The Way We Fall, by Canadian author Megan Crewe, is a gritty and realistic read. It will keep you hanging onto every word, not wanting to put down the book until you know exactly what will happen to each and every character. There was more than one occasion where my obsession with this book almost made me miss my subway stop.

The most significant thing I have to say about this book is that is just feels so real. An unknown virus sweeps a small, but densely populated island. It's highly contagious, leaving doctors and scientists unable to keep up with the rate of infection. Megan clearly did her research for this book. All the government protocols, hospital organization and details about the virus itself were incredibly well thought out and to the best of my knowledge (and what little I read on Wikipedia) pretty accurate. This made reading this book even more terrifying. It reminded me of recent pandemic scares and totally had me believing that this was something that could really happen.

In addition to the detail that was put into this book, The Way We Fall, is led by a really strong main character. I really liked Kaelyn - I found her both strong willed, as well as compassionate. An admirable combination. She's the type of character who takes action. When news about the virus is starting to come out she immediately wanted to get involved and help others in the town. This desire to help others is a quality that continues no matter how bad things get. However, despite this bravery I did not find her character too good to be true. She is definitely flawed. Kaelyn gets scared and nervous just like anyone would in a similar situation, which sometimes leads her to make some poor decisions. These flaws only enhance the layers of her character and make her someone you can easily relate too.

Overall this was an exciting read. If it wasn't for work I probably would have read the whole thing in one sitting. Because it felt so much like something that could really happen it was a chilling book and one that will stay with me for some time to come. As this is the first in a proposed trilogy I can't wait to see what happens next and how Kaelyn deals with the next challenges to come.

This and other reviews at Hooked on Books (http://christashookedonbooks.blogspot.com)

Wow. I picked this up the day before Megan Crewe's book launch in Toronto, and started reading it on the subway ride there. I almost wish it took longer to get there because I didn't want to stop reading it. This novel captivates you right from the get-go. I enjoy a good story about ghosts or monsters, but what makes The Way We Fall absolutely terrifying is the fact that it's about a very real and plausible enemy: a biological virus outbreak.

Written in the style of journal entries from Kaelyn to a former friend, the narrative style suits the storytelling nicely. As the reader, you feel like you've stumbled across a girl's diary of unsent letters documenting the outbreak on the island. Broken into three parts (Symptoms / Quarantine / Mortality), the chapters and pacing of the story flow seamlessly from one moment to the next.

The true nature of people faced with that dire and seemingly-helpless situation is explored in all aspects, from those that have survivor's guilt to those wanting to help to those who take advantage of the situation and wreak havoc. It's not only the disease that seems to be infectious, but the paranoia among everyone that catches just as quickly.

The Way We Fall encapsulates so many things that I enjoy in a book: mystery, thriller, great character dynamics and set in Canada (partially in Toronto, no less!) What's not to love?

This, a mini interview with Megan Crewe, and other reviews can be found at JustALilLost.com

"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."
-Quote from The Way We Fall synopsis

SYMPTOMS

With a pitch like that of Megan Crewe's The Way We Fall, how could I possibly resist? Since early 2011, I've been a very big reader and lover of post-apocalyptic fiction. I've delved into them like an addict on the verge of a withdrawal, I just couldn't get enough. With a synopsis that quickly reminded me of the 2011 film Contagion, I could not wait to see how Megan Crewe would deliver the story.

QUARANTINE

The Way We Fall tells the story of Kaelyn, a sixteen year old teen who lives with her family on an island in Northern Canada. Leo, Kaelyn's best friend, leaves the island for the mainland. Upon his leaving, an unexpected development takes place - a deadly virus is sweeping through the island. It begins with an incurable itch, only to develop into a fever, an onslaught of hallucinations, and then death. With a father for a doctor, Kaelyn finds herself in the middle of the disaster, witnessing first hand at how quickly it kills friends, neighbors, and the people she loves.

MORTALITY

The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe was uniquely told through a series of journal entries, the protagonist's direct telling of the occurring events during the epidemic. Most of the journal entries, in fact, were addressed to Leo, the aforementioned best friend who left the island. I loved this particular aspect to the story because not only did it help me connect with Kaelyn on a realistic note, but it helped me capture every emotion she passed down through her writing. Some of the novel's events were frightening, heartwarming, and heartbreaking. Agreeably so, the emotion behind The Way We Fall was incredibly strong and impacted me greatly, instantly pulling me into the story right from the beginning.

Compared to other post-apocalyptic titles, The Way We Fall came across as a much lighter and straightforward telling. As I've noticed in other titles in the genre, most are muddled with an endless stream of unrelated events that almost always take away from the story. However, with The Way We Fall, I found that the events and relationships were developed at a realistic pace that didn't have me shaking my head in disbelief. If you've ever read a novel about a world that has already succumbed to a deadly disease, but have always wondered about it's beginning stages, I'd highly recommend settling down with The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe.

The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe was realistic, evenly paced, and intriguing. A recommended read for science fiction readers and Canadians! (eh?)

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.