Powerful, extraordinary, insightful and out-of-this-world weird (in a good way!), Andrew Smith's Grasshopper Jungle is a book like no other out there. I honestly don't even know where to begin describing it. I kid you not, it's a literary masterpiece. I can't remember last time I had this much fun reading a book! 
 It's the-end-of the-world story like you've never seen it before. It all starts in the small Iowa town and it centres around three ordinary (?) teenagers: the perpetually horny and sexually confused Austin Szerba, his gay best friend, Rob, and his girlfriend, Shann (whom Austin desperately wants to have sex with). There's an underground bunker filled to the ceiling with the most disturbing shit you could ever imagine (including testicles in a jar and two-headed infants), fascinating bits and pieces of history (world's history, as well as personal one), a golden retriever who poops like an elephant, giant insects with only two things on their mind and a whole lot of intense, gore mess to enjoy. 
 The narrative is nothing short of brilliant. It's the end of the world as seen through the eyes of the most awkward, confused and ever-horny teenager you could imagine. And it's hilarious! Some aspects of it are completely mind-blowing and insane, but then you also get those moments of breathtaking beauty and clarity - and that happens when we get to explore Austin's psyche and his emotional inner universe. And those moments, those little sneak-peaks at his mind and soul, they are priceless, real and unforgettable. They are universal and relevant. And they make Szerba a very relatable protagonist. 
 While Grasshopper Jungle is utterly brilliant, hilarious, refreshing and eye-opening, and can most certainly be enjoyed by teens, I do believe that it takes a certain level of maturity to fully appreciate it. Younger teens will have fun with this book for sure, older teens will probably understand more and be able to relate to certain themes better, but I think it'll take an adult reader to get 100% out of this book. 
 Austin Szerba is a phenomenal character. He is horny. Very horny. Every-other-thought-is-about-sex kind of horny. He's trying to figure out his life and his sexuality. He's confused, lost, overconfident and not nearly confident enough. His head is filled with random thoughts. He's obsessed with history and keeps tons of journals in his closet. He's weird, awkward. He smokes too much and often gets beaten up. In other words, he's the essence of what it means (and feels like) to be a teenager. Andrew Smith did a marvellous job developing and polishing his character. To me, he felt almost painfully real. I'd often find myself nodding or laughing out loud at some of his thoughts, and I could never get enough of his honest, bizarre personality. I loved him. He's probably the most fascinating, beautifully fleshed out character I've ever come across in YA fiction (or any fiction for that matter). 
 To say that Grasshopper Jungle is like a strong punch to the guts would be a major understatement. This book is a complete knock-out. It's pure INSANITY! Smith's ability to channel the teenage mind and evoke the emotional tornado of the teenage heart is unmatched. His writing - emotionally affecting, smart and sharp. To call the plotline original, would be inaccurate, too. The plotline is.. well, a total mind-fuck (I'm sorry, there's no other way to call it!). I loved all of Smith's books, but Grasshopper Jungle is definitely my favorite one yet. I'm honestly scared to think where this phenomenal author will take us next. And I seriously can't wait to find out!