Synopsis: Every year for the past fifty-four years, the residents of Pinsbury Port receive a mysterious letter inviting all eligible-aged boys to compete for an esteemed scholarship to the all-male Stemwick University. Every year, the poorer residents look to see that their names are on the list. The wealthier look to see how likely their sons are to survive. And Rhen Tellur opens it to see if she can derive which substances the ink and parchment are created from, using her father’s microscope.
In the province of Caldon, where women are trained in wifely duties and men are encouraged into collegiate education, sixteen-year-old Rhen Tellur wants nothing more than to become a scientist. As the poor of her seaside town fall prey to a deadly disease, she and her father work desperately to find a cure. But when her Mum succumbs to it as well? Rhen decides to take the future into her own hands—through the annual all-male scholarship competition.
With her cousin, Seleni, by her side, the girls don disguises and enter Mr. Holm’s labyrinth, to best the boys and claim the scholarship prize. Except not everyone’s ready for a girl who doesn’t know her place. And not everyone survives the maze.
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About the Author: Mary Weber is the award-winning HarperCollins author of the bestselling young adult Storm Siren Trilogy, and The Sofi Snow duology. An avid school and conference speaker, Mary’s passion is helping others find their voice amid a world that often feels too loud. When she’s not plotting adventures involving tough girls who frequently take over the world, Mary sings 80s hairband songs to her three muggle children and ogles her husband who looks strikingly like Wolverine. They live in California which is perfect for stalking LA bands and the ocean. She gets nerdy at maryweber.com; Facebook: marychristineweber; Instagram: maryweberauthor; Twitter: @mchristineweber; and Goodreads.
Rating: 🌟
My Review: I loved Mary Weber's first series but since then her next two books just weren't for me. Which makes me very sad. It seems that they have lost that spark that made a fantastic story and that is so disappointing. This one is just like that. We get this beautiful cover with this maze then find out that the maze doesn't even happen until over 50% in. It was not the forefront of the main plot and for me this book just didn't deliver.
I really enjoyed the first few chapters but after those the book slowed WAY down and got boring to the point where I just had to put it down. I no longer cared about this world Weber had created and I was just done. I do hope that some readers will enjoy this one but it just wasn't for me at all.
Rating: 🌟
My Review: I loved Mary Weber's first series but since then her next two books just weren't for me. Which makes me very sad. It seems that they have lost that spark that made a fantastic story and that is so disappointing. This one is just like that. We get this beautiful cover with this maze then find out that the maze doesn't even happen until over 50% in. It was not the forefront of the main plot and for me this book just didn't deliver.
I really enjoyed the first few chapters but after those the book slowed WAY down and got boring to the point where I just had to put it down. I no longer cared about this world Weber had created and I was just done. I do hope that some readers will enjoy this one but it just wasn't for me at all.
Go Into This One Knowing: Slow Story, Synopsis not main plot, Boring
'Feminist YA that Doesn't Disappoint' (School Library Journal)
'Weber's fantasy delves into themes of social class, feminism, gender roles, and love.' (School Library Journal)
'This book is one of a kind. We couldn't put it down and didn't want it to end. There's something for everyone.' (Swoony Boys Podcast)
'This was impossible to put down and absolutely engrossing -- I was fully enveloped in this world and contest. . . I highly recommend for all lovers of YA fantasy.' (YA Books Central, 5/5 stars)
'Perhaps my favorite thing about this novel is the ability it has to stay grounded, to show us characters who are so often unrepresented and to remind us that we all can fight and play our part for a better world and a better future.' (Bowling Green Daily News)
'From the first page To Best the Boys is explosive.' (The Nerd Daily)
'. . . unique worldbuilding and a strong, courageous heroine who breaks the stereotypical gender rules and who will make herself an enduring place in readers' hearts. An enjoyable, exciting new read.' (Booklist)
'Romance, family devotion, and the power of female friendship round out this provoking tale . . . ' (Hope by the Book, BOOKMARKED review)
'From the spooky story world to the like-HUNGER-GAMES-but-for-college contest to the whip-sharp heroine, TO BEST THE BOYS has so much to offer. A great pick for DIVERGENT fans.' (The Story Sanctuary)
'Weber's fantasy delves into themes of social class, feminism, gender roles, and love.' (School Library Journal)
'This book is one of a kind. We couldn't put it down and didn't want it to end. There's something for everyone.' (Swoony Boys Podcast)
'This was impossible to put down and absolutely engrossing -- I was fully enveloped in this world and contest. . . I highly recommend for all lovers of YA fantasy.' (YA Books Central, 5/5 stars)
'Perhaps my favorite thing about this novel is the ability it has to stay grounded, to show us characters who are so often unrepresented and to remind us that we all can fight and play our part for a better world and a better future.' (Bowling Green Daily News)
'From the first page To Best the Boys is explosive.' (The Nerd Daily)
'. . . unique worldbuilding and a strong, courageous heroine who breaks the stereotypical gender rules and who will make herself an enduring place in readers' hearts. An enjoyable, exciting new read.' (Booklist)
'Romance, family devotion, and the power of female friendship round out this provoking tale . . . ' (Hope by the Book, BOOKMARKED review)
'From the spooky story world to the like-HUNGER-GAMES-but-for-college contest to the whip-sharp heroine, TO BEST THE BOYS has so much to offer. A great pick for DIVERGENT fans.' (The Story Sanctuary)
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FTC Guidelines: In accordance with FTC guidelines regarding endorsements and testimonials for bloggers, I would like my readers to know that many of the books I review are provided to me for free by the publisher or author of the book in exchange for an honest review. If am compensated for any reviews on this site I will state that post has been sponsored.
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