The ask and the answer by Patrick Ness
![cover image](https://www.readplus.com.au/covers/askandtheanswer.jpg)
Walker
Books, 2009.
ISBN 9781406310269.
(Age 12+) Highly recommended. After the relentless suspense and an
incredible
cliff hanger ending in The knife
of letting go, I wasn't sure if the
sequel
could live up to that Guardian Children's Fiction Prize winning book.
However I
was not disappointed! Ness has written another wonderful book full of
action
and issues that made me think long after I finished the book. Todd has
taken the
dying Viola into Haven but it has been made into the stronghold of his
enemy
Mayor Prentiss. Imprisoned, Todd is forced to fit into the new order
and
carries out Prentiss' awful orders. Not knowing what has happened to
Viola, he
follows directions, putting bands on the Spackle who are herded into a
labour camp.
He also bands the women. There are secrets, resistance movements and
dire times
for Todd and Viola, who are separated but still care for each other.
I can't reveal too much except to say that the action is nonstop, the
dialogue
is as fabulous as the first book and the theme of what people will do
in times
of war and how they act under duress will stay with me. The
manipulation over
people's minds by Mayor Prentiss is described so vividly that I
finished the
book with a clearer understanding of how a powerful personality can
sway all
before him.
Chaos Walking is an engrossing series and I can't wait for the
next
instalment,
after another cliff hanger ending.
Pat Pledger