To Best the Boys

 

About the Book

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. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

I had pretty high expectations for this book. I was excited about the story line and the cover is fantastic. I believe I have read one other novel by this author so I figured this would be a good read for me. I liked Rhen and I liked the idea of the plot but I didn't feel like anything really got going until halfway through the book. The first part was terribly slow for me and I had almost lost interest until the middle of the book where it picks up a little. I am not sure this book proves the point of what is at the start of the book: For the girl who's been told to quiet down, calm down, sit down, or just leave it to the men-this is for you. And to those who told you such thing? Watch. Us. Rise.  

Yes, this story had a strong female lead but I didn't think it proved the point as strongly as I was expecting. That being said many others have loved this book so if this sounds like an intriguing story line to you, go ahead and see for yourself. 

Three stars. 

"I received this book from BookLook Bloggers for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."