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New World Trilogy #1
Piper at the Gates of Dusk
"Ness expertly weaves discussions of environmentalism, xenophobia, disability, gender identity, misinformation and disinformation, and more around explorations of family, personal agency, and belonging, creating a creative science-fiction roller coaster." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Two-time Carnegie Medalist Patrick Ness makes a thrilling return to the world of Chaos Walking with this launch of the extraordinary New World trilogy, in a deluxe package with sprayed edges and endpapers illustrated by Jim Kay.
It’s been twenty years since the monstrous war that almost tore New World apart, and there’s a new generation on the planet. Todd and Viola’s sons Ben and Max have known only peace growing up on the family farm outside a bustling human settlement. They dream of the usual things, like school and adventure, until the nightmares begin . . .
A sudden sickness has infected the young people of New World with Noise in the form of their worst thoughts about themselves. Some suspect the Spackle, the indigenous people with whom humans have a very uneasy truce. Others wonder about a connection to a mysterious object looming in the sky. And then, one by one, the children of New World begin to disappear.
Ben, with his mother’s logical mind, and Max, with his father’s courageous heart, become caught up in separate quests for answers, journeys that will test their beliefs in their parents, each other, and in their very existence on the planet.
Patrick Ness makes a masterful return to New World in this timely work of science fiction, one that looks at the interplay of fear, power, and propaganda, and at the stories we tell ourselves.
Two-time Carnegie Medalist Patrick Ness makes a thrilling return to the world of Chaos Walking with this launch of the extraordinary New World trilogy, in a deluxe package with sprayed edges and endpapers illustrated by Jim Kay.
It’s been twenty years since the monstrous war that almost tore New World apart, and there’s a new generation on the planet. Todd and Viola’s sons Ben and Max have known only peace growing up on the family farm outside a bustling human settlement. They dream of the usual things, like school and adventure, until the nightmares begin . . .
A sudden sickness has infected the young people of New World with Noise in the form of their worst thoughts about themselves. Some suspect the Spackle, the indigenous people with whom humans have a very uneasy truce. Others wonder about a connection to a mysterious object looming in the sky. And then, one by one, the children of New World begin to disappear.
Ben, with his mother’s logical mind, and Max, with his father’s courageous heart, become caught up in separate quests for answers, journeys that will test their beliefs in their parents, each other, and in their very existence on the planet.
Patrick Ness makes a masterful return to New World in this timely work of science fiction, one that looks at the interplay of fear, power, and propaganda, and at the stories we tell ourselves.
Unknown Binding
First published April 7, 2026
About the author
Patrick Ness
64 books18.8k followersPatrick Ness, an award-winning novelist, has written for Radio 4 and The Sunday Telegraph and is a literary critic for The Guardian. He has written many books, including the Chaos Walking Trilogy, The Crash of Hennington, Topics About Which I Know Nothing, and A Monster Calls.
He has won numerous awards, including the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, the Booktrust Teenage Prize, and the Costa Children’s Book Award. Born in Virginia, he currently lives in London.
He has won numerous awards, including the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, the Booktrust Teenage Prize, and the Costa Children’s Book Award. Born in Virginia, he currently lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
Want to Read
December 27, 202415-year-old-me is losing her mind that this book exists
April 2, 2026
I am so unbelievably happy this was good. The Chaos Walking trilogy is one of my all time favourite series, so when this was announced, naturally I was ecstatic, especially since Patrick Ness has demonstrated he always has unique ideas and I felt he wouldn’t just do a sequel trilogy for the sake of it, and rather that he had something he wanted to say.
However, at the same time…I couldn’t help but worry. There have been many instances over the years of authors returning to series with books that just ended up either ruining elements of the original or being altogether unnecessary (see: The Hunger Games, Shatter Me, Miss Peregrine’s, etc). I am glad to report that this is not the case here. Ness has a sharp vision for his themes of colonization, gender identity, disability, family, and more that exist as a fantastic expansion of the themes explored in the original series, accomplished through two protagonists who don’t quite “fit” in their society in a way impossible to have been explored in the Chaos Walking books.
I think the place this book shined brightest was in its exploration of family. I was emotional as hell reading Todd and Viola as parents, even though it’s been years since I’ve read the original series. The dynamic between Todd and Max was especially well done.
The mysteries were also compelling, and kept me turning the pages. I’m excited to see where they lead in the next books.
I think where the book kind of suffers is its page count. I think we needed a bit more time to sit in certain moments. A hundred pages could easily have been added. I do also feel like some things were a bit more heavy handed than the original trilogy, but that doesn’t bother me as much and is to be expected in YA at the moment. That being said, I do feel as though Ness may be using this book as mostly set up for the next two books, which I could see being much larger and more complex than this one.
Happy this exists :)
However, at the same time…I couldn’t help but worry. There have been many instances over the years of authors returning to series with books that just ended up either ruining elements of the original or being altogether unnecessary (see: The Hunger Games, Shatter Me, Miss Peregrine’s, etc). I am glad to report that this is not the case here. Ness has a sharp vision for his themes of colonization, gender identity, disability, family, and more that exist as a fantastic expansion of the themes explored in the original series, accomplished through two protagonists who don’t quite “fit” in their society in a way impossible to have been explored in the Chaos Walking books.
I think the place this book shined brightest was in its exploration of family. I was emotional as hell reading Todd and Viola as parents, even though it’s been years since I’ve read the original series. The dynamic between Todd and Max was especially well done.
The mysteries were also compelling, and kept me turning the pages. I’m excited to see where they lead in the next books.
I think where the book kind of suffers is its page count. I think we needed a bit more time to sit in certain moments. A hundred pages could easily have been added. I do also feel like some things were a bit more heavy handed than the original trilogy, but that doesn’t bother me as much and is to be expected in YA at the moment. That being said, I do feel as though Ness may be using this book as mostly set up for the next two books, which I could see being much larger and more complex than this one.
Happy this exists :)
Want to Read
November 10, 2025no one understands how much i need it to be injected into my veins.
PS. each new information about this one makes me even more excited
PS. each new information about this one makes me even more excited
Want to Read
January 2, 2026patrick ness please don't ruin chaos walking for me with this spin-off series this is a very serious matter not to be taken lightly 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Want to Read
March 30, 2026I'm Sorry What!!? A new spin off of Chaos Walking! And it comes out in a week! 😃 What A fabulous Monday this turned out to be! ❤️🔥🔥❤️
February 6, 2026
Thank you for NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book!
I was a teenager working in public libraries when the Chaos Walking trilogy was released- I’m now in my mid-thirties, working in an academic library, and a fervent fan of Patrick Ness. I haven’t read Chaos Walking since then; it’s on a short but significant list of books that I only ever want to read for the first time. I remember Manchee and the phrase “one in particular” and I remember how each of the books felt heavy with melancholy. Piper at the Gates of Dusk does not feel the same, and it’s because Viola and Todd grew into damn good parents. Their sons have been raised with the skills their parents had to fight a war to learn, and are brave, outspoken and near unshakeable as a result. The bigotry, racism, fanaticism and denial that *still* run through the human settlement on New World is something beatable, not inevitable, when seen through Max and Ben. Hope, not melancholy, is the feeling I will remember having when I remember having read this book. No spoilers- just read it as soon as you can. Extra stars awarded for referencing The Wind in the Willows.
I was a teenager working in public libraries when the Chaos Walking trilogy was released- I’m now in my mid-thirties, working in an academic library, and a fervent fan of Patrick Ness. I haven’t read Chaos Walking since then; it’s on a short but significant list of books that I only ever want to read for the first time. I remember Manchee and the phrase “one in particular” and I remember how each of the books felt heavy with melancholy. Piper at the Gates of Dusk does not feel the same, and it’s because Viola and Todd grew into damn good parents. Their sons have been raised with the skills their parents had to fight a war to learn, and are brave, outspoken and near unshakeable as a result. The bigotry, racism, fanaticism and denial that *still* run through the human settlement on New World is something beatable, not inevitable, when seen through Max and Ben. Hope, not melancholy, is the feeling I will remember having when I remember having read this book. No spoilers- just read it as soon as you can. Extra stars awarded for referencing The Wind in the Willows.
November 23, 2025
Thanks to edelweiss and Candlewick Press for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
RATING: 4.5
After being disappointed in a book by a YA author, which I liked, I lowered my expectations for this one, but it is so far from being a disappoint it's a really great follow up.
While it's nice to see Todd and Viola and they're still doing things here and there. The two brothers, Max and Ben, take center stage. Both of them have their own personal problems and conflicts, it took me a while to like Max, maybe because of the formatting, but by the end Patrick Ness created two great characters again, very fleshed out and really excited for the next book so they can grow some more.
The antagonists of this book are also well-written, you'll absolutely wanted to strangle them. It might be unbelievable for then, but looking around now these people exists.
While this is a young adult book, the characters are not really annoying or are they involved is some love triangle or some tropes that I find tiring. Instead in focuses on themes that are very timely today like xenophobia/racism, disability awareness and accepting of others' identity like transgender. I didn't really find them heavy handed nor do I find it subtle but it's presented to the readers organically and very well.
The mystery of the nightmares and the object at the sky is also great. Sometimes it feels like a backdrop of the themes I mentioned earlier and I don't really care for it - NOT THAT IT'S BAD. But I figured that I might not get every questions answered in the very first book. Nonetheless it's very entertaining, especially how it unfolds.
My only complaint is regarding one conflict. It just suddenly get solved... for now. It's very obvious that Ness is saving it up for the next book.
Also not a fan of the cover, but the title is just chef's kiss.
For the CHAOS WALKING fans, you wouldn't be disappointed.
RATING: 4.5
After being disappointed in a book by a YA author, which I liked, I lowered my expectations for this one, but it is so far from being a disappoint it's a really great follow up.
While it's nice to see Todd and Viola and they're still doing things here and there. The two brothers, Max and Ben, take center stage. Both of them have their own personal problems and conflicts, it took me a while to like Max, maybe because of the formatting, but by the end Patrick Ness created two great characters again, very fleshed out and really excited for the next book so they can grow some more.
The antagonists of this book are also well-written, you'll absolutely wanted to strangle them. It might be unbelievable for then, but looking around now these people exists.
While this is a young adult book, the characters are not really annoying or are they involved is some love triangle or some tropes that I find tiring. Instead in focuses on themes that are very timely today like xenophobia/racism, disability awareness and accepting of others' identity like transgender. I didn't really find them heavy handed nor do I find it subtle but it's presented to the readers organically and very well.
The mystery of the nightmares and the object at the sky is also great. Sometimes it feels like a backdrop of the themes I mentioned earlier and I don't really care for it - NOT THAT IT'S BAD. But I figured that I might not get every questions answered in the very first book. Nonetheless it's very entertaining, especially how it unfolds.
My only complaint is regarding one conflict. It just suddenly get solved... for now. It's very obvious that Ness is saving it up for the next book.
Also not a fan of the cover, but the title is just chef's kiss.
For the CHAOS WALKING fans, you wouldn't be disappointed.
Want to Read
November 6, 2025i’m so seated. the employees are asking me to leave because ‘it’s not april 2026 yet’ but i’m simply too seated
January 21, 2026
Is it too early to have a favourite book of the year that will most likely remain so?
This book absolutely floored me. I was shamefully late to reading Choas Walking, despite the fact that I had read every other of Ness’ books and been deeply in love with them. When I read the trilogy back in late 2020 I was furious that I had denied myself the beauty for so long. It quickly became one of my all time favourite trilogies. I fell in love with the world. The characters. All of it. And so to be back there… oh what a joy it was!
There’s always a slight worry when there’s a sequel to a believed book or series that has come many years after the original. This fear that the author won’t be able to recreate the same magic. That it won’t have the same pull. But thankfully any fears there couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to Piper!
Several decades have passed since Monsters of Men ended, and Todd and Viola are parents now. This book focuses on their sons, Ben and Max. For years there has been relative peace. Some humans still hold a grudge against the Spackle, finding it hard to relinquish their prejudices. But still, a peace of sorts. But a new danger has revealed itself and it’s creepy, scary and confusing.
The book is told in dual narrative sections by both of the brothers and the story just absolutely flew by. I could barely breathe with how fast it went. I tried to make it last, really tried to savour it but my god it was hard.
Patrick’s writing, as ever, was stunning and all consuming. I was sucked into this book so hard and I wasn’t let go. The book ends with a huge cliff hanger that has me gasping for book 2. I am so glad that this is a trilogy and I cannot wait to see what happens next!
My thanks to Candlewick for my earc!
This book absolutely floored me. I was shamefully late to reading Choas Walking, despite the fact that I had read every other of Ness’ books and been deeply in love with them. When I read the trilogy back in late 2020 I was furious that I had denied myself the beauty for so long. It quickly became one of my all time favourite trilogies. I fell in love with the world. The characters. All of it. And so to be back there… oh what a joy it was!
There’s always a slight worry when there’s a sequel to a believed book or series that has come many years after the original. This fear that the author won’t be able to recreate the same magic. That it won’t have the same pull. But thankfully any fears there couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to Piper!
Several decades have passed since Monsters of Men ended, and Todd and Viola are parents now. This book focuses on their sons, Ben and Max. For years there has been relative peace. Some humans still hold a grudge against the Spackle, finding it hard to relinquish their prejudices. But still, a peace of sorts. But a new danger has revealed itself and it’s creepy, scary and confusing.
The book is told in dual narrative sections by both of the brothers and the story just absolutely flew by. I could barely breathe with how fast it went. I tried to make it last, really tried to savour it but my god it was hard.
Patrick’s writing, as ever, was stunning and all consuming. I was sucked into this book so hard and I wasn’t let go. The book ends with a huge cliff hanger that has me gasping for book 2. I am so glad that this is a trilogy and I cannot wait to see what happens next!
My thanks to Candlewick for my earc!
April 9, 2026
“You may call me Dr. Eade” THATS WHY SHES THE MVP. THATS WHY SHES THE GOAT🐐 Anyway. I can’t believe this is real life. Oh man oh man. I loved reading about Ben and Max so much and their characters reflect so much of Todd and Viola it felt like I was reading about them again. Their dynamic with them too was so amazing to see. Seeing Tiola as parents literally had me smiling like a damn Chesire cat anytime they were all together. All the callbacks to the OG series too had me sobbing my eyes out. The sons talking about how their family was dysfunctional but always shows up for each other warmed my cold dark heart❤️ it broke my heart a little though to hear about how Todd is judged for keeping his Noise and how that reflects on their whole family because Todd and Viola already went through so much and now they are regarded as “weirdos” when the whole town should be kissing the ground they walk on😇 also the part where it said the Noise makes people feel not alone but Todd still felt alone for a while as a kid made me cry😁. the “we are the choices we make” mention had me standing up and applauding😛😛 I did find it kinda repetitive when Todd and Viola and Ben and everyone would try and give their words of wisdom like in every scene of them together I was like omg are you a prophet (yes). I’m really interested to see where this goes with the Glyph though with the kids and the Noise. I just feel like there could’ve been a little more tho!!!! Only 320 pages. I demand 700 Patrick ness. Anyways. I love these characters for ever and ever
Want to Read
March 20, 2025NEW CHAOS WALKING AS I LIVE AND BREATHE LET’S ALL LIVE 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
April 5, 2026
20 years after the events of the Chaos Walking trilogy, Todd and Viola and their two sons are trying to make a life though things between the Land and humans remain tense. (I read the first books almost 15 years ago and my memory is quite spotty, so this book would stand alone, although I think having more recall would enhance the experience.) Humans are the alien settlers, a they have a cure now for the Noise, the way the natives communicate which makes all human men’s thoughts and feelings audible. Todd did not get the cure, but they gave it to their children.
Ben and Max alternate narrating, and they each bring a unique voice and experience. I was listening, and they’re voiced by different people, which was excellent. They are very different, and the way they’re growing together and apart is a theme. While they are in the woods, they see what they can only describe as a god on fire tearing through. The town doesn’t want to believe, and some choose ignorance, as things escalate.
I think it’s worth noting that one of the main characters is trans, and it comes up frequently and with a very firm belief system. The only unaccepting person also commits genocide, and anyone who doesn’t wholeheartedly and unquestionably accept Max’s change is “a monster.” This is good conversational fodder for parents and kids. Otherwise, it is scary and violent on the level of Hunger Games and there’s no teen romance. It does end on a cliffhanger!
Ness is such a talented author, and he conveys a lot in a relatively short book. I will definitely be thinking about this and wishing books 2 and 3 were already published. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc - the audio was fantastic.
Ben and Max alternate narrating, and they each bring a unique voice and experience. I was listening, and they’re voiced by different people, which was excellent. They are very different, and the way they’re growing together and apart is a theme. While they are in the woods, they see what they can only describe as a god on fire tearing through. The town doesn’t want to believe, and some choose ignorance, as things escalate.
I think it’s worth noting that one of the main characters is trans, and it comes up frequently and with a very firm belief system. The only unaccepting person also commits genocide, and anyone who doesn’t wholeheartedly and unquestionably accept Max’s change is “a monster.” This is good conversational fodder for parents and kids. Otherwise, it is scary and violent on the level of Hunger Games and there’s no teen romance. It does end on a cliffhanger!
Ness is such a talented author, and he conveys a lot in a relatively short book. I will definitely be thinking about this and wishing books 2 and 3 were already published. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc - the audio was fantastic.
April 5, 2026
Шум.
Небето.
Разговорът.
Земята.
Божество.
Двама братя.Толкова различни, в същото време толкова дълбоко свързани.
Майка, която никога не се предава.
Най-страхотната бащина фигура писана последните години.Баща, какъвто бих пожелал на всеки.
И всичко това забъркано до една хомогенна смес от антиутопия, научна фантастика и приключение.
Книгата повдига не един или два философски въпроса, докато героите ни минават на забавен каданс през това, което Съдбата им е отредила.
Колко струва истината?
Какво всъщност е тя и заслужава ли си?
Защо избираме водачите си?
До колко ни определят изборите и мислете ни?
Има ли специални хора и какво значение има изобщо това?
Поредната книга, която ми даде храната, от която не знаех, че имам нужда.
Небето.
Разговорът.
Земята.
Божество.
Двама братя.Толкова различни, в същото време толкова дълбоко свързани.
Майка, която никога не се предава.
Най-страхотната бащина фигура писана последните години.Баща, какъвто бих пожелал на всеки.
И всичко това забъркано до една хомогенна смес от антиутопия, научна фантастика и приключение.
Книгата повдига не един или два философски въпроса, докато героите ни минават на забавен каданс през това, което Съдбата им е отредила.
Колко струва истината?
Какво всъщност е тя и заслужава ли си?
Защо избираме водачите си?
До колко ни определят изборите и мислете ни?
Има ли специални хора и какво значение има изобщо това?
Поредната книга, която ми даде храната, от която не знаех, че имам нужда.
April 11, 2026
I am disappointed. While the two brothers had distinct voices, the story is 90% dialogue, and all the additional world building is through the dialogue. There's barely any proper descriptions that bring the world to life. Seems to rely on having read the original trilogy, which, by the way, was way better written than this. It had more depth but this story is for want of a better word "juvenile" in its storytelling. I felt it was telling all the way through, not showing, and honestly the story or revelations are flimsy and don't make much sense. Also not very nuanced unfortunately. Very obvious with the message which pulled me out of the story.
April 9, 2026
Patrick Ness, you’ve done it again. After the whirlwind of the Chaos Walking trilogy, I was over the moon to return to this universe with a new instalment. A first book in a new trilogy is rarely the magnum opus, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The subtle nods to the previous series, alongside the introduction of new characters, Ben and Max, offer a fresh perspective on an already expansive world.
The exposition and world building lay a strong foundation for the books to come, and Ness really knows how to write an effin (and I didn’t say “eff”) cliffhanger. I’m already hungry for the next book, and can’t wait to see what unfolds next.
The exposition and world building lay a strong foundation for the books to come, and Ness really knows how to write an effin (and I didn’t say “eff”) cliffhanger. I’m already hungry for the next book, and can’t wait to see what unfolds next.
April 14, 2026
Ha. I didn’t know this was a continuation of a beloved trilogy, so keep that in mind. As a standalone, this seemed to dive into an underdeveloped world with seemingly unknown physics and history. I understand now that I was missing 3 books worth of context and I believe I would have loved it with that information, so I’ll likely do a reread!
April 11, 2026
Piper at the Gates of Dusk is the first in a new series by Patrick Ness, but it relies heavily on world building established in his Chaos Walking series. For fans of Chaos Walking, this will be a real treat: a book that focuses on the children of two characters long after the ending of the original series. For anyone new to Ness though, this is not a great entry point. There is some recap, but it is mostly plot-based. There isn't a clear description of Noise or the gods. The audiobook utilizes an echo and reverb to demonstrate Noise, but seems to be such a layered concept that I still believe I missed much of what it is.
The plot of this story is relatively straightforward. There is a warning about a Pied Piper, adults argue about the importance of heeding said warning, and then things escalate very quickly. Representation is great, especially for the LGBTQ community. The ending is a cliffhanger.
My reading experience was definitely impacted by my lack of familiarity with Chaos Walking. If I had read that first, I think I would have enjoyed this new series much more.
Both narrators did an excellent job of speaking for brothers Ben and Max, the dual first person POVs in this novel. At times I found the Noise a bit jarring, but I did get used to it after a little while.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for this ALC!
The plot of this story is relatively straightforward. There is a warning about a Pied Piper, adults argue about the importance of heeding said warning, and then things escalate very quickly. Representation is great, especially for the LGBTQ community. The ending is a cliffhanger.
My reading experience was definitely impacted by my lack of familiarity with Chaos Walking. If I had read that first, I think I would have enjoyed this new series much more.
Both narrators did an excellent job of speaking for brothers Ben and Max, the dual first person POVs in this novel. At times I found the Noise a bit jarring, but I did get used to it after a little while.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for this ALC!
April 7, 2026
I’ve only read one book by Patrick Ness, which is crazy since it’s one of my favorite books of all time. I saw this book on NetGalley and got so excited about reading a sci-fi book by Ness that I picked it up without realizing it’s part of a bigger series. While I think the book is readable on its own, there was very little world-building, so the story ended up feeling very simple.
Piper at the Gates of Dusk follows two kids born on a planet that’s struggling with gods who attack them and a sudden phenomenon where kids start having nightmares. The book sort of uses the story of the piper as a base, with the kids being called by the monsters. It all ends up being a cheesy, good-vibes story about community and acceptance. The book sort of obsesses over which kid is going to be left behind, since some of the characters identify as “flawed” (disabilities, gender orientation…), and finishes with a wholesome reflection.
The book felt extremely YA to me, and it just lacked oomph. I think I needed more world-building and just more everything in general. While the simplicity and straightforwardness of the book made it easier to read, it felt very meh. I was also a little irked by the gender stuff because I’m of the mindset that 5,000+ years in the future we’ll have accepted other gender identities, so I like it when sci-fi normalizes it to show we’ve moved on from this hate (but this is a me thing ✨).
Piper at the Gates of Dusk follows two kids born on a planet that’s struggling with gods who attack them and a sudden phenomenon where kids start having nightmares. The book sort of uses the story of the piper as a base, with the kids being called by the monsters. It all ends up being a cheesy, good-vibes story about community and acceptance. The book sort of obsesses over which kid is going to be left behind, since some of the characters identify as “flawed” (disabilities, gender orientation…), and finishes with a wholesome reflection.
The book felt extremely YA to me, and it just lacked oomph. I think I needed more world-building and just more everything in general. While the simplicity and straightforwardness of the book made it easier to read, it felt very meh. I was also a little irked by the gender stuff because I’m of the mindset that 5,000+ years in the future we’ll have accepted other gender identities, so I like it when sci-fi normalizes it to show we’ve moved on from this hate (but this is a me thing ✨).
April 12, 2026
3 ⭐
It has been years since I read the Chaos Walking series, and while I loved it back then, the writing now seems overly simplistic to me. Still, I was able to enjoy this. I definitely recommend reading the original trilogy before starting this one, since this book throws us right into the action with little explanation. The perspectives of both boys are written quite differently: Ben's sections are separated into short chapters, while Max's read as one long stream of consciousness, which felt a bit strange and jarring to me. However, I found the characters likable and appreciated the disability rep. Despite the awkward start, I found the mysteries and politics of the world interesting and filled with valuable moral lessons. I'm curious to see what will happen next!
It has been years since I read the Chaos Walking series, and while I loved it back then, the writing now seems overly simplistic to me. Still, I was able to enjoy this. I definitely recommend reading the original trilogy before starting this one, since this book throws us right into the action with little explanation. The perspectives of both boys are written quite differently: Ben's sections are separated into short chapters, while Max's read as one long stream of consciousness, which felt a bit strange and jarring to me. However, I found the characters likable and appreciated the disability rep. Despite the awkward start, I found the mysteries and politics of the world interesting and filled with valuable moral lessons. I'm curious to see what will happen next!
April 13, 2026
I cannot wait for the rest of the series!!!
I've seen someone else say this but I felt like I could have had at least 200 more pages, but that might be because I blew through this so fast that I just need more!
The themes and characters are so well written that they almost overshadow the plot in my memory. This sounds like a bad thing but it isn't to me! I think this was the same with the chaos walking series, but perhaps the themes are more overt in this one than chaos walking. I really like this though, as I think Patrick Ness has such a beautiful way of writing moral quandires, life lessons and human behaviour, and it's really just a pleasure to read and learn from his philosophy.
I've seen someone else say this but I felt like I could have had at least 200 more pages, but that might be because I blew through this so fast that I just need more!
The themes and characters are so well written that they almost overshadow the plot in my memory. This sounds like a bad thing but it isn't to me! I think this was the same with the chaos walking series, but perhaps the themes are more overt in this one than chaos walking. I really like this though, as I think Patrick Ness has such a beautiful way of writing moral quandires, life lessons and human behaviour, and it's really just a pleasure to read and learn from his philosophy.
April 4, 2026
Thank you so much to Walker Books Australia for sending me a copy of this one and Libro FM for providing me with an ALC. All thoughts are my own.
I will preface this review by saying I have never read the Chaos Walking trilogy, which this is set 20 years after. I didn’t feel like I was missing anything by having not read that, if anyone in the same position as me is unsure. HOWEVER, this was so great I definitely wanna read the original trilogy now.
This was so exciting right from the start. I was so drawn in by both Ben and Max and the story they were telling. It starts with action right away and that never quite stops, but there’s a lot of political discussions and important interpersonal relationships in this book too.
I thought the trans rep with Max was really delicately written and I very much appreciate that as a trans reader. I also thought Ben’s muteness was really well written and incorporated.
The plot set up here is really exciting and I’m so looking forward to book 2!
I will preface this review by saying I have never read the Chaos Walking trilogy, which this is set 20 years after. I didn’t feel like I was missing anything by having not read that, if anyone in the same position as me is unsure. HOWEVER, this was so great I definitely wanna read the original trilogy now.
This was so exciting right from the start. I was so drawn in by both Ben and Max and the story they were telling. It starts with action right away and that never quite stops, but there’s a lot of political discussions and important interpersonal relationships in this book too.
I thought the trans rep with Max was really delicately written and I very much appreciate that as a trans reader. I also thought Ben’s muteness was really well written and incorporated.
The plot set up here is really exciting and I’m so looking forward to book 2!
Read
March 4, 2025IM SO EXCITED
April 14, 2026
The Chaos Walking trilogy are my favourite books of all time, so this new book has been one of my most anticipated reads ever and I went into it with (perhaps unfairly) high expectations, which were met for the most part.
It answered a lot of the questions I had from the end of Monsters of Men - what, exactly, was going to happen to Todd, and how did their society rebuild itself in the aftermath. It was also great to see Todd and Viola again, although having reread the original series so much, it was a little jarring to read them as adults now. A minor complaint here was with Todd's language - he spoke 'properly', and I know it wasn't told from his POV which could explain why he no longer spoke phonetically as in the previous books, as could the fact that a couple of decades have passed so of course the way you can speak can change over time, but I did mourn the loss of his distinctive speech a little. It was such a key part of his character.
Something Patrick Ness does is write characters so well - main characters, side characters, and particularly antagonists (Mayor Prentiss from the Chaos Walking books is one of the best literary antagonists I've seen). And again here we have a Mayor and Priest who you really hate (the satisfaction when Viola punches Marjory Wingard in the face!!), and with them Ness does another thing he does best - explore themes of xenophobia and racism, colonisation, identity, morality, and disability. Our two protagonists are "different" from the world they live in, and they both struggle in different ways to reconcile their place in it, as Ben is mute and Max is trans. It's so lovely to see positive trans representation, which is much needed in this current climate when certain authors are pushing their transphobic rhetoric at every opportunity. It feeds in nicely to another of the novel's overarching themes, and the way it concludes - with hope. Hope for the future, and hope for all different kinds of people working together to achieve that better future.
As well as the human antagonists, Piper also introduces god-like monsters and aliens (or whatever is on that spaceship/rock thing?), which is a bit of a departure for this series but not surprising having read most of Ness' other works. I love that his ideas are weird and just so out-there compared to the norm, because you can guarantee it's always going to be so different to anything else and so it's always difficult to predict where the hell the story is going. You know you're in for a wild ride when you pick up one of his books.
I think my only minor complaint with the novel as a whole is how short it is. The Chaos Walking books are all 500-600 pages, so this being only 350 pages made it feel super short, though I know 350 pages is a 'normal' length. It could've done with another hundred pages or so to let the story beats breathe so the emotional beats would hit a bit harder - Tara's fast turnaround from potential foe to ally, that character death - it all felt a bit rushed. The plot of the novel is fast-paced, but that doesn't mean it's not possible to take time to slow things down. The Knife of Never Letting Go does this perfectly, for example, flawlessly balancing a can't-stop-to-catch-your-breath plot with slower, quieter moments in between. I wonder if this was Ness' choice or the fault of editorial involvement, given that just lately, YA books tend to run on the shorter side.
Still, I can't wait to read the next one!! Patrick Ness sure does love (and is great at!) writing cliffhanger endings that pull the rug out from under you just when you think the characters are safe. I need to know what happens next!
It answered a lot of the questions I had from the end of Monsters of Men - what, exactly, was going to happen to Todd, and how did their society rebuild itself in the aftermath. It was also great to see Todd and Viola again, although having reread the original series so much, it was a little jarring to read them as adults now. A minor complaint here was with Todd's language - he spoke 'properly', and I know it wasn't told from his POV which could explain why he no longer spoke phonetically as in the previous books, as could the fact that a couple of decades have passed so of course the way you can speak can change over time, but I did mourn the loss of his distinctive speech a little. It was such a key part of his character.
Something Patrick Ness does is write characters so well - main characters, side characters, and particularly antagonists (Mayor Prentiss from the Chaos Walking books is one of the best literary antagonists I've seen). And again here we have a Mayor and Priest who you really hate (the satisfaction when Viola punches Marjory Wingard in the face!!), and with them Ness does another thing he does best - explore themes of xenophobia and racism, colonisation, identity, morality, and disability. Our two protagonists are "different" from the world they live in, and they both struggle in different ways to reconcile their place in it, as Ben is mute and Max is trans. It's so lovely to see positive trans representation, which is much needed in this current climate when certain authors are pushing their transphobic rhetoric at every opportunity. It feeds in nicely to another of the novel's overarching themes, and the way it concludes - with hope. Hope for the future, and hope for all different kinds of people working together to achieve that better future.
As well as the human antagonists, Piper also introduces god-like monsters and aliens (or whatever is on that spaceship/rock thing?), which is a bit of a departure for this series but not surprising having read most of Ness' other works. I love that his ideas are weird and just so out-there compared to the norm, because you can guarantee it's always going to be so different to anything else and so it's always difficult to predict where the hell the story is going. You know you're in for a wild ride when you pick up one of his books.
I think my only minor complaint with the novel as a whole is how short it is. The Chaos Walking books are all 500-600 pages, so this being only 350 pages made it feel super short, though I know 350 pages is a 'normal' length. It could've done with another hundred pages or so to let the story beats breathe so the emotional beats would hit a bit harder - Tara's fast turnaround from potential foe to ally, that character death - it all felt a bit rushed. The plot of the novel is fast-paced, but that doesn't mean it's not possible to take time to slow things down. The Knife of Never Letting Go does this perfectly, for example, flawlessly balancing a can't-stop-to-catch-your-breath plot with slower, quieter moments in between. I wonder if this was Ness' choice or the fault of editorial involvement, given that just lately, YA books tend to run on the shorter side.
Still, I can't wait to read the next one!! Patrick Ness sure does love (and is great at!) writing cliffhanger endings that pull the rug out from under you just when you think the characters are safe. I need to know what happens next!
April 15, 2026
Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed in this one. Being a follow-up to my favorite series, I did try to level-set my expectations as release day came closer, but it's hard not to feel this one falls under the shadow of its predecessors.
Despite having larger-scale stakes, the threat feels not as menacing as the original trilogy. The characterization of villains feels too cartoonish and lacking the same execution of the political/social commentary that was present before. It's a world populated by characters I didn't care about and felt like I wasn't given a compelling reason to.
The pacing is fast, but at the expense of really fleshing out a great story and the ending feels rushed and anticlimactic. I'm not sure if the book needed more pages to readjust to the world, but there simply was not enough here in this first book.
I also found it very off-putting with the direct addresses acknowledging the reader from Ben and Max- outside of an epistolary novel, it feels distracting and can ruin my immersion, which it did in this case. It seemed to follow a general trend I felt reading this; the original books seemed to be aimed at, or at least could easily be enjoyed by an older bracket of the YA demographic, despite having younger protagonists. This one has slightly older leads, but feels designed more for the younger end of YA, which was a massive tonal shift, especially just off of my first re-read of the original trilogy in almost 15 years. It's not inherently bad to gear the books towards younger readers, but it's an age range that I've grown out of and lacked crossover appeal present before.
Keeping in mind that I may just not be the target demographic anymore for this new trilogy, I tried to be as generous as I could with my rating without lying. I did enjoy getting to see what happened to Todd and Viola after Snowscape, so there's that at least. (I probably would continue with the remaining 2 books just to see the conclusion to their story, but with much different expectations).
Despite having larger-scale stakes, the threat feels not as menacing as the original trilogy. The characterization of villains feels too cartoonish and lacking the same execution of the political/social commentary that was present before. It's a world populated by characters I didn't care about and felt like I wasn't given a compelling reason to.
The pacing is fast, but at the expense of really fleshing out a great story and the ending feels rushed and anticlimactic. I'm not sure if the book needed more pages to readjust to the world, but there simply was not enough here in this first book.
I also found it very off-putting with the direct addresses acknowledging the reader from Ben and Max- outside of an epistolary novel, it feels distracting and can ruin my immersion, which it did in this case. It seemed to follow a general trend I felt reading this; the original books seemed to be aimed at, or at least could easily be enjoyed by an older bracket of the YA demographic, despite having younger protagonists. This one has slightly older leads, but feels designed more for the younger end of YA, which was a massive tonal shift, especially just off of my first re-read of the original trilogy in almost 15 years. It's not inherently bad to gear the books towards younger readers, but it's an age range that I've grown out of and lacked crossover appeal present before.
Keeping in mind that I may just not be the target demographic anymore for this new trilogy, I tried to be as generous as I could with my rating without lying. I did enjoy getting to see what happened to Todd and Viola after Snowscape, so there's that at least. (I probably would continue with the remaining 2 books just to see the conclusion to their story, but with much different expectations).
April 3, 2026
What I love about Patrick Ness books is the undercurrent of kindness, understanding and celebration of diversity and difference that flows softly through them.
Piper at the Gates of Dusk is no different, with a range of diverse characters, including those of the two main POVs. Everyone thought Max was born a girl but he’s a boy, and his brother, Ben, can’t speak, so uses signing and a comms device to communicate. They’re part of a human community on a planet populated by beings called ‘the land’, although some of the humans have a less pleasant name for them. The humans and land have an unstable peace, challenged by some of the community who blame the land for the nightmares children have begun to experience. Amidst these tensions, a new threat has arisen in the form of ‘gods’ - giant human-like beings who appear to be made of fire - who threaten both the human and land population.
When Ben and Max witness one of these beings first hand and try to warn the town, the local leader, Burley, refuses to believe them and convinces the town they’re lying.
As Ben and Max try to wake up the town to the imminent threat, the gods start to take children.
This is the first book in a new sci-fi dystopian trilogy, set in the Chaos Walking world, but 20 years later. (I will definitely be checking out the earlier books!) It’s out on 7 April and if you love tales of bravery and brotherhood, I thoroughly recommend it!
Five stars from me, with thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the chance to read an ALC. (Zach Barack and Jordan Renzo do a great job on the narration too!)
Piper at the Gates of Dusk is no different, with a range of diverse characters, including those of the two main POVs. Everyone thought Max was born a girl but he’s a boy, and his brother, Ben, can’t speak, so uses signing and a comms device to communicate. They’re part of a human community on a planet populated by beings called ‘the land’, although some of the humans have a less pleasant name for them. The humans and land have an unstable peace, challenged by some of the community who blame the land for the nightmares children have begun to experience. Amidst these tensions, a new threat has arisen in the form of ‘gods’ - giant human-like beings who appear to be made of fire - who threaten both the human and land population.
When Ben and Max witness one of these beings first hand and try to warn the town, the local leader, Burley, refuses to believe them and convinces the town they’re lying.
As Ben and Max try to wake up the town to the imminent threat, the gods start to take children.
This is the first book in a new sci-fi dystopian trilogy, set in the Chaos Walking world, but 20 years later. (I will definitely be checking out the earlier books!) It’s out on 7 April and if you love tales of bravery and brotherhood, I thoroughly recommend it!
Five stars from me, with thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the chance to read an ALC. (Zach Barack and Jordan Renzo do a great job on the narration too!)
Want to Read
April 13, 2026
Levels of Excitement at Important Times in My Life
My wedding (the second one, the first one sucked):
Having my babies:
The return to the Chaos Walking world (and a continued connection to my favorite book couple of all time):
⬇️
⬇️
I started reading the Chaos Walking series again recently because it's been a whole two years since I reread it last, but I think I'm going to just stop and hop right over to this one because my beautiful new copy of Piper on my nightstand is beckoning to me.
I have a nice little flight to read on in less than two weeks. Am I ready to sob in front of complete strangers?
My wedding (the second one, the first one sucked):
Having my babies:
The return to the Chaos Walking world (and a continued connection to my favorite book couple of all time):
⬇️
⬇️
I started reading the Chaos Walking series again recently because it's been a whole two years since I reread it last, but I think I'm going to just stop and hop right over to this one because my beautiful new copy of Piper on my nightstand is beckoning to me.
I have a nice little flight to read on in less than two weeks. Am I ready to sob in front of complete strangers?
April 9, 2026
I don't know if it's the fact that I read this in almost one sitting, or if it's because this book has two POVs, or if it's just the page count, but this book felt rushed in a way that The Knife of Letting Go didn't. I don't know what's the magic there, but here all the characters that are not Max and Ben - yes, even Viola, Todd and Ben (the grandad) - felt a little bit flat.
Speaking of Max and Ben, I can't love them enough. They're incredible, and each so unique you could never mix up the POVs, even if you're reading two teenage brothers. Their struggles about identity and their place in the world are themes I think most of us have struggled at that time of our lives, and the way Patrick has wrote them is deeply believable. Seeing their little family together has brought me so much joy.
Plot-wise, as I've said, it felt a little bit rushed, and I think the book has suffered from the stakes being too high - things are very dramatic and very big from the start, and that somehow gave me the sense of characters having plot armour throughout. Though plenty people do suffer, I know. But I have been thinking nonstop about this book since I finished, and the stakes being this high means I don't have a clue where this is going next. And I can't wait to find out!
Speaking of Max and Ben, I can't love them enough. They're incredible, and each so unique you could never mix up the POVs, even if you're reading two teenage brothers. Their struggles about identity and their place in the world are themes I think most of us have struggled at that time of our lives, and the way Patrick has wrote them is deeply believable. Seeing their little family together has brought me so much joy.
Plot-wise, as I've said, it felt a little bit rushed, and I think the book has suffered from the stakes being too high - things are very dramatic and very big from the start, and that somehow gave me the sense of characters having plot armour throughout. Though plenty people do suffer, I know. But I have been thinking nonstop about this book since I finished, and the stakes being this high means I don't have a clue where this is going next. And I can't wait to find out!
April 12, 2026
The GIFT that this continuation is.
The next generation has grown up on New World knowing only the smallest of conflicts. Ben and Max live a quiet life on a farm with their parents, Todd and Viola, until they see something inexplicable. When it becomes obvious that their experience is connected to the disease affecting children on New World and the mysterious object that's been spotted in nearby space, that childhood of peace quickly comes to an end.
I loved how realistic the post war depiction and growth of New World was. The relationship between Todd and Viola and their kids, as well as with the greater society felt very genuine. Even before the destabilizing events of the book begin, it is obvious that the human race on New World is still at odds with each other, their circumstances and the planet's prevailing species. It created the perfect tinder box ready to ignite after Ben and Max's attack.
I'm going to be blunt. This not one of those trilogies that will stand alone as strong as the original. Is it a good book on its own? Totally. But it is the PERFECT continuation of the Chaos Walking world. And I can't wait to see where it takes us.
CW: racism, bigotry, gun violence
The next generation has grown up on New World knowing only the smallest of conflicts. Ben and Max live a quiet life on a farm with their parents, Todd and Viola, until they see something inexplicable. When it becomes obvious that their experience is connected to the disease affecting children on New World and the mysterious object that's been spotted in nearby space, that childhood of peace quickly comes to an end.
I loved how realistic the post war depiction and growth of New World was. The relationship between Todd and Viola and their kids, as well as with the greater society felt very genuine. Even before the destabilizing events of the book begin, it is obvious that the human race on New World is still at odds with each other, their circumstances and the planet's prevailing species. It created the perfect tinder box ready to ignite after Ben and Max's attack.
I'm going to be blunt. This not one of those trilogies that will stand alone as strong as the original. Is it a good book on its own? Totally. But it is the PERFECT continuation of the Chaos Walking world. And I can't wait to see where it takes us.
CW: racism, bigotry, gun violence
April 13, 2026
I still can’t believe this book is real!
I had just begun rereading the series randomly when I had an urge to check Patrick Ness’ Instagram and saw this book was getting released in a few weeks. I finished rereading the last one just in time to start Piper at the Gates of Dusk.
The previous series being so fresh in my mind, I have some thoughts about this book. Chaos walking is one of my favorite sci-fi/fantasy series. The way Patrick Ness tackled so many complex themes and ideas packaged into a YA sci-fi page turner is incredible. Piper at the Gates of Dusk feels very new, but still true original series and characters. I think the next two books will definitely surprise me- I know the Knife of Never Letting Go barely sets up the story that takes place in the rest of the chaos walking series, so I kind of feel like that’s how it’ll be with these books. I’m already loving these new characters he’s introduced, and there’s no doubt in my mind that as the story goes on, we will understand and connect with them more deeply. I’m excited to see where the rest of the story goes!
I had just begun rereading the series randomly when I had an urge to check Patrick Ness’ Instagram and saw this book was getting released in a few weeks. I finished rereading the last one just in time to start Piper at the Gates of Dusk.
The previous series being so fresh in my mind, I have some thoughts about this book. Chaos walking is one of my favorite sci-fi/fantasy series. The way Patrick Ness tackled so many complex themes and ideas packaged into a YA sci-fi page turner is incredible. Piper at the Gates of Dusk feels very new, but still true original series and characters. I think the next two books will definitely surprise me- I know the Knife of Never Letting Go barely sets up the story that takes place in the rest of the chaos walking series, so I kind of feel like that’s how it’ll be with these books. I’m already loving these new characters he’s introduced, and there’s no doubt in my mind that as the story goes on, we will understand and connect with them more deeply. I’m excited to see where the rest of the story goes!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2026
4.25 🌟
Admittedly, I haven’t read the Chaos Walking series (yet). But I was intrigued by the chapter sampler of Piper at the Gates of Dusk and have been meaning to read Patrick Ness for years, so I jumped at the chance to listen to the full audiobook.
I was surprised at how emotional and heartfelt this story was. Ben and Max are complex characters, and I enjoyed viewing the world and issues through both of their perspectives. The relationships among the family members are explored fairly well, as are those among the town and school characters. It’s a fairly fast-paced novel and might have benefited from a bit more depth. But I am still interested to see where this trilogy goes, and I really want to read Chaos Walking now.
Zach Barack and Jordan Renzo narrate the audiobook. I thought that both did a great job bringing the characters to life.
Recommended for fans of YA sci-fi/dystopian novels with heart.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the ALC.
Admittedly, I haven’t read the Chaos Walking series (yet). But I was intrigued by the chapter sampler of Piper at the Gates of Dusk and have been meaning to read Patrick Ness for years, so I jumped at the chance to listen to the full audiobook.
I was surprised at how emotional and heartfelt this story was. Ben and Max are complex characters, and I enjoyed viewing the world and issues through both of their perspectives. The relationships among the family members are explored fairly well, as are those among the town and school characters. It’s a fairly fast-paced novel and might have benefited from a bit more depth. But I am still interested to see where this trilogy goes, and I really want to read Chaos Walking now.
Zach Barack and Jordan Renzo narrate the audiobook. I thought that both did a great job bringing the characters to life.
Recommended for fans of YA sci-fi/dystopian novels with heart.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the ALC.
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