This book had everything I'd want from a book. The world building was complete in the context of the story, the characters were well rounded, and I enjoyed the writing. The writing was descriptive but not overly flowery, it was a great balance.

"My gloved left hand grips the sealed vial while my right hand tugs my flimsy cloak closer against the specter of cold that haunts every recess and shadow of our chilly coastal town."

Each chapter keep the story moving to where I didn't want to put the book down. I read half of the book in a day, the other half I read intermittently between work and other commitments. Oh and the best thing... it's not a series.

Just for fair warning, the story isn't WHAM you're in the labyrinth and the whole story is about getting out. However, what I liked about this is that you really got to understand the world Rhen lives in and why she makes the choice to enter the labyrinth. This story had everything from sadness, rage, joy, fear, resistance and all the feelings we grow up experiencing. I could definitely resonate with Rhen because I have been in similar situations at work where the men don't value women as equals or as capable. I really enjoyed the relationship between Rhen and Seleni, it was as best friends/sister should be and Beryll made me chuckle. There is some romance but it is so sweet and felt very natural, it wasn't overdone.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It’s no secret how much I love Mary’s books, but this one just blew them all out of the water (yes, all of them, even Reclaiming Shilo Snow). It may actually be my favorite book, OF. ALL. TIME.
To Best The Boys is a story set in a (delightfully creepy at times) world where girls are denied higher education, the poor are denied proper healthcare, and the wealthy live in blissful (or willful) ignorance of the issues of those they consider beneath them. A young woman named Rhen Tellur disguises herself as a boy and sets out to face the mysterious Labyrinth that has only ever been open to young men for a chance to win a scholarship to a university, and to best the boys.
This is a story for anyone who has ever been told that they are less than, that they can’t because..., that they’re doing it wrong, and whose voices haven’t been heard because people don’t bother to listen.
I wish this book had existed when I was a teen. If time travel is ever possible, I’m taking a copy of this book back to my 17 year old self. As it is, I can’t wait until my niece is old enough to read it, and I want to hand a copy to every single one of my friends. I will be raving about this book for a very, very long time. This book deserves an infinite number of stars. If you want a book that will make you cry and then scream from the rooftops that we can do ANYTHING, this book is for you. ❤️
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It’s very rare to find a story that makes me smile while my very being swells with pride from the first page to the last and I couldn’t be happier to have found that within this book.

“To Best the Boys” sees a world not that different from our own in that the rich sit as high as they can and make decisions that further their own interests without any regard for those considered beneath them, but when Rhen sees an opportunity to get a better education by joining the men’s only test through the Labyrinth she decides the reward is worth the risk and together with her cousin they travel where no woman has gone before to prove their worth and hope to tip the scales in favor of those who work for what they want rather than standing by and watching it be given to those who have it handed to them.

This book couldn’t have been more perfect. The entire first half sets up the characters and the dynamics of the world and society in a way that doesn’t feel like heavy exposition or filler to get us to the deadly maze but rather shows how important Rhen’s decision to take this test is. She’s one who straddles both lines being born in what is considered lower society but welcomed by those in the wealthy so her awareness to the struggle of her neighbors matched by the aloofness of those in the position to bring about real change makes her one you root for from the moment of her introduction.

The construct of the Labyrinth was very cool I liked how it was both something deadly a la ‘The Hunger Games’ but also focused on being a test to get into the university so it was just the physical strengths they were looking for but the mental, social and true character of the participant as well.

I enjoyed this book from start to finish and there’s so many moments that will sing to a woman’s heart whatever her age as we work everyday be it in our own lives or cheering other women on to make sure
that those who come after us are treated with nothing short of equality.

**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**