Life In Outer Space By Melissa Keil

Life In Outer Space
Written By Melissa Keil
Published February 1st 2013
316 Pages
Thank you to Netgalley and Peachtree Publishers
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★★★☆
Life in Outer Space is a romantic comedy about a movie geek & the dream girl he refuses to fall in love with. Sam Kinnison is a geek, and he’s totally fine with that. He has his horror movies, his nerdy friends, World of Warcraft, and until Princess Leia turns up in his bedroom, worry about girls he won't. Then Camilla Carter arrives on the scene. She’s beautiful, friendly and completely irrelevant to his plan. Sam is determined to ignore her, except that Camilla has a plan of her own, and he seems to be a part of it.
Sam Kinnison is a fully fledged nerd. World of Warcraft player, Battlestar Galactica debater, wannabe screenwriter and horror movie expert. You'll find Sam hanging out in the computer room at Bowen Lakes Secondary School, he and friends Mike, Adrian and Allison will do just about anything to avoid Justin Zigoni and his group of minions known as The Vessels of Wank. Mike is secretly gay, only telling his close friends after a weekend of watching Dirty Dancing and his non response to big breasted woman posing provocatively over farm equipment had failed. But lately, Mike has withdrawn from the group. He has stopped his Karate training, to which he was once obsessed. Adrian has been known as the Troll since he was eight, slightly overweight, unruly curly hair and a light layer of whiskers that is trying it's darn hardest to become a beard. He's easily distracted by food, fiercely protective of his friends and can slot a Star Trek reference into any sentence. Allison is the only girl within the group, wispy blonde hair who's expression rarely changes beyond a grimace. The small group of awkward teens have always relied on one another, because that's all they've ever had... Until new girl Camilla Carter strolls into their classroom.

Camilla is the attractive new girl. Having only just moved back to Australia with her music journalist father, having last lived in New York, but picking up her British accent from the years of living in London. Instantly, she's a hit. The Vessels idolize her and her musical connections, she dresses like a seventies housewife, complete with Princess Leia buns. She's a member of every social circle, the girls volleyball team, the chess club and a committee member organising the spring dance. Camilla is now the fifth member of Sam's group, staying for dinner each Friday night at Sam's after study group and playing World of Warcraft together. Camilla has become a permanent fixture in their lives, luring the group into the cafeteria to eat lunch and even somehow convincing them each to buy a ticket to the spring dance. But the biggest influence she's had in their lives? Justin Zigoni ignores them completely.

But as Sam and Camilla fall into an easy friendship, Sam's world starts developing cracks, threatening to fall apart. His parents have never had a close relationship, his father spending more time in his study to the point where Sam's suspects he may actually be Batman, and naturally his mother is a neglected mess trying to keep herself together. Mike is clearly troubled, but refuses to talk to anyone. But when Allison kisses Sam, Adrian tells Camilla resulting in Sam lashing out and Mike picking arguments for no apparent reason, Sam doesn't know how to cope with the mess that's become his life. To make matter's worse, he releases that the girl he swore he didn't want, the one who indulges his love of horror, who shares his love of video games and isn't afraid to be herself, he likes her. He really likes her. Pity about that motorcycle riding, guitar playing boyfriend Dave.

Camilla insists on driving Sam out of his comfort zone, whether it be guitar lessons, a beach party or watching something other than horror or science fiction. While Sam is trying to distance himself from the girl he's determined not to fall in love with... And failing miserably. But Camilla has a few secrets of her own. Will Sam be the nice guy who doesn't finish last for once?

Kelly's Thoughts

Life In Outer Space was cute. It's a light and fluffy read set in Melbourne and tells the story of Sam, nerd, gamer and awkward teen. Sam is really likable, his character is mostly polite, a quiet achiever and just wants to fit in. He and his group of friends find themselves spending high school, ducking and weaving their way to escape the popular group, which always ends up with someone being hurt. Camilla is instantly popular, especially when the popular kids realise her links to the celebrity world. She's effortlessly cool and takes a shine to Sam, who really has no idea what to do with this new information. But as the months pass by, Camilla seems to bridge the gap between the popular kids and Sam's group without even trying, and being ignored by a bully is certainly better than being noticed by one.

Camilla is a darling. She's quirky, free spirited and genuine. And although the storyline is kept lighthearted, it had the potential for something more substantial with Mike's storyline, Camilla's neglectful father and the torment the group experiences at the hands of Justin. It barely skims the surface though, which is great for the young teen reader and intended audience. I needed a little more substance though, which would have pushed it up to a four star read. If you're looking for a feel good, light read, this one is perfect.

9 comments

  1. I never heard of this book before but it sounds like something I would be interested in reading. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Hey Jaz, and thanks for popping by. It's a nice fluffy read that I think will appeal to most young adult readers and those with inner nerds.

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  2. ooh I've heard great things about this contemporary, too bad I missed out on it on NG when it was out! I love how Simon is a nerd and Camilla is the popular kid (she sort of reminds me of Cassidy from Severed Heads). Great review as always :)

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    1. I haven't read that one Jeann, will have to check it out. It's cute and it'll feed that inner nerd. The characters are all really likable too. The ending is so sweet it'll make your teeth ache.

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  3. This books sounds good! Geeky boy meets the pretty girl not my usual cup of tea, but I think I'll love it! Lovely review! :'D

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    1. Hey Abby, it's not my typical read either, but being an Aussie author I wanted to give it a go. If you're looking for something with substance, I'd look elsewhere. But if you want a feel good, clean teen read, this one is perfect. Thanks for stopping by Abby.

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  4. I absolutely adored this book! It just gave me all the feels...especially with Sam being so awkward and...stupid sometimes. (Okay, I loved him, but he was a bit thick at times.) I loved how he was a writer. Geeks rule.

    I just stumbled across your blog via Goodreads! I'm always SO excited to find more Aussie blogs (especially YA ones...I can never find enough). I'm a new follower. :)
    notebooksisters.com

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    1. Hey Cait, and welcome!

      Me too, I love finding other Aussie YA blogs out there and so glad you've found me, now I can stalk your super cool, gorgeous blog.

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  5. This books seems like a perfect read for teens and teens-at-heart!

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