A misfit in his own world, Elliot has nothing to lose when he’s offered the chance to trade it in for a life in the Borderlands—a realm populated by elves, dwarves, and other non-human species, guarded by humans loyal to the land. Is there room for an abrasive, bookish pacifist in a world dominated by sword battles and heroic feats of strength? As it turns out, there might be.
Publisher’s Description:
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 likable. 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 bestselling 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.
Genre: Fantasy, Contemporary
Representation:
Gender:
Cis girls: Serene-Heart-in-the-Chaos-of-Battle
Cis boys: Luke Sunborn, Elliot Schafer
Sexuality:
Gay: Luke Sunborn
Bisexual: Elliot Schafer
Heterosexual: Serene-Heart-in-the-Chaos-of-Battle
Romantic Orientation:
Not addressed in the text.
Race/Ethnicity:
White: Luke, Elliot
Serene is an elf. (non-human)
Religion:
Judaism: Elliot is Jewish, though he is non-practicing
Location:
1. Devon, England
2. Fantasy realm called “The Borderlands”