In Other Lands
A Novel
Book - 2017
Despite his aversion to war, work, and most people (human or otherwise), teenaged Elliott, a human transported to a fantasy world where he attends a school for warriors and diplomatic advisers, finds that two unlikely ideas, friendship and world peace, may actually be possbile.
"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 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 book about surviving four years in 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."-- Provided by publisher.
"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 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 book about surviving four years in 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."-- Provided by publisher.
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Publisher:
Easthampton, Mass. : Big Mouth House, [2017]
ISBN:
9781618731203
1618731203
1618731203
Call Number:
y BRENNAN 2017
Characteristics:
437 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
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Add a Commentwow. wow wow wow. Y’all, I am flabbergasted by the brilliance of this book. I borrowed it from the library- read it, paused, read it again and proceeded to go out and buy it. You cannot understand how highly I recommend it to you. Don’t be intimidated by the beginning- it is fantastic once it picks up. Incase you haven’t picked up on the message I’m trying to comunícate- READ THE BOOK!
The beginning of this book is a little slow, but once you reach that certain point, you are bound to be on a roller coaster you never want to stop. When I read this book, it at first did not strike my interest at all, but now it is all I can think about. I am constantly wanting to read and reread this book!
This book is truly unique in that it rejects the common escapism idea that medieval worlds are all fantasy and nature with no downsides. It is truly about a choice between a world with wifi and wars fought elsewhere, and a world of magical creatures and child soldiers. The best part is that Elliot bases his choice off of the people, not the place. I loved reading this book and found it truly deep and relatable (except for the mermaids).
This book is actual genius. I'm pretty stubborn on my book choices, but I think it is now the best book I have ever read. It was so odd and different that I never knew what was going to happen, but it was always interesting and hilarious, and the characters were interesting and consistently true to themselves. The book would be in the middle of a funny bit and then randomly stab you with sadness, but in a good way.
The anti-Harry Potter. Elliot hates his magical schoolmates and sasses back incessantly. If you like sarcastic humor, mermaids, elves, and unlikely friendships, give this a try! --Rachel (for more of Rachel's suggestions, follow WoodneathRachel)
Absolutely brilliant - made me laugh (a *lot*) and cry (a few times). It’s not at all explicit (characters do have sex, but there are no details), so it’s fine for younger teens, but there’s plenty of depth in there to satisfy adult readers. Particularly well done is the way Brennan draws attention to gender stereotypes and their consequences.
What happens when an anti-social teenage boy is chosen to study at a magical school in another realm? Author Sarah Rees Brennan explores that question with the story of Elliot, a snarky, misanthropic young man with a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas. The book follows Elliot through his teen years, as he grudgingly makes a friend or two, falls in and out of love, and discovers that maybe he has a place after all. While the magical school calls up instant mental comparisons to Harry Potter, this is really closer to Rainbow Rowell's "Carry On" in feel, and the dialogue resembles an extended episode of "Firefly." If you like sarcastic wit, magical adventure, and unlikely teams, give this a try!
This is one of my favorite books now, and I can't believe I haven't heard more about it. A snarky bisexual and aggressive pacifist as the main character with a really great friend group he develops throughout the years. Elliot's wonder for all things knowledge base and not violence based is so so refreshing. I love how this book makes one thing of commonplace violence, gender stereotypes, assumptions of sexuality and ignorance towards groups of people unlike one's self. It was such a roller coaster from start to finish and I truly loved Elliot's narrative with all my heart. I think anyone interested in fantasy and making commentary on the genre in a hilarious way should read this book.