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readwkc's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This might sound dumb but it reads like a story and not a book; almost like I should be listening to it rather than reading words on a page. I'm glad I tried something out of my comfort zone but I don't think this type of fantasy is for me. I got the gist of it but I don't feel like I was truly able to go deeper and analyze what wasn't said. I also wish some scenes weren't used to summarize what happened in a previous scene because it felt like I was missing information
abeillebee's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
martygyal's review
5.0
The strength that the women in the book have is something that needed to my casted to our world. I loved the ride through this fantasy it was very descriptive and I loved loved loved the action displayed as well! I never read a sifi fantasy type of book before and after this one I will be indulging in more.
smalltownbookmom's review
3.0
I wanted to love this one SOOO much but unfortunately it was definitely a case of a BEAUTIFUL cover and premise but a disappointing execution. In this feminist fantasy, a group of teenage girls, all minorities who had been abused in some way, are granted entry into a magical world where they gain power and autonomy over their lives in ways they never had before. I wanted to cheer for these girls so badly but I found their characters a bit too one dimensional and just couldn't get invested in this somewhat disjointed story. There were multiple POVs and different narrators to voice the girls but overall I found myself wanting more than what was delivered.
Favorite quote:
"Who knows what the future holds. What we have is our anger and each other. Aren't you angry sisters? At being treated the way we are and having to pick up the pieces of what remains after the world is through with us? At being silenced and abused, at being denied our dignity, our bodies, our voices and our right to justice? Aren't you angry? Embrace this anger. Let it fuel your every days, defy everyone who tells you that you can't. Be wild."
Favorite quote:
"Who knows what the future holds. What we have is our anger and each other. Aren't you angry sisters? At being treated the way we are and having to pick up the pieces of what remains after the world is through with us? At being silenced and abused, at being denied our dignity, our bodies, our voices and our right to justice? Aren't you angry? Embrace this anger. Let it fuel your every days, defy everyone who tells you that you can't. Be wild."
yesenianavaa's review
3.0
was not a fan of this book in the beginning. did not like the author's narration at all. but grew more fond of the characters and their relationships with each other. part where they destroy the villain kind of confusing, and so is the resolution afterwards.
revremishores's review against another edition
3.0
This book had soooo much potential. I really enjoyed parts of it. Some of its strongest traits include the sisterhood aspect, the poetic language and quotes, how the cities are almost characters in the story, and the social issues that it deals with. Unfortunately, these strong traits were not well strung-together in a compelling plot.
I loved the sisterhood. Sometimes reading it felt like being invited to a big slumber party. So fun. But only one or two of the characters really felt developed. I understand why Azad didn't dwell on their trauma, but I think they could have had some character development without trauma details. As it was, I could hardly tell them apart.
Overall, I think this world/story would make a fantastic graphic novel or video game (or both!). The art is beautiful, and I would love to see more of it, depicting some of the jewelry and clothing and beautiful cities that were (a bit sparsely) described. It would also help to tell the characters apart without adding a ton of background.
I also think the adventure would lend itself well to a video game, the way you would have to explore the Between to look for certain doors, exchange the diamonds for currency, find the right people to talk to in each city... I think there is a lot of potential for that, and perhaps having agency in the story would help the fact that the plot was not very compelling in black-and-white print form.
I mention these alternatives only because I did truly think there was a lot to love about this book, but unfortunately the problems with the plot were too big for me to really say I enjoyed it or would recommend it to others.
I loved the sisterhood. Sometimes reading it felt like being invited to a big slumber party. So fun. But only one or two of the characters really felt developed. I understand why Azad didn't dwell on their trauma, but I think they could have had some character development without trauma details. As it was, I could hardly tell them apart.
Overall, I think this world/story would make a fantastic graphic novel or video game (or both!). The art is beautiful, and I would love to see more of it, depicting some of the jewelry and clothing and beautiful cities that were (a bit sparsely) described. It would also help to tell the characters apart without adding a ton of background.
I also think the adventure would lend itself well to a video game, the way you would have to explore the Between to look for certain doors, exchange the diamonds for currency, find the right people to talk to in each city... I think there is a lot of potential for that, and perhaps having agency in the story would help the fact that the plot was not very compelling in black-and-white print form.
I mention these alternatives only because I did truly think there was a lot to love about this book, but unfortunately the problems with the plot were too big for me to really say I enjoyed it or would recommend it to others.
meesha_mo's review
2.0
DNF at page 112. I might come back to this book later and finish it and have a better opinion of it. But for now there's too much and too little at the same time. I don't really understand the world. Worlds?? I think it's narrated by the group and not any individual except when it comes to Pehali. She narrates her own chapters. You don't really get to know any of the characters. And it's moving so dang slow that I just don't care. It also seemed like this book was written by at least three different people be the writing style is so inconsistent. But it's a good concept on the surface.
lightqueer's review against another edition
3.0
THE WILD ONES has been a release that i’ve been very excited for these past few months. i thoroughly enjoyed the storytelling, the world building, and the character development that occurs throughout.
however, i found there to be several weaknesses in the writing itself. the dialogue between the characters often felt stilted and abrupt. the backstories of each one were not clear enough nor touched on enough in their own development - in fact other than paheli and valentina, there was no development. it must be noted that this interpretation could be entirely a result of the poor formatting of the ARC itself on my kindle, but nevertheless, it weakened the story for me.
what’s more, taraana is described as being a fully grown young man but is described so often as nothing but a child. while i can appreciate that he is soft, sweet, and simple, i had a hard time seeing his character as anything but the little boy he was introduced as in the first chapter of the book. as a result, i found it difficult to reconcile his and paheli’s growing bond throughout the story.
i loved that each location of this book was somewhere that is not often touched on in larger YA circles: north africa, eastern asia, the middle east, etc. the uniqueness of each location and the incredible descriptions of each one enriched the experience for me both as a reader and as a reviewer. what’s more, the sentiment of steady anger and pain throughout this novel hit me hard. THE WILD ONES managed to discuss and include topics such as sexual assault in a way that was not as triggering as it normally is for me, which i deeply appreciate. i found those sensitive topics to be handled very well throughout the book and woven excellently into the collective sentiment of anger, frustration, and, eventually, healing.
however, i found there to be several weaknesses in the writing itself. the dialogue between the characters often felt stilted and abrupt. the backstories of each one were not clear enough nor touched on enough in their own development - in fact other than paheli and valentina, there was no development. it must be noted that this interpretation could be entirely a result of the poor formatting of the ARC itself on my kindle, but nevertheless, it weakened the story for me.
what’s more, taraana is described as being a fully grown young man but is described so often as nothing but a child. while i can appreciate that he is soft, sweet, and simple, i had a hard time seeing his character as anything but the little boy he was introduced as in the first chapter of the book. as a result, i found it difficult to reconcile his and paheli’s growing bond throughout the story.
i loved that each location of this book was somewhere that is not often touched on in larger YA circles: north africa, eastern asia, the middle east, etc. the uniqueness of each location and the incredible descriptions of each one enriched the experience for me both as a reader and as a reviewer. what’s more, the sentiment of steady anger and pain throughout this novel hit me hard. THE WILD ONES managed to discuss and include topics such as sexual assault in a way that was not as triggering as it normally is for me, which i deeply appreciate. i found those sensitive topics to be handled very well throughout the book and woven excellently into the collective sentiment of anger, frustration, and, eventually, healing.
alibrareads's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This was a beautiful story. Very unique for me, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that so heavily uses the first person plural point of view. Only one of the many girls of the Wild Ones is at all delved into or highlighted; it’s about the collective experience of women who have experienced trauma. The language was very poetic and soft, but also very real and evocative. Yes this book has an overarching plot, but it’s mostly about a collective group of girls just trying to live and exist and heal. And there is a conclusion to the overarching plot, but it also feels very transient. This book is a snapshot in the journey of these girls, and it left me feeling hopeful but also mildly melancholy, though not in a wholly negative way. I suppose I would say this is character-driven, but as I said, it’s not really about the characters as individuals (except the first Wild One, Paheli), it’s more about a collective experience.
This took place all over the world, and was full of beautiful foods and colors and vibes and cities. This whole book was a vibe, honestly. It showed these moments of simple joy and living and companionship with other women, all supporting each other and understanding the shared bonds of pain that we experience.
But the magic was really cool too! It’s woven throughout the book and adds this sparkle and wonder and second layer to everything. I love that the Wild Ones are able to harness their screams, what would once have been a sound of fear or desperation, into something full of power. There is not really any fighting, per-say. These girls aren’t superheroes or anything, but they still have power and fight to protect their own in their own way.
There were a few times while I was reading that I wished there was a bit more action or depth to things, but overall this was a beautiful experience. It’s a book telling us girls that our painful experiences are real and it’s not okay that it happened to us. That it’s okay to hurt and okay to heal in our own time in our own way, and that we aren’t alone. The main thing this book says to me is “I see you and your pain”.
Also the cover art?! So beautiful!! One of the prettiest books I own.
My YouTube review: https://youtu.be/w0L-m_Rxk7M
This took place all over the world, and was full of beautiful foods and colors and vibes and cities. This whole book was a vibe, honestly. It showed these moments of simple joy and living and companionship with other women, all supporting each other and understanding the shared bonds of pain that we experience.
But the magic was really cool too! It’s woven throughout the book and adds this sparkle and wonder and second layer to everything. I love that the Wild Ones are able to harness their screams, what would once have been a sound of fear or desperation, into something full of power. There is not really any fighting, per-say. These girls aren’t superheroes or anything, but they still have power and fight to protect their own in their own way.
There were a few times while I was reading that I wished there was a bit more action or depth to things, but overall this was a beautiful experience. It’s a book telling us girls that our painful experiences are real and it’s not okay that it happened to us. That it’s okay to hurt and okay to heal in our own time in our own way, and that we aren’t alone. The main thing this book says to me is “I see you and your pain”.
Also the cover art?! So beautiful!! One of the prettiest books I own.
My YouTube review: https://youtu.be/w0L-m_Rxk7M