Rating: 5/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: SO. MUCH. WINNING.; I really enjoyed these characters and this story!; total boss girl power moves of epic proportions; I need more from this author, stat!; someone help me find my brain, it sort of exploded from the awesome</b>

HUGE thanks to Mary Weber, Thomas Nelson Publishing, and <a href="https://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/">Fantastic Flying Book Club</a> for sending a complimentary galley of this title my way! This in no way altered my review of or opinion on this book.

And OH, MAH PENGUINS, am I ever so glad they did! This book has a LOT of winning happening--and I cannot wait to pick up my next Mary Weber read, because y'all, she blew this out of the park completely! If I wasn't worried about my brain being a splattered spatter of matter before, I should be now--that's exactly what this book did to me. Please, please don't get the wrong idea--I enjoyed every. single. moment!

These characters are well-rounded, multi-faceted, and so so easy to empathize with and feel for. I really enjoyed the gritty, dark atmosphere matched with the strong girl personalities and kick-Penguin-butt go-get-em attitudes. The amount of snark and "down to earth, say it like it is" from Rhen just put this above and beyond for me. Not to mention, HELLO, woman going out and fighting for what she wants instead of playing meager mouse? GIVE. ME. MORE. of this deliciousness, please! The fact that Rhen owns up to the whole, "Yeah, I may have had a crush on him at one point, but dude's gross" thing didn't hurt much, either. Just sayin'.

There were so so many good things about this read, I can't possibly list them all--I'd be here for the rest of forever. So I'll end with this: READ THE BOOK! The characters are awesome, Mary Weber knows how to rock a story, and I promise you won't regret picking this up. And while you're going out to buy yourself a copy, just imagine me, your Royal Penguin Extraordinaire, flinging fish in all my squeeing glory.

This is a fast-paced fantasy that kept me on the edge of my seat reading. I love Rhen. She is a woman that loves anatomy. I found her to be strong and smart. The only thing I did not like was the world-building that kept me confused throughout most of this short novel. Still, this novel is a jewel, and I recommend this for fans of feminist fantasy.

To Best The Boys is a young adult fantasy adventure with a hint of Victoriana and a dash of the Hunger Games, but a flavour and flair all of its own,
Rhen Tellur is a sixteen year old young woman who dreams of becoming a scientist, and is desperately seeking a cure for a strange and potentially fatal illness which has struck her mother, and many of the other poor citizens of the seaside town where she lives. In a world where young women are regarded as largely decorative, and having the sole purpose of making a suitable marriage , Rhen is definitely different. She must go against societal norms if she is to achieve her dreams, and the best way to search for the cure she seeks would be to attend the University, traditionally a male only establishment. Entry is granted only to the best and bravest, and involves a risky series of mental and physical challenges. Rhen's only option is to disguise herself and attempt to best the boys and gain the prize.
I loved the setting of this book, the world building was very good, I could almost smell the salt air of the seaside town. The characters were interesting, particularly Rhen of course, but also her cousin Seleni and the mysterious Mr Holmes who is in charge of the rather unusual scholarship challenge There is something of a love triangle in the book, but it is not the main focus of the story and I think the book is all the better for it, the strongest relationship is the strong bond of friendship between Rhen and Seleni, and I loved how this was portrayed in the story. . If I had any real fault with the book, its that for me the pacing felt a little off, there was a lot of build up to this challenge , but the description of the contest itself felt almost rushed, I would certainly have been happy to read more. I am not sure if there is a series planned , but I would certainly be delighted to read more about Rhens adventures.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

I requested to read this book based off the person and cover alone. I was not disappointed.

To Best the Boys is a book all women should read. It’s uplifting, empowering, and emotional in all the right places. Rhen Tellur makes a fantastic heroine as she journeys through the questions of life and what it means to be a woman with dreams.

I also believe that men should read this book. It will show them the many facets women go through. Not to mention the monsters, illusions, and downright intriguing plot will hook you in.

Young or old, I believe this story will appeal to all. And I really, really think this should be a movie. I’d break my rule and watch it in IMAX All in all, this is a keeper and one I feel I would revisit and reread again.

*I received a complimentary from the publisher via NetGalley. This review was not required nor influenced.

Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 2/5

Publication Date: March 19, 2019

Genre: YA Fantasy

Recommended Age: 13+ (violence, some scary moments)

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Pages: 352

Amazon Link

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: So, for the most part the book was well written and I thought it was an interesting premise. I know this book resonated with a lot of young women and I respect the author for that. I also liked that the book didn’t overly rely on the romance aspect of this book. It seems like a lot of people think it’s a great book.

However, I’m not one of those people. I really really disliked this book for a multitude of reasons. The book had an issue with a lot of repeating sentences. I know that they were for effect, but it just annoyed me. It took me until 56% of the way through to get to the labyrinth. Everything before could have been summed up in a couple of chapters in my opinion and the way the book is now just makes it feel really slow. The exclusion that Rhen found in the papers was, in my opinion, really dumb. I feel like someone years before now could have seen it since it was so obvious. I feel that the premise of the book was that this main character would defy the societal rules to enter this labyrinth, but the way it was presented in this book feels that there was always an expectation for someone to find it and that when it would be found out it wouldn’t have been a big deal. The book is supposed to touch on gender inequality but I don’t feel like it adequately addressed it. I have a question about the university. Does it only accept one person a year? I’m so confused by this. At one point the main is in the labyrinth and thinks that mind altering drugs are being used, but she can see what the afflicted person is seeing… sooo it’s not drugs? Higher education doesn’t seem to be a big concern for the girls. Rhen’s main concern was healing her mother and Seleni’s whole personality can be summed as obsessed about this one boy. And speaking about the illness her mother suffers, this illness is really the focal point of the book. The whole labyrinth and Rhen is just a sidestory to this. The magic isn’t explained, some parts of the book aren’t explained at all, and I feel like the disguise part of the book is really laughably weak. The main cuts her hair. Seleni pins her hair up and under a hat. They wear pants. These people that have known them for 16 years don’t recognize them? It’s not like they live in NYC, they live in a small village. There are plot holes galore and the book reads more like a rushed rough draft than a nearly finished book.

Verdict: Overall, I feel really lied to about this book. I imagined it being something else, something fantastic and death defying and exciting. I got a book in which the main storyline isn’t represented by the hook or synopsis. I’m really disappointed in this book, as it was one of my most anticipated reads of this year. However, I know that the majority of people really liked this book, so if it seems interesting to you I definitely recommend that you read it for yourself.

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

To be honest I almost gave up on this book five chapters in. It started off super slow and I was kind of bored with the segue into the main plot of the story. However, I'm super glad I didn't give up. Once the ball started rolling and Rhen and her Seleni made their way into the labyrinth the book got interesting. There where magical elements, your not so typical love triangle, she was head-strong and it was really female empowered which was a different pace.

A maze, clever puzzles and a strong heroine - what not to like about 'To Best the Boys' by Mary Weber?

Rhen Tellur has an inquisitive mind and loves all things science. But she lives in a kingdom where girls are not given access to university education . In hopes to develop a cure for her Mum, Rhen dresses as a boy and enters a competition the winner of which gets a full scholarship to the best uni in the country.

This novel is a jem. Though set in a fantasy world, it touches upon many challenges women face throughout the world - access to education, the role of women in the society, their self-worth. 'To Best the Boys' highlights the differences between the lives of haves and have-nots, the prejudices the Uppers have against the Lowers, and believably portraits various characters and relationships.

I was so excited to read this book. It reminded me of the maze task during the Triwizard Tournament with its excitement and a sense of slight danger as well as some nerve-wrecking escape room movies. I loved the writing, how witty, funny and unapologetically honest Rhen was.

If you love strong female protagonists and fascinating fantasy stories, 'To Best the Boys' is an absolute must-read!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing an eARC of the novel in exchange for an honest review.

“You take this world and make it what it should be. And don’t let the beliefs of a backward system define you. You are the one who has to live with the future, baby girl. So you live it. You understand?”

To Best the Boys by Mary Weber is a fantastic read. Rhen Tellur lives in a society that is male dominated. Each year an annual competition is ran in order to win a scholarship to attending Stemwick University. Stemwick University is an all male school. Rhen is unlike other girls. Instead of training to run a household and be a good wife Rhen is helping her father by surveying corpses and trying to find a cure for a disease that plagues the land. The only thing that Rhen wishes for is to become a scientist like her father.

When this competition opens up, Rhen decides to dress like a boy and join the boys around her age in the labyrinth competition. She believes in taking her future into her own hands and trying to make a change in her society. Rhen will stop at nothing to help her father find this cure because her mom is sick as well.

I really enjoyed the plot and world building in To Best the Boys. The descriptions of the sea alone was absolutely stunning. It wasn't too far fetched to imagine a world where woman are least important. I love Rhen's determination to reach her goals. I love the friendship between Rhen and Seleni. These two could not be more opposite but they fit together so well. Once again Weber brings us an amazing story with amazing characters.

[Published on The Nerd Daily on March 24th]

From the first page, To Best the Boys is explosive. Literally. A dead man spontaneously combusts which is how every book should start. To Best the Boys by Mary Weber is a forward-thinking fantasy novel that is an easy page turner that can be read in one sitting. The book addresses issues such as discrimination by gender and class in a compelling way. The test is pretty much if the tri-wizard tournament went for one day where people had to rely on their smarts all the while they are trapped in a mysterious labyrinth of puzzles. What you win is glory and chance at an education, but then again, it depends on who you ask.

Living in a world run by a government of old men from the upper class is never going to end well. Neither is being a woman wanting to pursue a career in science in a society where female opinions are less than valued and they are only to become simple wives. Rhen Teller, our protagonist, wants more though.

As her mother's health starts to deteriorate from a mysterious plague that is infecting the lower class, her hope for finding a cure starts to deteriorate as well. When the annual letter inviting gentlepeople to attend a deadly competition to win a college scholarship, Rhen jumps at the life changing opportunity. The only problem is that she will be the only female that will be surrounded by overconfident, blood thirsty men that are there mostly for the wrong reasons.

Being the only time of the year where your wealth and political power cannot buy you leverage means you have to rely on smarts, thinking outside the box, and endurance, something Rhen has been accustomed to her entire life in the lower class. She doesn't go for the glory, the opportunity to go to college, or to get a better job that will get her out of the slums. No, she goes so maybe she’ll be given the chance to use equipment that could help her cure a plague that is killing people.

With her cousin Seleni by her side, dressed in a dead man's clothing, they enter the maze for love, a chance at a better future, and an opportunity to prove that women are just as capable as men.

This book shines a light on women having more of a role in subjects like mechanics, science, and math. Throughout the book Rhen completes task alongside friends proving to her society that they are chaining down the incredible potential for all woman, that they are more than wives.

"What do you want? I want my mum to live. I want the right to earn an education. I want to be the first female scientist. I want to create my own happiness."

It shows that it is important to prove not only to others but yourself that you are worthy of more and smart enough to do anything you put your mind to. That you have a voice that is valued, unlimited potential, and don’t always need a guy to be happy. Although some of the guys in this book are sweet, lovable, and actually encourage women to be their best.

"What if I don't fully belong anywhere because I belong to myself."

The story was well written, but it could have easily been longer with the contest going for more than 24 hours (which is in no way long enough.) Every character was created so well that you could clearly see each individual personality and how they became the person they now are, plus seeing their motives gave more connection to the characters. They all grow on you which makes this such a charming book. To Best the Boys is a representation of how far we have come as humans and a society, which makes me hopeful for a better future.

"All: Mr Holm and Holm Manor bear only slight responsibility, liberty, and legal obligation for the future societal changes that may result from your female children believing it is within their power and right to become whomever and whatever they desire- and in doing so, to change the course of history."

I am pretty much guaranteed to like a character with a bit of a morbid scientific fascination. While I didn’t go down the scientific route myself (I decided when I was picking my A levels that I was done with that and I wanted to write essays instead) I think it’s so important to be encouraging women in science and one way we can do that is by writing stories about it. My favourite parts of this book were the moments where Rhen was ‘doing science’ whether that was running experiments with her father or when you could ‘see’ the cogs turning as she solved puzzles and discerned plot while in the maze.

I also liked that this book wasn’t Rhen against the world, so many books like this would choose to make her the lone girl among a society of boys (I don’t think we can deny that I’m calling out another maze based franchise here…). That Weber opted to write in Seleni, Rhen’s cousin, to go through the book with her was a wonderful choice - it would have been a very different (and much worse) book without her.

Where this book falls short is in the world building. The concept of this competition for a scholarship is strong, and it feels like the author knows what has led up to this, there are details and ideas in there that hint at a wider understanding, but that isn’t really shared with the audience. If I was asked to describe the setting in which this book takes place, from geography to technology to clothing - I think I would be pretty stumped. It’s also a fairly non-grounded magic system, my preference is for some harder rules in place if you’re going to have even a semblance of magic. This actually reminded me a little of the problems I had with Caraval, where the intention is clearly to disorientate an audience and make them unsure as to what is real - but you never really get a resolution so it’s just confusing.

With tighter worldbuilding, I think I could have loved this book. I enjoy books that involve solving puzzles and that involve women fighting against the system. Unfortunately, I have to say there are much stronger contenders on the market at the moment and this book doesn’t have enough depth of worldbuilding for me to be able to wholeheartedly recommend it.

If you have a copy of this book in your local library and you fancy reading something with a bit of girl power and science then it may be worth a go. I’m not sure I’d be rushing out to buy the hardback at this point in time. Perhaps with a re-read, it might reveal some more detail?

My rating: 3/5 stars

I received a free digital advanced review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

To Best The Boys is available on March 18th!

I'm divided on this book! It's well written and fun - I read it in a day, really enjoyed it - but there were some things that irked me that make it sorta feel meh. I'll start with what I loved, then move into the nitpicking.

For starters, the worldbuilding. I loved how the author set us in this medieval city, kept us within the confines of a small town so we could connect with their struggles all the more. I loved the little touch of fantasy, that mythical creatures are real, and how they are as banal to the inhabitants of the region as, say, a wolf or a bear. I also enjoyed the subtle hints of magic - I have a feeling all of it was technology in the end, just in some shape we don't quite know.

I also loved the message of empowerment in the novel. I might have been a little heavy-handed, as it is very difficult to be subtle when the world is outright sexist, but younger readers will have their attention drawn to it. That's great.

But I think it suffered from a pacing issue. The book revolves around this labyrinth scholarship test, but they don't even reach the labyrinth until half the book is already over. All in all, only a third of the book actually takes place in the test, which I found to be the most interesting part. More of this, please! Even if Rhen was the only one getting anything done. You go, girl. However, that element also adds some issues, because Rhen does absolutely EVERYTHING. No flaws.

There was a part towards the end where [spoiler alert] Selini stays back to help Beryll, despite the fact that he was 100% going to be fine. So, first of all, she didn't have to do that. She explains why by a long-winded monologue about wanting to be a wife and mother is her choice, and Rhen needs to be ok with that. Which is a great lesson: feminism is about women having the choice, and I'm all for Selini picking that life if that's what she wants! But it wasn't a point of contention during the novel. Rhen never saw any of her peers as less because they wanted that life. So when Selini turns it into a monologue, it feels like she's doing her friendship a disservice: Rhen didn't need a lecture.

The romance was a little meh. Lute was perfect book boyfriend material as in he's like every other YA boyfriend there is. Supportive and cute and all that. And then there's Vincent, who's just a complete jerk, entitled and annoying. Both these men were so flat and two dimensional they could have been played by paper dolls. Also, a certain someone got off waaaay too easy at the end. HE TRIED TO KILL SOMEONE.

So anyway, this is a cool concept with great characters, but if it had been paced differently I would have liked it more.

To Best The Boys was an entertaining story that I literally got lost in. I immediately connected with Rhen as she searched for answers as to why a mysterious plague was affecting the poor people of her community. She was ready to do whatever it takes to find a cure and save her mom from this deadly disease.

This story was well-written and exciting with dialogue that at times had me laughing out loud. Ms. Weber is a new author to me and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the books that she has written. To Best The Boys is a book that shouldn’t be missed and everyone needs to add this to their TBR pile today!

Rhen is a character that all young women need to read about. She is a trailblazer that needs a push to change the world. I want every women who gets the opportunity to read this amazing book to continue to the discussion questions. I don't know if the order will change from the ARC to the final draft, and if not please read #7. Really read it and take it all in.

The different issues that are addressed and stitched into To Best The Boys is seemingly endless, but very much needed. Sometimes it just takes a different view of something to see it more clearly. We all can be a Rhen, Beryll, Lute, or Seleni, but my greatest wish is that there are more people like Mr Holm in the world today.

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

I am a long time Mary Weber fan because of the adventure she packs into her stories. To Best The Boys did not disappoint. Rhen is fierce and brave and everything I want to be. Everything I want my daughter to become. This may be my favorite Mary Weber book yet.

I have to say that this book exceeded all my expectations!

The story is set in a world that resembles a lot our own, where science and magic coexist. Women are not allowed to study and are expected to find a husband to be happy, the society is distinguished in the upper class and the lower class and there is a deadly disease spreading, but no one cares to do anything because it only threatens the "lowers". Rhen is a scientist and she is trying to find a cure for this disease, with the help of her father, in order to save her mother. The problem is that she doesn't have enough time and means to do it. That is why she decides to enter a yearly contest for a university scholarship, The Labyrinth, hosted by the elusive and mysterious Mr. Holmes..

I loved everything in this book. The characters were all very interesting and complex. Rhen is intelligent, driven, compassionate, loving and loyal. She longs for the opportunity to study and to have the same opportunities as her boy - friends. She also has a beautiful friendship with her cousin Seleni and her boyfriend, both of whom are wealthy and members of the Upper Class.
Seleni is one of the best secondary characters I've ever read about. She is smart, beautiful and funny. She truly cares about Rhen, her friends and her boyfriend, and she doesn't care about the society rules. She is a young girl who wants to marry and make a family, but respects choices in life that are different than hers.
This was actually an element in the book that I loved the most. The Respect of all choices. Rhen's choice to do something unexpected, Seleni's to follow the rules because of love, Lute's to put himself behind in order to care for his family.
Lute is another great character. He is Rhen's friend and romantic interest. He decides to enter the Labyrinth to have more choices to care for his mother and brother. He loves Rhen mainly because of her bravery to follow her passion. I liked their friendship/romance a lot.
As for Mr. Holmes, I am not going to say anything about him, except that he is one of my favourite characters ever.
In general all the characters and relationships were very honest and genuine.

As for the Labyrinth, it seems to be the highlight of everyone's year, despite the fact that it's very dangerous and the host extremely mysterious. There are riddles, dangerous creatures such as Basilisks and Sirens, deaths and dangerous characters. The contest is not only about knowledge and technical skills, but most importantly about character strength and choices.

One of the most important things in the book is the representation of some struggles and situations in the book. Rhen is dyslexic and Lute's brother, Ben, has special needs. I have to say that it was done with respect and love and I appreciated very much.

To Best the Boys is a beautiful story, an adventure set in a whimsical world and I recommended to everyone and especially young girls, It's a book about girl power and love.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the arc.

I've been a fan of Mary Weber's books since I read Storm Siren in 2014. Her books always have these underlying themes of hope and truth woven into the narrative, but To Best the Boys goes far beyond anything she's written before. I can honestly say, without any doubts, that it is her best book yet.

There are so many aspects of this book I loved that it's hard to begin. The enthralling world-building, the brilliant characters, the scream-worthy plot twists, the sweet romance—this books has it all and then some.

Rhen is quite the firecracker. She won't give up, no matter what. She cuts her hair to pretend to be a boy because she knows she can win and it doesn't matter what she looks like to do it. She would rather examine dead bodies and do science experiments than dress up or dance or knit. She's very sassy. Basically, Rhen is an amazing and much-needed female protagonist. She also has positive relationships with both her parents, which I never see enough of in YA books. Gosh, just give me all the amazing parents and children relationships, please.

There's also her friendship with Seleni. I loved reading about their friendship. Despite their differences, they are supportive and understanding of each other. They may not have the same ideas about life and their paths may differ, but they respect each other's decisions, and I just love this portrayal so much. Seleni hops right into the Labyrinth with Rhen, no hesitation or doubt, because she knows she can help Rhen reach her goal. We need more books with such positive, uplifting female friendships.

And then there are the boys. The squishy, sweet, cinnamon roll boys. Gosh, we need more boys like this in YA fantasy books. Lute is such a swoon-worthy love interest. From page one, I knew I was going to love him and he only gets better from there. I have so much to say about Lute, but I fear it'll give away spoilers. Just know there are real boys out there who are as sweet and wonderful as Lute. I know because I'm married to one. And Beryll, Seleni's beau, is just as noteworthy because despite his squeamish nature and his adorably awkwardness, his story arc is so great. I just want to cry and pull him into a big hug for being such a wonderful example of a male character who can be gentle and sweet and still manly and brave.

The setting is basically its own character as well. From the descriptions of the town to the random snapshots of the rest of the kingdom to the depths of Labyrinth, this book is so atmospheric. It has this turn-of-the-century feel but also includes these intriguing fantasy elements as well. I ate up the beautiful descriptions and the mythology dropped into the story. Sometimes a fantasy book doesn't need to explain every single detail of the world-building to feel lived in. Sometimes I just need to understand that a world has sirens and basilisks and ghouls and high society and poor fishermen and an annual festival that brings everybody together and move along to the next point because I'm already in love.

The story itself is compelling. I could not put this book down once I started. I read more than half in about one sitting, and I kept flipping pages because so much was happening and it was exciting and enticing and twisting me around at every turn. There is so much packed into this story—from the girls who are in some ways better than the boys and in other ways equal to the boys because equality is just as important to plot twists that keep the story going and give such a satisfactory ending to such a wild adventure to everything I've already mentioned. This is a story where the journey is definitely more important than the destination.

This is the book I wish I could give my fourteen year-old self because the truths woven through the narrative of Rhen's journey are so powerful and uplifting that the emotional side of me wants to sob for hours on end. Because I am no longer a teenager, I hope Mary's words reach out to the girls who are like me, who are searching for the courage to be themselves no matter what others say about them, to step toward their dreams and aspirations without hesitation or doubt. This book is for them, and I am so, so grateful to Mary for writing it. I'm never going to stop recommending this book.

For fans of Caraval, The Scorpio Races, and The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy, To Best the Boys is an incredible story about courage, perseverance, and finding yourself against all odds. I just want to reread it again already.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I have a difficult time starting this book. I would put it down then read something else not fully involved in the book. This book was absolutely amazing, and I loved every minute of it. The characters were all great.

I felt a bit conflicted about this book after finishing it. On the one hand, I think we need more books with female leads who are into science and break down barriers. To that end, the world in To best the Boys is an interesting foil to modern society and the women's movement. I thought Rhen's doggedness in joining the competition and focusing on finding a cure for the illness was a fresh breath of air in the YA fantasy scene.
That said, the book's pacing was too slow to really hook the reader into the action in a meaningful way. I often found myself easily putting the book down in favor of a different YA fantasy. I enjoyed the book overall, but I imagine many people will have an issue with the pacing.

I loooved To Best The Boys. I’m not surprised because I’m a huge fan of Mary Weber’s writing.

Rhen Tellur has an untameable mind, that doesn’t fit well in a society where women are expected to know their place. That being as wives and homemakers. The world is interesting because it consist of an upper and lower port but also has some fantasy elements. Like ghouls and sirens that haunt the kingdom of Caldon. There is also the Labyrinth that runs a test every year to pick someone to earn a scholarship to the University. This has been traditionally participated in by men but when Rhen’s mom life declines because of the disease she is plagued with. Rhen takes matters into her own hands.

I loved Rhen and Seleni and their friendships. They are cousins but Rhen lives in the Lower Port and Seleni in the Upper. They don’t let their differences have any affect on how they feel about each other. They support one another no matter what. I also like how they both want different things for their lives and it doesn’t make either of them less. Just because Rhen wants to pursue studying Science and Seleni wants to marry and have a family. They don’t knock the other dreams. I love that both sides are represented. It’s something important to me because it’s something my mom infused in me. That either path is the right path if it’s what you want.

I also love Lute and his relationship with Rhen and how she totally calls him out on things he assumes. She’s like seriously you are going to think that without asking me. It’s awesome. I also like how he just likes her for who she is and they are just cute. Just way to cute. I really like them together.

There are also just some lower port characters and of course Beryll that I really liked. Maray Weber always does a great job with side characters.

The plot is fast paced and interesting the entire time. I loved the test in the Labyrinth they weren’t overwhelming or boring. It really kept the book moving. Just a really great story.

So I loved To Best the Boys and if you haven’t read Mary Weber’s other books. I love them all and you should check them out if you enjoy this story!

The title alone is what first drew me to this book. Any book that sounds like it will have a strong female lead is a must read for me. And To Best the Boys did not disappoint.

The girl power in this book is phenomenal. You have the main character, Rhen, and her best friend/cousin, Seleni. Both have two very different personalities: Rhen is stubborn and speaks her mind and wants to go to school, whereas Seleni wants to be a housewife to the boy she loves. Both have different futures, but both girls are so loyal to one another, and I really enjoyed seeing that. In her village, Rhen is not like most girls. Her cousin’s family is considered an Upper, people will money and high class. Whereas Rhen and her parents are considered Lowers, people working to stay alive and to put food on the table. Seleni doesn’t let her status stop her from seeing Rhen, even though Rhen does manage to get them both into trouble often. But Seleni would do anything for Rhen, even enter the Labyrinth with Rhen to show the boys just what kind of power girls are capable of possessing.

Rhen is an exceptionally strong-minded girl in her village. She has the dream of being something more than what she currently is; she wants to change the world of science and school. She spends most of her time working in her father’s lab trying to find a cure to an unknown, fast-growing disease that is killing her mother. And when she brings this up to her Uncle’s friends—the people who can offer help—they brush the disease off as nothing, as it doesn’t seem to be affecting the Uppers. That answer, the way most Uppers react to the Lowers, is what drives Rhen to enter the Labyrinth. And though she struggles over the aspect of leaving her Mom and Da, she knows that the only way to fix this is to enter the maze and win.

The idea behind the Labyrinth is intriguing and I found myself asking the question: Would I enter the maze disguised as a boy to prove my worth and that the world needs to change? I think I would, even if the aspect of death is involved. That’s exactly what Rhen does; she wants to see the world change and she wants the Uppers, especially the University board, to understand why they need to address the disease spreading in the Lower. I do wish the Labyrinth was a bit more developed, but nevertheless, I enjoyed each part of the maze and seeing how Rhen and her friends navigated each part. The Labyrinth doesn’t just involve mathematical equations but also tests your qualities as a human being. The winner of the maze does not win solely off of knowledge but how they treat other people. The maze involves both knowledge and characteristics and, in this maze, Rhen faces more personal challenges than she thought she would. But Rhen isn’t a quitter, and she refuses to give up, no matter the cost.

Mary Weber weaves fantasy so well with the setting and plot of this book. How the book starts out, I wouldn’t think fantasy elements would arise. But they did and the elements, though not present enough to overwhelm the plot, work so well with the story. The Labyrinth breathes fantasy, with ghouls and creatures and a maze that continuously shrinks in size until you find a way to escape. It was interesting and unlike most mazes I have read in books. Mary Weber truly brought this maze (and this book) to life, and I loved it.

To Best the Boys turned out to be the story I was hoping it to be. The characters were well-developed and the plot continued to thicken until the very end. It was, overall, a book I am thankful I got to read early.

To Best the Boys is a refreshing read in the YA genre. If you love girl power, individuality, fighting for what you believe in, a deadly and heart-pounding maze, and romance, then I highly recommend reading To Best the Boys!