Prequel to Patrick Ness's The Knife of Never Letting Go

From today's Book2Book:

The award-winning author Patrick Ness has written an exclusive short story for the reading charity Booktrust, where he is currently writer in residence.

The winner of the Booktrust Teenage Prize 2008 and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize 2008 began his role as Booktrust's first writer in residence in March 2009. Since then he has produced a fortnightly blog, tips and advice for writers and a video of his work in schools.

The story, entitled 'The New World: A story of Chaos Walking,' is a prequel to his award-winning novel The Knife of Never Letting Go, the first in his bestselling Chaos Walking trilogy.

Set before the first meeting of the heroes Viola and Todd, 'The New World' tells the dramatic story of Viola's arrival on the planet she's spent her entire life travelling towards. Ness explores Viola's relationship with her family as he reveals the trauma of her terrifying introduction to this alien world, which she must now face alone.

The story can be read online or downloaded at the Booktrust website.


Synopsis of The Knife of Never Letting Go:

Todd Hewitt is the last boy in Prentisstown.

But Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts in a constant, overwhelming, never-ending Noise. There is no privacy. There are no secrets.

Or are there?

Just one month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd unexpectedly stumbles upon a spot of complete silence.

Which is impossible.

Prentisstown has been lying to him.

And now he's going to have to run...

Patrick Ness's website is here.