The Ask and the Answer – Patrick Ness

I adored The Knife of Never Letting Go, it was amazing but I put off going straight onto The Ask and the Answer just incase the sequel didn’t measure up! I shouldn’t have been worried and I’m gunna really try not to put myself off the third book because The Ask and the Answer was incredible, if not sick and twisted of course! 

The story picks up pretty much where we left off. I was glad that there was a bit of a recap but not an overly obvious one, as I had forgotten a bit about what happened and needed that. I picked up the story quite quickly and even quicker it went into the new one… I loved where this book took the overall trilogy and the way it makes you question things. There’s an overall theme about things not being as black and white as you may think which works brilliantly and at times you find yourself questioning the methods and actions of the worst – and the best – characters. 

The sci-fi element of the book is what hits me the most about this book. I don’t do sci-fi very well but I love it in this trilogy, I feel like I understand it all and I love learning new little about the New World. One thing that really stands out in New World is the hatred of women and their lack of ‘the Noise.’ This was picked up on in TKoNLG but it was expanded and made me seethe with hatred in TAatA. The Mayor was particularly evil when it came to women and I found myself on more than one occasion having to stop reading and remind myself that he’s not a real person, I can’t actually throttle him! 

I loved the way that the story puts pressure onto the characters in this book and how Todd and Viola both find themselves doing things that they don’t necessarily want to do but believe they have to to do the right thing by each other and the people of New Prentisstown. I also loved Davy’s character in this book even though he was awful, I felt sorry for him a lot towards the end especially and I think his weakness was also his strength in places. 

I love it when book titles relate well to the content, without it being overly obviously without reading the book. The idea of the Ask and the Answer was incredible and what it all stood for was something which really made me think, especially when it came to the Asking. I can understand why the characters get dragged up into it all in the way they do and it makes for an amazing story. 

I don’t want to give too much away but like its predecessor The Ask and the Answer is full of surprises and heartbreak. I didn’t actually cry this time but I was overcome with emotion and I cant wait to see where the series goes next. Its one that I would recommend to every older teen and adult because it teams a great story with an amazing theme, good characters and fantastic writing.