The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

The Rest of Us Just Live Here
Written by Patrick Ness
Fantasy, Contemporary
Expected Publication August 27th 2015
352 Pages
Thank you to Walker Books Australia
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★★★★☆
What if you aren't the Chosen One?

The one who’s supposed to fight the zombies, or the soul eating ghosts, or whatever the heck this new thing is, with the blue lights and the death?

What if you're like Mikey? Who just wants to graduate and go to prom and maybe finally work up the courage to ask Henna out before someone goes and blows up the high school. Again.

Because sometimes there are problems bigger than this week’s end of the world, and sometimes you just have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life.

Even if your best friend is worshiped by mountain lions.
Seventeen year old Mikey isn't the hero who saves the world. He isn't expected to. Mikey is one of the Others, the bystanders within his strange little town where where the supernatural reign and the world rests upon the shoulders of the Chosen Ones. But his life is complicated enough as it is. His mother is a State Senator, neglecting her family for that of the community she serves. His father an alcoholic, his sister a reformed anorexic and Mikey himself suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder, finding himself stuck in loops in which is becoming increasingly harder to break. He's in love with childhood friend Henna, although too scared to tell her and his best friend is a gay, Jewish God of Cats, his feline admirers following him about town.

The latest crisis to hit the teen community comes in the form of the hipster kids being killed, pillars of light and glowing blue eyes in the night. But akin to the vampire plague that swept through years earlier, it's the Chosen Ones that need to deal with the prophecy, hipster kids affectionately known as The Indies. For Mikey and his friends, they just want to graduate without the school being burnt down. A group of ordinary teens living within an extraordinary town, and this is their story.

Kelly's Thoughts

Ever wondered about the secondary characters within our young adult fantasy and dystopian novels? The adults or the teens who aren't tasked with saving the world? This is their story. Mikey and his group of friends are ordinary teens who have seen it all, the paranormal descending upon their town and helpless to stop the pending apocalypse. The Chosen Ones are the kids known as The Indies, teens who segregate themselves from the school community and are named as uniquely as themselves.

But The Rest of Us Just Live Here isn't about those who save the world, it's the teens who are trying to live their life within the extraordinary town. Real teens that struggle with issues such as obsessive compulsive disorder, anorexia, workaholic and alcoholic parents, and having a new kid suddenly arrive within only six weeks left until graduation. The concept is completely bizarre and the storyline allows readers glimpses of the pending doom that is set to strike their town. But life goes on for the Others, those who are usually restricted to background characters while someone else saves the world.

Without a doubt, Patrick Ness is a phenomenal author and this may possibly be his best work to date. It's intelligent, quirky and still addresses real issues such as mental illness and substance abuse such as alcoholism. The cast of characters is diverse, which is what readers have come to expect from Patrick Ness. It reads as a subtle swipe at the young adult tropes that irritate what most readers take issue with, the Chosen Ones, the town that seemingly turns a blind eye to paranormal invasion, clueless adults and when you're one of the Others, how life continues on and no matter what's going on around you. Your own issues are still as important than the world coming to an end.

The Final Verdict

Beautifully imaginative, The Rest of Us Just Live Here is an exploration of those who aren't meant to save the world, but the bystanders who create their own storyline. Patrick Ness is a phenomenal author, who can enchant, enthrall and entice readers to believe in the impossible. Bizarre, incredible and utterly captivating.

50 comments

  1. Fantastic review, Kelly! Rather shamefully, I have to admit I haven't read anything by Patrick Ness yet but I've heard wonderful things about this book and this one - this one has grabbed my interest. I have always wondered what happens to the characters in the background while the 'heroes' save the world. Add to that, diverse and incredible and I'm sold.

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    1. This book is magnificent Naban, and the perfect introduction to Patrick Ness and his genius. Definitely grab a copy, you won't be disappointed.

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  2. Awesome review! I absolutely LOVED THIS BOOK. I wasn't even sure, going into it, what to expect, but I really loved how it was a contemporary with only glimpses at what else was happening. I'm very happy not to be a Chosen One :)

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    1. So am I poppet. I loved it too, it was almost a swipe at all the typical young adult tropes that it seem to infuriate readers. A little added snark thrown in. Holy crap it was awesome!

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  3. I really love this premise. Hopefully I'll be able to read it soon-ish. I haven't read anything by Patrick Ness either, and I KNOW that needs to change.

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    1. You must Lauren, you're really missing out! I'm going to read his Chaos Walking series soon, I've bought the set and can't wait to get cracking. I love his characters, they're always so vivid and relatable too.

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  4. I just skimmed through your review because I'm going to read this soon, but I'm glad that you liked it! I am very very excited to read this, seeing as it will be my first Ness book :)

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    1. And what a book to begin with! I can't wait to see what you think of it poppet.

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  5. I haven't read anything by Patrick Ness and I feel bad for that, lol. Though I have this and More Than This on my TBR. I need to make sure I read one of those two soon! Wonderful review, Kelly!

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    1. More Than This is also incredible, it'll mess with your head too. I enjoyed this one slightly more, but not by much. He's just a phenomenal author that really creates fantastical reads.

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  6. I LOVE THIS BOOK AND I CONNECTED TO IT ON A REAL EMOTIONAL LEVEL, WHICH IS ODD FOR ME BECAUSE I'M AS EMOTIONAL AS A BARNACLE. SO ADJLSK YES AND WONDERFULNESS AND CAKE AND CONFETTI TO THIS BOOK.
    *calms self*
    I liked your review also. Obviously. xD

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    1. That's probably the highest recommendation you can give, that emotional attachment especially seeing you're so hard to please usually. Yes, I went there.

      Now I'm going over there before you come back and wallop me.

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  7. I've only read a couple of Patrick Ness' novels before--More Than This and A Monster calls, to be precise--but gosh, I LOVED both of them. So as SOON as I saw he was publishing this it was added to my TBR list. So glad you loved this Kelly! Lovely review<3 :)

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    1. It's absolutely brilliant Kara! I can't praise it enough. From the lives of the Others, to those snippets of the Chosen Ones. It's really remarkable.

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  8. I have never read a Patrick Ness novel before. I know, I know! I fail at my book life! I love that this one seems to focus on those characters that you don't normally see YA books focus on. I'm going to look more into this one, especially if you mentioned that this is the author's best work to date.
    Great review, Kelly!

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    1. Epic fail Nick. But you still have time to rectify past mistakes, and buy every Patrick Ness book you can get your hands on. He's one of the few consistently brilliant authors in young adult.

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  9. PATRICK NESS YES YES YES. I need this book in my life. Like oxygen. Like chocolate. My existence is not worthy till I get hold of this book. XD

    Fabulous review, this book is love <3 (ha, and I haven't even read it. I'm scared because everyone's loving this and I have high expectations *cries*)

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    1. The expectation of brilliance is totally justified though Nirvana. It really is. It's characters will endear you and work their way under your skin. I read this almost in one sitting, just impossible to put down.

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  10. I can't wait to start this book! I know that Ness does have a way with words and he hasn't disappointed me yet. My expectations are waaaaay up there!

    ~ Dre @ Sporadic Reads


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    1. YES! You need to read this ASAP Dre, it's utterly brilliant.

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  11. YES just like you said, you always hear about the hero or the heroine and the plight they go through with the "other worldly" things but you never hear too much about the secondary characters so it's a bunch of awesome sauce that this one tells their story. :) Awesome review! I love how detailed you are. :)

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    1. Thanks Keionda and yes, this book is for all of us who aren't meant to save the world, but ourselves. Real characters, with real issues and real emotions. I can't wait to see what you think of it!

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  12. I really want to read this book so much! I mean, all the other books are about the people who save the world, not the people who don't. This is such an interesting concept for Patrick Ness to write about. It would truly be a story about ordinary people, because usually all the stories have something special about their main characters.

    Claudia Victoria @ PenMarkings & Quite Literary

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    1. I thought so too Claudia, almost tongue in cheek. I love the concept, it's absolutely brilliant and written so beautifully as well. It's made me fall in love with Patrick Ness all over again.

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  13. Wow what great concept, a book about the bystanders instead of the "chosen one." I've heard about Ness, I really need to try one of his books one day :)

    Sarah @ One Curvy Blogger

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    1. You need to Sarah, he's one of the most brilliant and unique young adult authors of our time. It's a book for those of us who aren't going to save the world, but to live each day as if it were our last. It's absolutely lovely.

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  14. I still have yet to read anything by Patrick Ness but I am loving the sound of this one-how original! I've always wanted a story about characters that weren't the heroes, and secondary characters can be just as interesting as the main characters. I also like that he deals with real issues, sounds like a winner all around.

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    1. I think Patrick Ness is pretty much known for his originality now, and this one is no different. If you've yet to pick up one of his books, this one is perfect to begin with. His best work yet.

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  15. Kelly, it's always so nice to stop by here. Your blog is so lovely to look at. As for TROUJLH (wow, what a title!), I am so intrigued. My friend was just telling me about it last weekend and the blurb has definitely caught my attention. I've never read a Patrick Ness before, so maybe it's about time I changed that. Wonderful review, as always.

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    1. Aww, thanks Rebecca. It's a mouthful but like it's title, it's just so incredibly unique. His character diversity is phenomenal as always. I love how relatable Ness is with his characters, I think that's what makes his books so engaging and endearing.

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  16. The synopsis is intriguing; that's for sure! And what an interesting take on a novel. I passionately believe that the sub-characters are equally important as the protagonist ― look at Samwise Gamgee for example ;)

    I actually have a book similar to this one my TBR, Juliet's Nurse. I'll look into this one though!

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    1. I hope so Claudia, it's such a wonderful read. I love that it's about those of us who aren't chosen or unique, but real people with real issues. It's brilliant and I'd love to see what you think of it.

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    2. Those are the best books! That is, the ones that voice real issues ;)

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  17. Oh my god I can't wait to get my grubby paws on this book, I adore Patrick Ness and I love the concept of this book. Can't wait to see how he juxtaposes the every day struggle of living VS the larger than life world saving thing. I am so happy to hear this is one of his best work to date, he never ceases to amaze me from the first book I've read. Wonderful review, Kelly, I think my excitement for this title has just reached peak level!

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    1. I felt exactly the same way before I started reading this one, and it definitely didn't disappoint. If anything, it blew my expectations out of the water. I can't WAIT to see what you think of it, I think you'll absolutely love this Aentee.

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  18. I haven't read anything by Patrick Ness yet, despite all the hype around him. And now you have convinced me that I NEED THIS BOOK! The concept sounds amazing.

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    1. It's absolutely brilliant poppet, and an awesome book to begin your journey into the world of Patrick Ness.

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  19. Great review Kelly :) I've not read anything by Patrick Ness, but I do have a couple of his books waiting for me; and this one is definitely going on the list too!

    - Wattle @ Whimsical Nature

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    1. He's an incredible author, unique and his characters are always so well thought out and relatable as well.

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  20. This is probably one of my most anticipated reads for this August Kelly. I absolutely love Patrick Ness' previous books, and am crossing my fingers this one is just as good. I love the concept of exploring characters who aren't completely "special" or "extrodinary," because it makes it so much easier to connect to them. Thanks for sharing this and, as always, fabulous review! ♥ I didn't think it was possible, but you've made me even more excited for this!

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    1. Yes! That was exactly how I felt Zoe, that connection towards those who aren't extraordinary, because we can't all be special snowflakes. I can't wait to see what you think of it Zoe and hope you love it as much as I have.

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  21. Aah, this is the first review I've read, Kelly, and already I know more than ever that this is going to be a soaring read for me. I love the idea of taking the characters in the background, the ones you don't notice or who don't have the main role, and making them real. Showing how they face the dramas of the MCs. It's such a glorious idea, and one I'm sure will have moments of hilarity, and I'm in all the way. I haven't ever read any Patrick Ness, so I think this is going to be my starter, for sure.
    Lovely review! xx

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    1. Wasn't it just! I loved the concept and was a little hesitant to see how Ness was going to work it, and he didn't disappoint at all. If anything, he far exceeded my expectations. It was amazing to read ordinary characters who were stuck in extraordinary circumstances and not have to save the world. I loved it passionately.

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  22. Wonderful review. This is the first time I have actually heard what this book is about and now I am absolutely fascinated. It sounds like such a unique story and definitely not like anything I have ever read. I love the authors books, so I will definitely be getting to this soon.

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    1. It was so beautifully unique Charnell, it's about time us regular folk had our own storyline. Patrick Ness is such a phenomenal author and looking forward to seeing what he's working on next.

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  23. I like the focus on teens here who seem to be outcasts and aren't just made out to save the world. Always a fan of Patrick Ness and this book sounds like there's some quirky elements in there. Wonderful review Kelly!

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    1. Thanks Jeann. I think this might just be his best work yet. I loved the tongue in cheek against those who are the chosen ones and how those who are bystanders are just trying to get through life with these extraordinary incidents going on around them. It was incredible!

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  24. I am beyond excited for this book. Patrick Ness had the ability to think of such original idea, bless his mind.
    Love your blog and you reviews :)

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  25. Wow, I want to read this book ASAP! I am getting this ARC from Harper - can you believe that? I am finally going to receive my first physical ARC! *happy dance* - and I can't wait to read it! I've always heard great things about Patrick Ness, but never got a chance to read any of his books, so I am pretty excited to give this one a shot!
    Beautiful review, as always , Kelly!

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  26. First of all, you're talking about I can sell snow to Eskimos, your ass can sell . . . THE MOON TO THE STARS! lmao (I was trying to find something that could top what you said!) Idk if I ever told you, but Patrick Ness is my favorite author of all time. I love his work so much because he always steps outside of the box of what's " norm " and just does his own damn thing. Like come on, where have we seen this concept . . . NOWHERE. Each book he releases is always better than the last, and I can't wait to see how much I'll enjoy this one. I have an arc, but I said you know what, I'm waiting for that glow in the dark US cover! & it releases a couple of days after my birthday!

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