Super Short Summary

The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness follows thirteen-year-old Todd Hewitt, who is held hostage by the mayor of New Prentisstown in a dystopian society, navigating feelings of desperation, loyalty, and resistance. Todd is forced into labor and compliance under an oppressive regime while his friend Viola becomes part of a rebellious group called "The Answer." The novel explores themes of control, resistance, and the moral dilemmas tied to survival and rebellion in a world divided by gender and plagued by war. The story includes instances of violence and trauma.