Scan barcode
zoeelora's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gore, Abandonment, Xenophobia, Grief, Animal death, Hate crime, Animal cruelty, Panic attacks/disorders, Religious bigotry, Blood, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Alcohol, and Gun violence
booklover160's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really wanted to love this one more than I did. I think it was well written and very interesting, it held my attention through to the end, but it just didn't do all I wanted it to.
I was sort of surprised to see how much of a role religion played into the story. I have a fair amount of religious trauma, so it was making me a little uncomfortable although I understood it did have a significant role to play within the story and within the characters themselves. That's why I didn't love it the way I wanted to.
I did love being able to closely follow both of the main characters! It was interesting to see how they each interpreted their interactions. And the romance was so good! The slow burn was really damn slow but I loved seeing each of their realizations. Very cute.
All in all, still LOVE Allison Saft and her writing! I look forward to her future books!
I was sort of surprised to see how much of a role religion played into the story. I have a fair amount of religious trauma, so it was making me a little uncomfortable although I understood it did have a significant role to play within the story and within the characters themselves. That's why I didn't love it the way I wanted to.
I did love being able to closely follow both of the main characters! It was interesting to see how they each interpreted their interactions. And the romance was so good! The slow burn was really damn slow but I loved seeing each of their realizations. Very cute.
All in all, still LOVE Allison Saft and her writing! I look forward to her future books!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
readwithria's review
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really enjoyed A Far Wilder Magic. It was lovely to read about Margaret and Wes, and their trials and tribulations together.
I will say that something about the pacing of this book didn’t quite click with me, and I don’t love how little time there was for resolution at the end, but otherwise this was really enjoyable! Definitely a good spooky season read for people who enjoy reading seasonally. 3.5 stars.
I will say that something about the pacing of this book didn’t quite click with me, and I don’t love how little time there was for resolution at the end, but otherwise this was really enjoyable! Definitely a good spooky season read for people who enjoy reading seasonally. 3.5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Xenophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Violence, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Cursing, and Panic attacks/disorders
hue's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
1.0
So, A Far Wilder Magic reads like a poorly edited debut novel. Though it isn't a debut. Here is the problem(s).
The book is overwritten to the point it disturbs the story. Example; Maggie is treated with ill in Wickdon because she is Yu'adir. This is already mentioned in the first chapter, if I'm not mistaken, and since then repeated endlessly over and over again. By page 150 I'm bored of it. Tell me something else about her.
Another example; the narration, whether Maggie's or Wes's, somehow constantly repeats what has been told mere moments ago, just worded differently, though often not. It's exhausting, and it diminishes the earthly feel to these people that they might be real somewhere. They become paper at once, two-dimensional, plain characters. As mentioned before, I'm bored!
The dialogue is, for the lack of a better word, cringe at times. probably falls into the overwritten category but I found myself rolling my eyes or feeling secondhand embarrassment a bit too often for enjoyment. Bantering is fun to read, but constantly? No. They did not talk like two people would actually talk with each other, and definitely not the two people they were. Maggie would've shot him down quicker, if the writing was accurate, and Wes would fluster with her because she was the "sole" girl that did not immediately swoon at his words. Make it make sense.
The chemistry between them—the romance so to say—is not there. Wes just suddenly decided he doesn't find Maggie all that repulsive anymore? And Maggie, though initially despising everything about Wes and what he stood for, finds herself jealous over his charming behaviour towards others. Though it is stated she is jealous of how others see him opposed to her, but it doesn't explain all those instances where she reacts poorly when he's being flirty to another girl/lady that isn't her. It feels a lot like "they fall in love because one is a boy and the other is a girl, and because they've spent five seconds looking at each other". No? That's now how it works? They've just met, Maggie is a rough gal and Wes is a damn flirty squid, he'd probably ask a phone book on a date if it were female! Point being, it just isn't there, the romance.
Out of Wes's four sisters, only one has a personality; Mad. The other three are like caricatures with no soul. It's depressing. Why is there's four of them if only one is truly alive? Every now and then one of them says something different or does something that is slightly personal, but it isn't enough. They're easily forgettable. At least his Mum was well written, and well, Mad.
The sudden change in Maggie's personality (around page 270 maybe?) just ticks me off. She starts sounding like Wes which doesn't make sense at all. Her harshness isn't harsh anymore, and all she seems to think of is Wes, and not the fact that the Hunt holds literally everything of what she loves in a chokehold. For a story about the Hunt, there's very little of the Hunt. It's mostly them getting fluffy with each other, which is kinda meh even for a romance book. The setting was wonderful; why didn't the author take use of it?
So, despite the harshness of my words, I still enjoyed some of it. I loved the grey scenery, I loved Mr Halanan and his big, lovely heart as well as his protectiveness of Maggie. I loved Trouble, and I loved how he and Wes became quick buddies. I loved Maggie for being a strong girl who despite desperately wishing for her Mother's love stood strong by herself, with her hound and her duties, and shot like a queen. I adored her roughness, her quick annoyance, her solitude, and the grief that came with it. I loved the dinner scene at the Winters' house where Maggie was uncomfortably joined. I loved how she survived despite being an outcast. If the writing would've been consistent, I would've loved her to bits.
However, the Author does get a point for writing queer people that exist the way "everyone else" does. They're there but it isn't such a big deal. They aren't stereotypes. They're people. I loved that.
The book is overwritten to the point it disturbs the story. Example; Maggie is treated with ill in Wickdon because she is Yu'adir. This is already mentioned in the first chapter, if I'm not mistaken, and since then repeated endlessly over and over again. By page 150 I'm bored of it. Tell me something else about her.
Another example; the narration, whether Maggie's or Wes's, somehow constantly repeats what has been told mere moments ago, just worded differently, though often not. It's exhausting, and it diminishes the earthly feel to these people that they might be real somewhere. They become paper at once, two-dimensional, plain characters. As mentioned before, I'm bored!
The dialogue is, for the lack of a better word, cringe at times. probably falls into the overwritten category but I found myself rolling my eyes or feeling secondhand embarrassment a bit too often for enjoyment. Bantering is fun to read, but constantly? No. They did not talk like two people would actually talk with each other, and definitely not the two people they were. Maggie would've shot him down quicker, if the writing was accurate, and Wes would fluster with her because she was the "sole" girl that did not immediately swoon at his words. Make it make sense.
The chemistry between them—the romance so to say—is not there. Wes just suddenly decided he doesn't find Maggie all that repulsive anymore? And Maggie, though initially despising everything about Wes and what he stood for, finds herself jealous over his charming behaviour towards others. Though it is stated she is jealous of how others see him opposed to her, but it doesn't explain all those instances where she reacts poorly when he's being flirty to another girl/lady that isn't her. It feels a lot like "they fall in love because one is a boy and the other is a girl, and because they've spent five seconds looking at each other". No? That's now how it works? They've just met, Maggie is a rough gal and Wes is a damn flirty squid, he'd probably ask a phone book on a date if it were female! Point being, it just isn't there, the romance.
Out of Wes's four sisters, only one has a personality; Mad. The other three are like caricatures with no soul. It's depressing. Why is there's four of them if only one is truly alive? Every now and then one of them says something different or does something that is slightly personal, but it isn't enough. They're easily forgettable. At least his Mum was well written, and well, Mad.
The sudden change in Maggie's personality (around page 270 maybe?) just ticks me off. She starts sounding like Wes which doesn't make sense at all. Her harshness isn't harsh anymore, and all she seems to think of is Wes, and not the fact that the Hunt holds literally everything of what she loves in a chokehold. For a story about the Hunt, there's very little of the Hunt. It's mostly them getting fluffy with each other, which is kinda meh even for a romance book. The setting was wonderful; why didn't the author take use of it?
So, despite the harshness of my words, I still enjoyed some of it. I loved the grey scenery, I loved Mr Halanan and his big, lovely heart as well as his protectiveness of Maggie. I loved Trouble, and I loved how he and Wes became quick buddies. I loved Maggie for being a strong girl who despite desperately wishing for her Mother's love stood strong by herself, with her hound and her duties, and shot like a queen. I adored her roughness, her quick annoyance, her solitude, and the grief that came with it. I loved the dinner scene at the Winters' house where Maggie was uncomfortably joined. I loved how she survived despite being an outcast. If the writing would've been consistent, I would've loved her to bits.
However, the Author does get a point for writing queer people that exist the way "everyone else" does. They're there but it isn't such a big deal. They aren't stereotypes. They're people. I loved that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Racism, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Hate crime, Religious bigotry, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Death of parent
maresuju's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Abandonment, Religious bigotry, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent
lthintz's review
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism, Abandonment, and Religious bigotry
purnuhja's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I thought this was a lovely romantic fantasy that tries to tackle some complex themes! I liked the existence of different belief systems and seeing the way those politics interacted with each other. The mythology of the world and it's different interpretations by the varying belief systems was also really cool, I just wish we got to see more of it. The central focus of the story is our two main characters coming together to defeat their internal and external demons so I understand that certain elements are just there to service their story, but I still would've loved to explore the magic system and the hala lore more. It just felt like the story was left incomplete in some ways. It would've been nice to spend more time with the hunt as well, the ending felt a little rushed. But otherwise, I loved the two main characters and their chemistry together! I also enjoyed seeing Margaret overcome her trauma, it was frustrating at times, but I think those journeys in real life often are.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Religious bigotry, and Emotional abuse
theangrystackrat's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Margaret is a lonely girl, emotionally neglected by her famous alchemist mother. Wes is a boy from the wrong side of the tracks desperate to learn alchemy to save his family. Their worlds collide when Wes seeks out Maggie's elusive mother as a teacher and they form an uneasy alliance to secure what they both want. This was an emotional roller-coaster. The characters felt fully fleshed out, emotionally and as people. This was just so well written and heartbreaking yet hopeful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, and Emotional abuse
recklessric's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book was pitched to me as a cozy fall sweater and that's mostly what it is. I would say it didn't quite have the charm of Legends and Lattes which I think tries to fit in a similar vein but I think that's probably entirely dependent on how interested and invested you are in the romance that's central to this story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Antisemitism, Racism, Classism, Animal death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, and Colonisation
Minor: Xenophobia and Sexual content
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Hmmm, idk … hunting stories aren’t for me 🤷🏻♂️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, and Animal death
Minor: Child death, Sexual content, and Death of parent