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A review by 2treads
The Wild Ones by Nafiza Azad
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
#thewildones is a narrative centering girls and women in all their expressions and complexities; the horrors that they face and the strength that they can find to carry on and band together, creating a loving, supportive, and protective found family.
Azad has used historical settings, food, and friendship to connect us all while weaving this fantastical and magical world. What I also enjoyed and appreciated is her portrayal of the particular magic that exists and permeates a specific city.
She draws upon the complex intricacies of girlhood and womanhood to explore how we come into our femininity or lack thereof; how we form relationships, platonic and romantic; how we grow within the confines or freedom of said relationships; and the beauty, cruelty or futility that can reside within them as well.
She tells a story of what makes us leave the place where we should be safest and most loved: home.
But as with all things magical, there are persons who wish to harness and steal what is special to twist to their evil intentions and it is here that the Wild Ones must truly count on their bond and trust to face what is hunting them.
The choice to switch between memory, first person narration, and a conversational style of prose really aided in engaging and capturing the reader's attention.
But what really made me enjoy this read, besides the strong bond of sisterhood, is the love our MC has for mangoes and food in general. This book had me salivating. Every new city was a new experience with the food of that region, and I loved it.
Azad has used historical settings, food, and friendship to connect us all while weaving this fantastical and magical world. What I also enjoyed and appreciated is her portrayal of the particular magic that exists and permeates a specific city.
She draws upon the complex intricacies of girlhood and womanhood to explore how we come into our femininity or lack thereof; how we form relationships, platonic and romantic; how we grow within the confines or freedom of said relationships; and the beauty, cruelty or futility that can reside within them as well.
She tells a story of what makes us leave the place where we should be safest and most loved: home.
But as with all things magical, there are persons who wish to harness and steal what is special to twist to their evil intentions and it is here that the Wild Ones must truly count on their bond and trust to face what is hunting them.
The choice to switch between memory, first person narration, and a conversational style of prose really aided in engaging and capturing the reader's attention.
But what really made me enjoy this read, besides the strong bond of sisterhood, is the love our MC has for mangoes and food in general. This book had me salivating. Every new city was a new experience with the food of that region, and I loved it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault, Rape, Kidnapping, and Suicide