Mar 01 2019

Blog Tour & Giveaway: To Best The Boys by Mary Weber

Posted by Jennifer in 4 Stars, Blog Tour, Giveaways, Review, Young Adult / Leave a Comment

To Best the Boys

by Mary Weber
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: March 5th 2019

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

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.

Favorite Quotes

“Did you at least hide the body this time, Miss Tellur?”

“Rhen, people aren’t as impressed by dead bodies as you are. You can’t just talk about them in public.”

“Your cousin just exploded a body.”

“A person’s stationary is as important as their fashion, both tell your position, piety and how well you think of yourself.”

About the Author

Hi. I write books. I eat things. I kiss things. I believe in mermaids.

I’m also the author of the Storm Siren Trilogy, The Evaporation of Sofi Snow series, and the March 2019 release, To Best the Boys. When not working, I sing 80’s hairband songs to my three muggle children, and ogle my husband who looks strikingly like Wolverine. We live in California, which is perfect for stalking aging movie stars while wearing fanny packs and sweatpants.

For those who like to know such things (mainly my mom), Storm Siren was featured in the Scholastic Book Fair and my novels have been endorsed by such nice humans as Marissa Meyer, CJ Redwine, Shannon Messenger, and Jonathan Maberry (in fact, Marissa Meyer and I have a fun interview in the paperback of her book, CRESS). Also, Boba tea & sweatpants are life. {We can chat about life (in sweatpants over tea, obviously) in my Newsletter.

Review of To Best The Boys

Review (4.5 Stars): 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!