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Wait For It
When a freak bathroom accident cuts his Earthly life short, academic bowl team captain Martin Van Assen is surprised to find himself languishing in the waiting room of the Soul Reassignment Office with only the overly dramatic Zelda Kozikowski and her maybe-ex-boyfriend, the oft-reincarnated Zeke Zabar, for company. The unlikely trio gets tired of sitting around with nothing to do but bicker while they wait to start new lives, and sneaks through a portal that takes them back to Earth in ghostly form. The search for meaning in their previous lives takes these three lost souls on the journey of an afterlifetime, all the way to the infernally warm intake office of Hell itself. Martin, Zelda, and Zeke might figure a few things out along the way, but none of it will matter much if they have to spend eternity in a pit of fire. Or worse.
- GenresFantasy
226 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2019
2 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
A.L. Glennon
3 books1 followerA.L. Glennon has a Master of Arts degree from the Communication, Culture, and Technology Program at Georgetown University. She lives with her family in North Carolina, where she teaches high school English. She is the author of WAIT FOR IT and HUNGRY.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 15, 2024
This was quite a unique story. The beginning sort of reminded me of the waiting room scene from the original Beetlejuice movie. It's fast-paced and really easy to read.
Overall, I considered it a fun and different sort of story about the afterlife. It's nearly the end of the year, so if you're looking to complete your reading goals and love science fiction and paranormal stories, go ahead and add this one to your tbr! I don't think you will regret it!
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, I considered it a fun and different sort of story about the afterlife. It's nearly the end of the year, so if you're looking to complete your reading goals and love science fiction and paranormal stories, go ahead and add this one to your tbr! I don't think you will regret it!
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 15, 2024
This was such a great story. It starts off with Martin Van Assen finding himself in the reception of the soul reassignment office. He soon meets Zeke and Zelda, and before too long, this unlikely trio goes on a journey to hell and back... literally!
I hated Zeke and Zelda at first but they started to grow on me and by the end of the book I was rooting for them both which I think is kind of part of the point of the book. It is about making mistakes and learning from them, finding out who you are and what you want from life or the afterlife as the case may be!
I like the whole arc of the story and don't want to give too much of the plot away as it is one of those stories that is better, the less you know.
I liked the writing style and the dark humour, which had me laughing out at the most inappropriate of moments. I really liked the characters and seeing how they developed as the story unfolded... I just wanted to hug Zeke at the end!
I highly recommend this book if you want something different, darkly funny, and adventurous.
With thanks to Love Books Tours, Ink Smith Publishing, and the author for providing a copy of the book. This is my honest review, which I'm leaving voluntarily.
I hated Zeke and Zelda at first but they started to grow on me and by the end of the book I was rooting for them both which I think is kind of part of the point of the book. It is about making mistakes and learning from them, finding out who you are and what you want from life or the afterlife as the case may be!
I like the whole arc of the story and don't want to give too much of the plot away as it is one of those stories that is better, the less you know.
I liked the writing style and the dark humour, which had me laughing out at the most inappropriate of moments. I really liked the characters and seeing how they developed as the story unfolded... I just wanted to hug Zeke at the end!
I highly recommend this book if you want something different, darkly funny, and adventurous.
With thanks to Love Books Tours, Ink Smith Publishing, and the author for providing a copy of the book. This is my honest review, which I'm leaving voluntarily.
September 8, 2019
This is a fun, adventure-filled YA novel that opens up in Purgatory. Yup, that's right, death's waiting room! A.L. Glennon takes the reader on a ride through Purgatory, Heaven, Hell, and Friendship, in this quirky take on the afterlife. A must read!
November 16, 2024
This book was equal parts adorable, cheeky, and heartfelt. Following three recently deceased teens, we get a peek into the afterlife. Through this interesting and slightly absurd premise, the author builds a world ripe with lore, action, romance, friendship, and so much more.
I could relate to all of our MCs in different ways despite being (quite) a few years past graduation - showing the author's top character-building skills. The growth each of them saw was so special, and I really enjoyed going on this journey with them. Y'all know I love a good character story, and despite being quite plot-led, this was also a really good character story.
But any great fantasy needs a good dose of world-building. While this is clearly set in our world or at least our world adjacent, the trappings of the afterlife and the ethereal supernatural otherworld are very well built. I really enjoyed learning about the bureaucracy of the Soul Reassignment Offices and "Downstairs." Such a wild adventure from start to finish!
Of course, because this is a book set in the afterlife of three teenagers, it has some potentially disturbing topics like death, grief, religious ideation, suicide, and more that I've listed below. But if you have a particularly mature teen, I really think they'll enjoy this book - as I feel you will, too. It really explores some great themes, like love, sacrifice, the meaning of life, and so much more. Some real meaty topics and social commentary are wrapped up in the comedic barbs and situational comedy the author has delivered so well. I've often waxed poetic about how much I love the ability of good fantasy and the ability to wrap up big swaths of socially impactful commentary.
I could relate to all of our MCs in different ways despite being (quite) a few years past graduation - showing the author's top character-building skills. The growth each of them saw was so special, and I really enjoyed going on this journey with them. Y'all know I love a good character story, and despite being quite plot-led, this was also a really good character story.
But any great fantasy needs a good dose of world-building. While this is clearly set in our world or at least our world adjacent, the trappings of the afterlife and the ethereal supernatural otherworld are very well built. I really enjoyed learning about the bureaucracy of the Soul Reassignment Offices and "Downstairs." Such a wild adventure from start to finish!
Of course, because this is a book set in the afterlife of three teenagers, it has some potentially disturbing topics like death, grief, religious ideation, suicide, and more that I've listed below. But if you have a particularly mature teen, I really think they'll enjoy this book - as I feel you will, too. It really explores some great themes, like love, sacrifice, the meaning of life, and so much more. Some real meaty topics and social commentary are wrapped up in the comedic barbs and situational comedy the author has delivered so well. I've often waxed poetic about how much I love the ability of good fantasy and the ability to wrap up big swaths of socially impactful commentary.
November 15, 2024
…🎵Queue music from "Wait For It" by Tyler Farr…🎵
Oh what a fabulously original story! It is not often that I would recommend a book that centers around, well, death. More specifically, what might happen in the afterlife. But A. L. Glennon takes three very different teen characters and hurdles them on a fast-paced adventure through Purgatory (and yes, even to Hell and back). It was funny, poignant, and at times, very relatable (who doesn’t think the DMV is one of the rings of Hell?)
I love the timeliness of reading it between Halloween and Christmas, given the novel’s timeline. I love her imaginative take on many of our everyday colloquialisms – (“where on Earth do you suppose we are”, “a ghost with a clanking chain”, “bats out of Hell”). And I loved how Glennon wove art, and artistry, feelings and friendship into her own work of literary art (less than 200 pages).
I am so thankful to @lovebookstours for introducing me to the novel, and to @ALGlennonAuthor and @inksmithpublishing for my gifted physical copy. And I apologise for my tardiness of my review – my mum used to always say I was a “day late and a dollar short.” Guess you had to… ‘wait for it”! 😊I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you are in the mood for something well-written, irreverently reverent, and refreshingly original.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Oh what a fabulously original story! It is not often that I would recommend a book that centers around, well, death. More specifically, what might happen in the afterlife. But A. L. Glennon takes three very different teen characters and hurdles them on a fast-paced adventure through Purgatory (and yes, even to Hell and back). It was funny, poignant, and at times, very relatable (who doesn’t think the DMV is one of the rings of Hell?)
I love the timeliness of reading it between Halloween and Christmas, given the novel’s timeline. I love her imaginative take on many of our everyday colloquialisms – (“where on Earth do you suppose we are”, “a ghost with a clanking chain”, “bats out of Hell”). And I loved how Glennon wove art, and artistry, feelings and friendship into her own work of literary art (less than 200 pages).
I am so thankful to @lovebookstours for introducing me to the novel, and to @ALGlennonAuthor and @inksmithpublishing for my gifted physical copy. And I apologise for my tardiness of my review – my mum used to always say I was a “day late and a dollar short.” Guess you had to… ‘wait for it”! 😊I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you are in the mood for something well-written, irreverently reverent, and refreshingly original.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 5, 2020
I absolutely loved this hidden gem! Teenage angst? Check. Funny? Check. Fast-paced? Check. Ghosts? Check. Emotional? Check. It has everything I look for in YA books and more!
Besides being incredibly well written, this story of three teenagers who met their untimely demise (well, I guess, technically, one was timely) had me laughing, pondering the meaning of life, and even getting a little teary eyed by the end. All in just over 200 pages.
If you're a fan of bringing the ordinary to extraordinary situations, you'll love this. Glennon is a master of making ghosts and Hell relatable. For example, the nine levels of Hell involves increasingly crowded and slower-moving DMV-like offices that require a plethora of needless and redundant paperwork before reaching the true demons. Sounds like Hell to me!
I highly recommend this to anyone who likes YA literature and think it would be a great read for teens to get them thinking about the meaning in their life, while enjoying a super fun story. As for me, I can't wait to read more by Glennon!
Besides being incredibly well written, this story of three teenagers who met their untimely demise (well, I guess, technically, one was timely) had me laughing, pondering the meaning of life, and even getting a little teary eyed by the end. All in just over 200 pages.
If you're a fan of bringing the ordinary to extraordinary situations, you'll love this. Glennon is a master of making ghosts and Hell relatable. For example, the nine levels of Hell involves increasingly crowded and slower-moving DMV-like offices that require a plethora of needless and redundant paperwork before reaching the true demons. Sounds like Hell to me!
I highly recommend this to anyone who likes YA literature and think it would be a great read for teens to get them thinking about the meaning in their life, while enjoying a super fun story. As for me, I can't wait to read more by Glennon!
November 18, 2024
Oh, I loved the whole concept of this one.
I've recently watched a spate of series on TV that deal with those in the afterlife and what could be awaiting us there and this was such a fun and enjoyable quick read along the same lines.
I'm not really religious at all, but I have found myself on occasion, wondering what does happen once you die?
Well, this was a humourous story about 3 characters awaiting that re-assignment after their death - but who takes a little wander around to take a look back on their time in the real world and what it meant.
Wouldn't it be amazing to think that you could have your time all over again and learn from all the mistakes you've made in life!?
Hmm, I'm not sure - good or bad?
I really liked our characters who were all pretty different personalities and yet bonded in their task.
Very relatable, even though the situation they were in a d the events of the story were completely strange.
I loved the depiction of the afterlife and hell being just like any other bureaucratic process - including the waiting and the paperwork!
This was fun but also had me sitting back and thinking, what if?.... and even felt a little emotional at the end for our trio!
A great quick read - well written and fun.
I've recently watched a spate of series on TV that deal with those in the afterlife and what could be awaiting us there and this was such a fun and enjoyable quick read along the same lines.
I'm not really religious at all, but I have found myself on occasion, wondering what does happen once you die?
Well, this was a humourous story about 3 characters awaiting that re-assignment after their death - but who takes a little wander around to take a look back on their time in the real world and what it meant.
Wouldn't it be amazing to think that you could have your time all over again and learn from all the mistakes you've made in life!?
Hmm, I'm not sure - good or bad?
I really liked our characters who were all pretty different personalities and yet bonded in their task.
Very relatable, even though the situation they were in a d the events of the story were completely strange.
I loved the depiction of the afterlife and hell being just like any other bureaucratic process - including the waiting and the paperwork!
This was fun but also had me sitting back and thinking, what if?.... and even felt a little emotional at the end for our trio!
A great quick read - well written and fun.
November 16, 2024
I think it's good to read something different every once in a while. And Wait For It was certainly different. In a good way of course. What a thoroughly enjoyable, quick read that was!
We're not always very good at dealing with the subject of Death, but this book does it in a way that is humorous, but still doesn't feel disrespectful!
I love the adventure that Martin, Zelda and Zeke went on, quite literally to hell and back. They learned a bit about themselves on the way, and will hopefully become better people as a result. I loved the references to historical figures, mythology and religion, all neatly tied up together.
If you're looking for a short, fun, adventure with a difference, then I would definitely recommend this
We're not always very good at dealing with the subject of Death, but this book does it in a way that is humorous, but still doesn't feel disrespectful!
I love the adventure that Martin, Zelda and Zeke went on, quite literally to hell and back. They learned a bit about themselves on the way, and will hopefully become better people as a result. I loved the references to historical figures, mythology and religion, all neatly tied up together.
If you're looking for a short, fun, adventure with a difference, then I would definitely recommend this
November 13, 2024
This is an exciting story about a high schooler named Martin who wakes up in purgatory. He is unsure how he got there or how to get out. He meets 2 other teenagers who are very different from himself. The three band together forming a very unlikely friendship unless in purgatory of course. Can Martin, Zelda, and Zeke find a way out or will they be stuck in purgatory forever? This book has friendship, ghosts, purgatory, heaven, and hell. This was a fast read that sucked me in from the very beginning. Highly recommend!
November 13, 2024
Recommend
Wait for It by A.L. Glennon.
I really enjoyed this book. The pace was good. It kept my interest until the last page. I read in two sittings. I did like the three main characters, Martin, Zelda, and Zek. I liked the writing style. I liked the story it was different. I haven't read anything like this. I cover was different but as you read you understand the cover. I could totally see this as a movie. I do hope there is more to come. I would recommend this book.
Wait for It by A.L. Glennon.
I really enjoyed this book. The pace was good. It kept my interest until the last page. I read in two sittings. I did like the three main characters, Martin, Zelda, and Zek. I liked the writing style. I liked the story it was different. I haven't read anything like this. I cover was different but as you read you understand the cover. I could totally see this as a movie. I do hope there is more to come. I would recommend this book.
July 26, 2023
This is a great read for teens and for parents of teens who recognize the teenage angst in their own children. It captures the imagination and takes you on a journey to hell and back - quite literally. Dark humor is peppered throughout as the characters battle real issues that teens face. Enjoyed this book and I look forward to more from this author.
November 13, 2024
This was an interesting read .... it looks into the 'what happens after you pass'. We follow our 3 main characters who have all died (both at their time and not) and then they are waiting to be reassigned to a new life. It is a book that is asking about life and death and the results if this. This is not my type of book however I did enjoy the themes that were discussed.
November 14, 2024
Wait For It by A. L. Glennon is a fantasy adventure novella published in November 2019.
The story follows Martin who, following an accident in a bathroom, finds himself in the waiting area of the Soul Reassignment Office where he meets Zelda and Zeke. Zeke has been reincarnated many times and he fills Martin and Zelda into what he has learnt and what is coming next for them both. Following the information from Zeke and the added boredom of waiting around, the three of them enter a portal that returns them to earth and the adventure begins.
This was a very fun read and gave me hitchhikers guide to the galaxy vibes in how it blends humour, characters bonding, and a bit of a crazy adventure. All three characters pop of the pages and the interactions are fabulous along with the potential love interests that grow throughout. The story gives rise to the question I always wonder which is how will my family move on when I am no longer here and it does so in a very interesting way building to how the characters support each other. This has been another novella that packs so much detail, and story into the pages and you really feel like you read a much larger book just by how much you become engrossed in the story and the journey the characters go on.
This will be a definite favourite with fantasy adventure lovers.
The story follows Martin who, following an accident in a bathroom, finds himself in the waiting area of the Soul Reassignment Office where he meets Zelda and Zeke. Zeke has been reincarnated many times and he fills Martin and Zelda into what he has learnt and what is coming next for them both. Following the information from Zeke and the added boredom of waiting around, the three of them enter a portal that returns them to earth and the adventure begins.
This was a very fun read and gave me hitchhikers guide to the galaxy vibes in how it blends humour, characters bonding, and a bit of a crazy adventure. All three characters pop of the pages and the interactions are fabulous along with the potential love interests that grow throughout. The story gives rise to the question I always wonder which is how will my family move on when I am no longer here and it does so in a very interesting way building to how the characters support each other. This has been another novella that packs so much detail, and story into the pages and you really feel like you read a much larger book just by how much you become engrossed in the story and the journey the characters go on.
This will be a definite favourite with fantasy adventure lovers.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews