The Mayor launches flammable fuel at the forest, killing many Spackle, including The Sky. Angered by Todd's decision to leave his side, the Mayor steals the scout ship and Todd. The settlers plan to settle peace immediately, leaving Todd and the Mayor alone. Todd, overwhelmed by happiness, rejoins Ben and leaves the Mayor's side. Ben wakes.ĭuring a speech, Mistress Coyle reveals a suicide bomb, intent on killing the Mayor. The Sky meets him there, and watches as the Return fails to murder Ben. The Return goes to kill Ben, angered by both the surrender and his inability to kill Viola. After killing the attacking Spackle, The Sky surrenders. The Mayor, planning ahead, had already set up his artillery and soldiers. Although the peace talks are successful, the Spackle launch a surprise attack on the Mayor and Todd the next day. The Return attempts to murder Viola in revenge, but stops when he sees the ID band on her arm, sympathising. Viola and Bradley are sent to negotiate with the Spackle. The Spackle respond with a message to send two people to meet the next morning. Angry that the Mayor undermines her, Coyle sends a bomb into the Spackle stronghold. The two groups work together - the Mayor lures Spackle and The Answer provides bombs. The Mayor's army without water, and The Answer without food, are forced into a peace talk. The Mayor praises him for having such ability. During a raid, Todd knocks the failing Mayor unconscious and takes over. The Spackle begin attacking the town at random. The Sky promises Ben to The Return if the two armies reach peace. The Sky refuses, but reveals a captured, hibernating Ben, Todd's adoptive father. The Return argues with The Sky, the leader of the Spackle, demanding more attacks. Coyle attempts to manipulate Viola to use the scout ship, and when Todd is in danger, she launches a missile that kills most Spackle warriors. The Spackle dam off the river to block water supply and attack the Mayor's camp.

He is the only surviving slave, and seeks revenge on Todd and the settlers. 1017 has made his way to the Spackle camp, now branded 'The Return”. However, the Mayor's army manages to push the Spackle army back into the forest. Meanwhile, Viola and Mistress Coyle confer with Bradley and Simone, the scout ship pilots Coyle wants to use the ship's missiles to destroy the Mayor. The Mayor's army and the Spackle army engage in a destructive battle.

Mayor Prentiss has been freed by Todd to help defend the city, whilst Viola attempts to warn oncoming settlers. An army of Spackle, the indigenous population of the planet, marches on New Prentisstown from one direction, and the forces of The Answer from the other.

Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness