But don’t fret too much. The Vanguard Corporation has taken control of the situation. They have a huge military. They patrol the danger zones and fight the monsters. And they keep everyone safe.
State of the art apps alert you when a demon breaks free. You get points for following the rules and clicking the links Vanguard wants you to. Life has pretty much gone back to normal.
As long as you don’t ask too many questions.
Jasper’s life in this new world is very different than it used to be. Not that he really remembers much. An accident wiped his memory and now he fills his days working at the Here For You discount mart trying to remember his past. And doing his best to stay alive when demons escape the hell portal in aisle nine.
Lucky for Jasper, the Vanguard is always keeping watch. And having junior Vanguard Kyle around also makes Jasper feel pretty lucky. She seems to hate Jasper for some reason she won’t tell him about, but Jasper is drawn to her and looks forward to seeing her every day — despite the danger lurking in aisle nine.
But when Jasper starts getting strange premonitions about the portals (and the monsters that spew from them), he starts to look closer at the world around him. And at Kyle. Questions start to brew, and the more Jasper looks for answers the more he realises how everything is connected — Kyle, his memory loss AND an impending apocalypse.
Aisle Nine is a YA dystopian novel like no other. With humour woven through every chapter, it’s both hilarious and deep. Horrifying monsters feature throughout but the comedy layer is there through every battle, bringing a special kind of joy to the reading experience.
The novel is also an interesting look at society. It holds a mirror up to our reliance on apps and social media, and makes you think about what you’re willing to give up to get a few points for free ice cream.
The characters are interesting and complex, each with secrets to undercover throughout the novel, adding some serious mystery and intrigue to the story. There’s a little bit of love, but it’s not the focus, and there isn’t anything heavy, making this one that middle-graders could also enjoy (noting there are a couple of swear words, but these seem fitting for the end of the world).
If you love dystopian stories, I highly recommend grabbing a copy of this one. It’s different and fresh and filled with so many things you won’t ever suspect.
Jasper’s life in this new world is very different than it used to be. Not that he really remembers much. An accident wiped his memory and now he fills his days working at the Here For You discount mart trying to remember his past. And doing his best to stay alive when demons escape the hell portal in aisle nine.
Lucky for Jasper, the Vanguard is always keeping watch. And having junior Vanguard Kyle around also makes Jasper feel pretty lucky. She seems to hate Jasper for some reason she won’t tell him about, but Jasper is drawn to her and looks forward to seeing her every day — despite the danger lurking in aisle nine.
But when Jasper starts getting strange premonitions about the portals (and the monsters that spew from them), he starts to look closer at the world around him. And at Kyle. Questions start to brew, and the more Jasper looks for answers the more he realises how everything is connected — Kyle, his memory loss AND an impending apocalypse.
Aisle Nine is a YA dystopian novel like no other. With humour woven through every chapter, it’s both hilarious and deep. Horrifying monsters feature throughout but the comedy layer is there through every battle, bringing a special kind of joy to the reading experience.
The novel is also an interesting look at society. It holds a mirror up to our reliance on apps and social media, and makes you think about what you’re willing to give up to get a few points for free ice cream.
The characters are interesting and complex, each with secrets to undercover throughout the novel, adding some serious mystery and intrigue to the story. There’s a little bit of love, but it’s not the focus, and there isn’t anything heavy, making this one that middle-graders could also enjoy (noting there are a couple of swear words, but these seem fitting for the end of the world).
If you love dystopian stories, I highly recommend grabbing a copy of this one. It’s different and fresh and filled with so many things you won’t ever suspect.
Title: Aisle Nine
Author: Ian X. Cho
Publisher: Harper Collins, $20.99
Publication Date: 24 September 2024
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780063206823
For ages: 12+
Type: Young Adult
