“It’s you and me against the world, Margaret.”
Thank you to the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Once I saw the author compare A Far Wilder Magic to The Scorpio Races (and that she was a huge TSR fan too) I put this book on my to-read list. Oh boy, was it a journey. Magic, or in this case, alchemy, comes at a cost. Power comes at a cost. Love is never easy, either. The worldbuilding was a bit hazy for me, but also sometimes info-dump-y, and it took me a little while to get truly invested and captivated by the book. Maggie’s isolated, rural town never felt as strongly grounded and real as Thisby in TSR to me, and the real-world comparisons to ethno-religious groups prejudice and oppression were pretty obvious/on the nose. But once I did get invested and captivated, I DID. Oh, the yearning in this romance. If you want yearning, if you want angst, if you want opposites attract/sunshine and grump, this is for you. If you want a confession of love that is potentially equal to Darcy and Lizzie, this book has it. But be warned. These characters and their relationship are as messy as they are beautiful. Maggie has PTSD, and there seems to be a co-dependent and emotionally manipulative/abusive element to her relationship with her famous alchemist (and chronically absent) mother, whose actual character is more heard about than seen on page but nevertheless casts a shadow over Maggie and Wes’ lives and ambitions. To Wes, though, an apprenticeship with her mother is his last hope at becoming an alchemist, his last shot and becoming “someone.” A Far Wilder Magic is definitely a character-driven story. The character arcs are beautiful, full of pain and healing, of realizing your true worth and what you want in life, and what love truly looks like. Maggie is also half Jewish (Yu’adir in the book), Wes comes from an Irish-Catholic family (Banvishman/Sumic), and it’s implied that Wes has some kind of learning disability that has consistently marked him as a failure. Both face prejudice because of their identities.  I like that we see side characters and a little bit into how prejudice is spread and upheld through complicity, peer pressure, fear, and expectations through the character of Annette. I really liked the alchemy-based magic system, learning how it works, and seeing how it has shaped Maggie and Wes’ lives differently. However, the whole reason Maggie and Wes team up and a major aspect of the plot---the Great Hunt for the hala---gets maybe a couple of chapters at the end of the book. Considering I had not read Saft’s debut novel, Down Comes the Night, prior to A Far Wilder Magic, I can’t compare how her writing has improved, evolved, etc. However, I highly recommend reading a Far Wilder Magic and have but DCTN on my to-read list!

An alchemist and a sharpshooter must team together to take down a mythical creature. The teams compete for the fortune and fame of killing the ancient hala in the annual Halfmoon Hunt, and outcasts Margaret Welty and Weston Winters need to be victorious. Allison Saft’s A Far Wilder Magic is an atmospheric, tense tale. Facing discrimination for their cultural and religious beliefs (a fictionalized Jewish-Catholic-Christian triangle), Maggie and Wes face steep odds in the hunt and with each other, but as the two opposites come to understand each other, anything is possible. A must read for anyone who loves a prickly, practical heroine and a little bit of alchemy.

I absolutely loved Down Comes the Night, so was excited to give this one a try. In the end, though....I liked this book, just not as much as the author's first.

First off, Saft's prose is undeniably beautiful, often lyrical without being overwrought. I kept pausing to savor semtemces. The gorgeous writing created an unforgettable setting and allowed everything to feel close and real and tangible. That said, there were a few things that kept this from reaching 5-star levels for me. These were entirely based on personal preference, really, and another reader may feel differently. First off, I'm probably not the right reader to appreciate the character arc of the FMC, who considers herself unlovable for the bulk of the book. Because of this misbelief she behaves in ways that came off as cold and closed. Again, personal preference, but this kind of arc is not one that tends to resonate with me and I unsurprisingly had a difficult time connecting with Margaret's character because of it. Second, the religious themes felt a bit superficial to me....the two main characters are essentially ostracized based on their religious beliefs, but I never got a sense of what their religion actually meant to them (if anything) and how it had shaped them as people. So in the end, it felt a bit like an artificially constructed conflict purely for the sake of conflict.

Quibbles aside, this was a beautiful, if quiet, book. I'm a fan of minimal worldbuilding in that I'm far more interested in the aesthetics of the world than every historical turn of events that led to the present day, and that was exactly what Saft delivered. A GORGEOUS, glittering world (think the Gilded Age, but with alchemy) unencumbered by overly descriptive backstory or dry details that don't actually impact anything. I see others have complained about the same, but I though this was one of the major strengths of this book--again, YMMV and if you prefer extremely robust world-building this may not be the best choice.

Overall, 4/5 for a beautiful book from a talented author. My issues with it probably have more to do with me than the book itself. If you're a fan of the "cold character gradually learning to open herself to love" storyline, I'd encourage you to give this one a try.

I loved how atmospheric and moody this novel was - it felt like Over the Garden Wall, and I was instantly immersed in the story. I was a little confused at times at what the time period was (is this modern times? There's technology like payphones, but it feels like the distant past?) Moments like seeing cars tended to take me out of the story, because I sensed they didn't belong there. That was juts me, though! Overall, I felt the chemistry between the two leads, love the cover, and will surely be buying it for my library.

I absolutely loved this book! I found it hard to put down. I highly recommend reading it! You won’t be disappointed.

This book snuck up on me in the most lovely way. Admittedly the premise of this one didn't immediately hook me but once I was into this book, I was IN. This story starts off quieter and then all of a sudden I was feeling so many feelings. It reminded me a lot of The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater, an all-time favorite of mine, in the way that it made me feel. I can't wait to reread this some day, and I can't wait to see what Allison Saft does next!!

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy!!

A Far Wilder Magic is a YA fantasy romance following Margaret and Weston on the hunt for the last living mythical creature. The romance tropes are opposites attract and slow burn. This is the perfect standalone for anyone looking for a fantasy romance. Thank to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read in exchange for a review.

A Far Wilder Magic is an enticing gothic read that will attract readers who love all things dark academia! While I disliked the slow writing, the characterization was incredible in this novel! Weston and Maragaret feel so real and genuine. Unfortunately, though, the plot was slightly confusing. Nevertheless, it's still a unique read perfect for fantasy lovers!

I enjoyed this book. I feel like I would have enjoyed this more as an audiobook for some reason.
(Netgalley e-arc)

Stunning queer fiction full of life and magic. I couldn't put it down and can't wait to read it again.

I couldn't wait to see what the author came out with next, and I was NOT disappointed.
I love these sort of "us versus the world" sort of relationship dynamics and it was done so well here!!!
A strong heroine, a mysterious creature, magic, atmospheric spooky woods .... just everything you need for a gripping YA fantasy! Definitely planning on picking up all of Saft's books in the future.

While I enjoyed Down Comes the Night - my only "complaint" was that it definitely felt like a debut. But the author definitely came on strong with this second book and I wasn't pulled out of the story by the writing, even once!

Early last week I asked for recommendations for YA fantasy romance books that would have me feral. A Far Wilder Magic was a popular pick, so I had to immediately jump into it after taking one look at the cover. And friends!!!!!!! I savored and devoured the book because it gave me just the kind of romance I wanted.

You know I love a good slow-burn romance and boy, did this book deliver or what! Margaret and West had me SCREAMING into my pillow and at one point, I looked like a feral cat because I was simply obsessed with them. This pairing gave me that I-WILL-GO-DOWN-WITH-THIS-SHIP energy that I feel like I have been missing from my reads lately. What really works with this romance is the balance of their personalities.

Margaret is a grumpy, mostly quiet recluse on the outside, but on the inside, she’s just a girl who is craving love and safety. Wes, on the other hand, is flirty and chirpy on the outside, but on the inside, he is grappling with grief and his desire to want to see his family out of poverty. When they come together, these seemingly opposite characters interlock perfectly together. Allison Saft does a convincing job at making their relationship feel realistic. There’s obviously a lot of antagonistic banter between the two at first which is, of course, DELIGHTFUL. The cherry on the cake for me is when they allow themselves to be vulnerable around each other. It’s then that feral-Nick started to come out because omg, it was all so tender and soft and gave me all the butterflies. The tension that builds and builds and builds throughout A Far Wilder Magic is a well-layered work of art. I simply couldn’t get enough! I loved everything that Allison Saft did with this romance and it’s easily made her a favorite author with just. a single book.

The characters themselves are a standout. Margaret and Wes both have an arc outside of their romance and the author takes her time with unveiling the different facets of their characters. Typically, when there are two main characters, it’s natural for me to like one character more than the other, but not here! They both had good qualities and were good people. Margaret is very stoic, but all of that stems from being abandoned by her mother. All she wants is to feel loved by her mother so everything she does is in pursuit of her love.

Wes, while happier on the outside, is dealing with a whole bunch of insecurities. He wants to be an alchemist and pursue a career in politics because he wants to give his mother and sisters a better life. He’s also still grieving the loss of his father and that remains a strong thread throughout. With both of their fragmented and lonely parts, when the two unite, it makes for a beautifully tender relationship full of love, trust, and hope.

The plot in A Far Wilder Magic is straightforward, just how I like my fantasy books. The main storyline revolves around the Hunt, an annual hunting event to find and kill a mythical creature known as the Hala. Margaret and Wes team up to join the hunt because if they are successful, Margaret has another chance with her mother and Wes has a chance for fame and money.

Fair warning, A Far Wilder Magic is not the most action-packed story. Much of this book is a build-up to that hunt and an exploration of the characters. Allison Saft’s writing creates this atmospheric experience where it almost feels like you are right there. She certainly has a way with words because she managed to lure me in with her prose. She also weaves themes of discrimination and xenophobia into the story as a mirror of the real world we live in.

I seriously can’t stop thinking about A Far Wilder Magic. It’s one of the most engrossing stories I’ve read this year, and it’s one that will stay with me for a while. I took my time reading this book because I wanted to savor every word. Let me tell you, this is a rarity for me because most of the time, I’m speeding through books. But the slow approach was because I loving every second of it and did not want it to end. Thankfully for me, I do have Allison Saft’s debut novel to read. 🙂

If you love character-driven fantasy books with lonely characters and the swooniest of romances, don’t miss this one.

Margaret Welty lives on the outskirts of town, isolated from her community in more ways than one. Her mother is an incredible alchemist, but far more invested in her work and in resurrecting an ideal of what once was than in being present for her family. Once Margaret's brother died and her father left, Margaret was all but left to fend for herself while her mother regularly took off on business. As such, Margaret has grown into quite a self-sufficient force to be reckoned with. But it isn't until Weston Winters shows up that she realizes just how lonely she has been.

Wes is a city boy on a last ditch mission to find a mentor so he can become an alchemist. Only alchemists have a realistic shot at getting elected to office, and Wes wants nothing more than to become a politician so he can help those around him. Coming from a large, poor family, his community is everything to him, and his sense of duty to those who brought him up is strong and unshakeable. He and Margaret could not have had more different upbringings and what they learn from each other will only make their lives better.

My biggest gripe with this book is the worldbuilding. If you want to talk about religious oppression and stigma in a fantasy context, I am ALL FOR THAT. But what happened here was simply ascribing Catholicism and Judaism to the two main characters, giving them different names, and then having zero explication of that faith/ethnicity/culture outside of the judgment and prejudice of those around them. It felt very bizarre, completely pointless, and honestly a little prejudicial of its own. As if these cultures are empty constructs thrust on people by society. There are weird turns of phrase and cultural references thrown in that are never explained and just seem out of place. I couldn't tell what time this was set in, except that it seemed to be pretty long ago when there wasn't much in the way of technology and $75 was an insane amount of money. I don't know, that aspect needed some serious work still, in my opinion.

Aside from that, the plot is pretty minimal. This is a very character-driven book, and I can see how the characters will appeal to a lot of people. Personally, they were not for me. There is a lot of work to develop the characters, but they still just fell kind of flat to me. I think it was the lack of introspection, but honestly I think a lot of readers will like them. I never really got into the romance and did think that Margaret's mom made some points about their relationship at the end, particularly around Margaret falling for the first boy who was kind to her. Which Margaret then agrees with....and the book just moves on as if that is like healthy and normal? Not that I think their relationship was inherently bad, just that they could use some more life experience before basically getting married.

I jumped from one Allison Saft book directly into the next, and I’ve loved every minute of this wild ride. As much as I related to Wren, the MC from Allison’s debut novel, I found that I related to Margaret even more. Her fear of being forsaken and unloved hit me like a hammer. Full disclosure, the last twenty percent or so of this book made me feel so many different emotions. Tears were shed.

Allison writes in a way that can only be described as utterly atmospheric. She gives ample details, but never drowns you in them. On every page, the scenes come alive before your very eyes. And the weaving of delicate, swoon-worthy moments of intimacy throughout this story was so well done that I’m still not, and may never be, over it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and Allison Saft for an ARC of this book.

There is a lot of religious talk throughout this book. I did my best to remember that it is a fantasy world and these are fantasy religions, but it was so obvious what religion they were based off of; therefore, I don't believe I can give this book a proper review.

I do think this book had some nice things, but the religion put me off so much that that is all I can think about.

As for the story, I loved the beginning of this novel. We’re set in an isolated mansion with a grumpy female main character and a full-of-hope, charming and flirty boy who shows up at her door wanting to be an apprentice alchemist to her mother.. but her mother isn’t there. There’s a magical competition to hunt a magical fox, alchemy and guns, action and angst, so much flirting and tension! Honestly, this has it all.

I was really enjoying it at the beginning like I said but it started to go flat towards the middle. I thought the magical competition aspect would come into play way earlier but it didn’t until almost the end so there was a lot of buildup and bits of nothing for awhile. Allison’s writing and prose is gorgeous so I was definitely still engaged in the story, it just didn’t end up being a top favourite for me.

I still highly recommend this one though! I know this slower built style of story is a lot of people’s cup of tea.

3.5/5⭐️

A Far Wilder Magic is a beautifully written book, it's almosy lyrical. I thought the storyline was good and I enjoyed how the characters were written.

I will be purchasing a copy of this book for my library.

Let me just say I loved this book!!! The beginning was a little slow, but once it picked up it had me hooked. I loved the grumpy/sunshine romance, where Maggie was the grumpy one. At times it was hilarious. Maggie’s struggle with love and acceptance throughout the novel gave this story so much depth and relatability. Not to mention the commentary on our society and how it refuses to give equal opportunities to those who weren’t born on its soil. Lastly, the animals!!! I absolutely loved reading about trouble and Maggie, their bond was so adorable. I definitely recommend this book to those who want a feel-good read.

I absolutely loved Saft's debut novel, Down Comes the Night. It was romantic, had a cast of characters I loved and beautiful prose descriptions throughout it; so I had been really excited for her sophomore novel, A Far Wilder Magic. Unfortunately it didn't hold up to my expectations, in fact, I ended up skipping ahead to the ending which is something I NEVER do. After reading to 32% of my e-arc, I almost DNFed. I just wasn't meshing with the prose, something about it just made my brain want to skim over the text, just to find a pretty sentence here or there. That's not to say it was poorly written - I just couldn't get into it. The third person almost felt clunky to me, which is odd since I usually don't mind reading in it. Because of that, it made liking the characters I already wasn't particularly attached to even less appealing since I couldn't really get to know them, let alone root for their relationship. I was also unsure of the world building, and couldn't tell if this was simply a fantasy world or a historical setting (or both). That might have gotten cleared up at a later time, but from the reviews I read I don't think it did.

After reading some of those reviews, I also chose to skip to where the hunt begins (only 5 brief chapters before the novel ends), just to see if Evelyn returned or not because that was the part I was most interested in. I'm not going to say if she did (there's no real point in spoiling), but I'm glad I skipped because if I felt like the plot was dragging by a third of the way through I'd have been upset to spend so much time only to get like 2 chapters of the actual hunt. Which, I'm still not 100% sure why it had to happen or the details of things despite it being explained at length in the first 3rd of the book. Honestly, it almost felt like a plot point of convenience to make the characters meet, between the way it was so vague and then didn't actually occur until the very end. If you don't mind slow paced books you'll probably really enjoy A Far Wilder Magic, but I'm honestly surprised it's got as many raving reviews as it does.

A fun, wild romp that was deeply satisfying in many ways, but left off in others that kept me wanting to turn pages until the end. An excellent trip from Saft.