The Second World Book Review: The Funniest Sci-Fi Story I’ve Read in Years
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If you’re looking for a funny sci-fi book that still delivers heart, The Second World by Jake Korell completely surprised me. A book like this one reminds me that I’ve always had a soft spot for sci-fi. Read for The Second World book review and follow along for more to come.
In fact, it was the very first genre I fell in love with when I started reading independently in high school. Somewhere along the way, I drifted more toward literary fiction, but when I had the opportunity to listen to an advanced reader copy of The Second World through NetGalley, I was genuinely excited to return to a genre that first made me a reader.
And honestly? I forgot how much fun sci-fi can be.
“I was literally laughing out loud in the grocery store while listening to this audiobook.”
What The Second World Is About (Spoiler-Free)
The Second World follows Flip Buchanan — second child, from the second-best family, living in the second world (Mars). And Flip wants one thing more than anything else:
To finally be first.
Life on Mars might sound futuristic and wildly different, but in many ways, it isn’t. There’s still political tension. There’s still questionable leadership. And there are still all the complicated, messy dynamics of growing up. Flip navigates friendships, family expectations, identity, and the deep desire to prove yourself. Sometimes, very badly!
This book leans fully into that contrast by providing a completely imaginative setting paired with deeply familiar human experiences.
And it does it with humor. A lot of humor.
Why This Sci-Fi Story Made Me Laugh Out Loud
This book is funny.
Not just mildly amusing. I mean genuinely, unexpectedly, laugh-out-loud funny. I was literally standing in the grocery store, earbuds in, laughing to myself like a crazy person during the final scenes.
The ending is completely outrageous.
It pushes the boundaries of believability in a way that, in another book, might not have worked for me. But here’s the thing: because of the careful buildup, the character development, and the tone set from the very beginning, it absolutely lands.
Instead of feeling ridiculous, it feels earned.
And honestly? It might be one of the most entertaining finales I’ve read in a long time.
Themes in The Second World: Friendship, Identity, and Growing Up
At its heart, this is a coming-of-age story wrapped in a sci-fi setting.
Watching Flip navigate early adolescence, family tension, first love, and friendship dynamics. This felt incredibly familiar, even against the backdrop of life on Mars. His core friend group, in particular, stood out to me. The way relationships shift, fade, and sometimes return mirrors real life so well.
We all have people who are central to our lives for a season… and then aren’t.
And sometimes, they come back again.
That thread of evolving relationships felt authentic and grounding.
There’s also a strong undercurrent of identity throughout the story. Presently, there is a struggle to remain true to yourself while still figuring out who you are. Add in themes of loyalty, pressure, and the desire to outgrow the expectations placed on you, and it becomes something deeper than just a humorous sci-fi adventure.
The Pressure to Prove Yourself
One of my favorite moments comes right at the beginning.
Flip’s entire identity is shaped by being second — second child, second-best, second place. And the pressure he feels to redeem his family name and finally come out on top is both hilarious and deeply relatable.
Because honestly…
Aren’t we all trying, in some way, to prove we can do better than what came before us?
That tension plays out in both comedic and meaningful ways throughout the book.
The Audiobook Experience: Why It Works So Well
Jake Korell’s writing — especially presented in audio — was such a highlight for me.
The tone reminded me of Stand By Me, with that nostalgic, reflective storytelling voice… but layered with the absurd, self-aware humor of Mars Attacks. It’s an unexpected combination, but it works beautifully.
What I appreciated most is that the deeper emotional weight of the story doesn’t fully hit you until later.
You’re laughing. You’re enjoying the chaos.
And then suddenly, you’re looking back alongside these characters as adults, realizing just how much those messy, ridiculous, formative years shaped everything.
The Moment That Stayed With Me
The final scenes are unforgettable.
Not just because of the absurdity and chaos — but because Flip finally steps into himself. There’s a moment where he leans into his moral compass with honesty and bravery, and it feels like everything has been building toward that point.
It’s satisfying. It’s meaningful.
And yes — it’s still hilarious.
The Second World Book Review: Final Thoughts
The Second World is a sci-fi coming-of-age novel that reminded me why I fell in love with reading in the first place.
It’s imaginative, ridiculous, heartfelt, and surprisingly reflective. It balances humor with real emotional depth in a way that sneaks up on you — and then stays with you after the final chapter.
If you enjoy sci-fi with personality, coming-of-age stories, and books that don’t take themselves too seriously while still saying something meaningful, this is absolutely worth picking up.
And for me?
It also served as a reminder that maybe it’s time to bring a little more sci-fi back into my reading life.
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Is The Second World Worth Reading?
The Second World by Jake Corel is a funny sci-fi coming-of-age novel set on Mars. It combines humor, friendship, and identity struggles with a fast-paced and entertaining storyline—perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven sci-fi with heart. Totally worth reading and a book we’re going to read more about this year, for sure.
