What Mario Scietto Says

Monument 14 #2.5

by Emmy Laybourne

Despite all his disaster planning, and the bomb shelter he built under his shed, Mario Scietto was not prepared for the apocalypse that hit Monument, Colorado. A series of escalating disasters, beginning with a monster hailstorm and ending with a terrible chemical weapons spill that affects people differently depending on blood type, has torn the world as he knows it apart. “What Mario Says” is set in the world of Emmy Laybourne's Monument 14. The final book in the series, Monument 14: Savage Drift, goes on sale May 6th.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Short Stories, Post Apocalyptic, Novella

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 15, 2014

About the author

EMMY LAYBOURNE is a Young Adult novelist best known for her Monument 14 series, an internationally best-selling trilogy that has been translated into 9 languages. Her standalone book Sweet won a Junior Library Guild Award, was a YALSA Quick Pick and got a Perfect Ten rating from VOYA. Her latest books, Berserker, and Ransacker tell the story of a family of Norwegian teens with ancient Viking powers and are currently being adapted for television.

Emmy is a former character actress, and is occasionally recognized from her role as Mary Katherine Gallagher’s best friend in the movie “Superstar.” She lives outside New York with her husband, two kids, faithful dog and a flock of seven nifty chickens. Visit her online at www.EmmyLaybourne.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
www.facebook.com/EmmyLaybourne
www.twitter.com/EmmyLaybourne
www.instagram.com/EmmyLaybourne

Reviews

[karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

WELCOME TO DECEMBER PROJECT!

boilerplate mission statement intro:

for the past two years, i’ve set december’s project aside to do my own version of a short story advent calendar. it’s not a true advent calendar since i choose all the stories myself, but what it lacks in the ‘element of surprise’ department it more than makes up for in hassle, as i try to cram even MORE reading into a life already overcrammed with impossible personal goals (live up to your potential! find meaningful work! learn to knit!) merry merry wheee!

since i am already well behind in my *regular* reviewing, when it comes to these stories, whatever i poop out as far as reflections or impressions are going to be superficial and perfunctory at best. please do not weep for the great big hole my absented, much-vaunted critical insights are gonna leave in these daily review-spaces (and your hearts); i’ll try to drop shiny insights elsewhere in other reviews, and here, i will at least drop links to where you can read the stories yourselves for free, which - let’s be honest - is gonna serve you better anyway.

HAPPY READING, BOOKNERDS!

links to all stories read in previous years' calendars can be found at the end of these reviews, in case you are a person who likes to read stories for free:

2016: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
2017: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

scroll down for links to this year’s stories which i will update as we go, and if you have any suggestions, send 'em my way! the only rules are: it must be available free online (links greatly appreciated), and it must be here on gr as its own thing so i can review it. thank you in advance!

DECEMBER 11

Awful things happen. Terrible losses crush down on us. And you lay there, flat on your back, for a good long while. And then you get up.

I don’t think I can.

Fake it till you make it, sweetheart.

I can’t. I just want . . . I want to sleep and never wake up again.

You’re just feeling sorry for yourself.

You gonna clam up on me now, huh? Well, Crunch ’n Munch.

Crunch ’n Munch. Ever heard of it?

Crunch ’n munch? Yeah. It’s, like, popcorn.

Ever had it? Yeah? Then you know it’s delicious. Buttery toffee and popcorn and some nuts glommed on in there. When I say Crunch ’n Munch, do you want to eat it?

Do you?

Tell the truth.

Yes.

That’s it. The will to eat Crunch ’n Munch is the will to live, just on the tiniest, most superficial scale. Get me?

Yes.

i finished the monument 14 trilogy about three years ago, giving it a fairly tepid review: this is pretty much a three-star series across the board. it's perfectly enjoyable escapist fun perfect for summertime adults, reluctant reader teens, or YA aftermath novel completists.

many more uncapitalized words followed, me being me, but i wouldn't call it a glowing takeaway.

and yet - i keep discovering these little branchoff stories, and i keep reading them, and every time i do, i enjoy them in a medium way. none of that is remarkable or unexpected. what IS remarkable is that every time i read a new short story set in this book's reality, i remember the books in full detail, which is not something i can say for a lot of series, including series more recently-read and better-enjoyed.

this is no small feat, so full hurrahs to emmy laybourne for planting her story-roots so damn deep in my brain.

this series isn't my favorite thing she has written, but i keep coming back for more, and i still have ONE MORE story to read in this series: The Most Important Meeting In My Life by Max Skolnik, which appears to no longer be available?? if anyone knows how i can read it (because read it i must) drop me a link please! and i'll share all the crunch n' munch in my bunker with you. right now that means zero crunch n' munch, but i'll work on it.

read it for yourself here:

https://www.tor.com/2014/04/15/what-m...

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come to my blog!

[Rustic Red Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really a fan of novellas, since it is short (of course it is, it is a novelLA) and some novellas doesn't affect the main story much if you did not read it.

For a novella, it is really great, out of the three this is my favorite novella of the Monument 14 series. It showed what happened in the shelter where Josie and Mario met. And we learn more about Mario in this novella.

[Gisbelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing that can't be denied is that Mario was a great man. I really loved him and this short made me love him even more.

[Fernanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Señor Mario, por favor sobreviva hasta el final de la historia :c

[JiuWaa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bueno esto fue mega corto y un poquito innecesario...

P.D: Quiero un abuelito como Mario Scietto

[Eduardo Ventura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personal Response

This was a nice apocalyptic short story. I had a good time reading it before bed. Even though it was very simple, I think it had enough content to keep me reading. Although, I wish it had a different ending.

Plot

Mario decided to leave his shelter and find the boys in DIA. Suddenly, he found Josie still hiding in the city. Mario brought her into the shelter, a task that was not very easy, since Josie was exposed to the chemicals for too long. He fed Josie, and waited patiently until she was able to talk. Mario was determined to travel to DIA. However, he would not leave Josie behind. The Army bombed the city to eliminate the chemicals, but the shelter did its job and kept Mario and Josie safe. After this event, Mario persuaded Josie to travel to DIA with him to find the rest of the Monument survivors.

Characterization

Mario was an older man, who hid in his underground shelter after the incident in Colorado Springs. He kept his wife's dead body in his room, which was the reason why he decided to stay in his shelter. Mario promised to never leave his place, but changed his mind when he met some of the Monument survivors. Mario was a very stubborn man. However, meeting Josie changed him into a nicer and more patient man.

Josie was one of the survivors from Monument. She was always the mom of the story even though she was only 15. The chemicals transformed her into a monster killing everything in front of her. Mario had a big impact on her and helped her to be conscientious of her actions after the chemicals left her body. Josie went back to her normal self, protecting and helping Mario survive.

Setting

This story took place in a small town between Denver and Monument, Colorado. This was no more than a few weeks after the incident in Colorado Springs, year 2024. This time and place is important, because the chemicals were still in the area. 2024 was an important year, because of the technology of the chemical weapons, produced in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Thematic Connection

The theme of "survival" took a big part in this story. Mario, at his older age, had to survive the horrors of the chemicals. Josie suffered from the chemicals, but with help from Mario, she was able to survive the chemicals and stay safe in Mario's shelter.

Recommendation

I recommend this book to anybody, of any gender, between the ages of 15 and 20 years old, who enjoy dystopian short stories. I recommend this book especially to the ones who read the Monument 14 series. I chose these groups of people because this story connects to the second and third books of the series. It was a very easy read, perfect to read before going to sleep.

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short review for a short, but awesome story.

I am really happy to see Mario is finally getting his say, finally we find out how Josie survived the fire bombing, and also how she was saved by Mario.

This short story is all monologue. Mario is talking to his dead wife, to Josie, to anyone. I really enjoyed this little story, it was really interesting, especially since I was really curious as to what happened to Josie that she ended up in a camp for O's with Mario.

And Mario was definitely, and will always be, my favourite side-character. He is quite awesome, and dedicated. No matter what, no matter the situation, he is the kind of guy who will save people and try to help out.

I felt sorry for him that he had to lose his wife, we also find out what happened to her in this story (not sure if that also was mentioned in the previous book).

Review first posted on http://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like Josie and Mario was great, he really did save all those kids. I just didn't care for the format of the whole thing being Mario's internal monologue and then fractured conversation between him and Josie. It didn't really do enough to convey how they bonded and became the friends we see them as in the third book. But I like the overall concept of Mario helping Josie and then surviving the terror of the bombing together.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

By far the best novella in this series and I think it sets up a nice starting point for book 3 where as the other 2 novellas just felt like they were there. They didn’t really add anything to the story other than the first one. I appreciated Mario as a character when we first read about him so having more content from him is great.

[Danitza Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cortito pero bueno y ¡¡Josie esta viva!! Un hurra para Mario. Lo mejor que pudieron haber hecho algunos de los 14 de Monument fue encontrarse con Mario. Ahora a ver que pasa finalmente.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s so hard rating a novella because they are so short. I’m rounding this up to 4 because I’ve really enjoyed the series so far.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I knew more of what was going on. On the otherhand, it sounds like people with Type O blood turn into zombies. I hate zombies.

[susmitha+02 · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

[Paolita Arce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amo a Mario. De verdad, les salvó la vida a todos, aunque haya sido un viejito gruñón. Me dio mucha pena cuando muere, pero trató de ayudar a Josie hasta el final. Eres mi héroe Mario.

[Crimelpoint · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bardzo fajny dodatek do całej serii.

[Ivka_s_knihou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mario je super postava. Jsem ráda, že se tam ukázala Josie, takže tenhle kousek jsem si užila.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick read, but vital to the series

I don't know if this additional novella was needed in the Monument 14 series, but it does add a little more personality and insight to Mario Scietto's motivation for staying alive. This novella is told only through conversations between Mario and Josie and Mario's inner dialogue, which made it a quick read.

[chucklesthescot · Rating 3 out of 5]

After his encounter with the kids, Mario starts to reconsider staying in his bunker. With air and supplies running lower than he would like, he decides to follow them to the airport-and finds Josie just as the bombs start to go off.

This is the story that sets the scene for the final book. We know from the end of book two that Mario and Josie are together and in dire need of help, alerting the others to where they are. Now another rescue mission is about to start and we will reach the conclusion of the story. I was pleased to already know that Mario was safe. In the last book I was pretty sure that he would find and look after Josie as much as he could. This tells you how he managed to do that.

These short stories have been fun additions to the series.

[Caity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like the other two novellas set in this world, but this one I did not mind.

I enjoy the two characters present in this story and I'm glad we got a little more from them. You learn a little more about Mario and his wife, and their past. You also get to see Mario and Josie in their first interactions.

The writing style was different. Told entirely in dialogue between the two characters, it was interesting. However, it wasn't difficult to read. In fact, I think it made reading it faster.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Goddamn hope. Makes a fool out of old men who should know better."

Honestly, if you didn't already love Mario, get ready to. A good guy with an amazing soul. We all need a Mario at the end of the world, to remind us the pure joy that is

Crunch n Munch

and that the smallest superficial want of something can translate into the will to live

the will to survive.

This is such an amazing series.

[Vivien · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly liked this most among the three novellas! It was interesting to read Mario Scietto's thoughts and what nots. I was actually curious about what's going through Mario's head the whole time and this kind of satisfied my curiosity. And this was the only story in the series not written in the point of view of a whiny teenager so that's a plus. Also, this showed how Josie came to find Mario so it's like a puzzle piece to the story.

[Iara Rodarte · Rating 5 out of 5]

―¡Quiero encontrar a mis padres!
―¡Ella quiere encontrar a sus padres!
―No quiero morir. No quiero morir todavía.
―¿Escuchaste eso, Dios?



AHHHHHHHHHHHHH Nadie tiene idea de lo que esta historia me hizo.

HAY ESPERANZA.

Terminaré el otro libro y leeré el último de esta saga inmediatamente.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella tells the story of how Mario and Josie met, and their experiences while the others were on their way in search of rescue. I'm glad they found each other, as they both obviously needed the other, but it seems as though they are now in a camp specially for deranged O's, and it's not the most pleasant place. I hope the others get to reunite with Josie and Mario with no more casualties.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoilers Alert! 🚨
—————————Real Rating: 3.5 stars
(5/1/21)


I am bawling 😭
I loved Mario, he didn’t deserve to die. This story just makes me love him even more. He was so nice and kind.

(The only reason why this wasn’t 5 stars for me was bc it was written in a confusing way without any quotation marks.)

Update: (4/23/22)
3 stars
It was good but not THAT good.

[Christen Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first person dialogue from Mario's point of view was interesting, and annoying. That was a lot of run-on rambling from an old guy, wow. At least I know now that Josie will be in good hands from now on.

[Zuzana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Krátká povídka, která ukazuje, jak moudrý Mario je, proč vlastně kryt postavil a jak pomohl Josii.

A nepřestává mě fascinovat styl Laybournové, která kašle na nějaké popisy a představování a veškerý děj dokáže vyjádřit jen přímou řečí.

[Michelle McPherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mario Scietto

Another question answered, another side story told. Knowing the story line between Mario and Josie helps to understand some of their connection. My only criticism would be that it ended to soon, it should have lasted till they were rescued.

[Isis · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent novella giving insight I to Josie's adventures after getting separated from the group.

[*Suzy (ereaderuser)* · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one didn't really add much.

[Vendea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mario a Josie. Už jen za to si to zaslouží tolik.