Rating ~3.5

This turned out to be far more understated than I was expecting. It wasn’t highly action-packed, brimming with magic spells or non-stop adrenaline in any way, but still managed to keep me tied to the page. It's subtle, yet addicting.

Featuring an enduring sharpshooter heroine and a charming handsome wannabe alchemist, this book was a quiet examination. Of family, of love, and of prejudice. It explores the meaning of belonging and the sometimes crippling effects of loneliness.

The book is definitely more character-driven. With a lot of the conflict being internal, though that's not to say there isn't external conflict as well. Both our characters are unfortunately subject to a fair amount of bigotry as a result of their individual heritages and religious beliefs. And while this, unfortunately, mirrors the reality we all live in far too well, the book does manage to end on a hopeful note.

4/5

I waited too long to read A FAR WILDER MAGIC. In fact, I almost didn’t finish this eARC before the book’s release date! 🙈 I guess I was scared that Saft’s sophomore novel wouldn’t live up the magnificence that is DOWN COMES THE NIGHT. And while Saft’s debut is, in my opinion, superior, A FAR WILDER MAGIC is still on track toward becoming one of my favorite reads of 2022.

This story is set in Wickdon, a quaint remote town nestled by the sea, as well as in Dunway, a large city about three hours away. Margaret is from Wickdon; Wes is from Dunway. And the two about as polar opposite as where they originate from. Margaret is reserved while Wes is charismatic. Margaret is tidy while Wes is messy. But both are considered outsiders. Margaret because she is half Yu’adir (from her father’s side). And Wes because he is a Sumic Banvishman. They both face prejudice and discrimination from many Katharist New Albians . . . just because of their ancestry / religion. While I wish Saft had expanded on the history of this world, I was glad she didn’t necessarily try to explain *why* Yu’adir and Sumic and Banvish people are hated. Because, sometimes, as we well know from our own world, people are regularly condemned for no good / apparent reason.

That being said, Margaret and Wes are just. so. REAL. Saft knows how to create believable characters whose stories you want to follow. For example, we learn quickly that Wes is charming; but then we learn that his charisma is both innate and a result of practice. His own self-awareness makes him both annoying and likable (depending on context), since readers can divine his intentions when the story is in his POV rather than Margaret's.

The slow-burn romance is just as genuine as the characters. Many YA books romanticize romance, but A FAR WILDER MAGIC perfectly encapsulates the ups and downs--how love can grow, evolve from dislike to like to love. I think I ship Wes with Margaret more than I ship Margaret with Wes. Maybe I only feel this way becuase of how their characters contrast. Margaret’s emotions are more muted. And she has some healing and processing to do by the end of the book. I don’t know. I just know that Wes is so supportive and understanding and adorable, and I like him despite his faults.

Next, I wanted to say that I LOVE Saft’s writing style. Her use of metaphors and similes and atmospheric descriptions immediately wrap you up in the characters’ world and pull you into the story. The overall pace of A FAR WILDER MAGIC *is* slow, but it only makes you want to savor each line even more. It also helps build up to the Halfmoon Hunt. (Based on the synopsis, I originally thought the hunt was going to be the main plot of the book rather than the climax.)

The conclusion left one or two questions on the table, and not knowing the answers is going to bother me. But the story recognizes that some of the mysteries remain unsolved in the end and suggest that the they should remain unknown. Which, OK. It will still eat at me, but how can I, the reader, expect an answer when the characters are also left wondering (which, I believe, is an important part of the characters’ potential for growth even after the story ends—how they grapple with the truth of the world, how they view death, how they can separate mercy from forgiveness from rejection, and from doubt).

**Content Warnings: gore / blood, antisemitism, xenophobia, PTSD, emotional abuse / toxic parental relationship, mention of parental death, animal injury and death, ableist language (“idiot," “stupid" “blind,” “hysterically," “insane,” “deluded,”)

***I will post my review on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and will update my Netgalley feedback with these links, after the title releases in March.***

'A Far Wilder Magic' by Allison Saft was not exactly what I expected it to be but it was an enjoyable enough read. We begin in the town of Wickdon, where the Halfmoon Hunt is about to begin. Contestants may enter the hunt in pairs to kill the legendary Hala, a sacred creature said to grant invaluable knowledge upon it's death. The entwining of magic, religion and science was the most compelling part of this novel and I enjoyed that immensely but the characters didn't quite work for me. I wasn't really invested in them or their romance, it didn't really seem to fit.

Margaret's relationship with her mother and the weight she felt she had to carry, even as a child, really spoke to me. The desire for her family to actually be a family again and the desperation she and her mother feel to achieve that (in their own extreme ways) was one of my favorite parts of the novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Margaret is left isolated in a manor alone for years while waiting for her mother to return home. One evening she sees the infamous Hala in the woods and decides to hunt the mythical being. Because killing the Hala is told to unlock magical powers beyond our imagination. But she isn’t the type people see being able to join the hunt, so she teams up with Weston an alchemist in training.

The story has alchemy and magical creatures. There’s also political and religious theme that runs through the story. But non the less it’s beautifully written and a plot that’s well character driven. And a chemistry between the two main characters that makes the story well rounded. They don’t necessarily see eye to eye but come together and make it much more magical.

I loved the book Down Comes the Night and the plotline if this story sounded perfect for me, but I just couldn't get into this book. I couldn't get into the main characters, the booked lacked the alchemy/fantasy aspects I was anticipating, not much really happened, and the constant creativity of new words seemed to make the story clunky.

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

A beautifully written story filled with magic, alchemy, mythical creatures and a slow burn romance.

The atmospheric writing is truly excellent in this tale. I really appreciated the thoughtful world building and the relationship development.

I think this is a unique, magical fantasy meets historical fiction style book and I think you should give it a try!

This quickly became one of my all time favourite YA stand alone fantasy novels. I loved the plot, the characters, and the themes. The setting was excellent, as well. Overall this book was exactly my cup of tea and I recommend it to anyone who loves books by other authors such as Margaret Rogerson or Shea Ernshaw- or just appreciates a good atmospheric read.
Also the romance was a perfect slow burn, and there were aspects of found family if you enjoy those tropes!

content warnings: xenophobia, religious bigotry, antisemitism, violence, animal death, blood/gore, bullying, grief, sexual content, child death, child abuse, parental neglect, emotional abuse, abandonment, gun violence, panic attacks, ableism

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A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft follows Margaret Welty who has been living in the rotting, isolated home of her family on the outskirts of town, longing for her mother to return. One evening, she spots the legendary Hala, the last living mythical creature, regarding her from the woods with it’s eerie eyes and white fur. The Halfmoon Hunt is sure to follow and whoever wins by killing the Hala will receive it’s power, the knowledge that comes from it and riches beyond belief. Margaret thinks winning the hunt is exactly what she needs to bring her mother home for good. The problem is that only teams of two can enter - one hunter and one alchemist.

When Weston Winters appears on her doorstep, desperate for an apprenticeship from her mother, Margaret soon realizes that Wes is exactly what she needs. They are an unlikely duo. Margaret is a lonely outcast and excellent sharpshooter, enduring all that life has dealt her until it hardens her through and through. Wes, while the biggest flirt Margaret has ever encountered, is uneducated and has his mother and sister’s to take care of. What will happen when these two pair up to take on a centuries old fox?

What I loved:
• The magic system was truly intriguing. I loved the all around vibes of it. I loved the incorporation of alchemy and science, the existence of mythical creatures, the use of religion paired with some of the different aspects of magic. It was brilliant!
• The dual POVs with distinctive voices for each main character. This is something that I really struggle with as a writer and seeing it play out so well is inspiring.
• I’m a sucker for well done world building, especially when it isn’t a massive info dump all at once. Saft did an excellent job of peppering information throughout the story in a way that wasn’t overwhelming. I truly adored the historical aspects of everything even though that isn’t something I typically enjoy.
• The characters were well-rounded and written beautifully. Even the side characters were intriguing and played their roles. Of course, my favourite characters were Margaret and Wes. Their depths, their growth, their journey together - all of it was wonderful!
• The themes of religious persecution and reverence, loneliness, finding a sense of belonging, found family, and the many facets of love.

What I wish were different:
• The hunt was clearly something that played a big part in society, in each culture and in the story in general. The hala too as both are directly connected. It seemed like these parts were glossed over or rushed. The hunt was crammed into the last part of the book with preparation for it taking up more time. I believe Saft could have done a better job with it.
• I loved the relationship between Margaret and Wes and truly enjoyed witnessing it unfold (hello, slow burn!). However, I wish there had been more scenes with them getting to know one another and spending time together. It would have made everything all the more believable.

Overall, A Far Wilder Magic is a must read! It was beautifully written, captivating and heart-pounding. If you enjoy slow burn relationships, found family, magical fox hunts and alchemy, this book is definitely for you.

A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft is an atmospheric tale that completely immersed me in its dark and foreboding world. I loved the tone and setting as they provided a unique texture that held my focus even in the slow parts. I rarely experience this in novels, but I love when I don't need continuous action and a fast pace to keep the pages flying one right after the other. I also enjoyed that the tale is character-driven. It's told in third-person narration but with alternating POVs between Margaret and Wes, enabling the atmosphere to stay prominent while developing the characters in a delightfully intimate manner.

Evelyn, Margaret's mother, left Margaret alone while on an alchemist research trip, leaving no information of where she was or when she will be back. When the Hala emerges in the form of a white fox, Margaret hopes it will draw her mother back home, as it is a creature much sought after by alchemists, including her mother. In the meantime, Wes appears on her doorstep, looking for Evelyn in hopes of interning with her. He has political aspirations that can only be achieved if he becomes an alchemist.

The world-building is so intricately done that I found it thoroughly compelling with its religious persecution, political system based on alchemy, and Hunt tradition whenever the Hala appears. I cannot say that the world is particularly inviting, but still, I wanted to know more and more about the inner workings.

Lastly, I love how the relationship between Margaret and Wes grew and changed. I particularly loved the scenes where they became aware of changes in their feelings because it felt so very authentic that it just melted my heart.

If you are looking for an atmospheric and character is-driven fantasy that will touch your heart, then A Far Wilder Magic is just what you've been searching for.

You'll always be able to summon me when you tell me about a girl who is a sharpshooter and a boy who is experimenting with alchemy. Alchemy is a topic I will always read about - because hello magic and science - so I instantly loved this element in A Far Wilder Magic. However that was just the beginning. Because the characters in A Far Wilder Magic utterly betwiched me. Talk about such a precious cinnamon roll character of Wes. This book is dual POV so we're able to see his layers, how fiercely protective he is, but also how idealistic he is.

At the same time, Margaret is isolated and scared of leaving what shreds of security she has. Her relationship with her mom is complex with a capital C. And watching these characters get to know each other, as they're partnered for a chance at a future, was heart warming. A Far Wilder Magic also features anti-semitism and just a whole heaping load of prejudice against both of them. My heart broke for the ways this treatment of Margaret has forced her to bear it, to harden her heart. All while also feeling Wes' desire to even the scales, to fight back against the cruelty.

I enjoyed this take on magic that required actually science. The alchemy bf explanation of how it works was fantastic but I did feel like the plot extended itself in certain areas that it didn’t need to. I would’ve like to know more about Margaret and her thought but we spent most of the time with Wes who is both charming and annoying. However, it was refreshing to read about a pair where the male MC is clueless and the heroine is who truly has it together. It also had great conversations about race, acceptance and racism. Some of the hateful things that were done were terrifying but it opened the boom up to Rea world experiences. Margaret was my favorite type of heroine, a little grumpy, very capable, and stoic to a fault. It was fun to read how these two opposites change each other

This is my favorite book of the year so far. I know we’re only in March, so that doesn’t mean a lot yet, BUT I had high hopes for this one and was not let down in the slightest.

Margaret and Wes are my new favorite couple. The strangers (sort-of enemies) to friends to lovers pipeline is portrayed SO WONDERFULLY IN THIS BOOK! The plot felt perfectly paced, because it had just enough slow burn and backstory and buildup to the hunt that it didn’t feel like they just magically were 100% prepared to participate in it.

The Winters family is so sweet and I loved how all of them had their own unique personality, even if we only saw them for a few moments at a time (Mama Winters is a queen and I will lay down my life for her).

Also, SORT OF SPOILER but just in case anyone is worried: the dog lives!! I was stressed the entire book.

100% will be recommending this to everyone I know and picking up every future Allison Saft novel that comes out. PLEASE GIVE THIS BOOK THE HYPE IT DESERVES!

(Also, for Fullmetal Alchemist fans… this is essentially Roy and Riza as teenagers and I know I shouldn’t draw comparisons BUT it made me insanely happy to think about.)

I've read very few books that manage to transport me to a world that was just as familiar as it was exciting, A Far Wilder Magic does just that. At the edge of a small town lives Margaret Welty, a sharp-shooter living in an abandoned mansion waiting for her mother to return. Upon seeing the legendary Hala one evening, she knows the Halfmoon hunt is preparing to begin. To win the Hala means winning anything imaginable, maybe even bringing home Margaret's mom. The only issue: Margret has to enter the hunt as a duo. Down one alchemist, she then meets Weston Winters, requesting an apprenticeship with her mother. The two form an unlikely bond as they learn to work together to compete, and form something more than just comrades. The Halfmoon hunt draws near, the pressure grows, and soon Margaret and Wes realize that catching the Hala may not be the issue when survival is at stake.

Immediately I was drawn to the ook because of its cover, and somehow, Allison Saft managed to convey that exact vibe from the cover of her book, all the way to the end. Her enchanting use of imagery swept me away in Margaret and Weston's world. The ease is which Saft made me feel at home among these characters within the first 10% of the novel is intimidating. The sensitive topics were handled beautifully. The heartwarming romance of Wes and Margaret was so achingly pure and genuine, I was blushing and giggling through many parts. The ending was fast-paced and powerful, between the Halfmoon hunt, confronting their pasts, and starting their futures, I could not tell you what my favorite part was. This book is laced with such beautiful language and dazzling characters, it already holds a very special place in my heart.

Every autumn, the legendary hala appears and wreaks havoc. Some view the hala as sacred, others view it as a nuisance, and some believe it could be the key ingredient for crafting the Philosopher’s Stone.

For Margaret Welty, she believes it could be the key to convince her alchemist mother to finally return home from her research, so determined, she wants to enter the Halfmoon Hunt in an attempt to slay the mythical creature.

Problem is, she only knows how to shoot a gun and not the actual alchemy required to kill the hala. She needs an alchemist for that.

Fortunately, Weston Winters is an alchemist-in-training who shows up at Margaret’s doorstep in the hopes of becoming her mother’s apprentice. She promises to introduce him to her mother … in exchange for teaming up with her in the Halfmoon Hunt.

Reluctantly, he agrees, and as the two prepare for the hunt, they face rivalry from other alchemists as well as the conflicted feelings of love that begins to blossom between the two of them.

A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft blends alchemy and romance in a new gunpowder fantasy inspired by Fullmetal Alchemist.

I know I’m biased because of my love for FMA, but I thought it was really refreshing to see an alchemy-based magic system set in the early 1900s within a fantasy novel. It’s a nice departure from all the medieval fantasy I’ve read.

However, I think what I enjoyed most about this story was the chemistry (pun intended) between Margaret and Weston. Saft truly excels as creating compelling leads who complement each other and you can’t help but root for.

While this is a very character-driven novel, I found some of the action to be lacking. The hunt portion itself is extremely short and takes place at very the end. With all the buildup, I wish the hunt hadn’t felt so rushed.

Overall though, A Far Wilder Magic paints an enchanting, richly-imagined world with a satisfying slowburn romance.

***ARC received from Wednesday Books and NetGalley in exchange for honest review, opinions are all my own. Thank you!***

A Far Wilder Magic is Allison Saft’s sophomore release and just like her debut release, it hits all the right notes. While the synopsis talk about the hunt I found that was much more of a secondary action, this story is very much driven by the main characters Maggie and Wes as they grapple with their relationship and their places in a world that does not really welcome them.

Maggie is an outsider in her own town, while she has a few people around that will watch out for her she is used to caring for herself and her manor whether her mother is around or not. I truly adored Maggie, watching as she slowly began to let her walls down and come to trust Wes. She went from being cold and defensive in the beginning to slowly warming up to Wes who’s personality warm and outgoing contrasts with Maggie. It was very interesting seeing how their contrasting personalities came from trying to protect themselves based on their environment. Maggie in a small town with a broken and dysfunctional family compared to Wes in a city with a big loving family. Over time they come to trust each other.

It takes a long while though, the relationship is a beautiful slow burn that unfolds over the entire book and even when they finally get together those old worries still linger. Everything isn’t magically fixed, Maggie and Wes still have uncertainties in their future but they have come a long way in breaking down what used to hold them back.

Another aspect of the book that I really liked was the way it handled the characters religious believes and how that impacts their lives. The hunt is not a huge part of the book but its a running theme throughout that help to move Maggie and Wes forward in both their own character development and their relationship. Maggie as she worries about what killing the hala may mean for her relationships, particularly with her mother and Wes who is trying to figure out how to kill it while grappling with the religious beliefs that the fox is supposed to be sacred. Not only does he risk his own beliefs but those of his mothers someone he wants nothing more than to please and keep safe. The hunt itself leaves us some lose ends that don’t get resolved by the end of the book which was nice. If the characters are still grappling with it there should be no reason for the book to resolve it for the reader.

The writing is lovely one of my favorite things about Allison Saft books is how her environments come alive. The gloomy manor with its secrets, the darkness of the woods and the mysteries that call out from it. I can picture the small city in my head with that long walk from the town to the manor. The magic never really fulls comes alive and while I was a little sad about that this is a character driven book and I am glad that ultimately the magic didn’t overshadow the characters.

This is a wonderful novel for lovers of a slow burn romance and a world of magic that still parallels our own.

This is a lovely book filled with darkness, longing, and--of course--magic. If you love an alchemy-based system of mysticism and magic, this YA fantasy is for you. As an added bonus, the love and tension between Wes and Margaret is palpable (and unexpectedly funny at times)--so, if the "will they, won't they" trope isn't your thing, or if you can't handle angst, don't pick this one up. The romance enchanted me, though the plotline with, you know, the actual hala doesn't have as much depth or description as I was expecting.

A FAR WILDER MAGIC was a book that I loved everything about. A star-crossed romance, a hunt for a mythical fox, it all is just so amazing. My favorite thing about Saft's writing is how perfect her mastery of atmosphere in the worlds that she builds. I savored the atmosphere of the sleepy seaside village of Wickdon and how cozy it all felt to me. It's the perfect book to sit down with curled in a blanket and with some warm tea. I also really loved both Margaret and Wes. They are such wonderfully multifaceted characters and the romance between them had me swooning. Margaret I could relate to as I am someone who is also cautious in nature whenn approaching others, and Wes and his witty banter had me completely in love with them. There is a grumpy girl/sunshine boy dynamic with these two was something that really just sealed the deal of my love of them as an OTP. Both Margaret and Wes face discrimination and hatred for who they are, and they are really both super compelling characters. Saft's witing, just as it was with DCTN, is absolutely superb and really sets a magical and haunting tone for the entire novel and it was something I couldn't get enough of. I was also super intrigued with the alchemy and the lore of the hunt of the hala. I was really fortunate to listen to the audiobook ARC as I read along with the eARC and I thought the narrator did a really good job. A FAR WILDER MAGIC is a story about alchemy, power and love, and it is yet another fantastic novel on Saft's part!

Actual rating: 3.5

I’d like to start by saying how torn I have been on rating this. I quarreled with myself back and forth on whether to rate it higher or lower but finally settled on 3.5 being fair. While I absolutely loved the atmosphere of this book, it fell short in enough ways that I couldn’t ignore the pang of dissatisfaction I had when it came to its conclusion.

Margaret Welty lives alone in a decaying countryside manor on the edge of the town of Wickdon. Abandoned by her mother after the loss of her brother, and the fleeing of her father, she lives a quiet and sheltered life…much preferring the company of her hound Trouble to the company of…well, anyone else really.

When the arrival of the much feared, and equally exalted hala throws the town into a frenzy, Margaret is even more aghast when a prospective alchemical apprentice shows up at her door in search of her mother’s tutelage. Enter Weston Winters.

Together, Margaret and Weston make an unlikely pair, and eventually team up in hopes of slaying the powerful and destructive hala in hopes of winning something they each need desperately. For Weston, this is money and notoriety; for Margaret, her mother’s approval and love.

The time period seems to settle around the 1920s-1940s and leans heavily on elements of magical realism and religious reverence.

Speaking of, the religious elements are part of what drove me to rate this book lower than I initially thought I would. Throughout the book we are constantly reminded about both Margaret and Wes’s heritage/religion and how most of New Albian is both xenophobic and religiously bigoted.

I used context clues to assume what real-world religions and ethnic backgrounds Saft was drawing inspiration from but, truly it wasn’t hard. She makes it painfully obvious what she’s borrowed from. I had the keen feeling that perhaps she just couldn’t commit to calling a real-world religion by its name so as not to offend…but it would have been better, in my opinion, if she had done so…or simply created her own religion from scratch.

Instead, we’re left with clumsy monikered substitutes such as Katharist peoples (interpreted as Christian, to me) + Wes and his Banvish (Irish) heritage and Sumic (Catholic) religion. Meanwhile, Margaret is Yu’adir (Jewish). There are many a reference to real-world religious practices that help you draw these conclusions. At one point the author even uses the term Shabbos for an assumed Yu’adir (Jewish) religious observance. For those who don’t know, Shabbat is an actual Jewish observance.

In short, it was off-putting and distracting from the plot of the story. I could have done with a less intensely religious overtone, along with less frequent reminders of their inferiority in the eyes of others.

Parental neglect also has a very large and very bright spotlight on it in this book. It’s a theme that is repeated through the book over and over and truthfully was a bit of a bummer. Not to say that books can’t be sad and difficult to read, it’s just not what I was expecting. And when coupled with the other harsh elements of the book, made it heavier than its description promised.

Aside from that, I had a lot of unanswered questions towards the end, and a few frustrations with the characters. Some of the issues were resolved too easily and some not easily enough. For instance, the Halfmoon Hunt was a major plot point, but literally lasted like less than 20 pages which was a really big wtf moment in terms of built-up anticipation.

But let me end on a good note: I saw some people saying that Wes is obnoxious/sleazy and Maggie is unlikeable…and I’ll agree that they aren’t a likable pair at first…but they did grow on me. I enjoyed the contrast of a sunshine boy and a grumpy girl instead of the other way around which is sort of the norm in lit these days. They both had a decent amount of character development, and it wasn’t like they were suddenly perfect…they were just subtly a little bit freer than before. A little less broken.

The slow, torturous burn of their love for each other and their sweetness once it fully bloomed was pleasantly unexpected. It felt a bit more realistic because Maggie’s love truly had to be earned by Wes, and she made a besotted man out of him, which is always cute. I love that she scared him shitless and he loved her the more for it.

Mental illness and vulnerability were also two unexpected elements that I appreciated. As someone who suffers from panic attacks, it was comforting to see them portrayed in a way that wasn’t stigmatized, but honest and fair.

All in all, I did actually enjoy this book very much. Yes, I had my qualms with it, but at the end of the day I see what the author was trying to do, and I admire her writing and her approach to a great many difficult subjects. I think maybe she pulled too many into one single book, but I’m still very much glad I decided to read A Far Wilder Magic.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

The magic was palpable. The love inspiring and tender. The reading experience so immersive. Loved it. This is definitely a love story, but it’s also a story of overcoming grief, trauma, prejudice, and the impossible through an unlikely partnership.

Margaret Welty is a skilled shooter who lives in a manor full of reminders of what her family used to be. Weston Winters is an outsider and wannabe alchemist with big dreams. He arrives in Wickdon taking his last shot at an apprenticeship, hopeful that Evelyn Welty will take him on as a student. When he arrives at Welty Manor, the only person he finds is Evelyn’s daughter, Margaret. Margaret begrudgingly allows Wes to stay and wait for Evelyn, though she really has no idea when her absent mother will return. In the meantime, the appearance of the hala, the last magical creature, marks the beginning of the dangerous and famous Halfmoon Hunt. Whoever successfully kills the hala wins a substantial financial award as well as the power to unleash some unimaginable alchemy. Margaret and Wes both stand everything to gain and everything to lose by entering this hunt. Killing the hala might be what Margaret needs to get her mother to come home, and what Wes needs to prove himself a worthy student. They enter as a team and their preparation for the hunt and all of the fanfare that surrounds it provide a backdrop for this touching and magical love story.

These characters really had my heart. This is most definitely a slow burning, character-driven story. Grief and loss drastically affect the main characters’ families, both for better and for worse and the descriptions of their trauma and survival are raw and poignant. Saft writes with a richness that perfectly captures the teenage angst in a way that is not at all tiresome or contrived.

The alchemy, family dynamics, and racial/religious prejudice that frame the story give it a unique depth. Margaret and Wes are tackling complicated and dangerous situations in the midst of their burgeoning love for each other, and I couldn’t help but be totally enthralled with their story.

I will definitely read more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC to review!

The most unique part of this book is the setting. It's a sort of early 20th century based world that is unlike the swords-and-sorcery or modern-set fantasy that we usually see. This interesting take on setting is what kept me reading even when the worldbuilding was a bit confusing. My favorite part was the characters, though. Wes and Margaret were so distinct and I loved how they played off of each other. Their romance was so sweet and worth reading the book just for that. However, I think it was the pacing that made this one not quite work for me. I think focusing on such a short period of time around the hunt made the pacing a little uneven. I thought the ending was very abrupt. I thought the writing style was very readable and would read from Saft again.