Reviews with content warning for Violence - In Other Lands

Reviews tagging 'Violence'

In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan

30 reviews

avacadosocks's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted 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

5.0

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fragrant_stars's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing sad slow-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

This book was truly a delight to read, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I only sort of wish the main character had been slightly less terrible to other people but by the end he did make up for it sufficiently in my opinion.

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awkwardimagination's review

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I was not planning on finishing this book in about one day. But it was simply too good. I say it a lot but I'm not a fan of romance - I was incomprehensible while watching my ship become end game. This book was equal parts hilarious as it was heartbreaking. It has comedy and wit in every other line and it could very easily turn people off, but I absolutely loved every second of it. It served it's purpose well, too, as I was not expecting this book to be so vocal about issues that no one was talking about loudly in 2014(?) or at least not like we do now- gender roles, war and the importance of diplomacy, colonization. I also was not expecting to have abandonment issues and my own self-worth issues laid out for me like a horrible palm reading but that's fine (it made me cry). The genderswap was a bit jarring for me at first, until I realized it's purpose and it still made me feel uncomfortable, but if it were how it is irl I would've felt the same so mission accomplished.

I went into this book expecting a story about mermaids and growing up told by a snarky 13 yr old. Instead I got that, plus a story about the devastation of war and knowing too well how to make other people hurt you, before they decide to do it themself. And I was not dissappointed in the slightest.

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axel_p's review

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adventurous challenging emotional funny lighthearted relaxing fast-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

4.0

Elliot is literally me

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alibrarymouse's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

To say that I loved this book feels like an understatement. I don’t think there was any part I didn’t like??

This is a coming-of-age story that turns everything you expect in a fantasy on its head while exploring all the different types of love.

Elliott is the most abrasive main character, but he isn’t hard to love. He was so likable from the beginning when he admits what the rest of us think: when you have the potential to live in a fantasy story, you have to take it. But instead of being just like any other portal fantasy, Elliott learns life isn’t unicorns and rainbows… in fact, unicorns are kind of jerks.

But the best part of this book was that Brennan admits there are so many ways to love, even when we feel unlovable. Elliott was rude, he had a difficult home life, and he didn’t know how to love the way he thought he should. Yet he found family, friends, and a place to belong while pointing out that violence isn’t always the answer. He explored sexuality and how important it is to value yourself. Love is special, and we should choose love, even if it doesn’t look like what we expected.

The commentary on war, peace, and love were gorgeous; delivered naturally and without seeming contrived. I genuinely liked all of the characters here, and everyone grew up and faced different challenges in their own ways. Dark topics were given their due, but honestly, this was one of the coziest books I’ve ever read while confronting thoughts, emotions, and experiences that everyone has difficulty facing.

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phantomgecko's review against another edition

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adventurous funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Firstly, I appreciate stand alone novels.

Secondly, you need to accept that the main character is unrealistically mature in certain areas and childish in others. And that's okay. Elliot embodies the ideals of an unprejudiced person (not racist, not sexist, not homophobic) and treats breakups, friend zones and rejection with grace and acceptance. This is not a book about a guy struggling with his sexuality. He knows what he likes and it's fine with him.

He's not a perfect character; he just has different faults. He's actually kinda an antihero because he's an obnoxious jerk.

Also, the magic land (that doesn't actually have magic, just creatures) is fascinating. From the only slightly hyperbolic matriarchal elves to the realistically colonial and species-ist humans to the choice in creatures in general. Harpies and mermaids are not usually included as sentient races in fantasy like this. I'd expect centaurs and, like, fairies or something to come first. Love it.

This book is funny. I commend that.

Relationships are a huge part of the book. Platonic, familial, and romantic. All the romance-y bits are like high school drama mixed with college drama, neither of which I care for. A lot of the love drama drives the plot, so it is necessary...to an extent. The love bits stretched on longer than I was interested. Thus four stars instead of five.

Still, a good read. Happy pride.

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