In Other Lands
Ratings25
Average rating4.1
*"What's your name?"
"Serene."
"Serena?" Elliot asked.
"Serene," said Serene. "My full name is Serene-Heart-in-the-Chaos-of-Battle."
Elliot's mouth fell open. "That is badass."*
The Borderlands aren't like anywhere else. Don't try to smuggle a phone or any other piece of technology over the wall that marks the Border--unless you enjoy a fireworks display in your backpack. (Ballpoint pens are okay.) There are elves, harpies, and--best of all as far as Elliot is concerned--mermaids.
Elliot? Who's Elliot? Elliot is thirteen years old. He's smart and just a tiny bit obnoxious. Sometimes more than a tiny bit. When his class goes on a field trip and he can see a wall that no one else can see, he is given the chance to go to school in the Borderlands.
It turns out that on the other side of the wall, classes involve a lot more weaponry and fitness training and fewer mermaids than he expected. On the other hand, there's Serene-Heart-in-the-Chaos-of-Battle, an elven warrior who is more beautiful than anyone Elliot has ever seen, and then there's her human friend Luke: sunny, blond, and annoyingly likeable. There are lots of interesting books. There's even the chance Elliot might be able to change the world.
*In Other Lands* is the exhilarating new book from beloved and bestselling author Sarah Rees Brennan. It's a novel about surviving four years n the most unusual of schools, about friendship, falling in love, diplomacy, and finding your own place in the world--even if it means giving up your phone.
This description comes from the publisher.
Series
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1 primary bookIn Other Lands
In Other Lands is a 1-book series first released in 2017 with contributions by Sarah Rees Brennan.
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I didn't want this book to end. I've enjoyed it immensely. It's funny, witty, and original. A big social and human criticism written in an accessible and youthful way, with a super sarcastic and charismatic main character that I couldn't avoid but adore.
An easy read, no complicated battles or too detailed descriptions, just emotions and consequences.
Loved it, really. So entertaining.
I know this was originally published serially on the author's website, and I wonder how much editing was done between website->book? It felt like...maybe not that much, and like maybe....there was some filler that could have gotten cut out.
I debated between 3 and 4 stars for this–I love the concept and this kind of wry portal fantasy; I didn't love the aformentioned lengthiness. Ultimately it had enough clever touches that I rounded up. I also think teens especially will enjoy the elf culture here–it's a matriarchy that basically has reverse gender roles of American society, where women need to protect emotional, fragile men. it's funny but also could definitely be a penny drop moment for some readers who maybe haven't thought about things in quite those terms before. Also bonus points for a bi character who IDs as bi.
It started off wonderfully, then about halfway through, it tanked & never recovered.
The “I'm snarky because stupid people can't tell me what to do” MC became rude. The friendships dropped nearly out of the picture. His desire to see the world turned into an obsession with mermaids (and such a letdown when he found one). His attempts to make the diplomatic corp once again as important as the warriors turned into “I'm coming along just because I think you're incompetent.” His friend's double-track enrollment died to “I'm really a warrior,” without any decent explanation. The hilarious dialogue & writing became flat and/or vicious.
The MG/YA rating jumped to adult. His charming devotion to his intended girlfriend turned into “I'm bisexual & will sleep with anyone” (without prior hints, mind you). His admirable goal of world peace dropped to a sexfest.
I haven't covered everything, but you get the idea. It was a huge disappointment.
