Quick Summary:
- Amazing storyline with the perfect mixture of science and fantasy
- A main character that is strong willed, smart and isn’t afraid to stand up to society
- A crazy contest inside a magical labyrinth with betrayals, romance and lots of life or death situations!

My Review:

Thank you so much to Thomas Nelson for providing me with a review copy of this book via NetGalley! All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was my first book by Mary Weber and I was completely blown away! Everything about this book from the creative story line to the world building to the characters was so impeccably designed and made me instantly fall in love with it.

When we first encounter the main character, Rhen, she is in a morgue like type establishment stealing blood from a cadaver; I was instantly hooked. As the story progresses we are introduced to Rhen’s cousin and partner in crime, Seleni, and her semi-boyfriend Beryll. We also learn more about their home, Pinsbury Port, which seems normal at first glance but upon closer inspection the town is anything but normal. It is divided into the Uppers (filled mostly with wealthy politicians and businessman) and the Lowers (the poorer part of town that is comprised mostly of fisherman due to the port location) and has a very victorian feel to it with women being typed into certain expectations. Rhen does not fit into this mold and instead aspires to be a scientist like her father. The only problem is that women attending university is unheard of in this country. But with a deadly disease that is rampantly killing people in their town, including Rhen’s mother, and the limited funds and supplies available to Rhen, she decides it is time for a change. Every year Mr Holm (the richest man in town with a giant castle at the top of town) hosts a competition where university aged men enter a labyrinth where...well no one really knows what happens just that it is dangerous and only the best and brightest win. The winner receives a full scholarship to the most prestigious university which is exactly what Rhen needs to help her town and mom. Rhen and Seleni disguise themselves as boys and enter the labyrinth but soon find that nothing is what it seems and it will take everything they have to just survive.

As I said before I absolutely loved this book! My favorite part was definitely the storyline. It was so original and unlike anything I had read before. It was amazing to be reading one minute about cell structures and examining blood and then the next to encounter ghouls and sirens. The mixture of science and fantasy was perfectly blended and made this book all the more intriguing. Along the same lines the world building was wonderful! I really hope there is a map in the finished copy so we can see the layout of the town! I found myself wanting to know so much more about the town and the oddities that we encountered. I found this book so hard to put down from the first page! It was perfectly paced and there was so much going on that it was extremely difficult to find good stopping points (you know to sleep and make food without burning down my house).

And oh the characters! They were so three dimensional and I found myself constantly drawn to them. I wanted to be right there in the labyrinth with them! I was immediately drawn to Rhen. Not only because she was smart, quick witted and did not put up with society's idea of what a woman should be but because she was flawed. She made mistakes, she got frustrated and angry, and she cared so much for her family that she was willing to risk her own life just to help them. Rhen was also relatable because she, like myself, has a learning disability. I really enjoyed that Mary included characters with real problems (not normal YA problems like oh man I’m in a love triangle). It made the characters more relatable and in turn made the book that much more appealing to me.

I cannot recommend this book enough! It was a quick read that was filled with adventure, defying society’s norms, and of course a little magic. I am not 100% sure of this but I think it may also be a stand alone! It definitely read like a stand alone but did leave some things open where it could have another book or a book based in the same world if Mary so chooses. If you haven’t pre-ordered this book, you need to get on that ASAP!

I put this book down after reading the first few chapters and I wasn't sure I was going to be able to finish it. The author provided a detailed backstory for the characters. However I AM SO GLAD that I kept reading. Once we go through the backstory the story comes alive and I couldn't put the book down. Rhen is my spirit animal and captured my heart. Loved her character and the whole message about female empowerment. Definitely would recommend you giving this book a read.

I read this book in one sitting! I loved the cast of characters, the adventure, the romance, and the writing style!
Hands down my favorite Mary Weber book!

I can't say I was surprised by this book because I knew from the synopsis it'd be about a girl kicking the patriarchal ladder down. It was such a good story, and I most definitely enjoyed the main character, Rhen. I cannot say I've ever enjoyed a female character the way I did with Mary Weber's.

9.5/10 bookish stars to Weber!

So what you have is a world where gender roles prevelant. It's set in the past, but with magic and supernatural beings. And besides the gender separation, there's also class separation. It's very bureaucratic.

The book begins with a lot of world building and set up. You don't just dive directly into the competition. So A+ there, Weber. That was very helpful.

So, before I picked up this book, I skimmed through the reviews, and noticed others compared it to the Hunger Games. Honestly I didn't get that feel from the synopsis, nor did I get that feel when I read the book. But thinking over it now, it sort of does have a blurry Hunger Games background. Overlooking that, the plot follows Rhen as she races against time to find a way to save her mother who is dying.

Of course, there was romance. But it wasn't the center of the story, which was a big plus for me. This book isn't about romantic love, it's about family and finding who you are in the midst of a society who doesn't support women the way men are. The romance was just as amazing as the plot though. Lute, the love interest, is a total hottie, duh. And I knew I'd love him from the minute we, the readers, meet him.

And then you have dear ole Vincent, an Upper class boy vying for Rhen's heart. If that's what you want to call it.

Vincent was my absolute least favorite character. He's a total arse and hardheaded. As is his father.

Enough about that nasty child. I also enjoyed Rhen's cousin, Seleni. She wasn't your typical heroine who wants to have a job and beat the boys at what they're supposed to be good at. No, she wants to be a mom and a wife, and stay at home. Which there is nothing wrong with that. And I loved that even though that's what she wanted, she still felt the same way Rhen did about how women are treated. That is why she followed her into the labyrinth (but also to help her boyfriend.)

And since I haven't talked all that much about Rhen, our MC, let's do that. Rhen is this strong woman who has the gentle qualities that many females possess. Her mind and soul were way ahead of her time-awesome. As were her parents. She stood up for what she believed in, and broke many rules to prove what she thought was right.

My favorite scene in the entire book was when Seleni basically told Rhen to kick ass and make sure all the boys would regret they weren't women to begin with. I literally had chills lol!

My only tiniest problem was that the book ends without a shred of light whether Rhen's mom survives, whether the cure she was creating actually worked. I'm sure we're supposed to think that Rhen saves her mom, but I would have liked that closure in writing. So, that is why there is half a star missing from my rating.

Overall, the story was brilliant, the characters were strong and well developed, and the plot was amazing. Also, it was a quick read, so there's that. This is a stand alone as well. I say give it a chance, I doubt you'll regret it.

I loved this story! It was fairly fast paced and hard to put down. Mary does a great job of building a world that is part magic and part old fashioned, I suppose making it more of a steam punk story. I enjoyed Rhen and Seleni and their spirit. I would of liked a bit more to the story, but I enjoyed it tremendously non the less. This is an excellent book to pick up!
I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. This is my honest review.

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

This book was seriously the ultimate brilliance. Girls surviving in a boy's world is pure excellence and inspiring. There was excitement at every chapter, Rhen is a girl that a lot of teens in our community can relate to and how she has to overcome adversity for her survival, you'll be at the edge of your seat finding out if she will make it and not only survive but dominate. Rhen symbolizes women empowerment and the strength they have when faced with difficult challenges and that above all is why I enjoyed this book and I think our young patrons will enjoy it too.

We will definitely consider this title for our YFiction collection at the library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

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

This was my first read by Mary Weber and I was not disappointed. In fact, I snatched up a few of her other books because I liked it so well. In To Best the Boys Rhen Tellur is a wildcard. She has a passion for science and learning in a world where men rule and women submit. Then enters what is considered a mans maze competition in hopes of earning a scholarship to a university, and finds unexpected trials along the way.

Mary Weber has spun a fun, intriguing world in this story. Her characters are well developed and likable. I loved Rhen and her independent, fierce personality. I also really enjoyed that Rhen was able to be a hero without making others look stupid, which I feel happens often. Each character was given their own strengths and each was made to be a hero in their own way, this makes it so much more realistic in my opinion. This book was an exciting read and drew strength from all types of people. I highly suggest this read and look forward to reading more by Mary Weber.

This book was absolutely amazing, and I loved every minute of it. This book has come the closest to matching the feel/tone of one of my all-time favorites--The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater. Fans of that masterpiece and Mary Weber's previous work should adore this book.

Some highlights:
- Girl Power (without being ragingly feminist). While the story did feature platonic and romantic relationships, the heart of the story was the message that it's okay just to be you. Not someone's friend, girlfriend, daughter, etc, but just be you for you.
- Atmospheric writing with all sorts of creepy beasties. I like a good spine-tingling story with all sorts of mythological monsters--so long as it doesn't get too gory, of course. This one fits the bill.
- Ocean imagery/setting--this will get me every time. The ocean is hugely important to me, with both my personal life and writing, so I love to see it represented in books, both literally and allegorically.

Lowlights:
- Wasn't long enough. Seriously, I would love to read a whole series set in this world. I wanted so much more of Pinsbury Port, and the surrounding country, and setting, and people. Can we pretty please make this a series?

5 stars.
Ages 14 and up
(Some violence, non-graphic, and allusions against women's honor. Some frightening scenes of peril, and one off-page death.)

For more reviews, follow my blog at gabriellenblog.wordpress.com

A lot of this book will feel familiar to readers: There are two distinct classes, uppers and lowers (I’m sure you can figure that one out), that makes achieving valuable social change difficult; then there’s rigid and firmly entrenched gender roles, where the men and boys get educations and the women and girls tend to the home – any one who breaks from this pattern is seen as a rebel who needs to be tamed; and then there’s he whole dystopian survive the contest trope. But guess what, these things are familiar because they work, and in To Best The Boys they work incredibly well together.

We’re brought into a society where courtship is formalized, exposed ankles are scandalous, and walking home with the wrong fellow can ruin your reputation. Enter Rhen Tellur – she’s bright, driven, irreverent and against all odds an absolutely brilliant scientist. She’s not afraid of getting her hands dirty, or even covered in the effluence of a dead body, she’s determined to find a cure for the crippling disease that’s making it’s way through the Lower community in Pinsbury Port – especially since the Uppers only seem to care about their parties, pastries, and stationary choices.

Matters are complicated but the fact that Rhen belongs to both worlds – her mother was once an Upper who lost her standing when she married a brilliant (but Lower) alchemist. As a result, Rhen must divide her time on either side of the river attending Upper parties with her cousin Seleni only to return home to the working class community in which she lives to run experiments with her father in their basement laboratory. Why the duality when Rhen could easily accept what’s offered from the Uppers? He mother has been hit with Crippling Disease.

Oh, and lets just make things a little more complicated – brilliant though she may be, the last hope of the lowers, she’s also dyslexic.

Cue the moment of awakening where the next Katniss/ Tris/ Eowyn is born. Rhen boldly says the ‘hull’ with it all and enters an all-boys competition to win an education and hopefully save her mother. And let’s be honest here, I fell for this story hook, line and sinker (fishing pun and reference to lover-boy Lute fully intended). I can’t say too much more about the plot without risking spoilers other than Rhen’s time in the maze is fast paced, exhilarating, and utterly amazing.

The supporting characters are wonderful as well – Beryll with his constant screams and disapproval, Seleni with her unwavering commitment to supporting the ones she loves, Vincent with his ridiculous ego unbearable condescension, and Lute with his brooding and unpredictable moods. Now add in a healthy dose of magic, ghouls in the mist, sirens out at sea, and a parliament that only serves the rich and you have the perfect recipe for a smashing read.

The only reason why this baby didn’t land a 5* review is that some of the bigger issues, such as gender disparity, are too often and too obviously stated. I think that the story itself was strong enough to cary this message without being outright, and the constant reminders almost devalues the intelligence of the reader when it comes to drawing conclusions and making connections. Don’t get me wrong, my feminist heart is rejoicing after reading this sucker, I’m just someone that believes in the power of a whisper over that of a shout.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure what to expect after reading the blurb and though it wasn't a traditional Fantasy novel, it still had an enjoyable and interesting story line that kept me reading until the end.

Rhen is an easily relatable character and I really enjoyed her character arc. I also loved Rhoe and the fact that he only wanted Rhens best interests. Making sure she finished the contest putting himself at rick and loosing his chance at a scholarship.

An interesting plot and an enjoyable and easy read!

As someone who did not enjoy the Storm Siren trilogy, I can confidently say that I really enjoyed this next book from her! When reading this novel, I felt that the conflicts, character interactions, setting, plot, everything was absolutely perfect! I would not change this book in any way! I felt attatched to everyone, even those I never expected to like. I also felt some of the topics spoke to me in a way I haven't felt from YA Fantasy in a while. If this isn't a powerful feminist novel with so many elements to entrance all genders and sexes, then I don't know what is. This is one I would recommend to everyone I know! For once, I finally feel like I genuinely enjoyed Weber's work, and I'm really looking forward to what she writes next.

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

Where do I start? This book was a feast for the senses. From the coastal town setting to the warm labyrinth cakes, to the salty air, to the blood and microscopes, contrasts of elite and dirty fishermen, to the surprise villain, this book wraps you up in a beautiful, not-too-strong fantasy world, and holds you to the very end. The characters were strong and vivid, the plot moving along with just enough down-time and character development to really pack a punch when the action starts up--sometimes with little or no warning.

My favorite book of Mary's so far.

I loved this book. Rhen is such a badass. I love how she and Seleni supported each other, despite being 2 entirely different people. I really loved the message that this book carried, women can do anything men can. Rhen never wanted to prove she was better than the men in the contest, she wanted to show that women can do just as well.

I'm kind of sad that it's a standalone. I would love to see another book set a (few) year(s) later.

I guess it's time I get back to finishing the Storm Siren Trilogy =)

Got to say that I'm pleasantly surprised by this book. It was quite good actually and I really liked the heroine, Rhen and the whole concept of the story. When I first read the blurb my first though was that the story was going to be something similar to The Hunger Games and there was some resemblance to it, with the game and the oppression, but not as much as I thought it would be. In the end that was a huge plus, since otherwise I think the plot would be a bit boring to read.
Aside from that the plot is much more focused on Rhen, her mother's sickness and how to find a cure to save her. In the end the only hope for Rhen to save her mother is by breaking tradition and entering a game to win a scholarship that would later on give her the means to create said cure.

The romance aspect of the story was all right, but to me it didn't feel like it was the center of the story. Which made the story better for me, as a reader. Lute was a cute character and I really grew to like him, sadly I can't say the same for Vincent. Now, he was just a terrible boy and he deserved everything that came his way. Beside those two I also was quite fond of Rhen's counsin, Seleni and Mr. Holm. To me, Seleni felt like Rhen's other half. Both go though thick and thin together, no matter the consequences. I really loved that. They were more like real sisters than cousins. And as for Mr. Holm, let's just say that there is more to this character than meets the eye. This character brings all the elements of magic with him.

Last but not least, is my favourite character and that obviously has to be Rhen. She was such a strong yet gentle character that one couldn't help but fall in love with. Her mind preceded her time and it was so great to see a girl in those times breaking the norm. She stood up for herself and her loved ones and if she had to break a few rules, so be it. You could say she was the black sheep of the society and she was at the same time also, at least for me, the beginning of a new era where woman's rights would exist and be heard.

All in all, this is a great story with strong characters and a great plot. It's also a quick read, so why not give it a chance...

I wanted to love this novel, there was so much going for it, but it left me feeling a little underwhelmed.
I really feel as though the protagonist is trying too hard to be 'cool', she is so obviously trying to break a trend, rather than focusing on winning her place at the school.

I loved the premise of this novel, I wanted it to be amazing, but for me it was just okay. I am sure that this will be popular with many readers though.

This has been one of my most anticipated releases, and it did not disappoint! A thoughtful and rollicking ride, I fell in love with the rich and layered world and want to read more stories set in it.

The pacing was snappy and quick, especially once the characters were ensconced inside the maze and the competition began, though sometimes it felt like it moved a tad too quickly for my tastes. Probably because I wanted to spend more time with all the characters in the maze, since those were my favorite scenes.

Overall, the characters and theme of the book--the varied and relevant strength of girls--were engaging and well-written. A very enjoyable read!

best


352 pages
Expected publication: March 5th 2019 by Thomas Nelson



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

To Best the Boys brings into a world where women are expected to be housewives and monsters such your soul out. Let me back up.

Rhen is a girl who wants to make a difference in a society where women are oppressed. She excels in science and to find a cure for an illness that is slowly killing many, including her mother, she enters a competition (I won't say how) and vies for a scholarship to the best university so that dream of finding a cure can be realized.

WHAT I LIKED: I loved the premise of the book. I loved the writing, and I loved Rhen. She, despite the odds against her, raged against the patriarchy and you know I love me some raging. The dialogue was witty and the characters finely sculpted. I particularly like it when girls are obsessed with the macabre. Especially dead bodies and dissecting and such. I've been reading quite a few of those, and I hope there's more to satiate me.

The labyrinth portion was a fun little romp of death and magic.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE: What I did not expect was to go almost halfway through the book with nothing of consequence truly happening. I get that we needed the build the world, but it seemed like overkill. The world seemed a bit thrown together, with all the strange creatures and such. I couldn't get a grasp on it.

Overall, the book was fun and the second half made up for the first. Strong female characters and woman empowerment galore.

This was one of my most anticipated books of next year. As soon as I heard about it I pre-ordered it. I was SO excited to get approved for an early copy. Unfortunately, I didn’t love it as much as I’d hoped.

Although I really tried to love this one, I never quite got there. The plot was intriguing, and very unique. I really enjoyed the competition, the issues that arose surrounding Rhen’s involvement, and the social issues facing the town. I would have liked the competition to start sooner with less lead up. I know it was supposed to give us some backstory and get us invested in the characters, but I don’t think it was effective. The first part of the book dragged and felt unnecessary to me.

I didn’t dislike the book. But I was never able to become fully immersed in the world. I wanted the world to be fleshed out a bit better. I never felt like I fully had a handle on it. I found most of the characters interesting, but Rhen’s inner monologue often felt conflicted to the point of confusion, which made it hard to ever really connect with her. I also felt the dialogue was inconsistent. Sometimes it sounded old fashioned and proper, sometimes modern, and the switches were jarring.

I would still recommend this book to others. Though it’s not my favorite, overall I enjoyed it.

To Best the Boys is a fun YA read featuring action/adventure that also touches on feminism. Rhen is a scientist from the poor side of town. Although she is smarter than most kids her age, she is also a girl so intelligence is a trait most frown upon. In her patriarchal society, boys compete for the chance to attend the prestigious university on a scholarship from a mysterious benefactor while girls do needlework. A chance encounter with a potential suitor, and a dangerous plot to eliminate other male contestants force Rhen and her cousin into the dangerous competition disguised as boys.

I really enjoyed Rhen's struggle to prove herself in spite of the circumstances. While romance is a subplot of this story, the really focus is Rhen's path to self discovery and self worth. She is a pioneer in her country as a woman poised to change gender norms. The book is short and splits into two sections (before the competition and during the competition) so the pace was exhilarating. The twist in the end I thought was a bit predictable of most YA or dramas but I enjoyed it nevertheless.

4 solid stars for a wild read!

When I first heard about Mary Weber's To Best the Boys, my first thought was I have to read this book! It's exactly the kind of book I want to read. A strong, scientifically-minded heroine setting off to prove she's as worthy as the boys and to find cure for her dying mother. At the same time, the premise had so many potential landmines I feared it as much as a contestant entering the labyrinth. But the book passes each obstacle with skill and ingenuity. You have to read the book to find out how the characters fare.
Rhen is an engaging heroine. Seleni, Lute, and Beryll round out the story as fun sidekicks with their own stories to tell. The adversaries were a bit more of a challenge. At first they appeared to be two-dimensional villains, but as the story progressed they filled out nicely and added to the story, especially once the heroes and villains entered the labyrinth. Without giving away the best part, I will say the ending is satisfying for all of the characters, which only adds to the message, which is more "be your best" than "best the boys".

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley.