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kim_j_dare's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this so much.
First Unstoppable Praying Mantis Soldiers from [a:Andrew Smith|26810|Andrew Smith|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]; now zombie deer from Patrick Ness.
Actually, the zombie-ish creatures-- deer and otherwise-- don't play a big role in the story. At the beginning of each chapter, Ness gives us very brief brushstrokes of a plot involving the Immortals coming through a portal and attacking all the indie kids-- the cool kids, the ones who usually feature in zombie and vampire stories-- in an effort to take over the world. After he gently pokes fun at these more typical tropes, he turns our attention to the ignored "average" kids for the main story. And as we meet siblings Mikey and Mel, and their friends Henna and Jared, and see the things they're up against as they try to survive the last few weeks of high school, we realize that they are anything but "average."
Jared tries to explain it to narrator Mikey like this:
"Not everyone has to be the Chosen One. Not everyone has to be the guy who saves the world. Most people just have to live their lives the best they can, doing the things that are great for them, having great friends, trying to make their lives better, loving people properly. All the while knowing that the world makes no sense but trying to find a way to be happy anyway."
A lovely, humorous page-turner about all those kids who AREN'T the Chosen Ones-- but who are pretty amazing when you get to know them.
Thanks to Edelweiss for the digital ARC.
First Unstoppable Praying Mantis Soldiers from [a:Andrew Smith|26810|Andrew Smith|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]; now zombie deer from Patrick Ness.
Actually, the zombie-ish creatures-- deer and otherwise-- don't play a big role in the story. At the beginning of each chapter, Ness gives us very brief brushstrokes of a plot involving the Immortals coming through a portal and attacking all the indie kids-- the cool kids, the ones who usually feature in zombie and vampire stories-- in an effort to take over the world. After he gently pokes fun at these more typical tropes, he turns our attention to the ignored "average" kids for the main story. And as we meet siblings Mikey and Mel, and their friends Henna and Jared, and see the things they're up against as they try to survive the last few weeks of high school, we realize that they are anything but "average."
Jared tries to explain it to narrator Mikey like this:
"Not everyone has to be the Chosen One. Not everyone has to be the guy who saves the world. Most people just have to live their lives the best they can, doing the things that are great for them, having great friends, trying to make their lives better, loving people properly. All the while knowing that the world makes no sense but trying to find a way to be happy anyway."
A lovely, humorous page-turner about all those kids who AREN'T the Chosen Ones-- but who are pretty amazing when you get to know them.
Thanks to Edelweiss for the digital ARC.
jaymdav's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
halthemonarch's review against another edition
4.0
What a clever idea! I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel like it, where it was deliberately from the pov of characters uncentral to the apocalyptic YA plot. Every chapter head letting us know what Satchel and the gang were up to in the background, while Jared wrestled with his anxiety and OCD in the foreground was a brilliant and stunning way to say: there’s more than one kind of remarkable.
I was incredibly invested in these characters in the beginning. A little later it became harder to read only because I could see myself in the protagonist and he just kept. messing. things. up. I felt his friends frustrations with Mike but couldn’t always follow their sympathy for him.
The supernatural aspects were great as well, I love the casual references to “soul eating ghosts” and “immortal invasion” from the eyes of someone who isn’t involved whatsoever— Like it’s a part of life to be dealt with. If anyone remembers O’Grady, the townsfolk in these strange and dramatic world just accept the weirdness as their lot in life.
On the whole this book wasn’t what I thought it would be. I’m reading material to do with ancient gods portrayed in YA media and this one was a part of my list. However, it’s more a coming of age book, an exploration of mental illness, and a commentary on the effects parents have on their children that ends with a found family picnic scene by a cozy fire. It was a joy to read.
I was incredibly invested in these characters in the beginning. A little later it became harder to read only because I could see myself in the protagonist and he just kept. messing. things. up. I felt his friends frustrations with Mike but couldn’t always follow their sympathy for him.
The supernatural aspects were great as well, I love the casual references to “soul eating ghosts” and “immortal invasion” from the eyes of someone who isn’t involved whatsoever— Like it’s a part of life to be dealt with. If anyone remembers O’Grady, the townsfolk in these strange and dramatic world just accept the weirdness as their lot in life.
On the whole this book wasn’t what I thought it would be. I’m reading material to do with ancient gods portrayed in YA media and this one was a part of my list. However, it’s more a coming of age book, an exploration of mental illness, and a commentary on the effects parents have on their children that ends with a found family picnic scene by a cozy fire. It was a joy to read.
alexy_lynx's review against another edition
4.0
Patrick Ness no se equivoco en nada al hacer este libro sobre un protagonista verdaderamente común y nada 'especial'.
Mikey es un chico normal sin ninguna habilidad o sabiduría que revolucionará/salvará al mundo, pero que su vida se ve algo afectada al tener que vivir las consecuencias de los desastres que ocasionan los elegidos al intentar destruir el mal. El y sus amigos tienen problemas que cualquier adolescente tiende a sufrir, peleas con sus padres, exámenes y proyectos finales, el chico o la chica que te gusta, chicos muriéndose en tu preparatoria por alguna causa mágica y estar conciente que estos chicos pueden ocasionar que tu escuela explote... (bueno, eso no).
Mikey es un chico normal sin ninguna habilidad o sabiduría que revolucionará/salvará al mundo, pero que su vida se ve algo afectada al tener que vivir las consecuencias de los desastres que ocasionan los elegidos al intentar destruir el mal. El y sus amigos tienen problemas que cualquier adolescente tiende a sufrir, peleas con sus padres, exámenes y proyectos finales, el chico o la chica que te gusta, chicos muriéndose en tu preparatoria por alguna causa mágica y estar conciente que estos chicos pueden ocasionar que tu escuela explote... (bueno, eso no).
luc3sca's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
loooved this book!! wasn’t expecting the main character to have OCD, which was a nice surprise because I relate to him. I liked how the book doesn’t ever explicitly say that ghosts and zombies and shit exists in this world, they’re just there with no real explanation and the reader just has to accept it (which is hard for me but I got over it).
the ending chapters did give me major FOMO though 😭, the graduation hurt my heart because I don’t get to graduate high school with my friends </3.
the ending chapters did give me major FOMO though 😭, the graduation hurt my heart because I don’t get to graduate high school with my friends </3.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Alcoholism, and Eating disorder
Minor: Animal death
keen23's review against another edition
3.0
The whole time I was reading this, I wasn't sure where it was going. Or if what was happening in the book was "real" to the characters or just someone's satire of the experience.
ciuli's review against another edition
4.0
4/5
Michael is my baby and he needs to be protected at all costs. I don't think I've ever related more to a character and I basically spent half the book crying with him.
The Rest of Us Just Live Here talks about the life of a group of normal high school students that lives in a world where superheroes are real. They try living a normal life, waiting for graduation and hoping that their high school won't blow up again.
Michael is our main character, he's unofficially bisexual (because he is and you can't change my mind about it) and he has OCD and anxiety. His mother is a politician who is running for another campaign, his father is alcoholic and his older sister is trying to recover from an eating disorder which almost killed her.
Michael is seriously my baby, I relate to him in a whole other level. Him feeling always the least wanted in a group of friends is me, everyday during my teenage years and then some more.
I liked this book, it was a nice summer read and I finished it in just over three days! I'd recommend it if you're looking for a light read to recover from heavier and deeper books!
Michael is my baby and he needs to be protected at all costs. I don't think I've ever related more to a character and I basically spent half the book crying with him.
The Rest of Us Just Live Here talks about the life of a group of normal high school students that lives in a world where superheroes are real. They try living a normal life, waiting for graduation and hoping that their high school won't blow up again.
Michael is our main character, he's unofficially bisexual (because he is and you can't change my mind about it) and he has OCD and anxiety. His mother is a politician who is running for another campaign, his father is alcoholic and his older sister is trying to recover from an eating disorder which almost killed her.
Michael is seriously my baby, I relate to him in a whole other level. Him feeling always the least wanted in a group of friends is me, everyday during my teenage years and then some more.
I liked this book, it was a nice summer read and I finished it in just over three days! I'd recommend it if you're looking for a light read to recover from heavier and deeper books!
divreadsbooks's review against another edition
This was.... interesting. It read like part satire, part serious take on the whole chosen one narrative. I genuinely loved the concept of following characters that weren't the ones the main plot would be happening to in a traditional story. It took me a couple of hours to finish, and as long as you're not expecting a serious read, this book is pretty entertaining
The book follows a group of teenagers with mostly normal teenager problems living alongside what would have been protagonists in another novel. They're wonderful well-developed group diverse group of teens with some pretty serious mental health issues, but they're not made light of which I appreciated. The main POV character came across as a bit of a dick, which might have been the point. The supporting cast more than makes up for it though.
Would definitely recommend if you're looking for a non stressful world to escape to for a few hours. Works best when you dont think too hard about it.
The book follows a group of teenagers with mostly normal teenager problems living alongside what would have been protagonists in another novel. They're wonderful well-developed group diverse group of teens with some pretty serious mental health issues, but they're not made light of which I appreciated. The main POV character came across as a bit of a dick, which might have been the point. The supporting cast more than makes up for it though.
Would definitely recommend if you're looking for a non stressful world to escape to for a few hours. Works best when you dont think too hard about it.
jenmangler's review against another edition
3.0
I was really intrigued by the concept of this book: in a world inhabited by "chosen ones," what's it like to be a regular person? The story of the "chosen ones" is told in summary at the beginning of each chapter, while the story of this regular group of friends on the cusp of graduation is the main story. The characters in this book aren't superheroes, but they do a lot of saving each other.
sarahvallejo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0