Aisle Nine - by Ian X Cho (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

*A William C. Morris Award Finalist*

It's Black Friday--and the apocalypse is on sale!

Ever since the world filled with portals to hell and bloodthirsty demons started popping out on the reg, Jasper's life has gotten worse and worse. A teenage nobody with no friends or family, he is plagued by the life he can't remember and the person he's sure he's supposed to be.

Jasper spends his days working as a checkout clerk at the Here for You discount mart, where a hell portal in aisle nine means danger every shift. But at least here he can be near the girl he's crushing on--Kyle Kuan, a junior member of the monster-fighting Vanguard--who seems to hate Jasper for reasons he can't remember or understand.

But when Jasper and Kyle learn they both share a frightening vision of the impending apocalypse, they're forced to team up and uncover the uncomfortable truth about the hell portals and the demons that haunt the world. Because the true monsters are not always what they seem, the past is not always what we wish, and, like it or not, on Black Friday all hell will break loose, starting in aisle nine.

Rising star Ian X. Cho delivers an unforgettably freaky and hilarious YA debut with Aisle Nine, perfect for fans of Grasshopper Jungle or The Last of Us.

Review Quotes

"An intriguing corporate military state apocalypse fueled by nightmares and served with a side of romance." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Regardless of the reader's age, the call to fight hopelessness and change the world, even when obstacles seem insurmountable, is one that will resonate." -- Booklist

"Cho ably balances the horrors of actual demons with the evils of late-stage capitalism, trusting readers to catch the monsters on both sides." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award Nominee -- Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award Nominee

Nominee for the 2025-2026 Green Mountain Book Award -- 2025-2026 Green Mountain Book Award

Finalist for the 2025 Aurealis Award for Best Young Adult Novel -- Aurealis Award for Best Young Adult Novel

Shortlisted for the 2025-2026 Morning Calm Medal - High School -- 2025-2026 Morning Calm Medal - High School