A review by uraveragelesbianreader
Wilder Girls by Rory Power

fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book will likely not be most people's 'thing' but it was absolutely mine. My recommendation is to read through all the 1-2 star reviews and if any of the criticisms are complete turn offs for you then dont read it. As someone who enjoys this book thoroughly I found myself agreeing with most of the criticisms people had but I was able to enjoy the book anyway. In order to enjoy this book you must really and truly suspend your disbelief and occasionally your morality. The main characters are not likeable, they do not have major growth or development but in my opinion this does not hurt the plot. They are children and they act their age, its like an all female lord of the flies with an added horror element. The world built for you by this series is unique in its terror. There are two main ways horror is achieved, by subverting something we know or by creating a new cosmic or existential threat and this book expertly applies both. Although we may not all go to boarding school we all know how a boarding school functions and modernly, we have all lived through and watched how powerless we are to disease. The existential horror comes in with the nature of the disease used in this story. It is absolutely not realistic in its symptoms, how it spreads or how it was created but that is what is horrifically wonderful about it. The way it takes the most ordinary things from animals to people and warps them into monsters is an underrated aspect of this book. The timing of this book hinders its ability to truly lean into the disease element and I think if it reached popularity before 2020, or if anyone could truly read books in a vacuum, it would probably be more well received as we would be able to suspend our disbelief further. I would recommend going into this book as blind as possible and really just tucking away your pandemic knowledge. Furthermore I would not recommend this book to those who like character driven narratives. This book uses its characters to tell a story but there is not much development or a deeply compelling aspect to these characters. You will have a level of sympathy for them and their plight but expect them to annoy you mildly from time to time. If you come into this book knowing vaguely what to expect and if it fits your interests and let yourself be immersed in the pocket dimension built for you, you will enjoy this book. Overall I liked this book but it is a very niche book and marketing it as anything more than that does it a disservice. I would recommend this book to only those who are looking for a book about teen girls afflicted by a horrific, body horror level, disease and their struggle to survive. If that description does not intrigue you then do not even bother with my previous advice and read lowstar reviews, simply turn back now. 
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