A Monster of Ness

Ever wondered what happens to the other kids at High School when the vampires take over, or an evil overlord threatens world domination? The answer? They’re being ‘normal.’ As normal doesn’t exist, The Rest of Us Just Live Here presents a group of unique friends on their journey. This particular journey is to prom and that difficult period of leaving school. The excitement and anxiety ridden last few weeks, coupled with the usual parental issues, romantic dilemmas and the friends that help you through create a plot-line that will keep you hooked until the last page.

Ness’ previous books are brilliant in their own ways. The Chaos Walking Trilogy is a great dystopian fiction and the brilliantly Gothic A Monster Calls is set to be on the big screen later this year. Whilst this book initially seemed a little un ‘Ness’ ian, it follows a certain sense of humour shown in his tweets — it’s honest, it’s raw and it’s funny.

The issues covered and how the characters deal with them is compelling. Ness explores anxiety, eating disorders and difficult family dynamics with an ease that shows they are part of life — whether its something experienced personally, or someone you know. They are never used to define the character, or treated as an issue to be avoided. Instead they are a part of the narrative and one aspect of rounded and complex characters. The result is a realistic reflection of growing up — making the zombie apocalypse story more absurd and funny.

Ness delivers another outstanding book and shows the breadth of his talent. A great read for those about to finish school, want to understand others and generally have a laugh at the other zombie apocalypse books.

5 stars and a Ness star