Hope Gordon does a great job in writing this, it had everything that I was looking for from the description. The overall feel of this worked with the world and thought the overall feel worked. I thought the cover was everything that I was looking for and thought the plot worked well overall. It had that magical element that I wanted and the characters were wonderfully done.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!

Wild Fruit is forbidden for those as young as Badger and his friends. There is always a risk of danger when eating it. But surely it couldn’t be as bad as the rumors say? Yet when Badger and friends cause hijinks to acquire Wild Fruit, they could never predict what would happen. While each of them carries a power, when they bite into the fruit it amplifies their abilities, and for some, it will forever change them.

Savage Wild is such a wholesome tale. This is the perfect beginner fantasy novel for young adults. The friendships between Badger and his friends are so heartwarming. They support one another, and their strengths and weaknesses pair so well. Even when one makes a mistake, the others try to make them feel better by acknowledging the mistake, but not letting them dwell on it. These characters are certainly the friends you want to continue having adventures with.

And adventures they have! Each step of the journey is filled with picturesque imagery. The forest seems majestic as they travel into the wilds. But what starts as a simple quest to find a friend, turns into a fight for the throne. Little do the friends know, the wilds are in an uproar as two opposing sides seek to become king. Badger and his friends will unwittingly be swept into the battle and have to use their combined strength to make it through.

Savage Wild has a wonderful array of representations. It is also one of those tales that while it does deal with darker elements, the characters make it easier to read. And it has great themes underlying the story such as friendship and learning how to carry increasing responsibility.

A great start to what could be a super series. Badger and his friends are so diverse but relatable that you want to look out for them. Their journey has many twists and turns drive the story on without being too unbelievable. Great rich world building.

Savage Wild by Hope Gordon is a magical, adventurous beginning to a colorful new world! This book follows four friends, each with their own sets of powers inherited from the region they come from. Badger, Willow, Piranha (Pir), and Sharp are a wonderful friend group from a myriad of backgrounds who get into mischief together, until one day, their mischief sets into motion the journey that will change all their lives, and the world in which they live. Together, they must determine who they can trust and what choices to make as they are thrust into the spotlight of turmoil that has long been festering in the Savage Wild.

Hope Gordon has created a vibrant world that I, for one, am excited to see our characters traverse as they continue their journey. Her characters are distinct and lovable, without falling into the traps of being 'perfect'. Even the adults in this book have their faults and must do their best to overcome them, offering their own apologies and compromises when it comes to working with and forming relationships with the main quartet.

Badger grapples with new responsibilities while learning more about a side of his family and heritage he hasn't had much exposure to. Willow works to make the world a better place through his music, his mischief, and his friendship, even in the face of distrust. Pir is there for their friends and works to gain a better understanding of the world around them, Sharp wants to protect her friends and live up to her role as a Warrior, even though it requires hard choices for her to make. Each member of the quartet has their own 'little destinies' that have just barely begun, and it will be a joy to see them work through them, together and separately, as their story continues.

The twists in the story are well done and not overly surprising because of the hints sprinkled throughout! One reveal managed to surprise me because I'd taken the hints to be for a different reveal. After having finished the book, however, I can't imagine that reveal going any other way!

I appreciated the message that, although we may not always be able to choose what happens to us, we can choose how to use our abilities and circumstances to reach the future we envision. Our circumstances and backgrounds don't define us! We define who we are ourselves.

Personally, I found the beginning to be bit fast-paced and would have preferred more of an introduction to the world and characters before the inciting incident, but the rest of the book more than makes up for it.

This just the type of book I would have absolutely adored as a middle-schooler and young teenager, and still find joy in today. I would highly recommend adding it to class libraries if any educators are looking for magical adventure books centering around a group of friends in a vivid world!

To kick things off, this marks my debut as an ARC reader, which adds an exciting new dimension to my reading journey. I'm grateful for the opportunity to dive into this book in advance. What immediately captured my interest was the description, especially its emphasis on friendship and adventure. The cover art beautifully accentuated the dynamic presence of the protagonists, sparking even more curiosity.

It was the meticulously crafted map that won me over. Upon seeing it, I knew I was in for a treat. I appreciated how each character's personality was vividly portrayed, bringing them to life in a spectacular manner. While I found the pacing a bit slow at the start, it quickly intensified as the ending approached.

Delving deeper into the book, the message that resonated with me is the importance of stepping out of our comfort zones for personal growth. It emphasizes the value of further exploration, urging me (as a reader) to embrace life fully without succumbing to fear.

I found the storyline and plot engaging. If not for a few spelling errors and a section where the paragraph seemed disjointed, I would have rated it 5/5. However, considering it's an ARC, I understand these issues. I still believe it's worth recommending and I’m eagerly waiting for the next installment in the series.