The Way We Fall

In this tense apocalyptic thriller, first in a planned series, Crewe (Give Up the Ghost) explores the slow collapse of society in a microcosm, as a deadly disease ravages a small Canadian island community. Chronicling her town’s descent in diary-style letters to her best friend, Leo, who is away at school, introverted 16-year-old Kaelyn watches as a virus sweeps through the town, its victims losing all social inhibitions before dying. With the island quarantined from the mainland and no cure in sight, hope dwindles. Some of the uninfected try to maintain order and help each other survive, while others resort to drastic measures. As Kaelyn loses people she’s known all her life, she slowly forms new bonds of friendship and even love. But when she gets sick and inexplicably recovers, it forces her to reassess her life and dreams. As hope wars with loss, this gripping, psychological thriller never loses focus. Though Crewe’s story can be gruesome and horrifying, she escapes the trap of making events too depressing and hopeless, maintaining a strong sense of realism throughout. Ages 12–up. Agent: Adams Literary. (Jan.)