We follow our main character after his mother vanishes as he deals with the recent loss of his father. This book caught my eye almost immediately, especially with the way it deals with spirits. You can definitely tell that the author put a lot of thought into the plot and making sure this story had few gaps that could make a reader drop the book. The reading experience itself was also great! The writing wasn't juvenile and I didn't feel like I was reading a kid's book.

He Who Ate the Wild is a journey of discovery amid a backdrop of spirits, demons, gods, and the unknown.

From the main character's point of view (in first person), we find ourselves in the presence of spirits, demons, and gods with strict rules for survival when encountering these beings. Our protagonist struggles with living while at the same time sounding resigned to his fate.

The characters are enigmatic and complex, rich with character development and both strengths and faults. Just as our MC experiences it, we as the readers also experience a world where trust is difficult to keep but desirous to be willingly given. What some speak into words cannot be taken at face value, leaving many things rife with additional hidden meaning to tease out.

A calm, smooth read filled with thought-provoking subtext amid a myriad of mythical and magical beings in a richly complex world.


Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher Victory Editing NetGalley co-op for allowing me an ARC to read and review.

Book Review: He Who Ate the Wild by GJ Terral

He Who Ate the Wild is dark, atmospheric, and rooted in hunger, both literal and metaphorical. GJ Terral blends folklore, isolation, and violence into a story that feels inevitable and unflinching. Survival comes at the cost of humanity, and the landscape itself enforces that lesson.

The prose is immersive and controlled, allowing tension to grow naturally. Fear, scarcity, and old myths distort morality, and characters act on instinct more than reflection. Reason rarely survives, which reinforces the story’s central concerns of consumption, desire, and survival.

The ending highlights these themes clearly. There is no neat resolution. Hunger, fear, and the human need for justification persist, showing that the wild is not only external, but also part of who we are.

The novel is grim and haunting, but compelling. Readers who enjoy literary horror or folklore inspired fiction will appreciate the mood, the moral sharp edges, and the refusal to hand out tidy answers. He Who Ate the Wild lingers long after the final page.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. This is my unbiased and honest review.

Publication information
Publication or outlet: Victory Editing NetGalley Co op
Run date: June 26, 2026
Review link: Link forthcoming

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This is a beautifully written fantasy novel, with a lost main character searching for answers and trying to survive while wandering a world full of spirits and gods and monsters. For much of the novel, he has lost his own name, so he calls himself Ku, and along the way, trains and hones his skill with the blade in a village full of masked fighters, and gains companions in Nu, the nephew of the village chief, Furen, the cold and highly skilled fellow trainee, Susu, a helpful spirit in the shape of a sparrow, and Kara, the wicked guardian of the springs that Ku inadvertently contaminates. The setting of this novel is rich and lush, and as Ku wanders the world, trying to heal his own corruption while also seeking answers to what happened to his mother, you get to see a great array of spirits and gods. The spirits and gods are all mysterious and otherworldly, from Susu to She Who Weeps to What Once Walked, and they form much of the wonder of this novel, along with the fight scenes. All the Blooms in swordsmanship that were developed were especially fantastical, like

<blockquote>Her Bloom was a frozen flower, all the promise of life resting in its furled petals.</blockquote>

The pacing of this novel is a bit of a weak point, somewhat faltering, and although a lot happens in this novel, there are very few answers. I assume there will be more answers in book 2, but I was somewhat disappointed that we get no hint on why Ku was contaminated even before he slew the demonic bear, and that Furen seems to not be joining him for book 2.

Still, the writing and setting makes up for a lot, and you feel all of Ku's emotions almost as intensely as he does, from his hurt of being sidelined and rejected in the village to his rage at always having to run and his deep love for his friends. I look forward to reading book 2.

haunting and fantastic book with great aspects and great plotting throughout. would recommend this one. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

He Who Ate the Wild is a dark, atmospheric fantasy that blends folklore, horror, and a haunted coming‑of‑age journey. Through Kazuki/Ku’s first‑person perspective, the novel explores grief, identity, and the cost of survival in a world ruled by spirits, demons, and distant gods. The prose is poetic yet controlled, the worldbuilding rich with eerie, inventive spirits and striking swordplay, and the tone grimly contemplative. While the pacing sometimes falters and many mysteries remain unresolved, the immersive atmosphere, emotional intensity, and morally sharp edges make this a compelling read—especially for fans of literary horror and myth‑infused fantasy.

I really enjoyed how strange and atmospheric this book was. The world felt unsettling in a quiet, creeping way, and I liked being left to sit with unanswered questions rather than having everything neatly explained. It’s not a fast or comforting read, but it sticking with me even after finishing it. I highly recommend this to all fantasy lovers.