Ruth Emmie Lang’s The Wilder Women is a beautifully written, emotionally resonant novel with a touch of magical realism. It’s a story about memory, sisterhood, and the enduring mystery of family, told through the eyes of two young women bound not only by blood but by inexplicable, otherworldly gifts.

The Wilderwomen by Ruth Emmie Lang (narrated by Anna Caputo)

This book proved challenging for me, but not in the way I’d hoped. While I adored the author’s previous work, Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance, which truly captivated me, The Wilderwomen didn’t have the same effect. Despite my love for magical realism, I struggled to connect with this story and I kept setting it aside without finishing.

I thought maybe the audiobook narrated by Anna Caputo might help me engage with the story. While her narration was skillful and brought the characters to life, the story itself still didn’t quite click for me.

The story essentially unfolded as an extended road trip and not enough was happening to hold my attention. Even the magical realism elements, which I normally treasure, didn’t strike the same chord for me this time. Plus, the ending felt predictable and wrapped up too neatly, leaving it less impactful.

I’m genuinely disappointed this book didn’t resonate with me as much as Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance. I had high hopes, but unfortunately, it didn’t meet my expectations.

Thank you @netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC, which I’ve read and reviewed voluntarily.

A beautiful, magical realism story about two sisters with extraordinary gifts searching for their missing mother. The relationship between the sisters is touching and complex. The writing is lush, though it occasionally drifts into slow pacing. A heartfelt story full of wonder.

Magical realism at its finest - I was shocked at the ending, and was swept along for the ride the entire story! Would recommend to all my reader friends!

The premise was interesting—two sisters with unique abilities trying to track down their missing mom—but it didn’t quite hook me the way I hoped. The mix of psychic visions and memory echoes had potential, but at times, it felt a bit repetitive. The mystery kept me reading, but the pacing dragged in places, and I didn’t fully connect with the characters. Not bad, just not super memorable. If you like slow-burn family dramas with a touch of the supernatural, you might enjoy it more than I did.

This was an okay magical realism story. I wanted to connect with the characters more than I did. I would have liked to be whisked away by the story but at times, I found myself trying to figure out where I was and what was going on.

I value the opportunity I was given to read this in advance, but it has been three years and I still haven't read this. With so many books ahead of me, I cannot return to this title.

This was a very unique story and the writing was beautiful. Great world building as well. I enjoyed this one.

An atmospheric family saga with magical realism woven in - sign me up! The pacing was a little too slow for me, but I loved the characters and how you’re drawn into their relationship immediately. Lang’s writing is so lyrical you just want to bask in its glow. Definitely worth the read.

This is a buddy road trip from, except two sisters looking for the mother that abandoned them. The characters are likable enough, and they do grow through the story. However, the wrap up is too neat and tidy. Very rom-com feel in the sense that the happily ever after happens and any difficulties or resentments are "washed away" or glossed over. I find this very unsatisfying, especially in a book like this where internal conflict drove the whole plot. I ended up forgetting I read this book, then thought I reviewed it already. Not one to stay with you, but a decent story to pass the time. 3.5 rounded up

*The Wilderwomen* by Ruth Emmie Lang follows two sisters, Iris and Ruby, who possess supernatural abilities that tie them to a mystical world. As they navigate their complex relationship with their estranged mother, they uncover secrets about their past and themselves. Lang's prose is poetic and vivid, creating an immersive atmosphere that blends the ordinary with the extraordinary. Themes of loss, love, and resilience are explored with sensitivity, making *The Wilderwomen* an enchanting read for fans of magical realism and character-driven fiction.

This book had some lovely poetic and lyrical writing, and the magical realism was woven in very well. But, I got dragged down by the plot. The pacing could have been snappier and overall I struggled to keep my interest while reading. A great atmospheric or "vibes" read, especially for those who love family dramas and magical realism.

Zadie and her sister Finn are special. Zadie has premonitions and Finn can read people’s memories. When their mother disappears Finn enters foster care and Zadie is alone until one day years later Finn convinces Zadie to use their powers to find their mother.

The story is intriguing, highly emotional and well written, however, it felt slow. In some parts the plot almost seemed as if it was dragging along. I did become attached to these characters and was invested on them getting the outcome they wanted. Ultimately, it was a good example magical realism that I will definitely recommend to our library patrons.

I've been hoping for a new one from Lang ever since Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance, but her sophomore novel didn't live up to her unforgettable review. The pacing can be uneven, with certain sections feeling rushed while others drag on, detracting from the overall momentum of the story. Additionally, some plot points and character arcs may feel underdeveloped, leaving the reader craving more depth and nuance. I'll still read whatever she writes next, just with more realistic expectations.

Women's fiction, magical realism and mystery- what else could you ask for out of The Wilderwomen? Lang takes the readers, along with her characters on a journey in this book. There are twists and turns that will have you hanging onto the edge of the seat, and you will feel blind-sided by them.

Ruth Emmie Lang's The Wilderwomen is a beautifully crafted novel that delves into the realms of magical realism, family bonds, and the search for self-discovery. Lang, known for her enchanting storytelling in Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance, brings readers another captivating tale that intertwines the ordinary with the extraordinary.

The story revolves around two sisters, Zadie and Finn Wilder, who possess unique supernatural abilities. Zadie, the older sister, has the gift of “echoes,” allowing her to hear snippets of the past. Finn, the younger sister, has premonitions that guide her toward future events. After their mother, Nora, mysteriously disappears five years earlier, the sisters are left to navigate life on their own, with their extraordinary gifts complicating their journey.

Zadie, now a young woman struggling with her abilities, has tried to suppress her echoes, leading a life that shuns the supernatural. Finn, on the other hand, embraces her premonitions and is determined to find their mother, convinced that Nora is still alive. The sisters' relationship is tested as they embark on a cross-country journey to uncover the truth about their mother’s disappearance and to reconcile their own differences.

Lang’s characters are richly developed, each with their own distinct voice and depth. Zadie’s reluctance to embrace her gift and Finn’s unwavering belief in the extraordinary create a compelling dynamic that drives the narrative forward. The sisters' bond, strained by years of separation and differing perspectives, is portrayed with authenticity and emotional resonance. Lang skillfully captures the complexities of sibling relationships, making their journey both relatable and heartwarming.

The novel’s magical realism is seamlessly woven into the fabric of the story. Lang’s descriptions of Zadie's echoes and Finn’s premonitions are vivid and imaginative, enhancing the sense of wonder that permeates the narrative. The supernatural elements are balanced with the characters' emotional and psychological struggles, grounding the story in a reality that feels both familiar and fantastical.

One of the strengths of The Wilderwomen is its exploration of themes such as family, identity, and the quest for belonging. As Zadie and Finn search for their mother, they also embark on a journey of self-discovery, confronting their past and embracing their true selves. Lang’s portrayal of their growth and transformation is both poignant and inspiring, reminding readers of the importance of accepting and celebrating one’s uniqueness.

The novel’s pacing is well-managed, with Lang deftly balancing moments of introspection with scenes of action and suspense. The journey across the country is filled with encounters that challenge the sisters and push them closer to the truth. Lang’s evocative prose brings the settings to life, from the bustling cities to the tranquil, forgotten corners of America, creating a rich and immersive reading experience.

In conclusion, The Wilderwomen is a spellbinding novel that showcases Ruth Emmie Lang’s talent for blending magical realism with heartfelt storytelling. With its richly developed characters, enchanting prose, and profound exploration of family and self-discovery, the book is a must-read for fans of literary fiction and magical realism. Lang’s ability to create a world where the extraordinary is interwoven with the everyday makes The Wilderwomen a truly memorable and uplifting read. This novel is a celebration of the bonds that tie us together and the magic that lies within us all.

The second Lang novel I’ve read explores themes of motherhood, sisterhood and family (both blood and chosen) in an intriguing enough way, but this just lacks the magic that Lang’s debut did.

An ambitious narrative of mothers and daughters and the ties that bind them together. Ruth Emmie Lang weaves several time periods into one story surrounding the mysterious, fantastical disappearance of Nora and its effect on her daughters Zadie and Finn.

Magical and mysterious, this story takes readers on a journey through the complicated ties between mothers and daughters, sisters, and those we find with people we never expected to meet. It’s a story about disconnection, abandonment, and what it takes to find our way home.

The Wilderwomen is a contemporary fantasy novel written by author Ruth Emmie Lang. The novel follows two sisters - Zadie, who's in her early 20s, secretly pregnant and just leaving the place she used to stay with her ex; and Finn, who is just about to leave her foster family for college for the first time - as they go on a ride to try and figure out why their mom left them five years ago. But Zadie and Finn aren't quite normal - they both have extrasensory powers, with Zadie able to gain glimpes of the future and Finn able to experience the memories of others tied to a place, and their mother might've had such powers as well. And so the story follows the two as Finn desperately tries to search for her mom and Zadie follows along regretfully, trying not to lose the last relationship she values.

The result is in large part an effective novel of two sisters who love each other but are different both in age and temperament, with Finn hopeful of finding answers and coming from a decent situation and Zadie cynical due to what she once observed and the rough life she's had since her mom left. And the road trip story here is pretty effective, as the two sisters encounter people and places that change their understanding of what happened and who they are. At the same time, the book seems to be leading up to some interesting ideas or answers and instead peters out, with its ending just being abrupt and kind of unsatisfying in how it answers its central idea...and in the process it manages to tie off every question in ways that didn't really work. The result is a mixed bag.

More explanation after the jump:


Plot Summary:
Zadie and Finn Wilder grew up loving sisters under the parentage of their mother Nora Wilder. Though they didn't share fathers (both of whom they never knew) they cared distinctly for each other, especially as they both grew and developed strange gifts: for Zadie, having sudden uncomfortable premonitions of the future; for Finn, being able to be immersed in memories or echoes left behind by others in the places she was. And then Nora Wilder left and disappeared. And so the sisters were torn apart, with Finn being sent to live with a Foster Family while Zadie, who was technically an adult, was left on her own. They've tried to keep in touch over the five years since then, but it has been tremendously hard.

Now, both of them are on the verge of new precipices in their lives - Zadie, now secretly pregnant, has just been kicked out of her place by her ex; and Finn is just about to graduate high school and head off to college. To celebrate Finn's achievement, the two have planned a road trip to the Beach...but when Finn feels an echo belonging to her mother that suggests a possible way to find her, Finn demands that Zadie go with her instead on a quest to find Nora Wilder and to reunite them if at all possible.

But what really happened to Nora Wilder all those years ago? Zadie remembers parts of it, which Finn doesn't, when Nora began having lapses and negligently abandoning them at times. And as Finn starts to get more and more caught up in her echoes, will Zadie have to see the same thing happen to her as did Nora, or will she find some way to prevent her sister, like her mom, from becoming lost?

The Wilderwomen is told generally from the perspectives of Finn and Zadie, with the story switching off between them from time to time (chapters aren't devoted to just one POV, the story switches more liberally). The story also occasionally flashes back, almost always (if not always) from Zadie's point of view, to the moments that lead up to Nora Wilder's disappearance. In this way the reader has aspects of what happened, and how it affected Zadie particularly, revealed to them slowly as the story goes forward.

The core of the story really is Zadie and Finn, their characters and their relationship as they go on this journey - Finn desperately, Zadie unwillingly - to try to find Nora. For Zadie, this journey is something she absolutely does not want because her mom was the one who abandoned her and left her to a life which has only treated her poorly: she didn't get a kind foster family like Finn did to help her when Nora left, her relationships have all ended up poorly - sometimes due to the guy's fault (like her most recent ex who is the father of her unborn child) and sometimes not completely - and she's basically found herself with no one to support her other than Finn. And even there, Finn's life with her foster family has kept Finn away more and more, such that their planned trip to the beach together is Zadie's last hope of keeping a connection going...so when it morphed into the quest for her mother, well, Zadie doesn't feel like she has a choice but to follow. Add in the fact that Zadie's foresight ability throws her for a loop when it happens and resulted in her worst moment of pain (as revealed eventually in the flashbacks) and it's easy to see why she would be so grumpy and unhappy going on this quest but also unable to say no.

Meanwhile Finn loves Zadie back for sure but, due to being sheltered first by Zadie and then by good luck* in the Foster System with a good set of caring foster parents who want to formally adopt her. Finn however only has loving memories of Nora and is conflicted by feeling like accepting the adoption would betray Zadie and Nora, which is something she really doesn't want to do. And whereas Zadie's powers (from Zadie's perspective) have only resulted in pain and Finn's powers are sometimes incredibly awkward by giving her knowledge she has to act like she doesn't have, Finn doesn't associate those powers with trauma and thus has no worries about using them...even if she starts getting more and more lost in the memories her powers keep showing her.

Finn's foster family is unequivocally good and caring in this book, which is a wonder. That said, as portrayed in many other books, in real life the foster system can be a crap shoot and result in kids growing up in really poor environments, so this is probably more of an outlier outcome.

The result is a road trip story with two girls with conflicting attitudes but loving dispositions towards each other struggling as they look for any clue that might lead them to their mother. And it works thanks to their relationship and the interesting peoples they meet along the way, like the group of other people with sixth senses at a campground or a family who Nora once stayed with who share a specific power, to the bewilderment of their powerless or even the well meaning but incredibly forgetful and kind of hapless ex-boyfriend of Zadie's they encounter. This makes the story really easy to read pretty quickly and to get involved in.

At the same time, the story kind of has an abrupt ending that was pretty damn unsatisfying. The story works up to the characters having to find Nora and Nora having this big secret of her own sixth sense/power that led her to abandon them and it turns out to be a very literal thing that just feels like a big nothingburger...with it all being found out very abruptly in the end. Similarly, the idea that Finn is following Nora's footsteps in getting lost in her power also goes nowhere, except for how it shows Finn losing control until she finds the power of her sister and mother's love to bring her back. The book gives an impression that there is some big thing that Nora was fighting and it really is not, and it kind of soured me a lot on the ending. It isn't helped by the epilogue chapter having Zadie in what seems like a pretty happy and perfect ideal situation that just seems impossible from what we knew about her circumstances before hand...like the author wrote herself a little into a corner and just decided bam it had to end happily in this way.

The end result is a novel with promise and that I was able to read quickly, but not one that really says much or satisfies, so I can't really recommend it too deeply, even as I was enjoying for a good part of it.