The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

Genre: YA Dystopia
Series: Fallen World #1
Release Date: 24th January 2012
Pages: 309
Book Source: Disney-Hyperion & NetGalley

Synopsis: 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 a deadly virus begins to sweep through sixteen-year-old Kaelyn’s community, the government quarantines her island—no one can leave, and no one can come back. Those still healthy must fight for 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?

Megan Crewe crafts a powerful and gripping exploration of self-preservation, first love, and hope. Poignant and dizzying, this heart-wrenching story of one girl’s bravery and unbeatable spirit will leave readers fervently awaiting the next book in this standout new series.

My Thoughts:

An island community is decimated by a deadly virus and quarantine is enforced at gunpoint. It starts with sneezing, itching and coughing, followed by a loss of social inhibitions, hallucinations and in most cases, death. The Way We Fall isn't just about a virus's tragic effect on a population but a look at society's inevitable unraveling.

Kaelyn's diary entries/letters to Leo give the reader Kaelyn's unique perspective on events taking place but she deals with much of the loss and heartbreak in such a detached manner, it's a bit disconcerting. Many of the characters never really develop, possibly due to the letter format; there is only so much you can recount in a letter or maybe it's the simple fact that many of them die.

Drew, Gav and Tessa are a likeable enough supporting cast, I certainly admired their resourcefulness and courage. Kaelyn stepped up too, courageous, tenacious and fiercely protective of her cousin Meredith.

Despite Kaelyn's odd detachment (no more details, wouldn't want to get spoilerish) the story isn't completely lacking in emotion. There's an overall palpable sense of desperation and hoplessness, and warranted distrust in a government that has basically abandoned this community. Frighteningly real ... no magic wand, no guaranteed happy ending and quite within the realm of possiblity.

Looking back on the notes I scribbled it looks like a lot of negative but I really enjoyed The Way We Fall. This little germ-o-phobe loves a good deadly virus/quarantine story and I'm really looking forward to the next installment in the trilogy.

Visit Megan Crewe's website to find out more.