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Monsters of Men

Chaos Walking
624p. 978-0-76364-751-3.
COPY ISBN
Gr 9 Up—The first word of this conclusion to the trilogy is "war," and war between various factions takes up much of this book. The action begins immediately and is told from two and then three viewpoints with no backstory that might bring readers new to the series up to speed. Todd and Viola attempt to persuade Mayor Prentiss and Mistress Coyle, respectively, that peace is the better path to the future, peace with one another and with the vast army of Spackles that looms above the valley. Unfortunately, the Mayor and Mistress only want peace that comes with victory for their faction. A scout ship arrives from the approaching convoy of colonists, changing the balance of power. The Mayor uses his "Noise," the ability that male humans and all of the Spackle have to communicate mentally, to control his army and to influence Todd. Mistress Coyle and the other mistresses shelter under the protection of the scout ship and work to cure the infection of the bands that threaten the lives of many of the women, including Viola. Ness distinguishes his various narrators by the use of different fonts, further distinguishing Todd with a select few words misspelled. This is a complex and engrossing work that series fans will devour but which may be impenetrable to those who haven't read the earlier volumes.—Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI
This trilogy-ender begins in the midst of a three-sided war. While Todd and Viola continue to narrate their stories, a mesmerizing new voice joins the chorus: 1017, Todd's erstwhile nemesis, now a prominent leader of the Spackle (native people). The series stands as a timely examination of human nature, human society, and the terrible costs of violence.
As in the previous Chaos Walking novels, the plot is intense, propulsive, and constantly surprising. The book is full of cliff-hangers, large and small. To Todd’s and Viola’s distinct voices, Patrick Ness adds a third—one that deepens the mythology and themes of the series while setting up shocking narrative twists. The Mayor is one of the most compelling villains in young adult literature, and here he becomes an even more complex figure. A moving, riveting conclusion to a superb trilogy.

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