At a glance, A Far Wilder Magic seems like it's everything I should love: legendary, last-of-its-kind creatures; gothic cottagecore vibes; magical, moonlit hunts; and, of course, romance. But, as lovely as this tale sounds and as tapestry-like as its cover is, I just didn't love it enough to finish it. Saft's diction is as thick and sweet as honey, but I prefer something milder.

Allison Saft’s A Far Wilder Magic is a spellbinding tale of alchemy, love, and ambition. Saft creates a richly imagined world that feels both magical and grounded. The characters’ journey of connection and self-worth resonates deeply with readers. It’s a beautifully written story that balances fantasy with raw emotional truths.

This book is a historical fantasy with a touch of romance, and it's absolutely captivating.

Saft's writing is rich and atmospheric, and the characters are so compelling. The story follows a hunt for a mythical creature, and the tension between the two leads is chef's kiss. The world-building is gorgeous, and I was completely drawn in by the magic and the autumnal vibes.

If you're looking for a beautifully written, character-driven fantasy with a hint of slow-burn romance, this is a must-read

This was a well written book full of great world building and solid characters. Unfortunately the plot didn't grab me as much as I wanted it to.

i think saft did such an amazing job with the character dynamics here and building up that romance. the way the story developed was amazing, and the ending, it was pretty wholesome.

For the most part I really loved this book. I love the MC, Margaret, and really connected to her because I feel like I tend to stick to myself and what I know. Wes was wonderful at counterbalancing her and pushing her to try and be someone apart from her mother's daughter. Their romance was heart breaking at times when they would close off how they felt about each other but once they knew what was inevitable, it got a lot steamier than I thought. I thought that I was reading an adult novel that Margaret would have read, so it kind of took away from their innocent love of each other that they were building for me. I think for those that would love to hear about that kind of romance, it is really well written.
Overall, I would recommend this book, but just be prepared for more adult descriptions of their love than you would find in a typical YA.

*I own a physical copy*

In 2019 my health started going down hill and I didn't take into consideration what that would mean for my book reviewing. Sadly, I've been trying to play catch up for years and it's been affecting my ability to keep up with present day tasks. So I greatly apologize for this but I am going to clear out all these older review books and focus on present day. I will come back and update this review if I end up reading the book, which is very possible as a lot of these books are still ones I would like to read, I just don't think the pressure looming over me is helpful. Thank you for giving me a chance to early read these books and I am so sorry I wasn't able to provide what was needed.

I am completely captivated by this book. Saft has a talent for crafting rich, romantic fantasy worlds, and this story is no different. The main characters are both complex and endearing, their love story truly delightful, unfolding in a way that feels both genuine and rewarding. I genuinely can't wait to read what Saft writes next after this!

The story follows Margaret and Wes on a hunt for a mythical creature in a world filled with magic and alchemy. Saft's writing is atmospheric, and the slow-burn romance between the characters is well done.

That said, the pacing felt slow at times, and the plot didn't have as much action as I was hoping for, especially given the stakes of the hunt. It’s more character-driven, which will appeal to fans of that style, but if you're looking for fast-paced fantasy, this might not be for you.

This is a delightful romantic fantasy, but it does have some drawbacks, particularly in its worldbuilding, which can be both insufficient and confusing at times. Additionally, the book ends on a troubling happy-for-now note, leaving many conflicts unresolved and questions lingering. Despite these issues, I genuinely enjoyed reading it.

For me, the plot felt almost secondary because I was completely captivated by Wes and Margaret. They each navigate a world filled with prejudice, discovering their identities and aspirations while also dealing with the challenges of adolescence. Their connection grows in unexpected ways, providing them both with comfort and companionship during their struggles.

While the fantasy elements may not be very strong, the tender romance that develops between the two characters is truly beautiful. I'm particularly impressed by how the author crafted Wes and Margaret, giving them significant depth and complexity.

When two lonely people team up to reach what seems to be an unattainable goal, they discover that together they can accomplish anything.

An excellent novel from an excellent author. Saft builds her worlds carefully, but what really shines here is the characters— Maggie & Wes are the perfect leads for this magical little book.

This books is beautiful and I don’t know why I didn’t jump to read this book sooner. The writing, the characters, the worldbuilding - it was all gorgeously done. I was hooked from the start, immediately falling in love with our two main characters and their story. Alison Saft is official my newest auto-buy author!

I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft follows Margaret Welty, a strong willed and independent sharpshooter, and Weston Winters, a desperate but determined alchemist. The two soon accept that whether they like it or not they need each other. As a team, they enter the Halfmoon Hunt, a hunt for the magical hala/fox.

I enjoyed seeing the dynamic between Margaret and Weston. They play really well off one another and both push each other where they needed to be. I feel for Margaret in the situation she gets into with her mom. Weston’s family was the perfect juxtaposition for this. It made me happy that they found each other and could provide that balance. For both characters, the themes of family, finding your place, knowing your worth, and loneliness hit pretty hard.

This book honestly took me so long to read and I have no idea why. Saft is an excellent storyteller. The writing was beautifully crafted. The two main characters worked really well together. There is just something that did not totally keep my attention with this book. It is possible that I was just not anticipating or in the mood for a slow burn type of story. The writing felt peaceful, but the story itself at times was more boring for me.

However, I would still highly recommend checking A Far Wilder Magic out if you like young adult fantasy. The writing and themes alone are worth the shot!

Thank you to the publisher, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

A FAR WILDER MAGIC is a deliciously atmospheric and magical novel, with a mythical hunt and grumpy romance included. I reveled in the beautiful prose, unique characters and how they come together, and a plot worthy of seeing on screen. I can't wait to read more from Saft, and I hope to reread soon! Thank you for the ARC!

Allison Saft never disappoints. This cover is so beautiful and the book inside is even more so. The setting was so stunningly gothic and the premise blew me away from the first page and the characters carried me through to the last.

I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this. I don't read a lot of romance and I wanted to give this book a fair shake. Thankfully, I found myself enjoying the characters and their relationship. It was sweet and I think the fantasy helped me enjoy the story even more. It was surprisingly fun.

Allison Saft gets better and better with each novel! Down Comes the Night was a 3 star for me., this one is a 4 star, and A Fragile Enchantment is 5 stars! I like how Allison walks a delicate balance between giving us a fantastic romantic tale, while not shying away from important subjects such as colonialism, racism, appropriation, etc. She is one of the best YA authors in the field right now, because she does more than just entertain, she also makes you think and be in the shoes of those who are being treated wrongly just for who they are, who their parents were, or which religion they hail from. She is now an auto buy author for me for sure.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the magical and scientific mixture and the concept of the hunt. I loved Weston’s family so much. Great supporting characters in this one!

I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3