Ask Me by Kimberly Pauley

by:   Kimberly Pauley
published by:  Soho Teen
publish date:  April 8, 2014

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.

Aria comes from a long line of women who are born with the power of the Oracle.  She is forced to answer a question with the truth.  However, not all questions are answered in a straightforward manner.  Some answers only make sense after an event has occurred.  Aria, frustrated with her powers, avoids other people and their unending streams of questions by blocking them out with earbuds and loud music.   However, she gets drawn into life at her high school when a girl goes missing and she finally starts listening to the questions.  

I kinda likened this book to going to the movies and the movie wasn't that great.  It stinks that you wasted $10, but hey at least you got out the house and at some awesome popcorn.  I had some issues with some little details of this book...like aren't there always questions in music?  Wouldn't she be forced to answer the questions in the music she's always listening to?  What about test questions?  Wouldn't she always know the answer to every test question?  She dreaded school, but I think school would have been great if you knew the answer to every question.  The mystery part of the book was pretty good.  I thought it was well written.  I would have preferred Aria to have been more bold and embracing of her powers though.