The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
Published by HarperTeen
Published on: October 6, 2015
Genres: Horror, Young Adult
Pages: 336
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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A new YA novel from novelist Patrick Ness, author of the Carnegie Medal- and Kate Greenaway Medal-winning A Monster Calls and the critically acclaimed Chaos Walking trilogy, The Rest of Us Just Live Here is a bold and irreverent novel that powerfully reminds us that there are many different types of remarkable.
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.
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People ask me all the time why I read young adult fiction. This book is definitely one of the reasons. I wish I had had this caliber of books to choose from when I was young, instead I ended up reading more than my share of Gothic mystery/romances. Not that they weren’t good, but there’s just way more genre’s and variety to choose from now for that age group.I would classify this book as older young adult however-16 plus.
Small town America in Washington state and located in the middle of the boonies. It’s here where the immortals from another realm decide to take over human bodies in order to live. And this has been happening every few years-ten, fifteen, or even less-when paranormal creatures of every sort(one group at a time)try their hand at taking over the town. Every time it happens, the indie kids of the town, otherwise known as the artists, musicians, goths, etc. start dying. But this book isn’t directly about indie kids. Instead, it’s about a group of seventeen/eighteen year old teens that are getting ready to graduate high school. They have grown up together and been each others best friends for years. Now as strange happenings start to haunt the young people in the town, all they can do is watch as it all unfolds. Interestingly, the adults turn a blind eye to the happenings, instead referring to the deaths as suicide or accidents. They conveniently forget what happened to the town when they were teens, or at least they choose to ignore it.
Mike is both the narrator and the main character. He’s obsessive compulsive, and pretty broken inside. His older sister Mel has been fighting anorexia for several years. Having missed a year of school due to the disease, she is going to be graduating with her brother’s class. Mel’s best friend is Henna, otherwise known as the girl that Mike has loved in secret for years. She’s beautiful, but a bit damaged, after her only brother disappeared when the vampires took over years ago. Now they only get the occasional email from him-always sent at night. Mike’s best friend is Jared, a jock, and he just happens to be gay. Refreshing to see that he isn’t judged for that. He also is one quarter Cat God(yes, you read that right). A new guy joins their group named Nathan, and when he gravitates towards Henna, he becomes the person that Mike suspects as being the catalyst for all the bad that starts happening in town. Mike and Mel’s mother is a state senator and is not around as much as she should be, and their father is an alcoholic car salesman that spends most of the time in a drunken stupor.
This book. What a book hangover I have now. I couldn’t put it down because the suspense was killing me. Yes, these characters aren’t the ones being killed, or the ones expected to defeat the bad guys, but they are indirectly involved. Sometimes a bit more directly involved. But they aren’t the Chosen Ones, as they call the indie kids. The characters are so well drawn by the author that each one felt like someone I knew before it was over. I am not going to go further into the story except to say that at times I was on the edge of my seat while reading. There’s plenty of down time away from the suspense, but you just know something is going to happen to change that at any moment.
Wonderfully written characters, humor(Cat God?), and a unique story line made this a read that I probably won’t be forgetting anytime soon. I had never read anything by this multi award winning author, but I am glad I started with this one. Highly recommended to readers of horror/paranormal, 16+ due to sexual situations, although nothing explicit.
I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
I love Patrick Ness books. Need to read this one soon 🙂
Stephanie Jane recently posted…Hurricane In Paradise by Deborah Brown + Giveaway
Hate to admit it but I hadn’t even heard of him until I saw this book. I got it based on the blurb and good reviews.
I agree, I loved this one, too! And I found it so interesting to read about the ‘normal’ kids rather than the paranormals. It made the story so very intriguing and well done.
Great review, Lorna!
Lexxie recently posted…Review: The Night Mark – Tiffany Reisz
Thank you! I did see your review before I decided to buy it so thanks for the recommendation too 🙂 I liked that it was about the so called normal kids as well. And that it wasn’t predictable.
Yay for a great YA that kept you interested and on your toes! I will have to check this one out for sure.
kindlemom1 recently posted…Mini Review: Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs
I think this is one you would love Ali based on books I’ve seen you’ve read. So unique!
Right, the one I gave up on, I was just not into it :/
blodeuedd recently posted…The Obelisk Gate – NK Jemisin
Just one of those it’s a matter of different tastes 🙂 For me, I won’t be forgetting this one anytime soon.
How have I missed spotting this one… The title alone would grab me.
Great review, Lorna. I want this one. 🙂 I like exploring ‘ordinary joe’ characters living in the middle of all the big bads.
Sophia Rose recently posted…Review: Live Wire by Caisey Quinn
Yes, Sophia, I think this is one you would really like! Luckily I found it on a really good sale. If you read it I hope you enjoy!
I love Ness’s books and have never tried a YA by him…you sold this one my friend.
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…The Hot One by Lauren Blakely
And I had never read one by him. What’s a good adult one I should try?
This sounds so good. Cat god? Curious! I don’t care if it is YA, adult or other as long as it is a good story! 🙂 It also looks like I need to read this one.
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Arts and Crafts: Creative Maker Case
I never thought I would enjoy YA as much as I do. Some people I know can’t believe it. This was just so freaking good! Unique as well 🙂
Patrick Ness is so freaking talented, isn’t he? I absolutely loved this book – it was totally out there at some points but Ness makes it work. All that cat god and chosen one stuff was grounded by an awesome set of characters. Hopefully you like Ness’ other work, too!
Danya recently posted…Review: Brother’s Ruin by Emma Newman
I haven’t read anything else by him, but now I want to! His characters were the best thing about the book. And I do enjoy the paranormal elements!
It sounds interesting how the main characters are just normal kids, instead of the chosen ones or the ones being targeted. I once read a book from the point of view of the best friend of someone who participated in the Olympics and sometimes it’s just fun to not read about the person you expect to be the main character.
I’ve heard of this author, but haven’t read any of his books, your review does make me curious about this one. It sounds so realistic and original. Great review!
Lola recently posted…Sunday Post #222
Thank you! Sorry just now saw this. It was fun to see a totally different point of view than you are used too. I hadn’t even heard of the author until I found this on a good sale on a book site. I am glad I took a chance on it. 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Kill Switch by Amber Lynn Natusch (@Mollykatie112, @AmberLNatusch)
Ohh great review, I also haven’t read any books by Patrick Ness either but I heard absolutely amazing things about his books. And I am very intrigued too check out his books especially after reading your review just now. Thank you so much for the awesome post
Katiria Rodriguez recently posted…Book Blitz & Giveaway: A Star to Steer Her By by Beth Anne Miller
Thank you! It really was a good read! I hope you get a chance to try it 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Kill Switch by Amber Lynn Natusch (@Mollykatie112, @AmberLNatusch)