So I guess at this point it is safe to say that I will read absolutely anything Allison Saft puts out. I have loved her debut, and I'm in love with her sophomore novel.
"A Far Wilder Magic" is pure magic. Saft's writing is once again gorgeous, she just manages to draw me in like few other authors do. And seriously, I love how unique and innovative her stories are! Not that there aren't known ya fantasy tropes in this book, it's not inventing something completely new. But it uses these tropes in a unique and fascinating way.
The world Saft has written here is fascinating and complex, although I would have loved some more actual world building. It does stay rather superficial and relies too much on drawing parallels to our world, especially when it comes to the issues at its core (namely racism in this book, especially the in-universe version of antisemitism). It's not very subtle and often seems to be the one focus of the world building, so the rest kind of stays on this slightly confusing level. I would have loved to learn more about this world.

The plot is fascinating and has these subtle gothic undertones that I loved about Saft's debut as well. The pacing is at times a little slow but that doesn't really matter much because of the two protagonists, Wes and Maggie. They are just!!! So loveable!! So well-written, so complex, so beautiful. They are both outsiders dealing with society's rejection in very different ways, and my heart bleeds for them. The way their relationship unfolds is simply beautiful, and it's the kind of slow-burn that doesn't rely on constant miscommunication but instead on actual character development, and boy I am HERE for this! I love them, I adore them, their romance is pure and such a joy to read. There are some scenes that felt a little rushed between them, but that's only a minor complaint.

All in all this is a beautiful ya fantasy written in gorgeous prose that takes its time with the central characters. The pacing is a little slow in the middle and the actual hunt at the end is dealt with rather quickly compared to all the build-up, but it's a joy to read and to lose oneself into. Most of all, it's a hidden little gem in its genre that does a few things very differently, so I hope many many people will give it a chance.

5 stars
Wow, I really want to do this book justice with my review, but I honestly don't know how to sum up the gorgeous story and haunting atmosphere Allison Saft has created without writing a full on essay. I guess I'll start with my main point, which is that Allison Saft's writing style is genuinely beautiful. This is the first book of hers I've read, and already I'm adding her to my list of "instant buy" authors. This book is full of so many touching quotes, and Allison Saft has done an impeccable job establishing the tone of this story. From the characters, to the themes, to the setting, this book has the perfect "autumn dark academia" energy I've been looking for. On to the plot. Simply put, it's great. I love the magic system and lore of this world, and from Weston and Margaret's introductions, to their preparation for the Halfmoon Hunt, to the hunt itself, I was wholeheartedly invested in the journey of these characters for the entirety of this book. I was also pleasantly surprised to see how many social issues this book touched on. I didn't expect to see themes of prejudice, religion, and immigration, but they were there, and done quite well. On a similar note, this had a good deal of representation, such as a dyslexic MC, and queer side characters. Lastly, on to my thoughts on the main characters and their romance. What can I say, I love a good begrudging allies to lovers arc, and this book did such a good job executing that trope. Although I loved the whole of this book, the romance was undoubtedly my favourite part. Weston and Margaret are such deeply loveable and 3 dimensional characters, it was impossible not to root for them. They felt like real people, and they had more than enough similarities (such as their shared experience of dealing with bigotry) to show that even if they didn't know it yet, they had been compatible since page one. They also helped each other be better people, which is something I always love to see. Specifically, I loved seeing how willing to go slow Weston was, and how he helped Margaret deal with her intimacy/commitment and family issues. Don't get me wrong, Weston and Margaret's pining for each other was the perfect kind of over the trope dramatic that I love in a book, but their love for each other felt real and kept the book grounded. This is such a beautifully written book and every sentence feels so deliberate. I'm inevitably going to reread and annotate this. Truly, I can't recommend this book enough!

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

I liked a lot of things about this standalone YA fantasy romance. The fictionalized early-20th century American West Coast setting (wish there was more of this in fantasy, tbh); the nuances of the intersection of class, privilege, prejudice and patriotism; alchemical magic; the way the two lead characters (Margaret and Wes) were believably competent about some things and incompetent about others (see: emotions & attachment issues); and that the romance was not about possessiveness. While the character-driven parts and the pacing were enjoyable, unfortunately a lot of aspects of the worldbuilding and magic felt extremely underdeveloped, which was puzzling, because Saft starts off with so many promising elements.

The story is set in “New Albion,” a fictionalized America. The town of Wickdon, where most of the action takes place, seems to be in a Northern California-esque coastal region, with redwoods, madrones, and banana slugs. The nearest big city is Dunway, which is possibly a San Francisco analog. The time period is hard to pin down, kind of modern but a little steampunk, maybe somewhere between the 1910s and 1940s in terms of technology (popular use of vinyl records, pay phones, movie theaters, zeppelins, condoms).

All of this is very cool, and imparted without doing an info-dumping. But despite the repeated mention of redwoods (including as the color of Wes’s eyes, lol) there is very little else that makes the story actually <i>feel</i> like it’s in California or thereabouts. Almost nothing sets it apart, atmospherically, from a coastal British town. Saft also mostly misses out on using the modern setting in any tangible way; the rural setting means most of the vibes are very 19th century British, maybe with relaxed social mores. In addition, I’m pretty sure all the characters in the whole book are white? She also seems to be shooting herself in the foot by making the magic alchemical and the main event in the book a magical <b>fox hunt</b>. British, British, British.

This brings us to magic/religion. The Halfmoon Hunt near Wickdon is a yearly ritualized sporting tradition in New Albion. Every fall, a magical creature (or “demiurge”) called the hala (it’s shaped like a giant white fox) materializes, and for five weeks grows more and more powerful and destructive (destroying farms, livestock, occasionally killing people) before the culmination of its power on a full moon, when the hunt happens (It’s most powerful then, but also, that’s the only time people can kill it? Because the full moon has an alchemical effect, or somesuch. This leads me to question why it’s called the “<b>Half</b>moon” Hunt. Sigh. Maybe it’s a reference to Half Moon Bay, which would confirm my San Francisco hypothesis about Dunway). Anyway. The hala is the last known demiurge in existence, and no one has managed to kill it yet. People can enter the hunt in teams of two: a sharpshooter (Margaret’s role) and an alchemist (Wes’s role).

The interpretation of the significance of alchemical magic and demiurges has (ostensibly) a lot of religious importance in this world. The majority of New Albians are Katharists (Protestants), and are prejudiced against Sumics (Catholics) like Wes (who, gasp, is not just Sumic—Catholic, but Banvish-Sumic—Irish-Catholic) and Yu’adir (Jews) like Margaret. They are very clearly just those religions with some extra doctrine about alchemy and demiurges tacked on. Sumics have saints and mass and fancy cathedrals and rosary beads (and are maligned by Katharists as practicing barbaric cannibalistic rituals, eating babies, etc), Yu’adir have the Hebrew alphabet and temples and Seders and fled from pogroms (and are stereotyped by others as being materialistic, possibly manipulating the global economy, etc).

I really don’t mind fantasy authors cribbing off of Judeo-Christian traditions, but what really didn’t work for me here was how thinly-veiled the rebranding was. It would have been better if she’d just called them by their real-world names and done a better job of explaining the doctrinal differences re: demiurges. OR, even better, just made up new religions entirely so the focus was on the ACTUAL REAL MAGIC in the world she made up. I had to keep reminding myself what the new name for Catholic was, and because there was so much focus on the real-world practices and prejudices of the religions in question, I could never remember which religion had which particular interpretation of the significance of demiurges. It created a weird decentering of the main magical phenomenon of the whole story, which wasn’t improved by the ending’s complete lack of answers about the meaning of any of the magic.

<spoiler>The resolution of the hunt was completely useless in terms of magical revelations. Why were Margaret and Wes hearing their voices whispered on the breeze the whole time? Why were they being called to the hala? It seems like they were fated to kill it, but there’s never any actual revelation about the religious significance/truth of the demiurges, and I didn’t think it was set up appropriately for the reader to be OK with “oh it’s just mysterious and we’ll never know the divine meaning of things.” Why did the demiurges exist? Why did the hala appear every year in that area? Why did it need to be killed? Does the extinction of demiurges have any kind of implication for alchemical magic? What was all the stuff about Margaret being all glowy and silver?</spoiler> The ending left me with so many unanswered questions, and not in a good way!

While <i>A Far Wilder Magic</i> was disappointing in terms of big-picture worldbuilding, it really does do a good job with the nuances of family dynamics, being a young adult, and teen romance. I feel bad for complaining so much about what didn't work for me, but I really felt let down since there was so much potential! Despite the numerous disappointments, I think I’d give Allison Saft another chance. And I think that this would still be an enjoyable book for teen readers.

<b>A Far Wilder Magic is due to be released in the US on March 8, 2022.</b>

<i>Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for the NetGalley ARC.</i>

“Richly imagined and vividly atmospheric, A Far Wilder Magic pulls on your senses. Where you taste the brine of salt on your lips, smell the pungent scent of sulfuric alchemy, and feel every prickle of unease while swathed in the burn and hunger of an epic romance.”

A Far Wilder Magic is a book that will hold you captivate. It will take you into the deep dark forest you’ve imagined from childhood and sprinkle in the magic of alchemy and a fantastical hunt like powdered sugar to an eloquently baked cake.

Completely atmospheric, Saft creates a world that feels like a third character. Where we step into a landscape and feel its crisp breath whisper across our skin, our name on its invisible lips, feeling the icy chill seep into our skin, and experience the haunting eeriness surrounding the hunt in a wild wood as memorable as the enchanted forest in Hansel and Gretel.

Further, the characters themselves are brilliantly crafted. I couldn’t decide if I was more frustrated or charmed by Margaret and Wes as it became so apparent these two were two halves of the same puzzle. Where chapter after chapter, the pieces began to slowly connect and become a much bigger and lovelier whole.

What I thoroughly enjoy about a good story is how the author paints the backstory of a characters life and brings those shades of color into the forefront. Because life is messy. It’s not a perfect image or reflection. There are jagged parts that leave scars, shallow, but often deep like fissures that we can’t sometimes see. But it’s the journey of confronting those locked up pieces we hide from view that makes this story both intimate and tender.

My only concern with the book was not clearly knowing the time period. I wasn’t sure what era this was all taking place. There were elements of it being similar to the 1950’s, but felt more like the early 1900’s. But know, this doesn’t deter or derail from the enjoyment of the book.

A love story readers will be besotted over, A Far Wilder Magic is a Spring 2022 novel you should definitely keep on your radar.

Happy Reading ̴ Cece

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I struggled a little with this book. I liked the characters and the bones of the plot but the execution fell a little flat for me.

I really had trouble figuring out what time period this book was supposed to be set in. From the synopsis and the cover I thought this was a fantasy , maybe Victorian in time period but there were cars, trains, phones and condoms so I’m really unsure about the actual time period. The world building was confusing and lacked a level of fleshing out that I like.

The story slowed in the middle and dragged to an almost halt. The hunt part of the book doesn’t start until the last 4-5 chapters and really not much happened overall. I was left wanting more.

It was an ok read with room for improvement.

From description: When Margaret Welty spots the legendary hala, the last living mythical creature, she knows the Halfmoon Hunt will soon follow. Whoever is able to kill the hala will earn fame and riches, and unlock an ancient magical secret. If Margaret wins the hunt, it may finally bring her mother home. While Margaret is the best sharpshooter in town, only teams of two can register, and she needs an alchemist.

Weston Winters isn’t an alchemist--yet. Fired from every apprenticeship he's landed, his last chance hinges on Master Welty taking him in. But when Wes arrives at Welty Manor, he finds only Margaret and her bloodhound Trouble. Margaret begrudgingly allows him to stay, but on one condition: he must join the hunt with her.

** I wanted to like this title as the description made it seem like there would be many elements that would be attractive or enjoyable, but it wasn't my cup of tea.

Hands down one of my favorite reads of the year. A Far Wilder Magic is a gorgeous read, lush with beautiful characters, magic and a slow-burn romance for the ages. I hands down recommend this book. Thanks to Net Galley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fabulous book, but not exactly what I expected. Most of the book is leading up to the hunt, very little of it is the hunt itself.

This novel is extremely well written and the author uses many literary devices to really bring the story to life. The characters are complex and each have their own voice. You hate the characters that you are meant to hate and love all the others. I adore Wes. I admire his ambition, his kindness, and his tenacity. His family is amazing, loving, and very protective and supportive of each other. It gave you a drastic contrast between Wes’ family and Margaret’s.

The book deals with some heavy topics, especially hatred and bigotry and panic attacks. Margaret’s loneliness and despair are palpable.

I think many people would enjoy this story. It has some great points for discussion and would therefore be a great selection for book clubs.

First off I LOVE this cover, it gives classical literature vibes and just fits with the story.
Second Allison Saft is very talented, Evelyn was barely in the book but I hated her character very quickly. The characters were very well written and had great character development through the book. I had trouble putting the book down because I needed to know what would happen next. I enjoyed the way Weston grew on Margaret as the story progressed, His charismatic personality was hard to resist liking as the reader. I knew they would end up together but I still felt my heart clench when she let him leave Welty manor after her mother returned, and again when she leveled her gun at him during the hunt. This book was a great read and I look forward to any books Allison writes in the future!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I put off reading this title for a while—Allison Saft has a masterful way with story and I was already dreading finishing it and the post-book hangover that happens when you finish a lovely story.

And boy did this deliver. I LOVED it. The entire premise of the novel was creative and had just enough magic to make it whimsical while also tackling serious topics like prejudice and differing beliefs, difficult family dynamics and grief. Wes was *literally* adorable. Margaret was everything I could ever want in a heroine, and the revelations she experienced over the course of the story were truly transformative. She grew and I’m sure as readers we grow with her. Wes and Margaret’s love story was believable and beautiful. And all hail Trouble, the true star of the book!

Allison Saft has done it again. Saft's sophomore novel, ‘A Far Wilder Magic’, is yet another artful execution of the slow build standalone. With an opening that reads like the beginning of a horror story told by campfire on a cold autumn night, and shadows looming as large as the redwoods surrounding her fictional town of Wickdon, ‘A Far Wilder Magic’ sweeps you up in all its morbid magic and alchemy from the very first page.

Her use of present-tense narration and alternating points of view will grip you and keep you on the edge of your seat and wholly invested in Margaret’s doubts and Wes' dreams. Rife with delightfully executed tropes, and punctuated with a dog named Trouble, Saft balances the glitzy intensity of a 1920s-era fox hunt with the all the fun of a sleepy coastal town and budding young love. And her themes of healing trauma with hope and overcoming intolerance that feels all too real will touch the hearts of anyone who has doubted their worth or dared to dream of a better world.

‘A Far Wilder Magic’ is enchanting, haunting, romantic, and aching, all rolled into one gorgeously written treat of a novel.

A special thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read the advanced digital copy of 'A Far Wilder Magic' in exchange for an honest review. It was a privilege and a pleasure to dive into this one.

I was given a very generous opportunity by Wednesday Books to review an early ARC of Allison Saft sophomore novel because I reviewed Down Comes the Night and absolutely loved it, it's on my "best books of 2021" list.

I was so excited to get into A Far Wilder Magic - a magic hunt? Alchemy? A potential enemies-to-lovers couple? Count me in!
However, my excitement was quickly over once I got into the book. It welcomed me with its bleak, unforgiving setting with no warmth to hold on to.
Margaret was one of the most unpleasant characters I've read about in quite a long time. Weston was written in such a messy way that I couldn't understand it. Also, there was this one scene where he bawled his eyes out and although there is nothing wrong with crying (the fact that it looked suspiciously like it was done just to denounce toxic masculinity is a point we do not have to talk about), there was no basis for it, it just came and then left. This occured a few times with Margaret as well.
The show don't tell rule was broken too many times to count. The plot was kind of nonexistent and super predictable and the ending had no tension whatsoever. Jaime Harrington, a character that was supposed to represent the racism and antisemitism of the country they were in had no other purpose nor personality, it was literally the gay character that is there just to be gay and his personality is to be gay. I thought we were past that.
The difficult topics discussed (parental neglect, racism just to name a few) weren't done justice - I feel like Allison should've just sticked with one, it's better to do one thing properly than three unsuccessfully.

To sum everyhting up, I did not enjoy this book in the least. I'm not saying don't give it a shot - if you loved Down Comes The Night, you might like this too, although I didn't. Meanwhile I'll be her waiting for Allison's third novel!

I loved everything about A Far Wilder Magic, I immediately drawn in by vintage-fairy tale style of the artwork on the cover and the really unique premise of the story. The characters, story and pacing are all excellent! A Far Wilder Magic is really action-packed and exciting and I really enjoyed how the romance played out throughout the book.

A beautifully written story tying together an unlikely pair on a hunt for a creature

“A Far Wilder Magic” finds Maggie, the town outcast working to survive on her own when she comes face to face with the hala a creature believed to be a demon lurking outside her home. When Wes shows up looking for an apprenticeship the two forge an alliance to work together and join the hunt even if it means facing death and the violence directed at them by the town eager to hold on to its traditions despite the changing times.

First and foremost this is a very slow burn so if you are looking for fast paced action you may be disappointed, that being said the character work in this story is one of my favorite things I’ve read in a long time. The dynamic between the charismatic Wes and the blunt and stubborn Margaret is always my favorite trope and these two pulled it off perfectly. They both have these insecurities and different ways to cope and the moments between them where they spoke their truths and allowed themselves to be vulnerable were some of my favorites.

Looking at the alchemy and the hala itself I am a little lost but I think the story was more about the journey of our two main characters than it was for those specific parts. The conversations on their cultures and how they viewed the hala differed from everyone else was nicely down as it showed why they, more than anyone else involved were going into this with open eyes rather than the bloodlust felt by the other competitors who were willing to pull every trick to bring about their downfall.

I wasn’t sure about this one when I began but after a few chapters I was immediately pulled into this world and felt a little like Wes’s sisters as I eagerly watched and waited to see what would happen and I’m very glad I had the opportunity to read this ahead of time so I can pass it along to every reader I meet.

**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review**

<i> "It's you and me against the world, Margaret" </i>

Where should I even begin... I love this book A LOT.
Let's begin with one thing I adore most : it is a grumpy-sunshine troupe! But instead of sunshine girl and grumpy boy, here you will find them in reverse. Wes is chaotic and all sunshine to Margaret sour-and-gloom self... at least when the story start. I love their character development, how they grow together as the story progressed. How they help each other heal and take another step forward.
I like how Saft layered her characters. I saw a little bit of myself in both Wes and Margaret, and I love this book for it. I also like how this book talked about underlying issues like racism and family problems. I also love the atmosphere of the mysterious wood, little town, the hunting party, and alchemy! I have a lot of favorite scenes, but it will be spoilers so... you all need to read this book for yourself :)

I promise it is good. SO GOOD.

<< Thank you once again to author and Wednesday Book for the E-ARC. Review is 100% honest. >>

Saft does an incredible job building characters with personality, heart, and history. The use of two different perspectives allowed the reader to deeply invest in both main characters. Their truly different personalities played well between each other. While I felt that the first third of the book built up a little slowly to the actual action of the book, I enjoyed seeing the world and family that both characters lived in. The build up of their relationship felt genuine and heartwarming. Beautifully written prose throughout.

Allison Saft's sophomore novel is even more magical than her first. A FAR WILDER MAGIC pulls the reader in from very beginning with promises of mythic creatures, dangerous alchemy, and a whimsical coastal town set in a fantasy 1920s. However, it is Maggie and Wes in their motives, desires, and flaws that will keep the reader ensnared. In the novel, love is just not something that can be declared once and let be, but something that must be earned continually through genuine care and understanding. A FAR WILDER MAGIC is perfect for fans of Maggie Stiefvater or Margaret Rogerson. Five stars.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an eARC.

Thank you for my copy of A Far Wilder Magic. I really enjoyed this magical read and I am a sucker for a slow burn romance! I loved that it was told from dual perspectives and enjoyed the ending! I can't wait to read more from this author!

Thank you, Wednesday Books for sending me a copy! It was so very cool! Thank you!

I made this brief and spoiler-free:

Meet the dream-team joining the infamous Halfmoon Hunt:
Wes, a neurodivergent dyslexic wannabe alchemist who has a bit too much energy for his own good, with big dreams and even bigger charming skills, and Margaret, a calm girl who just wants to sit by the window and read some good ol’ smut while waiting for her mother to come home. Perfect.

While hunting a magical beast that is both a threat and a gift from God (and that I would most definitely try to pet), these two wonderful young people try to discover their place in a world that does not accept them. Wes wants to change all that is unjust, while Maggie wants hide from anything that might hurt her. They discover that love is complicated, sometimes unstoppable and other times undeserved. AND there’s a good boy doggo named Trouble.

I had a fun time reading this book. The writing is beautiful and the characters are *chef kiss* amazing 10/10. Their slow burn romance made me screech from time to time and I was rooting for them from page 1. Both of them have such complex personalities and the way they balance each other’s fears and dreams… ah, wonderful. I don’t want to say too much and spoil the book for you but the “Treat me gently. I’m delicate.” (Wes) – “Shut up and drink your water.” (Maggie) dynamic is high-quality content. I recommend.

My only tiny little complaint is the pacing. It’s almost as if nothing really happens in this book yet A LOT is happening, so I’m a bit confused here. Don’t get me wrong, I really liked the book. It’s an excellent story but I think I expected a bit more from the fox (maybe I’m bitter because I was not allowed to pet it, who knows).

All in all, it’s a great book and a great story. If you like alchemy, slow-paced romance, and excellent characters (gosh I love them), this book is definitely for you.

(I just want to add that the cover is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS.)

A Far Wilder Magic is the story of a hunt for the magical hala, the last mythical creature. Weston wants nothing more than to become an alchemist, but he desperately needs a teacher. While her mother may be a renowned alchemist, Margaret wants nothing to do with alchemy. Margaret’s mother Evelyn has always wanted access to the hala. It just might be the thing to bring her home from her lengthy research trips. To participate in the hunt, Margaret must find an alchemist partner. As an unlikely pair, Wes and Margaret team up, only to discover that the most fearsome monsters are human.

A Far Wilder Magic is very character-driven, with gorgeous lyrical writing. Allison Saft really pays attention to all five senses, choosing poignant details that make for vivid scenes. While Wes and Margaret must prepare magically for the hunt, they must mentally prepare as well. Margaret’s character growth in particular was so satisfying to see. This story has a powerful focus on boundaries, familial sacrifice, and fighting against bigotry. One of my favorite parts of the story is Weston’s family dynamics. I loved how they could fight fiercely, but at the end of the day were always there for each other no matter what.

The romance is yearning and soulful, with a delightful grump/sunshine dynamic. The themes of being an outsider and looking to find belonging are communicated so well. Plenty of representation to be found here including what I interpreted as Irish Catholic, Jewish, dyslexia, and panic/anxiety rep. The religions are not called that specific name, but the parallels seem clear for the 1920-ish world. This feels like the perfect read for when you want to be lost in the magic of autumn, the search for belonging, and yearning romance.

I would highly recommend this, especially for fans of Erin A. Craig and Margaret Rogerson! A Far Wilder Magic releases on March 8, 2022. Thank you to Allison Saft, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on the publication date and I will publish it on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble etc