I absolutely loved this authors first book so I went into this one assuming I’d love this one too. Unfortunately this one just wasn’t my favorite. I felt like it was very Y/A, not just in the story but in the writing. I also felt like the story was unrealistic, scattered, and left off with several things not explained. The winning factor for this book was the love between the sisters.

We enter the novel 5 years after Nora Wilder goes missing. Zadie, the oldest daughter, invites her sister Finn on a beach vacation, in hopes of repairing their estranged relationship. Little does she know; Finn has other plans for their time together. She wants to look for their long-lost mother. Despite Zadies addiment refusal, they embark on a journey to find answers and hopefully parts of themselves they thought to be long gone.

I am not one to read a book that follows a character’s day to day activities. I usually find the reads slow and dare I say, a bit boring. However, by adding a dash of magic and mystery, Lang turned what could have been a very slow read, into an entertaining adventure. Langs use of magical realism was very refreshing. I thought it helped the story line along and kept it just fiction enough without tipping over to fantasy. This made the story very easy to relate to the characters and picture the events in my head. Without the distraction of trying to build a world and magic system, we were able to focus on the characters feelings and stay present in the moment.

The relationship between Zadie and Finn was an absolute delight to witness. These sisters could not be more opposite. Finn is forgiving, playful and all around extroverted. As much as I hope to be a Finn in my story, I know I am a Zadie. She is more grounded in this world and her decisions are made from her mind instead of her feelings. Being the oldest child, you could tell that a lot of what Finn was too young to remember, had traumatized Zadie. She can come across as cold, holds onto the past and is quick to distrust someone. I really appreciated being able to watch Zadies character growth and seeing how she overcame her obstacles. I wish the story had a more concrete ending when it came to the two of them. Their relationship almost felt rushed and incomplete.

Overall, I am a very big fan of this story. It is almost like I needed to read this right now. Hard to imagine this is only Langs second novel. Would recommend this to anyone looking for a coming of age story with a sprinkle of magic and wild cast of characters.

I absolutely loved Lang's last book and was so excited to read this one. I will say, this one didn't quite live up to my expectations, but I did enjoy the journey.

The Wilderwomen follows sisters Finn and Zadie as they attempt to find their mom, who disappeared long ago. Finn is convinced something happened to her, while Zadie feels abandoned. Each girl has a sixth sense that helps them along the journey: Finn can feel echoes of others' memories, and Zadie is a psychic.

I appreciate a slow book, but this was a bit slower than I wanted for the storyline. There was a plot, but the storyline itself didn't progress much. They were on a trip, would find a clue, meet some people, and move to the next step.

I liked that the book would go between the previous timeline of the mom's point of view and then back to the present, but the short chapters and constant switching made it less detailed and deep.

I still recommend this book and can't wait to add it to my shelf (just ordered from BOTM!), but it won't top Beasts as my favorite Lang book.

(will post Instagram review upon receipt of my physical copy).

I don’t often read this genre, but I liked the premise about two sisters and a road trip through the southwest United States, so I decided to give it a shot!

The Wilderwomen is an engaging, gentle novel about abandonment, growing up, and the bond between sisters.

I will admit I’m not usually fond of magical realism, but this book was less about the magical aspects than the characters and the setting, so it didn’t make me roll my eyes (as magical realism tends to sometimes-honestly, I just don’t have patience for it for some reason). In this novel, the magical aspects tie greatly into the plot, as the women are following their mom’s trail, so to speak, only able to do so due to their abilities. So, this aspect felt necessary to the story and not just some gimmicky thing to make it different from other women’s fiction.

Yet, I did find the novel had a big “convenience” factor, where just when they hit a dead end in their search, one of them would have a premonition or a memory that would tell them where to go. This wasn’t egregious, and any story with this concept requires some suspension of disbelief so I wouldn't say it took away from my enjoyment.

In terms of the characters, I really liked Finn, but Zadie is a real stick-in-the-mud and her pregnancy arc confused me a bit. If Finn wasn’t there to soften her, I probably wouldn’t have been as into the novel. Rather than a balance, it often felt like their two personalities were competing, but that’s part of the dynamic and it felt realistic (for sisters especially).

The random places they go are interesting and well described, though, again, this is a gentle novel so nothing is overly exciting or traumatic, but it’s still engaging and I wanted to know how the mystery was resolved. The writing style is very lyrical and easy to follow, with good descriptions and realistic dialogue. It was nice to read a novel like this for once, actually.

Now, one thing I wasn’t into was the ending. In truth, I really enjoyed the novel up until the final pages, when the explanation came. The explanation … was not for me. I didn’t really understand how it fit into the magical realism and the resolution seemed very quick and easy. I wasn’t sure how memory loss also fit regarding the answer to the disappearance, and I didn’t understand how the resolution fixed any of the problems. In truth, it felt a bit simplistic and almost negated the growth that was starting to build on behalf of the sisters’ relationship.

But overall, I do recommend this book if you like road trips, sister stories, magical realism, and women’s fiction. It's a nice, easy read.

As with most books I read, I go in blind. I like to just let the story capture me without any preconceived notions as to what should be happening. However, sometimes that back fires and I end up reading a book that is not for me. I love a good fantasy book and appreciate the magic & mystical moments woven into those stories. However, I've learned that magical & mystical in an everyday setting just doesn't work for me.

2.5 rounded up to 3

Do you have a special gift?

Sisters Zadie and Finn both have a special gift. When their mother, Nora goes missing five years earlier; the sisters are reunited and decide that now more than ever they need to search for their mother who walked out on them

Between premonitions and memory flashbacks; the Wilder sister endure a cross country hunt for their missing mother. Miles and miles of hidden secrets, retracing steps and new faces; both Zadie and Finn find strength in their abilities as well as work on their sister relationship.

I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this novel! .

TLDR:

The Wilderwomen is the latest Fantasy novel by Ruth Emmie Lang. You may remember her 2017 novel and Book of the Month selection, Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance.

Summary:

Zadie and Finn were children when their mother disappeared, leaving them to grow up alone in an ordinary world while secretly possessing extraordinary abilities. Reunited after years apart, the Wilder sisters are determined to find out what really happened to their mother all those years ago.

Notable Elements:

Magical Realism
Sisterhood
Dual-Timeline

Like:

Vivid Imagery — It feels like watching a movie rather than reading a book.
Shared Foible — You know those seemingly insignificant, universal moments of the human experience you’ve never been able to put into words? This book has the words.
Gentle Humor — The book isn’t “haha” funny, but rather smile-to-yourself, hide-your-smirk funny. I felt included in inside jokes between characters.

Dislike:

Pacing — This is a slow-burn read.

Final Thoughts:

I really enjoyed The Wilderwomen by Ruth Emmie Lang! Magical Realism is one of my favorite sub-genres, and the book definitely lived up to my expectations; though, I’m still partial to Lang’s last novel, Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance.

Rating:

4.0/5.0

Thank you to the publisher for this ARC! 3.5 stars!

I had a great time reading this book - although I found the ending a little too convenient compared to the melancholy tone of the rest of the book. My favourite part was the writing and the atmospheric nature descriptions.

The complicated family dynamics were really well done too, with both sisters being very fully fleshed out.

Final note...I was very confused by Finn's...episodes.

A beautiful and heartfelt story of sisterhood. The writing is atmospheric and magical and I immediately connected with Zadie, Finn, and Nora. Told through multiple POVs and jumping back and forth in time, you slowly uncover the events that broke apart the Wilder family and the continued impact on their present day lives. This was a heart wrenching story of family and loss infused with light and magic. I think magical realism might be my new favorite genre. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Zadie and Finn Wilder lost their mother, Nora, when she drove away never to be heard from again. Finn went into foster care and Zadie was allowed to remain independent due to her age. Five years later Zadie sets out to spend the week with her sister when suddenly Finn tells her that she's had an "echo" - what she calls the moments when she can read other people's memories, and that she wants to search for their mother. As the sisters go on a road trip to find their mother, they learn more about each other and discover more about their mother than they could imagine.

This was a bit of a slow burn for me as there were times I felt myself getting distracted while reading. It is a well-told story of sisters trying to reconnect while searching for the person most missing from their life - Nora, their mother. This would be a good book for someone who loves lost family and wants to get lost in an enjoyable book that scours years.

The Wilderwomen is ultimately a story that encompasses a road trip that two sisters, with special abilities, take to find their mother who disappeared five years earlier. It explores grief, guilt, the reestablishment of broken relationships, and the search for acceptance along with connections to nature.

The plot of The Wilderwomen is primarily a meandering road trip filled with very welcoming strangers, bonding, and a bit of mystery. I prefer plot-driven stories over character-driven ones, and I found this book to be more of the latter. I do enjoy character-driven stories when there is a lot of emotion and still substantive plot. Ultimately, I felt like emotion was ultimately lacking.

The mystery of what happened to Nora Wilder prevented me from putting The Wilderwomen down and not picking it up again. However, I was a bit disappointed with the resolution of the mystery and felt like some of the explanation was reaching. It seemed like there was not enough development and explaining previously in the book to make the ending completely believable.

Despite having Lang’s debut novel on my shelf for many years, this is the first book I have read by her. I found that the characters were well-developed and likeable, albeit a bit quirky. The writing in The Wilderwomen alternated between being very metaphorical and very conversational. I thought that Lang did an excellent job creating vivid imagery.

Overall, I enjoyed The Wilderwomen and would recommend it. However, I do not think it will be a story that I remember a few months from now. If you enjoy books about families reconnecting, like taking road trips, and wonder what it would be like to experiences other people’s memories or have premonitions, The Wilderwomen is for you.

Pub date: 11/15/22
Genre: magical realism, books about family
One sentence summary: Sisters Finn and Zadie have magical gifts - can these help them understand why and how their mother disappeared 5 years ago?

This year has been a golden one for magical realism - and I am here for it! I loved getting to know Finn and Zadie and seeing how their abilities affected their lives - Finn can see the memories of others, while Zadie can see the future. Lang did a great job capturing their visions of past and future in the text, giving a mystical feeling to the text.

The plot moved in two timelines - the present where the sisters search for their mom, and the past immediately before her disappearance. These time jumps were a little confusing at the beginning - but everything became clear by the end (which I did not guess!)

I haven't read Lang's BEASTS OF EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCE, but I'm adding it to my TBR after this book!

If you like books about family and/or magic, I think you'll enjoy this one! It reminded me of recent magical realism favorite OTHER BIRDS.

An interesting storyline here. Nora abandoned her two daughters five years ago. Zadie (18) was old enough to be on her own, but Finn (12) went to a foster family. The two girls have been drifting away from each other. The girls both have "gifts" if you can call them that - Zadie is psychic and can see the future; Finn has the ability to pick up people's memories just from being in the place something happened. The girls are reunited at Finn's graduation party and Finn convinces Zadie they need to try to find their Mom. Their journey begins and takes them on twisty journey as they follow clues to their Mom's whereabouts.

The characters were well developed and felt real. The plot moved at a good pace in a conversational manner that drew me along. I was very worried about all these women and wondered throughout if I was reading about mental illness or something paranormal. The people Zadie and Finn met on their journey were fun to read about. I especially enjoyed the time they spent with the "Sixes".

Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on November 15, 2022.

A mysterious air that will fit your fall TBR, perfect for fans of Katrina Leno’s Summer of Salt and Adrienne Young’s Spells for Forgetting.

The Wilder family is separated. Finn and Zadie were pulled apart after their mother Nora’s sudden disappearance. The only thing that still connects the daughters now are the traces of magic in their veins and the need to know what happened to Nora. Finn and Zadie embark on a mission to figure out just that. Between Finn’s ability to see memory echoes and Zadie’s premonitions they’re certain they can find some answers… without exposing the secrets they’d rather keep hidden from each other.

Plot: 3.5/5
The mysterious air of this plot really drew me in. The beginning was a bit slow and there seemed to be some awfully big coincidences. But overall the plot structure was solid and there weren’t any noticeable plot holes. Once things picked up, it was really hard to put down.

Characters: 4.5/5
I feel like we see most of the book from Zadie’s perspective, or at least I identified with her most. Both her and Finn are keeping secrets from each other that only get worse the longer they don’t tell each other which adds immensely to their tension.

Both sisters are incredibly well developed in both their backstories and their current struggles. Their dynamic did feel genuinely sister like (no calling each other “sis” or any of that nonsense).

The side characters all had really compelling stories though it did feel like too much of a coincidence that they kept meeting other people with “sixth senses”.

Also I didn’t see a purpose to Joel but he was a goofy character.

Writing: 4/5
Lang’s writing is ripe with imagery and drags you into a totally immersive experience. I had chills and was feeling everything the characters felt. There’s a special skill to writing characters that are slowly losing their mind (in a sense) in a way that doesn’t feel totally predictable but is still believable. You get that “wow how did I not see this building the whole time!” Kind of feeling.

Overall: 4/5

Ruth Emmie Lang does an incredible job of balancing magical realism and mystery in this incredible novel. Two sister try to hunt down their missing mom, while learning more about their "abilities" along the way. They meet some incredible people like them and learn more about each other as they go.

This book is about more than just finding a missing person. It's about finding yourself, reconnecting with family and finding your own place in this world and in the future. The writing is stunning. The clues the sisters are following are out of this world creative. And the dynamic between the family members in this book aren't perfect, but they're ever changing and forgiving.

Not only was this book captivating and incredibly easy to get into, but it was was beautiful as well. I really enjoyed reading this book and I will definitely be keeping my eye out for other books by this author.

This was an interesting book and I did enjoy reading it, though it was a slightly different genre than what I typically read. Zadie and Finn's search for their missing mother was an emotional ride and the ending was a real surprise. The relationship between the two sisters was an exploration of familial bonds and a journey of self-discovery for each of them. The author's writing style was engaging and almost lyrical in the construction of her prose.
I haven't had the pleasure of reading this author before, but I certainly will look to read more of her work in future.

Five years ago Nina Wilder walked away from her life, leaving behind her two young teenaged daughters Zadie and Finn. Each girl inherited a special gift from their mother: Zadie premonitions and Finn the ability to feel other people's memories, which the sisters refer to as "echos". A string of strong echos lead the girls onto a journey to find their long lost mother in this tale of family bonds and magical realism.

I found this book to be just okay. The story was interesting and kept me engaged, however there did seem to be some bizzare coincidences and plot gaps that left me feeling like I wasn't as connected to the story as I'd hoped. I found it took me longer to read simply because I kept putting it down. Once it started to get going it felt a bit better but something about it still kept me at an arm's length. I found I didn't really like any of the main characters, which didn't quite help. For a reader who enjoys a bit of magic and natural phenomenon, this would be right up your alley. Overall it was not terrible, just not quite for me.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this quirky and fun read.

The Wilderwomen is a unique take on magical realism. Zadie & Finn are two polar opposite sisters that slowly find their way back to each other as they try to find their mom. The writing style of this book is very free-spirited and often times mesmerizing as the scenes are described. Toward the middle of the book, I enjoyed the twists and turns, but especially the chapters narrated by Nora, as it pushed you closer to the edge of your seat, wondering where she was. When closing this book, my heart felt warm and fuzzy as everything was tied together in a way I never saw coming.

I really enjoyed this story about two half-sisters searching for the mother who inexplicably left them five years ago, when Zadie was 18 and Finn was 13. Zadie has psychic premonitions, but has disavowed her gift ever since her mother disappeared. Finn can read echos of other people's memories, and when she graduates from high school, she convinces Zadie to set off on a road trip with her to look for their mother. As Finn gets drawn into her mother's memories, she starts losing her own sense of self. The girls meet some unforgettable characters in their quest and the story was sweet and moving without being saccharine. Digital review copy courtesy of NetGalley and St. Martin's Press.

Wow.
The Wilderwomen, by Ruth Emmie Lang, weaves together magical realism, a missing person mystery and a life changing journey, all in one spectacular October read.

Two Sisters who have grown apart must work together to solve the mystery of why their mom, Nora, left them 5 years ago. Always considered "unique" because of their ability to see the future and live other people's memories, they realize it's in their best interest to finally tell those around them the truth. Finn is able to find "echos' of her mother's memories, and this is how the adventure begins.

This was such a great read, I loved how the sisters worked together to come to terms with their abilities. It was heartwarming to see Zadie looking out for Finn, who seems to be on the same path as their mother. Heartwarming and magical, their story will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for my eArc. All thoughts are my own.