The New York Times Book Review - Jen Doll
While Ness packs his pages with wit (this is one of those novels that seem as if they were a joy to write), there's plenty of emotional heft in his turning of the genre tables. He reminds us that it's not a choice to be a chosen one, but it is in everyone's power to be a hero, by caring about others, by fighting to become your own truest self. In real life, of course, none of us are "chosen." As Jared tells Mikey, "Most people just have to live their lives the best they can, doing the things that are great for them, having great friends, trying to make their lives better, loving people properly. All the while knowing that the world makes no sense but trying to find a way to be happy anyway." That's a far more useful power than being able to defeat soul-eating ghosts, and you don't even have to be a chosen one to wield it.
From the Publisher
Fresh, funny, and full of heart: not to be missed.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Ness’ deadpan sci-fi novel pokes fun at far-fetched futuristic fantasies while emphasizing the important victories of merely living. This memorable, moving, and often hilarious read is sure to be a hit.” — Booklist (starred review)
“Fans of madcap humor and satire and those seeking more thought-provoking alternatives to the usual fare will appreciate this unique and clever take on a familiar trope.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“Clever and laugh-out-loud funny, the supernatural side notes add tension and humor to the story. This is highly recommended for libraries serving young adults.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (starred review)
“The result is a cleverly metafictive, occasionally humorous, occasionally poignant love letter to the kids most likely to get sorted into Hufflepuff or who might occasionally date one of the Scooby gang, but whose real heroism lies in living their daily lives bravely and compassionately.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)
“This clever sendup of traditional fantasy fare doesn’t have nearly the body count as Ness’s award-winning Chaos Walking trilogy, but it does have all of the heart, and then some.” — Shelf Awareness
“In this often-hilarious (and just as often poignant) parody of fantasy stories from Harry’s to Buffy’s, not everyone is a Chosen One, but “everyone’s got something”; everybody matters.” — Horn Book Magazine
The Rest of Us Just Live Here is the antidote to all things formulaic: it’s meta, playful, wise and true—and clever-as-hell. — emily m. danforth, author of The Miseducation of Cameron Post
Magical, mysterious and breathtakingly suspenseful, The Rest of Us Just Live Here is an absolute marvel of imagination, invention, and heart. I truly couldn’t put it down — proof, once again, that Ness never disappoints. — Michael Cart, author of My Father’s Scar
“Hilarious! And so, so clever. All the characters are beautifully drawn. This is one smart, warm book, both entertaining and thought-provoking.” — Monica Edinger
Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (starred review)
Clever and laugh-out-loud funny, the supernatural side notes add tension and humor to the story. This is highly recommended for libraries serving young adults.
Shelf Awareness
This clever sendup of traditional fantasy fare doesn’t have nearly the body count as Ness’s award-winning Chaos Walking trilogy, but it does have all of the heart, and then some.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)
The result is a cleverly metafictive, occasionally humorous, occasionally poignant love letter to the kids most likely to get sorted into Hufflepuff or who might occasionally date one of the Scooby gang, but whose real heroism lies in living their daily lives bravely and compassionately.
Michael Cart
Magical, mysterious and breathtakingly suspenseful, The Rest of Us Just Live Here is an absolute marvel of imagination, invention, and heart. I truly couldn’t put it down — proof, once again, that Ness never disappoints.
emily m. danforth
The Rest of Us Just Live Here is the antidote to all things formulaic: it’s meta, playful, wise and true—and clever-as-hell.
Monica Edinger
Hilarious! And so, so clever. All the characters are beautifully drawn. This is one smart, warm book, both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Horn Book Magazine
In this often-hilarious (and just as often poignant) parody of fantasy stories from Harry’s to Buffy’s, not everyone is a Chosen One, but “everyone’s got something”; everybody matters.
Booklist (starred review)
Ness’ deadpan sci-fi novel pokes fun at far-fetched futuristic fantasies while emphasizing the important victories of merely living. This memorable, moving, and often hilarious read is sure to be a hit.
John Green
“Patrick Ness is an insanely beautiful writer.
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2015-07-15
It's not easy being normal when the Chosen One goes to your high school. High school senior Mikey Mitchell knows that he's not one of the "indie kids" in his small Washington town. While they "end up being the Chosen One when the vampires come calling or when the Alien Queen needs the Source of All Light or something," Mikey simply wants to graduate, enjoy his friendships, and maybe, just maybe, kiss his longtime crush. All that's easier said than done, however, thanks to his struggles with anxiety, his dreadful parents, and the latest group of indie kids discovering their "capital-D Destinies." By beginning each chapter with an arch summary of the indie kids' adventures before returning to Mikey's wry first-person narration, Ness offers a hilarious—and perceptive—commentary on the chosen-one stories that are currently so popular in teen fiction. The diverse cast of characters is multidimensional and memorable, and the depiction of teen sexuality is refreshingly matter-of-fact. Magical pillars of light and zombie deer may occasionally drive the action here, but ultimately this novel celebrates the everyday heroism of teens doing the hard work of growing up. Fresh, funny, and full of heart: not to be missed. (Fantasy. 13 & up)
