Shout-Out: Ruthless Magic by Megan Crewe

In the contest to keep their magic, the only options may be die... or kill. 

Each year, the North American Confederation of Mages assesses every sixteen-year-old novice. Some will be chosen. The rest must undergo a procedure to destroy their magical ability unless they prove themselves in the mysterious and brutal Mages' Exam. 

Disadvantaged by her parents' low standing, Rocío Lopez has dedicated herself to expanding her considerable talent to earn a place in the Confederation. Their rejection leaves her reeling—and determined to fight to keep her magic. 

Long ashamed of his mediocre abilities, Finn Lockwood knows the Confederation accepted him only because of his prominent family. Declaring for the Exam instead means a chance to confirm his true worth. 

Thrown into the testing with little preparation, Rocío and Finn find themselves becoming unlikely allies—and possibly more. But the Exam holds secrets more horrifying than either could have imagined. What are the examiners really testing them for? And as the trials become increasingly vicious, how much are they willing to sacrifice to win?

Book Review: The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

Somehow I got the impression that this had SF elements in it when I requested the book from Netgalley.  It doesn't.  But it was a fortuitous mistake as the book was extremely well written and avoided the 'adults are stupid' pitfalls some YA books fall into.  If you haven't tried YA and don't mind a female POV, give this book a chance.

Pros: quick, intense read; sympathetic protagonist who shows development; powerful, thought-provoking climax

Cons: very abrupt ending

For Parents: 1 swear word, some kissing, minor violence

Kayla and her family have moved back to the small island in the Canadian Maritimes where she grew up, after spending 5 years in Toronto.  Her decision to become less stand offish comes at the wrong time as an unknown virus begins to spread around town.  Her microbiologist father and the other doctors are at a loss as to how to stop the growing epidemic.

Written as journal entries by 16 year old Kayla to her former best friend Leo, off the island studying, the book chronicles the viral epidemic from the confusion surrounding the first few cases to an intimate knowledge of loss and despair.  As time passes and the virus is no closer to being cured, a gang causes increasing problems and the death toll mounts.

Short entries make for a quick read.  The protagonist is a sympathetic young woman who always feels out of place among others, constantly aware of how they treat her.  As the book progresses she learns more about herself and others, as the town deals with the problems that arise. 

The climax is especially thought provoking and intensely powerful.  Which makes the ending that much more abrupt.  There's little denouement and no wrap up at all.

Still, it's a great journey and a very well written YA book otherwise.



Out January 24th.