BOOK REVIEW: THE REST OF US JUST LIVE HERE BY PATRICK NESS

TITLE: The Rest of Us Just Live Here
AUTHOR: Patrick Ness
RELEAOctober 20, 2015
SE DATE:
RELEASED BY: HarperTeen
PURCHASE: Amazon

SUMMARY:


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 worshipped by mountain lions.

Award-winning writer Patrick Ness’s bold and irreverent novel powerfully reminds us that there are many different types of remarkable.

REVIEW:

This book tho. I don’t know why but for me, The Rest of Us Just Live Here just oozes with extreme coolness. I love the title too! The Rest of Us Just Live Here is the perfect title for this book. It’s so unassuming and it fits the story perfectly. And it’s very relatable as well. I’m not the type of person in which story happens too so I’m no indie kid which is why I can relate to the characters. In fact, I think the majority of us can relate to the protagonists here. We all have our own story to tell and it may not be as grandiose like that of all the Chosen Ones, but it’s still our own story. I haven’t given up on my dream to train dragons and sail the oceans of an alternate earth plagued with pirates and hidden treasures, but I digress. This book is a testament that you don’t need to live in a magical place to be the protagonist of your own story.

I also love the dynamics between the characters. The familial relationship within Mike’s family was intriguing what with the familial issues and personal issues each of them are having. He has great sisters and their interactions were fun to read about. They never let those issues get between their family and the love and support among the siblings was palpable and I liked that a lot. However, my favorite dynamic would be between Mike and his bestfriend, Jared. Jared, who’s also my favorite character in the book because cats! My least favorite character would be Henna but it’s a personal one and if I viewed her without bias, she’d probably be an okay character. SorryHenna The book is told from Mike’s POV and I admire his voice as the protagonist. He is a flawed character but I adored his growth. As well, I am very pleased with the romance in the book. Since I’m not a fan of the love interest, I say that Mike just did the right thing in the end! This is one of those situations when I’m more concerned with the friendship and plot than with the romantic aspect and that is a very good thing.

The short bits of stories of the indie kids at the beginning of every chapter are interesting too. It started off as bland and very Chosen One-ish and I thought that Ness didn’t really give it much thought because it’s just a side story, but I was surprised by the plot twists in it, though I still love the proper story so much better. But anyway, it’s like reading a story from two separate worlds and it makes for a good comparison on just how the lives of indie kids contrast to the rest of the characters that just live there. If you’re not paying attention to the book, you’ll hardly think that the two stories are occurring in the same universe, much less the same place. And because of that the reader can experience the full blow of being someone who’s just a side character in the grander story of life, and you know what? It doesn't suck at all. 

Also, Patrick Ness is indeed Based. This is my sixth novel from Patrick Ness and the also the sixth novel by him that went to my favorites. Seriously, the guy needs the write more books because he is freaking good! I still haven't forgiven him from murdering Manchee though.

RATING: 4.5 Fairy wings!