My Apocalyptic Bucket List... We All Looked Up Review

We All Looked Up
Written by Tommy Wallach
Contemporary, Apocalyptic
Published April 1st 2015
394 Pages
Four high school seniors put their hopes, hearts, and humanity on the line as an asteroid hurtles toward Earth in this contemporary novel.

They always say that high school is the best time of your life.

Peter, the star basketball player at his school, is worried 'they' might actually be right. Meanwhile Eliza can’t wait to escape Seattle, and her reputation, and perfect on paper Anita wonders if admission to Princeton is worth the price of abandoning her real dreams. Andy, for his part, doesn’t understand all the fuss about college and career,the future can wait.

Or can it? Because it turns out the future is hurtling through space with the potential to wipe out life on Earth. As these four seniors,along with the rest of the planet,wait to see what damage an asteroid will cause, they must abandon all thoughts of the future and decide how they’re going to spend what remains of the present.
Peter has it all, popular girlfriend, basketball star and loving parents. But Peter lives with regret, over the girl he can no longer have. It's been twelve months since Peter was caught by his girlfriend in a compromising position with Eliza. Both teens left broken from the experience, but Eliza's reputation is still in tatters. One kiss destroyed her life, and she's now been labelled the school slut amongst the sniggers of her peers. But Eliza has bigger issues, with her father now dying of cancer.

But in the shadows, Andy watches Aliza from afar. Andy has the reputation of being a virgin, while she's the experienced girl with a reputation that proceeds her. With creating music, Andy finds that he's more than just another teen walking the halls but still, he can't see the future beyond tomorrow, unlike Anita. Anita is the golden child her parents have molded in their image. Her father pushes her to be more than the soon to be Princeton student, when all Anita has ever wanted was to make music. Four teens on the verge of becoming adults, all connected through chance.

But the future is now little more than a pipe dream. Ardor is an asteroid that is expected to enter the Earth's orbit, scientists not able to determine whether a collision may be imminent. If it makes contact with the Earth, the result being that life will cease to exist. In two months, the Earth will learn their fate, including Peter, Eliza, Andy and Anita. Four teens brought together by circumstance, but will each learn to live from one another. The rest is left to fate.


Heart achingly poignant, We All Looked Up follows the storyline of four teens all connected by six degrees of separation. Peter, Eliza, Andy and Anita's lives entwine as an asteroid is on a course with Earth. Peter excels at sports, he's the popular one with the stunning girlfriend, making them both teen royalty of sorts. But Peter isn't as happy as he seems. A little over a year ago, a tryst with Aliza in the school photography darkroom left Peter with wanting more, and leaving Aliza with a ruined reputation as the school slut. But Peter isn't the only one who is attracted to Aliza. Andy is a loner with no ambition but has liked Aliza before her reputation proceeded her. His best friend is a small time drug dealer, and in a relationship with Peter's sister. There is no love lost between the two boys as they both vie for Eliza's affections. But then there's Anita. Resident good girl who lives under the pressure and expectations of her parents, she finds a kindred spirit in Andy and the two form a tentative friendship.

The portrayal of teen issues was not only incredibly realistic, but readers of any age can relate to the daily struggles of finding yourself. Their expectations, disappointment and needs were verging on palpable, and reminded me so much of my own struggle through those difficult teen years. Although connected, as a group they could barely tolerate one another. But the uncertainty of the world around them left them finding solace in one another as a means of support. Reminiscent of an apocalyptic Breakfast Club, it was incredible to watch how each personality coped amidst the pending crisis, the unlikely hero, the self destruction or sheltering from the storm.

It was simply genius. Tommy Wallach has crafted an instant classic, sure to enthrall, entertain and immerse readers for generations to come.

So let's pretend the world is on the verge of ending, humanity as we know it will be wiped out. So we've been only given two months to get our affairs in order... Just in case. Here's my world ending bucket list, inspired by We All Looked Up.

Firstly, hug my husband and dog. Both are the loves of my life, so naturally I'll need comfort and support to stop me from shitting myself.
Start hoarding non perishable items. I'm not above eating cold baked beans in order to survive.
Start eating more cake. Preferably chocolate.
Try to find a pink hazmat suit and matching gas mask. A girl has to accessorise in times of need.
Write a stern letter to AMC, demanding the final story lines to The Walking Dead.
Let everyone know what they mean to me. Via phone, email or in person if time permits.
See snow. I've never seen it.
Reintroduce myself to bacon. Possibly for every meal.
Tell my mum that I love her and I appreciate everything she does for me. Something I don't say often enough.
Start digging. I figure my best chance at survival is to be underground. It worked in Blast From The Past, even if Brendan Fraser emerged as a retro idiot.
When all else fails and the world turns to shit, call Daryl Dixon. He'll know what to do.


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With thanks to Simon & Schuster Australia and Tommy Wallach, we are giving away five copies of We All Looked Up. Australian residents only.


52 comments

  1. How I wish I live in Australia right now! :P

    I've heard nothing but good reviews about this book. And I just purchased it yhe other day and its making me excited!!! :D Great review Kelly"

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    1. It's absolutely brilliant Paula, definitely one of my favourite reads so far this year. I can't wait to see what you think of it.

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  2. I can't wait to read this! I stumbled across it on goodreads last month, and immediately added it to my amazon wishlist to make sure I remembered to pick it up! Your bucket list was hilarious! A PINK HAZMAT SUIT, the stern letter to AMC, lol you're so funny lol.

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    1. Thanks Martika. I know, priorities right. I really hope you'll love this as much as I did, I couldn't put it down and ended up reading it almost in one sitting. It's just THAT incredible.

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  3. I'm dying. Dying for this book. I was just on another blog about it and have mentioned how the book reminded me of the dynamics of Girlfriend in a Coma. Characters dealing with personal problems, but it might not matter in the end because of the world ending. Really love reading books like this. Great review, Kelly. <3

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    1. Me too Joy. Although I haven't read Girlfriend in a Coma, the closest I can liken this to is The Breakfast Club. Mismatched characters who find themselves thrown together. Their problems are real and it's amazing how even though the world could be ending, they didn't throw it all in and wallow. They needed to keep going. I absolutely loved it. Really poignant too.

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  4. Ha ha ha! I loved your take on the apocalyptic preparations! I was actually just thinking about the mere fact that The Walking Dead hasn't really provided enough information to help us better prepare for doom, other than to stab infected zombies on the forehead, but I'm talking survival; like, how to build a campfire from scraps, how to fully gut a squirrel or raccoon. Daryl has been the best teacher though, I can't deny that ha ha! :D

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    1. Thanks Claudia. At least when the world turns to walkers, years of episodes will have taught us how to stab and kill a zombie ten different ways to Sunday. Although when faced with them, we're both likely to scream and run.

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  5. Hah, fun post! I like your bucket list. I'd definitely want to tell my friends and family how I feel about them. :)

    I'm glad you liked this one! I really love the title.

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    1. It's a brilliant book Lauren, almost a coming of age of sorts as well. That would be one of the first things I do too Lauren, after panic of course.

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  6. Loved your list and I cannot wait to read this book!!! *-* SO excited! :D

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    1. I can't wait to see what you think of it either Frannie. You'll laugh, you'll cry, then you'll hug the book so fiercely because it's just that incredible.

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  7. LOL I'd love to see this pink hazmat suit. I'm sure you'd rock it :) So glad you loved this book as much as I did, loved the Breakfast Club feel of it :)

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    1. Me too, it's what really endeared me to the characters, that they could put their differences aside and learn to rely on each other. If only for a short amount of time.

      Every girl needs a pink hazmat suit. I plan on making mine really gaudy and adding sequins. Possibly feathers.

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  8. This is one of my most anticipated spring titles Kelly, so I am so glad to see you enjoyed it so much! While it sounds like all the teen issues could have been stereotyped and full of angst, it sounds like Wallach managed to handle them in a way that was as original and angst-free as possible; which I appreciate. And combine a blossoming friendship with an apocalyptic setting and you're bound to have something fantastic, right?

    Thanks for sharing Kelly and, as always, wonderful review! ♥ (Loved your apocalyptic bucket list!)

    P.S. I accidentally entered the giveaway since I didn't realize it was for Australia only (*facepalm*), so you can disqualify my entries. ;)

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    1. Will do Zoe, thanks for letting me know.

      Ohh, you're in for such a treat! This, without a doubt will be one of THE books of the year and one of the best contemporaries I've read. Ever. Not only was it realistic, but there's no added drama and each character is given the opportunity to grow before all growing together. It was absolutely glorious. But tissues at the read. I shall say no more.

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  9. HAHAHHA YOUR BUCKET LIST. First off, your review is AWESOME KELLY and it makes me want to read this EVEN MORE than I wanted to before. And second, I really wonder that IF the world was about to end, if people would be asking about the endings of series and stuff. I MEAN I WOULD TO, but what happens if it's NOT what you wanted. YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DIE HAPPY. But of course, you must know how TWD ends huh. I haven't caught up to that at all.

    Oh right. Uh, I think the first thing I would think of is just to eat all the ice cream and cereal in the house. And then bring Ollie the dog with me. AND CALL EVERYONE I KNOW. Yes...

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    1. I'd really have to know. I can stay awake all night sometimes if there's something I was thinking and can't remember what it was. I can't do crosswords for that very reason. I obsess over them. You'd eat first? Wouldn't you be too scared to eat? Actually, a binge ice cream session is probably just what we'd need.

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  10. WAIT. Do you mean to tell me you don't eat bacon now?!! Because seriously, life is short. Eat bacon. IT IS GLORIOUS.
    okay, anyway.
    Your bucket list is wonderful (I'm definitely wanting to see retailers produce pink hazmat suits) and the book sounds soooo good. I WILL READ IT ONE DAY. Actually, pfft, hopefully I'll win a copy. That would solve all my problems for sure.

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    1. I do, but not as often as I'd like to. Like, with EVERY meal.

      The book is incredible! Yes. You. You go enter and may the odds be ever in your favour.

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  11. i would re-read some of my old favourites like charlotte's web lol

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    1. I absolutely love Charlotte's Web too Carly, it's one of my favourite books as well. Best of luck with the giveaway!

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  12. LOL at your bucket list, it's really cute though - I can't believe you haven't seen snow, well I can regarding where you live but it's still surprising xD Moving onto the actual book.. I don't like the cover that much, but I've heard mainly praise about it so I might look into it soon :) Your review has me excited now! <3 Benish | Feminist Reflections

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    1. I actually loved the cover, it was one of the first things that drew me in. It's a great representation of the coming together within the storyline, despite their differences. You'll absolutely love this one Benish, it's beautiful!

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  13. Why do you get all the good ARCs? Seriously, it is so awesome to be a book blogger in Australia!

    This book sounds good and I'd definitely check it out. I love your bucket list and I'll back you up in sending a letter to AMC. Because priorities. :D

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    1. It totally is Joy. I might be bias, but our publishers are all incredibly awesome, not only for providing books to review, but the support they provide to our bloggers is incredible.

      Thanks Joy. I hope you can grab a copy soon, this is such an incredible and thought provoking read. I absolutely adored it.

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  14. Oooh, lovely review Kelly! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one! I wasn't really expecting to, but the concept just sounded so interesting that I requested one anyway--and it turns out that I loved it. I am really looking forward to see what Tommy Wallach writes next. ^_^ Your bucket list is pretty epic, by the way. I second the pink hazmat suit.

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    1. We can totally be twinsies, we'll be the coolest looking preppers in Australia. Wasn't it just incredible Kara, I absolutely loved it and couldn't put it down. So emotional, yet lighthearted and funny as well. The perfect balance. I can't wait to see what he's working on next as well.

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  15. BACON! You must escape to Coles NOW and buy bacon! GO! DO THAT NOW, KELLY! Do it before the meteor comes! I really wish I was there to chuck some real snow in your face, as well! Love the review and this book was amazing! I loved the Breakfast Club feel to it. This book just reaffirms my need to start a punk rock band.

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    1. Oh no, I do have bacon, but if the end of the world is nigh, I plan to incorporate bacon into every meal. Every. Meal.

      Punk rock band! YES! I'm inviting myself and shall join you in your musical pursuits. Rock on poppet!

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  16. You haven't seen snow! You need to get yourself overseas one winter! Or at least go to the Victorian mountains for some skiing or something haha
    Definitely agree about cake. ALL THE DESSERTS MUST BE CONSUMED :P

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    1. I totally haven't and have probably missed the boat on that one for quite a while. Mortgage usually equals no travel. I might just need to rent a snow maker for the backyard or substitute with some mean looking bubbles.

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  17. Oh my days - an apocalypse bucket list! (See snow - MUST see snow..it's gorgeous!). I'd do all sorts of crazy things if the world was ending - including eating more cake - but I think the one I'd go for is to leg it to NASA and hijack a spaceship or two. (or, if time allows, rally up a team of space geeks and we'll build ourselves a spaceship!).

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    1. It just looks so fluffy and romantic Mawa, I'd just be out frolicking in it all day.

      I think my husband might want to hitch a ride on your spaceship, no doubt that would be right up there on his bucket list too.

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  18. OMG Daryl should be number one, haha! But I can see how hubby and doggy come first! I love your apocalypse bucket list. Too bad the giveaway is for Australia only. Sounds like a fun book! I don't see that too often :)

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    1. I can easily slot Daryl in at number two, then he could save the world and I wouldn't need to complete the rest of my list. Genius Sarah, you've probably just saved my life should the end of the world ever arrive.

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  19. I've been dying to get my hands on this one and i'm so loving the fact that this one worked for you! FIVE STARS? AHHH *rushes out to go buy it*
    Lily @ Lilysbookblog

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    1. You need this book in your life Lily, it was just that incredible! I would have given it infinite stars if I could.

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  20. "Panic" is the first ten items on my list

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    1. To be honest, probably mine too Richard. Followed by run around screaming until I pass out or hit my head on something.

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  21. I loved your bucket list, Kelly! I don't love cake too much, but CHOCOLATE cake? Yum. I need to see snow, too! I've seen the fake kind and they suck. :( And of course you need to start digging up all your contacts and telling them how much you love them! <3

    And now I'm off to teleport to Aussie because of the Aussie-only giveaway, haha! So glad you loved this book. <3

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    1. I'm not a big fan of cake, only chocolate cake really. None of that healthy crap like carrot cake or banana loaf. I'll be having an international giveaway coming up soon, but I think We All Looked Up is still available on Netgalley, last time I checked. Hopefully you can grab a copy soon poppet. It was absolutely incredible!

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  22. Great review! And your bucket list is great too :) I *really* enjoyed this book, it was such a pleasant surprise!

    Mhm bacon. Now wishing I'd put that on my list. Or that I was eating it right now. Important things.

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    1. Now I wish I was eating it now too Wattle.

      Mmm Bacon. Honestly, that Homer Simpson seems a bit slow on the uptake, but he's really onto something with a diet heavily featuring bacon.

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  23. Hehe pink hazmat suit, I love that Kelly! The bucket list is hilarious. I loved how thought provoking this book was, and like you said, with all of the different personalities somehow learning to cope with one another. Lovely review and post!

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    1. Thanks Jeann. I absolutely loved this book! So poignant and it really touched something with me and found myself wiping away the tears more than once while reading.

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  24. I have to admit I'm not REALLY sure about this book, but guess I should challenge myself. I LOVE your bucket list by the way!

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    1. You should Deb, it's an incredible young adult read. If you're a fan of the eighties flick The Breakfast Club like I am, there's something incredibly 'brat pack' about the various personalities coming together and finding solace and a likeness in one other.

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  25. I loved this book! I was pulled in from the start. Wallach has written a great novel. It certainly had me thinking. I'm with you on going underground. I think that would be out best chance and put this on my bucket list. Great review and Bucket list. I can't wait to read everyone else's bucket lists.

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    1. I read yours today and loved it Rochelle! We've got almost identical thoughts about this one, I absolutely loved it too and found it a really poignant and emotional read.

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  26. "Reminiscent of an apocalyptic Breakfast Club" HOW DO YOU ALWAYS SELL ME EVERY BOOK??? That sounds SO GOOD. And I keep hearing of how good the prose is in this one! And that's always my downfall, I melt whenever I think of lyrical prose.

    BUAHAHAHA hoarding non-perishable items would be the TOP of my list.

    Fabulous review, Kelly!

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  27. Thank you for your review of We All Looked Up. This book certainly raises some interesting questions, it would be hard to take just one item in my apocalyptic list, probably something useful like a swiss army knife! The 80's child in me who absolutely adored The Breakfast Club means this book has great appeal to me. Thank you for the opportunity to win this new release :-)

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