September is Seeing Double
There are so many great books to read out there, I don't always get a chance to read sequels. This month, I'm focusing on some great follow-up books! Some I may even like *more* than the original. Series lovers, get ready for sequels worth reading.
There are so many great books to read out there, I don't always get a chance to read sequels. This month, I'm focusing on some great follow-up books! Some I may even like *more* than the original. Series lovers, get ready for sequels worth reading.
Haven is not what they expected. They arrived to the silence of submission. Shocked to see people, but not hear their noise, Todd and Viola aren't sure what to think. Seeing Mayor Prentiss looming over them doesn't exactly bode well.
Todd is desperate to see Viola after they are separated. She was so injured, he needs to know she's ok ... but he can't really trust the Mayor, uh, "President" Prentiss (as he keeps being reminded). Todd can't believe that the entire town of Haven just rolled over and let the threat of an army win them over. Todd gets thrown into a makeshift prison with the former Mayor of Haven, and all he wants to know is why? Why would you give up your freedom without a fight?
After everything that has happened, nothing could make Todd trust him. The former mayor tells him that they found a cure to the noise, they found a peace, and they decided surrender was the best way to prevent loss of life. Of course, the "President" has commandeered all of their cure for his own men. He threatens to kill the former mayor, but relents. Todd isn't sure what to think except that he knows that the President is manipulative. He knows that it's the bandage after the beating that gains your trust, allows you to let down your guard.
Viola has been taken to the healers. She and the rest of the women have been separated from the men. Mistress Coil is the best healer in all of Haven, and the former leader of the town. She is a formidable woman, and Viola wants to trust her...but she seems to be wary of Viola's attachment to the President. No matter how she tries to protest her innocence, the President's visits have put them at odds. Viola is surprised at the President's kindness, although she knows he is not to be trusted.
The hesitant feeling around town is, "this isn't as bad as I thought it would be," especially after the women are allowed to start coming out during the day. But only in groups of four, and not after dark. Soldiers still patrol the streets with guns. Viola wants to get to the communication tower and try to contact the ships, but it all goes wrong, and now she's alone again.
Sides are formed, "The Ask" and "The Answer." The tentative peace is slowly being eaten away. Can the residents of the town ever find common ground? Will Todd and Viola find a way to reunite?
"Battle not with monsters
lest you become a monster
and if you gaze into the abyss
the abyss gazes into you," (Nietzche, quoted in Ness, prologue, 2009).
If you liked this, check out:
Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness (Chaos Walking, Book 3)
Ness, Patrick. (2009). The Ask and the Answer. Somerville, Mass: Candlewick Press.