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Ever-Expanding Universe #3
The World Forgot
In this hilarious, action-packed conclusion to The Ever-Expanding Universe trilogy, teen mom Elvie Nara is on a quest across the universe to save her daughter (and maybe stop an alien race war in the process).
After dealing with killer whales, evil scientists, the return of her long-lost mother and, certainly not least of all, the challenges of breastfeeding, Elvie Nara has just about had it. And then the Jin'Kai (along with the aforementioned estranged mom) kidnap her baby.
And before she knows it, another Jin'Kai attack puts her on the run again, but not before discovering that Olivia was implanted with a genetic tracking device. So along with Cole, Ducky, and her dad, Elvie goes back out into space to follow the signal. There she finds evil Dr. Marsden up to some evil tricks and realizes that Mars may hold the secret to defeating her enemies once and for all. So, off to Mars she goes. Because alien race war aside, Elvie really wants to be back with her daughter. For a kid she wasn’t even sure she wanted, Olivia has come to mean the world to Elvie—and she’ll search the universe to be with her again.
After dealing with killer whales, evil scientists, the return of her long-lost mother and, certainly not least of all, the challenges of breastfeeding, Elvie Nara has just about had it. And then the Jin'Kai (along with the aforementioned estranged mom) kidnap her baby.
And before she knows it, another Jin'Kai attack puts her on the run again, but not before discovering that Olivia was implanted with a genetic tracking device. So along with Cole, Ducky, and her dad, Elvie goes back out into space to follow the signal. There she finds evil Dr. Marsden up to some evil tricks and realizes that Mars may hold the secret to defeating her enemies once and for all. So, off to Mars she goes. Because alien race war aside, Elvie really wants to be back with her daughter. For a kid she wasn’t even sure she wanted, Olivia has come to mean the world to Elvie—and she’ll search the universe to be with her again.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 14, 2015
5 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
Martin Leicht
4 books41 followersMartin Leicht currently lives in New York City, a fantastic city to be sure, although his heart will always be in Philadelphia, where they properly refer to it as “water ice”. A master’s graduate from the Goldberg Department of Dramatic Writing at NYU, Martin decided at the ripe old age of three that he wanted to spend the rest of his life spinning stories, much to the chagrin of his late grandfather, who always wanted him to go to Penn State and major in math so that the could be either an accountant or a bookie, two career paths he felt were eminently more stable than writing. Fortunately, Martin has never had the patience for higher math, so he has stuck to telling tall tales and hoping that people will listen to them. He hopes that, in some way, his grandfather’s spirit can find comfort in the fact that at least a few people do.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 1, 2015
***This review has also been posted on The Social Potato
It seems that none of the books in this series ever really blew my mind but I will say that this one was a worthy conclusion to the series.
I felt a little sad after finishing the book because it was kind of like saying goodbye to that nice co-worker who you were never really close to but thought were cool. I didn't love the series as a while, but I did grow fond of it and the characters and loved seeing them grow.
I have to admit thought, even with the growth Elvie underwent, it just became clear to me in this instalment that while she is smart, she is also kind of an asshole at times. She is judgemental and if you aren’t up to her standards, she will constantly put you down. Kind of like she did with Cole.
She did break up with him though (early on in this book so no spoilers) so I will give her credit for that but at the same time, I just wish she appreciated him more instead of always talking about how dumb he was (even if she said it in a ‘cute’ way).
I continue to not buy into Ducky and Marnie’s romance so that was a problem (DUCKY IS UNDERAGE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD) but the plot was still a lot of fun and I enjoyed the fast paced nature of these books in general.
The world that the author has created is so fun to read about and this series in general is so much like comfort food. It’s problematic but at the same time, it’s fun and I did enjoy reading the series.
I'd definitely recommend this series to anyone who loves fun fluffy stuff and doesn't mind putting up with a few grievances for some fluff. After all, not all fluff is perfect.
It seems that none of the books in this series ever really blew my mind but I will say that this one was a worthy conclusion to the series.
I felt a little sad after finishing the book because it was kind of like saying goodbye to that nice co-worker who you were never really close to but thought were cool. I didn't love the series as a while, but I did grow fond of it and the characters and loved seeing them grow.
I have to admit thought, even with the growth Elvie underwent, it just became clear to me in this instalment that while she is smart, she is also kind of an asshole at times. She is judgemental and if you aren’t up to her standards, she will constantly put you down. Kind of like she did with Cole.
She did break up with him though (early on in this book so no spoilers) so I will give her credit for that but at the same time, I just wish she appreciated him more instead of always talking about how dumb he was (even if she said it in a ‘cute’ way).
I continue to not buy into Ducky and Marnie’s romance so that was a problem (DUCKY IS UNDERAGE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD) but the plot was still a lot of fun and I enjoyed the fast paced nature of these books in general.
The world that the author has created is so fun to read about and this series in general is so much like comfort food. It’s problematic but at the same time, it’s fun and I did enjoy reading the series.
I'd definitely recommend this series to anyone who loves fun fluffy stuff and doesn't mind putting up with a few grievances for some fluff. After all, not all fluff is perfect.
April 29, 2024
2024
2020
2019
I am so happy about this ending!
Normally for my happy endings I need some romance. I need the couple that I've been routing for to be together and for everything to be perfect. I need to see the relationship goals. But this ending was even better than that. Because I haven't been routing for Cole and Elvie to stay together. I like them both as characters (Well, I love the Elvie character and I tolerate the Cole character. But Cole is all flash and no substance. Elvie needs someone as strong willed and smart as she is. She wouldn't be satisfied with stupid for forever.) So, I'm glad they ended the way it did.
I'm also glad that the Jin'Kai didn't end up killing everyone. In fact, they got bamboozled in the best way. Although where did the kick ass hacker skills come from, Elvie? That's the real question. Just last minute she writes a code that can't be traced and boom Jin'Kai problem solved? Sure.
Still, even with the less believable bits, I like the way that everything works out in the end.
Except Elvie's mother, but she's a whole basket of fruit cake.
2016
2020
2019
I am so happy about this ending!
Normally for my happy endings I need some romance. I need the couple that I've been routing for to be together and for everything to be perfect. I need to see the relationship goals. But this ending was even better than that. Because I haven't been routing for Cole and Elvie to stay together. I like them both as characters (Well, I love the Elvie character and I tolerate the Cole character. But Cole is all flash and no substance. Elvie needs someone as strong willed and smart as she is. She wouldn't be satisfied with stupid for forever.) So, I'm glad they ended the way it did.
I'm also glad that the Jin'Kai didn't end up killing everyone. In fact, they got bamboozled in the best way. Although where did the kick ass hacker skills come from, Elvie? That's the real question. Just last minute she writes a code that can't be traced and boom Jin'Kai problem solved? Sure.
Still, even with the less believable bits, I like the way that everything works out in the end.
Except Elvie's mother, but she's a whole basket of fruit cake.
2016
March 25, 2019
Two books about teen motherhood set in space (and Antarctica) was probably enough for me, but once I get going on a series, I feel the need to finish it out, especially once I'm past the halfway mark. A Stranger Thing tested my tolerance for teen speak and teen drama, but I persevered into The World Forgot because I needed to see it through, for better or worse.
Like the first two books, The World Forgot isn't bad, but it's not really that great, either. The story gets more and more convoluted, and many events feel like they're just thrown in at a given point instead of getting there naturally due to the plot. The characters start to feel inconsistent, too, and the end result was a story that didn't feel as much fun as the first (or even the second) book. I think the authors were trying to tackle more serious themes with this volume, but when the first two books were more light-hearted, it was hard to make the jump to something more thematic.
The books aren't bad, but they feel more and more like YA books the further into the series you get. With the right audience, though, I think they should be a big hit.
Like the first two books, The World Forgot isn't bad, but it's not really that great, either. The story gets more and more convoluted, and many events feel like they're just thrown in at a given point instead of getting there naturally due to the plot. The characters start to feel inconsistent, too, and the end result was a story that didn't feel as much fun as the first (or even the second) book. I think the authors were trying to tackle more serious themes with this volume, but when the first two books were more light-hearted, it was hard to make the jump to something more thematic.
The books aren't bad, but they feel more and more like YA books the further into the series you get. With the right audience, though, I think they should be a big hit.
May 27, 2015
To see full DNF round up click here.
Let me explain my relationship with this series in the terms of dates
First Book:
AHHHHHHHMMMAAAAAAZZZZZZZIIIIIIIINGGGGGG. You’ve never met someone like this before. And there’s something just oddly attractive about this individual even though he’s typically not your type. Seriously, I usually just don’t do books with teen moms. I think it just brings too many memories of my Torts/Plaintiff Law finals. My prof was obsessed with those shows, and there’s so many times using Amber Portwood in a Torts issue spotting essay is funny (not really).
The thing is Mothership oddly enough worked. There was just something uniquely original about it that made it compulsively readable. But the more I look back, the more I feel like it would’ve been better as one book.
Why….
Book Two:
Well, let’s just say book two I start seeing the flaws of this amazing first date. I remember why I hate books that typically use babies as a plot devices. And all of his snark is gone, but I still hold hope. I still think…well, no one’s perfect. I should give it another try.
Oddly, none of the characters felt like their selves. And I remember losing interest fast. But I didn’t hate this one. But as I reflect on it, maybe that’s because the first one just had so much going for it.
This one did not.
It was like the less attractive sibling in the siblings. Still though…
This Book.
I went through the appetizer course (first hundred pages) and realized that all those things that attracted me to this book are gone and when I have another more attractive book suitor.
Well, bye bye book.
Let me explain my relationship with this series in the terms of dates
First Book:
AHHHHHHHMMMAAAAAAZZZZZZZIIIIIIIINGGGGGG. You’ve never met someone like this before. And there’s something just oddly attractive about this individual even though he’s typically not your type. Seriously, I usually just don’t do books with teen moms. I think it just brings too many memories of my Torts/Plaintiff Law finals. My prof was obsessed with those shows, and there’s so many times using Amber Portwood in a Torts issue spotting essay is funny (not really).
The thing is Mothership oddly enough worked. There was just something uniquely original about it that made it compulsively readable. But the more I look back, the more I feel like it would’ve been better as one book.
Why….
Book Two:
Well, let’s just say book two I start seeing the flaws of this amazing first date. I remember why I hate books that typically use babies as a plot devices. And all of his snark is gone, but I still hold hope. I still think…well, no one’s perfect. I should give it another try.
Oddly, none of the characters felt like their selves. And I remember losing interest fast. But I didn’t hate this one. But as I reflect on it, maybe that’s because the first one just had so much going for it.
This one did not.
It was like the less attractive sibling in the siblings. Still though…
This Book.
I went through the appetizer course (first hundred pages) and realized that all those things that attracted me to this book are gone and when I have another more attractive book suitor.
Well, bye bye book.
August 11, 2017
Loved it! This was a quirky, funny, action packed series. If you are looking for something silly with a crazy-wacky storyline, then this is your series.
March 11, 2019
Fantastic book, so much happened, so enjoyable to read, the world, well, expanded, and yeah, loved reading it!
February 27, 2017
WOW ITS GOOD
November 7, 2015
I'll be honest with you, it's been a while since I read this series so I couldn't remember very well what happened in the last book but I remembered the basic storyline of it all once I started reading the last book.
My friend actually asked me what I was reading when she saw this book and I honestly didn't know what to tell her. There's just no way to describe this series to someone. A lot had happened and there was just nothing for me to tell her about this book that would make it seem even slightly normal.
And to be honest with you, this book isn't normal and I love that about it.
It's so out there that I've never read anything like it, I loved how the authors managed to add in humour to the story despite the fact that the characters weren't in very funny situations. Elvie somehow managed to be sarcastic even when she was seconds away from being dead and I loved that about her.
It moved at a fast pace so there was never a dull moment and I haven't wanted to yell at characters for a very long time. Especially ducky because the boy couldn't stop throwing up for five seconds. I'm amazed he does barf every time he walks. I don't even really know how he made it through the entire book without dying to be honest with you, he always had his head in the toilet I don't know how he did it.
My biggest problem with the series was Elvie's dad and the fact that he was really childish for someone that was an adult. But in this book, you really get to see more of his character, you got to see the fatherly side to him and it was really great. He was always so supportive of Elvie and what she wanted to do, he gave her praise where praise was due, he was a really great dad.
Elvie grew up so much as a character as well, she still had the special qualities that made her Elvie, but she was more mature now, she checked herself so many times, she realised when she was doing something that she had promised herself never to become and she became the mother that Zee was never to her.
So all in all, I liked this book.
My friend actually asked me what I was reading when she saw this book and I honestly didn't know what to tell her. There's just no way to describe this series to someone. A lot had happened and there was just nothing for me to tell her about this book that would make it seem even slightly normal.
And to be honest with you, this book isn't normal and I love that about it.
It's so out there that I've never read anything like it, I loved how the authors managed to add in humour to the story despite the fact that the characters weren't in very funny situations. Elvie somehow managed to be sarcastic even when she was seconds away from being dead and I loved that about her.
It moved at a fast pace so there was never a dull moment and I haven't wanted to yell at characters for a very long time. Especially ducky because the boy couldn't stop throwing up for five seconds. I'm amazed he does barf every time he walks. I don't even really know how he made it through the entire book without dying to be honest with you, he always had his head in the toilet I don't know how he did it.
My biggest problem with the series was Elvie's dad and the fact that he was really childish for someone that was an adult. But in this book, you really get to see more of his character, you got to see the fatherly side to him and it was really great. He was always so supportive of Elvie and what she wanted to do, he gave her praise where praise was due, he was a really great dad.
Elvie grew up so much as a character as well, she still had the special qualities that made her Elvie, but she was more mature now, she checked herself so many times, she realised when she was doing something that she had promised herself never to become and she became the mother that Zee was never to her.
So all in all, I liked this book.
February 10, 2016
Aliens, human-alien hybrids, clones, and… babies?
Maybe Elvie Nara isn’t living the traditional sci-fi adventure, what, with being a teen mom and all, but she’s still travelling Earth in hi-tech ships and battling aliens bent on taking over her home planet, she just has to deal with her infant daughter along the way. It helps that Elvie and her team—which includes one full-blooded alien, one part alien, one best friend, and one eccentric father—has a wide repertoire of sarcasm under their belts. Thus, the seriousness of being a mother to a little girl is made into a fun, adventurous comedy.
The world itself is light and fluffy, despite the heavy action scenes that make sure no scene is dull. Everything just rolls from one punch to the next. However, this heavy action in such a short-length package does have its drawbacks. One being that the answers to all the science-y questions are a little convoluted or vague at times. Elvie and her gang of misfit toys may understand the jumps in logic, but the average reader may have a hard time understanding the reasoning.
The light-hearted writing also detracts a little bit from the seriousness of the situation and could impact a reader’s connection to the main characters and their decisions. It’s just hard to get to know a character when he or she is being sarcastic all the time.
This doesn’t impede the fun behind the story though, because this trilogy is a lot of fun. Good jokes abound and goofy characters await. So, for those interested in a book that brings the smiles, you don’t have to look very far. Just start with the first book, Mothership, and work your way down to this one. The giggles this series provides are out of this world.
*Note: I borrowed a copy of this book to review via the Book Review Board of Missouri.
Maybe Elvie Nara isn’t living the traditional sci-fi adventure, what, with being a teen mom and all, but she’s still travelling Earth in hi-tech ships and battling aliens bent on taking over her home planet, she just has to deal with her infant daughter along the way. It helps that Elvie and her team—which includes one full-blooded alien, one part alien, one best friend, and one eccentric father—has a wide repertoire of sarcasm under their belts. Thus, the seriousness of being a mother to a little girl is made into a fun, adventurous comedy.
The world itself is light and fluffy, despite the heavy action scenes that make sure no scene is dull. Everything just rolls from one punch to the next. However, this heavy action in such a short-length package does have its drawbacks. One being that the answers to all the science-y questions are a little convoluted or vague at times. Elvie and her gang of misfit toys may understand the jumps in logic, but the average reader may have a hard time understanding the reasoning.
The light-hearted writing also detracts a little bit from the seriousness of the situation and could impact a reader’s connection to the main characters and their decisions. It’s just hard to get to know a character when he or she is being sarcastic all the time.
This doesn’t impede the fun behind the story though, because this trilogy is a lot of fun. Good jokes abound and goofy characters await. So, for those interested in a book that brings the smiles, you don’t have to look very far. Just start with the first book, Mothership, and work your way down to this one. The giggles this series provides are out of this world.
*Note: I borrowed a copy of this book to review via the Book Review Board of Missouri.
May 11, 2016
Unfortunately, by the end of this trilogy, I realized that I simply did care anymore. The World Forgot jumps from action scene to action scene with plenty of jokes in between, but when you find the characters either forgettable or unlikeable, it just feels tiresome. I certainly didn't care about any of them. And even though it'd been less than a year since I read the previous book, it was difficult to remember the various alien factions' goals beyond the general "these are the bad guys," and this book did little to remind me -- having a glossary or review at the beginning isn't common, I realize, but something of that sort would've helped since I had no desire to go back to the previous two books. Or of course, incorporating reminders into the text (I had no trouble with the surprise returning character, for example).
Anyway. This book wasn't straight-up bad, per se, and those who liked both the first and the second book may like it. I felt burned out on the story after the second book however (which is why it took me months to pick up this one), and The World Forgot did nothing to resurrect my interest.
Anyway. This book wasn't straight-up bad, per se, and those who liked both the first and the second book may like it. I felt burned out on the story after the second book however (which is why it took me months to pick up this one), and The World Forgot did nothing to resurrect my interest.
December 14, 2016
Ok, I have to admit when I got down to the last 50 pages, I was like noooooo, this can't be the final book. it's not wrapping up, and I feel like there is too many loose ends. Then I got to the epilogue and it closed everything so nicely, but also left stuff up to the imagination. Which I appreciate in a book when it's done well (and it was). This series definitely has a special place in my heart! I love Elvie, she was sarcastic, whitty, independent, and good with computers! I was rooting for her all the way. 10/10 would recommend this series
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July 27, 2016What a great ending for this trilogy. Elvie's continued growth into a level headed, most of the time, young woman who works best under pressure was a pleasure to read. The continued twists to the story kept me engaged and the very satisfying ending completes this trilogy and answered all of my questions except one. There is definitely room for more books written in this universe. Elvie's story has been told but there is still so much more that could be written.
May 18, 2015
Such a disappointment. I loved loved loved the first two, but this one fell incredibly short. Instead of funny characters we were left with annoying characters. I dreaded picking up the book, I had to force myself until I just couldn't take it anymore. Maybe some people will like book three, but for me it lost all of the characteristics that I loved in books one and two.
June 16, 2015
I am so glad to have ended this series. When I first picked it up, I just thought it would be a silly YA book about aliens, and yes, it kind of is a silly YA book with aliens, IVF, galaxy wars, really dumb boys, and cloning. I mean really, what more can you ask for? The characters are great, the banter is funny, and the adventures are crazy.
3.5 stars. Thanks Edelweiss.
3.5 stars. Thanks Edelweiss.
September 7, 2015
I think this was my favorite of the 3 books. It shows Elvie making some smart girl decisions instead of dumb teenager ones. But the series is still a little too cheesy and sassy for me to really love them.
May 20, 2015
A satisfying, but very frustrating conclusion to a very weird, but funny, trilogy.
April 27, 2015
Wow. This was good. It was realistic, which I didn't really love...with the not fairy tale ending...but it was very complex and had depth?
June 14, 2015
A proper ending to this heartwarming and sarcastic trilogy I would recommend to any sci-fi fan who appreciates a lot of humor during space battles and missions to save the universe.
July 24, 2015
Even though the first book in the series is far and away the best, I continue to be disappointed they haven't caught on. Elvie is my favorite teen action heroine.
August 17, 2015
teen sci-fiction adventure with humor (teen mother saves the world in conclusion to intergalactic battle trilogy)
June 27, 2016
I thought it was funny and violent and wrapped everything up with an intriguing end/beginning of a new story, in the ever expanding universe. 'Ever' means you can't stop at 3, so...
December 30, 2016
I just realized why I like these books so much. They remind me a lot of Guardians of the Galaxy. It's the perfect mix of epic meets silly.
February 8, 2022
2.5 stars.
June 8, 2024
I DNF-ed this book because the way the authors wrote some of Marnie’s lines made me as a non-native English speaker feel very uncomfortable
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews