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A review by literaryintersections
Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Idk how to review this book with out crying legit. It is stunning. Left me wanting more. Made me excited for *hopefully* Teal's book. Raquel has a winner here - something that will transport you to a beautiful, magical, complicated and messy world.
I loved a few things about this book:
1) How complex, messy, and real Sage is. She is a wonderful character who makes mistakes and has childish decisions but all of those feel valid because of the trauma and negative experiences she has had. She is a quintessential older sister. Add in heaps of abandonment, having to grow up too young, losing a sister, fighting with another, and being assaulted and you understand where she is coming from. I rooted for her. I wanted her to succeed in breaking down her walls and opening herself up to love. I wanted her to understand that people could hold her with care.
2) I loved Tenn. He was hot and swoony and grumpy and I loved him. Cocky and flirty and fab. I also think this speaks to the larger secondary characters that Raquel created: the anger of Teal, the passivity of their aunt, the sister and familial relationships with their grandma. All of it just felt so well-rounded and robust.
3) The language and prose. It's obvious that Raquel is a poet. Her words are absolutely gorgeou.s
4) lastly I absolutely loved the way she wove in environmentalism. Sage is the witch of wild things - she can speak to plants and hear them. She knows they have feelings, wants, desires, stories. And she wants to protect them, love them, nurture them. She talks about the impacts of deforestation on the land, earth, and us. Idk how people won't come out of this book feeling more connected to the land they walk on everyday.
I absolutely loved this book. Like so much. I will hold it close to my heart.
I loved a few things about this book:
1) How complex, messy, and real Sage is. She is a wonderful character who makes mistakes and has childish decisions but all of those feel valid because of the trauma and negative experiences she has had. She is a quintessential older sister. Add in heaps of abandonment, having to grow up too young, losing a sister, fighting with another, and being assaulted and you understand where she is coming from. I rooted for her. I wanted her to succeed in breaking down her walls and opening herself up to love. I wanted her to understand that people could hold her with care.
2) I loved Tenn. He was hot and swoony and grumpy and I loved him. Cocky and flirty and fab. I also think this speaks to the larger secondary characters that Raquel created: the anger of Teal, the passivity of their aunt, the sister and familial relationships with their grandma. All of it just felt so well-rounded and robust.
3) The language and prose. It's obvious that Raquel is a poet. Her words are absolutely gorgeou.s
4) lastly I absolutely loved the way she wove in environmentalism. Sage is the witch of wild things - she can speak to plants and hear them. She knows they have feelings, wants, desires, stories. And she wants to protect them, love them, nurture them. She talks about the impacts of deforestation on the land, earth, and us. Idk how people won't come out of this book feeling more connected to the land they walk on everyday.
I absolutely loved this book. Like so much. I will hold it close to my heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Death and Abandonment