Posts
Synopsis (From GoodReads):
What if you aren’t the Chosen One? The one who’s supposed to fight the zombies, or the soul-eating ghosts, or whatever the heck this new thing is, with the blue lights and the death?What if you’re like Mikey? Who just wants to graduate and go to prom and maybe finally work up the courage to ask Henna out before someone goes and blows up the high school. Again.
Because sometimes there are problems bigger than this week’s end of the world, and sometimes you just have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life.
Even if your best friend is worshiped by mountain lions.
Review:
I really admire author Patrick Ness. A Monster Calls is one of my favorite books and pack an emotional punch like no other. So when I heard that he ha a new book out, I bought it up quickly...and then it sat on the shelf for a few months. I don't know why that is. I suppose that since it didn't fit neatly in a particular category, I didn't know if I was the the proper mood to read it. The Rest Of Us Just Live Here is a parody of teen shows like Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Twilight. It is also a soulful look at one teen's struggles with anxiety and the end of high school. So did I want to read a YA Fiction or a Paranormal Romance? Finally, I started this book and then could not put it down.There are two main stories in this book that come together at the end. In one, the Indie Kids work to save the world from the Immortals who are trying to get through a portal to take over the world. The tale is told in tidbits at the beginning of each chapter, and intersects here and there with the real story of Michael and his friends marching towards high school graduation and the changes that will come as they all go off to college. One of the characters in the more realistic story does have some magical powers, but overall the story is rooted in the reality of teens finding it hard to face change.
I have high school aged kids, so this really resonates with me. I rooted for Mikey as he tried to overcome his anxiety. The book shows us what it would be like to have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and how getting in "loops" (repetitively washing one's hands, for example) is not a choice, but a compulsion. I loved the chapter where Mikey sees a therapist and they talk out his issues. Nothing is neatly solved, but I thought what happens in this chapter was something everyone with anxiety should read.
I think the book is trying to make the point that even if a teen is not trying to "save the world", their own story is just as valid. Sometimes when I see my teens stressing about school, I do want to think, "why are they acting like it's the end of the world if they do poorly on a test?" But the point is that for the stressed out person, it IS the end of the world. That person's troubles are just as serious and important as the burdens of "The Chosen One". I thank Patrick Ness, again, for creating a book that shows teens that every person's story is significant.
Rating:
Release Date: August 27th, 2015
Source: Bought by me
Format: Hardcover
Recommendation: A book that combines fantasy with reality, this book is a smart satire of teen "chosen one" stories. It deals intelligently with issues such as anxiety and eating disorders.
I've been intrigued by this one ever since I first read about it. I'll have to make time to read it some day.
ReplyDeleteMajanka @ I Heart Reading
I didn't realize Patrick Ness had this book out! It seems like it's a great choice for myself. I'm glad that you found it enjoyable! I like what you took out of the story :)
ReplyDeleteDanica @ A Redheaded Bookworm
Great review, I've really been curious about this one and it sounds like it delivers!!
ReplyDelete