In Other Lands

By: Sarah Rees Brennan

Narrated by: Matthew Lloyd Davies

Length: 17 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

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 13 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 best-selling author Sarah Rees Brennan. It's a novel 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.

©2017 Sarah Rees Brennan (P)2018 Tantor

Excellent, Masterpiece of a romance

I would forget everything of this book and read it over just to experience its greatness for the first time again.

Absolutely amazing

I love the characters, the story, the setting, the ending, everything! This is an excellent book for young people and adults.

Hilarious and emotional!

where to begin with this one. I went into this one not sure of what to expect besides the fantasy elements that I know and love. what I found was humor and rawness and complex characters. I started off annoyed by the main character Elliot, not even halfway through true I loved him and wanted to continue with him on this magical journey of Fantastical land and of self-discovery. the other characters are equally amazing and complex. just when you think you know something about the characters, Brennan changes everything. this book is very diverse and helps the audience to open their minds and explore new and strange opportunities. Accepting people for who they are and accepting an entirely different world from what one might have been used to. this book was chosen for my book club for the month of July and I am ever so grateful that it was!

So much fun!

I'm on my second listen. This is the YA book I've been waiting for--funny, sweet, earnest, perceptive about gender roles and sexuality while still being tongue in cheek but not insufferably so. Kudos to Matthew Lloyd Davies for an excellent reading. My one quibble is that it meanders a bit towards the end, but that's not a problem when you don't want a book to end! #comingofage #clever #LGBTQIA+ #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Laugh-out-loud funny and So relatable

I have FEELINGS about this book. As someone who loves reading and writing Harry Potter fanfic, it really resonated. But beyond deconstructing Harry Potter and other magical lands stories and asking why kids had to fight wars and what was up with adults that they thought this was ok, this story had heart. I loved the snarky and secretly wounded Elliot and all his insights, commentary, and criticism of the Border Lands. The first 25% was absolutely laugh-out-loud funny (I lost count of the number of times I found myself laughing) in a way that reminds me of Terry Pratchett's works and biting social commentary disguised as humor. The bulk of rest of the book dealt with Elliot's depression and fear of being unloved and unloveable, and the that was written so very REAL. I deeply relate to Elliot and his distaste for violence and hunger to learn about all the magical creatures and read all the books. Also Elliot being bisexual was treated lovingly and the way no one took him seriously because of it was very real. I loved the way Elliot's relationships were handled as he grew into himself and learned what he was willing to give and take. Just 100% relatable and I am basically Elliot but shy instead of brash. Also the audiobook was done really well and the snark came through perfectly in the narrator's tone which is tricky to do well.

A really Original and Engaging story!

This is a really good story. I end up going back to re-read it about 1x a year. I think the author did a great job in taking a common theme and making a really original story. I wish there was a second book as I have fallen in love with these characters and want to continue to see them grow, I want to see Elliott bring PEACE to the borderlands.

This story is great and if you have a credit to use, give it a try!

Absolutely stunning book, hooked from chapter one!

This is one of the best YA fantasy books I've even read (or listened to, in this case). I would highly recommend it, and can honestly say I was enthralled from start to finish. Sweet, meaningful coming of age novel about found family and the trials and tribulations of growing up.

Coming-of-age love story in a fantasyland

This is a sweet coming-of-age story set in a fantasy realm. It was cute. For the elves, the roles of men and women are reversed, leading to much guffawing. My favorite line, from the male human protagonist to the female elf protaganist: "For the record, my heart is not a delicate flower." The twist on the story is that it draws parallels between LGBQT prejudices and inter-species ones. I didn't know that going in, but I rather enjoyed it. The author weaves a good story, and the narrator draws in the listener with some pretty funny teenager impressions. I really liked the "unlikable" main character. This is a story that adults and teens alike can enjoy.

I have only two complaints. First, this story was mostly a romance, i.e., they all find their true loves and live happily ever after. The world that the author built was seething with potential, so I wish she had done more with the story. Second, although it was mostly handled deftly, the anti-prejudice part really whacked the reader over the head towards the end.

That said, I would definitely give this author another try. I was really drawn into the story and found myself wanting more. I will immediately look for more by the narrator. Really great job.

An absolute delight!

for anyone who grew up reading Tolkein and Lewis but never quite imagined it could be a place for them. Rees has written a queer, feminist, hilarious fantasy . Elliott is the too smart, snarky, pacifist we have been waiting for.

Coming of age story with modern child

Very realistic on the fears and insecurities of a boy growing into adulthood. The situation is fantastic, a less romantic retelling of the Harry Potter story, but the issues are those of modern teenage angst - family alienation, trust, friendship, sexuality, gender and even war and peace. The characters are flawed or damaged, mostly well intentioned, and likable.