madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Book Review Tuesday (4/2/19)-Ink, Iron and Glass

Posted on April 3, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hey, everyone, and welcome to the first Book Review Tuesday of April 2019! No jokes, that was all yesterday.

Anyway, this was one of the (many) library books that I devoured in…about a day.

I had too much time on my hands.

This was one of those books where I just glanced on my Goodreads to-read list, saw the pretty cover (aDORE those watercolors), and put it on hold at the library, with absolutely zero expectations. But I must say, Ink, Iron, and Glass was an inventive, unputdownable book!

Enjoy the review!

Ink, Iron, and Glass

In an alternate version or our own world, a pen, armed with the right people, words, books, and intellect, can create an entirely new world. These worlds are created with the power of scriptology, and can house bizarre ecosystems, and even populations of unique people. Elsa and her scriptologist mother Jumi are not of this world; they dwell in a world created by other scriptologists; Jumi and Elsa are in charge of making sure their world is a well-oiled machine, with no faults, glitches, or catastrophes. But in a startling turn of events, Jumi is kidnapped, their house is ransacked and destroyed, and Elsa is forced to flee to Earth for answers. Her path of revenge leads her into 19th century Italy, where she teams up with a group of teenage alchemists and mechanists to track down her mother’s kidnapper. Will her mother–and the world that they lived in–be saved before her secrets are uncovered?

It’s difficult to place a genre on this book. At first glance, it seems as though it might be fantasy. I mean, that’s what the library labeled it as, so I’m not really gonna argue with that…

But as I got further and further into the book, it seemed to be a mix of science fiction, fantasy, with a little bit of historical steampunk thrown in.

And I know what you’re thinking, oh, dear lord, STEAMPUNK…yeah, those sort of elements were present, but they were a small fraction, and didn’t dominate the book. Don’t worry, no top-hats-gears-and-goggles overload.

All things considered, I think that’s a really good quality for a book to have. To have a book that can’t automatically be shoved into one genre is to have something made up of many different parts, working well in sync. It is to be something new, something original. And Ink, Iron, and Glass certainly was all of those things–wildly inventive, with fantastic world-building and lovable characters to work with all of the crazy and wondrous inventions and details.

Whether you’re a fan of sci-fi, fantasy, or something else entirely, I’d most definitely recommend this read. No matter what genre you hail from, you’re sure to enjoy at least something about this book.

I just found out, like…ten minutes ago when I googled the cover that yes, there is a sequel! It’s called Mist, Metal, and Ash and it came out in late February of this year. I’ll have to get to that pretty soon. And it seems as though the author has intended for this series to be a duology, so this may be it. Huh.

Well, thank you so much for reading, and have a great rest of your day!

Geeky Stuff, Movies, Music

Higher, Further, Faster…FANTASTIC! (Captain Marvel review)

Posted on March 30, 2019March 30, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Well, I’ve got some good news and some bad news.

Bad news–the roads around Black Canyon of the Gunnison were too snowy, so they closed down the park yesterday, when we had planned to go. 😦

VERY good news–I saw Captain Marvel instead!

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My expectations were…slightly above average for this movie. It looked fun, at least–not as great as Black Panther or Infinity War, but not as much of a disappointment as Thor: Ragnarok (Unpopular opinion, I know). But man, my expectations were GREATLY exceeded! A healthy balance of action, heart, and pure fun that made for some much-needed levity in the MCU, especially after Infinity War. Also…first female-led MCU movie? SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY. COUNT ME IN!

I was a little nervous for how Captain Marvel would turn out. Some of her lines in the trailer were…yes, I’ll admit, they made me cringe. (Namely, her tone of voice when she said “I’m gonna end it.” Oof.) But, lo and behold, overall, Brie Larson did a great job of capturing the ferocity, heart, and independent spirit of the iconic hero. Her chemistry with the other characters (Nick Fury, Maria, the Kree, among others) was obvious and very well-done, and the cast seemed to work very well together as a whole. (Also, no spoilers, but…I’m wholeheartedly shipping Maria and Carol. Couple of the year.) The characters were all very unique, and many of them had pivotal–and sometimes very unexpected–roles in the unfolding of the plot.

This might have just been me, but I LOVED seeing this suit as well. After seeing it a few times in the comics (and thinking about how AWESOME it looked), I was so happy to see that they pulled it off very well in the movies. Captain Marvel’s Kree suit was also very sleek and well-designed, and–joy of joys–she’s not super scantily clad, either!

The plot was also very well executed and put-together–unpredictable, detailed, but not so complicated and convoluted that it was difficult to understand. Every little detail had a purpose, many of which factor into the later Avengers films, as well as Endgame, which is coming out…shall I say frighteningly soon. I’m prepared to come out of the theater sobbing again, a la Infinity War…sheeeeeeesh, that was a rough ride.

Another element that I really loved was the music–both score-wise and soundtrack-wise. The score was very modern and synth-y, reminiscent of the Stranger Things score. It was balanced perfectly, with a fair amount of electronic elements, but not so much that you’d think the movie was an EDM rave. The soundtrack was SPECTACULAR as well; because the movie is set in the 90s, we get to hear everything from Nirvana to No Doubt. I’ll admit that I was bopping my head through some of the fight scenes. 🤘

And one more thing–can we all take a moment to appreciate this adorable furball that is GOOSE??? What a CUTE KITTY!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!! This guy honestly stole the show, and I’m 100% here for it. Also, you’ve probably heard some rumors about what Goose really is…no spoilers, but I’ve got a little hint:

…just wait for it…

Anyway, an INCREDIBLE film, perfect for old and new Marvel fans, or for anyone who’d like a little fun. PLEASE go see it.

Have a great rest of your day–and, in some cases, your Spring Break! Enjoy it while it lasts! 😉

Art

A Day at Natura Obscura

Posted on March 29, 2019March 29, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Surprise, surprise, this ISN’T a book review!

Today, I just wanted to take some time to catalogue my recent experience at Natura Obscura, an exhibit in the Museum of Outdoor Art (MOA) in Englewood, CO.

Natura Obscura is an interactive art exhibit, a combination of sculptures, recycled materials, and technology. Its theme is a bizarre sort of fantastical, nighttime forest, where strange creatures dwell in every nook and cranny. With an app on your phone, you can tour certain parts; the tour is activated by scanning your camera over one of six wooden medallions, which have pictures of forest spirits carved into them.

This was an illustration of three of the six spirits. Each one represented something different (ex. mountains, water, plains). I immensely enjoyed how much attention to detail was put in to creating this exhibit.

We were also given little UV flashlights upon entering the exhibit. When you waved them around, they revealed that many elements in the exhibit were decorated with blacklight-activated paint. Often, the light revealed these tiny little creatures, which were hidden all over the exhibit.

Other times, the light revealed drawings of leaves and hidden quotes on the floor. I got a few incredible quotes out of that morning.

Also, the laces of my Converse glow under a blacklight. Go figure.

Another path in the exhibit led to the Cabinet of Curiosities. This was a smaller exhibit, but by no means worse than Natura Obscura. It was filled from floor to ceiling with odd, Victorian artifacts, mirrors. There was even an audiobook recording of Alice in Wonderland being played in the background.

There were loads of classic fairy tale and nursery rhyme Easter eggs thrown in the mix as well–the rose from Beauty and the Beast, a fishtank with a quote from The Little Mermaid, Dorothy’s slippers…even the shattered remains of Humpty Dumpty.

Lewis Carroll would have definitely gotten a kick out of the whole thing.

If you’re in the Colorado area, I highly recommend that you visit this museum! I believe that Natura Obscura is a travelling exhibit, so catch it while you can. You won’t regret it.

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (3/26/19)-The Black Coats

Posted on March 26, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hey, everyone, and welcome to the last Book Review Tuesday of March 2019! I know I’ve said this…oh, thousands of times already, but it feels like this year’s gone by so fast. It feels like yesterday that it was the middle of January, and I was ankle-deep in snow as the wind bit at my cheeks.

Alright, that was an admittedly dramatic description, but that’s Colorado January in a nutshell. Cold, bitter, borderline brutal.

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, I’m beginning to realize the treasure trove of feminist YA literature I’ve stumbled upon lately. I’m pretty sure I read this one on International Women’s Day, and boy, it was the PERFECT book for the occasion. Contemporary, with a slight fantasy twist, exploring all sides of feminism in a way that is perfectly suited to this day and age. The Black Coats eternally kept me on the edge of my seat, and I hope that all who read this feel the same way.

Enjoy the review! 🙂

The Black Coats

Ever since her cousin, Natalie, was murdered, Thea has been eager to exact her revenge. But with the killer having gone free and the case gone unnoticed, she struggles to find a way to come to terms with it.

But she isn’t alone.

Months after the death of her cousin, Thea discovers a black envelope with an invitation from a mysterious society that call themselves the Black Coats. They are a highly reclusive organization of women, all of whom have been hurt by men, that bring killers to justice and make the guilty answer for their crimes. At first, Thea is eager to join, intent on bringing her cousin’s killer to justice. But the more she delves into the history of the Black Coats, the more she realizes that the line between justice and needless revenge is thinner than ever. Can Thea avenge Natalie’s death without getting herself in too deep?

I’m really ashamed of how average my expectations were of this book. I expected it to be at least halfway-decent, a nice mystery to satiate myself after my continuous sci-fi/fantasy binge.

In the end, this is what my brain said to me about my assumptions:

WOW. The Black Coats really has it all–phenomal and heart wrenching writing, startlingly real characters with heart and emotion, a plot that kept me on my toes, absolutely perfect chemistry, and a relevant theme that not only was necessary to touch on, but wasn’t delivered in a way that was preachy. Whether you’re looking for fiction, mystery, feminism, or even a little romance, The Black Coats is an essential for all of you bookworms out there. Every single one of you. 9/10 on my rating scale, and probably a solid A. Incredible job, Mrs. Oakes, this one’s a gem.

Well, I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day, and a lovely spring break! I promise to post more than BRTs in the time that is to come–I’ve got a few ideas, and I’ll probably come back after Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park with some good stories and pictures. See you soon, fellow bibliophiles! 😉

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (3/12/19)-King of Scars

Posted on March 12, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Alright, I know it’s been a little while, but finally welcome to the first Book Review Tuesday of March 2019!

This book is/was easily one of the most anticipated books of the year, and it only released in JANUARY. Understandably, of course; I mean, who wouldn’t want a book centered around NIKOLAI LANTSOV? C’mon…

Aaaaanyway, I was surprised to find it already available at the library, just shy of a month after it had been released. So, naturally, I IMMEDIATELY put it on hold. I’d been waiting for this book for at least…hmm, probably a good six months, so I was beyond excited. I expected classic Leigh Bardugo fantasticness, but…

MAN, KING OF SCARS TRULY BLEW IT OUT OF THE WATER. 5 stars on Goodreads, 10 stars on my personal rating scale. No rounding down to 4.75 or anything. Just a solid 5.

If you do read it (which I HIGHLY recommend), I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Enjoy this week’s review!

NOTE: If you’re interested in reading this book, it occurs after the events of the Grisha Trilogy and the Six of Crows duology; both are also referenced throughout the book. Read both series before you read this.

King of Scars

In the blink of an eye, Nikolai Lantsov has risen from an infamous privateer to the king of Ravka. On the outside, he seems to have it made; he’s popular among the people of Ravka, and after the war to conquer the Darkling and his armies, Ravka seems to be at peace. But Nikolai is struggling with both internal and external forces that threaten to topple not just his reputation, but his country as well. The demonic entity inside him possesses him more and more, and the results grow more catastrophic with each day. Additionally, a threat that Ravka thought was gone for good threatens to rise once more, and if it does, it may mean the end of the country as they know it. Will Nikolai be able to juggle his personal conflict and the future of his country all at once?

Nikolai was always one of my favorite characters in the original Grisha trilogy (for my reviews on those three, see 7/3/18, 7/24/18, & 8/21/18), and I was ecstatic when I found out that there would be an entire book dedicated to him. (Who wouldn’t be, though?)

I was not disappointed in the least. Jumping back into Leigh Bardugo’s carefully crafted book felt warm and fuzzy, almost like reuniting with an old friend. The beautiful world, the simultaneously heartbreaking and magical prose, the crackling chemistry of the characters, and especially the witty, absolutely gut-busting banter. OH MY GOD, through all of the generally disturbing action scenes, there was always a truckload of hysterical one-liners throughout. (Mostly from the likes of Nikolai, of course.) In short, everything you could ever want in a book, period.

It has been confirmed that this will be part of a duology (!!!!!!!!), but we don’t have any details other than that. (Naturally, as the book just came out a little over two months ago…) In the meantime, we’ll just have to…re-read every single book in the Grishaverse to satiate ourselves while we wait for that…and the Netflix adaptation, whenever that’s coming out. Should be interesting, at the very least.

Well, I hope you enjoyed reading this review! Thank you for stopping by, and have a great rest of your day/week!

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (2/26/19)-Navigating the Stars

Posted on February 27, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hello, fellow bibliophiles, and welcome to the last Book Review Tuesday of February 2019! (MAN…this year has already gone by so fast…but hey, it’s almost March, BRING ON THE WARM WEATHER!)

Anyway.

I bought this book on my Kindle to tide me over during my trip to Florida recently (which I promise I’ll post about soon). I feel like it came to me from Goodreads in one of the recent boatloads of recommendations I’ve been getting (DOUBLE WHOA). As you’ve…probably figured out, I’m always hungry for exciting sci-fi, so it was a quick (and…well, rather lacking in forethought) buy.

Though my appetite for science fiction was not quite satiated, I will say that this was definitely and interesting and compelling novel. A tad bit of a slow read for me (then again, I read it in chunks while rather tired), but I doubt you guys will have the same experience as I did.

Whoops. Guess I’m not selling the book very much. Well, you can tell for yourselves if you’d like it or not right about now, because I come bearing a review!

Enjoy!

Navigating the Stars

Lyra Daniels lives in a constant cycle of moving from planet to planet, dragged along by her archaeologist parents. For them, it’s a chance to delve into the mystery of the Terra Cotta Warriors, which are showing up on countless planets across the galaxy. For Lyra, it’s a tragic circle of making friends, growing close, and having to leave them behind, never to see them again, and, thanks to the complications of interstellar travel, leaping forward many years, leaving her friends to age while she stays seventeen. After another planet housing the Warriors is discovered, Lyra tags along on the latest mission, spending her days worming her way through the Quantum-Net, and trying to cozy up to Niall, the only other crew member who’s close to her age. But when Lyra and the rest of the crew realize that they aren’t the only ones searching for the Warriors, they must work together to unravel a conspiracy like no other.

Alright, let me get one stupid joke out of the way before I get to my relevant opinions. The premise of Navigating the Stars was definitely original and captivating (unknown lifeforms creating Terra Cotta Warriors identical to the ones here on Earth) but it immediately made me think of this…

ALIENS.

Alright, here we go.

Navigating the Stars, though a bit slow at certain points (mostly when Lyra was travelling through space), was certainly an inventive and creative novel. LOTS of attention to detail and science, with relatable characters, and an intriguing plot to match. And though it wasn’t necessarily “action-packed” (not a bad thing, in the case of this book), the last third to quarter (or thereabouts) of the book was definitely creepy and very high-stakes. And yes, we do eventually get…ALIENS.

A must-read for anyone who loves a well-crafted sci-fi mystery.

Well, thanks so much for reading the review! Have a great rest of your day, and take care of yourselves! 🙂

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (2/19/19)-The Last Namsara

Posted on February 20, 2019February 20, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hi, everyone, and welcome to this week’s Book Review Tuesday!

I recently checked this beauty out at the library (…yes, I did just say that…seriously, gorgeous cover, guys), and though I haven’t yet returned it, I gobbled it up in about two nights. These days, it’s tricky to come across a fantasy novel that isn’t chock-full of cliches and overdone tropes, so I was surprised at how much I loved The Last Namsara. A beautifully-crafted, action-packed tale of bravery and love. Absolutely stellar! Also…

DRAGONS.

DRAGONS!!!

Enjoy the review!

TLN_North+America.jpg

Asha, the infamous dragon-slayer princess of Firgaard, has grown up surrounded by tales of Namsara, the joyous lightbringer, and Iskari, the destroyer and harbinger of death and sadness. For most of her life, she has believed them to be children’s stories and nothing more. But as her fierce reputation builds, she is declared to be the newest incarnation of Iskari. After this realization, Asha lives a simultaneously dangerous and tedious life, her only purpose being to kill Firgaard’s dragons and present the king with their severed heads. To Asha, her grueling task seems meaningless-until the king offers to call off her arranged marriage in exchange for the death of Firgaard’s most notorious and deadly dragon. Will Asha win her freedom-from her marriage, the royal life, and from the burden that the legends of old have put on her shoulders?

*Thor yelling* “YEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!”

FINALLY! A FRESH, ORIGINAL FANTASY BOOK!!! YAHOO!

The Last Namsara has pretty much got it all-a heroine who not only kicks butt, but isn’t devoid of flaws, incredible, descriptive writing, beautiful world-building, great chemistry between the characters, and…yes, gotta love those dragons. Who doesn’t love a little fire-breathing insanity every once in a while?

All in all, I highly recommend this to anyone who’s looking for a little something new in YA fantasy. And dragons. Can’t stress that enough.

The Last Namsara has a sequel (The Caged Queen) which came out in late September. I definitely want to get to it soon, as…I think book #3 comes out sometime this year? Hopefully? *tightly crosses fingers* We’ll see, folks…

Thanks so much for reading this week’s review! Have a great rest of your day, and stay warm!

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (2/5/19)-Amid Stars and Darkness

Posted on February 6, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hey, fellow bookworms, and welcome to the first Book Review Tuesday of February 2019!

First of all, HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR!

*loud oinking ensues for the rest of the year*

Happy February as well (even though…let’s face it, February’s kind of the most boring month of the year…)!

Now, onto this week’s review.

For some reason, I’ve been getting a BOATLOAD of recommendations from Goodreads. Boatload with a capital B. Or maybe with the 🅱 emoji?

🅱OATLOAD

Yeah, that’s better.

Anyway, I found Amid Stars and Darkness amongst the 🅱OATLOAD of book recs, and I figured it would be fairly interesting, at the very least. I’m always itching for original, creative sci-fi, so this was kind of a “shut up and take my library card” kind of moment. I just finished reading it a few days ago, and I’d say that I’m reasonably impressed!

Enjoy the review!

Amid Stars and Darkness

Delaney’s life on Earth is turning out to be a normal, peaceful one, with nothing surprising, even with the newfound existence of life on other worlds. But after a night in a club, she is captured by a fleet of aliens who have mistaken her for their runaway princess, Lissa Olena. Swept away to a bizarre planet, Delaney must act undercover as the princess’ lookalike while the search for the true princess continues. If she keeps up the ruse for long enough, she may be forced to marry Olena’s psychotic fiancee, Trystan, but if she makes even a minor slip, she could set the entire kingdom into total chaos-and put her life and the lives of many others in danger. Will Delaney be able to play the dangerous royal game long enough to survive?

Alright, I’ve got a confession to make. One sci-fi trope I’m absolutely SICK of is making aliens look almost exactly like humans, but with a few minor tweaks (i.e., abnormal skin/eye color, conviniently super attractive). Like, come on, have a little imagination!

And Amid Stars and Darkness was guilty of this, like many others. But the good thing about this novel was that the world building, and writing DEFINITELY made up for it. I was able to put aside my annoyance regarding the aliens, what with the intricately crafted planet, social structure of the aliens, and the vivid descriptions. Honestly, I even loved the descriptions of the BATHROOMS. THAT GOOD. The writing was very well done, and the characters were generally pretty likeable. Overall, about 85% the aspects of this book were spot-on, which made me able to see past the flaws.

There’s a sequel out (I think it came out last year? Somewhere around that time, I believe), and I’d be interested in reading it. With where the plot might be going, I’m intrigued to see what happens next. 😉

Well, have a happy Lunar New Year, and a great rest of your day! Take care of yourselves, and thank you for reading this review!

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (1/29/19)-Illuminae

Posted on January 30, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hey, everyone, and welcome to the last Book Review Tuesday of January 2019! Man, this month has already gone by so fast…it feels like yesterday I was sitting downstairs watching X2 with my cats over winter break…*sigh*

Aaaaaaaaanyway, I actually didn’t get this book at the library this time (*GASP* PLOT TWIST); I bought it, along with Honor Among Thieves (for that review, see 6/12/18), which is now IN PAPERBACK! REJOICE!

Illuminae was recommended to me by a friend, and for the most part, I trust her book judgement. That, other than some other rave reviews I’ve seen and the dazzling cover art ultimately buy this book. I could barely fit it in my backpack, but MAN, it was completely worth it. The cover’s a teeeeeensy bit dinged up at the edges now (oof), but it was worth it all the same. Trust me. 😉

Enjoy the review!

Illuminae

Kady Grant and Ezra Mason thought that breaking up would be the worst of their problems. But after their colony is destroyed by a fleet of warships, fighting for dominance over their tiny planet, they are forced to flee on two seperate ships. Out in the midst of space, Kady and Ezra realize that the colony’s destruction was only the tip of the iceberg. A psychotic AI, a deadly virus, and the imminent arrival of one of the warships that destroyed the colony now face the crews of the two ships, and only those with adequate wits, strength, and bravery will live to see the next day.

I’m not exaggerating when I say that Illuminae is like nothing I’ve ever seen.

The format is insanely creative, as well as fascinating. Illuminae is told not in ordinary writing, but in a series of transcripts from security camera footage, text messages between crew members, letters from the captain(s), and even snippets of dialogue from AIDAN, the maniacal AI aboard the ship Alexander. It takes a little getting used to, but in the end, I’m sure that you’ll appreciate it, 100%. Both authors skillfully weave a bleak, edge-of-your-seat dystopian tale set in the farthest reaches of space. Illuminae is a true gem of YA science fiction, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the first of its kind. Perfect for all fans of sci-fi, or anyone who wants something frightening, a thrill ride, or just something fresh to wash away the taste of some of the existing YA cliches. Solid 9.5/10 on my scale. 🙂

This series is a trilogy, but I haven’t gotten to the sequels just yet. The same friend who recommended this book said that book 2 (Gemina, I believe) was something of a let-down, but I was so pumped about this book that I’ve already tried to put it on hold at the library. (All copies are currently in use. Woe is me.)

Thanks so much for reading this review! I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day, and PLEASE, especially for those of you in the winter storm in the U.S., take care of yourselves, stay safe, and stay warm.

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (1/22/19)-The Rest of Us Just Live Here

Posted on January 23, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hi, everyone, and welcome to this week’s Book Review Tuesday!

This book was one of my first “interim” books of the year-the Kindle books I check out in the time when I’ve finished with my current batch of library books and the new batch isn’t ready yet. I initially started reading this because a) I loved A Monster Calls (see 5/16/17 if you want to read my review of that one), and b) EpicReads was, as usual, raving about it, and they even had a quiz or two based off of it. In short, it wasn’t nearly as spectacular as A Monster Calls, but The Rest of Us Just Live Here is still a fantastic book. And to be fair, the two are very different books. Maybe I shouldn’t be making that comparison.

But anyway, regardless of whether my comparison was justified or not, here’s the review! Enjoy!

The Rest of Us Just Live Here

In every story, there is the “Chosen One”. The one who is destined to rid the world of whatever supernatural threat has come to end it, the one who is destined to fall in love with a handsome prince and live happily ever after, until they are called upon to save the world again. Mikey, of all people, should know. His small town is full of them–they’ve faced down vampires, zombies, and even gods, and too many have sacrificed themselves in the process.

But Mikey? He’s just a normal kid. He doesn’t have powers, or the weight of the world on his shoulders; as long as he graduates high school in one piece and gets the girl of his dreams, he’s fine with it. But when supernatural forces cause his high school tp explode, Mikey realizes that the Chosen Ones shouldn’t have to be the ones with the burdens on their shoulders. Sometimes, it’s just too big for one group of kids to handle.

Anyone who’s read their share of fantasy knows all of the tropes like the back of their hand. This witty novel explores-and sometimes mocks-all of them, while simultaneously delving into the world beyond the Chosen Ones. Alternating between snippets of a classic fantasy story, starring the current Chosen Ones (or “indie kids”, as they are referred to in the book), and the not-so-adventurous story of Mikey’s life, Ness has created a well-crafted look at what happens to the normal ones, those who aren’t destined to save the world. Clever, laugh-out-loud, and sometimes very real, The Rest of Us Just Live Here is a spectacular read not only for fantasy readers, but also for anyone who’s just looking for something new.

Well, thank you so much for reading this review, and have a great rest of your day!