Ian X. Cho, Aisle Nine, HarperCollins Publishers, September 2024, 272 pp., RRP $19.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781460760680
Ian X. Cho’s debut novel, Aisle Nine, is a fast-paced, darkly comedic tale of a world teetering on the edge of apocalypse. The novel provides a surprisingly deep exploration of what it means to be a hero, to find love in unexpected places, and to face the end of the world with a mix of dread and hope.
Set in a world where portals to hell have opened up at random locations, including a particularly troublesome one in the aisle of a discount mart, this sci-fi novel offers a blend of demon-fighting action, existential mystery, and unexpected romance. The story follows Jasper, a teenage checkout clerk at the ‘Here For You’ discount mart, where life is anything but normal. Ever since a traumatic accident left him with amnesia, Jasper has been trying to piece together the fragments of his past, unsure of who he is or why he feels so out of place in the world.
His only solace is Kyle Kuan, a tough, no-nonsense Vanguard trainee, assigned to monitor the hell portal that just so happens to be in his store. Jasper is drawn to Kyle, but she seems to despise him for reasons he can’t remember—or understand. When the two of them begin having shared, terrifying visions of an impending apocalypse, they’re forced to team up to uncover the truth about the hell portals and the demons that come through them. As they dig deeper, they uncover a sinister plot that leads to one hell of a Black Friday. The portal in aisle nine isn’t just any portal—it’s the key to everything.
Aisle Nine invites readers to reflect on identity, purpose, and connection in a time of existential crisis. Jasper’s journey is not just about surviving the apocalypse but about discovering who he really is—and who he wants to become. This is a novel recommended for young adults who enjoy fast, comedic sci-fi with a twist of romance or YA apocalypse stories with a fresh take on the genre.
Reviewed by India Boon
