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 (Goodreads)?
A brilliant foray into some of the most difficult themes in literature, this second book in the Chaos Walking trilogy delivers on all levels. It starts right where the first book left off, although from there it actually goes fairly slow. A new narrator adds some variety to the novel's voice, and again Ness writes with simple diction that seems to strike a chord. The concept of the Noise wears a bit thin this time around, though, and as we learn more about it, the rules surrounding its use is somewhat vague. The pace picks up as the plot develops, and the latter half of the book is rife with emotional, heart-wrenching scenes, as we see our protagonists struggle with difficult issues, and readers, too, are forced to pick sides as Ness unveils the true brutality of civil war. As far as complexity goes, this sequel outweighs its predecessor by far, and although some character development is slightly unrealistic, it delivers on that front as well. The antagonist(s) are given a lot more substance this time around, and Ness is able to narrate with such urgency that keeps readers on their toes for the majority of the novel, except for the slightly slower beginning. 8.7/10
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