The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

Special guest review by readers Isy Hawes & Izzy Collie-Cousins

A young adult disaster novel not told from the point of view of those at the heart of the disaster may not sound particularly compelling to the unimaginative, but coupled with Patrick Ness’ unequalled storytelling ability and some extraordinary characters (ahem, Jared the god of cats) this book is not one you will want to put down.

The Rest of Us Just Live Here is a poignant story about family, friendship and just trying to graduate before the indie kids blow up the high school. Again. It deals with genuine teenage issues, without ever belittling you with improbable love triangles or trying to satisfy you with melodramatic angst. Ness sensitively and accurately portrays mental illness, whilst showing the reader that it does not define a person. Mikey and Jared’s heart-warming relationship will leave you certain of what friendship is really about.

Patrick Ness manages to give you the extraordinary in the most surprising of places, and this unique coming-of-age tale is one you would be a fool to miss out on. We would recommend this book to lovers of fantasy, but also to anyone who enjoys a tale of teenage problems, even if this time they aren’t quite so typical.