I really enjoyed my time with this book. It has tons of atmosphere, angst, acceptance, all the things. The characters and world building were great, and the writing just sucks you in to all the emotions immediately. There was a good amount of suspense and action with a dash of creepiness, but those aspects were offset so well with the quiet, sweet moments that balanced the story so well.

I enthusiastically recommend this book to fans of The Scorpio Races. It has an old-timey small-town setting, some dangerous magic, a perfectly balanced double-narrator romance, a daring traditional competition, and is beautifully written without being overly flowery.

Here is my full video review of this book: https://youtu.be/QsG0bWsA6AM

This is a story of Margaret and Wes, two young people who get tangled up in the world of alchemy, a demon foxhunt, and each other's emotional vulnerabilities.

I appreciate the way that this book so delicately explores a cultural/religious identity. Both of the protagonists are part of marginalized religious ethnic groups, and this fact both brings them together and provides higher stakes to the plot of the book. I also appreciated that their identities were Irish-Catholic & Jewish coded, because it felt like an extension of our own world (and history). Without spending a long time explaining why these groups were discriminated against, I could understand the big picture of it.

Additionally, the main characters are layered in their flaws and mental struggles. They find it difficult to open up to anyone, and so their romance is driven by their character growth. They (between them) have PTSD, dyslexia, ADHD (at least, that’s how I would armchair diagnose them). And while sometimes this is a thing for them to work through, most of the time it is just how they are, with their own strengths and weaknesses.

Honestly, I can’t think of a single thing I didn’t like in this book. It’s flawless.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.

CW: heavy discussions of religion, hate crimes based on religion, abusive/neglectful parent, familial (parent and sibling) death (off page but discussed). Author included CWs: animal death and injury (the dog lives!) antisemitism, nationalism and xenophobia, PTSD, neglect and emotional abuse by a parent, mentions of parental death, graphic descriptions of blood and wounds
I didn’t read Saft’s debut, so I was surprised when I started this and found the style of prose to flow better than many “new to me” authors do. I found that there are parts where there is a lot of page dedicated to saying very little, but the language used is lovely.
I am not a religious person, and that probably colored my reading a fair bit – to give this book as much credit aside from my personal gripes with religion, I did like the themes discussed with religious freedom and making our own choices away from those of our parents.
The familial relationships were probably my favorite. I loved how in-depth those were and how Saft doesn’t pull any punches when talking about what happens to a family after loss. There are different paths people can go on, and Saft uses Margaret and Wes to illustrate how those choices can impact more than just the person who makes them.
I would have liked more actual descriptions and examples of alchemy; for Wes being a POV character I felt like it was just talked about and not illustrated that much. It’s the most fantastical part of this book, aside from that Hala (which I pictured as a Halla from Dragon Age for longer than I’d care to admit), and I kept wanting more of it and less of some of the side characters.
An aside, but I do feel like this book felt like a romance book first, which is not a criticism at all, and I feel like it might find an audience there. The relationship between the two leads is well developed and pulled at my heartstrings, and I loved their loyalty to each other.
Overall, while I didn’t love this book (mostly due to my own hang ups), I’m intrigued by the characters and prose Saft writes, and I’d be very interested to read her work going forward.

Allison Saft’s debut novel, Down Comes The Night, snuck up on me. At first glance, it was a gothic horror fantasy about a desperate partnership between sworn enemies. I’m not generally a horror reader but I do love atmospheric novels and when a romance–especially one doomed from the start–appears to be involved, I can’t avoid it. With that in mind, I was clamoring for her next book before even finishing her debut. And when I finally got my hands on it, A Far Wilder Magic didn’t disappoint.

Building Atmosphere

A Far Wilder Magic is set in an isolated manor in the densely packed woods on the edge of town. Margaret Welty has been keeping house, waiting for her alchemist mother to return so that they can be a family again. Margaret is content to fill her lonely days with chores, hunting in the woods with her hound, Trouble, and avoiding most of the bigoted townspeople who ostracize her for her Yu’adir heritage. It isn’t until she spots the legendary Hala and the Halfmoon Hunt begins and the arrival of an amateur alchemist at her door, that she gets a chance to prove herself and dream of something more than being left behind.

If you like novels with a palpable atmosphere, a world so tightly drawn that it’s hard to imagine lives existing outside of the ones in the pages, you will love an Allison Saft novel. Like Down Comes The Night, A Far Wilder Magic‘s setting is so fitting because of the dark, eerie descriptions and isolating nature of the town and its traditional hunt. Even though our main characters travel to a city at one point, it’s hard to imagine the scope of the world beyond the town, its woods, and the sea beyond. Because of that, this book makes you crave quiet spring afternoons or cold fall days, when the mood outside meets the mood in the book.

The Underdogs
In addition to creating a rich setting, Allison Saft’s strengths are definitely in making you stick with characters too. Though Margaret Welty is hard around the edges, more used to being alone with her hound than people, you instantly feel for her and are ready to follow her. You can forgive her abrasiveness, her passiveness, and her isolation because of her hurt and loneliness. Margaret Welty has been abandoned by her mother, relentlessly tormented and made to feel different because of her father’s religion. She finds kinship, even though at first she despises him, for Wes, who is also ostracized because of his Banvish-Sumic immigrant parents.

When she realizes that his untapped alchemy might be the key to winning the Halfmoon Hunt, a goal she could never have imagined for herself, they form an unlikely alliance that grows into an understanding. Wes is charismatic and desperate to help his family. This hunt may be his last chance to use alchemy to provide a better life for his mother and sisters and step out from the prejudice most in New Albion have for Sumic immigrants. The underdog pairing will always be an enticing read, but now that they have more to prove due to the prejudices of the mostly Kathartic neighbors.

Slowest of Burns
Because I was captivated by the relationship Allison Saft wrote into Down Comes The Night, I was similarly hoping for another romance in her sophomore novel. This was a bit slower of a burn than I like my romance but I also loved reading the way they built their trust and respect for one another. I’ve read many reviews of the book that described the relationship between Wes and Margaret to be tender and I agree. It is sweet and earned and doesn’t feel rushed. Even though I wish we got more of their relationship, it felt real as it unfolded.

Unexpected and Anachronistic
Though I loved this book very much, there were a few things that took some getting used to as I read. I went into the book believing this to be more of a fantasy, with a slight horror edge but was thrown off by the religious analogues in the book–Yu’adir reads as Jewish, Katharist reads as Protestant, and Sumic as Catholic. I know that the basis of alchemy is very spiritual but I suppose I expected more original worldbuilding outside of three Western religions. Or maybe it is just because I’m not very religious and didn’t quite connect with that aspect of the book, I’m willing to accept that.

I suppose I was so angry on Margaret’s behalf for how her neighbors treated her and for the prejudices Wes and his family faced and it reminded me so much of the prejudices of the real world that it took me out of the story for a bit. Once I acclimated to that part of the story, I was fully enmeshed in the world. The only other thing that took me out of reading it was the moments when I had a hard time placing what time this was supposed to be. The telephones and cars felt anachronistic at times. It doesn’t detract from my love of the story and the characters; it was just a quirk of the book.

Hopeful and Otherworldly
One of the most beautiful things that I took away from the book, aside from the stunning writing and setting, was the way that Margaret and Wes found each other. Margaret and Wes are both forces of nature in their own way and together their strength and determination was lovely to read. They’ve both been broken by the past and they’re tethered to the responsibility to family. For Wes, this galvanizes him, and makes him persist even when everyone tells him to give up. For Margaret, her ties to her mother and the hope that her mother’s single-minded pursuit of alchemy will wain, hold her back. Wes may be the first person to see Margaret outside of her mother’s shadow, to care for her and get to know her as a person. And when he accepts her, knowing her trauma and invites her to create a life with him outside of Wickdon, it’s hopeful and beautiful, just like the rest of the book.

A Far Wilder Magic may not be the most edge-of-your seat, fast-paced reads. But it’s a slow, steady magical novel that deserves to be savored. If I wasn’t already a faithful reader of Allison Saft’s, this novel would cement my love for her words for sure. Don’t miss out on this one, you won’t regret picking it up.

Margaret lives alone in her family manor on the outskirts of town. She keeps to herself and hopes that one day her alchemist mother will return. One day she spots the legendary hala, the last of the magical creatures and knows that the Halfmoon Hunt will soon begin. Margaret hopes that if she wins the hunt it will bring her mother back home. However, only teams of two can register for the hunt and Maragret needs an alchemist partner. Enter Wes, who isn’t yet an alchemist but looking to train under Margaret’s mother. Since Margaret’s mother isn’t home she allows him to stay and wait, as long as he enters the hunt with her.

This book has such a great atmosphere, I really enjoyed it! It was a bit slow paced, especially in the beginning, but I really liked Wes and Margaret and wanted to see where their relationship went. They both have to overcome prejudices and even though people don’t accept them for who they are they accept each other.

I do wish the hunt was a bit longer. All the buildup to it was exciting and the hunt was exciting as well, I just wished it was a tad bit longer.

Thank you to Wednesday Books for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I liked lots of this, but the hala hunt happened too close to the end. I feel a bit confused about why this book took so much time to create an alternate world that so exactly mirrors our own.

3.5/5

I've been meaning to check out Allison Saft's writing for quite some time. Naturally, that meant I jumped at the chance to read her latest novel, A Far Wilder Magic. It's the best kind of young adult fantasy, and I just can't get enough of it.

Margaret Welty was lucky enough to see something that most people would only ever dream of the legendary hala. Unfortunately, she knows that the hunt will soon follow in the hala's wake. That is what happens.

Thus, Margaret decides to hunt the hala herself, for succeeding would change her life forever. It would give her family the money they need, buy a home, and so much more. There's just one catch – she needs an alchemist to help. Enter Weston Winters. While he isn't a fully-fledged alchemist, he is Margaret's best chance at success.

“The more dangerous the monster, the more glorious the hero who slays it.”

A Far Wilder Magic is a truly stunning read. I had so much trouble picking a favorite quote to highlight from this novel, as there are so many that I will cherish. The writing itself is beautiful, and the words powerful – especially when backed by a story such as this.

The thing that hit me the hardest about A Far Wilder Magic is well – the emotional side of it. It's weighted and isn't willing to pull punches, creating a compelling story that tugs on the reader's heartstrings. It's a lot – and I wouldn't have it any other way.

The novel is split into two perspectives, Maggie and Wes. Switching back and forth between the two not only gave us a solid idea of the world – but a view of their budding relationship. Either perspective could have carried the story and made it enjoyable, but together they took it to a whole new level.

If you're looking for a fantasy read with an emotional plot and characters that feel like they could walk right out of the pages, then please consider reading A Far Wilder Magic.

Unfortunately received the approval for this arc about 18 hours before it published, so my review is delayed.

The book is a YA fantasy. Tough for me to get through because I am not a fan of insta love tropes. Overall good atmosphere. I think there is a good audience for this book that will love it. Unfortunately wasn't for me.

I received this as an arc, thank you Net Galley and Allison Saft. I absolutely adored this story. It was captivating, romantic, magical, exciting, heartwarming as well as breaking and above all else it showed you the good in people can far outweigh their expected behavior.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and Allison Saft for the opportunity to read A Far Wilder Magic in exchange for an honest review.

After reading Saft's haunting debut novel, Down Comes the Night, I was definitely interested in what she would come up with next. Her writing craft is enjoyable and her storytelling is exquisite, and A Far Wilder Magic did not disappoint. While it doesn't have the same haunting allure as Down Comes the Night, it does have it's own allure with its mix of alchemy, romance, and religion.

Margaret's mother is an alchemist, but she disappeared on some journey a while ago, leaving her daughter with no notion of when her mother might return. Caring for the house and hunting is what keeps Margaret going, but when she sees the hala, the last known living mythical creature, she knows the Halfmoon Hunt will begin soon. It is said that whoever kills the legendary fox will become rich and famous, as well as unlocking some ancient magical secret. The hunt must be entered in pairs, one hunter and one alchemist. Because of her religious background, Margaret is not exactly favored by the people of Wickdon and often faces prejudice.

Weston arrives in Wickdon with the expectation that he will be taken on as an apprentice by Margaret Welty's alchemist mother. When he is turned away, all hopes of gaining a high position in society to provide for his family seem to fall short. As a last resort, Margaret asks Wes to join him in the Halfmoon Hunt with the expectation that, if they win, Weston would become famous and would certainly be able to have his apprenticeship under Evelyn Welty...if she ever returns.

Battling feelings they don't want to acknowledge, as well as the prejudice of the townspeople, Wes and Margaret have more at stake in the Halfmoon Hunt than most. The big question remains: what happens to their futures if they win?

This is an exquisitely written novel that sent flashes in my mind from the Fullmetal Alchemist anime and the consequences when tampering with magic when trying to bring someone back to life. This book is full of dynamic characters, religious conflict, and finding oneself in the midst of a world the judges one's backgrounds. Both main characters are intriguing and full of force, making the story flow with an abundant eagerness. My one qualm is the wait for the Halfmoon Hunt. I figured it would come much earlier in the book, but it actually came near the very end. Meanwhile, the setup of relationships among characters and the laws of alchemy and religion that guide this world are intriguing and uniquely interesting for the reader to learn about along the way. I would also consider this a slow-burn romance.

I highly recommend this book for a reader who seeks a book that has significant deeper meaning laying in wait beneath the words on the page. There is a lot to think about and analyze when it comes to ethics. Saft is such a brilliant writer, I will eagerly seek her next book, ready to devour whatever fantastically eloquent tale she writes next.

This book promised us alchemy, atmosphere and a dangerous hunt, unfortunately for me, it didn’t deliver on these promises.

In this story we are following Margaret, a teenager living on her own, desperately hoping that her mother will come home. She is shunned by the town and is really just going through the motions and trying to survive the best she can while denying that she has been abandoned. Her life is disrupted by the appearance of the legendary Hala, the last remaining demiurge, and the target of the annual Halfmoon Hunt. Desperate to win the hunt in the hopes of bringing her mother home, Margaret is forced to team up with Wes, a city boy who wants to be an alchemist who came looking for an apprenticeship with Margaret’s famous alchemist mother.

There were two things that didn’t work for me about this book. First was the slow and ponderous plot. I was expecting there to be more of the actual hunt involved, but most of the book takes place in the weeks leading up to the hunt and there just wasn’t much meat to the story. Most of the plot for the first two thirds of the book revolves around getting to know the two main characters, their families, and their communities. More character focused readers will likely appreciate this more than I did. I was bored.

The second thing I didn’t enjoy was the worldbuilding. I dislike when fantasy worlds are essentially carbon copies of the real world except with different names, and that it was we get in this book. I was also disoriented by some of the details. In particular I though the setting was meant to be roughly the 1930s but then there were some dates thrown around at one point that really threw me off. Also the alchemy that was included wasn’t very well developed and felt like an afterthought when the story would have been better served if more thought had been put into exploring what alchemy is and how it works.

I did really enjoy the relationship between Margaret and Wes, it felt a little more mature than many of the relationships I have read in YA fantasy. It helped that both characters were fairly down to earth so the angst that existed didn’t get annoying, it felt believable and not over the top.

Overall this is a slow and quiet read that will land better with character focused readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

DRC provided by Wednesday Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The book was not for me. I just could not connect with the characters and the pacing was not my favourite. I will try giving it a second chance in the future. Perhaps, I was not in the right mind-space at the time.

THIS BOOK WAS INCREDIBLE. I enjoyed Down Comes the Night, so I was expecting to enjoy this but I had no idea it was going to blow me away. If I hadn't had to work I would have read it in one sitting - as it was my brain spent my entire shift going "wes and margaret wes and margaret wes and margaret wes and margaret wes and margaret"

Both of these characters are IMPECCABLY done, each felt so heartbreakingly real and watching them come together was joyous. I also adored the setting, it really came to life and I felt the cold, the rain, and the ~vibes~.

I was worried about the premise being a fox hunt, but the fox is mythical so.....it felt not as bad?? And the only other characters who get hurt are people, which is fine.

I am now an Allison Saft STAN

A potential spoiler but one I wished I had to put my mind at ease: the dog doesn't die!! I was constantly nervous about Margaret's hound, Trouble, and I hope you're glad to know that the goodest boy makes it through the book.

First off, have you ever seen a more beautiful cover? SO. PRETTY. I had to find out the artist and follow her on Instagram - @rudebeetle for anyone interested.

This one took me a minute to get into, partly because of my own reading mood, but once I hit about 25% I did NOT want to stop! I ended up putting the ebook down and listening to it - which is new for me, I'm not typically an audiobook reader but lately it's what holds my attention best. I will say that I didn't like the narrator much - I wasn't crazy about her accents for Wes and his family, and her narration seemed frantic sometimes which was odd.

This was such a cool combination of YA historical romance and magical realism. The world felt so unique while alluding to the religious tensions of the early 20th century in the US. I loved the mix of alchemy and magic and would love to read more about its use in the political landscape of this world.

The growing trust between Margaret and Wes was EVERYTHING! When we first meet Margaret she is withdrawn and unrelenting in her routines, while Wes puts on a smiling face in every possible situation. This had that amazing grumpy/sunshine dynamic that I love, but went deeper than just a typical romance. They both were dealing with different types of grief and loss, and were able to bring out in each other just what they needed to grow and chase the lives they wanted.

While I wished the actual hunt portion of the book lasted a bit longer after all of the buildup, it turned much more sinister than I had anticipated which made up for it. While listening, I couldn't do anything else - I just sat and listened to the hunt and all its action.

“Love is not the sharp-edged thing she's
always believed it to be. It's not like the sea, liable to slip through her fingers if she holds on too tight. It's not a currency, something to be earned or denied or bartered for. Love can be steadfast. It can be certain and safe, or as wild as an open flame.” - Allison Saft

I loved this gothic romance by @allisonhsaft. Wes and Maggie enter into a magical fox hunt to kill the mythical Hala. Despised by the other participants for their immigrant status they will have to trust each other to succeed. The atmosphere of this novel reminded me of the films in Tomm Moore’s Irish folklore trilogy (Secret of Kells etc) I think fans of Naomi Novik will also enjoy. I absolutely want to read Saft’s other work now.

Thanks to @netgalley for the ARC.

A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft was MAGIC. Pure MAGIC.

This book felt so original, unlike anything I've ever read, and it takes a lot for me to say that. It was refreshing. It wasn't just words on a page; this was storytelling at its finest. The type that pulls you in as a child and doesn't let you go (in the best possible way).

I remember reading it and being blown away. It was poetic and mesmerizing, and I felt as though I was transported to another world and time. Allison captures the readers with beautiful descriptions in a way I haven't seen an author do in many years.

This world of fantasy is gorgeous, just like the cover.

A Far Wilder Magic is character-driven, which I appreciate, with a dual POV that I love. Margaret and Wes are everything and more, and I wanted them to have everything. It was a journey, and tears were shed for these characters, but I regret nothing.

I connected with every part of this book, and I would 100% recommend it to all readers.

I feel gratitude and emotion as I say thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to receive an e-arc for my honest review. It was an honor.

Okay, I remember falling in love with this book because of the cover but as I started reading it I completely fell in love. The writing truly makes it feel like you're stepping into a new world. It was magical and lovely.

I had high expectations for A Far Wilder Magic...and unfortunately, it quite didn't live up. Margaret lives in a small coastal town, alone except for her dog and horse, waiting for her mother to return and enduring prejudice/discrimination from many townspeople due to her cultural/ethnic heritage. Wes is an aspiring alchemist desperate for one last chance to prove himself and provide for his family. When a hunt for a magic fox comes into town, their paths collide. I loved these characters and their complex, multi-faceted, personalities that grew throughout the narrative. The romance felt organic and built in a way that felt natural and true to human experience (no insta-love). I especially loved the portrayal of the heroine, Margaret, as the stronger/more capable one in the relationship, since many romances show the opposite. Wes and Margaret's dynamic was blend where they equally subverted and fit into aspects of traditional gender roles, making their relationship dynamic 3-dimensional and not bound by parameters often seen in the romance genre. The foxhunt story was unique and not something I've seen before, and the descriptions of the "hala" were a perfect blend of creepy and cryptic.

The reason this book disappointed me boils down to its trying to do too much. The premises were intriguing but there were so many threads that the focus was spread too thin across them all and the book couldn't seem to settle on what it wanted to be/convey. Here are some spoiler-free examples:
Genre -- A Far Wilder Magic is marketed as YA, but I would put it in the NA (New Adult) category. About halfway through, the slowburn becomes decidedly more mature and sexual in nature. This didn't bother me personally, but I did feel the tone switch was sudden and had little set-up.
Setting -- Atmospherically, the setting was worded beautifully. But I found the actual world-building to be lackluster, it is a strange blend of fantasy and reality that is clearly inspired by historical period pieces but also mentions modern inventions/objects. I also felt that religions/ethnicities felt too close to actual real-life groups, just slightly modified and names changed. I enjoy high-fantasy and for me, this just fell short of being vague enough to truly feel like fantasy without any heavy world-building.
Pace -- The first half of the book was very slow and while it picked up nicely in the middle, the ending felt rushed as all those thread were hurriedly tied up. Certain character dynamics and social themes were suddenly heavily emphasized all at the end when they had not been given the same weight throughout the novel. Although everything wrapped up nicely, it felt somewhat dissatisfying because it lacked the carefullness and gradual build-up that had been in the first half.

Overall, I give this book 3.5 stars. A Far Wilder Magic would best suit YA/NA readers looking for a slowburn romance set in a low-fantasy, atmospheric world.

Margaret Welty lives alone in the family manor on the outskirts of town. She mostly keeps to herself, until she spots the legendary Hala, the last of magical creatures. The person who kills the Hala is rewarded with a substantial monetary prize, magical secrets, and fame. Only problem is, in order to participate in the sanctioned hunt Margret must have an alchemist partner. Enter Weston Winters, an aspiring alchemist brave enough to join Margaret in the hunt. So begins a beautiful story about loneliness, learning to trust others, and trusting yourself. This is also a tender love story that is sure to tug at your heart strings. I truly enjoyed this book, rich with unique magic, strong female lead, and beautiful dialogue.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks so much to the publisher and NatGalley for the review copy! I was very excited to see Ava Reid blurb for this book, I’m a huge fan!

This was a slower burn than I anticipated, but I loved the alchemical magic system and the fact that this is a very different world than I’ve encountered in novels. Also the cover is gorgeous.

My one major gripe is this trendy “protagonist isn’t pretty” trope. I understand where it’s coming from, but in doing so we are still placing a value on appearance by explicitly stating female main characters aren’t pretty. I’m not sure why we are honoring men for living women “despite” their looks- I’d much rather read a book where characters fall in love without having to assign value to how one of them looks.