The Ask and the Answer & The Wide, Wide Sea

Chaos Walking, Books 2 & 2.5

By: Patrick Ness

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

The Ask and the Answer

Fleeing before a relentless army, Todd has carried a desperately wounded Viola right into the hands of their worst enemy, Mayor Prentiss. Immediately separated from Viola and imprisoned, Todd is forced to learn the ways of the Mayor's new order. But what secrets are hiding just outside of town? And where is Viola? Is she even still alive? And who are the mysterious Answer? And then, one day, the bombs begin to explode …

The Wide, Wide Sea

A Chaos Walking short story to listen to with The Ask and the Answer. Set before the Spackle War in a small fishing village by the sea, this is a heartbreaking tale of love and loyalty in a divided world. Best listened to immediately after The Ask and the Answer, it features familiar characters such as Mistress Coyle, but will give a new perspective on the shocking events in the award-winning trilogy.

©2018 Patrick Ness (P)2024 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

'It’s grim, yes, but so well written that it’s acceptable. I would recommend this to all teenagers. Five stars – I couldn’t give it less.' (The Guardian)

'Grim and beautifully written ... uses a brilliant cast of well-developed characters and its singular setting and premise to present a provocative examination of the nature of evil and humanity. This is among the best YA science fiction novels of the year.' (on The Ask and the Answer) (Publishers Weekly, starred review)