How Does The Future Of Us Compare To Jay Asher’S Other Novels?

Big fan of Thirteen Reasons Why and The Future of Us. Does his collaborative work capture the same gripping, emotional YA drama and complex character relationships as his solo writing?
2026-07-25 22:10:25
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4 Answers

StoryLane
StoryLane
Longtime Reader Firefighter
I read it right after 'Thirteen Reasons' and the tonal whiplash gave me whiplash. Went from sobbing to mildly amused in the span of a day. Would not recommend that reading order if you want a coherent sense of the author. Space them out with something completely different in between. Treat them as books by different authors who happen to share a name. That's the healthiest approach. Trying to find the through-line will just frustrate you because, aside from competent YA writing, they're aiming for completely different emotional outcomes.
2026-07-28 07:39:09
6
LuckyVibe
LuckyVibe
Plot Detective Student
The pacing in the middle sags. The initial concept is great, but then it cycles through 'check Facebook, freak out, try to change something' a few too many times. His other novels are tighter, with a more relentless drive toward the climax. This one meanders in the second act, which can test a reader's patience. It feels like a novella idea stretched to novel length. A tighter edit could have made it a standout, but as is, it has noticeable filler that his more focused solo work avoids.
2026-07-28 08:42:21
2
IvyGarcia
IvyGarcia
Reviewer Receptionist
The target audience feels slightly younger. The problems in 'The Future of Us' are relatable to mid-teens: college worries, friend drama, crushes. The problems in 'Thirteen Reasons' are severe, life-and-death adult issues packaged in a YA narrative. That shifts the recommended age range. I'd hand 'The Future of Us' to a 13- or 14-year-old without hesitation; I'd have a conversation with a teen about 'Thirteen Reasons'. This makes his bibliography more accessible across age groups within the YA umbrella, providing options for different maturity levels.
2026-07-30 15:17:17
2
CamdenJay
CamdenJay
Active Reader Lawyer
I'm just sitting here laughing because I remember using a giant, beige computer monitor just like the one on the cover. That's the real nostalgia punch. The book itself was fine, but the cover art? Perfection.
2026-07-31 02:19:24
10
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