To Best the Boys
by Mary Weber
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: March 5th 2019
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
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.
REVIEW
I received a printed ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rhen Tellur lives in a male-dominated society which kind of reminded me of The Handmaid's Tale minus the too creepy vibe. But the prejudice is clear. When the chance to enter the Labyrinth comes, where only boys can enter she will risk everything in order to change her life and also save her sick mother.
While there is romance, it comes second to Rhen's attempt to fight her way through the contest, trying to save her mother. It's a testament against societies where women are treated badly, and they are excluded from work and science. Rhen's POV is strong and eager to fight while also she has her fears because she breaks tradition.
Really recommended.
Rhen Tellur lives in a male-dominated society which kind of reminded me of The Handmaid's Tale minus the too creepy vibe. But the prejudice is clear. When the chance to enter the Labyrinth comes, where only boys can enter she will risk everything in order to change her life and also save her sick mother.
While there is romance, it comes second to Rhen's attempt to fight her way through the contest, trying to save her mother. It's a testament against societies where women are treated badly, and they are excluded from work and science. Rhen's POV is strong and eager to fight while also she has her fears because she breaks tradition.
Really recommended.
About the author:
Hi. I write books. I eat things. I kiss things. I believe in mermaids.
I'm also the author of the Storm Siren Trilogy, The Evaporation of Sofi Snow series, and the March 2019 release, To Best the Boys. When not working, I sing 80’s hairband songs to my three muggle children, and ogle my husband who looks strikingly like Wolverine. We live in California, which is perfect for stalking aging movie stars while wearing fanny packs and sweatpants.
For those who like to know such things (mainly my mom), Storm Siren was featured in the Scholastic Book Fair and my novels have been endorsed by such nice humans as Marissa Meyer, CJ Redwine, Shannon Messenger, and Jonathan Maberry (in fact, Marissa Meyer and I have a fun interview in the paperback of her book, CRESS). Also, Boba tea & sweatpants are life. {We can chat about life (in sweatpants over tea, obviously) in my Newsletter.
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