A Far Wilder Magic is a beautifully written whimsical and atmospheric YA Fantasy book. I really enjoyed the unique story and the characters. The beginning of the book felt a little slow, but eventually it picked up and I was very invested! I really liked both Maggie and Wes and am so happy that the story was written dual POV.

I do think the story could have used more world building and description as I had trouble picturing certain things and found myself getting distracted by small details, taking me out of the actual story.

Thank you to NetGalley and for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a very belated review for a book that I wish that I had saved for the shorter days of fall and winter.

Margaret Welty grows up isolated at the edges of society with a renowned yet absent alchemist for a mother, so she is less than thrilled when Wes shows up at her door in the hopes of becoming her mother’s newest apprentice and proving to his family and the world that he has what it takes to be an alchemist. Margaret forms an uneasy truce with West when she realizes that she needs his help to participate in the Halfmoon Hunt in the hopes that by capturing its mythic quarry will bring her mother home.

A Far Wilder Magic is a story of two outsiders finding an unexpected home in each other. Theirs is a slow burn romance of opposites, simmering gently underneath their preparations for the hunt. The story is highly atmospheric and with an anachronistic blend of the old fashioned with modernity that left me unable to place when in time the story takes place in what felt like steampunk’s second cousin. The settings range from rural village to industrial town, reflecting the stark differences and upbringings between Margaret and Wes.

The story explores themes of nationalism and xenophobia, ambition and self-belief, trust and overcoming the expectations of family. There is magic and mystery, though perhaps less magic than expected. Slow and subtle in spite of a fair amount of action, the experience of reading this story felt muted in the most atmospheric of ways—as though a heavy fog were between me and the contents of its pages.

Allison Saft sure can write beautiful and atmospheric stories. A Far Wilder Magic is a solid read, perfect for fans of Hannah Whitten and Ava Reid. I’m looking forward to what Allison writes next!

I really enjoyed every page of this dystopian mystical adventure love story! Margaret and Wes are a pair of fully developed characters in an epically imagined society that Allison Saft has thoughtfully developed with multiple hierarchical elements. I hope to see a sequel where we re-enter this world and continue the journey started here.

I wanted so badly to like this book, but alas, it was not for me. I tried repeatedly to get into it, only to put it down and read other things.

The story is an urban fantasy set in like a parallel universe of the present day, with representations of things in our world with different names and a twist. Most of the time I was just trying to figure out what was what and try to make it make sense with my understanding of history, language and time, which was confusing and frustrating. The pace was slow and I felt that there was more tell than show.

Great for fantasy/ YA romance fans. I found the alchemist angle to be a fresh take on the genre. I think it will be very popular in our library this fall!

I spent the better part of the beginning of this book up to my ears in the busyness of real life, and I can honestly say it kept me hooked even when I didn’t have the time to be reading it.

I had a hard time at first keeping the terms straight, and honestly I’m still not 100% sure what some of them were, but I liked that I didn’t have to worry about it so much that I missed out on the story.

I love a good underdog story. This one did not disappoint. I loved that both Wes and Margaret had to face their own demons to be able to see each other and to finally face their dreams. I love that finding each other helped them to heal and to surpass their brokenness they came together with.

Most of all, I loved the ending! Definitely recommend!

"How much suffering is worth the promise of glory?"

TW: Gore, animal gore, blood, bigotry, anti-semitic, xenophobic, death, parental abandonment, bullying & loss of a family member.

This book holds such wisps of magic while working through serious topics like xenophobia and anti-Semitism while we hunt for a creature that can bring glory and solve the problems of our two leads. The chemistry between them was truly beautiful while they worked through pain and trauma.

Bonus: I DIED when Weston found out about Margaret's smutty book and loved the silliness of the scene (I felt Margaret's cringe and pain for that as I cannot have someone catch me reading my obscene books, it feels so vulnerable).

I thought the plot was interesting because it was different from other fantasy books I have read in that it wasn't about a war. The idea of the hunt was much more original.
The characters were also pretty intriguing. I liked that you could feel their anxiety throughout the book and that we could see what caused it. I understood that Wes felt obligated to succeed despite his many past failures and I understood Margaret's anxiety about her mother not being there. With that being said the characters still felt that they were not fully developed. I couldn't see much outside of their anxieties. I also thought that the side characters added another level of anxiety because of how much disdain they had over the 2 main characters.
Overall I think that the book was pretty good. The vibes were dark and dreary and the monsters were creepy, it was definitely atmospheric.

Full review to be posted soonish.

I would like to thank the publisher and netgalley for providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was fine - I liked the concept. I found the alchemy parts interesting and I enjoyed the hunt. I even liked the characters, though I forgot for quite a lot of the story how young they are meant to be. For some reason, they felt older.

What kept it from being great for me was that I found the time period confusing. There were telephones and cars, so it seems kind of modern, but other elements, such as the money ( for example: 25 cents buys all your groceries) made it seem more 1800s, or very early 1900s. But then there were also condoms in foil wrappers, which made me think it was more modern. This was all kind of confusing and kept pulling me out of the story.

The author also uses the discrimination of two specific groups as a major plot element, and while the names were made up, they clearly represent Irish Catholics and Jews. Why not just set this story in our world, in a specific time period, using Irish Catholics and Jews? Just add magic - it's urban fantasy, so it would have still worked and the story might have flowed better for me.

Honestly, I'm being nit-picky and these are things that probably wouldn't bother anyone else. Overall I thought the story was fun and it held my interest til the end. I just wish I could have given it a higher rating.

Maggie (Margaret) Welty has been left alone on her estate once again; her alchemist mother having left months ago on a research mission. The months are getting colder and when Maggie spots the fabled ancient fox spirit (hala) on her land, she knows that The Hunt will begin. Maybe if she can catch and kill the hala her mother will come back and stay for good, maybe they can be a proper loving family again. The only thing she needs is an alchemist to partner with, per The Hunt rules, but most of her town rejects Maggie's otherness (even when she is the best sharp shooter around). Luckily, Weston (Wes) Winters is looking for a new alchemical teacher after being fired by all those in the city, and his last hope is Maggie's mother. They cut a deal to help Wes's family and for Maggie to regain her mother. But, will entering The Hunt mean certain death? Not just from the hala, but from a town that hates the idea of two outsiders winning.

This book was phenomenal. The world building was so complete and intricate, loosely mirroring America of the early 20th century. Wes's family are Banvish-Sumic, a mirror of the Irish Catholic immigrants in New York at the turn of the century (often in terribly working conditions and with large families living in small spaces, all because they had to flee their homeland). Margaret's father is Yu’adir (a fantasy representation of Judaism), he was ostracized by New Albion (their predominantly Katharist (Protestant) hometown) because of his religious beliefs. Margaret is therefore treated, by many of the town, just as her father was, even with a famous alchemist mother. Wes and Margaret face continuous bigotry from certain townsfolk, and even those that are nice to them and try to help can never really stop or deter others from releasing their hate. The way the world of this novel weaves together these two outcasts, throws hate and anger at them for just existing, is horrifying and heartbreaking (and so realistic it is painful). I was so enraged for these two characters who were just trying to live in a world that wishes for them to cease existing.

It is also a story about needing to prove your worth, whether to the world or simply your family. Wes does not want to give up on his dreams of being an alchemist, because it is the only way he can make the world a better place for his people (the Banvish-Sumic). Margaret works hard to please her mother, who is never there and who never really sees her when she is. These two characters slowly begin to heal the hurt in each other, by defending and listening to one another. By seeing their faults and loving them anyways.

Familial bonds are also important. Especially when Margaret is introduced to Wes's chaotic, but loving, family. His eldest sister may fight with him constantly and not understand why he continues to follow the path of an alchemist, but she loves him none-the-less. Margaret is able to really understand that her life with her mother is unhealthy, that she is in an emotionally abusive home. It is through being with Wes's family that she realizes she has not felt her mother's true love in a long while, has not had the happinesses of a family and is instead living in a fantasy world of her own making (believing her mother can ever be the person she was before). This book really shines a light on the machinations of families and how easily they can both build a person up and tear a person down. Wes is able to pursue his dreams because of his family, while Margaret is stuck on her estate, unable to leave or grow or even dream, because of hers.

The romance is slow burn, but so beautiful. Wes is a charmer, it is what he does, so when he meets Margaret and cannot charm her he is confused. Margaret is a loner and mistrusts everyone outside of her home. The two of them collide and somehow manage to fall in love. The banter is spot on, there is a moment involving a smutty novel that had me howling and then aching for them. These two are just too vulnerable and adorable and you root for them the whole novel through, even when Margaret is being an unrelenting brick wall and when Wes is so obtuse to other women using him.

Another thing I loved was how each religion is so distinct and the book showing how each religion views the hala (the magical beasts who roam the world and destroy it). They all believe in them, but each religion has a slightly different idea of what they truly are, whether they were meant to be put on this Earth to help guide mankind, whether they are small Gods or whether they are demons meant to be killed. Just a perfect depiction of how religions can be so similar in their beliefs, with slight differences here or there, and yet how chasms of hate are formed between them.

If you are going to read this novel, I highly encourage you to check out the audiobook. The narrator did an amazing job bringing each character to life. The accents she used to depict Wes, as well as their Katharist foil (Jamie), was spot on. I was so entranced by the reading, I could not stop listening. I could imagine myself in a seaside village in New York around the 1920s, with magic streaming throughout and the wealthy walking around flaunting themselves. The novel sucks you in, so even while some moments were slow and the story is long, you feel that it is necessary for Wes and Margaret's growth as characters. They need to slowly come to terms with who they are and what they are willing to do in order to achieve their dreams.

I loved A Far Wilder Magic. It has just about everything I love in a great fantasy novel: beautiful world building, well-rounded characters and, subsequently, thoughtful relationships between characters, a magical tournament, alchemy, a love story that feels very natural.

I think what makes this book so special is the way the characters were written. I think more than the plot, I was motivated to keep reading because I wanted to watch the characters interact and grow, both separately and together.

Margaret is a quiet girl, living in the shadow of her recently deceased brother. Her mother, a gifted alchemist, travels all over the place as she is attempting to complete some alchemy that could help heal their family. Her mother has been totally consumed by her grief and neglects her daughter. It's terribly sad to see, and Margaret is broken and sheltered in ways she doesn't even quite understand.

Wes, a city boy to comes to Margaret's home as a last ditch effort to learn from Margaret's mother, is everything that Margaret isn't...but he's got his own familial tragedy he is trying to fix. Nothing he's done so far has been successful. Initially, Margaret hates him, but as they get to know one another, their love begins to grow. It is never rushed and it feels authentic. This love story was probably one of the most patient, most genuine love stories I've ever read. I would have loved this so much as a teen.

I think this book has a lot of great pieces that make it a truly lovely and rewarding book. I enjoyed every minute of it and I know several teens that will love it just as much as I did.

3.5⭐️

Margaret Welty wants nothing more than for her mother to return home. After losing her brother, her father left and Evelyn has been on research trips, leaving Margaret at home by herself. Then Margaret sees the hala, the last mystical creature. This sighting means that the Halfmoon Hunt will begin. Margaret hopes the hunt will bring her mother home, since whoever kills the hala will earn fame, riches and unlock the magical secret that her mother has been searching for.

Weston Winters has failed every apprenticeship for alchemy that he has ever had. Evelyn Welty is his last chance. But when Westin arrives at Welty Manor, he only finds Margaret. Margaret allows Westin to stay as long as he will join in the hunt with her. Working together, Weston and Margaret grow closer together and discover dark magic that might help them in the hunt for the hala.

I liked that this book brought up many things such as religious persecution and prejudice. Both Margaret and Weston are outsiders because they are different. The characters just weren’t very interesting to me. Maybe I just didn’t get enough of their back story to really get invested in what was happening to them. The story seemed to be very slow moving. I kept going because I just knew that it would start to pick up. I was just really disappointed in this one. It was okay but I felt it could have been so much better. More interaction with the hala, more backstory…just more.

I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a good YA read and has great vibes for fall! The magic system was great and I loved the tone and setting as they provided a unique texture that held my focus even in the slow parts. The world-building is so intricately done that I found it thoroughly compelling with its religious persecution, political system based on alchemy. If you are looking for an atmospheric and character is-driven fantasy that will touch your heart, then A Far Wilder Magic is just what you've been searching for!

*Arc provided by Netgalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.*

A Far Wilder Magic spun a tale of magic and alchemy on the back drop of a world on the cusp of social change. Protagonists Margaret and Weston team up to accomplish their personal goals and casually end up falling in love. Weston in a last ditch effort to become an alchemist agrees to sign up for the Halfmoon Hunt with Margaret in an attempt to convince her mother to take him on as a student. Margaret just wants her mom to show up in her life again and if Weston securing the one thing Margaret's mother wants more than anything is what it will take so be it.

The story moved pretty steadily but I really couldn't connect with Weston. I found him to be really arrogant and a jerk for most of the book which is saying a lot since the town is basically full of bigots. Margaret was incredibly sad just constantly striving for the attention of someone who just wasn't mentally or physically present.

This book reminded me of why I love reading gothic romance. Allison Saft has definitely become an author to look out for and I know for sure I’ll be reading anything she writes. A super enjoyable, dual pov read that, even though it took me a little while to get fully invested, I ended up really liking it it by the end. I loved the concept of alchemy involved in the book and how it was used but especially the character dynamics at play. Definitely recommend reading this one.

FIVE MASSIVE STARS!

This book was whimsical, atmospheric and achingly gorgeous. I loved the exploration and reckoning of relationships: between Margaret and her mother, Margaret and Wes, Margaret and the hala, and Margaret, Wes and society. It dealt with heavy themes without sacrificing romance and the hope for a better world, both personally and at a societal level.

If you love the vivid worldbuilding of Margaret Rogerson and the folkloric romance of Ava Reid, you'll love A Far Wilder Magic.

A Magic Alchemical Fox Hunt? Why Yes, Very Much So!

A Far Wilder Magic has undoubtedly been one of my favourite reads of 2022. Allison never ceases to create real, beautifully flawed, relatable characters who make you laugh and cry all in one paragraph.

Margaret is an aloof outcast who prefers guns and her dog Trouble to any of the townsfolk. She has this extremely complicated relationship with her mother and you can’t help but to have your heart crack a little at the hope she still holds for her. Overall I love her character and her fierce personality when it comes to certain people. Watching her crumble under her mother’s thumb is something I’m sure anyone who has been in a toxic relationship can relate to and I feel Allison did a fantastic job at tackling the sensitivity of it.

Now on to Wes, glorious Wes. He’s a family driven young man with a bit of complex, but what’s not to love? Not to mention, he has ADHD so watching his chaotic patterns on the page was a real hit home for me as someone with ADHD. He means well, but he comes off as a little persistent at times, which I think makes him all the more charming. Why kill ’em with kindness when you can kill ’em with charisma.

The world building and pacing for this one had me gripped right from the first page. I could feel the chill from the fog and scent the salt on the sea. I could feel the Hala’s burning gaze fixed between my shoulders as I read, falling deeper and deeper into into Allison’s enchanting prose.

Saft has this remarkable way of writing the reader into the scene with her characters. It’s like you’re not only watching the events play out, but you’re also right in the thick of it, fully immersed in her world.

This may be a standalone, but it’s one of few that I can say does not leave me feeling empty and hollow at the end. Allison creates these beautiful full bodied characters and has them grow and develop the perfect amount so when you read that last sentence, you feel fulfilled. Her ability to storytell is unparalleled and the proof of that shines in this book.

If you love a high stakes, fast-paced, picturesque story that compliments the 1920’s with a dash of magic this book is not to missed!

REVIEW: A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft

Rating: 3.5 Stars (rounded up to 4)
Would I recommend? Yes

Publication Date: March 8, 2022
Publisher: Wednesday Books

Synopsis: Margaret’s mother, a famous alchemist, has been gone for months on a research trip leaving Margaret to fend for herself in their small, bigoted town. Weston is a wannabe alchemist who believes Margaret’s mother is his last chance for an apprenticeship to prove himself in alchemy and help his poverty-stricken family. At the same time Weston arrives in town, the legendary magical creature called the hala is spotted. The Halfmoon Hunt is declared and teams of two must compete to kill the beast. Margaret and Weston both need to succeed for their own reasons and realize the other is their best chance to win but they both get more than they bargained for in more ways than one.

Review: This story was not what I expected (mostly in good ways). First, the story felt more YA at the outset but then felt more NA as the story progressed. (Are we still saying “NA” btw?) The protagonists are 18 and there is sex on the page but it is not totally open door so not super graphic. Second, this story is much more character driven than I anticipated. The personal growth of the characters and their relationships (with themselves, each other, and their families) are the center of the story. The plot is secondary which makes the first half of the book somewhat slow but still interesting. For example, the actual Halfmoon Hunt does not actually happen until the last 10-20% of the story, which surprised me as I expected the hunt to be a main event of the book.

Also, the setting of this book is a fictional world with fictional religions. The setting/timeframe seems to be comparable to the United States in the 1920s, given the technology, clothing, and current events mentioned. However, the religions are clearly based on real world religions, two being Judaism and Catholicism. The Jewish and Catholic characters are discriminated against in horrible ways, particularly the Jewish characters. I appreciated the authentic way the religions of the characters and their relationships with their religions were depicted and I even appreciated that the discrimination against them was handled authentically, with some of the secondary characters being outwardly hostile and some just quietly ignoring the bigotry. But I did question the choice to make these religions fictional while they were clearly Catholicism and Judaism. For instance, the Jewish character mentions Shabbat and tikkun olam (which is Hebrew for “repair of the world”). I found it distracting to depict antisemitism so clearly but to sort of hide it at the same time by calling it something else. I love seeing Jewish characters in the books I read so I was frustrated to see a Jewish character somewhat hidden in plain sight. What I mean by that, is that I am not sure that a person who isn’t Jewish would understand all of the Jewish references and see that the discrimination against the Jewish characters in this story is antisemitism.

With all that being said, I enjoyed reading this book. The characters are deep and interesting and I felt like they were real people who grew and changed and continued making mistakes but were learning and evolving. The writing was great and I enjoyed the story. I look forward to reading more from this author.