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!

Different, hilarious, excellent!

In Other Lands is one of the most enjoyable and humorous books I have experienced in a long time. It is a tale of self-discovery about love, family, gender-roles, self-identity and sexuality, wrapped within a story about venturing out into a strange new world. It is not the usual fantasy tale where characters fights against an Evil lord or monster. Instead the antagonist of the story is misunderstanding between people and peoples, which leads to hurt, violence and war. It is a story about how understanding ourselves and making the effort to understand others can lead to peace and happiness, though perhaps imperfect and impermanent. Though serious topics and events take place, humor is suffused throughout the book, and I found myself laughing out loud from the first chapter to the last.

Speechless!

This was a masterpiece!
I couldn’t stop once I started. I laughed, I cried, I was giddy & left speechless serval times! This was a fantastic story full of adventure, growth, self-love, witty remarks & above all full of Elliot. Beautifully written and the narrator was exceptional. Defiantly a novel I will reread over the years!

Interesting Reaction

While not the most lovable main character, Elliot certainly voices a lot of the same concerns I think many people would if they found themselves in a magical world. I love he is a pacifist and sticks with it, saving the world with words and not swords. Luc and Serene were fantastic as well. All outcast in their own way. My only criticism is that it takes the entire book for our characters to get together, and they only have...like..15 minutes of time as a couple? Wish their was a sequel where their relationship could be explored more. Especially since Elliot has to realize his shortcomings and change his ways if he wants to keep them. The slow burn was the perfect amount of painful. I was screaming for these two to hurry up and get together before we were half was through the book!

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.