Wilder Girls

Where do I even begin?

Well, to be honest the cover is what caught my attention. It’s gorgeous and I couldn’t keep my eyes off it. Am I right? Kudos to the artist. Then I read the tag line “a feminist Lord of the Flies” and I immediately requested the book.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House for allowing me the pleasure of reading this digital ARC.

Rory Power is a phenomenal author. Her style of writing, choice of words, the way in which she thrusts you into a completely foreign setting with very little context—confusing, yet not so confused that you become frustrated—all of it makes for such a wonderful experience. I found myself rereading lines and whole sections because I was in that much awe of what an incredible writer she is. Rory, if you’re reading this, fingers crossed book 2 is in the works, and I’d be more than happy to advance read it because I do not want to wait that long before diving into another one of your books.

Onto what makes this book stand out (aside from the writing itself): The plot line is unique and intriguing from page one. It pulls you into the story, keeps you guessing, and has elements of mystery and surprise interwoven throughout each chapter. Strong female leads are another powerful element. The characters are so full of life, jumping of the page, you feel like you really know them, and you’re affected when things don’t go their way. Power has a way of sticking so closely to the POV in which she is writing that you find yourself so engrossed with being in the moment of the story as it unfolds. So often, writers can’t help but be “writerly” and throw in unnecessary scenes just for the purpose of beautiful writing, when all that really does is pull the reader out of the story. The setting is a character in and of itself—the remote island boarding school is alive and I could picture every moment so clearly in my mind.

Wilder Girls symbolized everything I love about being a reader. Part mystery, part sci-fi, part horror and all amazing. It’s young adult with moderate violence, so this book is geared toward high school readers. I urge you to pick this one up the minute it hits the shelves.