Review of To Best The Boys by Mary Weber

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.

For more information about Mary Weber and her books, check out her Goodreads' page here!

My Thoughts ~

OHMYGOODNESS, THIS WAS AWESOME!!!!!!!

I don't know where to start gushing...

Let's start with this fantasy world! The little village where Rhen lives is know for being green...and for all the different things that can kill you! The mythological creatures had the awesomeness of a Tolkien story, while still feeling fresh and new! And then there's a plague spreading and killing people, including Rhen's mother. On top of that, the deadly labyrinth had my heart racing from the moment they entered until the victor stepped out!

Despite all of this, I found myself laughing a lot at Rhen's dry wit and unique view of the world! I absolutely loved her character, and I'm going to pretend she's really real! I could emphasis with her because I've been there. Her heartache was genuine, and her anger at the broken system in her world is relevant. But I loved how the author didn't make this story a war on men or the family unit. It is truly a narrative that every woman knows and understands -- and it gives us a voice. I loved how the author made it clear that it's okay for a woman to have a career, it's okay for a woman to have a family, and it's okay to do both! That the choice of being a wife and mother is just as valid as being a scientist! While the hopes and dreams of one woman may not be the dreams of another woman, each path is beautiful because it. is. ours! Watching Rhen discover that it wasn't about fitting her life into a particular mold but rather staying true to who she was as a woman and a person was beautiful! The author portrayed this empowering truth so wonderfully!

The author wrapped the story up in a way that I had closure even though some things were not fully resolved. One thing that is resolved? Lute is also my new favorite sailor! And there's a twist that I did NOT see coming, but that is absolutely PERFECT!

Five Stars ~ Phenomenal! There should be more books like To Best The Boys, and I'm hoping Mary Weber will write them! To Best The Boys is a standalone YA fantasy written for the general market, but it holds subtle Biblical truths between its pages. It's like Lord of the Rings meets The Hunger Games!

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations, and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of Reclaiming Shilo Snow by Mary Weber

About the Book ~

Known as a brilliant mind that could hack her world’s darkest secrets, seventeen-year-old Sofi Snow is the most wanted teenager alive. She found her way to the icy, technologically brilliant planet of Delon to find Shilo, the brother everyone but Sofi believes is dead.

But as she and Ambassador Miguel partner to find her brother and warn those on Earth of Delon’s dark designs on humanity, Sofi’s memories threaten to overtake her, distorting everything she holds true. She knows the Delonese once kept her in a dark, deceptive place . . . and destroyed a portion of her life. Now, the more they discover of Sofi’s past, the more Sofi feels herself unraveling—as each new revelation has her questioning the very existence of reality.

In this harrowing sequel to The Evaporation of Sofi Snow, Sofi and Miguel must trust each other and discover the secrets locked inside Sofi’s mind as the line between what’s real and what they imagine begins to slip away . . . threatening to take the human race with it

For more information about Mary Weber and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Do you hear that sound?

That's me. Still screaming due to the otherworldly awesomeness of this book!

RECLAIMING SHILO SNOW IS AMAZING!!!!

And yes, all caps were necessary. Reclaiming Shilo Snow is like the culmination of all my love for Stargate, Ender's Game, and The Hunger Games assembled into one epic novel!  How does one not scream about something like that??

After a cliffhanger that left my fingers bleeding from clutching the rocky edge for dear life, we are finally dropped right into the middle of the fast-paced action, discoveries, devastations, and a battle much larger than Sofi and Miguel realized. A war for humanity. But no spoilers. ;-)

Reclaiming Shilo Snow added Inola's perspective in addition to Sofi and Miguel's perspectives. While it threw me off at first, I quickly found it to be a genius addition to the story because it kept us connected to the events happening on Earth as well as giving us a peak into the villainous Inola, allowing us to see why she made such horrific choices and a flawed, yet true love for her children. It humanized her, an important theme in this novel.

Acting as a springboard, this dystopian duology raises awareness and opens discussion about human trafficking. While the story itself is utterly enthralling, this is one of those stories where you see the author's heart cut out of her chest and laid bare for all the word. You can feel Mary Weber's anguish over the actions of humanity and her belief in the power of love pulsing through the characters. <3 Truly, this is a story about the need for love and compassion for all.

Five Stars ~ A thrilling conclusion to a spellbinding duology! Reclaiming Shilo Snow is the second book, and I cannot stress this enough: read The Evaporation of Sofi Snow first!! I can't wait for Mary Weber's next book! *weeps and gnashes teeth* <3

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

Any questions? Check out my Disclaimers Page!

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Review of The Evaporation of Sofi Snow by Mary Weber

Description ~

For fans of Ender's Game, The Hunger Games, and Blade Runner comes a story of video gaming, blood, and power.

Ever since the Delonese ice-planet arrived eleven years ago, Sofi's dreams have been vivid. Alien. In a system where Earth's corporations rule in place of governments and the humanoid race orbiting the moon are allies, her only constant has been her younger brother, Shilo. As an online gamer, Sofi battles behind the scenes of Earth's Fantasy Fighting arena where Shilo is forced to compete in a mix of real and virtual blood sport. But when a bomb takes out a quarter of the arena, Sofi's the only one who believes Shilo survived. She has dreams of him. And she's convinced he's been taken to the ice-planet.

Except no one but ambassadors are allowed there.

For Miguel--Earth's charming young playboy--the games are of a different sort. As Ambassador to the Delonese, his career has been built on trading secrets and seduction. Until the Fantasy Fight's bomb goes off. Now the tables have turned and he's a target for blackmail. The game is simple: Help the blackmailers, or lose more than anyone can fathom, or Earth can afford.

From the award-winning author of the Storm Siren Trilogy, step into a diverse cast of characters spanning from the electric metropolises of earth to the chilling alien planet above, in a story of re-finding yourself in the midst of losing the one thing you love. Before it all evaporates.

For more information about Mary Weber and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Mind. Blown.

Everyone should stop what they are doing and preorder this book.

Right. Now.

If you've followed my excellent advice, or you're awesome and have already preordered this, then make sure that your schedule is free and clear. You will not want to set this book down. To be honest, I'm not sure it's physically possible to set it down.

This review is going to reveal a facet of my nerdy geekdom to you guys. I apologize in advance. ;)

The Evaporation of Sofi Snow is like The Hunger Games meets Ender's Game meets Firefly meets Falling Skies meets Stargate! But let me be clear, it has awesome aspects that remind me of these books and TV shows, but it is in no way a copy of them. This novel is unique and original and awesome sauce! My husband is tech savvy and a gamer, so I've picked up a lot of lingo. And I will admit that I have a thing for Nintendo and Metroid. I told you. Geekdom, my friends. Anyways. As soon as I read the premise, I was hooked.

Awesome premise aside, The Evaporation of Sofi Snow overflows with gripping writing and an intense message. Mary Weber attacks the issue of human trafficking in this novel, and I applaud her! This is also a novel about finding yourself. Sofi and Miguel are experiencing the evaporation of their beliefs - beliefs about everything they know. This proves to be terrifying, exhilarating, dangerous, and revitalizing for them. I can't wait to read the next installment!

Five Billion Stars!!! - The Evaporation of Sofi Snow is the first book in Mary Weber's new series, and yeah, read the series in order. The book ends with an extreme cliffhanger that makes me want to scream and rage into the wind. But that's just because I want to read more. NOW! ;) I also want to note for you guys that this is technically ABA (American Book Association), not CBA (Christian Book Association). This book is written for the general market, but it has soul and heart and a deep spiritual message that draws readers closer to Him. Amazing!!!

I received a copy of The Evaporation of Sofi Snow by Mary Weber published by Thomas Nelson from BookLook Bloggers. All opinions expressed are my own.

God bless you guys, and I'll see you next time!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer