The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

Pages: 309

Intended Audience: Teens and mature tweens

Genre: near-future dystopian

Notes for parents: Some coarse language and graphic scenes

The Inside Cover

When sixteen-year-old Kaelyn lets her best friend leave for school without saying good-bye, she never dreams that she might not see him again. But then a strange virus begins to sweep through her small island community, infecting young and old alike. As the dead pile up, the government quarantines the island: no one can leave, and no one can come back.

Those still healthy must fight for the island’s dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival. As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of the people she holds dearest, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save those she loves.

Because how will she go on if there isn’t?

What the Back Cover doesn’t tell you:

This is the first in a trilogy.

What’s good?

This story has a great premise – residents of an island community are quarantined after a fatal virus hits its citizens. Closed off from the mainland, Kaelyn and friends must survive while Kaelyn’s dad, a microbiologist searches for a cure. The characters are well drawn and it’s interesting to watch their personalities adapt as the situation becomes more serious. There’s a nice balance of tension, sadness, triumph, and romance. The last half of the book has a good amount of action.

Best part: Meredith

  

What’s not so good?

It was a slow start and I almost gave up a couple of times, but things picked up once the island was quarantined. The end was ridiculously disappointing since absolutely nothing was resolved. I realize the story continues with two more books, but I’m of the opinion that each book in a series should be a complete story that ends with intrigue, but also satisfaction. The diary format was good, but directing her writing to “Leo” was annoying. I loved Kaelyn’s brother Drew but his disappearance early on was strangely ignored for the most part. Kaelyn’s father’s character was a little flat.

Worst part: end

Recommendations þþþoo

The story is good, and maybe in the context of the complete trilogy it’s amazing, but since I didn’t have the other two books on hand, I was simply left with an empty feeling at the end. I don’t know how to rate this book because it might be worth the read. However, if you’re only planning to read the first book, save yourself some aggravation. Three checks for the great premise.

Crewe, Megan. The Way We Fall. New York: Hyperion, 2012. (Hardcover)