The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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?

Why do I do this to myself?! Why don't I check publication dates so that when I finish a book and find myself screaming "What?! No! It can't be over!" I can just go to the sequel that is already published?!

There is an epidemic that had broken out on an island. This by itself captured my attention. I have read a LOT of dystopian/post apocalyptic/people are dying EVERYWHERE/I am hungry books this month. Like...twenty plus of them. This was the first one where the disease was limited to an island. Well, kind of limited. It almost made it more hopeless to me because food was out there, supplies were out there, medicine and help in general was out there, they just couldn't get to anything they needed.

Another aspect that made this book different was that the book was written in a journal style. It focused less on the fact that the electricity was out, that food supplies were low, that sort of thing and focused more on the relationships between the people in the book. I loved the relationship between Kaelyn and Meredith, the way a friendship developed between her and Tessa and I absolutely adored Gav.

It also showed how talents that people have, something that may even just be a hobby, can be cultivated and used in a time of crisis. Tessa liked to grow things, was intrigued by gardening and that became useful during the epidemic. Gav was used to organizing and doing things for himself and that became a leadership type role for him using skills he had picked up through life. It showed how traits that were just a side note in the past come to full light in dark times. Quentin was a bully to begin with and it only escalated as he started to feel the panic setting in because of the situation.

The disease itself, when I really thought about it, was pretty horrifying. It started out as a rash, a cold and then developed into a full blown virus that affected peoples minds. It was described as lower their social inhibitions I think is how they said it in the book. Imagine your loved one getting ill but then acting happier, freer, more honest and outspoken as they got closer and closer to dying. Pretty crazy to think about.

Some people might feel like the book moved a little slowly but for me, it was a refreshing change. However, I am aware that my opinion is most likely biased seeing as how I have been on disaster overload recently. I just really enjoyed the relationship building, the emotions behind every thought that Kae had.

The ending pissed me off though. Won't lie. The ever mysterious Leo, not knowing if a main character was going to make it, not knowing if another main character is getting sick, not knowing what happened to Drew...it just ended so abruptly that I wanted to scream! I really enjoyed the authors writing style, I NEED the sequel but until then, I am off to see if Miss Crewe has any other books out.



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