A teenage checkout clerk and a monster-fighting Vanguard team up to uncover the truth about hell portals and impending apocalypse in a world where demons roam freely, leading to a Black Friday showdown in aisle nine. Filled with humor, horror, and commentary on consumerism, this young adult novel offers a unique twist on post-apocalyptic storytelling.

Reader Review Summary

Ian X. Cho's "Aisle Nine" is a wildly entertaining and unique young adult novel that takes a comedic yet insightful look at surviving the apocalypse - specifically one with portals to hell randomly opening up, including in the aisles of a discount retail store.

The book's greatest strength is its wonderfully bizarre yet clever premise and setting. The idea of nonchalantly carrying on with mundane tasks like grocery shopping while literal demons pour out of portals to hell is intrinsically funny and absurd. Cho leans into this audacious premise wholeheartedly, creating a reading experience that is endlessly amusing and unlike anything else out there.

The humor shines throughout, providing laughs on nearly every page through the over-the-top horror elements mixed with the monotonous drudgery of retail work and Black Friday consumer mania. From the demonic beings that manifest as everything from stuffed animals to exercise equipment, to the entitled shoppers who prioritize bargains over personal safety, Aisle Nine revels in its ridiculous scenarios. The author's background in humor writing pays off with fantastic satirical commentary on capitalism, consumerism, and society's ability to normalize even the most absurd of circumstances.

Underneath the laughs, Cho crafts a suitably high-stakes narrative surrounding the impending apocalypse. The brisk pacing and mystery elements around the protagonist Jasper's lost memories create narrative momentum that pulls you from one entertaining chapter to the next. Jasper himself is an endearing hero whose vulnerability and isolation make him rootable as he tries to make sense of his fragmented identity.

Supporting characters like the bold Vanguard demon fighter Kyle, the surprising persona of Lara the demon stuffed animal, and Jasper's eccentric roommate Pete add extra color and personality. The author crafts a memorable and distinctive voice for each that pops off the page.

While a few reviewers felt the humor waned in the latter half, the lively prose and brisk storytelling keep Aisle Nine extremely readable from start to finish. The madcap finale is a tour-de-force of gasp-worthy twists, adrenaline-pumping action, and over-the-top visuals that provoke as many gasps as laughs.

In the end, "Aisle Nine" is a riotously funny breath of fresh air that injects new life into the young adult horror/apocalypse genre through wildly creative worldbuilding and characters. With razor-sharp cultural satire underlying the rambunctious thrills and laughs, it's a gem of a novel that should not be missed by readers looking for an uproariously delightful good time with plenty of surprises in store. Ian X. Cho establishes himself as a bold new voice to watch in speculative fiction.