In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan
Published by Big Mouth House on August 2017Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 437
Format: Hardcover
Source: Bought
Goodreads
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
I don’t know what to say about this book other than GO READ IT RIGHT NOW IT’S SO WONDERFUL OMG WHY DID I WAIT SOOO LONG TO READ THIS?!!?! i wish I could read it again for the first time.
Luke, Serene and Elliot find themselves unlikely friends as they navigate years of magical school.
I love love love Elliot, Serene and Luke. Elliot is prickly, unlikeable and an all around pain in the ass. He can’t hold his tongue, telling everyone very loudly what he thinks of them and refusing to make friends. He is what we all wish we could say to stupid people but were told it’s rude not to. Elliot has no concerns about appearing rude. His growth as a character is heartwarming and organic, showing how those years in adolescence can change a person.
Serene is hilarious, as she becomes accustomed to these new rules. In her land, men are valued and protected as women go off to battle. This makes her a fierce and loyal warrior who everyone is in awe of. .
Luke is the golden child coming from a famous magical family. I also loved his character arc as he grows and struggles with his friendship/enemy relationship with Elliot, his own self identity and his place in the world. Luke’s growth felt very organic and sweet.
The book centers around the Borderlands and how the three help (and sometimes not help) the growing unease between all the different fantasy creatures. I really liked all of the situations that were presented to them, sometimes failing miserably and sometimes coming out triumphant. There isn’t a huge big overall big bad or evil plot which I liked too. It was more small battles and everyday problems that combined. This helped us focus our attention too on the three main characters and their personal development.
Overall, In Other Lands is a fantastic book that I wish I had read sooner! Why did I wait this long?!?! If only I could go back in time and re-read it again for the first time!! Oh well, will have to re-read it again and again and again…
Kimberly majored in Songwriting and currently works full time in the music industry. When she's not listening to music, knitting or writing, you can find her outside reading her favorite genres: Young Adult, Adult Fiction, Mystery, and Romance.
