Guys, it’s been a while since I’ve read into the wee hours of the morning on a week day – adulthood, work, responsibility, tiredness, you name it, the reasons (excuses?) are vast and boring – but that’s exactly what I did while reading To Best the Boys by Mary Weber.
I drooled over this cover when it was first revealed, so when I got the chance to snag an ARC, you better believe I jumped on it, and wow, it does not disappoint.
My Two Cents?
In this magical book that is the perfect mix of delightful and impactful, Rhen Tellur wants many things. She wants to become a scientist. She wants to cure the mysterious disease that has begun killing her poor neighbors. She wants to save her mother. She wants the freedom to speak without being told it is unladylike, to dream up goals that are hers to accomplish without being told that she exists only to further her future husband’s career.
She wants to best the boys at their own game. So, to win a chance at a college scholarship, she disguises herself as one of them and enters the yearly labyrinth race.
I loved so many things about this book. The port town with its casual acceptance of background magic and magical creatures (like ghouls and sirens) reminded me of all of my favorite elements of the island of Thisby from The Scorpio Races—so, yes, Scorpio fans you will love this one! The labyrinth was so fascinating and so much more stressful than the escape room I did a few months ago. Would I survive the labyrinth? Um … I hope so?
Rhen is smart and adorably awkward with her tendency to blurt random facts about the decomposition of creatures. Her courage to shatter expectations to fight for her dreams and the people she loves is amazing! And her journey as she wrestled with the conflict between chasing goals and knowing there are other things she has to do, or maybe should do, or that everyone expects her to do felt so real to me.
What else makes this book wonderful?
Oh, how about a dash of charming and lovable characters, along with a delightful smidge of romance that beautifully supported but did not supersede Rhen’s story (my favorite kind), all mixed into an engaging plot with twists and turns, topped off with inspiring quotes that I wish I had taken time to write down … only I was too busy flipping pages to see what happened next.
And as much as I wanted Rhen to succeed, there were times when I wondered if I was even more desperate to see a certain manipulative and controlling antagonist brought down! Those are my favorite antagonists because I can really get emotionally engaged in the struggle and can’t wait to see them get their comeuppance. Like Umbridge from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix or Kyle Haven from The Liveship Trilogy by Robin Hobb. *shudder*
To Best the Boys is definitely a must read for fans of magical fantasy and all the girls and guys who long to dare to dream. So if you haven’t ordered a copy yet, do it now!
MEET THE AUTHOR
Mary Weber is the bestselling HarperCollins author of six books, including the Storm Siren Trilogy, The Evaporation of Sofi Snow series, and this year’s highly-acclaimed To Best the Boys. When not writing, Mary sings 80’s 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 aging superstars while wearing sweatpants and fannypacks.
(And if you aren’t following her on Instagram … you should definitely check her account out. I love it!)
ABOUT THE BOOK
The task is simple:
Don a disguise.
Survive the labyrinth.
Best the boys.
In a thrilling new fantasy from the bestselling author of the Storm Siren Trilogy, one girl makes a stand against society and enters a world made exclusively for boys.
Every year for the past fifty-four years, the residents of Pinsbury Port have received a mysterious letter inviting all eligible-aged boys to compete for an esteemed scholarship to the all-male Stemwick University. The poorer residents look to see if 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 train in wifely duties and men pursue 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 is ready for a girl who doesn’t know her place. And not everyone survives the deadly maze. Welcome to the labyrinth.
Snag a copy today!
Your Turn!
- What’s up next on your TBR?
- Have you pre-ordered To Best the Boys?
I received a free copy of this book without any requirement to write a review, so the thoughts and opinions expressed here are 100% voluntary and my personal takeaway.
Lillianna says
I will definitely read this!! It sounds good!!
Maddie Morrow says
I preordered it weeks ago and can’t wait for it to release!