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Chaos Walking #0.5
The New World
In this dramatic prequel to the award-winning Chaos Walking Trilogy, author Patrick Ness gives us the story of Viola's journey to the New World.
25 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 27, 2010
306 people are currently reading
16573 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Ness
58 books18.7k 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 1,246 reviews
April 25, 2020
last quickie, i promise...
after this, i will stay for breakfast and all that. meet the folks.
this is a tiny story, filling in the gaps of viola's life before crash-landing in the swamp, meeting todd, and having terrible and wonderful adventures. it's kind of heartbreaking, seeing her here, and knowing what lies ahead for her, you know? it's nice to get a sense of her family dynamic before she is so roughly removed from it, but i can't help myself from wanting a whole lot more from these characters.
it is so frustrating to read this after reading the trilogy, and knowing that this is it. forever.
this quickie is quick because of resentment. if that's all you're gonna write, ness, this is all i'm gonna write. hhmph.
come to my blog!
after this, i will stay for breakfast and all that. meet the folks.
this is a tiny story, filling in the gaps of viola's life before crash-landing in the swamp, meeting todd, and having terrible and wonderful adventures. it's kind of heartbreaking, seeing her here, and knowing what lies ahead for her, you know? it's nice to get a sense of her family dynamic before she is so roughly removed from it, but i can't help myself from wanting a whole lot more from these characters.
it is so frustrating to read this after reading the trilogy, and knowing that this is it. forever.
this quickie is quick because of resentment. if that's all you're gonna write, ness, this is all i'm gonna write. hhmph.
come to my blog!
March 25, 2021
First Read: February 2017, Rating: 3 Stars
Second Read: November 2020, Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
This is a prequel short story to the Chaos Walking trilogy and can be found here.
This is less of a prequel and more of a describing of events from an alternative character's viewpoint. Viola Eades is travelling with her family, via spaceship, to the new world they are hoping to inhabit. They have been chosen as the leading family to begin terraforming the new land in preparation for the rest of their community's arrival. Viola is less than thrilled about their task.
Whilst this was an enjoyable enough story and the ending was painfully poignant, it did nothing to enhance my experience of the main trilogy. The events detailed are already known to the reader and this only divulges a few extra particulars. It was a good stand-alone short story, but added no extra dimensions to Viola's character, for me.
Second Read: November 2020, Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
This is a prequel short story to the Chaos Walking trilogy and can be found here.
This is less of a prequel and more of a describing of events from an alternative character's viewpoint. Viola Eades is travelling with her family, via spaceship, to the new world they are hoping to inhabit. They have been chosen as the leading family to begin terraforming the new land in preparation for the rest of their community's arrival. Viola is less than thrilled about their task.
Whilst this was an enjoyable enough story and the ending was painfully poignant, it did nothing to enhance my experience of the main trilogy. The events detailed are already known to the reader and this only divulges a few extra particulars. It was a good stand-alone short story, but added no extra dimensions to Viola's character, for me.
October 21, 2018
This review and other non-spoilery reviews can be found @The Book Prescription
I just read this one before jumping into “The Ask and the Answer”. This is Viola’s back story and it was kind of helpful for the story. It was short and didn’t add much to the story but I don’t regret reading it. It just wasn’t as awesome as book 1.
I just read this one before jumping into “The Ask and the Answer”. This is Viola’s back story and it was kind of helpful for the story. It was short and didn’t add much to the story but I don’t regret reading it. It just wasn’t as awesome as book 1.
July 2, 2017
*** 3 ***
I decided to start this series with this very short prequel novella. We met Viola and her parents, space traveling to a new planet ahead of the rest of their colony, all preparing to settle on a planet after living in space for a long while. Viola is only 13 and she acts like it. I have to hope that after the devastating occurrences in this story she will grow and develop as a character in the series to follow. Let see where we go from here 🙂.
I decided to start this series with this very short prequel novella. We met Viola and her parents, space traveling to a new planet ahead of the rest of their colony, all preparing to settle on a planet after living in space for a long while. Viola is only 13 and she acts like it. I have to hope that after the devastating occurrences in this story she will grow and develop as a character in the series to follow. Let see where we go from here 🙂.
June 30, 2016
★★★★★★★★☆☆[8/10]
⏩ You crash landed on a strange planet.
⏩ Your parents are dead.
⏩ You have no means to contact the mother ship.
⏩ You don't know what is more frightening- not finding any signs of life or coming into contact with a strange civilization- humans, no less.
But, Viola, you'll meet someone. Yes, you'll.
⏩ You crash landed on a strange planet.
⏩ Your parents are dead.
⏩ You have no means to contact the mother ship.
⏩ You don't know what is more frightening- not finding any signs of life or coming into contact with a strange civilization- humans, no less.
But, Viola, you'll meet someone. Yes, you'll.
June 17, 2020
A nice little addition to the trilogy which is easy to read and interesting. I’m not sure why it took me so long to know it existed.
September 2, 2011
I read the first book of the Chaos Walking series and too bad I did not like it. When I saw the free e-book in Barnes and Noble I did not hesitate to download it because I want to read it again, give it a chance it deserves. So far, I like how Viola Eade survive before their adventure begun. It was a great mystery in the beginning of the book and this answered everything I need to know about Viola.
I did not like Will Todd and how he approach the whole journey, I don't know how he survive by hiding and running all the way in the end or maybe Patrick Ness was approaching something invincible and surprising in the next 2 books in the series. You can give me a slap or a punch but no matter what happen, even though I did not like the book, I'll read the rest of the books in the series.
The thing that I find different about the book is the structure of the whole novella (or novellete), it was different compared to the first novel. This time Patrick Ness approach readers with plain and better English. I'm not insulting, but this is better than the first book. Maybe because Viola lived in a more modernize and better world than Will Todd, he really emphasize the language of each characters to know the real environment and the difference between the two.
Have you encountered that Viola was delivered as he or maybe I'm reckless enough not to include s? I don't know but I find it difficult to image because I though Viola was a boy in the novella, some ugly mistake maybe. Don't worry, Viola will always be the girl and compare to the two, I enjoyed Viola's part than tinkering Will's mind. Or maybe another hokus pokus that Patrick Ness made for readers or maybe I'm legally blind. Who knows?
In The New World, Patrick Ness wrote a novella to clearly sympathize the whole beginning, the history of Viola. The girl that can't speak or the first girl that appeared for years in Will Todd's place. The whole story evolved in the first 5 months of her life, from her farewell party to her journey with her parents passing through the Earth's orbit.
The hesitation and the hope that terribly frightened Viola for 5 months to explore feral things in the New World after a great destruction. The changing time phase of the novella made it more fun to read, while reading a part f the present, Patrick Ness will input some of the snippets about Viola before the journey. Her life in space and how she manages to say goodbye to her old friends.
Thanks to Barnes and Noble for sharing free stuff just 3 hours ago and suffered from mosquito bites.
Review posted on (I'm planning to create a blog for YA, stay tune).
Rating: The New World by Patrick Ness, 3 Sweets
Challenges:
Book #238 for 2011
I did not like Will Todd and how he approach the whole journey, I don't know how he survive by hiding and running all the way in the end or maybe Patrick Ness was approaching something invincible and surprising in the next 2 books in the series. You can give me a slap or a punch but no matter what happen, even though I did not like the book, I'll read the rest of the books in the series.
The thing that I find different about the book is the structure of the whole novella (or novellete), it was different compared to the first novel. This time Patrick Ness approach readers with plain and better English. I'm not insulting, but this is better than the first book. Maybe because Viola lived in a more modernize and better world than Will Todd, he really emphasize the language of each characters to know the real environment and the difference between the two.
Have you encountered that Viola was delivered as he or maybe I'm reckless enough not to include s? I don't know but I find it difficult to image because I though Viola was a boy in the novella, some ugly mistake maybe. Don't worry, Viola will always be the girl and compare to the two, I enjoyed Viola's part than tinkering Will's mind. Or maybe another hokus pokus that Patrick Ness made for readers or maybe I'm legally blind. Who knows?
In The New World, Patrick Ness wrote a novella to clearly sympathize the whole beginning, the history of Viola. The girl that can't speak or the first girl that appeared for years in Will Todd's place. The whole story evolved in the first 5 months of her life, from her farewell party to her journey with her parents passing through the Earth's orbit.
The hesitation and the hope that terribly frightened Viola for 5 months to explore feral things in the New World after a great destruction. The changing time phase of the novella made it more fun to read, while reading a part f the present, Patrick Ness will input some of the snippets about Viola before the journey. Her life in space and how she manages to say goodbye to her old friends.
Do you know what separates us from the beasts, Viola?' I frowned, sensing a lesson... He laughed. 'Fire,' he said. ' The ability to make fire at will. It allowed us light to see in darkness, warmth against the cold, a tool to cook our food...' 'Fire is what eventually led to travel across the black beyond, the ability to start a new life on a New World.' - page 11
Thanks to Barnes and Noble for sharing free stuff just 3 hours ago and suffered from mosquito bites.
Review posted on (I'm planning to create a blog for YA, stay tune).
Rating: The New World by Patrick Ness, 3 Sweets
Challenges:
Book #238 for 2011
April 4, 2021
Viola was one of the more interesting characters in The Knife of Never Letting Go, so it was nice to learn a little bit about her backstory in this novella. She definitely has a more eccentric narrative than Todd, so it's a shame we didn't get much of that in the main series. I wondered about how she and her parents travelled to the new planet, and so it was enjoyable to follow a quick recount of their space journey.
February 28, 2021
Die Vorgeschichte macht das Buch runder, allerdings sollte man lieber erst "Chaos Walking" lesen, da man sonst zu sehr gespoilert wird..
June 7, 2019
This was nice enough, but it didn't really add much to the story for me.
I liked the other two short stories a lot as it gave insight into either what happened afterwards, or building up character. But this is the Viola we already know. And unlike the others, it doesn't really have a lot of depth even in the limited way for something short.
Even though it's so short I felt like it kind of got repetitive? And I didn't care as much as with the other two short stories because I knew everything that was going to happen (which you will if you've read the main trilogy.)
The ending was definitely sad and getting to see how everything went down, especially from Viola's perspective, was quite heart-breaking.
I think the emotions Viola is dealing with reminds me of how people feel when they are moving or moving on with their lives and are facing a lot of uncertainy. Good message about how hope is powerful, but also scary too.
I liked the other two short stories a lot as it gave insight into either what happened afterwards, or building up character. But this is the Viola we already know. And unlike the others, it doesn't really have a lot of depth even in the limited way for something short.
Even though it's so short I felt like it kind of got repetitive? And I didn't care as much as with the other two short stories because I knew everything that was going to happen (which you will if you've read the main trilogy.)
The ending was definitely sad and getting to see how everything went down, especially from Viola's perspective, was quite heart-breaking.
I think the emotions Viola is dealing with reminds me of how people feel when they are moving or moving on with their lives and are facing a lot of uncertainy. Good message about how hope is powerful, but also scary too.
October 23, 2010
AAAAHHH This was sooo good! Okay, so when I found out about it I thought it was a whole book, so I totally flipped out, but then I found out it was a free short story … Well, still pretty exciting! Nonetheless, I LOVED IT. DUH. I wish it had been longer! It was really cool to find out a little more about Viola's life before she met Todd. Reading it was kind of painful though, considering I knew all along how her parents were going to die and all. Her mom's death scene was sooo sad :'( Patrick Ness writes with such realistic and raw emotion; he says so much in so few words. He is a flipping genius, I tell ya. I kind of worship him, just a little. And I need to see more books from this guy. Anyway, this short story was brilliant! I kind of wished we got to see Viola's perspective on meeting Todd! But, oh well. I still loved it. <3 THANK YOU PATRICK NESS!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2020
“But in my chest, there was still fear, and I didn’t know which kind it was. Fear with hope, or fear without it.”
In this story we are with Viola Eade.
Viola, who according to the first book in the series, known as orphan girl because her parents died when the spaceship crashed. We never knew what happened, how, and when. We find out about it all in this story.
During this short story, we jump between past and present.
Patrick Ness, which is known as an amazing writer, teaches us a very smart lesson. Talking about the meaning of hope. And much more.
This short story adds so much to this series. And I love Viola even more than before. (If it's even possible).
In this story we are with Viola Eade.
Viola, who according to the first book in the series, known as orphan girl because her parents died when the spaceship crashed. We never knew what happened, how, and when. We find out about it all in this story.
During this short story, we jump between past and present.
Patrick Ness, which is known as an amazing writer, teaches us a very smart lesson. Talking about the meaning of hope. And much more.
This short story adds so much to this series. And I love Viola even more than before. (If it's even possible).
February 11, 2012
Set before the events of The Chaos Walking Trilogy, The New World is a fabulous short story that makes for a great introduction to the series. I loved Chaos Walking Trilogy. I don't think I've ever read a better YA trilogy. EVER.
Patrick Ness is a wonderful storyteller. His writing is electrifying and insanely compelling. I recommend this short story, as well as The Chaos Walking Trilogy, to not only every YA fan out there, but to everyone who enjoys great books, filled with well-drawn characters, shocking plot developments, action, adventure, love, betrayal, friendship and hope.
I guarantee, this story will stay with you.
Patrick Ness is a wonderful storyteller. His writing is electrifying and insanely compelling. I recommend this short story, as well as The Chaos Walking Trilogy, to not only every YA fan out there, but to everyone who enjoys great books, filled with well-drawn characters, shocking plot developments, action, adventure, love, betrayal, friendship and hope.
I guarantee, this story will stay with you.
March 26, 2016
Kratka priča koja predstavlja perquel događajima koji su usledili neposredno nakon njenog završetka. Sobzirom ako bilo šta kažem otkriću deo radnje originalne triologije, odnosno njenog prvog dela, reći ću samo da perquel daje jedan potpuniji psihološki profil Viole Id i donekle objašnjava neke njene postupke kasnije.
Patrick Ness je i kroz ovu kratku formu uspeo da me zadovolji kao čitaoca nedopuštajući mi da priču prekinem dok ne dođem do njenog (unapred poznatog) kraja.
Veoma emotivno napisano :(
Patrick Ness je i kroz ovu kratku formu uspeo da me zadovolji kao čitaoca nedopuštajući mi da priču prekinem dok ne dođem do njenog (unapred poznatog) kraja.
Veoma emotivno napisano :(
July 2, 2019
Sniff, sniff
Patrick Ness just have a way to make me cry!
This is the third story of him I've read and al three times I ended up in tears.
Patrick Ness just have a way to make me cry!
This is the third story of him I've read and al three times I ended up in tears.
September 7, 2015
What a tear-jerker! Gahhh
October 16, 2015
Ιnteresting short story about Viola past!
May 3, 2018
This was so good!! I held my breath for most of it and I’m glad we find out more about how Viola came to New World and what happens to her family. This series is just great!
January 2, 2021
5 stars
Boy, Patrick sure has me crying a lot!
Boy, Patrick sure has me crying a lot!
September 8, 2025
2022 rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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2025 rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
honestly the best novella out of the other two because it gives us viola's backstory which i feel adds a lot to her character and also, in patrick ness' words "hints at things to come" in the future books. great and (in my opinion) very necessary addition to this series and i'm glad i re-read it cause i lowkey forgot most of what happens in the novellas!
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2025 rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
honestly the best novella out of the other two because it gives us viola's backstory which i feel adds a lot to her character and also, in patrick ness' words "hints at things to come" in the future books. great and (in my opinion) very necessary addition to this series and i'm glad i re-read it cause i lowkey forgot most of what happens in the novellas!
January 13, 2019
I'm more interested in Viola's story than in Todd's.
August 10, 2023
A short story introduction as to how Viola came to be in the swamp on New World.
April 11, 2011
*wipes tears*
I now have Hope.
What a wonderful start to a series. Young Viola is traveling with her parents to settle a New World. Viola is not happy about her family being chosen to be the first on this world, but she is making do.
I enjoyed how the story flipped back and forth to Viola's life before the voyage and her life on board the ship.
I will definitely be looking at reading this series soon.
I now have Hope.
What a wonderful start to a series. Young Viola is traveling with her parents to settle a New World. Viola is not happy about her family being chosen to be the first on this world, but she is making do.
I enjoyed how the story flipped back and forth to Viola's life before the voyage and her life on board the ship.
I will definitely be looking at reading this series soon.
February 8, 2017
It was so nice to get a glimpse into Viola's life before she met Todd. I presumed she was a nice quiet girl before she met Todd but the short story showed me she was actually quite different. It was a great short story and the writing was brilliant (like it usually is). I would definitely recommend it.
September 20, 2016
This was a great introduction to the Chaos Walking series and I quite enjoyed getting to know more about how Viola arrived to the New World. She was one of my favourite characters in the first book so I was excited once I started reading this and realized it was from her perspective. It was great to get the whole story of her arrival and all in all, I really enjoyed this story!
January 31, 2015
This series is so damn sad. The characters can't catch a break anywhere :c
December 15, 2019
I read this trilogy ages ago and I still remember how much I loved this series, so finding out that there are two short stories made me overjoyed.
And this one was perfection. It broke my heart, so who am I to complain.
And this one was perfection. It broke my heart, so who am I to complain.
did-not-finish
December 25, 2017DNF at page 8.
I just couldn’t get into this story.
I saw it was free on NOOK, so I went in without even reading what it was about. Not the book for me.
I just couldn’t get into this story.
I saw it was free on NOOK, so I went in without even reading what it was about. Not the book for me.
October 29, 2011
This was nothing like what I expecting and... I loved it! :)
The story is really great and it made me want to read the next one right away...although I don't own it.
It's the story of how Viola left her home, a space convoy, and head to the new world. With her parents, they are the first to arrive there, but nothing goes as planned!
I'm going to get the next book as soon as I can, I want to know more about this story. Also I loved the authors writing, although it's in present time which I'm never really comfortable with.
The story is really great and it made me want to read the next one right away...although I don't own it.
It's the story of how Viola left her home, a space convoy, and head to the new world. With her parents, they are the first to arrive there, but nothing goes as planned!
I'm going to get the next book as soon as I can, I want to know more about this story. Also I loved the authors writing, although it's in present time which I'm never really comfortable with.
December 13, 2014
I didn't really expect much from this after being blown away by The Knife of Never Letting Go, but I really enjoyed gaining insight into Viola's character and more about how she arrived in the New World.
Can't wait to continue the series. Word on the street is it only gets better.
Can't wait to continue the series. Word on the street is it only gets better.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,246 reviews