Reviews tagging 'Animal death'

A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft

119 reviews

recklessric's review against another edition

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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. 
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the_wandering_wisp's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I have mixed feelings about this book. For about the first half of the novel I liked both characters, but as the novel progressed I lost interest in them. I'm not sure if it was because of the romance element or something else. The book felt like it dragged out for way too long, like it was avoiding the ending.
Especially because the majority of the novel is building up the entire time to the main event of the hunt, but then it only lasted a few chapters and ended really quickly. I was hoping that the hunt would last for days and there would be more struggle for all involved. The Hala didn't put up much of a fight and for such a strong and magical being, I expected it to be stronger and smarter. They mention it's growing strength on multiple occasions throughout the novel. They keep remarking that it's the last of it's kind and that no one has been able to catch it or kill it for years and yet 2 young people with little experiance succeed so quickly? It just didn't add up for me, it felt too easy after all the build up.


I really like the idea of this world, the magical Hala, and the alchemy, but the magic of this realm leaves something to be desired. I wanted to know more about the legends and history of this world. 
I was confused about the voice that Maggie and Wes kept hearing, but at this point I'm guessing it was the hala. I'm guessing because the hala is so in tune with the earth and the woods that it can speak through the wind. But if it can communicate, why would it not say more or use that ability to mess with people? It seemed like an odd addition that ended up being kind of useless. I love a good mystery voice, but when there is no explanation to the mystery, it looses it's appeal.


I was genuinely shocked what Maggie's mother came back, I honestly didn't expect her to at all, and liked that addition to the story. However, the timing felt off. I'm glad Maggie could get resolution though.


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bookishmillennial's review against another edition

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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 🤷🏻‍♂️
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johnstonsami's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-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

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elodiethefangirl's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-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

5.0

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erinreadsbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-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

4.5

I liked the character-focused storyline of this book—I found both main characters very compelling and I like that the reader is given a lot of time with them to truly know them
before they fall for each other, which makes their happy ending all the more believable and rewarding
. Some of the worldbuilding is a little vague (the different religious sects, the rules/history behind the hunt, etc.) which was a bit distracting at times but didn’t detract hugely from my enjoyment and investment in the story. 

Read if you like satisfying, emotional, character-based romance. 
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ctara2123's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional 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

4.5

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elicoursan's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I liked the idea, like the concept of the chemistry and the power to create the original material. But I don’t really like the hunting part. I don’t read to imagine cute fox get killed. And the location was also not the best place, it was dark and the weather was always bad. It seems cold and old. Not my favourite. The romance part was correct although it was very predictable. To finish I didn’t like the characters. The girl was annoying and always in a bad mood. The boy was okay.
And you know I am bored of the “I lost my dad when I was a kid” so not my type
To sum up, the idea is good but I didn’t like the story.
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edamamebean's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective tense medium-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

Wow, wow, wow I really loved this book. I truly did not want it to end, and I will be reading all of Allison Saft’s other books. I honestly think this would make a perfect Studio Ghibli movie—it’s so atmospheric and the characters are lovable. The only reason I haven’t rated this book 5 stars is because it becomes kind of clear while reading that their world is analogous of our own. The religions are sloppily painted over versions of Protestantism, Judaism, and Catholicism and the result was kind of jarring to read. Not only was it confusing, but it was also a little frustrating that the mental labor was put on me as the reader to fall back on my own knowledge of world religions instead of on her as the author to create a world that was unique to the story. That being said, I understand what she was trying to say about anti-immigrant and antisemitism in America and I can appreciate it. It’s easy to forgive when the rest of this book was an absolute delight. 
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kristinallard's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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