The Rest of Us Just Live Here

What if you weren’t the Chosen One? The one supposed to fight the Zombies or the soul eating ghosts? What if you have problems bigger than the end of the world, and just want to graduate and go to prom? This is a novel about ordinary kids, their hopes, dreams and relationships, while the indies kids run around saving humanity in the background. Ness is a writer who always surprises and this won’t disappoint. I greatly enjoyed the subversion of YA tropes – the chapter descriptions are a particular delight – but the warmth of the relationships stood out for me: siblings, friends and lovers. Smart, funny and original. Don’t miss it.

Fiona Noble

The Bookseller

-- Fiona Noble * The Bookseller *
This book is so excellent. So beautiful. So honest and so painful … Ultimately, The Rest of Us is a story of the hope, fear, anxiety and uncertainty that comes with the end of childhood and the trepidation that comes with stepping into the life of adulthood. It condenses the pressures that young people feel at this stage of their life – both from the outside and from the inside, and weaves this sense of melancholy into the very bones of the words it uses. It also portrays mental illness in a blunt, honest and painful way that helps to break up stigmas and stereotypes. OCD is not liking your books in alphabetical order – it’s a dangerous and debilitating disease. In this way, as well others, Ness has created a diversity in his characters that so many books still beg for, and certainly that the community is crying out for. -- Shinra Alpha * Shinra Alpha *
I thoroughly enjoyed The Rest of Us Just Live Here as it truly tapped into the minds of all these individual voices and showed us how it can feel to be lost amongst people. -- SisterSpooky * SisterSpooky *
This is Ness at his best. -- Marilyn Brocclehurst * The Bookseller *
A new Patrick Ness novel is always an event and this smart, funny book is a highlight of the year for me. -- Fiona Noble * The Bookseller *
This is a brave, refreshing multi-layered novel from an award-winning author. -- Carousel * Carousel *
If you're getting tired of the romantic tropes and general Chosen One vibes coming from YA books, then you'll love The Rest of Us Just Live Here. It provides a great tongue-in-cheek commentary to many popular series, but in a way that even fans like me can appreciate and enjoy. The cast is well-written and diverse. Not everything is tied up at the end, but in life it never is. I'd normally recommend a book 'for fans of', but I can't think of another book quite like this – I'm going to be throwing it at any and every person I come across who expresses a vague interest in reading. And all the others, too. I'm just going to recommend it to everyone, okay? It was an ambitious idea, but it was funny and angsty and heartwarming and I absolutely loved it. * The Guardian Online *
The characters of Mikey and his friends are so well drawn that we are fundamentally not that interested in the otherworldly goings-on of the Indie kids, but that, of course, is the point of the story […] This is a thoroughly satisfying read, and is highly recommended. -- Amanda Bell * Inis *
One of 2015’s best YA novels * The Bookseller *
Ness’s status as one of our finest authors for young adults is reinforced by this original and bold coming-of-age story in which he sets authentic teenage characters – and their self-absorbed emotions – against a backdrop of mysterious supernatural battles… This is a clever, witty and warm celebration of the battle to survive adolescence. * The Daily Mail *
In this smart, funny and entertaining novel, Ness successfully challenges the notion that real life is elsewhere. * The Daily Telegraph *
Exploring the transitional moment from school to university, this novel is full of hope, empathy and how it feels to be young. * The Sunday Times *
Unusual, smart, and a great read for teenagers looking for something different. * Country life *
“exceptionally clever” * Irish Times, Children’s Books of the Year recommended by Sinead O’Hart *
“Choosing a book for a teenager is tricky – too childish and you risk being patronising, while some “young adult” fiction may be a little too adult. But if there’s one author who strikes the perfect balance, it’s American Patrick Ness. His Doctor Who spin-off, Class, on BBC3 this autumn, was like Byker Grove with added aliens. Ness’s The Rest of US Just Live Here is also set in a high school. If that’s a hit, try A Monster Calls next – a film starring Sigourney Weaver, Felicity jones and Liam Neeson hits cinemas in the new year.” * Radio Times *
“This book was a really good mix of sad and funny and expertly explores the lives of more ordinary teenagers in a YA world – though it also shows that no life is ‘ordinary’. […] It’s a really good insight into a teenage life […] and is a must-read for any teen going through the fun(?) if growing up – they’ll see themselves reflected in the book, and learn that change is OK (really). * Teen Titles, reader review *
“Brilliantly written, entirely remarkable and utterly readable. It is both worldly and intimate. This is pure genius.” * Fallen Star Stories *
Written with warmth and intelligence, this coming-of-age story tackles issues around OCD, eating disorders, family strife and (maybe) the end of the world. * Children's Books Ireland - Mind Yourself *
Ness proves that he does not need bold plot twists and fantastical genre markers to earn the undivided attention of teenage readers. * The Nation