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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.
Icecream18JA
Posted January 27, 2012
This book has to be one of the best dystopians of 2012. The author writes in such a way that allows the reader to fully immerse him/herself into the novel. The reader will love the main character, Kaelyn, for her intelligence and willingness to help others. Kaelyn's world is turned upside down in the space of one week. A mysterious virus sweeps through her small island town and begins to pick off the residents one by one. The environment created by the author feels so real that the reader will be able to picture all of the events and characters and really connect with them.
Kaelyn is amazingly resilient. Her characters endures so much loss in the novel, but she still comes up fighting. The other characters the reader meets will intrigue him/her. The author has a way of making the reader miss the characters who don't make it to the end, a rare quality. The love interest, Gav, is brave and a survivalist, the reader will enjoy meeting him and getting to know him through Kaelyn. Kaelyn's family is complex and will feel like the readers' family not long after the reader picks up the book. Her brother and father butt heads over a few issues, Kaelyn's mother loves her children to a fault, and Kaelyn's uncle and cousin are special to them all. If the author did not create such dynamic and likable characters, this story would not be as fantastic as it is.
The book is only about 304 pages long, but the reader will want the book to be far longer. There is an unbelievable amount of action, suspense, and romance packed into these pages. The characters are a delight to read about, the reader will actually care what happens to them in the novel. The author keeps the novel within the realms of realism, the reader will not be rolling his/her eyes over the plot and events in this book. This book is highly recommended to young adult/teen readers.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.MINDBLOWN. BEST BOOK EVER. OMG HELP ME.
Sorry for this lame review... i haven't reviewed for a couple months. maybe.
NOTE: Might contain spoilers, read at your own risk.
I may have not written all of the Good, Okay stuff but i hope this is good enough for a long review.
The Good:
The Virus
There are a lot of fiction ideas of virus, this one is a part of the unique ones. I love how the Virus started to be just a tiny one that it can only make you have a fever. But somehow it evolved and can make you crazy! It's so unique and original!
The Characters
I love the characters! Tessa is so mysterious and clever, Kaelyn moves and thinks like a hero, Gav is nice and he's perfect for Kaelyn! Drew needs more info though. I don't know him that much. Once again, very nice characters!
The Writing
The writing is kinda confusing at first, but i love how it was written in Journal style. It's like you're actually reading Kaelyn's journal!
The Mystery
I like the mysteries because it will keep you wanting and looking for more info about the Virus, on when did Drew go or did he die? Or if he is with Leo on the ferry? and a lot of things! IT KEPT ME WANTING FOR MORE! I NEED THE SECOND BOOK!
The Gang
I love how Quentin and the other members left their original group with Gav. It just added more ideas and scenes and SUSPENSE! Like when they try to burn down houses, stealing and etc. More suspense, better book!
EVERYTHING!
The Okay:
Meredith
Meredith is cute, but sometimes she's very annoying like the part when in the middle of the night she wanted to get her stuffed toy that was left inside of Tessa's house while they moved to Kaelyn's uncle (which is Meredith's dad). I mean i know she's a child but there are more important things than a stuffed toy.. sigh..
The Bad:
There are only just little problems and it's not much of a big deal. So i think I'll just leave this part blank except about this excuse.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.R_Zaksky
Posted April 3, 2012
The story was anti-climatic. I bought the book because it was one of those "If you like The Hunger Games, try this..."" First off, this book should not be compared to the Hunger Games AT ALL. The whole story was slow and nothing happened. People got sick, and people started doing what any other society would do in a "Catastrophic" situation. The reason why I kept reading was that I was hoping somethin would happen, but of course nothing did. The story went no where and it was hard to get through because I kept falling asleep while reading. If you like The Hunger Games, don't read this book. If you like nonsense stories, well then, maybe this is for you.
2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 9, 2012
No one listen to the people who said this book deserves one star. They have no since in books! Best book ever
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ValiaLind-Author
Posted January 26, 2012
The Way We Fall is set in a society much like our own. Kaelyn lives on an island, goes to school, and has friend troubles just like any other sixteen-year-old girl. When she finally feels as if she should take control of her life, her world crumbles around her.
A deadly virus begins to make its way through the households of her hometown, leaving them stranded and cut off from the rest of the world. People panic. Food runs short. Loved ones die.
The Way We Fall is told through Kaelyn's journal entries to her friend. Every day is a new entry that is our only lifeline to her island. Kaelyn has to learn how to become the person that will survive. She fights for those she loves and overcomes the obstacles before her. Watching Kaelyn grow is heartbreaking and encouraging at the same time.
Then we meet Gav. A former foe becomes the closest confidant, blossoming into a love that will bring tears to your eyes. Gav is a strong character that takes a stand and works to help all those in need, even if that means sacrificing himself. Gav and Kaelyn's relationship grows strong despite all odds. I loved watching them together, working, helping, and loving with wisdom beyond their age.
Megan creates a terrifyingly real world, making you rethink everything you may know. The first book in a dystopian trilogy, Kaelyn's story will grip your heart and leave you begging for book two!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 4, 2012
*No spoilers*
If youre thinking of getting this, but get frustrated easily when there is a lack of common sense, then this book is not for you. It also has a horrible cliff hanger ending that leaves nothing answered. It was like the author woke up one day and decided she didnt want to finish the story. I am shocked that other people rated this novel so high.
*Spoiler Alert
I really wanted to like this book. There where just too many issues I couldnt wrap my head around. #1 why couldn't the mainland send more supplies to the hospital if they were able to send in food? #2 what was the point of the gang hoarding supplies if just about everyone was dead? It never said what they were doing with it. In fact it said there was no way they could consume all the perishables. #3 Before the phone and internet went down, I would think people would have been spreading the news of what was going on. #4 How was the hospital always so busy if the illness was killing everyone so quickly? #5 If people wanted off the island why not use thr boats in the beginning before they got ruined? The list goes on and on. The part that I disliked the most was the character's attempted suicide. Come on! If you were one of the very few lucky immune people I would think you be grateful and honor those you lost and not just throw it all away. I was also uphappy with how her father died. It seemed like it was just thrown in there at the last minute.
1 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 11, 2013
Thfddbfgfyj
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 17, 2013
What is the next book called?
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 14, 2013
The thurd book should be called the world we knew
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 13, 2013
Amasing book a must read its kinda scary when u think this could accualy happen but will it never happen
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. 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 prose, email or anything 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.
Anonymous
Posted February 21, 2013
The first novel in the Fallen World trilogy is an excellent beginning to the story of a truly frightening possibility faced by our world today. When a small island is infected with a mysterious illness, one of the residents, Kaelyn, begins to fear for the safety of those she loves. Megan Crewe has created a scenario that is scary because it is a completely plausible threat. It is one thing to read about aliens attacking Earth, but quite another to read about a killer virus that could just be a mutant strain of something out in the world right this moment.
Megan has written a fantastic story. It is told through a series of journal entries to Kaelyn's friend, Leo, who has moved off the island. The journal entry format was used well to express the deep fears of Kaelyn, which are likely reflected in all of the residents. It also serves to make the story much more personal. With viruses it is so easy for the story to become about symptoms and statistics, but this format makes it about the people stuck in this situation and their families. It really helped me to connect with Kaelyn, as well, because it felt so honest.
I thought the characters overall were well fleshed out and mostly likeable. Even the characters that didn't play as big a role, like Kaelyn's dad, were very realistic. His concern and his frustration felt genuine. Megan does really well at using the little things to make her characters come alive. There was a little romance included as well, which added a great element but didn't interfere with the real purpose of the story. I also loved the mystery that surrounded some of the characters, like Kaelyn's brother, Drew. There were many different aspects to the story which were meshed together extremely well.
The way the illness was written was gripping and mysterious. I loved how little things were revealed bit by bit. I had so many questions about what was going on and they were answered one by one, keeping me constantly intrigued and in suspense. It was very well thought out! The reaction to the illness was also interesting - not only that of the islanders but also of the people on the mainland and the government. Conflicting views, misunderstandings, knee-jerk reactions... there was so much realism to the scenario which only accentuated how entirely possible this whole idea is.
In all, this was a really great novel. Well written, suspenseful, and mysterious. There was great atmosphere and tension, and the feeling of alienation that takes over was great. In the end, I was left with many unanswered questions that I can't wait to see solved in the sequel, The Lives We Lost.
4.5 stars!
Bianca2b
Posted January 30, 2013
First….I don't know what to say to describe this book.'Cause I'm speechless!"The way we fall" is just ….AMAZING!!I mean,I knew that Megan is an awesome author,but I didn't expect at this!
I read this amazing book in just one week,even if it's in English.This is because of Megan's style of writing.It makes you wanna read,and read,and read untill you don't have what to read.Ok,I have to say:at the start,it can be a little boring,but as much as you read and you "discover"(or not-if you'll read it,you'll know what I mean.) you can't stop reading and the book begins to be "unputdownable"
Do you want to know which is the best part of "The way we fall"?Well,the best part is that it makes you see the life with another eyes.After you'll read it,you'll see how fragile the life is and how easy can we fall.
I love the way that the story is told:Kaelyn is writing in her journal some letters for her friend,Leo.This is a new style,and I like it!
I liked the characters.Kaelyn is the perfect main-character.Is strong,ambitious and the perfect friend.I felt a deep conection with her and ,sometimes,I felt what she felt,in a weird way.I don't know how to explain exactly.The point is that I like Kaelyn a lot and I'm still wondering how the story ends.I can't wait for the second book(I found out that "The way we fall" is part of a trilogy,"Fallen World",and I am so happy about this!) because the first book left me with some questions.
It's interesting how the disease spreads.Also,the quarantine makes the story more believable and a little bit scarry…like a horror movie.Sometimes,I felt like I am part of a horror story and the author is Stephen King,not Megan Crewe.I liked this!
I have to told the story again?I think everybody knows it!Ok,in large: Kaelyn lives with her family on an Island.The things look a little bit boring ,when a disease strike the island.No one knows what is happening.A lot of people die,and the doctors are desperate.Then,the island is in quarantine,And the rest…is in book!Or,in the synopsis.:))
ROCristina
Posted January 12, 2013
This story is amazingly well written. It is written in the form of journal entries, with the main girl, Kaelyn, writing them. Kaelyn is very well written.
Overall,
The Way We Fall is an entertaining story and, although it certainly has
some slow passages, it still manages to be a quick read. I’m looking
forward to reading the next book in the trilogy, The Lives We Lost, due
out next February.
The book is only about 304 pages long, but the reader will want the book to be far longer.
There is an unbelievable amount of action, suspense, and romance packed into these pages. The characters are a delight to read about, the reader will actually care what happens to them in the novel. The author keeps the novel within the realms of realism, the reader will not be rolling his/her eyes over the plot and events in this book.
This book is highly recommended to young adult/teen readers.
Anonymous
Posted January 11, 2013
I Also Recommend:
i really wanted to like this book, especially since I've been loving a lot of dystopian books so far, but this book was just way too slow. I don't even think i ever finished it, i got about halfway and thought to myself, if nothing interesting or different has happened since the plot was first revealed, i highly doubt anythings going to happen the rest of the book either. Its an ok concept but there was no climax and everything was just repeating itself throughout the whole thing.
<<<<<
Anonymous
Posted January 7, 2013
Very outstanding with horrific details. A must read!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 3, 2013
Not often am I struck with feelings from a book nor do I usually like reading diary entry style books. This was just the opposite. It really made me think about my family and loved ones and what I would do without them. There were instances when I would go from reading and just go and sit with my mom and tell her how much I loved her. I just don't want to spoil the book so ill just say it is a must read.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 2, 2013
This book is one of the best books I have ever read and it is on my top ten list! I am an avid reader and this book grabbed my attention from the very beginning. It all started at the Houston Teen Book Con, where my friend and I went to see the panel with Megan Crewe in it. We fell in love with the idea of a virus overtaking a city and a girl heroine trying to survive and save it, so we bought the book
She read it first and told me I HAD to read it, so I did. This story is amazingly well written. It is written in the form of journal entries, with the main girl, Kaelyn, writing them. Kaelyn is very well written. A reader cannot truly love a book and become immersed in it, until either he/she can relate to the main character or problem, or until what is happpening to the main character is believable. Kaelyn suffers much loss in this book, yet she keeps going. She is a true heroine, and that is what readers look up to. Also, this book has a love story, and that appeals especially to teen girls who love a good romance story. I would recommend The Way We Fall to any teen who is looking for a good mix of a dystopian novel, romance, and an adventure.
Sirius_Pond
Posted January 2, 2013
The Way We Fall, by Megan Crewe, is a fantastic book! I love the way it's written and it has great flow and is very consistent. I love the romance between Kaelyn and Gav, and also how we see all of her emotions being poured out into a diary to Leo. I would recommend this book to anybody. It is a great read! Cannot wait until The Lives We Lost!
Islands have frequently been a favorite setting for fiction involving
some sort of disaster, natural or otherwise, and the reason is
simple—the reader knows there is a likelihood there will be no rescue
from the outside and the islanders must fend for themselves in the best
way possible. That distinctly ratchets up the anxiety level for the
characters and the reader. Such is the case with The Way We Fall and the
author has created a really good story with moments of both frustration
and suspense that builds as tension increases. [Note: this book is
frequently categorized as a thriller but that is really not accurate as
the pacing is, at times, rather slow.] The idea that teens would be the
ones to develop a foraging and distribution system for food, medications
and other necessities is certainly not new but I think it works better
in this novel than in some others. In the event of an epidemic, it would
be very natural for the adults with expertise, education and certain
skills to concentrate their attention on the most pressing details
which, in this case, is the unidentified virus and its extremely high
death rate. This scenario also works because the island is initially
well-provisioned with food and other needed items and it’s not until the
electricity fails that the adults become more cognizant of the world
outside the hospital doors. As you might expect, there are islanders
who take advantage of the situation but this was one area in which I
felt something of a void. I really would expect some of the miscreants
to be adults and that there would be far more looting and violence. In a
way, although some readers might see this as a means of making the story
more appropriate for younger readers, I just felt it showed an
unrealistic mildness, with an almost dumbing-down effect. Kaelyn is a
well-rounded character and we see her compassion, intelligence, strength
and self-reliance, as well as some indications of very natural fear and
a longing for a grown-up to take charge. Tessa also is an appealing
character, as is Gav, but I definitely felt a desire to know them better
and I hope Ms. Crewe will offer more in the next book. Other characters
were less developed and, as a result, didn’t generate much empathy on my
part with the possible exception of Kae’s brother, Drew. I must say,
though, that it was very refreshing to find a central character who is
biracial and another who is homosexual but the author does a nice job of
showing how a person who is different is regarded without hitting the
reader with a two-by-four. The one character that I felt was decidedly
lacking was Kaelyn’s father. I just don’t believe that, even though his
expertise made him crucial to the work of identifying and treating the
virus, he would be so neglectful of his own family. It was as though he
took the “needs of the many” much too far, with dire effects. Overall,
The Way We Fall is an entertaining story and, although it certainly has
some slow passages, it still manages to be a quick read. I’m looking
forward to reading the next book in the trilogy, The Lives We Lost, due
out next February.
Overview
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 ...