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A review by literarypenguin
A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft
adventurous
emotional
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
A Far Wilder Magic is about Margaret and Weston, two young adults who meet each other after Wes comes to study Alchemy under Margaret’s mother's tutelage. When Wes finds out her mother is gone and won’t be back for an undetermined amount of time Wes begs Margaret to let him stay with her. Margaret is very reluctant at first but when she finds out about the traditional Hunt set to begin in her town, she comes up with a plan for both her and Wes to get what they want. Soon though that plan may have a hitch when sparks begin to fly between the two. I found this book on a whim and loved the plot and the cover of this book. I wanted to give this book a try and was very excited that I did! I felt satisfied and happy by the end of this book! My expectations were high for this book considering how much praise was behind this book. I would consider this book a Romance mixed with a bit of Fantasy and Historical Fiction sprinkled in there. I think was makes this book stand out is the characters and the setting. It was just so unique and interesting and I adored it so much!
The writing was very good and I loved how the author described the sights and sounds of the different locations. How Margaret’s hometown was vastly different from the city Weston grew up in. The pacing was good as well and it took its time building up The Hunt and the romance between Wes and Margaret. It kept itself consistent and things happened that made sense to the story and its characters. I really liked the buildup of the Hunt and the action-packed writing and tension the Hunt gave. It felt tense and felt like the stakes were high at this part of the book.
This book was about Margaret and Weston and their journey in getting ready for the Hunt and learning to trust each other and themselves during this Hunt. I felt like the story was very interesting and as you go further in the book you learn more about the Hunt and its true significance begins to unravel. What I liked the most about the story was Weston and Margaret's both learning more about themselves and bonding over some shared experiences they both have had. The Alchemy was very interesting to me and learning how it worked and what it took to use this kind of magic. Its strength was in its characters and the bond between Margaret and Weston. The Hunt and people hunting this mythical creature were also very interesting and thought-provoking. It made you think if hunting this creature was truly right or was it wrong.
The two main characters were Margaret and Weston, Margaret is an independent and hardworking young woman with a famous Alchemist mother who is constantly leaving her home alone by herself with her dog. She also has some past trauma with her mother that has grown into severe PTSD and trust issues with people. She also has a Jewish heritage that makes people untrusting of her and her family which isolates her in her small town. Weston is an Irish Catholic young man with a big family who tries very hard to support and care for his family but has failed numerous times to become an Alchemist. He doesn’t give up though and won’t give up. The representation is excellent in this book and this is the first book I have seen in a while with Jewish representation! The development was excellent, especially with Margaret. Weston was my favorite character by far because of his love for his family and his determination to achieve his dream of becoming an Alchemist. I loved the romance between Weston and Margaret it was so beautiful and organic. It felt natural and the bond between them felt real. They bonded between their shared discrimination and hardships they have dealt with in their life. I also loved the bond between Wes and his sisters. They felt like such interesting and great characters just on their own as well!
The book is set in what I think is the 1920s in two different places one in the city and another in a small rural town. The world is definitely another favorite part of the book for me because the era this book takes place in is perfect for this book and for the themes it presents to us. Each place is different and unique on its own, the character’s in these places all fit into the location and were very interesting background characters. I think this world is very important to the story and the magic actually fits in very well with it. The use of Alchemy in this world is great and explained well but also with a bit of resistance from certain people at this time.
The themes they explored in this book were parental abuse because of how Margaret’s mother treated her and how Margaret felt she had to impress her mother in order for her mother to love her or pay attention to her. After trying so hard to impress her mother she still wouldn’t get that no matter how hard she tried. I felt so bad for her in these moments and understood her trauma and felt the idea of PTSD was portrayed extremely well! I loved Weston and the portrayal of learning disabilities and the struggle people who have them face every single day. The feeling of being a failure and never succeeding hits hard for all of us. The subtlety of the theme of discrimination and prejudice against different races was portrayed very well and didn’t feel forced or take over the story.
I loved this book and it has become one of my favorite romances I hope that people give this book a chance! I feel like it worked perfectly for a standalone and I think it is worth a read if not just for the cover but the lovely characters and the beautiful stories and themes that it tells!
The writing was very good and I loved how the author described the sights and sounds of the different locations. How Margaret’s hometown was vastly different from the city Weston grew up in. The pacing was good as well and it took its time building up The Hunt and the romance between Wes and Margaret. It kept itself consistent and things happened that made sense to the story and its characters. I really liked the buildup of the Hunt and the action-packed writing and tension the Hunt gave. It felt tense and felt like the stakes were high at this part of the book.
This book was about Margaret and Weston and their journey in getting ready for the Hunt and learning to trust each other and themselves during this Hunt. I felt like the story was very interesting and as you go further in the book you learn more about the Hunt and its true significance begins to unravel. What I liked the most about the story was Weston and Margaret's both learning more about themselves and bonding over some shared experiences they both have had. The Alchemy was very interesting to me and learning how it worked and what it took to use this kind of magic. Its strength was in its characters and the bond between Margaret and Weston. The Hunt and people hunting this mythical creature were also very interesting and thought-provoking. It made you think if hunting this creature was truly right or was it wrong.
The two main characters were Margaret and Weston, Margaret is an independent and hardworking young woman with a famous Alchemist mother who is constantly leaving her home alone by herself with her dog. She also has some past trauma with her mother that has grown into severe PTSD and trust issues with people. She also has a Jewish heritage that makes people untrusting of her and her family which isolates her in her small town. Weston is an Irish Catholic young man with a big family who tries very hard to support and care for his family but has failed numerous times to become an Alchemist. He doesn’t give up though and won’t give up. The representation is excellent in this book and this is the first book I have seen in a while with Jewish representation! The development was excellent, especially with Margaret. Weston was my favorite character by far because of his love for his family and his determination to achieve his dream of becoming an Alchemist. I loved the romance between Weston and Margaret it was so beautiful and organic. It felt natural and the bond between them felt real. They bonded between their shared discrimination and hardships they have dealt with in their life. I also loved the bond between Wes and his sisters. They felt like such interesting and great characters just on their own as well!
The book is set in what I think is the 1920s in two different places one in the city and another in a small rural town. The world is definitely another favorite part of the book for me because the era this book takes place in is perfect for this book and for the themes it presents to us. Each place is different and unique on its own, the character’s in these places all fit into the location and were very interesting background characters. I think this world is very important to the story and the magic actually fits in very well with it. The use of Alchemy in this world is great and explained well but also with a bit of resistance from certain people at this time.
The themes they explored in this book were parental abuse because of how Margaret’s mother treated her and how Margaret felt she had to impress her mother in order for her mother to love her or pay attention to her. After trying so hard to impress her mother she still wouldn’t get that no matter how hard she tried. I felt so bad for her in these moments and understood her trauma and felt the idea of PTSD was portrayed extremely well! I loved Weston and the portrayal of learning disabilities and the struggle people who have them face every single day. The feeling of being a failure and never succeeding hits hard for all of us. The subtlety of the theme of discrimination and prejudice against different races was portrayed very well and didn’t feel forced or take over the story.
I loved this book and it has become one of my favorite romances I hope that people give this book a chance! I feel like it worked perfectly for a standalone and I think it is worth a read if not just for the cover but the lovely characters and the beautiful stories and themes that it tells!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Blood
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Death of parent and Child abuse