A review by the_wandering_wisp
A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft

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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