The Ask and the Answer

Chaos Walking, Book 2

By: Patrick Ness

Narrated by: Angela Dawe, Nick Podehl

Length: 12 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

The riveting Chaos Walking trilogy by two-time Carnegie Medalist Patrick Ness.

“Grim and beautifully written.... Superb.... This is among the best YA science fiction novels of the year.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

Reaching the end of their flight in The Knife of Never Letting Go, Todd and Viola did not find healing and hope in Haven. They found instead their worst enemy, Mayor Prentiss, waiting to welcome them to New Prentisstown. There they are forced into separate lives: Todd to prison, and Viola to a house of healing where her wounds are treated. Soon Viola is swept into the ruthless activities of the Answer, while Todd faces impossible choices when forced to join the mayor’s oppressive new regime. In alternating narratives the two struggle to reconcile their own dubious actions with their deepest beliefs. Torn by confusion and compromise, suspicion and betrayal, can their trust in each other possibly survive?

©2010 Patrick Ness (P)2010 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Science fiction lovers will be looking for the next installment in this fast-paced and imaginative series." ( School Library Journal)

Todd's Narration is Great; Viola's Not So Much

Would you consider the audio edition of The Ask and the Answer to be better than the print version?

I would consider reading the print version for this book. I love listening to Nick Podehl - he is really entertaining. But the narrator for Viola was just so dull. Everything she says is quiet and reserved, and maybe that's part of Viola's circumstance and personality, but man was it hard to listen to. I had a hard time staying interested during her chapters. Several times I had to turn off the book and turn on music when I was driving during her chapters because I felt myself becoming distracted or tired.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Ask and the Answer?

Only 1/3 of the way through at this point.

What three words best describe Angela Dawe and Nick Podehl ’s voice?

HER: Quiet, reserved, timid
HIM: Funny, alive, elastic

Any additional comments?

I loved the first book - The Knife of Never Letting Go. Although I find this second book very interesting, it hasn't yet grabbed me in the same way. I think maybe it's because Manchee isn't around anymore, and also because many of the secrets have already been uncovered.

But it's still an entertaining book and much more original than some of the other YA fiction I've read.

Love it!

I may actually like this book better than the first, which is unusual for me. So, if you've already read the first, then what are you waiting for? Go find out what happens to Viola and Todd!
I really like the voice actors. At times, Dawe gets a little quiet for the car speakers, but she does a great job with the acting. I loved Podehl's performance both in this book and the first one.

Seriously good series!

This has been an awesome series so far! Definitely recommend! I just finished book two and had to download book three immediately.

I can't wait to see how this story plays out!

I enjoyed listening. Almost as edgy as the 1st book and I loved the passionate performance given, onto the next :)

If you liked the first one then...

Well ok, if you liked the first one you'll like this one as well. Tonally its very similar, thematically not so much, in my opinion it takes a turn for the better. More mature, darker (yes indeed). Overall its great, highly recommended and my complaints bellow are nitpicking.

I just have ONE issue with it which is the repetitiveness both in syntax as well as somewhat in the story. To elaborate "viola, viola, viola, VIOLA, VIOLA", "and I run, and I run, and I run". It gets annoying after a while especially in audio book form where you don't have a choice but to listen to it. For the next part MILD SPOILERS.

SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
.
.
.
.
The situation where Tod and Viola are captured where Tod yells "ill kill you, ill fucking kill you" over and over again happens like four times, one would assume that they learned something by that point.

Great book. Awful voice over.

The book is really good along with all the others in this series however, it was ruined by a horrible voice over.

Fun

Another great story picking up right where the other stopped. There's times when you ask why don't they just do this? But the scene ends and you forgive as the story continues.
Also this is my favorite narrator.

stellar story and gut wrenching performance

The narrators executed this book amazingly! They brought an extremely emotional book to life in such a potent way.

Such a good book from beginning to end!

This book was even better then the first! This is a must read for anyone looking for a new series to get sunk in to!

A New Perspective

If you could sum up The Ask and the Answer in three words, what would they be?

Exciting, refreshing, and entertaining.

What did you like best about this story?

I like that the author has taken the time worn concept from Sci Fi of telepathy, and given it a new more realistic twist. I also love that the reader gives us the story in an adult voice, with wonderful characters, even though this is a teen book.