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Outer Space
Derek ist in Jenny verliebt. Über beide Ohren, richtig krass, unendlich. Da kommt es ihm ziemlich gelegen, dass just in diesem Moment Aliens ihren Besuch auf der Erde ankündigen. Denn angenommen, es gelingt Derek, einen interstellaren Krieg anzuzetteln und ihn dann im letzten Augenblick zu verhindern, sollte er eigentlich Jennys Herz erobern können. Er muss nur noch schnell das Geheimnis der Galaxie und das Rätsel der Liebe lösen. Aber das dürfte eigentlich kein großes Problem sein ... Theoretisch zumindest!
379 pages, Klappenbroschur
First published August 1, 2017
10 people are currently reading
600 people want to read
About the author
Ryan Gebhart
2 books24 followersRyan Gebhart was born and raised in Maumee Ohio and graduated from Ohio University with a master's degree in Spanish (he can hablar some español like a boss). His debut middle grade There Will Be Bears, about getting older, best friends, and a bear, is a selected title for seven state reading lists. His debut young adult Of Jenny and the Aliens, about first love and discovering that we're not alone in the universe, will be released Spring 2017 with Candlewick Press.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
September 24, 2017
My problem with this wasn't the crude humor or the mentions of sex - it was more the fact that I just didn't really know what was going on. Of Jenny and the Aliens has a really fun and quirky writing style, which made the book fly by super quickly, but overall I could have done without the narrator's odd obsession over a girl he had only known for a few days. I really liked the alien aspect of this book actually - but all the side characters, especially the best friend and Jenny herself - made me remember that humanity really, really, really sucked.
December 21, 2019
I was here for this premise because, well, aliens. Unfortunately, very early on I realized I was going to be disappointed. It had an extremely crude type of humor that I've never been a fan of. On a side note, I'm not sure I'd personally classify this as YA due to that crude humor.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
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November 12, 2016I wrote this book. It's about first love and discovering that we're not alone in the universe. It's pretty incredible, ngl.
March 1, 2018
The only reason that I am giving this book a 1 is because I personally know the setting. I also didn't mind the writing style.
November 25, 2019
Derek is a toxic person and Jenny isn't all roses either. We don't even get to find what her deal and why she is so emotionally stunned.
The only redeemable characters in this book are the alien family and Avery.
I did enjoy this book in the same way I enjoy low budgeted, terrible films to only make jokes throughout.
Great book if you like poorly made movies and toxic relationships.
The only redeemable characters in this book are the alien family and Avery.
I did enjoy this book in the same way I enjoy low budgeted, terrible films to only make jokes throughout.
Great book if you like poorly made movies and toxic relationships.
June 26, 2017
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Full Review: https://yabooksdaily.wordpress.com/20...
I wanted to like this book. I really did. But it was juvenile, underdeveloped, and impossible for me to be more annoyed with. I'm simply not interested in seeing the perpetuation of "nerd culture" and unrealistic representations of women. I think there are readers out there who will enjoy this book, maybe find it endearing or relatable, not "fake deep" and crass. I, however, was not that reader.
Full Review: https://yabooksdaily.wordpress.com/20...
I wanted to like this book. I really did. But it was juvenile, underdeveloped, and impossible for me to be more annoyed with. I'm simply not interested in seeing the perpetuation of "nerd culture" and unrealistic representations of women. I think there are readers out there who will enjoy this book, maybe find it endearing or relatable, not "fake deep" and crass. I, however, was not that reader.
October 27, 2017
After ten years with no reply from messages sent out into space, there is an answer, and it is music, alien music. At first, Derek doesn’t really care about the whole aliens making contact thing because he is more focused on something else, more like someone else, Jenny Novak. Derek is in love with Jenny and willing to do anything to make her love him back. Anything. This is a story about what happens when you love a girl more than anything else in the world, including the whole world.
The cover was OK, I thought it was a nice playful way to represent the title, but it didn't really tell you anything about the book, other than how simple the plot was. It is also really hard to tell what the title actually is from the cover. There is no way to know that the girl emoji on it is Jenny if you have not read the book.
I didn't think there was anything compelling about the book at all except maybe Derek's younger cousin, who I thought was the best character even though he was only in like two chapters.
I was basically disappointed with the whole book. It was really pointless and I couldn't even tell what the story was. Everything about it just made me groan, probably since I hated the characters, especially Derek. He was so self-centered and immature and couldn't even think past Jenny who wasn't even that great of a person. He isn't a developed enough character to really have a real relationship, yet the whole book was about his senseless love for Jenny, probably mostly caused since she was the first girl he had a real relationship with. Also, the whole book was just kind of crude. All of the humor (not that it was actually funny) was gross and unthoughtful. Another thing that disappointed me was the way they portrayed the aliens. It was so uncreative and just not a good choice for such a major element of the book. I think that the journey to the alien's planet was poorly portrayed and the planet itself was a HUGE letdown. The part about him eating dinner with the aliens was disgusting and really hard to read. Basically, I disliked the whole book. I also hated how Derek was willing to endanger the whole word and cause mass chaos just to get Jenny's attention. I understand how they tried to bring in serious word conflicts like the one in Raya, but it didn't work and it just felt like they were making fun of the real conflict that our soldiers face today. The idea that the war could pause because of one senseless thing that a stupid teenager like Derek did was absurd. I continued reading because I hoped that it would get better, but it just didn't.
I'm sorry for the harsh review. I'm sure other people will like this book, but it just wasn't the one for me.
(I was given this ARC through NetGalley)
The cover was OK, I thought it was a nice playful way to represent the title, but it didn't really tell you anything about the book, other than how simple the plot was. It is also really hard to tell what the title actually is from the cover. There is no way to know that the girl emoji on it is Jenny if you have not read the book.
I didn't think there was anything compelling about the book at all except maybe Derek's younger cousin, who I thought was the best character even though he was only in like two chapters.
I was basically disappointed with the whole book. It was really pointless and I couldn't even tell what the story was. Everything about it just made me groan, probably since I hated the characters, especially Derek. He was so self-centered and immature and couldn't even think past Jenny who wasn't even that great of a person. He isn't a developed enough character to really have a real relationship, yet the whole book was about his senseless love for Jenny, probably mostly caused since she was the first girl he had a real relationship with. Also, the whole book was just kind of crude. All of the humor (not that it was actually funny) was gross and unthoughtful. Another thing that disappointed me was the way they portrayed the aliens. It was so uncreative and just not a good choice for such a major element of the book. I think that the journey to the alien's planet was poorly portrayed and the planet itself was a HUGE letdown. The part about him eating dinner with the aliens was disgusting and really hard to read. Basically, I disliked the whole book. I also hated how Derek was willing to endanger the whole word and cause mass chaos just to get Jenny's attention. I understand how they tried to bring in serious word conflicts like the one in Raya, but it didn't work and it just felt like they were making fun of the real conflict that our soldiers face today. The idea that the war could pause because of one senseless thing that a stupid teenager like Derek did was absurd. I continued reading because I hoped that it would get better, but it just didn't.
I'm sorry for the harsh review. I'm sure other people will like this book, but it just wasn't the one for me.
(I was given this ARC through NetGalley)
November 13, 2017
Of Jenny and the Aliens by Ryan Gebhart made me uncomfortable. Blatantly, I thought that the main character was annoying and that the standard of girls was unrealistic.
I’m usually prone to reading romance novels, so I thought trying a science-fiction novel that had elements of romance in it would be a nice twist on my usual reading habits. This novel is narrated by eighteen-year-old Derek, and his boyish tone throughout the book is quite evident. His view of Jenny Novak shows this: “She’s so hot it’s unfair. It’s not just her boobs or her smile, but also her really long auburn hair; even her slightly nasal voice sounds sexy.” After seeing Jenny show up topless to a party, Derek ends up heading home with her, and she initiates a “hook-up.” He has had a crush on Jenny ever since she was in his Spanish class. His affection for her exponentially grows throughout the novel. The consistent mindset of girls in this novel is trying to have sexual relations with boys. When I was reading this novel, I felt like the author never delved into the personalities of these girls. He depicted them as only wanting sex and being shallow. There is also a lot of profanity in this novel. From crude humor to sexual situations, I did not expect to be reading about intercourse when choosing a book supposedly about aliens; however, the humor is actually what I enjoyed most about this book. I think the author’s humor that was infused in this book was original and inappropriate at the right parts but because this was most of the book, I felt a lack of sincere meaning or purpose within the novel.
Being from a broken home, Derek has had a series of unfortunate events transpire in his lifetime. His dad had an affair with a woman, his mom took Derek and left for Ohio, and now aliens are allegedly attacking Earth. After his hook-up with Jenny, he begins to have such strong feelings for her that I feel he actually becomes obsessed with her; however, these feelings are not reciprocated. Jenny wants to experiment with other guys (including Derek’s best friend). Jenny explains that the only way she will settle is when there is world peace. To Derek’s luck, reports of aliens trying to contact Earth has set everyone in a frenzy, and Derek actually came in contact with one on a nearby island. Karo brings Derek back to his planet where he explains to him the real meaning of love. Karo and his people are such complex characters and my favorite ones of the novel. Karo could give Earth one day of peace which would ensure Jenny’s love… At this point, Jenny has treated Derek like absolute garbage, and his efforts are totally unnecessary. I was literally telling the book to “just drop her already!” when reading. When returning back to Earth, Derek realizes his true feelings.
I had different expectations for this book before reading it. Though I liked the crude humor, I think it could’ve been better with less of it and more sincerity. With that being said, Derek’s attitude of NEEDING this girl was something that could have been lowered as well. If the author included more of the aliens rather than the sexual relations between “needy” Derek and his unreliable girlfriend, I think I would have extremely different views of this novel.
Overall, Of Jenny and the Aliens was definitely not my best read, but it is a good book for those who enjoy crude humor.
I’m usually prone to reading romance novels, so I thought trying a science-fiction novel that had elements of romance in it would be a nice twist on my usual reading habits. This novel is narrated by eighteen-year-old Derek, and his boyish tone throughout the book is quite evident. His view of Jenny Novak shows this: “She’s so hot it’s unfair. It’s not just her boobs or her smile, but also her really long auburn hair; even her slightly nasal voice sounds sexy.” After seeing Jenny show up topless to a party, Derek ends up heading home with her, and she initiates a “hook-up.” He has had a crush on Jenny ever since she was in his Spanish class. His affection for her exponentially grows throughout the novel. The consistent mindset of girls in this novel is trying to have sexual relations with boys. When I was reading this novel, I felt like the author never delved into the personalities of these girls. He depicted them as only wanting sex and being shallow. There is also a lot of profanity in this novel. From crude humor to sexual situations, I did not expect to be reading about intercourse when choosing a book supposedly about aliens; however, the humor is actually what I enjoyed most about this book. I think the author’s humor that was infused in this book was original and inappropriate at the right parts but because this was most of the book, I felt a lack of sincere meaning or purpose within the novel.
Being from a broken home, Derek has had a series of unfortunate events transpire in his lifetime. His dad had an affair with a woman, his mom took Derek and left for Ohio, and now aliens are allegedly attacking Earth. After his hook-up with Jenny, he begins to have such strong feelings for her that I feel he actually becomes obsessed with her; however, these feelings are not reciprocated. Jenny wants to experiment with other guys (including Derek’s best friend). Jenny explains that the only way she will settle is when there is world peace. To Derek’s luck, reports of aliens trying to contact Earth has set everyone in a frenzy, and Derek actually came in contact with one on a nearby island. Karo brings Derek back to his planet where he explains to him the real meaning of love. Karo and his people are such complex characters and my favorite ones of the novel. Karo could give Earth one day of peace which would ensure Jenny’s love… At this point, Jenny has treated Derek like absolute garbage, and his efforts are totally unnecessary. I was literally telling the book to “just drop her already!” when reading. When returning back to Earth, Derek realizes his true feelings.
I had different expectations for this book before reading it. Though I liked the crude humor, I think it could’ve been better with less of it and more sincerity. With that being said, Derek’s attitude of NEEDING this girl was something that could have been lowered as well. If the author included more of the aliens rather than the sexual relations between “needy” Derek and his unreliable girlfriend, I think I would have extremely different views of this novel.
Overall, Of Jenny and the Aliens was definitely not my best read, but it is a good book for those who enjoy crude humor.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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July 25, 2017Okay, it's not secret if you follow my blog, I love me some supernatural creatures - especially the mythological kind that people love to hunt for on stupid reality shows. You've got Finding Bigfoot and ridiculous ghost shows and...aliens. ALIENS ARE SO COOL TOO, and they have the best encounter stories. So, of course, I was looking forward to another alien book (especially after my other YA one didn't go so well earlier this summer), and I'm so glad tot ell you that that it ended up working out great!
I will say that the humor is a bit...out there (OMG, I JUST HAD TO STICK IN THAT PUN THERE. SEE WHAT I DID. I EVEN DRAMATIC PAUSED). The humor may not be for everyone, but there were some good humorous moments. This is a coming of age comedy, and I mean, we're meeting aliens with a teenage guy. There's bound to be some comedy especially when Derek gets beamed up. It's definitely more than a bit spicier form humor than the cutesy one I was expecting nor the usual humor I go with; however, I thought that it gave the humor a very realistic feel and something really different than anything out there in YA right now. Imagine 80s movies with a slightly more mature vibe. ;)
I liked the characters quite well. Derek has a nerdy side to him, and of course, I love me some nerdy main characters. Have I mentioned how much I love me some nerdy characters? Jenny and our lovely alien friend were great as well. The ship was fun as well.
The plot was interesting as well. I mean, here's Derek all in love with our Jenny and then BAM! Beamed up by an alien, and tries to get advice from him? I mean, he's with Jenny at the end of the world party - who cares about aliens and them possibly taking over the world? I found this premise so enjoyable, and to me, it kind of did play a little with a trope of love in YA being first and foremost, and I thought that was brilliant.
A whole new worlddddddddddddddd
ALIENS. I also thought that Gebhart did such a good job with creating a unique alien. Trust me when I say that the alien is like anything out there in space we've seen - which I thought was fun because I mean, how do really make aliens - who have been done before - in a unique way.
Overall, this was a very interesting novel. I was supposed to share some of my favorite quotes in this post, but the truth was I was a bit too engrossed in the novel to actually remember to highlight quotes that I found entertaining - which I took as a good sign. I did have a bit of disconnection with it, and certain things did have me raising my eyebrows. But I mean, ALIENS, and I definitely think Gebhart has a bright future in the YA game. This was a unique coming of age story, and I think Gebhart turned something very promising into a solid novel that definitely was super easy to take down in two sittings. A Jasmine rating because...there was a whole new world in here (OMG, SEE, I DID IT AGAIN. OMG I'M A ROLL), and four crowns!
I will say that the humor is a bit...out there (OMG, I JUST HAD TO STICK IN THAT PUN THERE. SEE WHAT I DID. I EVEN DRAMATIC PAUSED). The humor may not be for everyone, but there were some good humorous moments. This is a coming of age comedy, and I mean, we're meeting aliens with a teenage guy. There's bound to be some comedy especially when Derek gets beamed up. It's definitely more than a bit spicier form humor than the cutesy one I was expecting nor the usual humor I go with; however, I thought that it gave the humor a very realistic feel and something really different than anything out there in YA right now. Imagine 80s movies with a slightly more mature vibe. ;)
I liked the characters quite well. Derek has a nerdy side to him, and of course, I love me some nerdy main characters. Have I mentioned how much I love me some nerdy characters? Jenny and our lovely alien friend were great as well. The ship was fun as well.
The plot was interesting as well. I mean, here's Derek all in love with our Jenny and then BAM! Beamed up by an alien, and tries to get advice from him? I mean, he's with Jenny at the end of the world party - who cares about aliens and them possibly taking over the world? I found this premise so enjoyable, and to me, it kind of did play a little with a trope of love in YA being first and foremost, and I thought that was brilliant.
A whole new worlddddddddddddddd
ALIENS. I also thought that Gebhart did such a good job with creating a unique alien. Trust me when I say that the alien is like anything out there in space we've seen - which I thought was fun because I mean, how do really make aliens - who have been done before - in a unique way.
Overall, this was a very interesting novel. I was supposed to share some of my favorite quotes in this post, but the truth was I was a bit too engrossed in the novel to actually remember to highlight quotes that I found entertaining - which I took as a good sign. I did have a bit of disconnection with it, and certain things did have me raising my eyebrows. But I mean, ALIENS, and I definitely think Gebhart has a bright future in the YA game. This was a unique coming of age story, and I think Gebhart turned something very promising into a solid novel that definitely was super easy to take down in two sittings. A Jasmine rating because...there was a whole new world in here (OMG, SEE, I DID IT AGAIN. OMG I'M A ROLL), and four crowns!
April 1, 2020
Wow, where to begin....
Derek’s toxic nature makes you cringe throughout the book. In fact, most people in this book will make you cringe. The only people that were interesting at all were the aliens.
I picked up this book while weeding my library’s collection, and the description sounded so bizarre and terrible I just had to read it. This story would’ve been sooooo much better if it didn’t include so much sex. There is such a good story in there that they could’ve focused on instead, but the main story of the toxic teen is too invasive.
Derek’s toxic nature makes you cringe throughout the book. In fact, most people in this book will make you cringe. The only people that were interesting at all were the aliens.
I picked up this book while weeding my library’s collection, and the description sounded so bizarre and terrible I just had to read it. This story would’ve been sooooo much better if it didn’t include so much sex. There is such a good story in there that they could’ve focused on instead, but the main story of the toxic teen is too invasive.
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July 25, 2017Graded By: Mandy C.
Cover Story: Emoji Rebus
BFF Charm: Nay
Swoonworthy Scale: 2
Talky Talk: Boy Brain
Bonus Factor: Aliens
Relationship Status: Look Me Up in a Decade or Two
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Emoji Rebus
BFF Charm: Nay
Swoonworthy Scale: 2
Talky Talk: Boy Brain
Bonus Factor: Aliens
Relationship Status: Look Me Up in a Decade or Two
Read the full book report here.
June 6, 2017
American Pie + Aliens + Love
I have to admit that this book was not right for me. BUT, before you write it off, let me tell you about it.
Derek--red-blooded teen, product of a broken home, and sometimes stoner--is in love with Jenny--a beautiful (and out of Derek's league) teen who loves to make hilarious t-shirts (her NBA design can't be beat), write screenplays, and even has a snow cone maker in her basement. And, well, with life on another planet discovered and contact recently established, will their love survive? Is it worth risking the fate of planet Earth?
It is billed as a YA novel, but that can only be applied if you also say American Pie or Van Wilder are YA movies. As you can tell by my film references, I'm not in this category any more and unfortunately in my mid-30s, so I guess I don't appreciate crude humor and pot smoking jokes nearly as much as I used to. I would definitely not recommend this to anyone younger than 18.
This book is like the Superbad of reading (see? A somewhat more current movie reference?), but I ADORE a strong, humourous voice in my authors and Mr Gerhart certainly has that. The characters of Derek and Jenny were strong and well-thought-out. I also thought them realistic. His writing style has several laugh out loud moments, even for this old reader.
So, the aliens...... I have to hand it to Mr. Gerhart for his most creative plot ideas. But I found the aliens to be a little lacking on the original side. It was hard to picture his descriptions and again, there is a certain crudeness to this book.
But, if you are a 19 year old guy or gal that enjoys good crude humor with a little sci-fi and romance thrown in, this could be a very entertaining and enjoyable read for you.
I have to admit that this book was not right for me. BUT, before you write it off, let me tell you about it.
Derek--red-blooded teen, product of a broken home, and sometimes stoner--is in love with Jenny--a beautiful (and out of Derek's league) teen who loves to make hilarious t-shirts (her NBA design can't be beat), write screenplays, and even has a snow cone maker in her basement. And, well, with life on another planet discovered and contact recently established, will their love survive? Is it worth risking the fate of planet Earth?
It is billed as a YA novel, but that can only be applied if you also say American Pie or Van Wilder are YA movies. As you can tell by my film references, I'm not in this category any more and unfortunately in my mid-30s, so I guess I don't appreciate crude humor and pot smoking jokes nearly as much as I used to. I would definitely not recommend this to anyone younger than 18.
This book is like the Superbad of reading (see? A somewhat more current movie reference?), but I ADORE a strong, humourous voice in my authors and Mr Gerhart certainly has that. The characters of Derek and Jenny were strong and well-thought-out. I also thought them realistic. His writing style has several laugh out loud moments, even for this old reader.
So, the aliens...... I have to hand it to Mr. Gerhart for his most creative plot ideas. But I found the aliens to be a little lacking on the original side. It was hard to picture his descriptions and again, there is a certain crudeness to this book.
But, if you are a 19 year old guy or gal that enjoys good crude humor with a little sci-fi and romance thrown in, this could be a very entertaining and enjoyable read for you.
April 24, 2019
What it's about: 18-year-old Derek lives in a world where aliens have just contacted Earth. During a drunken "Is this the end of the world?" party, he runs into Jenny, a girl he's had a crush on since moving to Cleveland five years ago. They hook up, and Derek is head-over-heels in love. But when Jenny doesn't requite his feelings, Derek is left to figure out what he's supposed to do about it. He seeks assistance from an alien, who happens to make first contact with Derek. The alien is pretty chill, and is not on board with Derek's plan to try to win Jenny's affection. As the story unfurls Derek considers lots of different perspectives on what love is.
What I thought: I literally said to my wife, "I can't figure out if I dislike this protagonist because he reminds me of what a mopey jerk I was when I was a teen, or whether I dislike him because he's such a total and complete dipwad."
In addition to featuring an unlikable protagonist, I was not a fan of the casual sex, drugs, and drinking. I'm not a prude, but for a kid who is supposed to be so emotional, Derek seems to treat losing his virginity to a girl he finds amazing like it's no big thing. The same goes for the drinking and pot smoking - Derek's been doing these things since he was thirteen, and it's just no big thing to him. And yet, he gets completely and insanely bent about his relationship with Jenny. I couldn't reconcile all of these ideas in my head as coming from a single character.
Plus, after an entire novel of mental debate, Derek ends the book admitting that he hasn't learned or grown or changed in any way.
I also was not a huge fan of the "science fantasy" powers of the aliens. There's one in particular that just makes no sense whatsoever. It's literally a combination of magic and illusion (except it's not an illusion, according to the story, and yet it also IS an illusion...?) that, while I could picture what was being described in my mind in terms of what it would look like as a special effect, didn't work for me in any way. And yet, it was a major plot point - twice.
So I had frustrations with the character. I had frustrations with major plot devices. The only things I sort of appreciated were the following:
There is a female character who owns her sexuality in a very positive way. Good for her!
The story eventually gets around to making the point that just because we spend a lot of time with people doesn't mean they are our friends. And just because someone says they are your friend doesn't make it so. If someone treats you badly and doesn't look out for your best interests, they're not really your friend. If it wasn't such a barely-there part of the book, I'd be very happy with it as a message.
Why I rated it like I did: For the many reasons listed above.
What I thought: I literally said to my wife, "I can't figure out if I dislike this protagonist because he reminds me of what a mopey jerk I was when I was a teen, or whether I dislike him because he's such a total and complete dipwad."
In addition to featuring an unlikable protagonist, I was not a fan of the casual sex, drugs, and drinking. I'm not a prude, but for a kid who is supposed to be so emotional, Derek seems to treat losing his virginity to a girl he finds amazing like it's no big thing. The same goes for the drinking and pot smoking - Derek's been doing these things since he was thirteen, and it's just no big thing to him. And yet, he gets completely and insanely bent about his relationship with Jenny. I couldn't reconcile all of these ideas in my head as coming from a single character.
Plus, after an entire novel of mental debate, Derek ends the book admitting that he hasn't learned or grown or changed in any way.
I also was not a huge fan of the "science fantasy" powers of the aliens. There's one in particular that just makes no sense whatsoever. It's literally a combination of magic and illusion (except it's not an illusion, according to the story, and yet it also IS an illusion...?) that, while I could picture what was being described in my mind in terms of what it would look like as a special effect, didn't work for me in any way. And yet, it was a major plot point - twice.
So I had frustrations with the character. I had frustrations with major plot devices. The only things I sort of appreciated were the following:
There is a female character who owns her sexuality in a very positive way. Good for her!
The story eventually gets around to making the point that just because we spend a lot of time with people doesn't mean they are our friends. And just because someone says they are your friend doesn't make it so. If someone treats you badly and doesn't look out for your best interests, they're not really your friend. If it wasn't such a barely-there part of the book, I'd be very happy with it as a message.
Why I rated it like I did: For the many reasons listed above.
June 24, 2017
Alright, class, may I have your attention? Professor Zach is in the house, and today we’re looking at a young adult novel from Ryan Gebhart called Of Jenny and the Aliens. Sometimes, I like to read YA books because, if they don’t make me feel younger, they are easy to read and that’s all you’re looking for on a hot summer’s day. (Cold winter days, too.) Well, I did feel some pangs of nostalgic first love when I read the book. It’s about a kid named Derek, who’s a bit of a geek, who falls in love with an unattainable girl named Jenny. That they actually wind up having a go at it would probably make this book be a fantasy novel, but wait! There’s a sci-fi angle thrown in as Derek befriends a gay pot smoking alien who has beamed his music at Earth from his planet, some four and a half light years away, leading everyone (especially high schoolers) on this planet Earth to hold First Contact parties. I probably should write First Contact High parties, as there’s a lot of drugs involved at these parties, but I digress.
What does the alien have to do with Jenny? Beats the hell out of me. Basically, class, what we have on our hands here is a book that doesn’t make a lot of sense and is so bad that it is good — it’s a real entertainer. Of Jenny and the Aliens hearkens back to those teen flicks of the 1980s. Not the John Hughes movies. I’m talking the cheesy and somewhat sexist Willie Aames comedies of the era. The whole point of this book (and those Aames movies) is to show everyone that sex is great. Maybe pot is too. In fact, for a Young Adult novel, there is an adult level of Triple-X rated sex, drug use, underage drinking and partying. You know that when the book references two characters doing a 69 that this isn’t something for the meek. Bored housewives will be outraged by the content that their kids are into.
Read more here: https://medium.com/@zachary_houle/a-r...
What does the alien have to do with Jenny? Beats the hell out of me. Basically, class, what we have on our hands here is a book that doesn’t make a lot of sense and is so bad that it is good — it’s a real entertainer. Of Jenny and the Aliens hearkens back to those teen flicks of the 1980s. Not the John Hughes movies. I’m talking the cheesy and somewhat sexist Willie Aames comedies of the era. The whole point of this book (and those Aames movies) is to show everyone that sex is great. Maybe pot is too. In fact, for a Young Adult novel, there is an adult level of Triple-X rated sex, drug use, underage drinking and partying. You know that when the book references two characters doing a 69 that this isn’t something for the meek. Bored housewives will be outraged by the content that their kids are into.
Read more here: https://medium.com/@zachary_houle/a-r...
September 12, 2018
DNF page 117
What even is this? I'm over 100 pages in and I have no idea what's going on or if there's even a plot to follow.
--The interesting: Aliens have contacted Earth!
--Not so interesting: It's just a random kid alien who smokes space weed with the main character because sometimes he likes to hang out in Ohio. Because that makes a lot of sense.
--Even less interesting than that: Starship Troopers-style war propaganda with another country and the occasional "war is hell" from jaded teens
--The annoying: the main character's obsession with having sex with a girl he thinks is super slutty
--The downright bad: too much of the first 100 pages was taken up with crude "humor", sex, farting dogs, Mario Kart details, and pot smoking, while nothing of value is happening at all. The back flap blurb says this author totally nails what it's like to be a teenager. If so, I'm sorry teenagers' lives are so crappy.
I can't keep reading to see if anything at all happens in this book. Whatever I thought this was going to be, this ain't it.
What even is this? I'm over 100 pages in and I have no idea what's going on or if there's even a plot to follow.
--The interesting: Aliens have contacted Earth!
--Not so interesting: It's just a random kid alien who smokes space weed with the main character because sometimes he likes to hang out in Ohio. Because that makes a lot of sense.
--Even less interesting than that: Starship Troopers-style war propaganda with another country and the occasional "war is hell" from jaded teens
--The annoying: the main character's obsession with having sex with a girl he thinks is super slutty
--The downright bad: too much of the first 100 pages was taken up with crude "humor", sex, farting dogs, Mario Kart details, and pot smoking, while nothing of value is happening at all. The back flap blurb says this author totally nails what it's like to be a teenager. If so, I'm sorry teenagers' lives are so crappy.
I can't keep reading to see if anything at all happens in this book. Whatever I thought this was going to be, this ain't it.
November 5, 2017
Goodreads Synopsis:
Ten years after Earth sent messages out into deep space, there has been an answer. Music from a distant planet has reached the our radios. Are aliens about to invade? No one knows, and almost-eighteen-year-old Derek doesn’t really care, because at a wild end-of-the-world party, Jennifer Novak invites him to play beer pong. And things…progress from there. Derek is in love. Deeply, hopelessly in love. He wants it all—marriage, kids, growing old on a beach in Costa Rica. Jenny is The One.
But Jenny has other plans, and they may or may not include Derek. So Derek will try anything to win her—even soliciting advice from the alien who shows up in his hometown. This alien may just be the answer to Derek’s problem. But is Derek prepared to risk starting an interstellar war to get his girl? And just how far is he willing to travel to discover the mysteries of the universe—and love?
My Review:
I received a copy of this book through a Librarything giveaway.
First of all, I love books about aliens and space so I was really excited to hear I won this. The story begins with a party. A beer pong, body paint party. An end of the world party. A satellite has picked up a song from another world, confirming another life form out there. What better reason could there be for a party?
The story is told through a seventeen year old boy named Derek's eyes. I thought by the cover that the story would be a little young for me but was I ever wrong. This book sucked me in from the very beginning and I didn't want to stop reading it until it was finished. It made me laugh a lot while the story progressed and I really ended up liking most of the characters. They seemed so lifelike and hilarious at times. They reacted to situations the way anyone would, but they had better jokes. It really brought the story to life.
Derek is just a regular kid who likes to go to parties and play Mario Kart and get high. He just happens to be alive when alien life is found. I loved the aliens, they were so interesting and yet so familiar. They reminded me a little of the movie Paul and that's great. The planet Earth is just too wrapped up in their own drama to realize how big that actually is.
Overall this book is probably one of my new favourites and I'm glad I have a nice hardcover copy for my bookshelf. I didn't want to put it down and am glad I can read it again whenever I like. Definitely check it out if you get the chance.
Here's a link to the authors twitter and another link for the book on amazon.
https://twitter.com/RyanGebhart
https://www.amazon.ca/Jenny-Aliens-Ry...
Thanks for reading! Check out this review and more at my blog.
(Radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com)
Ten years after Earth sent messages out into deep space, there has been an answer. Music from a distant planet has reached the our radios. Are aliens about to invade? No one knows, and almost-eighteen-year-old Derek doesn’t really care, because at a wild end-of-the-world party, Jennifer Novak invites him to play beer pong. And things…progress from there. Derek is in love. Deeply, hopelessly in love. He wants it all—marriage, kids, growing old on a beach in Costa Rica. Jenny is The One.
But Jenny has other plans, and they may or may not include Derek. So Derek will try anything to win her—even soliciting advice from the alien who shows up in his hometown. This alien may just be the answer to Derek’s problem. But is Derek prepared to risk starting an interstellar war to get his girl? And just how far is he willing to travel to discover the mysteries of the universe—and love?
My Review:
I received a copy of this book through a Librarything giveaway.
First of all, I love books about aliens and space so I was really excited to hear I won this. The story begins with a party. A beer pong, body paint party. An end of the world party. A satellite has picked up a song from another world, confirming another life form out there. What better reason could there be for a party?
The story is told through a seventeen year old boy named Derek's eyes. I thought by the cover that the story would be a little young for me but was I ever wrong. This book sucked me in from the very beginning and I didn't want to stop reading it until it was finished. It made me laugh a lot while the story progressed and I really ended up liking most of the characters. They seemed so lifelike and hilarious at times. They reacted to situations the way anyone would, but they had better jokes. It really brought the story to life.
Derek is just a regular kid who likes to go to parties and play Mario Kart and get high. He just happens to be alive when alien life is found. I loved the aliens, they were so interesting and yet so familiar. They reminded me a little of the movie Paul and that's great. The planet Earth is just too wrapped up in their own drama to realize how big that actually is.
Overall this book is probably one of my new favourites and I'm glad I have a nice hardcover copy for my bookshelf. I didn't want to put it down and am glad I can read it again whenever I like. Definitely check it out if you get the chance.
Here's a link to the authors twitter and another link for the book on amazon.
https://twitter.com/RyanGebhart
https://www.amazon.ca/Jenny-Aliens-Ry...
Thanks for reading! Check out this review and more at my blog.
(Radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com)
July 22, 2019
Instead of going into depth about why I do not like this book, I’m going to list the parts that caused this read to go down in star ratings for me. This is not a personal attack against the author.
1. Derek’s thought process about showing up to Jenny’s house uninvited in Chapter 10.
2. “She didn’t tell me she was going to a bar in Toledo.” And “She’s my girl. I pound my fists against the steering wheel. “She’s my fucking girl!”” On page 130.
3. “She’s my girlfriend and she knows she is.” On page 131.
4. The fight that Jenny and Derek have in chapter 11, and how he insults her physical appearance that she told him she was already insecure about. He deliberately tries to hurt her.
5. Derek legitimately believing he is in love with Jenny after two weeks on page 141.
6. The “te amo” thing. Oh my god. *eyeroll*
7. The way he treats his mom, what an ass. Pages 150-151.
8. How Derek keeps calling Jenny his girlfriend when SHE’S NOT.
9. “I could kill myself. I know I’m going to be in love with Jenny for the rest of my life, but I’m meaningless to her” on 157. God, shut up.
10. “I’m not depressed, okay? I just kinda don’t want to live anymore” (158).
11. “Stop saying that. She loves me just as much as I love her. She just doesn’t know it, or she’s scared of her feelings, or something” Or, she’s just NOT IN LOVE WITH YOU. (160).
12. “I have to help her discover who she truly is deep-down inside—devout, awesome, and mine” (160). The way he talks about Jenny is bordeline creepy, even if this is supposed to be a character arc. This is gross.
13. A lot of these early chapters are just him obsessing about Jenny. Not pining, not being romantically interested, literally OBSESSED. Why are you planning a future after two weeks?
14. The Spanish feels so....awkwardly placed? I don’t know how to explain it.
15. Birthday present on 166. I don’t feel like quoting it, so read it if you want.
16. Why. does. Jenny. smoke. so. much?
17. Jenny and Derek’s talk at Red Lobster. 170-173.
And that’s just what I felt like typing out while I read. If you want to read it, then go you I guess? I’m only finishing because I just DNF’ed a book before this and I want to feel accomplished even though this read may hurt.
1. Derek’s thought process about showing up to Jenny’s house uninvited in Chapter 10.
2. “She didn’t tell me she was going to a bar in Toledo.” And “She’s my girl. I pound my fists against the steering wheel. “She’s my fucking girl!”” On page 130.
3. “She’s my girlfriend and she knows she is.” On page 131.
4. The fight that Jenny and Derek have in chapter 11, and how he insults her physical appearance that she told him she was already insecure about. He deliberately tries to hurt her.
5. Derek legitimately believing he is in love with Jenny after two weeks on page 141.
6. The “te amo” thing. Oh my god. *eyeroll*
7. The way he treats his mom, what an ass. Pages 150-151.
8. How Derek keeps calling Jenny his girlfriend when SHE’S NOT.
9. “I could kill myself. I know I’m going to be in love with Jenny for the rest of my life, but I’m meaningless to her” on 157. God, shut up.
10. “I’m not depressed, okay? I just kinda don’t want to live anymore” (158).
11. “Stop saying that. She loves me just as much as I love her. She just doesn’t know it, or she’s scared of her feelings, or something” Or, she’s just NOT IN LOVE WITH YOU. (160).
12. “I have to help her discover who she truly is deep-down inside—devout, awesome, and mine” (160). The way he talks about Jenny is bordeline creepy, even if this is supposed to be a character arc. This is gross.
13. A lot of these early chapters are just him obsessing about Jenny. Not pining, not being romantically interested, literally OBSESSED. Why are you planning a future after two weeks?
14. The Spanish feels so....awkwardly placed? I don’t know how to explain it.
15. Birthday present on 166. I don’t feel like quoting it, so read it if you want.
16. Why. does. Jenny. smoke. so. much?
17. Jenny and Derek’s talk at Red Lobster. 170-173.
And that’s just what I felt like typing out while I read. If you want to read it, then go you I guess? I’m only finishing because I just DNF’ed a book before this and I want to feel accomplished even though this read may hurt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2018
My German Netgalley Review for this:
Dieses Buch ist nicht wirklich vergleichbar mit dem was ich bis jetzt sonst so gelesen habe. Es ist zum einen ziemlich bizarr und eigenartig auf gewisse Weise und doch schafft es den Leser mit in das Geschehen zu ziehen und immer wieder zum denken anzuregen, wobei man sich denkt was lese ich hier eigentlich.
Es ist nicht nur eine Geschichte über außerirdische Kreaturen, sich anbahnende und schon vorhandene Kriege, Familiendrama, sondern auch über die erste große Liebe, wie mit ihr umzugehen ist und wie schwer es sein kann sich dessen wieder zu entreißen, wie man bei dem Protagonisten Derek sehen kann.
Der Schreibstil war sehr flüssig und einfach zu lesen. Auch der immer wieder lustige Humor der einzelnen Charaktere und wie sie diesen zum Ausdruck bringen macht das Buch unterhaltsam und lässt den Leser schmunzeln. Auch wenn die Charaktere (besonders shugar und Jenny) mir nicht wirklich sehr zusprechen, ist es es relativ unterhaltsames Buch, das für Jugendlichen, die sich für diese Art von Themen interessieren, bestimmt der passende Lesestoff ist.
Dieses Buch ist nicht wirklich vergleichbar mit dem was ich bis jetzt sonst so gelesen habe. Es ist zum einen ziemlich bizarr und eigenartig auf gewisse Weise und doch schafft es den Leser mit in das Geschehen zu ziehen und immer wieder zum denken anzuregen, wobei man sich denkt was lese ich hier eigentlich.
Es ist nicht nur eine Geschichte über außerirdische Kreaturen, sich anbahnende und schon vorhandene Kriege, Familiendrama, sondern auch über die erste große Liebe, wie mit ihr umzugehen ist und wie schwer es sein kann sich dessen wieder zu entreißen, wie man bei dem Protagonisten Derek sehen kann.
Der Schreibstil war sehr flüssig und einfach zu lesen. Auch der immer wieder lustige Humor der einzelnen Charaktere und wie sie diesen zum Ausdruck bringen macht das Buch unterhaltsam und lässt den Leser schmunzeln. Auch wenn die Charaktere (besonders shugar und Jenny) mir nicht wirklich sehr zusprechen, ist es es relativ unterhaltsames Buch, das für Jugendlichen, die sich für diese Art von Themen interessieren, bestimmt der passende Lesestoff ist.
July 13, 2018
I read this book in June of 2017 and it has taken me this long to write the review because I thought I’d DNF and try again, but after a second foray into this story…I just can’t. I made it a full 25% before I had to back away or risk throwing my Kindle.
Of Jenny and the Aliens is the worst parts of The Catcher in the Rye meets Bright Lights Big City. It’s full of crude and sometimes downright repulsive and exploitative depictions of women from the mind of a sexually frustrated teenage boy. Maybe it’s honest. Maybe it’s accurate, but as a female reader, I was more than a little creeped out by it. I understand angst. I understand finding people attractive but for the love of all that is holy, did it have to be worded in such a gross way?
But I kept going…at least for a while anyway.
First, let me say this: I would not put this on a shelf for 13 year olds. Upper YA-if that. Between the language usage and fantasizing and the weird locker room talk objectification.
Read more here:
https://youngadultbookmadness.wordpre...
Of Jenny and the Aliens is the worst parts of The Catcher in the Rye meets Bright Lights Big City. It’s full of crude and sometimes downright repulsive and exploitative depictions of women from the mind of a sexually frustrated teenage boy. Maybe it’s honest. Maybe it’s accurate, but as a female reader, I was more than a little creeped out by it. I understand angst. I understand finding people attractive but for the love of all that is holy, did it have to be worded in such a gross way?
But I kept going…at least for a while anyway.
First, let me say this: I would not put this on a shelf for 13 year olds. Upper YA-if that. Between the language usage and fantasizing and the weird locker room talk objectification.
Read more here:
https://youngadultbookmadness.wordpre...
August 24, 2017
Of Jenny and the Aliens was a cute story about Derek and Jenny who get together at an "End of the World" party on the day that aliens contact earth from Pud 5. Jenny and Derek were never really meant to be, but Derek falls helplessly in love with the girl who only wants a fun, open relationship. Derek makes friends with Karo, an alien from Pud 5, and uses him to help solve his love problems with Jenny.
Overall, this book kept my interest throughout. However, it was not my favorite read of the summer, by any means. I found it dragging through the middle, trying to skim to make it through faster. I wasn't a huge fan of all the crude humor that Ryan Gebhart interjects throughout the book. I'm not a prude by any means, but this book went a bit over the top. Derek is a likable character, however, and I found myself rooting for him. Although a little unbelievable and far-fetched, I enjoyed learning about Pud 5 and its inhabitants.
**Thank you to Candlewick Press for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
Overall, this book kept my interest throughout. However, it was not my favorite read of the summer, by any means. I found it dragging through the middle, trying to skim to make it through faster. I wasn't a huge fan of all the crude humor that Ryan Gebhart interjects throughout the book. I'm not a prude by any means, but this book went a bit over the top. Derek is a likable character, however, and I found myself rooting for him. Although a little unbelievable and far-fetched, I enjoyed learning about Pud 5 and its inhabitants.
**Thank you to Candlewick Press for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
February 29, 2020
An authentic exploration of first love, the type of confusing, all-consuming obsession that can't be brought into perspective by anything on earth. So Derek is lucky to have the advice of a friendly alien. Of course, that doesn't mean everything is easy. He is still on a roller coaster ride of emotional extremes as he tries to figure things out, with regular dives into alcohol, drugs, and extraterrestrial encounters adding a hallucinatory quality to the experience. He doesn't have time to join everyone else in worrying the world might be ending after aliens make first contact, as he's too busy worrying his world might end from the possibility of a broken heart. This story is profane, funny, cringe-worthy, absurd, and entirely believable, relatable, and emotionally engrossing. Great writing and a great book.
July 28, 2020
Not too bad. Felt pretty chaotic at times, but overall the plot was driven along well through development and revelations of character and backstory. One complain I have is of the reactions to the aliens themselves. I don't think people, especially Derek's family, would actually react that way to Derek's escapades... Also, Jenny's motivation confused me. I did like the inclusion of the impending war among humans to show how stupid we can be. That, at least, sounds like something humans would do even when aliens are discovered.
All in all, a chaotic read, and not too damn bad.
All in all, a chaotic read, and not too damn bad.
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August 25, 2017I have never given a book an one star rating. I was given this ARC through NetGalley so thanks to them. I wanted the copy because it looked like a cute book, I was wrong. This book is science fiction which I don't mind but can the author at least write it right? Like yeah aliens cool but have fun with it! Also, the "couple" had sex and it will casually mention it like teenagers are having sex daily (which again is scary to me but hey you do you) and I was disgusted. Please do not read this if you want a clueless boy who just wants a girl and wants to be the chosen one.
July 2, 2017
I received an advance copy of this via Netgalley and Candlewick Press in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to like this. The cover seemed fun and I've always been interested in "alien" portrayals in fiction going back to when I was a teen but unfortunately I just couldn't get into this one. I don't know if it was Derek or Jenny or the both of them or maybe I missed something but this book just didn't work for me.
I wanted to like this. The cover seemed fun and I've always been interested in "alien" portrayals in fiction going back to when I was a teen but unfortunately I just couldn't get into this one. I don't know if it was Derek or Jenny or the both of them or maybe I missed something but this book just didn't work for me.
July 25, 2017
Thanks to Netgalley and Candlewick Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was SO different than what's out there right now. Yes it was boy meets girl, but it was so much more than that. It was a quick read, but one that sticks with you. What Derek did for Jenny I think will hit home with a lot of people, not just in the sense of how much you love someone, but the existentialism of how much is really out there, the meaning of life, all that jazz. I think this book had a lot of unobvious lessons in it, and I'm glad I was able to take so much away from it. I think Of Jenny and the Aliens will mean different things to different people, but it's up to you to read it and find out!
This book was SO different than what's out there right now. Yes it was boy meets girl, but it was so much more than that. It was a quick read, but one that sticks with you. What Derek did for Jenny I think will hit home with a lot of people, not just in the sense of how much you love someone, but the existentialism of how much is really out there, the meaning of life, all that jazz. I think this book had a lot of unobvious lessons in it, and I'm glad I was able to take so much away from it. I think Of Jenny and the Aliens will mean different things to different people, but it's up to you to read it and find out!
July 25, 2017
Did not love the MC—at all—but the book could have been entertaining were it not for him.
Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
September 16, 2017
Definitely a very weir ride with a very unsatisfying romance. It seemed like a smash up of a romance and lighthearted sci-fi. It seemed to work at times but at others left one feeling annoying. The visit to the alien world was extraordinary and would almost give it another star for that.
September 22, 2017
I got a couple of laughs from this book, but I think I might be too old to fully appreciate this tale of heart-wrenching first love and first heartbreak. Ryan Gebhart's writing reminds me of Jesse Andrews (Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl; Haters) and Andrew Smith's Grasshopper Jungle.
January 21, 2020
Started and stopped. Maybe it is because I am "old" and a "teacher," but I can't dedicate myself to the time it will take to finish this. If you like racy, trashy teenage escapades, this is for you. It's just not for me.
February 14, 2018
Just ordered today - but....All these low ratings for vulgarity? Sign me TF UP!
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