Reviews with content warning for Murder - The Ask and the Answer

Reviews tagging 'Murder'

The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness

18 reviews

mailenlovesreading's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

OMG. This book was SO much better than the first. The character development of literally EVERYONE was INSANE.

Fun drinking game: take a shot everytime you see the word boom.

———

Firstly, Mayor/President Prentiss is such a good villain that I honestly love his character. He is so manipulative and intelligent and a horrible person

(the torture and imprisonment and genocide he inflicted was insane)

but that made him such a good character.

Coming up with The Ask in retribution to The Answer was kinda ironically funny (let’s admit it), but also I’m not forgetting the evilness that stemmed from that. He was just such a powerful villain.

I mean, silencing his Noise from others hearing it without the help of the cure, using Noise as a weapon, and being able to mind control others, is just insane.

His whole attempted “I hope you can see me as your father one day” thing was WEIRD but along with manipulating Todd and Viola and using them against each other, it was purposeful and wow.

I’m gushing over him but he was just such a good villain!!!

I mean, he even killed his own son. wtf. Poor Davy :(

———

Poor Davy. If you told me in the last book that I would feel bad for him, I’d never in a million years believe it.

I loved the enemies-to-friends with Davy and Todd, and Davy’s character arc was the saddest yet.

All Davy wanted was his dad’s approval and love, but all his dad cared about was getting Todd on his side as his “son”. But Davy, despite resenting Todd for this, he still loved Todd because he was the only friend he had. AW.

——
The only thing in his Noise is me holding a gun on him.

His only friend holding a gun on him.

“I gave you yer book. I gave you back yer book.”
——

AND THEN HE DIES. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? And it’s brushed over too. I don’t often feel bad when characters die but this one got me, even though I saw it coming.

He was just a sad and lonely boy that only wanted someone to love him. 😭😭😭😭

———

Moving on, sadly, to the Spackle. I was very interested in seeing how that aspect progressed,

so it was tragic when they were massacred. I knew it was the Mayor’s doing, another intelligent move on his part to make it look like the Answer was at fault.

I’m so excited that they are coming back, albeit as an enemy army led by 1017 that no doubt hates Todd, but I am looking forward to some resolution with that hopefully. Even though it’s a bit worrisome for Todd and Viola that they now have three enemy fronts to fight against.

———

Finally, Todd and Viola.

They went so far on opposite sides that I never thought they’d be able to get back to each other. Especially as Todd spiralled further into the control (and his depression, aw).

Their relationship is very sweet and they deserve peace together once this is over.

——
Oh, good girl.
My Noise swells with pride.
That’s my girl.

Oh!! Hands up if you blushed…. 🙋‍♀️
——

Butttt, they are only 14(ish)!!!! Which is crazy to me how these fully-grown adults (Mistress Coyle and Mayor Prentiss) are obsessed with them and their potential power/threat.

They are just kids :(

———

I loved this book, I was thinking about it even when I wasn’t reading it, looking forward to the next time I’d pick it up.

Patrick Ness has created and developed these characters and the plot so well and cleverly. The character development arcs go crazy.

Can’t wait to read the next book!!

Content Warnings

leiaheenan's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

“We are the choices we make.”

If you thought the first book in the series was good, just wait for this one. I’ll admit, I was a bit frustrated with the slow start, but once the pace picked up, it never stopped. There were other details I think that were unnecessary and oddly placed

such as Davey’s death. I really think that there was an incredible opportunity to see their friendship develop more, and his death wasn’t given the space it deserved because so much else was happening at the same time.

. The way that manipulation is written in this book is absolutely phenomenal, and really illustrates the actual process and thought behind the manipulation. Overall, just a great read, and I cannot wait to read the final book of the trilogy.

Content Warnings

sassyykassie's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

rebecca_simard's review against another edition

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adventurous tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Very different from the first book, which follows our main duo traveling a strange world with very few other characters. This book follows their arrival at Haven and the events that transpire after. It discusses loyalty and power in political chaos and how often neither side in a conflict is really right. Todd and Viola are kept separate for most of the book, both operating in very different parts of the political chaos that book one began laying the groundwork for. The dual POV can be frustrating but leads to a super intense scene in the final few chapters. Surprisingly graphic and complex for a YA novel, much more so than the first book, but I think the first one was more fun and endeared me more to the characters. Either way, looking forward to picking up book 3 and seeing if it can tie together the mystery and fun of the first book with the grittyness and introspection of book 2.

Content Warnings

jadarchive's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

abigailhaagen's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark tense medium-paced

4.0

This book was very good, but not as good as the first, in my opinion. Character voice/prose wasn't as strong, and some decisions felt out of character. However, the plot kept me engaged, and I absolutely loved the exploration of grey morals throughout the book.

Content Warnings