Name: The Ask and the Answer (Chaos Walking #2)
Author: Patrick Ness
Publisher: Walker Books
Star Rating: * * * *
Well, Chaos Walking, we meet again.
It's been an entire year since I read (and loved) the first book in the series, The Knife of Never Letting Go, and now I've returned for round two with the second book, The Ask and the Answer.
Following on from a cliff hanger, this title really did have some questions to answer (no pun intended!) and it turns out to be a decent continuation in the series.
Okay, so what's going down plot-wise?
In one major development, 'Mayor Prentiss' of Prentiss Town and his army have succeeded in taking absolute power over New World. Renamed as 'President Prentiss', the society is preparing for the arrival of thousands of settlers, whose landing could potentially change the course of life on their planet forever. President Prentiss' leadership results in repression over his population and the segregation of men and women, so it isn't long until he begins to find himself with a little challenging opposition...
And then there's Todd and Viola, who are still alive after a perilous situation in the previous book, but separated by the President, and desperately trying to find each other again.
I've actually found myself caring more about the planet itself and the people on it collectively, instead of Todd and Viola themselves. I like them as characters, and I like them separately, but honestly it gets pretty annoying when Viola is the only thing that Todd can think about. All. Of. The. Time. Seriously.
For those of you who aren't aware, a characteristic part of this world is a concept called the 'noise'. Which basically means that the thoughts of every animal and male human being on the planet are audible- nothing is private and only the women are exempt. It's a bit of a twist, and creates a lot of conflict.
One thing that really shocked me in this book was the town's treatment of the spackle, an animal like creature that's similar to a human being. The way that they were treated is absolutely appalling, and made me cringe on so many occasions. As beings that share a bloody history with the humans, I understand that they can be dangerous, but I longed to see them treated with compassion and respect. This is probably what Ness intended readers to feel, but still, it riled me up.
The spackle are intelligent creatures. Where exactly is the line between 'animal' and 'human', and does it even matter?
The element of war is prominent once again in this second book, and it's something I that enjoyed. Todd and Viola are a part of something much bigger then themselves and the future of their world is in a state of imminent change. Expect explosions, death and sacrifice, as well as a ton of danger and oodles of bravery. A combination which, of course, makes for an exciting read.
I've been pretty harsh about Todd and Viola, they mean everything to each other, and it's not as if they have anyone else in the whole universe. No parents, and no family. I do want them to end up 'happily ever after', but I guess that I'm just going to have to read book three and find out what happens!
I'll earmark it in for next summer.
