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avacadosocks's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Biphobia, Adult/minor relationship, and Homophobia
nishana's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
In Other Lands explores the theme of coming-of-age in a way that i've never seen any other ya fantasy do so.
this is a character-driven story that follows our protagonist, elliot, from age 13 to 17, as he grows up away from the human world in a place called the borderlands. here, he befriends serene (and elven warrior who he quickly develops a crush on) and luke (an attractive boy who everyone seems to like... except for elliot). whilst there is discussion of war and combat within the story, most of this occurs off-page as elliot has little interest in violence. instead, the story focuses on elliot's friendships, romantic relationships and all of the angst and self-confidence issues that comes with being a teenager who has not-so-great parents.
the story has a lot of focus on elliot's flaws, mainly his sometimes judgemental nature and lack of consideration for other people's feelings. we see his insecurities about people in his life not liking him and how this stems from having an absent mother and a father who doesn't care. most importantly, we see how he tries to work on these issues and even by the end of the novel, we are shown that it's a work-in-progress, rather than something that he's completely solved and overcome. i appreciate the authenticity of this, because in reality, most of us will spend a lifetime trying to become better people. it's an important message to send, especially in a young adult novel.
there's also some really great queer rep in this, with our main character being bisexual and a few other supporting/minor characters being gay. elliot dates both boys and girls throughout the book and has a particularly messy love life, as one would expect for a teenager. it's incredibly fun to read though, and there's plenty of humour throughout it that kept me rolling on the floor.
if you're looking for a cozy fantasy with themes of teenagehood, this is the story to read. it's cute, funny and quite easy to read as well.
this is a character-driven story that follows our protagonist, elliot, from age 13 to 17, as he grows up away from the human world in a place called the borderlands. here, he befriends serene (and elven warrior who he quickly develops a crush on) and luke (an attractive boy who everyone seems to like... except for elliot). whilst there is discussion of war and combat within the story, most of this occurs off-page as elliot has little interest in violence. instead, the story focuses on elliot's friendships, romantic relationships and all of the angst and self-confidence issues that comes with being a teenager who has not-so-great parents.
the story has a lot of focus on elliot's flaws, mainly his sometimes judgemental nature and lack of consideration for other people's feelings. we see his insecurities about people in his life not liking him and how this stems from having an absent mother and a father who doesn't care. most importantly, we see how he tries to work on these issues and even by the end of the novel, we are shown that it's a work-in-progress, rather than something that he's completely solved and overcome. i appreciate the authenticity of this, because in reality, most of us will spend a lifetime trying to become better people. it's an important message to send, especially in a young adult novel.
there's also some really great queer rep in this, with our main character being bisexual and a few other supporting/minor characters being gay. elliot dates both boys and girls throughout the book and has a particularly messy love life, as one would expect for a teenager. it's incredibly fun to read though, and there's plenty of humour throughout it that kept me rolling on the floor.
if you're looking for a cozy fantasy with themes of teenagehood, this is the story to read. it's cute, funny and quite easy to read as well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Biphobia, Sexual harassment, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Homophobia and War
fragrant_stars's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Biphobia, Emotional abuse, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexual assault, Colonisation, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Alcohol, War, Child abuse, Xenophobia, and Grief
Minor: Gun violence, Animal death, Blood, Cursing, Body horror, Infertility, Bullying, Death, Slavery, and Violence
turrean's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Stellar. The skewering of fantasy tropes and societal expectations was skillful, hilarious, and heartbreaking.
I started the book having read only a few reader reviews and so found myself constantly thinking I’d plumbed the story’s depths…and then having to revise.
**Just a note that I felt mislead by the occasional illustrations into thinking I was reading a book for middle graders.**
I started the book having read only a few reader reviews and so found myself constantly thinking I’d plumbed the story’s depths…and then having to revise.
**Just a note that I felt mislead by the occasional illustrations into thinking I was reading a book for middle graders.**
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Biphobia, Homophobia, Sexism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Body horror, Death, and Infidelity
awkwardimagination's review
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, Sexism, War, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Homophobia, Gaslighting, Bullying, Biphobia, and Colonisation
Minor: Animal death
axel_p's review
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Animal death, Child abuse, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Colonisation, Confinement, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, War, Alcohol, Homophobia, Outing, Racism, Biphobia, Body horror, Xenophobia, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Slavery, and Violence
alibrarymouse's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Biphobia, Death, Murder, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, War, and Violence
artstitute's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
3.5
I really enjoyed this book! I will say that I wish that Luke had gotten fleshed out a little more consistently, but I think part of that was that Elliot was an unreliable narrator and didn't really consider Luke's interiority that deeply. I also think that the characterization was a little all over the place and I wish more time had been dedicated to developing Luke and Elliot's relationshop. It's one of those books that's great as is, but a more thorough editer could have made it phenomenal. Overall, though, I had a lot of fun! I love the narration style and the tone so much and the characters are dear to my heart <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and War
Moderate: Biphobia and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
20sidedbi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
It's truly impressive how the author managed to perfectly capture this surly traumatized teenager in a way that didn't reduce him to a caricature or trope. He was hilarious and vibrant and oblivious and horrible and lovable all at once. A real bi disaster.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, War, Sexism, and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism
ameliez's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, War, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Biphobia