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No Man's Land

4.0 of 5 stars 4.00 · rating details · 10 ratings · 3 reviews

With humor and honesty, neuropsychologist S. T. Underdahl explores the timely topic of post-traumatic stress disorder

If life were a movie, Dov Howard's role would be Emo Kid/Family Loser. His brother Brian would star as Master of the Universe. But that's okay. Dov's got great friends-and possibly a new one named Scarlett. Like everyone else, Dov loves his brother and is th...more

Paperback, 274 pages

Published November 8th 2012 by Flux

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Oct 31, 2012 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, four-star-reviews

See the full review at Short & Sweet Reviews.

Dov Howard is an emo kid living in the shadow of his well-respected, practically perfect older brother Brian, who has deployed to Afghanistan. Brian was a football player, dating the most beautiful girl in town, pretty much the ideal All-American Boy. Dov, on the other hand, favors My Chemical Romance and skinny jeans and hiding behind a curtain of dark hair. Dov’s friends are the misfits and losers of his high school, and he’s just fine with that...more

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Dec 01, 2012 Rachael Woohoo rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, arc, 2012-favorites, book, netgalley, review-copy, reviewed

See more of my reviews @ Moosubi Reviews!

Rating Clarification: 3.5 / 5

In my perspective, S. T. Underdahl is great for writing rather different books. As a contemporary writer, rather than writing the classic fluffy chick lit, or even romance novels, she writes a lot about family and the relationships between characters, particularly family members. I love Underdahl because of this - it’s just refreshing! Likewise, No Mans Land was a different kind of story, featuring the little brother of a seem...more See more of my reviews @ Moosubi Reviews!

Rating Clarification: 3.5 / 5

In my perspective, S. T. Underdahl is great for writing rather different books. As a contemporary writer, rather than writing the classic fluffy chick lit, or even romance novels, she writes a lot about family and the relationships between characters, particularly family members. I love Underdahl because of this - it’s just refreshing! Likewise, No Mans Land was a different kind of story, featuring the little brother of a seemingly super-star ex-veteran brother.

Personally, I thought No Man’s Land was really about the characters’ stories, as well as the development of their relationships – in particular of course, Dov’s. On one hand, I suppose that Dov is the normal-ish type of guy – he’s not too spectacular, but still relatable enough. Still, he’s amazing in his own way. He’s constantly compared to Brian, but somehow he’s never jealous. He’s always strong and supportive of his brother, even when life turns for the worst. Throughout the book, his emotions and feelings are well portrayed, and I felt I could somewhat relate to him. After all, everyone could probably relate to always being compared to someone else, whether it be a friend, coworker, or sibling.

As for plot, S. T. Underdahl is able to skillfully interweave storylines into an even more interesting and emotional story! Although the general pace was a bit slow, there were parts of the story where it was more fast-paced, and full of twists! There’s actually one specific scene where it hit me with a bang – it was packed with emotion, suspense, shock, and excitement! The topic of war and veterans itself is also probably a risky topic in YA, but I felt that the way the author portrayed it in the novel was successful – it kept me interested and intrigued me (:

Dov’s relationships with his friends and family are also particularly interesting. His relationship with his friends is realistic, and they obviously support each other no matter what happens. The author doesn’t just say it – Underdahl really shows the strength in their bond through thick and thin. There’s also an eventual romance and steady friendship that develops, and I liked that it didn’t follow the “usual path” of a lot of contemporary romances.

Overall, No Man’s Land was a different type of contemporary read, but definitely a worthwhile one! If you’re a contemporary reader, a fan of Underdahl’s previous works, or just looking for something different to read, this is the book for you :D I’m definitely looking forward to Underdahl’s next work!

FTC Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.(less)

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Oct 25, 2012 Amy Fournier rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc

I have been really into issue books in the past few months, and I have friends who have dealt with loved ones with post-traumatic stress, so when I saw this book I really wanted to read it. This book was very honest and does not gloss over anything. It is a very tell it as it is story about not only dealing with a family member with post-traumatic stress, but dealing with your own personally struggles too. This was book is full of many issues, including bullying, depression, abuse, and other thi...more I have been really into issue books in the past few months, and I have friends who have dealt with loved ones with post-traumatic stress, so when I saw this book I really wanted to read it. This book was very honest and does not gloss over anything. It is a very tell it as it is story about not only dealing with a family member with post-traumatic stress, but dealing with your own personally struggles too. This was book is full of many issues, including bullying, depression, abuse, and other things. It is a book that really makes you think.

Dov is a high school boy who has always lived in the shadow of his perfect brother. He has a few close friends, but his brother was Mr. Popular, does no wrong, and loved my everyone. Dov loves his brother more than anything and when he gets sent over to Afghanistan he goes into a depression. He dresses all in black, dyed his hair black, and is very emo. He has conversations with his pet gecko which is weird, but it shows that he has his own issues beyond all the other stuff going on. He also tries to befriend a new girl at school named Scarlett and I really liked how that goes. The thoughts he has when trying to figure her out really help you get to know him. When Brian comes back Dov hopes things will get back to normal, but instead they spiral further out of control.

His family is a total mess. Even before Brain was in the National Guard, things weren't right at home. His father is a trucker and is gone for weeks at a time. Even when he is home it's not like he acknowledges Dov unless it's to put him down or yell at him for something anyways. Dov has never been the child to get attention. His mom is there, but she never treated Dov the same as she treated Brian. It's like Dov is always an afterthought.

School isn't much better. There is a group of kids who are always picking on Dov and his friends and making emo jokes. He tries his best to ignore them though. His real escape is art. He loves art and is good at it. It also doesn't hurt that his teacher is really pretty and he has a silly crush on her.

This book was emotional and touching. We are in Dov's head and we watch as things fall apart all around him and watch him try to fix them. Not only his broken family, but his friends and himself too. This wasn't a book that makes you want to grab a box of tissues and cry, but it is one that leaves an ache in your heart. It's hard to read about the struggles that Dov faces. It's harder to read knowing that he is trying so hard to do something about it, but no one hears him. No, they hear him, it's just easier to ignore the problems instead of address them. This was a very honest book that shows us a peek into the life of someone affected by many issues including post-traumatic stress. If you enjoy issue books, this is a book for you.(less)

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About S.T. Underdahl

Full name: Susan Thompson Underdahl
Occupation: Writer, neuropsychologist, mom of six

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