To Best The Boys

By Mary Weber

Thomas Nelson, Harper Collins, Nashville, TN 2019

Rhen Tellur has been born a Lower and a girl. Two strikes against her in this old-world, some-what fantastical seaport village. She has a slight advantage over most of the Lowers as her Ma was born an Upper, one of the wealthy, and her Aunt, Uncle and BFF cousin Seleni still welcome her into their home and upscale parties.

Still, Rhen is more herself in the pubs with her rowdy guy friends. Or, in Da’s lab working on biological experiments in hopes of finding a cure for the mysterious illness which is paralyzing and killing a growing number of Lowers, including Rhen’s Ma.

Each year every household in the county receives an invitation to Mr. Holm’s estate for the contest. “All gentlepersons of university age (respectively seventeen to nineteen)are cordially invited to test for the esteemed annual scholarship given by Mr. Holm toward one full-ride fellowship at Stemwick Men’s University.”

Rhen Teller is smarter than any of the boys her age and wants to go to college. There's only one way to get there – on scholarship. So, she and best friend Selani dress as boys and enter the contest.

There is romance: Seleni and Beryll are cutely coquettish throughout the story. Victor, an Upper and childhood buddy of Rhen’s, believes her intelligence will enhance his political career. His arrogance has him assuming Rhen would never turn him down as he announces he will court her. And then there’s Lute, the Lower who Rhen has her eye on.

There is angst and danger: the contest can be brutal and harsh. Many have been injured over the years, some have died; generally at the hands of greedy bullies who’ll do anything to win. There are also fantastical creatures to avoid or more often combat.

There are moments of darkness and bright spots throughout. The group of teen friends starts out working together to escape the maze, locked room, and other tests Holms has created. 
There is betrayal.

The love story is interesting (I’m not big on romance), the contest exciting, the descriptions delicious, the characters are uniquely engaging. Told in first person POV, Rhen's voice carries the story. You will love her.

Thanks to my friend Dana Nuenighoff for the recommendation. I rate it an A.