Short Review: The Way We Fall & The Lives We Lost by Megan Crewe

Following are short reviews/commentary on two of the books I read during the readathon!

The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

• Age Range: 12 – 18 years
• Series: Fallen World (Book 1)
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Disney-Hyperion (February 5, 2013)

After a virus hits the small island that is home to sixteen-year-old Kaelyn, the government establishes a quarantine, isolating them from the rest of the country.  The survivors, with very little information, react in two ways: they survive as only they can, by building up a stronghold in their homes or, the more unfortunate, to form rogue gangs that will stop at nothing to get their hands on items necessary for survival. Told using a series of journal entries to Kaelyn’s best friend (away at school and not trapped on the island), this first in a trilogy details Kaelyn’s growth from a floundering and socially awkward teen to a strong and determined young woman.

The Lives We Lost by Megan Crewe

• Age Range: 12 – 18 years
• Series: The Fallen World trilogy (Book 2)
• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Disney-Hyperion (February 12, 2013)

In this second book in the trilogy, Kaelyn has discovered samples of a vaccine in her father’s abandoned lab.  She knows she must track down someone to replicate and disperse the cure. Unfortunately, that person isn’t on the island.  Forced onto the mainland after her home is destroyed, Kaelyn is disturbed to see that the virus has spread far beyond her island home and there are groups of survivors who will stop at nothing to get their hands on it. An excellent second book in a trilogy, this one has evaded any fears of a sophomore slump. Kaelyn has continued to grow as a budding leader, putting everything at risk to save humanity.

This is a trilogy I just happened to come across in a chain bookstore while on vacation. My oldest son pointed them out to me and, unfortunately, I quickly forgot their titles. Apparently, I was meant to read them for days later a tweet from the publisher reminded me! I intended for my fourteen year old son to read them first but, come readathon time, I couldn’t resist!

I do highly recommend this trilogy to fans of young adult apocalyptic fiction. The characters are genuine and well developed, the pacing spot-on with enough intensity to keep readers captivated. I’m glad I requested all three books from my library at once; I can’t wait to start in on the third title!