The Way We Fall (Fallen World #1) by Megan Crewe
It starts with an itch you just can't shake. Then comes a fever and a tickle in your throat. A few days later, you'll be blabbing your secrets and chatting with strangers like they’re old friends. Three more, and the paranoid hallucinations kick in.
And then you're dead.
When sixteen-year-old Kaelyn lets her best friend leave for school without saying goodbye, 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 friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest.
Because how will she go on if there isn't?
Poignant and dizzying, The Way We Fall is the heart-wrenching story of one girl's bravery and unbeatable spirit as she challenges not just her fears, but her sense of what makes life worth living.
Publishes in US: January 24th 2012 by Disney-Hyperion
Genre: Young adult science fiction/dystopia
Source: bought
Series? Yes. The 1st in Fallen World series. The 2nd The Lives We Lost is out now, and the 3rd is The Worlds We Wake releases 2014
Buy it: Barnes & Noble Amazon IndieBound BookDepository.com
Find online: site twitter facebook blog book trailer
I wasn't expecting The Way We Fall to be written in letter format, but surprisingly it didn't bother me. I usually am not one for poems, letters, email or any writing style but narrative, but Kaelyn's voice and way of writing drew me right in, and I almost forgot she was writing to her friend.
Megan Crewe created a chilling situation with the virus. It is contagious, it has no known cure and it can kill, all this on an island. I didn't know how this could be fixed or how the main character and others would manage to survive and escape being infected, but I knew that I wanted them to figure it out and was on edge right with them through the scary stages of the illness and watching those they loved and cared about get sick.
I pulled for Kaelyn and really connected with her. The love she had for her family, and ultimate respect for her dad and trust that he could come up with an answer. The relationship with her brother and the protective instincts for her little cousin Meredith. As well as the unlikely friendship and connections that she makes while trying to help those on her island and those who are sick. I appreciated her wisdom in figuring out the things that are worth fighting for, and makes life worth living.
I liked the story, but there wasn't much of a conclusion. I wanted a few more answers, and I wanted to know more.
Bottom Line: A chilling, action packed scenario with a main character I cared for.My question to you, my lovely readers:
What would you want if you were quarantined?
I have seen this before, and wondered if it was good. It certainly sounds like it is. Great review. :D
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever
I've had it for awhile and just got a break to read it
DeleteThis sounds like something I would like! Glad to hear letter format didn't bother you because I could see that being something that would irk me.
ReplyDeleteI really didn't notice it much except the greeting and occassional use of you
DeleteIf I was quarantined, I'd want my books so it's good that I have so many around me! Well actually what I'd want most would be to not be quarantined but books are a good consolation.
ReplyDeleteBooks def are a good consolation
DeleteHuh... I never knew this was in letter format. I love that and this makes more likely to read it. Sorry you didn't get a resolution w/the ending.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what I'd do in a quarantine. I suppose I'd do great if I had books!
I know the next will be out soon
DeleteI like books in letter format and I didn't realize this one was like that. Cool! Books about viruses always give me the willies :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I have read another letter format
DeleteHmm. I'm really not much for books in letter format either. I don't know, seems stilted, right? But I'm glad that you liked Kaelyn, she sounds like a really good, strong character.
ReplyDeleteAs for the quarantine thing, I'm not sure. o.O
Loves,
Megan@The Book Babe
This one flowed well, but know what you mean
DeleteIf I were quarantined, I guess all I wanted would be a way to get out :)
ReplyDeleteThe story certainly sounds thrilling. Glad to know that you enjoyed the book even though this is written in letter format. Thanks for sharing!
A way to get out without getting sick is a def must.
DeleteI've been really curious about this book so I'm glad to hear you liked it because I don't know much about it. I think the only book I have read in letter format was Frankenstein and I was okay with that. Sounds like it might take some getting used to though.
ReplyDeleteI didn't like Frankenstein but prob because it was required!
DeleteWhat would I want if I were quarantined? My kindle of course :)
ReplyDeleteI really want to read this one, it sounds so good!
Oh yes! Then all the books at fingertips
DeleteI don't know what I would want if I was quarantined. I'm claustrophobic so I'm not sure anything would help lol
ReplyDeleteThis sound alike a really interesting book except for the lack of answers at the end. Is it a series or just an open ended stand alone?
It is a series. The next one is floating around in ARC format I think
DeleteI'm glad the letter writing format was not a distraction. That kind of format can be hit or miss. I also like the sound of Kaelyn.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I usually don't like letters email or prose but there are exceptions to them all
DeleteSounds like an intense read! I actually really like letter formated books, so that's a plus for me.
ReplyDeleteReally? What others are there?
DeleteYeah, I don't think I could read this one. It would SO freak me out! I think maybe it being in letter form might help distance me just a bit though so it wouldn't be quite as freaky. Not sure.
ReplyDeleteYEs, is freaky to think that something like this could happen so easily
DeleteGlad to hear you enjoyed this! Hopefully some of those answers you're craving will be in book two. I normally don't like books that are made up of letters, but this one was well done. Though very freaky! Wonderful review :-)
ReplyDeleteI am sure book 2 will answer some, but I want them now, lol
DeleteI'd want someone to make out with until the virus eventually took me. :)
ReplyDeleteHA! Good one :)
DeleteI would never have guessed that this would be in letter format. It sounds pretty interesting though, but it's a shame the ending wasn't quite up to scratch. I'm glad you liked it overall, Brandi. :) Great review!
ReplyDeleteI had no clue either.
DeleteI just need to read the 2nd and all will be well. Unless it has a cliffie too
Oh its good to hear you enjoyed this one, I just got it recently and cannot wait to start. Great review!
ReplyDeleteTeresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives
Sounds fantastic! It's a concept that I can get on board with...doesn't sound like anything I have read yet. Looks like a nail-biter for sure. Love your review :D Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read this for awhile now. I'm curious and I've never read a book in letter format before, so that should be interesting :)
ReplyDeleteJanina @ Synchronized Reading
The letter format seems like it would bother me, but you make it sound so interesting. Happy you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteBooks. Lots of books! And my husband and kids and dogs, though maybe that's selfish if there is a possibility that they will get sick. And I'd want my computer because I could write and listen to my music. That's about it (and maybe a natural immunity to the virus!)
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I thought this was about something totally different. And the format is really interesting. I haven't read a book in letter form yet. I just am not ready to start another series because I have unknowingly started several this year. lol
Heather
Yeah, I'm not overly fond of epistolary novels either, but I'm glad this worked. I think viruses and bacteria are the most terrifying thing in the world and I can't wait to see how the author handled it.
ReplyDeleteGreat review.