readingwithmarlow's review
4.0
Honestly I enjoyed this book better than the first. Not by much but...definitely loved all the turmoil that Todd and Viola go through. It's a romance neatly woven in-between an action packed story line.
bookishissy's review
4.0
Highly recommend listening to the audiobook by bolinda, wonderfully done. Great trilogy so far.
claudiaque's review
5.0
This book series is out to get me emotionally.
Quick thoughts: an amazing follow up that somehow tops the emotional impact (well, other than that one thing which broke me) and tension of the first book.
In this sequel we follow both Todd and Viola after they discover that their destination is not quite what they expected. They both deal with the difficulties of war, oppression, and betrayals.
Viola’s POV is a welcome addition and distinct voice that adds to the story rather than detracts. The tension building of this book is so impeccable. It felt like an ever-tightening restraint on my chest. The villain was the perfect amount of mysterious and ominous. But also, a surprising turn of villainy from every direction leads to a lack of being able to settle or feel comfortable with any side.
Todd’s journey is really the most captivating and devastating. While Viola finds herself at least somewhat removed from the horrors of the novel, Todd is thrust and forced slowly into capitulating in them. We watch him slowly lose himself and in such a believable way that its feels understandable and inexcusable at the same time which is where he is at in viewing himself.
**Spoilers for a moment that destroyed me:**
-“Todd's leant down, his hands on his knees, staring at the floor. ‘It wasn’t me, was it?’ he says, his voice quiet, too. ‘I didn’t-‘ He gestures again at the band without looking up. ‘I didn’t do it without knowing it was you, did I?’”
Todd removed himself from his own mind so completely to avoid what was happening around him and what he was doing that he feared he wouldn’t even recognize who was in front of him. I CRIED.
Overall, a super good follow up that takes a good look at war and power and those caught under it. I’m not a big fan of how it ended but still looking forward to the next one.
Quick thoughts: an amazing follow up that somehow tops the emotional impact (well, other than that one thing which broke me) and tension of the first book.
In this sequel we follow both Todd and Viola after they discover that their destination is not quite what they expected. They both deal with the difficulties of war, oppression, and betrayals.
Viola’s POV is a welcome addition and distinct voice that adds to the story rather than detracts. The tension building of this book is so impeccable. It felt like an ever-tightening restraint on my chest. The villain was the perfect amount of mysterious and ominous. But also, a surprising turn of villainy from every direction leads to a lack of being able to settle or feel comfortable with any side.
Todd’s journey is really the most captivating and devastating. While Viola finds herself at least somewhat removed from the horrors of the novel, Todd is thrust and forced slowly into capitulating in them. We watch him slowly lose himself and in such a believable way that its feels understandable and inexcusable at the same time which is where he is at in viewing himself.
**Spoilers for a moment that destroyed me:**
-“Todd's leant down, his hands on his knees, staring at the floor. ‘It wasn’t me, was it?’ he says, his voice quiet, too. ‘I didn’t-‘ He gestures again at the band without looking up. ‘I didn’t do it without knowing it was you, did I?’”
Todd removed himself from his own mind so completely to avoid what was happening around him and what he was doing that he feared he wouldn’t even recognize who was in front of him. I CRIED.
Overall, a super good follow up that takes a good look at war and power and those caught under it. I’m not a big fan of how it ended but still looking forward to the next one.
ellierichards90's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating 3.5*
Like " The Knife of Never Letting Go", this book is dark and complex in it's themes, and would also appeal to adult readers.
The character's personalities are interesting and unpredictable. I particularly found Mayor Prentiss fascinating (although I wouldn't say I like him much!). However, the way the main characters relationships developed throughout the book at times seemed out of place or unbelievable.
I did find that towards the end of the story things felt a bit rushed and were clearly just setting up for the final book. However, overall "The Ask and Answer" held my attention well and I'm looking forward to finishing the trilogy.
Like " The Knife of Never Letting Go", this book is dark and complex in it's themes, and would also appeal to adult readers.
The character's personalities are interesting and unpredictable. I particularly found Mayor Prentiss fascinating (although I wouldn't say I like him much!). However, the way the main characters relationships developed throughout the book at times seemed out of place or unbelievable.
I did find that towards the end of the story things felt a bit rushed and were clearly just setting up for the final book. However, overall "The Ask and Answer" held my attention well and I'm looking forward to finishing the trilogy.
cjones01's review against another edition
4.0
While I personally think that the first one was just a little bit better, I loved this book. It really made me think and had me constantly questioning my allegiance. The endings of these books never fail to leave me wanting more.
howattp's review against another edition
3.0
This is one of the darkest YA books I've ever read. It's the George R.R. Martin of YA--without the same content issues...
zotty's review against another edition
5.0
This book had kind of a slow start, which was okay given the information that needed to come across. Then halfway into the book I went HOLY SHIT THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING SHIT SHIT SHIT I AM CRYING WHY DO YOU ALWAYS MAKE ME CRY (as I always do with Patrick Ness books, it's a mess of emotions but I'm sort of addicted to his writing) and then the end was even worse after I thought this was done for me... I'm reading the third book now. God am I lucky I don't have to wait for the sequel. I love Todd and Viola's relationship and I want them together and I'm pretty sure it's going to happen even though I'm also sure that my heart will be ripped out and stomped on in the third book, even more than in this one. And this was already emotionally wrecking, violent, heartbreaking and such a great, great book. This review is basically a love letter to Patrick Ness.
nicky_bsn's review against another edition
5.0
Crazy mayor/president. What the hell is he thinking. Who would want that, I mean: come on. Weirdo.
In the Ask & the Answer Todd is held prisoner and Viola is held prisoner and mayor Prentiss takes over Haven, calling it new Prentisstown. Then a rebellion is started by the woman, calling themselves the Answer after the woman army who defeated the Spackle. Todd searches for Viola as Viola searches for Todd, until she decides to join the Answer and Todd is left all by himself, feeling betrayed, ultimately not feeling anything at al, because: I am the Circle and the Circle is me. The woman of the Answer plan bombings and raids and the mayor fights back with terrible ways of torture. The war begins, with 2 sides or 3...?
When I began reading it, I had the feeling it went really slow. Like there wasn't really anything happening, but after a couple of chapters, things started to change and get excited again. Viola and Todd are desperately searching for each other until Viola runs off toward the Answer. She doesn't know that she'll be betrayed and lied too, over and over again. And then, when she finds Todd again, she's tortured for information and finally when it seems they won, things change for the worse AGAIN! Not only do they have to convince the mayor's army that the mayor is evil, they also have to convince the Answer that mistress Coyle is evil. And in the mean time they also have to prepare for the final war, against a huge army of Spackle, who will take their side and will they even see each other again? Excitement ;)
In the Ask & the Answer Todd is held prisoner and Viola is held prisoner and mayor Prentiss takes over Haven, calling it new Prentisstown. Then a rebellion is started by the woman, calling themselves the Answer after the woman army who defeated the Spackle. Todd searches for Viola as Viola searches for Todd, until she decides to join the Answer and Todd is left all by himself, feeling betrayed, ultimately not feeling anything at al, because: I am the Circle and the Circle is me. The woman of the Answer plan bombings and raids and the mayor fights back with terrible ways of torture. The war begins, with 2 sides or 3...?
When I began reading it, I had the feeling it went really slow. Like there wasn't really anything happening, but after a couple of chapters, things started to change and get excited again. Viola and Todd are desperately searching for each other until Viola runs off toward the Answer. She doesn't know that she'll be betrayed and lied too, over and over again. And then, when she finds Todd again, she's tortured for information and finally when it seems they won, things change for the worse AGAIN! Not only do they have to convince the mayor's army that the mayor is evil, they also have to convince the Answer that mistress Coyle is evil. And in the mean time they also have to prepare for the final war, against a huge army of Spackle, who will take their side and will they even see each other again? Excitement ;)
mzjai117's review
5.0
Damn it Patrick Ness! You’ve found another way to keep me thoroughly engrossed in this story, this love between Todd and Viola and The madman who they call the Mayor. And now the book ends and I’m just like I have to get the next book to find out how it truly ends. The Ask and the Answer is truly a different type of YA novel. It’s not sappy or stupid but it has this bit of dystopian sci fi that keeps me so excited. This whole premise is fresh! I absolutely LOVE this series. I’m a fan!