Book Review: Aisle Nine by Ian X. Cho
As someone who has spent more than a few hours wandering the aisles of a grocery store (often lost in thought, and occasionally in search of snacks), the title of Ian X. Cho’s Aisle Nine immediately piqued my interest. The clever concept of a Black Friday sale coinciding with the end of the world? Intriguing! With a tangy mix of dark humor and teen angst, I was eager to dive into this apocalyptic adventure, and I was not disappointed.
Set in a world disrupted by portals to hell, Aisle Nine follows Jasper, a checkout clerk grappling with amnesia and unresolved trauma from a life he barely remembers. What started as a mundane retail job quickly spirals into something much larger when Jasper finds himself haunted by visions of an impending apocalypse, kicked off by the all-too-familiar chaos of Black Friday shopping. I found myself rooting for Jasper, a quintessential teenage protagonist who feels like a lost puzzle piece trying desperately to fit into a world filled with demons—and not just the real kind.
The relationships in this book are what truly struck a chord with me. The tension between Jasper and Kyle Kuan, the girl he’s hopelessly drawn to, is electric yet frustrating. Their dynamic captures the rollercoaster of teenage emotions perfectly, as they both wrestle with their pasts and their roles in a world on the brink of disaster. Whether it’s the crushing weight of societal expectations or the lighter moments of banter typical of teen romance, Cho deftly captures the essence of adolescence.
One of the standout features of Aisle Nine is its humor. From the absurdity of navigating both demons and demanding shoppers to the cynical observations on consumer culture, I found myself giggling (and sometimes cringing) at the sharp wit Cho employs. It’s refreshing to see a novel that tackles serious themes—like loss and identity—while also providing comic relief in the face of what feels like impending doom.
The pacing begins strong, though I agree with some reviewers that it has its dips. The initial laugh-out-loud moments set high expectations, and when the humor shifted into darker tones, I yearned for a bit of that retail levity to carry through. However, the exploration of deeper themes ultimately grounded the story and reminded me that sometimes, humor can’t carry the heavy lifting alone.
While not every character receives the fleshed-out backstory I craved, there are moments of genuine connection that resonate. I particularly enjoyed the sense of camaraderie among the retail workers, a nod to those of us who’ve braved the trenches of Black Friday madness.
Ultimately, I think Aisle Nine will resonate deeply with readers who appreciate a blend of humor, horror, and heartwarming moments—teenagers grappling with identity, nostalgia for high school crushes, and anyone who has felt out of place in their own life. Ian X. Cho crafts a story that is both a thrilling romp and a contemplative look at our personal connections, set against the bizarre backdrop of a world gone haywire.
In conclusion, Aisle Nine is likely to delight fans of contemporary fantasy looking for a unique blend of comedy and existential exploration. I walked away not just entertained, but also a little more appreciative of the chaos that comes with being human—especially in a world where hell can open up in aisle nine. What’s not to love?
You can find Aisle Nine here >>