The Second World

by Jake Korell

Mars has declared its independence from Earth. But building a country takes more than a new flag, an arena-worthy anthem, and naming Pluto the donkey the national animal. As the Red Planet spirals into political upheaval, Flip Buchanan—the irreverent, reluctant son of the most powerful man on Mars—stumbles through two tumultuous decades of alien discoveries, killer clones, and the chaos of a new nation still working out the kinks.

Always second-best in a family obsessed with being first, Flip must grapple with the absurdity of Martian society and the gravity of legacy to step out of his father’s shadow and define self-worth on his own terms—a feat that can feel as impossible as climbing Olympus Mons.

For fans of Andy Weir and Kurt Vonnegut, this satirical coming-of-age space epic blends sharp wit, surprising emotional depth, and bold worldbuilding. Equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, The Second World navigates found family, generational divides, and the outrageous struggle to make your finite life matter in an infinite universe—with poignant reflections on power, sensationalized media, and fractured culture.

Genres: Science Fiction, Humor, Fiction, Audiobook, Space, Science Fiction Fantasy

Paperback

First published February 24, 2026

About the author

Jake Korell's voice and sense of humor have been shaped by a cast of hilariously unforgettable friends and family, and by his serious, deeply held conviction that life shouldn’t be taken too seriously—or held with such deep conviction. He lives in Los Angeles with his partner, McCauley, and their dog, Dewey, and never misses a Martini Monday. Find out more about him at jakekorell.com.

Reviews

[Kristen Christen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a good time! The consistent humor, relationships between characters, and political machinations were SO GOOD! This is unlike any story I have ever read and I can’t wait to recommend it! There’s nothing I love more than a book that feels so singular and unique that I don’t know what to comp it to 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 originality is a 10/10!

[Maddie Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

RATING BREAKDOWN
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 5⭐️
Themes: 4⭐️
Emotional Impact: 4⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 5⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 4.5⭐️

Such a seamless blend of humor and heart—this sci-fi comedy was refreshingly relatable, emotional, and gripping! The first-person narrative was witty, not cheesy. The three-part structure gave the book great pacing and polish. The characters were complicated and contradictory in a believable and frustratingly likable way, and the themes landed.

I love that the book wrestled with the inferiority complex, the "good, but not great" scenario. The title is actually so genius the further I got into the book. It's not as explicit, but I also like that the book confronts idealizing familiar tropes—"underdog wins big," "falling in love with the girl next door," "son makes impressive dad proud." Because the book is comedic in tone, I anticipated that the tropes would win out, so it was cool to see the story go in a subversive direction when it did.

The characters are pretty messy. The stakes go crazy. But the heart of the story is a coming-of-age tale about a guy on the frontier, his friends and family, and the events and experiences that build his identity. It asks the timeless question, "How will we outgrow our origin story?"

I really liked this. Like a lot. And I usually shy away from comedy. I just really appreciate a project that feels well-executed across the board. It knows exactly what it wants to be, and basically nails it. I took a few points off for simplicity—comparing it to something like an Andy Weir novel like Project Hail Mary, it can't compete from a sophistication standpoint. That said, I don't think it's really trying to. And I think readers who liked Project Hail Mary will have a great time with this too.

I want to shout out the audiobook narrator because this story was hilarious and so engaging on audio!

*Disclosure: I was compensated to promote this book on another platform, but I am not required to write this review or give a favorable review in either case. I wrote this of my own volition, uncompensated or prompted.

[Casey Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is like a chaotic coming-of-age story, but in space. Humans have colonized Mars and our MC, Flip, is the son of the first ever true martian born there. His family is also descended from Buzz Aldrin, the second man on the moon. His family has been "cursed" with always being second in everything. That's until his father was the first Martian. His dad now holds Flip to this high standard. The story is told with Flip speaking directly to us, as he recounts his past. This narration style reminded me a lot of the narration style in the show "How I Met Your Mother". It is written incredibly sarcastically, with tons of humor woven in. At times, I felt like it was a bit much for me, personally. Mars declares itself independent from Earth and we follow along with the creation of a new government. Turns out, the second world does, well, everything second.  From political turmoil to war, humans are humans, even on Mars. It's very easy to follow, and while it touches upon a lot, we don't do a deep dive, more like an acknowledgement of the ridiculousness of human nature and history repeating itself. There are some fun references to things in our world, for example the book "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus". The characters and their dynamics present a lot of feelings and situations that people can probably relate to, especially regarding romantic interests and familial pressures. Overall, it was a fun and entertaining read, but with some real humanness to get out of it.

Thank you to Books Forward for sending along the awesome PR Box! Book releases 2/24/26.

[JG · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

First of all: Thank you to Jake Korell, the publisher, and Netgalley for the privilege of allowing me an ARC of this book.

“History is better served by those who put the people before themselves. By those who shelve their ambition for the good of their country. By those willing to swallow their pride.”

It is the year 2050, and the first humans have landed on Mars. That is, an Armstrong landed first, followed by an Aldrin. And so began the civilization on Mars, independent from Earth.

But humans always do what they do best: That is, bring politics everywhere they go and ruin everything for the sake of their ambition.

In a time rife with political upheaval, Flip Buchanan must learn to become his own person, while navigating the ever tangling landscape of Martian society.

What I liked:
👩‍🚀 The worldbuiding, including the well thought out Martian vocabulary
👩‍🚀 The silliness of the book despite discussing themes like politics, colonization, personal greed and ambition, and identity
👩‍🚀 The complex relationships among the vast cast of characters, especially that of the adults in positions of power
👩‍🚀 I could easily imagine this as a movie

What I didn't like:
👩‍🚀 As I was yet trying to ease into the plot of the novel, I found a recurring obstacle: The mention of the word “hoo-ha.” Was it funny? Yes. It definitely got a laugh out of me the first time around. The succeeding times within just a single chapter, though, and it turned sour on me

[Taylor Š · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows Flip, the son of the most powerful man on Mars, whose obsession with always coming in first ends up shaping both Flip’s life and the chaotic state of Martian politics. As Flip grows up, he’s constantly trying to define himself outside of his father’s shadow while watching the consequences of his dad’s unchecked ambition.

The premise is really creative and unique, and the imagery was one of the strongest parts of the book. I enjoyed seeing how Flip plays a role in major moments in Martian history, even though he almost always ends up in second place. His slow realization that second place isn’t automatically a failure was a solid and interesting theme.

The character relationships were well done, and the overall plot felt thoughtfully put together. That said, the execution didn’t always land for me. Some of the humor felt forced, and the dialogue leaned heavily on repetitive dialogue tags (“he said,” “she murmured,” “he stated”), which pulled me out of the story more than once. I also found Flip frustrating at times; he often felt too passive, with big decisions and events happening to him instead of because of choices he made.

Even with those minor issues, I still really enjoyed the book and found it engaging overall! I really recommend this book to everyone and I’m excited to see what else Jake Korell does!

Also - I listened to the audiobook narrated by Ted Evans, and his performance really elevated the story. He brought the characters to life, and the narration was an easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Also you should definitely listen to the Author Acknowledgments at end because that most definitely made me laugh 😂

Thank you to the publisher for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flip is the second son born into a family where the only thing that matters is being first. This family is (fictionally, humorously) descended from Buzz Aldrin, the second person to walk on the moon. Now they live on Mars where Flip is struggling to finish high school.
The story is about growing up and finding one's place, especially when it is difficult to live up to others' expectations. There are some clever bits about this future human habitat on Mars, such as drinking Cosmospolitans, and others that made me laugh (but I didn't write them down and can't remember them now). The author's world-building is excellent, with many little details that help sell it as a reality. Flip's friendships also ring true, and the politics...they never change. It skews a bit young - most "adults" are not well developed - but perhaps they are like ducks in a shooting gallery, put up to be shot down. Overall, it is a bit sophomoric but still fun and entertaining with a message about accepting our differences.
If you enjoy teen hijinks, stories of cultural and social divides (including inequalities and prejudices), and/or imagining the future, you will like this book. The audiobook version is very well narrated, capturing the different characters, humor, and urgency where appropriate.
My thanks to the author, @BooksForward, and #NetGalley for access to the audiobook of #TheSecondWorld for review purposes. It is available now.

[MikeLikesBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun science fiction, coming of age, novel that brings in a lot of humor but also sarcasm and sadness. My emotions were all over the place. The protagonist is telling his story and I connected with him and his friends. This story happens on Mars. He navigates his relationships with his parents, best friends and love interest. It’s called second World because he always seems to come in second. His family is driven to come in first. This was a very enjoyable audiobook. The narrator does a really good job.

I want to thank NetGalley for an early release of the audiobook. My review is voluntary.

[Evan Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an ARC in return for an honest review through NetGalley. The Second World by Jake Korell is space faring Sci-Fi story following Flip, the son of a long line of forgotten seconds, as he discovers himself and what life really means. The story hits a LOT of topics that are unfortunately still happening today and makes you take a hard look at the way the world runs, with a perfect twist of satirical levity. While you could get lost in the many different Sci-Fi tropes thrown at you, they do a fairly good job at separating out the story to try and really hit home the conflicts and real world parallels. I appreciate what the story was going for and I honestly look forward to seeing Korell’s future work.

[Katie May · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

This was pretty funny without being too overtly political. Solids sci fi background with a story that was entertaining and characters you wanted to root for. Great from a sci fi perspective I just think it would have used a little more editing.

It had some small things that didn’t work too. The introduction was kind of confusing at first as there was just a bunch of names being listed and then like ‘no wait that’s still not me’ and then I kind of got lost on how they were actually related lol.

This was really too long for what it was. I think it shows in that a lot of the funnier jokes are repeated, sometimes multiple times (how many times do we need to say grandmas hoo hah in one page??). I think it could have been tightened up a little bit.

Would I recommend? This was good, it was funny and it did entertain but if this is your first foray into satire-y sci fi I’d recommend starting somewhere else.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author/publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Cfabrication · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance audiobook copy.

Narration: 4 stars
Characters: 3 stars (the satire is heaviest here)
Setting: 2.5 stars
Writing style, tone: 3 stars
Plot: 3 stars (episodic, events happen to and around Flip, not exactly a plot)


The book covers roughly 20 years in the life of the second child born on Mars, a descendant of Buzz Aldrin, the second man to set foot on the Moon. We are in a near-future world (Flip, the narrator, was born in 2059). That they are always second, never first is a family burden that defines the path Flip takes through life.

I had some difficulty with this book. In no particular order:

- There’s a very teenaged quality to the book, both the narrative style and the specific events, and especially the protagonist’s relationship to his parents,
- The close first person POV contributes to a narcissistic element, reinforcing the teenaged angst, even though the events go well beyond teen years,
- Flip definitely sees himself as the main character,
- It’s described as satire, and I think it is mostly satirical, but there are some very painful events that conflict with satirical tone, although these are mainly evaluated in terms of the impact on the protagonist,
- It’s very episodic, with relatively little emotional evaluation,
- Some elements are a little trite, including the relationships between men and women (girls and boys? These characters all seem quite young.
- It’s a bit like a TV series set on Mars. An afterschool special? Shitt's Creek on Mars?

I happened to be reading another book set on an inhospitable planet, this one extrasolar, at the same time, so my view is slightly colored by the differences between the two.

This book beautifully captures the use of snark as a coping mechanism. Flip’s parents are both alcoholics, with little time for him. His father, Buzz, is an opportunist, always looking for a way to be first. His mother, Iris, retreats into a wine bottle, with several escapes. There’s little space for Flip. He finds that space with his gang, The Catfish Trolls. (Gang in the Our Gang sense, not the drug cartel sense.)

There’s no discussion of the economy that supports the resource-intensive life under a dome. That would have pulled the book out of its satirical, episodic arc as Flip, always overlooked, forges his way through to his own life (one assumes, as it ends with him leaving Mars for "an exoplanet."

I found the "I am the center of my universe" tone a little irritating, as it took the pain of others and viewed them through the lens of Flip’s reaction. This would have been fine when he was 15, harder to reconcile with a 28 year old. I do not think I am the target audience for this book.

It might have worked great as a graphic novel. I think I wouldn’t have expected emotional depth or elaboration in that form, or have been irritated by Flip's always centering himself.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Ted Evans. He seamlessly switched among the various voices. Sometimes, a narrator seems to emphasize the "she said", "he replied", etc., but Ted Evans did not. I was fully within the setting at all times.

His tone perfectly captures the snark that Flip uses to filter the world around him.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m WAY behind on updating this review, but thanks so much to NetGalley for an ALC of this book- these are my honest thoughts.
In the second world, we get a first person narrative of what happens when humans get access to living on Mars. Initially, everyone is hopeful and pleased to be a part of something new, but as I’ve seen other people say, “humans are going to human“. Our narrator is Flip- not a nickname- a descendent of buzz Aldrin (yes, that one). Raised by a father who detests the family curse of being second, he lives a bit of a chaotic life on Mars. But, that lets us see the early stages of being a sort of colony from earth, to being independent from earth, to facing civil war within, and so much more.
I did like this story- it’s lighthearted, and definitely provides an enjoyable read, and there’s a lot of puns and other jokes because of how the Martian world mimics earth.
There were times when this almost seemed to be the only plot or maybe a better way to say that is ripped almost directly from US history, so I will say that I was struggling to get through a good part of the second half. There were definitely some really unique moments and some beautiful messages within the story of breaking free from your families’s expectations and not being afraid to try new things, the perils of growing up and growing apart from friends. All in all, I would’ve loved this book even more if it was shorter.
Also, the narration was great! There was a lot of emotion, it was well pasted, and it was very clearly dictated. That definitely helped my enjoyment of the experience!
3.5/5 story, 4/5 audio!!

[Ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d absolutely recommend this book. It was quirky. It was silly. It was heartfelt. It was all the things you want in a read. I think I laughed the most though. The author is clearly quick witted and I loved how many times I burst out laughing. Numerous times I had to stop reading, wipe the tears from my eyes, read a passage to whoever was in the room with me to continue the laughing, then keep at it in the book. Loved it.

I was a bit nervous about it being political. But it wasn’t any politics within society now, it was out of left field and pretty clever.

I didn’t particularly love some of the annoying characters seeming to get away with everything, so that’s my negative. A little hard to follow some of the characters with their nicknames, but this was an awesome book.

This book is the reason why I love ARC reading so much. Getting a truly amazing book and getting to be at the base level of telling others to go grab it is my favorite. Thank you NetGalley. Absolute win for me!

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was hilarious.
I enjoyed he silly metaverse bits thrown in all over the shop. I liked the twist and how Flip, although a martian was still just an annoying and angsty teen with daddy and girl issues.
Good fun and well written, a tongue in cheek poke at Conan Doyle's era of sci fi but done with a clear love and knowledge for the genre.

[Suzieeee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Second World was exactly the kind of light, entertaining sci-fi I was in the mood for at the time. It's playful, fast-moving, and set in a vividly imagined space environment that feels both absurd and oddly plausible. The Mars setting is a real highlight for me; there’s something so enjoyable about watching a fledgling off-Earth society stumble through it's early years.

The tone leans heavily into humour, and while it’s not always subtle, I found that to be part of its charm. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that makes it a refreshing break from heavier, more technical science fiction. The banter, the slightly ridiculous scenarios, and the sense of cosmic misadventure all kept me engaged in the story.

It’s not the most tightly structured or profound sci-fi out there, which is why I went with 3 stars. It is however an entertaining, imaginative journey through an imaginative second world. If you’re after something fun, breezy, and set against a cool space backdrop, this one is well worth picking up. The audiobook version narration was also highly entertaining.

Thanks Netgalley for ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Cody Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5 ⭐️

New news with Newt Newman is New at Noon! Flips coming of age story on Mars takes some seriously whacky turns. Including his stage blood drenched stage rendition of The planet of the Apes, some coping mechanisms have to be seen to believe.

Honestly though, under the comedic and at times downright absurd wrappings there is a heart warming story of acceptance and understanding that will find a way to hit you in the feels. Very few books I’ve read in my life (I’ve read a lot) surprised me like the Second World did. I picked it up on whim on audio from Net Galley just wanting something a little different, boy I’m glad I did.

[Twainy · Rating 5 out of 5]

First impression of The Second World written by Jake Korellis is … hilarious, fast-paced, unique, clever, off world, sci-fi fun, told in first person narrative.

Flip is our reluctant MC. Mars has declared independence from Earth & is in a time of turmoil. We move through two decades of political drama, discoveries and killer clones. Some of the humor can be a bit juvenile but I’m there for it!

The world of Mars is brought to life vividly. It was totally engrossing & intriguing.

I love the absurd so bring it on!!

Found family, coming of age, emotional.

Clever & charming.

Thank you NetGalley & jk lawlz LLC (Books Forward).

[Mike Dodds · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars rounded up.

The Second World - Fun sci-fi satire with great characters, though a bit rough around the edges.
The story is entertaining with a solid sci-fi backdrop and characters easy to root for. It strikes a nice balance of being funny while exploring the political regime of an independent mars without getting too serious. regarding the comedy, it is a bit juvenile, but the jokes work about 80% of the time.
However,the repetitive gags (we didn't need the same joke about grandma repeated that many times) were sometimes a bit much.

Verdict: Good fun 3.75 stars rounded up

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book

[Latoya's Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

It was interesting and funny at times, but a lot of areas for improvement.

[Beatrice Manuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colonizing Mars, it turns out, doesn’t magically solve humanity’s problems. If anything, it just relocates them, with slightly better views and far worse plumbing. The Second World leans into that idea with gleeful irreverence, following Flip Buchanan as he grows up in a Martian society that’s still figuring out what it actually means to be a country.

Flip is the son of Mars’ most influential figure, which sounds glamorous until you realize it mostly means living under a permanent spotlight you never asked for. His family has a long-running obsession with being “first”—first to achieve something, first to plant a flag, first to make history. Unfortunately for Flip, he seems destined to land in second place in just about everything. That tension—between expectation and identity—forms the emotional core of the book, even as the story gleefully hurls killer clones, alien discoveries, and political chaos into the mix.

The narrative unfolds as Flip recounts the past, speaking directly to the reader with a tone that’s equal parts sarcastic confession and cosmic shrug. It’s a storytelling style that gives the book its personality. Flip’s voice is quick, self-aware, and often hilariously exasperated by the absurdity of the world around him. Mars may be a brand-new society with shiny ideals and revolutionary slogans, but its people still manage to recreate the same old power struggles, media theatrics, and cultural divisions they left behind on Earth.

And that’s really where the book shines. Beneath the jokes and ridiculousness, Korell is clearly poking at something deeper: the stubborn persistence of human nature. We bring our ambitions, egos, and political drama with us wherever we go—even if “wherever” happens to be another planet. Watching Mars stumble through independence while simultaneously reinventing (and repeating) Earth’s mistakes gives the story a satirical bite.

The worldbuilding is also a lot of fun. Little details about Martian life—new slang, cultural quirks, and the weird logistics of living on a hostile planet—help the setting feel lived-in rather than just futuristic wallpaper. It’s easy to imagine this version of Mars, partly because it’s so recognizably human.

That said, the humor sometimes leans a little hard into repetition, and the book occasionally prioritizes punchlines over deeper character exploration—particularly with some of the adult figures orbiting Flip’s life. The story also covers a lot of ground over a long stretch of time, which can make certain moments feel more like snapshots than fully developed turning points.

Still, Flip himself remains a compelling guide through the chaos. His struggles—with family pressure, friendship, love, and the lingering feeling of never quite measuring up—anchor the story emotionally even when the plot veers into full-blown sci-fi spectacle.

At its heart, The Second World is less about Mars than it is about growing up in someone else’s shadow and figuring out how to define your own version of success. It’s messy, funny, occasionally a little over-the-top—but also surprisingly thoughtful about legacy, identity, and the strange human urge to matter in a universe that’s far bigger than we are.

Smart, chaotic, and unapologetically quirky, The Second World is a sci-fi coming-of-age story that proves one thing very clearly: you can leave Earth, but you can’t quite escape being human.

[Peach Mitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was provided an advance copy of The Second World in exchange for an honest review.

The Second World is a fun, sharp, and wonderfully absurd sci-fi political satire that blends coming-of-age chaos with interplanetary politics and cosmic humor. Fans of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy will feel right at home here, though this book leans into a distinctly late-millennial / early Gen-Z comedic voice that feels fresh rather than derivative.

Short Summary

The story follows Flip Buchanan, the reluctant son of the most powerful man on Mars, who is begrudgingly pulled into two decades of chaos involving alien discoveries, accidental heroism, killer clones, and interplanetary conflict. As Flip stumbles through bureaucracy, media spectacle, and idealistic disasters on a newly sovereign Mars, he learns that building a new world isn’t so different from breaking the old one. It’s weird, frantic, and sincerely human beneath the humor.

What Worked

I genuinely enjoyed how funny this book is—the timing, the banter, and the satirical bite landed often and kept the pace engaging from beginning to end. I never felt bored, and the plot consistently surprised me without losing emotional grounding. The worldbuilding is excellent: smart, irreverent, and imaginative without over-explaining itself. The balance of humor and meaning is one of its biggest strengths.

What Didn’t Land As Well

There were moments when the humor style didn’t quite connect with me. The repetition-based jokes (like “the rickety stage ricketed” or “my kid-size size”) felt overused and sometimes broke immersion instead of adding comedic punch. Additionally, the heavy reliance on simple dialogue tags made some conversations feel a bit flat, especially given how clever the rest of the writing is.

Overall

Despite a few stylistic bumps, The Second World is a genuinely enjoyable, funny, and thoughtful sci-fi satire full of chaotic charm. It delivers both absurd comedy and emotional sincerity, and I think readers looking for irreverent space adventure, smart political humor, and character-driven storytelling will love it.

Recommended for fans of: Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Good Omens, Red Dwarf, and speculative coming-of-age stories with bite.

[Michele The Stick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for allowing me to listen to this novel in exchange for an honest review.

The Second World by Jake Korell is a satirical look at politics on Mars, written from the perspective of a young man coming of age with close ties to its political center.

It is a retrospective of this character’s life, told primarily in a sequential manner but with an occasional glimpse of what is to come in the story.

Flip (MMC) has a flippant, but distinct voice that keeps the reader at arm’s length, attempting to diffuse even the grimmest of moments with humor. This tone makes the book an easy listen. It allows the reader to watch impartially as the lives of the characters reflect much of what is happening in society today. This feels intentional, as it is a protective mechanism that many may use when learning about current events.

The novel does do a good job of showing the reader through its flawed, but fleshed out characters, the importance of action over passive acceptance, the value of being first, and the fickle nature of history.

Ted Evans was a good choice for the narrator. Right from the start, I had no difficulty imagining that I was listening to Flip tell me the story.

At times though, the humor goes too far, lobbing jokes like a grenade at a sensitive moment, which made me wince more than smile. Some of them, so groan worthy, it completely pulled me out of the story to wonder what the author could have been thinking.

I also prefer a plot forward story. I don’t particularly care for a coming of age plot, especially if I don’t know where it is going. Mostly, because those types of stories seem to just end, without a real solid conclusion. Unfortunately, this one also met the same fate. Although it managed to tie up the loose ends before the acknowledgments, the ending was just one of many possible places to leave the character.

I believe that there is an audience that will love The Second World. I, however, merely liked it.

[Heloísa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a ride.

I’ll admit, the first few chapters gave me a bad impression. I was very much convinced I wouldn’t enjoy this novel — for a satire, the humour was on the nose, juvenile, and even a little trite. I felt like I was in for an edge-lord narrator and lacklustre storytelling.

However, the more time I’ve spent with this, the more I enjoyed it. The narrator does a brilliant job embodying Flip, our main character, giving him a lot of charisma. It’s a great performance, and I think it enhances the best this book has to offer.

Besides that, the plot goes to a lot of places. There’s death, clone wars (and wars in general), genocide, enslavement, political turmoil and assassination. It’s basically a retelling of World History 101, adapted for space! And, to be fair, I quite liked how the author choose to translate these events to the sci-fi genre, even though nothing was explored very deeply. This isn’t a book for deep reflection, but it does cover a lot of ground in an impressive way: it almost feels like an epic tale and, although it’s so chaotic, the writing makes it easy to follow and fully eases the reader into accepting each new crazy event.

However, for me, the best part of this was definitely the characters and their dynamics. I love the main group of friends, and they represent common struggles of young adults in a relatable, sensible way. There’s a lot of conversations about love (first love, lost chances, idealisation, the one that got away), complicated familial relationships and grief. Flip, Freckle and Pepper almost jump out off the page, because they just feel that real. Their development, both as individual characters and as moving parts of a relationship, was my favourite aspect of it overall.

I definitely recommend this for someone looking for a chaotic coming of age story.

[Archer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 🌟

Chaos. Wars. Politics. IN SPACE. All told with a satirical inflection.


Our story's narrator, Flip, is an immature, indecisive weenie. We follow him through 20ish years of his life where he recounts to us all the adventures, drama, and conflict he experienced. Extremely unrealistic, and yet entirely relatable. His challenges with his family and the environment had me feeling pity for him, but his cowardice and lack of self-worth had me judging him harshly. He felt like he was never needed, always second, and because of his father engraining the importance of always being first, that mentality sunk deep.

There are so many complex relationship dynamics explored, the emotions flowing deep. We lost so many people in so many different ways.

Despite this story taking place far in the future, and primarily on another planet, the human issues remain the same - Money. Power. Control. The politics and media coverage was spot on to what we see today - "fake it til you make it" people pleasing and a confusing waste of time that had/has me wishing to return to my ignorant youth. The comical exaggeration of these serious things had me thinking about how equally ridiculous our real world issues are.

The worldbuilding was amazing and the pacing was terrific. The audiobook narrator, Ted Evans, was INCREDIBLE. I'm not even sure I'd have been able to make it through this whole story were it not for his performance. He brought the entire story to life, so much so that at times I felt like I was watching a classic movie like The Sandlot or A Christmas Story. I even stuck around for the acknowledgements just to hear him for a bit longer, and they didn't disappoint.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jake Korell for the early copy audiobook!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to "jk lawlz llc" for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A funny, heartfelt, sci-fi coming-of-age story about friendship, family, and growing up on Mars.

Growing up is messy. Growing up on Mars is even messier.

The Second World follows Flip and his friends, the first generation of children raised on Mars, as they navigate friendship, family conflict, and a series of chaotic adventures that are equal parts funny and dramatic.

The heart of this humorous and dramatic space adventure isn’t the interesting science fiction or the creative fantasy, nor even the thought-provoking yet unpretentious themes about war, power, and equality. The real heart of the story lies in the friendships that survive the trials of growing up through a series of chaotic and life-changing events.

The meta humor and first-person narration create a strong sense of connection to the characters, especially Flip. Ted Evans’ narration adds subtlety to the emotionally charged moments and dry wit to the scenes that made me laugh out loud. The narration was well paced and the characters were easy to distinguish.

My favorite part of this book was the contentious relationship between Flip and his parents, and how Jake Korell kept the emotions realistic even through dramatic events.

The story arc is creative and unexpected, and the plot lines weave together nicely. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it for people who like humor with their science fiction and fantasy novels. If you like Dungeon Crawler Carl, Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy, or any of the Yahtzee Croshaw novels, you will enjoy The Second World.

[Luna Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Showgirl’s Rules for Falling in Love by Alice Murphy is a vibrant, joyful romance that sparkles with spectacle while delivering a deeply affirming message about self-love, belonging, and chosen community. Blending the theatrical flair of Moulin Rouge with the emotional sweep of The Greatest Showman, this novel offers a fresh and inclusive take on turn-of-the-century romance.

Set in 1897 New York, the story centers on Evelyn Cross, a proud, plus-size vaudeville star whose career is threatened by shifting beauty standards. Evelyn is a radiant and compelling heroine, talented, vulnerable, and unapologetically herself. Her meeting with Thomas Gallier, an ambitious showbiz tycoon building the city’s next great entertainment palace, crackles with chemistry and mutual respect. Their romance unfolds with warmth and sincerity, rooted in admiration rather than rescue.

Murphy’s world-building is rich and immersive, capturing the glamour and grit of the vaudeville stage while celebrating the spirit of performance and community. The inclusion of a contemporary narrator, Phoebe, adds a clever and mischievous layer, reframing the historical love story with modern insight and emotional clarity. The final revelations feel earned and meaningful, reinforcing the book’s core themes.

Inspired by real-life Progressive Era performers, this novel shines in its celebration of bodies, voices, and stories that refuse to be erased. A Showgirl’s Rules for Falling in Love is romantic, empowering, and full of heart, a love story that applauds authenticity and reminds readers that self-love is the most captivating performance of all.

[Martha van Zyl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into The Second World not entirely sure what to expect, and came out genuinely impressed. It’s ambitious, wildly imaginative, and far more expansive than I anticipated. At times it feels like getting an entire trilogy packed into one book, and honestly, that’s part of the fun.

Welcome to Mars: newly independent, politically unstable, and still figuring out what exactly it means to be a nation. From national animals (Pluto the donkey is a surprisingly inspired touch) to arena-ready anthems and messy power struggles, Korell builds a Martian society that feels both absurd and eerily familiar. The satire is sharp, but it never loses sight of the human core beneath the spectacle.

At the center of it all is Flip Buchanan, the reluctant son of the most powerful man on Mars and permanently stuck in second place. Flip’s journey spans decades, weaving through alien discoveries, political chaos, clones, media frenzy, and the complicated weight of legacy. Beneath the humor and sci-fi spectacle is something much more grounded: a story about fathers, expectations, identity, and the exhausting struggle to prove your worth in someone else’s shadow.

The tone strikes a compelling balance. It’s frequently hilarious, clever without trying too hard, yet it carries surprising emotional depth. The “daddy issues” aren’t just played for laughs; they become the emotional engine of the story. Flip’s search for self-definition in a society obsessed with power and image feels relatable, even when the backdrop is Olympus Mons instead of Main Street.

What really stood out was the scope. Korell isn’t just telling a coming-of-age story; he’s examining generational divides, political mythology, sensationalized media, and what it means to build a country, or a life, from scratch. The worldbuilding is bold and layered, and the long timeline gives the narrative a satisfying epic sweep.

For readers who enjoy big ideas wrapped in wit and heart, The Second World is a rewarding ride. It’s clever, satirical, surprisingly moving, and proof that sometimes being “second” is exactly what gives a story its depth.

[Angie Reads A Lot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This audiobook was such a chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt ride. This is one of those stories that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but still manages to land several genuinely meaningful moments along the way.

The humor is irreverent, a little (or A LOT) ridiculous at times (in the best way), and unapologetically cheesy, but that’s part of its charm. It leans into the chaos and just runs with it. Underneath all of that, though, there’s a solid emotional core centered on family dynamics, expectations, and what it means to grow up constantly coming in second. Watching the main character wrestle with his identity, his place in his family, and a problematic love triangle…..err, or maybe just a romantic square of chaos?!?….added more depth than I expected going in.

As far as the narration, Ted Evans absolutely nailed it. His voice felt oddly familiar a lot of the time—like one of those polished, slightly theatrical announcers you hear on Disney World rides? No joke, the beginning scenes had me wondering if he actually has done some of those ride announcements. It added to the experience right from the start and fit the tone of the story perfectly. If he’s narrated other books, I’d absolutely check them out just based on this performance alone.

Overall, this was just a really fun listen. It’s messy, loud, heartfelt, and doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not. If you’re looking for something entertaining with a good mix of humor and heart, this one’s definitely worth your time!

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the complimentary audiobook. All opinions are my own.

[Shruti morethanmylupus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Netgalley ARC

This book had me sitting on the beach laughing out loud. I probably looked a little looney but I'm not even mad. There are so many little hidden puns and jokes relating to pop culture, human habits, and conspiracy theories sprinkled throughout the story.

The story features Flip, whose family lives on the new colony of Mars. His family has often come second place to the Armstrongs, so Flip's dad wants him to be the first in everything, but Flip seems to be afflicted with the family curse and often finds himself coming in second, as most of his family has over the generations. I loved their friend group and the way their relationships grew and changed over the course of the book. Flip grows up a lot, and as he's the narrator, that shows in how the book was written.

For example, the humor died down after the first third or so of the book as the plot picked up more, with fewer and more subtle jokes in place of the more blatant jokes in the earlier part of the book. I would have liked to see more of a common thread for the humor pieces, because while the more serious points were important to the story, it did kind of lose some of its charm once I got to about two-thirds into the book. I think that this matched Flip's character arc as he became more mature, so it didn't ruin the book for me.

I definitely recommend this one if you enjoy farcical plots and irreverent humor that pokes fun at many aspects of humankind. This was a fun and unique read - and especially good on audio.

A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

[John Kamande · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake Korell’s THE SECOND WORLD is a witty and imaginative science fiction novel that combines satire, humor, and a coming-of-age story set in a colony on Mars. The narrative centers on Flip Buchanan, a descendant of Buzz Aldrin, who grows up in a family obsessed with being first at everything. Flip, however, often finds himself coming second, and his struggle to escape his family’s shadow becomes the heart of the story.

One of the novel’s strongest qualities is its humor. Korell observes human behavior with sharp precision, creating moments that are genuinely funny while remaining relatable. The satire is effective because it reflects familiar issues such as politics, ambition, and media influence, reminding readers that even in a Martian colony, human flaws and desires remain unchanged.

The worldbuilding is convincing and detailed, presenting a developing Martian society filled with friendships, rivalries, and personal challenges. The relationships feel authentic, and the setting adds depth to the story. However, the book occasionally feels longer than necessary, with some jokes repeated and an introduction that may confuse readers at first.

Overall, THE SECOND WORLD is a clever and entertaining sci-fi novel that balances humor, heart, and thoughtful commentary on human nature. Korell’s blend of satire and storytelling makes the book both enjoyable and insightful, offering readers a fresh perspective on ambition, identity, and the universal struggle to define oneself.

[Hayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let’s start with what this book does well. The Second World is incredibly fast paced, with humor (though sometimes juvenile), and a cast of characters who you watch grow up before your eyes on the pages.
The writing reminded me of The Heroes of Olympus series (which I remember enjoying) and I think fans of one might very well enjoy the other.
In fact, I think this book ought to be marketed to ya readers or middle grade readers. I think that age range is perfect for the story. There are a few more mature moments in the story but they don’t hit too hard for younger readers.

What I think could be improved is the pacing. A lot of story depth is sacrificed in this book to keep the plot racing ahead of our characters. And there are points were I got lost because suddenly the characters had aged up or technology improved in the blink of my eye without having the build up that I’d expect. Because the plot was so ahead of itself there were also frequent “info dumps” that I think could have been written in such a way that the reader could pick up on the information more naturally in the story if the pace slowed and more time was spent in the moment with Flip and the gang.
Maybe this book might have worked better as a collection of short stories all featuring this world and characters?

Overall, though there were flaws that prevented me from a higher rating, I liked The Second World. I thought it was fun and a nice break from the books I typically pick up. I’m very grateful to BooksForwardPR for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.