A Far Wilder Magic

This book really sets your heart pounding with its sweet romance. I loved the main characters and there journey together. The book was entertaining and heart stopping. Overall great book!

I was completely drawn in from the cover, and was won over by the plot. Margaret and Wes were such solid characters. It was well written and the story flowed so perfectly. Each character added more depth to the story. Nothing felt out of place, and it was beautifully written.

This book had a refreshing take on mixing up genres and the synopsis completely had me sold! The characters of Margaret and Wes were so well done that they truly felt like real people. I adored their relationship. It was so beautifully written and the descriptive language in the book was so well done.
Overall a fantastic read. I will definitely be reading anything that Allison Saft writes in the future.

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

“He grins at her. ‘It’s you and me against the world, Margaret.’ ”

A legendary, mystical creature is hunted each year in the historic Halfmoon Hunt. This tradition combines hunting skills and alchemy. Outcasts Margaret and Wes enter the competition together - each with their own desire to prove themselves. The intricate world of Wickdon is a constant tension of a complex class system, religious differences, and long-held beliefs on science + magic. Woven throughout is a slow-burn love story that is so sweet and tender. Much of the story will have your heart pounding and rooting for these two unlikely heroes.

Read if you like
- Strong heroine
- Dual POVs
- Spooky woods
- Slow-burn YA love
- Alchemy
- Magic
- Character growth
- Underdogs

“Like this, she looks more wolf than girl - like some magic far wilder than alchemy runs through her.”

YOU MUST READ THIS!

First of all, the premise is original and intriguing, and the author releases just enough information at just the right intervals to keep my hooked the entire way through. This is especially impressive when the intricate dynamic between the two main characters is taken into account--and we get both of their POVs, so their distinct voices add greatly to the reader's insight.

Then you add magic. And a hunt. And high stakes. And an enemies-to-something-else arc (no spoilers!). And internal character development beyond what is usually seen in the genre.

READ IT.

Thank you to Netgally for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a work of art. Allison writes the most beautiful prose. It's like a flannel blanket on an icy night--a comfort and everything you want as you watch the snowflakes swirl.
The emotion in this story was so intense, but also soft and gentle. It was both breathtaking and soothing. Margaret's life is a tale of heartache and loss and Weston, sweet Weston, is as complicated as he is charming. I loved the way myth and alchemy and religion were interwoven seamlessly in a sleepy sea-side town with a mysterious forest. The world of A Far Wilder Magic is a place I could get lost in, happily.

This was so so perfect. I loved every second of this. It was just so whimsical and perfectly written I loved it so much. First of all, this is one of my most anticipated reads of 2022 and to be able to read it was an honour.

This was absolutely magical and Margaret and Wes were stunning characters that I couldn’t get enough of I had so much fun in every aspect of this story and loved it, in fact devoured it. I will surely be on the watch out for anymore books written by this author in the future and just cannot wait! 5 out of 5 stars!

I'm so in love with Allison Saft's fantasy world building. She's so good at grounding the fantastical with realistic details and magical systems that are very close friends with science. This 1920s inspired fantasy has the most wonderful woodsy, autumnal vibes. The forced proximity turned sexual tension turned romance made it nearly impossible to put down. The magical fox hunt is such a unique premise, especially when it came to the different religions represented in the story and how they all relate to the Hala. I loved every minute of reading this.

Everything about this story is just beautiful, from the cover to cover, it is beautiful. I am probably never going to recover from this one.
I was deeply invested into the characters and couldn’t wait to see their relationship grow, it was definitely worth waiting for.

I loved Down Comes the Night, so you can only imagine my excitement when I got approved to read this ARC. Let me tell you - this book did not disappoint. I'm not sure I can gather the words to describe it, but here's the gist of my thoughts: holy cow, this book is fantastic. The plot draws parallels to real issues while maintaining a whimsical yet haunting atmosphere. The worldbuilding is easy to understand and unique in it's own way, which is something I also noticed in Down Comes the Night. The characters are so much fun to read about, mostly because the way their relationship progresses is incredible. All in all, this is a fantastic read. Check it out! Thank you to Netgalley and Allison Saft for providing me with an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

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.

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.

This is a story that drips with romance and magic, myth and legend... and everything in-between. This is a great book to dive into and devour in one sitting by the warm fire. Thank you for the e-arc!

A Far Wilder Magic ticks all the boxes -- fiercely independent protagonist, magic duels, slow-burn romance, and life-changing decisions! AFWM sets the reader up to become instantly obsessed with Maggie and Weston -- is Maggie setting herself up for heartbreak?; what secrets are being hidden?; can Weson finally make good on a promise?; why does the Hala keep showing up in the woods near Welty Mannor?! So. Many. Questions! AFWM is emotionally engaging and doesn't shy away from the tough topics like abandonment, disappointment, guilt and being "othered" -- readers will definitely appreciate the detail and growth written into the AFWM world, but also the characters.

I am absolutely in love with the style. Just enough description to imagine being in it but not too much that you're drowning. I will be purchasing another copy when it's released simply to reread and annotate it. Beautiful.

Allison Saft remains the Queen of Atmosphere and no, I will not be taking questions at this time.

I loved her debut, DOWN COMES THE NIGHT last year. But if DCTN was "gothic winter" embodied, then A FAR WILDER MAGIC is a dream of "dark fantasy autumn." It has a more historical tone than its predecessor, with a setting that reminded me of the 1920's or 30's ... minus the alchemy and hunt for a magical monster, of course.

Margaret and Wes are perfect. They are grumpy and flirty personified, clever and sad and just crackling with so much chemistry. I loved getting both of their perspectives, and I loved how Saft twisted their different experiences to pose some genuinely interesting ethical questions - both about the Hunt itself and other ultimatums that surfaced throughout the book. I loved the world and the magic system. I loved how much I hated the antagonists. And I loved how the pace never flagged, despite the Hunt only taking place in the very last chunk of the book.

This is a masterclass in character and worldbuilding, and basically, I'll just be sitting here until Saft writes her summer/spring books (PLEASE).

A Far Wilder Magic is the perfect atmospheric fall read. Wes and Maggie are both incredibly realistic, finely-drawn, deeply-lovable characters, and watching them work together (and fall in love) while taking on their town's greatest challenge is an incredibly compelling story. Saft always does a beautiful job of sketching character arcs that depict healing from deep wounds while still writing a page-turning, romantic story. A new favorite!

I had no idea what to expect from this book, but little did I know that it was going to be one of my favorite reads this year! This novel was truly magical and I could not put it down. I finished it in one day and you will too if you pick it up! Go, Run, Don't Walk, To the Nearest Book Store to buy this book!

I loved Down Comes the Night, so I had high expectations for Allison Saft's second novel. Those expectations were certainly surpassed in A Far Wilder Magic. It's a romance above everything, and I was fully invested in Wes and Maggie's relationship, but it's a romance infused with magic and set against a fantastical background of alchemy and mythical beasts and moonlight among the redwoods. Atmospheric, romantic, enchanting, from start to finish.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

A pensive and evocative read that weaves together a lot of threads: a romance, a hunt for a magical fox, two complex family dynamics, a look at religious prejudice through the lens of a coded 1920s West Coast America, a search for the ultimate power of a philosopher's stone, domestic abuse and neglect, the impact of dyslexia on a scholar's education and acceptance in the academic sphere, a city vs. country culture clash, and a figuratively haunted house. Though there's lots of beautiful imagery, and some great banter, the prose is heavily weighted toward interior monologue and will best suit readers who enjoy that viewpoint. I found it interesting that Saft seemed to favour her heroine at the beginning, but told more of the story through her hero's viewpoint as the story progressed.

Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved A Far Wilder Magic. Maggie was a strong female protagonist and I loved how she grew as a person to believe in herself and let herself trust others.

Maggie has always been an outsider. In her little town, she lives on the outskirts by herself and her dog, Trouble. Her mom has been away for several months and Maggie isn't sure when she will return. The townspeople don't approve of her background and either want nothing to do with her or go out of their way to be spiteful to her. When Maggie sees the legendary hala, she knows the hunt is right around the corner. The hala has the potential to change things for her. She thinks her mom might actually notice her instead of leaving all the time.

Wes feels like he is a disappoint to his family. He has big dreams of becoming an alchemist, but he keeps getting kicked out of all his apprenticeships. He hasn't done anything to help his family financially. His last shot rests with Maggie's mom, who hasn't taken on an apprentice in a long time. When he arrives at Maggie's doorstep unannounced, she wants nothing to do with him, especially when her mom isn't even there. Eventually, she realizes that Wes may prove to be useful to her. In order to enter the hunt, she needs an alchemist. Wes is an alchemist, albeit an untrained one. She convinces him that if he enters the hunt with her, that he can give the reward money to his family and that the recognition will be enough for her mother to consider taking him on as an apprentice.

I liked the development of the relationship between Wes and Maggie. Maggie has a hard exterior and comes across unapproachable and at times abrasive. Wes comes across overly confident and charming while hiding all of his insecurities underneath it all. Maggie has a way of seeing Wes for who he really is and all of his posturing. Wes sees how Maggie is truly hurting and how alone she has been all this time. As the two of them work together to win the hunt, they are also slowly healing themselves and recognizing who they are and what they want.

This book was beautiful. I loved the storyline, but I loved all the themes that were woven throughout. It explored what love really looks like, what it means to chase your dreams, and to fight for what you believe in. It explored what it means to be different and alone, and how it is okay to lean on people and that there are good people in the world.

I picked up the book because of the summary, but I felt like it was so much more than that. I absolutely adored this book and highly recommend it to any one who has spent time chasing the love of everyone else before realizing that what matters most is the love they have of themselves.

Oh my goodness, this book was BEAUTIFUl! Saft not only weaves an incredible story, but she does it so beautifully with sweeping and epic prose, that it blows your mind. Or it blew mine anyway! This book is all about the healing power of love and was right up my alley. It's whimsical and tender and absolutely stunning! I enjoyed it so much! Definitely recommend!

I loved this one. Not only did it suck me in from the first few pages, I loved the concept of alchemy and the hunt that was so rare--and almost fairytale like--to take part in. Definitely check this one out if you're into magic and a sweet love, all sub plotted around an emotional journey that will pull you in.

I loved Allison Saft debut novel and knew I had to read whatever she came out with next! A Far Wilder Magic was so much more that I hoped it would be, action, magical creatures, alchemy.. and the slow burn romance was top shelf..

I was sucked into the story from the beginning and didn't want to put it dow. I loved the characters of Margaret and Wes, they are both so complicated and REAL feeling.. I felt like I was in the story with them watching their romance unfold. Both of them are entering the Hunt for the Hala for their own reasons, but when they finally start working together and trusting each other magical things happen..

I loved everything about this book, and I can't wait to see what other things Allisons Saft will write, and Ill definitely be purchasing a physical copy of this book to add to my library..

Tender, intimate, and atmospheric, A Far Wilder Magic is unlike anything on the YA shelf. With devastatingly gorgeous prose, intricate worldbuilding, and an utterly original plot, Saft weaves a love story that will tear you apart and then stitch you whole again.

Thank you, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!

Prior to reading A Far Wilder Magic, I hadn't read any of Allison Saft's books but I enjoyed it so much that I went ahead and purchased her other work "Down comes the night" right after!

A far Wilder Magic fallows the story of Weston and Margaret and jumps between both their points of view. Personally, I love discovering a story through its many eyes and the rhythm that such writing style allows is perfect in mine. You get to learn what is important for both characters and experience the story has they would. I went through this book in one sitting and enjoyed it immensely.

I recommend this story to fans of Fantasy Romance and to readers who love character driven books. I will also definitely be on the look out for any other work Saft creates in the coming years!
5 stars!!

This was really just a stunning, beautifully written book. The concept is incredible and unique, and the characters were artfully drawn and wonderful. You couldn't help pulling for them. I loved everything about the magical system, from alchemy to the hala, and this reminded me a little of Diana Wynne Jones' world-building meets Alix Harrow's prose. Highly recommended.

Arc given by Netgalley: A wonderful story filled with great characters and a unique story line. Unlike anything I’ve ever read.

This lovely romance will set your heart aflame with the twist and turns Margaret and Wes face together. The story building was wonderful and not a single note was out of place.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for making this available so I could grab it!

I adored this story so much. From the first sentence, I fell in love with Margaret and how strong she was and how you just see her open up to Wes and they just slowly fall in love. This is definitely a story you fall into, with its cozy fall atmosphere and amazing characters. I couldn’t get enough.

Allison Saft has does it again. Her debut, Down Comes the Night, was one of my favorite reads of 2021 and A Far Wilder Magic was just as powerful and beautifully written as her first novel. It follows the story of a tough, no nonsense girl called Margaret, a young, overeager alchemist called Wes and a mythical hunt to slay a bloodthirsty fox. It’s gothic and autumnal, full of the creepy forest vibes and unsettling language of a true gothic fantasy. I love Saft’s writing style and her way of phrasing things that seem commonplace to make them extraordinary. Like Down Comes the Night, A Far Wilder Magic was full of emotive romance, enthralling worldbuilding and lush descriptions. I’d highly recommend!

Magic. Secrets. And old creepy house. Romance. What else do you need from a gothic tale? I am really excited for this title to hit the shelves next year. If you love gothic tales and magical realism, this is a must for you.

This book was a wonderful read. Saft's writing is lush and descriptive; I felt as though I was living in the world she created. The romance was perfect!

I would have been excited for this book even if I wasn’t already a big fan of Allison Saft’s writing, from the blurb and cover alone. But seeing as I was a huge fan of ‘Down Comes The Night’ released earlier this year, this book had big boots to fill. It’s safe to say this was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022, and was delighted to receive an early copy, and even more delighted to say it surpassed expectations. I loved the dual POV and how distinctive our main characters’s voices are from each other, and the inner struggles both face throughout the novel. I really enjoyed the worldbuilding and getting in depth with the magic system. Even secondary characters really shine, and I particularly loved any scene that involved Wes’s family. The writing is, as per usual, stunning and atmospheric, delivering lines that made me feel real emotion and put me in the shoes of the characters. I couldn’t recommend this more!

I am a dedicated Allison Saft fan girl and she can do no wrong. Gothic in fantasy right now is super trendy, but I feel like Allison really understands it and utilizes it in clever and engaging ways. This was such a pleasure to read, and the cover was to die for!

A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft is a triumph! This book swept me up with its magic and heart. Saft created characters and settings that were beautiful and heartfelt. I was rooting for our two main characters right from the start of the book and only continued to care for them more and more as the story went on. I felt the character’s pain and joy and rushed through the book to find out what would happen to them. The story is atmospheric, haunting, and full of Saft’s magical storytelling. If you love alchemy, the 1920s, slow-burn romance, and grumpy/sunshine romance, you cannot miss A Far Wilder Magic. Fans of Saft’s first book, Down Comes the Night, will equally be fans of her second novel as well! I highly recommend pre-ordering this book!

A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft will be published on March 8, 2022.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the eARC of this book.

This was an absorbing take on an alchemy plot that felt fresh. This book is about so much more than just the philosopher's stone. I loved the characters and Margaret's journey on learning what she truly wants instead of what her mother wants. I feel like a lot of YA books have neglectful parents to give the teens space to act on their own, and I loved having the neglect get addressed in this book and seeing how it played into Margaret's character instead of acting like that neglect is okay. I loved the hunt, but the character journeys really made this story shine.

This book is absolutely incredible. It’s filled with rich world building, and an incredible love story. It’s definitely a slow burn, and even though the plot moves slowly, the characters and the world keep you invested in the story. I loved DCTN, but somehow I love this even more.

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for giving the opportunity to read this incredible book.

Such a great novel with a lot of representation included! The writing was fantastic and it was hard to put this one down!

I loved this book! Saft is one of my new favorite authors.

I loved how vulnerable Wes was. I don’t think we get his personality with a lot of other male characters.

Margaret was so strong and I loved her 🖤

A Far Wilder Magic is beautifully romantic. While the plot revolves around a magical fox hunt, and I feel that is given the proper attention, romance really takes a center stage here. Saft takes these two characters from very different walks of life and portrays their relationship wonderfully.

Saft is excellent at dual-pov slow-burn pining. The kind that frustrates you and makes you want to throw your book across the room (and I mean that as a compliment). She has a beautiful writing style that had me highlighting several passages, especially when it came to Wes's thoughts about Margaret.

Saft is also amazing at crafting atmospheric fantasy settings that act as the perfect background to her stories.

A stunning sophomore novel from Saft, after loving Down Comes the Night I had high hopes for this novel and they were definitely met. Beautiful, lush writing and top notch yearning which I’ve come to expect from any book written by this author. Can’t wait for her third story!

This book is so so tender, it made my heart ache. I want to hold Wes and Margaret close and just protect them. Gorgeous writing, the BEST pining and longing I have read in a while - I am undone by this love. Just such a beautiful book.