This may very well be the best book I have read this year, thus far. This was beautiful and magical and wonderful in all the ways that count. I found the beginning to be rather slow, but, over time, it sunk its hooks into me and I was absolutely captivated.

What I adored most about this book was the relationship between Margaret and Wes. Their slow burn romance was done masterfully (to the extent that at some points I wanted to tear my hair out).

Beyond the romance, there is beautiful world building, a memorable cast of characters, and a brilliant story featuring magic, family, and adventure. I would definitely recommend this!!

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Alison Saft has become one of my new favorite authors, and I honestly am so pleased that I was allowed a chance to read her upcoming book.

If you have not read an Alison Saft book you should read Down Comes the Night. I loved her characters there and I loved the slow burn relationship between them. I also really enjoyed the prose and how I could imagine the actions and setting clearly in my mind.

With A Far Wilder Magic, I could also imagine the world in my mind but also feel the pain of the lead characters. Margaret, the strong willed girl who is afraid to show weakness since her mother had left. Wes, who feels defeated but does not want to give up hope that his strive in alchemy would one day lead to a role in politics. Both of them want to clearly help people but first have to help themselves.

By the summary, you can tell that they have a task ahead of them. The task was a bit confusing at first, and that's probably why I'd rate it one star less. I felt that the fox was more or less something itself that had little to no importance, and when the end came about I wanted a different decision than the one they made. Or if not that decision, I guess something a little more stronger and linked with their personalities and the weight of what they went through.

Still, it's a gorgeous book and this has me really recommending it to other readers when it gets closer to publication date. I will be sure to check out more books by her in the future.

with Saft's atmospheric writing and emotionally investing characters A Far Wilder Magic is charming and magical (full rtc closer to release date)

Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of A Far Wilder Magic in exchange for an honest review.

Allison Saft kicked her sophomore novel out of the park (as we all knew she would). In this one, we get: more magic, a slow burn annoyance to tolerance to friends to lovers main couple, commentary on real world bigotry(the vibe I got was antisemitism but I'm not sure if that was the intended group to be featured and since the religions in this are all magical, it could probably be applied to other things), and some kickass protagonists defeating monsters and mommy issues with math and magic.

Also, brief shoutout to literally all of Wes's siblings for absolutely stealing the show. They all have unique yet real sibling dynamics with Wes which is normally rare in YA fantasy romance so I loved this.

A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft is a gritty low fantasy that starts slow before picking up in the last 2/3 of the novel. It was a struggle to keep reading during the growing pains of the beginning, but I'm so glad I stuck with it. The protagonists, Margaret and Wes, are wonderfully rich and human, and they faithfully carry the story to its magical, triumphant end. Saft writes wisely and poetically, creating beautiful imagery and utterly heartbreaking emotions.

While the book is shelved as YA, the themes it discusses are complicated and dark. This novel straddles the line between teen and adult, and is sure to captivate both age groups.

The world building involved in the novel was tricky to understand and was the primary culprit in my lack of interest in the beginning, but I now appreciate its complexity and Saft's dedication to it. I still believe more time could have been given to explaining the politics of the novel's world and to drawing more concrete boundaries around the novel's precise time period, but the analogies that Saft constructs are meaningful and avoid being overly didactic.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. I plan to post this review to my Goodreads and to my book review blog.

Adored this! This is told from dual perspectives, so you get an even more enriching story and romance experience

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft is a romance set in a fantasy world that will appeal to everyone who loved her first book, Down Comes the Night. When I saw that the author had written a new book, I knew that I had to add it to my TBR list right away. The gothic romance vibes of Down Comes the Night were amazing and original, and it was one of my most anticipated releases of 2021. In her second book, the author continues writing about old, dilapidated manors, but also brings us into a new world with its own mythology and magic system. I was so excited to get approved for this ARC! Thank you again to the publisher for this opportunity!

The story revolves around two young people who couldn't be more different. In fact, they butt heads a bit at the beginning and only reluctantly work together when it turns out they have a similar goal. Margaret Welty is the daughter of a famed alchemist who often leaves her alone in the house. She also has PTSD or a similar issue that comes up when she's in stressful situations. Weston Winters is the son of immigrants / a minority in their fantasy country, and also has dyslexia or a similar issue, which has resulted in name-calling and him being fired from every alchemy apprenticeship he has ever applied for. The two of them meet when Weston shows up at Margaret's house to beg Margaret's mother Evelyn to take him in as an apprentice. Though Margaret initially turns him away, she soon realizes that she needs Wes's help to win the Halfmoon Hunt, a hunt for a magical creature that will leave the winners with fame, money, and ancient magic.

Here is an excerpt from Chapter 2 that introduces Wes's disability to us:

"Most nights, he lies awake wondering what’s wrong with him: why he can’t retain more than half of what he reads, why he can’t seem to translate unfamiliar words on the page into meaning, why no amount of natural talent or passion can compensate for his “limitations” in his teachers’ eyes. It all makes him sick with anger and worry and self-loathing."

And here is an excerpt from Chapter 1 that explains Margaret's motivations for entering the Halfmoon Hunt:

"When she closes her eyes, an image of Evelyn silhouetted against the sun fills the darkness. Her back to the manor, suitcases in hand, her hair a golden ribbon unfurling in the breeze. Leaving. Always leaving.
But if Margaret wins, maybe it’ll be enough to make her stay.
The grand prize is money, glory, and the hala’s carcass. Most hunters would treat it as a trophy, a thing to be stuffed and mounted. But Evelyn needs it for her research on the alchemical magnum opus."

Overall, A Far Wilder Magic is an amazing fantasy romance that will appeal to fans of A Curse So Dark and Lonely or Serpent & Dove. At its core, this is a love story between two really great characters. You get to see Margaret and Wes first meet, and then when they agree to team up for the sake of winning the Halfmoon Hunt. Along the way, there are obstacles - both human and material - that threaten their relationship, but the two get closer and closer as a result. The hunt itself doesn't start until halfway into the book, so if you're reading this book solely for the adventure, you might get disappointed. However, if you're in the mood for an epic romance in a fantasy setting, then this is the book for you! If you're intrigued by the excerpts above, or if you're a fan of the fantasy romance genre, then I highly you check out this book when it comes out in March 2022!

You may now refer to me as an Allison Saft simp.

The Halfmoon hunt occurs once a year throughout the region, and the proceedings begin whenever the legendary hala is spotted. A vicious and magical beast, it is the very last of its kind. Sharpshooter Margaret Welty is the first to see it, and she enters the hunt with Weston Winters, the boy who showed up at her doorstep hoping to apprentice with her alchemist mother. Both have their own reasons for entering, but as they get to know each other and the world teams up against them, their priorities begin to shift.

After falling head over heels in love with Down Comes the Night, I truly didn't think it possible for Allison to top it. What a fool I was to doubt her. A Far Wilder Magic is a stunning story from start to finish. It is downright magical, romantic, evocative and oh so compelling. I found it next to impossible to put down. Her writing is such a joy to read. To me, it feels like coming home. Warm and familiar, but then she throws out an effortless line of imagery that just takes your breath away. The family dynamics in this are incredible and so realistic, with a big, loving family falling on hard times and a family of two that can't figure out how to love in a healthy way. But where the true magic lies for this book is in its main characters.

Margaret is a bit of a recluse and very much a serious individual. Her mother is one of the greatest alchemists alive, but she leaves Margaret alone in a rickety old house for months on end in her quest to create the philosopher's stone, which she intends to use to resurrect Margaret's long dead brother. Lots to unpack there. All Margaret has for company is a hound named Trouble. I love girls like this. The ones who feel like they have no one to care about but in turn care so deeply for the people they do have in their lives. She is desperate to kill the Hala because to give the magical beast to her mother will be all thats needed to create the stone and she can love Margaret again. Her character development was phenomenal, and watching how she shifted in her relationship with Wes was exactly as tender as the synopsis promises. She is jewish-coded, and how she chooses to navigate the bigotry levelled at her is so heartbreaking.

Wes is a witty charmer and an incorrigible flirt, but it's all a front to hide what he really feels. After losing his dad a few years ago, his large family needs him to support them, but he has to leave in order to help the way he wants. If he can become an alchemist, he can go to the fancy schools, get into politics, and make true change for his family and people like them. Like Margaret, he is part of an ostracized community and deserves none of the hate he gets. He is such an endearing character, who feels so much yet can't quite seem to say it when it counts. He is dyslexic, which causes him problems with reading and absorbing the information he needs to succeed in at least one apprenticeship. His determination is so admirable, and I couldn't be happier with how he and Margaret were able to help each other out.

Alchemy and religion play very interesting roles in this story. While the core of the story is built around Margaret, Wes, and the lead-up to the Halfmoon Hunt, there are a lot of influences on the periphery that develop their characters. The hunts for these magical beasts is a heritage the people of New Albion lay claim to, and as Yu'adir and Sumic respectively, Margaret and Wes threaten the pure sanctity of the event. It feels very white conservatives getting up in arms about Black people entering "their" spaces. Utterly ridiculous but a true threat to the safety of those deemed as "other."

The hunt itself doesn't take place until the last 10%, but there's a lot of preparation alchemy-wise that occurs beforehand. Alchemically-enhanced items are the only way the hala will be killed, and it's so cool how alchemy is applied to everyday things. Ways to make bullets incendiary, threads in saddle blankets to make the weight of a person more bearable on a horse, and so on. The hala itself is actually quite terrifying and something of a conundrum. A monstrous, all-white fox, it is the last of its kind and a horribly vicious thing. Once spotted, its powers grow over the next month. It destroys entire crops and livestock herd before eventually turning on humans. On the one hand, you want it to be left alone, but also it really needs to be stopped. I never knew how this was going to go but I will admit that I am satisfied.

It goes without saying that I will read anything Allison writes. Anything. I can't believe I got to read this as early as I did but that's okay, because by the time it releases I will be itching to reread it.

I really enjoyed this one! The cover is what caught my eye at first (so gorgeous!). I liked the writing style and pacing, and overall the plot/story was really unique and interesting. I haven't read Allison Saft's debut novel, but I definitely want to check it out now.

Working on a more in depth review to share once the pub date gets closer!!

allison saft is one of my new favorite authors. her writing is so beautiful and i love her storytelling. this was such a beautiful story

First, thanks so much to Wednesday Books for sending me an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

So there were a lot of things I liked, and some things that bothered me.
I liked the characters, the story, the action, the conflict, the romance (hate to love), and the resolution. The story delves into religious bigotry and prejudice, prejudice against immigrants, struggles of poverty and fitting in, and the pain of loss. The religions in the book are obvious stand-ins for Judaism and Catholicism. I also interpreted Banvishmen to be a stand-in for Irishmen.
I really liked Wes and Margaret and how they grew together and overcame prejudice and obstacles together. And my heart ached for Margaret’s treatment by her own mother, much less Jaime.

What I had a hard time with is the technology and money references that were “real life”. It felt like the story was set in a quasi-1920s era with cars and telephones and dollars. But in a fictional setting with alchemy and a mystical beast and fictional religions. I think it would have been more effective to keep everything completely fictional because it kept taking me out of the story. Maybe it won’t bother other readers?

Overall I think I’ll go with 3.5 stars

I enjoyed reading this book. I thought the characters were well developed and the plot moved at a pace that felt appropriate. I would like to read other books by this author in the future.

I was so excited that I got approved to review this one because I adored Down Comes the Night and knew I would love A Far Wilder Magic as well.

The setting was so so amazing. The aesthetic that went with 1920s seaside town was immaculate. The magic system rooted in science and engineering was so interesting and easy to understand.

Wes and Margaret were such a good sunshine/grump relationship but also touched on the deeper issues that come along with those personalities. As someone who finds herself in the middle of those two, seeing each side was my favorite.

The fox hunt was so unique as a backdrop for the novel. Adding in religious intolerance was very timely and although it was a fantasy world, where the religions were drawn from was clear and very well done in my opinion.

And the writing, my goodness, I loved it just as much as in DCTN. There were so many passages where Saft just hit me right in the soul and I loved every minute of it.

Highly, highly recommend this one!

So, I’ve actually not read a book by this author before although I have seen her debut novel floating around the bookish world quite a lot! I’m not sure why I hadn’t picked it up yet but I believe it is on my ever-growing tbr, haha. For this specific book, the blurb and the cover pulled me in. The cover is breathtaking! Although there were things I liked about the book, it still didn’t grab me like I wanted it to. I don’t think there is anything wrong with the book and so with that said, take this review as you like!

The book is told from two point-of-views: Margaret (Maggie) and Weston (Wes). They both had an interesting point-of-view and I can’t say I liked one over the other. Maggie is a pretty bitter character and even though that is the case I didn’t dislike her because of it. Sometimes bitterness can be a bit much but it really worked well for this story as it wasn’t overbearing and she had valid reasons for being the way that she was.

Wes has his own issues to deal with and because of that I feel like they are both bitter and hide their resentment, more so him than her, for how things have went with their families. I do appreciate Wes’s family though. His sisters were great and their interactions over the phone was hilarious.

There is romance between them but it is a slow-burning one which is always nice to see. They have to work through a bit before it happens but I think that’s what makes it so sweet.

One thing I struggled with when it came to the book was the time period. At times it felt much older than it was until you realize they have phones and taxis. I guess because of the hunt I was just not expecting those things to pop up and it kind of threw me for a loop.

Another thing was just the lack of connection. I understood the characters but my feelings for them was just surface level. I also didn’t fully connect with the story either and maybe it was just my mood at the time. It’s not that it wasn’t good but it was one that also didn’t keep my attention for long.

Overall, this was good. I do wish I would have enjoyed it more but I feel like it’s just a me thing. I know others will enjoy this and it will definitely make a perfect read for the fall.

Thank you to Wenesday Books, Allison Saft, and Netgalley for providing me with a E-ARC of "A Far Wilder Magic" in exchange for an honest review. *

This was such an fall book, I could totally see myself curled up under a blanket with this. I think Ms. Saft does romantic tension really well.

I loved this book so much! Allison Saft has such an amazing writing style, and a way of making the reader feel completely immersed in the world she’s created. Unlike a lot of fantasies, A Far Wilder Magic is set in a 1920s-esque world, so there is some more modern technology, which I really liked.
Margaret and Wes were such great characters! Although they had very different personalities, they both valued family above all else. I loved seeing them go from disliking each other, to trusting each other hesitantly, to falling in love.
I also really liked the fox hunt aspect of the plot. It’s not something you see every day in fantasy, and the fox being a deadly, potentially evil mythical creature made it even more interesting.

A Far Wilder Magic is a great fantasy story that I really enjoyed. Maggie and Wes are great characters who you will like from the very start and root for till the very end. This story will grab you from the start and you won't be able to put it down.

I absolutely loved A Far Wilder Magic! Saft has created a suspenseful, original, and compelling story that captivated me from the first page. If I’m being honest, as soon as I saw the cover and the author, I knew I wanted to read A Far Wilder Magic. The cover is gorgeous, and I loved Saft’s debut novel Down Comes the Night. After this read, Saft is most definitely an auto-buy author for me. It is contemporary Gothic literature at its finest!

Much of the story revolves around a hunt that Margaret Welty, a skilled archer, wants to participate in. When Margaret sees one of the last mystical creatures in the world, she knows that it will be hunted in the Half Moon Hunt. Determined to enter the competition, she tries to convince Weston Winters, a young man who has come to receive alchemy training from Margaret’s absent mother, to enter the hunt with her. Both enter for different reasons, and both are determined to win, no matter what their religion and personal beliefs are. The pair grows closer, and as they prepare for the hunt, they realize that dark magic might help them succeed. However, they have to survive the dangerous hunt first.

Saft’s use of imagery, symbols, and personification are exceptional, and I love the rich, atmospheric, and Gothic feel of the story. When I think of Gothic literature, I think of haunted settings that are dark, ominous, and often relate to the mood of the story, supernatural or paranormal elements, heightened emotions, a touch of romance, an anti-hero, and a damsel in distress who is emotionally or physically trapped. A Far Wilder Magic has all of this and more.

Rife with romance, suspense, myth, and magic, the setting has a bleak greyness that instills a feeling of mystery and foreboding. Margaret’s house, which is desolate and almost a character in itself, has a haunted, abandoned feel to it. Filled with the memories of Margaret’s past, it is a shell of a home, and Margaret’s emotional ties to it trap her there. Margaret’s flashbacks and nostalgia for better times also add to the eeriness and Gothic feel, as do the supernatural elements, mythical creatures, alchemy, family secrets, intense encounters with antagonistic peers, religious prejudices, and more.

There are so many interesting and dynamically developed characters in the story, especially Wes and Margaret. Wes is a young man that is determined to make a difference and prove his worth. He has a wonderful outlook on life and doesn’t let doubt and other people’s negativity stand in his way. Wes is so charming and authentic, and I love how he slowly grows on Margaret. Margaret puts a new spin on the classic Gothic damsel in distress. Though she is isolated and abandoned by family and bullied and mistreated by peers, she is also strong and brave. A fighter and a survivor, Margaret is lonely and longs for connection but is also wary of being vulnerable and opening herself up to others. There is a fierceness to Margaret that I love and a tenderness and vulnerability that is moving.

The point of view switches between Wes and Margaret throughout the story, which I like. Margaret and Wes are both compelling characters, as different as they are alike. Wes is from the city, and Margaret is from the country. Wes has a larger family, and Margaret is alone. Margaret depends on herself, and Wes has many depending on him. Wes is charming and social, and he knows how to win people over. Margaret is much more solitary and introverted, and she struggles to form connections with others. They share similar feelings of loneliness, entrapment, and ostracization, even though their circumstances are quite different. The dual perspectives throughout the story highlight these similarities and differences and create wonderfully rich and well-developed protagonists.

The love story between Margaret and Wes is slow-building and wonderful. There are some incredibly swoon-worthy moments in the story, and I love how their relationship slowly builds over time. Both are overwhelmed by their unexpected feelings, and neither relishes the idea of being vulnerable. Both have put up some major walls, and it’s lovely to see these two people with such complicated lives slowly break those walls down and find comfort, strength, safety, and trust in each other. I love relationships that start begrudgingly and gradually build into something more. The relationship between Margaret and Wes is layered and strong, and the myriad of feelings that each goes through while their relationship evolves is so well done.

The is a fantastic novel that I would recommend to readers who like intriguing YA fantasy with exceptional writing, dynamic characters, strong Gothic elements, and a slow-building romance. The story also has memorable and relatable themes, including duty versus desire, religious persecution and prejudice, making a difference, knowing one’s worth, and more. Saft’s writing immerses the reader into vivid and captivating worlds that I love to get lost in and introduces characters that I love to root for. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and Allison Saft for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. I can’t wait to read more by this brilliant author!

A peculiar read. This book takes place in a 1920s inspired or timeless world where every so often, there is a hunt for a mysterious creature known as the hall. The winner who kills the hala will receive glory and riches beyond their wildest dreams. For the two leads, Margaret and Weston, killing the hala means something greater. It would give Weston the chance to prove himself as an alchemist, and Margaret an opportunity to bring her mother home- one she hasn’t seen in months. A Far Wilder Magic is a disarmingly interesting read. With little to no explanation, the reader is dropped into the world of magic and intrigue with mystical creatures and people who manipulate the essence of nature. Add in main characters with a shrouded backstory and a hunt that seems too good to be true, A Far Wilder Magic seems like a story that would fall apart at the seams, however, these mismatched elements come together in a mosaic of fantasy that inspires all of us to dream- no matter how big. Despite its glamour, A Far Wilder Magic takes its time. The first half of the book moves at a dulling slow pace that makes it difficult to engage with the book, but for the reader that can stick with it, it’s a great read. I recommend this for people who enjoy fantasy and complex characters.

This book!! I loved DOWN COMES THE NIGHT and I was so thrilled to get to read this one early as well. It utterly surpassed all expectations. The more modern contemporary fantasy setting was much more my vibe and the world was so rich - from folklore to religion to magic to culture that it felt impossible to put down. (I really did finish this book in like, a day.)

I loved the Jewish main character, and the religious themes throughout. Watching Margaret and Wes both grapple with their identities felt so real and compelling. Margaret was such a wonderfully prickly heroine and her relationship with Wes was the BEST of the sunshine/grump dynamic. The romance in this book is **chefs kiss** So much yearning and longing glances and soft touches!

I will read everything Allison writes forever.