This is a book you have to be in the mood for.

Rating: ✨✨✨ 3.4

Perhaps life sucks at the moment, maybe exams are piling up and the possibility of having a heart attack is really apparent. And to clear your mind, you do what? Talk to someone, pfft. NOPE. Read a book.

Not that that is the healthiest way of coping with messes in real situations, but I've never willingly done anything considered healthy, so why start with stressful factors?

And you see... you choose this book. Thinking it'll be a thriller, quick, Hunger Games- esque, death everywhere- you know, the usual thing you would hide from the FBI. Sometimes this book worked for me, cogs turning in sync, movement erratic and deliciously rapid, however then the car would give up halfway. LEAVING YOU HOMELESS AND IN AGONY.

How did cogs turn to failing car and then to homelessness, I don't know. I never claimed my brain functioned properly🙂
(why is that face so passive aggressive and accepted as an emoji, but when I do it, I get the cops called on me. I was holding a knife, but helloooo discrimination, the knife was color neutral)

Anyhow, I wasn't into this book as much as I needed--nay--WAS DYING to be. The literal chemistry moments failed to entertain me, something that normally would have me staring in awe but this time, I was just not feeling it.

The romance, for instance, was sad. And pitiful. And I want it a hug with warm cocoa, because it needed a break. The break was indeed taken, for half of the book. Now, can you explain to me how the dude was a total brat and still ended up with the girl? The girl whose heart was made of stone, who yearned for something other than rude hateful glances and vitriol. THE GIRL WHO WAS SMART. Fell for this guy? Pffft.

Oh, I'm sorry, I thought it was a joke.
YOU ARE A NICE HUMAN BOOKSY, ACT LIKE IT-

And okay, there were moments where it was alright? The glances, those two seconds they made eye contact 300 pages into the book. *sigh* That one was felt and appreciated. But in all sincerity, not all the romance was dead. It was just in a very long, very precise, very messy coma. On a good note, there was a kiss that I liked, one where I was holding my breath in anticipation AND KABAM LABAM, interrupted.
I. will. murder. that. person.

And yes, I'm all for slow burn romance, it's torture, but the kind we like- yet there wasn't the palpable tension between the characters that you would think would be present in this book.

Yes, I did throw tantrums.
Yes, my eyes were burning.
Also yes, I swooned when the Blob (as I've dubbed the main guy) said some nice things. *mumbling* I can see planned ish when I see it, but it was sweet. Heheh

And you know what? I think I didn't like the romance that much because of the double POV. In this case, I didn't want to know what was going through Blob's head. With Dual POVS it's sort of like a 'Will this suck-', scenario that my mind automatically goes down in and that's totally on me. So I go into it hoping against fate that neither of the characters are whiny, playas in Spanish.

But the Blob?????? I had wishes for him. He was an alchemist for goodness’s sake, one that was supposed to be familiar with chemistry reactions and yada yada, not one that I wanted to hit because he made so. so. so. many bad decisions.
Not even good bad decisions.
But like, get drink from stranger- almost destroy your entire work because of it- decision.

Also, on top of that, he had A LOT OF CHAPTERS LIKE YOO.

However, I'll give him some slack because his family was awesome.
That was kind of hypocritical, anyways-

WAIT A SECOND THOUGH- don't think I didn't see the gender roles twist, where the guy in this book was more soft handed and caring, the girl was rough and critical of everyone. That's a bonus star from me!

And you know what I liked? How the MC was portrayed. Yes, she was strong and fearless and this force of nature, but she also was broken and yearning for human love. They both were, and for that reason, I cannot give this book less than 3 stars. Her issues were so valid and real, so much so that I found myself empathizing with her pain. Even when I hadn't felt anything close to what she was experiencing, before.

The Blob wasn't all bad either (ignore the ranting up above, Booksy was not coherent enough so she's trying to fix it), he had these uh- the thingy- *snaps fingers*- these moments when he didn't tempt me to drown him. Si, those.

After taking a few steps back (more like a few weeks) after reading, I can tell that this book was one I could've loved if I had been in the right space of mind. The plot was interesting enough, though I still believe the ending came out of NOWHERE. Like I was in the middle and then the end was all 'Hellooooo *giggle gigle* I'M HERE WITCHES-' and it was over. I wasn't given the proper opportunity to get used to the world and magic systems.

On a closing note, I did rant a lot, but it's not because the book was bad per se, it was just because the book wasn't for me. I crave fast passionate paragraphs, flirty glances, tension galore, agony moments whereas this book was distance love, slow-fast-slow-end type of pace and the odd sprinkle of family drama that we so amazingly enjoy.

(this was a mess-)
(like me-)
(OooOO, we match😏)

~👑Special thanks to Netgalley and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!👑~

DNF. I really liked the premise but the writing did not work for me at all. It wouldn't be fair to the book if I finished reading and gave it a low rating.

Am I a little mad at this book? Yes, yes I am. This is a slow-burn urban fantasy (despite what the cover shows) that had moments and ideas I truly enjoyed, but ultimately left me frustrated and even, well, mad like I said. I can't even say why I am mad because *spoilers* but just prepare yourself before you read this book and, to be honest, the ending might not bother you as much as it bothered me.

This is really a 2 1/2 star book that I rounded up to 3 because, as stated, it starts off strong. The characters it introduces are intriguing, the alchemy aspect is also intriguing, and I ultimately wanted to know what was going to happen. Where this fell flat for me was the pacing. I enjoy character-driven, slow burns, but this was repetitive in its character building with the characters thinking the same thoughts over and over again. It stalls the pace and, if you are excited about the hunt is promises, it does not start until 90% in the book! So, again, prepare yourself. The ending too made me mad and sad, in the words of Gilmore Girl's Sookie, "I'm smad!"

*sigh* There is so much here that I wished was written just a little differently because otherwise I think this absolutely would have landed with me. That said, pacing and plot endings just made this ok only for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for this read in exchange for an honest review.

I was a HUGE fan of Allison Saft's debut novel Down Comes The Night and was unsure how Saft would top it. Let me introduce the very novel that proved me wrong in every single way. A Far Wilder Magic is a wonderfully told story of two outcasts reluctantly allying themselves with one another and the many things that change because of their relationship.

Margaret is such an endearing point of view character. She is flawed and healing from trauma, but she has the biggest heart and it comes through beautifully. Weston is a smart-talking, charm of a man who is quick with a smile that hides so much depth. Their dynamic is fragile and every look carries so much weight, they genuinely had me swooning. The pacing of their relationship was done so well, which was a fantastic thing to experience. I was rooting for them from page one!

The plot doesn't overshadow the characters, nor vice versa. They truly bolster one another and once I sank into the story, the pages flew by. Saft was already an instant buy author for me, but this further proved it. I cannot wait to own a physical copy!

A Far Wilder Magic is such a beautiful story. The writings flowing really well in it's pace and theme. Now speaking of the romance. Honestly, I am not to attached to attached to the romance. As its own character, the heroine and hero are good, but the romances are just there for me; exist but not too memorable. I am just following the book and not easily swoon or rooting for their relationship.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books, and Allison Saft for an e-arc of A Far Wilder Magic.

When the last living mythical creature is spotted, Margaret Welty knows the Halfmoon Hunt will soon follow, and with it, a chance to be reunited with her mother. The only problem is that only teams of two, a sharpshooter and an alchemist, can enter the hunt. When Weston Winters shows up at her door to study under Margaret’s absent mother, it’s almost like fate has delivered exactly what Margaret needs. The unlikely duo soon find themselves drawn to one another. As the hunt draws closer, the pair uncover a dark, dangerous magic that could be their key to winning the hunt.

This was everything I wanted it to be and so much more. The setting is an atmospheric 1920s, with a perfect blend of realistic and fantastical. The characters are full of flaws and struggles, but it was so nice to watch them grow and overcome their personal demons. I loved how they slowly came together to realize their dreams.

A Far Wilder Magic was truly magic from start to finish.

This is a YA romance with a fantasy theme

In this book,two cultural misfits band together to participate in the Halfmoon Hunt. Maggie and Wes have everything to lose and they must win this hunt and kill the hala. Maggie is fighting to get her life back and is hoping the hala will bring her mother home. Wes needs to pursue his dreams of being an alchemist while still providing for his mother and sisters. Both harbor secrets and doubts that could keep them from trusting each other when they only have each other to survive this hunt. As they prepare for the hunt, can they stop dancing around their secrets and work together?

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday books for allowing me to read a copy and provide my honest review

This was a very sweet, albeit slowly paced, YA fantasy romance that had you rooting for its protagonists from the beginning. I had to keep coming back to this book, as I’ll admit I kept putting it down out of a need for something faster paced, but I am very glad to say once I picked this book up and committed to it that it was well worth the read!

Few historical, fantasy novels can do what Allison Saft has done with her debut novel “A Far Wilder Magic.”
Set in an isolated town, outcast and sharpshooter Margaret teams up with the rakish, amateur alchemist Wes to kill a legendary creature. The hala, a mythical being with considerable power, holds the key to the alchemic secrets, and killing the creature gives way to ample riches and fame for the winners. Margaret and Wes’s unlikely pairing to hunt the hala comes with obstacles from resentful townsfolk, alchemic failures, and the passion between the pair.

“A Far Wilder Magic” isn’t a novel you can put down and pick up later–the sweeping narrative and imaginative prose were unlike any other. The prose style was reminiscent of classic, gothic romances and was wonderfully paired with Saft’s memorable characters. Saft’s storytelling is an effortless and wondrous dive into the hearts of Margaret and Wes–as well as the world of “A Far Wilder Magic.”

Although beautifully written, the world-building felt something to be desired. I felt confused on what time period and place the world was based on as well as the religions are woven into the narrative. The hala plot–which from the get-go seemed integral to the character growth and narrative–was left discarded for a majority of the novel. Understandably, the novel is more focused on the romance and growth of the characters, but whenever the hala was mentioned, I suddenly remembered its supposed importance to the story.

A sweeping, gothic romance with a dash of magic thrown in, “A Far Wilder Magic” is a romance and fantasy lovers’ dream come true.

my rating: 4/5
oh this was such a beautifully written book IM CRYINGGGG. This story was a perfect combination of compelling plot and slow burn romance, with huge character development and lots of historical aspects. In an alternate reality of the 1920s, two characters named margaret and weston who come from completely different backgrounds, come together to compete in a mythical hunt that could result in triumph.. or their ruin. This story handled magical realism in a way I’ve never read before and grappled with real life problems such as religious prejudice in a realistic manner that leaves a long lasting effect on its reader. These aspects along with a strong female protagonist made this book one of my favorites and i would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, a good slow burn romance, and people who love a country that never really loved them back and their fight to better it.
My thanks to NetGalley for this arc!

Love the concept but the pace was hard to get through, but the characters are great. i have made a full review on my channel: https://youtu.be/egVHR2YJdto

Actual rating would be 3.5 stars

Jewish rep!!!! That was so exciting to me because I love Jewish magic/fantasy stories! I really enjoyed this book (actually sped through it because it was just so good!!) I am always intrigued by alchemy and love how it was done in this book along with the hunt of a mystical animal. It was really cool!

I love Wes and Margaret so much. Wes with his suave demeanour and Margaret with her no-nonsense just work so perfectly together.

I adored reading this book so much! Allison Saft's writing is so beautiful. Her style is enchanting and atmospheric, while still feeling well-paced and engaging at every moment. The story follows both Wes and Margaret, two teenagers who are so different yet so similar at the same time. They are both fighting for a sense of belonging in a very lonely world, and it leads them to enter into a dangerous hunt – one that many people don't want them to be involved in. The story has a wonderful mix of romance, magic, action, family, humor, and more. This is definitely a book I did not want to put down!

First and foremost, I absolutely adored all of the characters in this book. Wes and Margaret are strong protagonists who are so easy to connect with. While they've lived very different lives – Wes is a city boy growing up in a house with 5 sisters, while Margaret spends most of her time alone in a house with little around it – both are outsiders in their own way, judged and written off by people around them. They've been so shaped by their pain and traumas and I just wanted to give them both a hug. But they're both also really strong, really funny, and I loved their dynamic together. Definitely an enemies-to-lovers vibe, which I was fully into. I also loved all of the side characters – the awful, jerk antagonist; Wes' cab driver, Trouble the hound who has a whole entire personality. Every one felt interesting and integral into putting together the unique town where the story takes place.

I also loved the uniqueness of the story. The plot didn't feel cookie cutter and I was interested to see how things would end up the whole way through. It's definitely a story where stakes are high, and everyone has a lot to lose...including their lives. Beyond the unique plot, the world itself has a mythology which has obvious influences from modern religions, but the story of the hala is cool and different, especially because with many different belief systems, it's not clear who has the "right belief" about the creature. It adds an interesting element of the story of Wes and Margaret struggling with their own beliefs and what everything they're doing means in context. The story did a great job of taking things that are very familiar and adding a touch of magic or mythology that creates great intrigue.

Final thoughts? I really enjoyed reading this book. Definitely recommend. Any story that can blend beautiful, atmospheric writing with heart-pounding action and funny, relatable characters is definitely doing something right. I love Allison Saft's writing and can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

Hmmm... I didn't enjoy this as much as I had been hoping. There wasn't anything really wrong with it, but I never could connect with the writing or any of the characters. I think someone who enjoys slower paced fantasy more than me might enjoy this more.

Saft brings two endearing characters and a richly crafted world to life in “A Far Wilder Magic.” Our main characters are Wes and Maggie, two outsiders each wanting to prove themselves in a society that shuns people like them. Told from both perspectives, we hear the story of their tenuous alliance to lovers relationship while working together to hunt the “hala”, a magical creature that besieges their town. This was a wonderful tale with believable, lovable characters that I would love a sequel or prequel to. Some of Maggie’s backstory with her parents felt stiff at times, and this is an area where I feel the author could have added more depth to the story. Overall, a recommended read for lovers of YA and fantasy! 4/5

This was captivating and unlike anything I've ever read. Allison writes incredibly beautiful, lyrical prose and I couldn't put it down once I started. Magic, a hunt, and a stunning romance make A FAR WILDER MAGIC a must-read.

Thanks to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the e-book in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.

I received a digital ARC from the publisher via Netgalley though all thoughts are my own.

This book was equal parts sad, magical, hopeful, heartbreaking and beautiful. There was also a very sweet romance which I wholeheartedly ship and I love how Margaret was able to speak up to her Mother about some things even though the response didn't go quite as planned.

I highly recommend checking out this book and I really hope that there will be a sequel!

Trigger warnings: death of a sibling, death, some violence, bullying, killing of animals, abandoned by parents

This story is an old trope but done in a new way. In a different world similar to ours prejudice still exists as does alchemy. Margret and Weston must work together, reluctantly to hunt down the mythical Hala. A complete disregard for one another turns into something much stronger as they train and prepare, both facing bigotry and hatred from the outside for their beliefs and background.

Don’t be tricked into thinking this is the story of the hunt, because it’s not. The hunt itself only takes up one chapter. This is the story about its characters, their internal And external demons (both literal and figurative) and the love that blooms between them.

I thought the story itself was interesting if frustrating at times. The Characters make some questionable choices that have you scratching your head or shaking your fist. But I genuinely loved the devotion they developed towards each other despite starting from apathy

I don't even know where to begin this review. I just loved this story so much, what words do I use to explain how sad I am to have finished it?

This is my first Saft novel but it's certainly not my last. She created a world that was both familiar and alien with a mysterious, dark magic via alchemy and deeply linked with the mythology and religion of the world. Alchemy is such an interesting choice for a magic system and it fit so well into her worldbuilding. I could fit my brain around this world without dampening any of the mystical, ethereal quality of it.

To me though what made me fall in love with this book was the characters. Wes and Margaret. How do I even describe them? They are so many things all at once and watching them feel their way around their own thoughts and toward each other was a beautiful thing to watch. As individuals they're fascinating and heartbreaking, and together they leave me awestruck. Saft really captured something special with them and I truly think their love story is the best I've read in 2022. It's both magical and starkly real, it heals and it hurts. I can't get enough.

A Far Wilder Magic is a unique book. In a genre like fantasy that's dripping with complexities and big-ness, this book is no less magic while holding a special space with a quiet but fierce voice, much like its two protagonists. I feel in my bones that this story will stay with me a long while and I'm glad for it.

I can't recommend this novel highly enough. I loved every page.


Note: I received a free electronic edition of this book via NetGalley in exchange for the honest review above. I would like to thank them, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to do so.

Evelyn Welty, Margaret's mother, left Margaret alone while on an alchemist research trip, leaving no information of where she was or when she will be back. Meanwhile, Weston Winters is looking for an alchemist to apprentice under. Fired from every apprenticeship he's landed, his last chance hinges on Master Welty taking him in. But when Wes arrives at Welty Manor, he finds only Margaret and her bloodhound Trouble. Margaret originally asks him to leave as her mother is not home and is not looking for an apprentice. When she spots the legendary hala, the last living mythical creature, she knows the Halfmoon Hunt will soon follow. Whoever is able to kill the hala will earn fame and riches, and unlock an ancient magical secret. While Margaret is the best sharpshooter in town, only teams of two can register, and she needs an alchemist. Weston Winters isn’t an alchemist--yet, but he has some knowledge. Margaret begrudgingly allows him to stay, but on one condition: he must join the hunt with her.

I don't read a lot of fantasy, but I am glad I picked this book up. I enjoyed the world-building, with its political system built on alchemy, the persecution of certain races, and the structure based on wealth. The tradition of The Hunt for the "hala" whenever it appears was fascinating. How Wes planned to use alchemy to make Margaret's weapons lethal to the beast made for very interesting and tense reading. I felt for Margaret e as she gradually reveals her past to Wes. She is so strong, yet all she wants is to please her mother. The way some of the townspeople treat both Maggie and Wes was terrible, but it is nothing new and happens in real life as well. The story is told told in third-person narration but with alternating POVs between Margaret and Wes. It allows us to see what is happening through both their eyes and their views are very different. As Wes and Margaret got to know each other better, it was touching to see their feelings change toward one another and become caring instead of just needing one another. If you are looking for an atmospheric and character is-driven fantasy with a touch of love, friendship and romance, then A Far Wilder Magic is a book I recommend you pick up.