. I can't wait to read the last book in this series yet again, and be amazed yet again at this amazing, amazing series.