My Thoughts, My Review: The Ask and the Answer (Chaos Walking #2)

After the heart-stopping cliffhanger at the end of The Knife of Never Letting Go, Todd and Viola find themselves separated, with no knowledge of where the other is or if they’re even still alive. They find themselves working for opposite sides of a war that is brewing in New Prentisstown, and they must try to stay true to themselves and do what is right even when faced with enormous pressures to conform.

What I loved most about this book was the social commentary that is provided. While The Knife of Never Letting Go examined self-discovery and identity, The Ask and the Answer looks at the bigger picture and explores free-will in an oppressive environment, terrorism, and war, power, and resistance, among other themes. 

I enjoyed the focus on the grey areas, on the fact that life isn’t black and white and that there is no right or wrong. What the book makes us realize is that things that are seemingly wrong are not always wrong and things that we do ostensibly for the greater good are not always right. Throughout the book we see our characters vacillate between this blurred spectrum of right and wrong, and their internal struggle to determine what’s best for the world and what’s best for themselves.

For me, the pace of this book was much slower than The Knife of Never Letting Go. Even though it was still a quick read for me, I felt like there were times when nothing was happening. The first 150 pages had almost not actioned and I wasn’t really excited by it until we got past the 25% mark. 

However, the rest of the book was exciting and I enjoyed seeing the conflict and the struggle for power. The book ends with a powerful climax and another unbearable cliffhanger. You should probably have Monsters of Men on hand so that you can continue straight away. I took a lot of willpower for me to stop and write this review 

We still get the same almost stream of consciousness writing style in this book but it was less noticeable for me than it was in The Knife of Never Letting Go. In this second installment, we also get to read from Viola’s perspective and it was interesting to see the differences in writing style and voice between the two perspectives.

I probably still enjoyed reading from Todd’s perspective a little bit more because I love his voice and how well the writing flows. But I still really enjoyed being able to see from Viola’s point of view. The shifts in perspective were smooth and didn’t feel jarring. I am in love with Patrick Ness’s writing!

The characters in The Ask and the Answer were fantastic. I enjoyed being able to see Todd and Viola develop further in this book, and develop separately. I probably enjoyed The Knife of Never Letting Go a little bit more than The Ask and the Answer purely because we don’t get to see as much of Todd and Viola together (I SHIP) but I also thoroughly appreciated being able to see them grow separately, with different influences. 

Needless to say, the scenes where they were together were my favorite in this second book. Another thing that I admire about Patrick Ness is his ability to make me loathe a character in one book and love them in the next. There were characters that I was expecting to hate forever and ever but they ended up being big surprises and I went all teary-eyed at some parts. All of the characters are extremely complex and make me continue to question their motives.

 Also, for those of you who were upset about Manchee in the first book, there’s another animal friend in this novel that might help cure your heartache. But Manchee will never be replaced! NEVER!

Overall, I thought this was a wonderful sequel! Even though it was a bit slower and didn’t have as much action as the first book, it never felt like a filler book. I enjoyed it as much as The Knife of Never Letting Go and I’m excited (and a little bit scared) to jump into Monsters of Men right now.

-Ruselle

The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking) by Patrick Ness, A Review Before the Movie Adaptation

What is the book about?

Prentisstown is a town where everybody can hear everybody's noise. Noise in its own description means that like any other town, people can hear everyone else's thoughts through a stream of Noise. Todd who is turning 13 in just a month, has a dog named Manchee. Even against his will he can hear every noise in Manchee's head. In an unexpected turn of events and the unraveling of awful secrets in a town where you can't hide your noise but can lie about it, Todd and Manchee must run for their lives.

Review.

This is one of the books that I really did not expect too much because I am not a fan of 'YA' sci-fi adventure novels. However, this book excites me from the beginning, the narration was clear and it gave me a lot of pleasure listening.

This one gave me goosebumps and sad feelings mix altogether. Every chapter was thought-provoking, exhilarating, adventurous, heart-wrenching and just plain perfection. I've never read (or yeah heard because I was listening to audible) a piece like this before, everything was original.

Here's why you should read/listen to the book.

1. Of course, other than that its movie is already in its post-production and will be released probably this year, this book is really fast-paced, adventurous, action-packed and emotional. It will make you awake late at night at the edge of your seat thinking what will happen next.

2. This book will make you realize that the noise of men is different from the noise of women and that it needs logical thinking to make them relevant to each other.

3. Every character in this book is complex and has a certain personality that you will like, dislike and even hate.

4. Every scene, story, and character in this book is original. 100% new, unique and authentic.

5. The most likable about this book  is that there's no instant love affair or love at first sight between characters. Yes, they build care and love  but in a more remarkable way.

I really enjoyed my audible experience for this book. Nick Podehl was superb in narrating the whole book. I hope you will enjoy it too. Read or listen before the movie adaptation in theaters. 

___________________

*YA - young adult

-Rustychiic

Atomic Habits by James Clear: A Review

Continuing good habits and eliminating bad ones are the most challenging parts as a human being. I started listening to Amazon audible two months ago. It was convenient seeing my iPad or iPhone with the app early in the morning or before bedtime and the idea of thinking that it's there available all the time. 

Then, I started picking it up and started listening in the morning while I sip my coffee and before bedtime while I'm lying in bed ready to sleep. Not until I read about the habit loop which is clearly explained in this book that I realized what I am doing is developing a good habit.

For me, the CCRR or Cue, Crave, Response, Reward was the highlight of this book and this is just my own-reader-opinion. I was amazed by how my simple act of becoming a member at Audible made me a habitual audiobook listener. 

This book taught me a lot of things which is a far cry from what I expected from the beginning. I thought this book is just the same with other self-help, self-improvement books out there but turned out it's not. This is a life-changing piece of material and when I say life-changing, it is literally really life-changing. 

I'm on my second round of listening to this book again and I recommend that you join in with me. 

The narration on Audible: 5/5 (Recommended)

Happy listening!

-Rustychiic

Exhilarating, Amazing, Thrilling!

All I have now are praises about this book, it was my adrenaline that pushed me everyday to finish this  book in Amazon Audible. It's truly amazing how the story progressed and how it unfolded. The narration was perfect and I even experienced palpitations because of its brilliant and thrilling plot. 

Anna Fox is truly a masterpiece in this book. It's my first time hearing about someone who has extreme agoraphobia. 

A child psychologist, who suffered a breakdown but now inadequate to leave the four corners of her house. The internet becomes her fortress. Leading a very sad and narrow life, we completely understand Anna’s feelings of helplessness and self-loathing.

One of the highlights of the drama is the perfect pace and the believability of the plot. Slowly we understand Anna and her tortured psyche. It is all very convincing and plausible. I absolutely adored links to the brilliant Alfred Hitchcock.

The author expertly gives us an updated version of Rear Window, the 1954 Hitchcock classic. He quotes from various old movies, as the story progresses. Wonderful. I fully appreciated that. He has done a very fine job.

I would recommend this audible version to everyone! Ann Marie Lee also gives justice in narrating this book. She has a very strong understanding of Anna's feelings and struggles. I enjoyed every inch of this audible book. Way to go audible!

-Rustychiic

The Courage To Be Disliked – Change is Inevitable?

Recently I’ve been drawn to books which encourage me to look at myself, and hopefully make me a better ‘me’.  So, when my book-lover friend recommended The Courage To Be Disliked, I just couldn’t go past, and when I read that over 3 million copies had been sold, I couldn’t pass it up.

As you can see, I'm on the verge of finishing the book and so far, it's great!

The Courage To Be Disliked is a unique book.  It has taken Japan by storm, using the theories of renowned 19th century philosopher and psychiatrist Alfred Adler to create a string of conversations between a fictional philosopher and a young man. The conversations cover many broad, interesting and touchy topics, such as:-

Admitting Fault Is Not Defeat

An Inferiority Complex Is Not An Excuse

Discard Other Peoples Tasks

All Problems Are Interpersonal Relationship Problems

The Difference Between Trust And Confidence

These often complex topics and discussions are played out in a conversational style between the two men, which works because it brings two balanced sides to the arguments and discussions.  The Courage To Be Disliked is translated from Japanese and has kept the cultural and conversational language style which does take a while to settle into (it certainly isn’t a casual or relaxed discussion), but it works perfectly.

Be warned, this is not a book to read when you aren’t fully focused. Whilst it’s easy to follow the conversations, the topics will knock around in your own head as you work out whether you sit on the side of the philosopher, the young man, or somewhere in between.

The philosopher character certainly sticks by his life’s work and the theories of Adler, but The Courage To Be Disliked is a book which aims to leave you sitting with yourself in between chapters. You’ll find yourself doing household chores, or at your keyboard, unpacking all the information in your mind and coming to your own conclusions.

You will wholeheartedly agree on some points and want to throw the book at the wall at others. Its content is polarizing and I certainly don’t agree with everything the philosopher says, or the young man, but I think that’s the point. The Courage To Be Disliked is there to spark a conversation with yourself and do some slightly uncomfortable soul-searching.

I enjoyed the fresh perspective, the conversations it sparked, and the questions I asked myself after reading. One of the most unique books I’ve read in a long time.

If you are in the market for a bit of self-reflection without the kid gloves, buy The Courage To Be Disliked.

Synopsis Of The Courage To Be Disliked

Released for the first time in the English language, the Japanese phenomenon that teaches us the simple yet profound lessons needed to liberate our real selves and find lasting happiness.

A single book can change your life.

Already an enormous bestseller in Asia, with more than 3 million copies sold, The Courage to be Disliked demonstrates how to unlock the power within yourself to be the person you truly want to be.

Using the theories of Alfred Adler, one of the three giants of 19th-century psychology alongside Freud and Jung, it follows an illuminating conversation between a philosopher and a young man. The philosopher explains to his pupil how each of us is able to determine our own lives, free of the shackles of past experiences, doubts and the expectations of others. 

It’s a way of thinking that’s deeply liberating, allowing us to develop the courage to change and to ignore the limitations that we and those around us can place on ourselves.

The result is a book that is both highly accessible and profound in its importance. Millions have already read and benefited from its wisdom. Now that The Courage to be Disliked has been published for the first time in English, so can you.

---Russ D' Great