Ruth Emmie Lang has written an amazing fiction/fantasy which probes our connections with nature and each other. Get ready to meet Nora Wilder’s daughter, Zadie who has the uncomfortable ability to see the future, and Finn, Zadie’s younger sister, whose ability is to live and breathe in someone else’s memory. When they began to mature, they started to understand how to use their gifts.

Both girls experience trauma when their mother, Nora, walks away from home and leaves them behind; Finn was 12, and Zadie was 17. Zadie has been angry with her mother for five years, but Finn just has an insatiable urge to find her mother. So, Finn, who has just graduated, agrees with Zadie’s suggestion that they take a week’s vacation at the beach. But both Zadie and Finn felt their mother’s presence and decided to use the week to follow her memory trail and hoped to find her. Their first stop was the Constellation Campground; Zadie has a secret she wants to share with her mother before telling the rest of the world. So, why is the word Ladybug so important to Zadie at this time?

My favorite part of The Wilderwomen is the absolute authenticity of Nora, Zadie, and Finn. It’s part of the feeling that I must finish this page and turn to the next. Every thought, conversation, and emotion made this family feel real. I thought I was there seeing what Finn was seeing, feeling what Zadie felt, and wanting them to claim their incomparable, exotic mother, Nora, back into their lives.

The conversational style of the narrative is mesmerizing; ideas flow from the pen of Ruth Emmie Lang and turn into fantasy and joy. Music is at the heart of The Wilderwomen. On arrival at Constellation Campground, Zadie and Finn find other psychics, like Ursula, who shares her music with them; it is ethereal, intangible, and sublime - wildly beating hearts slow down at the sound, and tranquility visits the listener.

The Wilderwomen brings a renewed appreciation of nature and the outdoors. I felt as though I was part of Zadie and Finn’s journey, seeing what they saw and feeling what they felt. They felt marvelous about understanding more of what happened to Nora, but there are also high-stress moments of danger and threat.

I rate The Wilderwomen 5 out of 5 stars based on its authenticity, imagining made real, and splendid creativity. I found nothing to dislike and want to read more from Ruth Emmie Lang.

I recommend The Wilderwomen to a broad audience of fantasy/mystery lovers, Y/A's and readers who like family stories, redemption stories, and an end that is as well-thought out as the rest.

This is poetic in its writing style, examines the crazy everyday thoughts and troubles of being a women.

--Published on Instagram @firefly.lane
--Review published Thursday April 14 will post mini review again closer to pub date

💭 ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛs ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ:
I loved this book! It was everything I wanted it to be. It’s full of magic, wonder, mystery and a hell of a lot of heart. I loved the banter between the two sisters, it had me chuckling to myself. It was one of those books that I couldn’t stop reading but wished it would never end. This one is going to stay with me for quite some time!

I was so excited to receive a review copy and it did not disappoint. This one doesn’t come out until November 15 but this author has another book already out called Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstances and I absolutely plan on reading it.

Wilder Women was absolutely captivating! Lang created a story line that was full of magic and creativity. This story follows two sisters who have been estranged for some time but come together to find their mother who is missing. You do not want to pass this book up.
Zadie and Finn captured my heart as they slowly rebuilt their relationship, this story had twist and turns I never seen coming. This story shows you that love can be preserved through time and distance and what the strength of family can do.
This novel was beautifully written and is a must read for those who love women’s fiction mixed with a little bit of magic.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! It wasn’t my usual genre, but I fell in love with the characters and the storyline, and found it hard to put down!

Such a good book, I think people are gonna really love this one. Keep me wanting more the whole way through. Thank you!

Two sisters unite on a road trip to find their mother, who disappeared five years ago. Zadie and Finn both have special gifts- the ability to feel others' memories, and a bit of psychic ability thrown in.

It took me a little bit to get into this book-sometimes the paranormal/fantasy genre is hard for me-but once it took off I was completely invested in the characters and their story. I was so unsure where the story was going that it kept me guessing till the very end, and I did not expect how the girls' quest wrapped up to be what it was. Honestly I read this book in one day because once I got into it I NEEDED to know what happened to Nora, if Zadie and Finn ever find her, what her backstory was, and how the sisters would move forward in their lives no matter what the outcome was. I loved the beautiful acceptance of people with gifts that others might find strange, and the writing was well-paced and not heavy, but sometimes almost lyrical with its descriptions. I think anyone who picks this book up and gives it a chance will get sucked in just like I did.

Sisters Zadie & Finn embark on a trip to try to find out what happened to their missing mom. We learn Zadie is psychic and Finn can see echoes of past events. This strange trip starts with Zadie, who just broke up with her boyfriend Dustin. She hasn’t told him yet that she’s pregnant. Zadie has a younger sister, Finn, who is just graduating from high school. They plan a beach trip that soon turns into a trip to look for their mom. A few years ago, she walked out of the house and disappeared. Will Zadie and Finn find out what happened to her?

This is my first book by this author. It was pretty good.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

After loving Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance, I was excited to read Ruth Emmie Lang's newest novel and it did not disappoint! The story follows two sisters, each with a special power, as they embark on a journey to find their missing mother. This is magical realism mixed with literary fiction mixed with a slow burn mystery. Lang has a gift for storytelling that shines through. While primarily a character driven novel with beautiful character development, the Wilderwomen also propulsively moves forward as you try to figure out the mystery of the mother's disappearance. There was a secondary character that did not seem to have much purpose (Joel) along their journey, but did make for some lighthearted fun to break up the intensity of the story. Overall, I loved this book and highly recommend it, especially for fans of her first novel.

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book! I will be posting my review on social media, to include Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads, and Instagram!

Thank you to Net Galley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The main character, Zadie, is adrift having been abandoned by her mother as she is just entering adulthood. Her younger sister is given to the foster care system where she thrives and simultaneously drifts from the relationship with her sister. Understandably, Zadie is resentful and angry when her sister, Finn, asks her to abandon their planned vacation and join with her in a search for their mother 5 years after her disappearance.

First, let’s start with the positive. I liked the concept of the story which involved people with a variety of sixth senses, many of which I thought were interesting and unique yet subtle. The over arching concept of a family torn apart by something beyond their control and the desperate desire of the children to reunite with their mother could make for an entertaining read. Following a trail seemingly lost to the years is intriguing.

However, for me, the development of the plot was a bit mundane, lacking a richness deserving of the story concept. Each character possesses a sixth sense that is unique to them. But, I felt Zadie’s character development wasn’t robust enough for me to connect with the story. There is much talk about Zadie’s gift and why she doesn’t use it but the it didn’t feel compelling. Instead I just wanted her to stop complaining but I should have been wanting to champion her cause. Finn’s gift drives the progress of the book while Zadie just seems like a tag along and at times when her gift could have aided in the development of the story, it was not used.

The outcome of the book was expected, but lacked feeling. It should have brought the reader to a place of satisfaction. However, I felt rather blah about the outcome. While having a sixth sense is in itself unrealistic, there was something about the general plot of the story that felt forced and unlikely.

This story was beautifully written and I enjoyed my road trip with the Wilder sisters on their search for their mother. I was invested in their journey and the people they met along the way were all a joy to encounter. I was holding my breath until the very end. I love the magical realism aspect and their special abilities felt so natural to me. I only wish we had learned more about Nora's story and the ending felt rushed.

This book combined the suspense, mystery, and twists and turns of a domestic thriller (missing mother! abandoned children!) with the feminine comradery and magic of the Practical Magic series. I can see a prequel and a sequel to this intriguing adventure of a book. It left some questions unanswered, and the mother character's experience a bit under examined, and I would love to see that more explored in another book. What this was, was a sweet story of family ties and love between sisters, and using what makes you special rather than hiding it to blend in with the masses.

This book was my very first ARC! I loved it, honestly. This is also the first book I've read by Ruth Emmie Lang. It was different than anything else that I've read and I've read A LOT of books. To me, it wasn't predictable at all, and offered so many intense, sitting on the edge of your seat moments! The ending wasn't as spectacular as I would have liked it BUT it was great nonetheless. I definitely recommend this book! The way Ruth Emmie Lang tells a story is absolutely beautiful and magical.

Zadie and Finn Wilder have been missing their mom for five years. It’s been five years since Nora ran away and never came back. Finn was placed in foster care, while Zadie, barely an adult, tried to make it on her own.

The sisters reconnect at Finn’s high school graduation party. They decide to take a beach vacation to spend time together, but at the last minute, instead go searching for Nora.

During childhood, they both found out that they have special gifts. Zadie can see into the future, while Finn can experience other peoples memories. They have always questioned whether or not their mom could have a special ability too - but she’s always denied it. It could help them find her again.

I really enjoy Ruth Emmie Lang’s writing. I was so excited to get an early copy of this, because Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance is one of my favorite books. I didn’t love this one quite as much, but it was still whimsical and full of adventure.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy. The Wilderwomen will be published in the US on November 15, 2022

This is a YA, magical realism, fantasy story that is a bit of a mystery as well.

Nora Wilder is coming unglued. Wandering at night, looking for something, forgetting who she is sometimes. Her two daughters, Zadie, and Finn know something is wrong, but Finn is young and Zadie doesn’t share her concerns about their mother until the day Nora walks down the driveway and leaves. No news, no notes, nothing for five years.

Finn was taken in by a great foster family and is now graduating high school. What she wants is to find her mother, but she can’t tell her parents and she isn’t sure Zadie will help her.

Zadie should have seen her mother’s leaving earlier. After all, she is a psychic. But she didn’t and now she doesn’t want anything to do with her gift. Shoving it way down until Jess persuades her to help track her mother. Jess has her own gift. Memories. She can feel memories in a place, so if her mother has been there, she will be able to tell.

They set on a road trip beginning with the old campground their mother took them to before. It’s there that Zadie begins to notice that Jess is disappearing into a sleepwalking state at night. Leaving in the middle of the night and scaring Zadie to death.

Jess feels these echoes and hears a song about a bird and she knows these memories belong to Nora. As they go from place to place, Zadie is worried that Jess has whatever their mother had. Maybe she should stop this now and send Jess home before there is no more Jess.

This is a YA fantasy, magical realism story of things we don’t understand, and the powerful pull of family.

I enjoyed it!

NetGalley/ November 15th, 2022 by St. Martin’s Press

The Wilderwomen is going to give you the feels. It was a bit trippy and weird and wonderful. That’s the best I can do. It’s a story that is going to stick with you.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC to review. ~I was given this book and made no commitments to leave my opinions, favorable or otherwise. ~

The Wilderwomen by Ruth Emmie lang

The story starts with 2 sisters, one who has just discovered she is pregnant and the other, graduating high school. The relationship strained after the youngest sister went into foster care.. she ends up there because their mother leaves their house one day and never returns.

They hope to rekindle their sisterhood with a road trip… problem is Zadie has no idea her little sister, who not only has the ability to read echoes of past memories, doesn't want to go on their trip. She wants to use her abilities to find their missing mother. She wants Zadie to use her psychic powers to help her in her journey and find the mother Finn believes didn't leave them behind.

This story was full of surprises. I loved every twist and turn and the supernatural element was so artfully done.

It didn't feel like it was the biggest focus of the story either. It was a really intelligent move to make the story more about the mystery of their missing mother and rebuilding their relationship and the sixth sense extraordinary abilities as a side bar.

My secret hope is there are more about sixes in more books to come from the author. I think they found a unique and original storyline that could really go places.

I adored reading about the authors' take on six senses and how they work. I was so excited reading this book! I don't normally get as giddy as a 5 year old with a piece of cake but I did.

If you love a heart warming read with a supernatural twist and a whole load of mystery then this book has to be on your list.

5 stars. Well deserved. Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for my copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Wilderwomen is an enchanting tale of two sisters on a search for their missing mother across the country. With mysticism, suspense and family values apparent on every page, this book by Ruth Emmie Long is just as captivating as Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance. My only critique is that it is a bit long with a few unnecessary characters in my opinion, but an otherwise very entertaining book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first NetGalley read and it was a great introduction into the wonderful world of advance reader copies!

The Wilderwomen is a heartwarming read about sisters who each have “gifts.” Finn’s allows her to experience the memories of others from the past and Zadie’s gives her psychic abilities.

They go in search of their mother who disappeared and find out a lot about each other as they travel. It’s an interesting read and I liked that they came across other people with gifts on their path. I thought that helped them feel like they were less alone on their journey and gave them the confidence to move forward.

Overall, it was a very sweet story about the enduring power of familial ties and I loved the unique spin about the gifts.