Sybaline's valley is a magical place, magic runs trough her body as well as nature there. Set in the Appalachians with truly stunning descriptions of setting and nature this is a wonderful MG natural magic book.
When her family has to move, Sybaline decides to use her magic to seal her beloved home in a bubble - and that's where is all starts going wrong.
Sybaline is a relatable main character and her friendships beautifully developed. I would have loved to read this book as a child and despite the fact that I am not magical, I would have felt seen. I would recommend this book to readers over 9 who love magic, nature and being outdoors.

Thanks to Netgalley for the E-Arc.

Ugh, I loved this!

I sometimes find myself looking for a fun middle grade novel after reading something very dark and disturbing as I find middle grade to be usually light hearted. And this was exactly what I was looking for.

This follows a young girl who's family lives in a magic-filled valley in the mountains. There, they live happily and the valley is a community. Until a flood threatens to overtake the valley and take the whole community with it.

It is up to Sybaline and her friends and family from stopping disaster.

The writing style and characters were totally loveable. There are so many I want to hug and send them love. I can see this being a huge hit for those readers looking for a place in the world, and understanding how they fit within society, and how to break out of their boundaries.

As a child this is a book I would have truly enjoyed. As an adult I can appreciate the imagination it took to write it, and I am grateful children will be able to experience it.

Set in Appalachia, Sybaline and her family have lived for generations in a magical valley tucked away from the throes of time and progress. As progress does, the world encroached on her truly enchanted valley and all residents were forced to leave or to suffer the consequences when the valley filled after the building of a dam to hold back the flow of water that came from the local river. Sybaline and her cousins scheme to stay in the valley and try to protect it. Soon their magic is bigger than they can imagine, and they have to learn to work together to survive.

A beautiful story of learning to let go that which we can not control. It is the story of family, loyalty, friendship, and magic.

What a loveable story! I loved every single page written. Magic. intrigue. Suspense. Did I say magic? Relatable characters. I absolutely loved it.

Brandt has once again created a world full of mystery and wonder. Her lyrical writing brings her characters and setting to life and young readers will stay engaged with her story. This is a fantastic story of family, friendship, and finding the bravery to fight for what you care about. Highly recommended.

Juliana Brandt's WOLF OF CAPE FEN was one of my favorite MG fantasies of 2020, so I was incredibly excited by the opportunity to read her sophomore novel! As I've come to expect from Brandt, A WILDER MAGIC contains beautiful writing, heart-wrenching and true family relationships, and an utterly fascinating magic system.

Sybaline's valley IS magic. So when her family is forced to relocate due to a new dam, Sybaline is determined to use her magic to stay, sealing her home inside a protective bubble. But as it turns out, living in a bubble beneath hundreds of feet of dark, cold water has several unexpected ramifications.

This is a fantastically visceral book, and I found myself feeling chilled as the water levels rose around Sybaline. Brandt's passion for this landscape seeps into every word, so readers really do share Sybaline's pain as she learns to let go. It's a story about home, but also about leaving; about bravery and fear, desperation and determination, control and helplessness. Sybaline - and Nettle, Tevi, Maryls, and Fisch - and her magical Appalachian valley will stay with me for a long time.

Strong recommend to readers of MG fantasy, especially those who enjoy sprinklings of real-life historical elements. 4/5.

A sweet book with beautiful writing and imagery! Juliana Brandt creates another vivid world like Cape, and I'm excited to see what she writes next.

Brandt's book, A Wilder Magic, is set in an Appalachian mountains valley that is being flooded by the TVA, as a result of a hydroelectric dam that was built. The difference between this valley and others that met the same fate was, this valley was magical. The families used but did not abuse this magic in order to make lives for themselves and take care of the land. When they were moved and the flooding began, inhabitants put themselves in danger. Will the magic be enough to keep them safe? Historical and science references mixed in an interesting read. Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC ebook version in exchange for an honest review. (If offended by magic/supernatural things, this book is not for you)