Ask Me by Kimberly Pauley

“The problem with prophecy is that someone has to actually ask the right question at the right time for me to produce the answer to it.”

Ask Aria Morse anything, and she must answer with the truth. Yet she rarely understands the cryptic words she‘s compelled to utter. Blessed—or cursed—with the power of an Oracle who cannot decipher her own predictions, she does her best to avoid anyone and everyone.

But Aria can no longer hide when Jade, one of the few girls at school who ever showed her any kindness, disappears. Any time Aria overhears a question about Jade, she inadvertently reveals something new, a clue or hint as to why Jade vanished. But like stray pieces from different puzzles, her words never present a clear picture.

Then there’s Alex, damaged and dangerous, but the first person other than Jade to stand up for her. And Will, who offers a bond that seems impossible for a girl who’s always been alone. Both were involved with Jade. Aria may be the only one who can find out what happened, but the closer she gets to solving the crime, the more she becomes a target. Not everyone wants the truth to come out.

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Personal Thoughts:

Aria Morse inherited a gift/curse of prophecy. Ask her anything, and she will answer with the truth. Most of the times her answer comes in form of riddles and rhymes which even to her is a puzzle. She got an answer in every questions, even those not directed to her which makes her  look like a weird. She tried her best to avoid questions by wearing head phones and listening to music, and if she she hear questions indirectly she try to whisper or mumble the answers. But when Jade Price, one of the girls in her school disappears, Aria suddenly find her self in a world full of questions. Everyone around her is asking, and as one with the answers she may be the only one who can find out what really happened to Jade. But the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she become to being the next target. Can she solve the murder before she become the next victim?

Aria is a complex and strong character. It so easy to sympathize with her for being an oracle. As much as it is cool to have her ability, it is also not easy to have all the answer in every questions. The struggle she is facing is well done that it so easy to believe that she is in the contemporary world in-spite the ability she possess. I like how the author slowly make Aria’s character grow, from the aloof and lonely person that she is to the one who is pushing her way to solve bigger mysteries.

I also like Aria’s grandparents,especially her grandpa who I always picture smiling/laughing for some reason. He seems a cool grandparent to have and even hilarious at times. As for her grandmother, who had been a Sybil once, is an additional help to Aria in learning her history and embracing her unique ability.

As for the mystery, well it’s pretty obvious for me who the killer is, I guess it way ahead before the revelation. However, knowing the murderer doesn’t take away my interest to know more about the story. Aria’s ability and the mythology around it are just few of the things that push me to read more. Add the right pacing and well written dialogues this book is abosorbing from start to end.

Though the narration is written in Aria’s point of view, readers will have a chance to get occasional glimpses into the mind of the killer, which I think add more thrill to the story as it push Aria in more danger.

Overall, Ask Me is a unique, surprising, and well written novel that perfectly balance contemporary and paranormal genre. With suspense, mystery and romance Kimberly Pauley successfully weaved a gripping and powerful story that YA readers will surely enjoy.