Two sisters unite on a road trip to find their mother, who disappeared five years ago. Zadie and Finn both have special gifts- the ability to feel others' memories, and a bit of psychic ability thrown in.

It took me a little bit to get into this book-sometimes the paranormal/fantasy genre is hard for me-but once it took off I was completely invested in the characters and their story. I was so unsure where the story was going that it kept me guessing till the very end, and I did not expect how the girls' quest wrapped up to be what it was. Honestly I read this book in one day because once I got into it I NEEDED to know what happened to Nora, if Zadie and Finn ever find her, what her backstory was, and how the sisters would move forward in their lives no matter what the outcome was. I loved the beautiful acceptance of people with gifts that others might find strange, and the writing was well-paced and not heavy, but sometimes almost lyrical with its descriptions. I think anyone who picks this book up and gives it a chance will get sucked in just like I did.

Sisters Zadie & Finn embark on a trip to try to find out what happened to their missing mom. We learn Zadie is psychic and Finn can see echoes of past events. This strange trip starts with Zadie, who just broke up with her boyfriend Dustin. She hasn’t told him yet that she’s pregnant. Zadie has a younger sister, Finn, who is just graduating from high school. They plan a beach trip that soon turns into a trip to look for their mom. A few years ago, she walked out of the house and disappeared. Will Zadie and Finn find out what happened to her?

This is my first book by this author. It was pretty good.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

After loving Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance, I was excited to read Ruth Emmie Lang's newest novel and it did not disappoint! The story follows two sisters, each with a special power, as they embark on a journey to find their missing mother. This is magical realism mixed with literary fiction mixed with a slow burn mystery. Lang has a gift for storytelling that shines through. While primarily a character driven novel with beautiful character development, the Wilderwomen also propulsively moves forward as you try to figure out the mystery of the mother's disappearance. There was a secondary character that did not seem to have much purpose (Joel) along their journey, but did make for some lighthearted fun to break up the intensity of the story. Overall, I loved this book and highly recommend it, especially for fans of her first novel.

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book! I will be posting my review on social media, to include Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads, and Instagram!

Thank you to Net Galley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The main character, Zadie, is adrift having been abandoned by her mother as she is just entering adulthood. Her younger sister is given to the foster care system where she thrives and simultaneously drifts from the relationship with her sister. Understandably, Zadie is resentful and angry when her sister, Finn, asks her to abandon their planned vacation and join with her in a search for their mother 5 years after her disappearance.

First, let’s start with the positive. I liked the concept of the story which involved people with a variety of sixth senses, many of which I thought were interesting and unique yet subtle. The over arching concept of a family torn apart by something beyond their control and the desperate desire of the children to reunite with their mother could make for an entertaining read. Following a trail seemingly lost to the years is intriguing.

However, for me, the development of the plot was a bit mundane, lacking a richness deserving of the story concept. Each character possesses a sixth sense that is unique to them. But, I felt Zadie’s character development wasn’t robust enough for me to connect with the story. There is much talk about Zadie’s gift and why she doesn’t use it but the it didn’t feel compelling. Instead I just wanted her to stop complaining but I should have been wanting to champion her cause. Finn’s gift drives the progress of the book while Zadie just seems like a tag along and at times when her gift could have aided in the development of the story, it was not used.

The outcome of the book was expected, but lacked feeling. It should have brought the reader to a place of satisfaction. However, I felt rather blah about the outcome. While having a sixth sense is in itself unrealistic, there was something about the general plot of the story that felt forced and unlikely.

This story was beautifully written and I enjoyed my road trip with the Wilder sisters on their search for their mother. I was invested in their journey and the people they met along the way were all a joy to encounter. I was holding my breath until the very end. I love the magical realism aspect and their special abilities felt so natural to me. I only wish we had learned more about Nora's story and the ending felt rushed.

This book combined the suspense, mystery, and twists and turns of a domestic thriller (missing mother! abandoned children!) with the feminine comradery and magic of the Practical Magic series. I can see a prequel and a sequel to this intriguing adventure of a book. It left some questions unanswered, and the mother character's experience a bit under examined, and I would love to see that more explored in another book. What this was, was a sweet story of family ties and love between sisters, and using what makes you special rather than hiding it to blend in with the masses.

This book was my very first ARC! I loved it, honestly. This is also the first book I've read by Ruth Emmie Lang. It was different than anything else that I've read and I've read A LOT of books. To me, it wasn't predictable at all, and offered so many intense, sitting on the edge of your seat moments! The ending wasn't as spectacular as I would have liked it BUT it was great nonetheless. I definitely recommend this book! The way Ruth Emmie Lang tells a story is absolutely beautiful and magical.

Zadie and Finn Wilder have been missing their mom for five years. It’s been five years since Nora ran away and never came back. Finn was placed in foster care, while Zadie, barely an adult, tried to make it on her own.

The sisters reconnect at Finn’s high school graduation party. They decide to take a beach vacation to spend time together, but at the last minute, instead go searching for Nora.

During childhood, they both found out that they have special gifts. Zadie can see into the future, while Finn can experience other peoples memories. They have always questioned whether or not their mom could have a special ability too - but she’s always denied it. It could help them find her again.

I really enjoy Ruth Emmie Lang’s writing. I was so excited to get an early copy of this, because Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance is one of my favorite books. I didn’t love this one quite as much, but it was still whimsical and full of adventure.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy. The Wilderwomen will be published in the US on November 15, 2022

This is a YA, magical realism, fantasy story that is a bit of a mystery as well.

Nora Wilder is coming unglued. Wandering at night, looking for something, forgetting who she is sometimes. Her two daughters, Zadie, and Finn know something is wrong, but Finn is young and Zadie doesn’t share her concerns about their mother until the day Nora walks down the driveway and leaves. No news, no notes, nothing for five years.

Finn was taken in by a great foster family and is now graduating high school. What she wants is to find her mother, but she can’t tell her parents and she isn’t sure Zadie will help her.

Zadie should have seen her mother’s leaving earlier. After all, she is a psychic. But she didn’t and now she doesn’t want anything to do with her gift. Shoving it way down until Jess persuades her to help track her mother. Jess has her own gift. Memories. She can feel memories in a place, so if her mother has been there, she will be able to tell.

They set on a road trip beginning with the old campground their mother took them to before. It’s there that Zadie begins to notice that Jess is disappearing into a sleepwalking state at night. Leaving in the middle of the night and scaring Zadie to death.

Jess feels these echoes and hears a song about a bird and she knows these memories belong to Nora. As they go from place to place, Zadie is worried that Jess has whatever their mother had. Maybe she should stop this now and send Jess home before there is no more Jess.

This is a YA fantasy, magical realism story of things we don’t understand, and the powerful pull of family.

I enjoyed it!

NetGalley/ November 15th, 2022 by St. Martin’s Press

The Wilderwomen is going to give you the feels. It was a bit trippy and weird and wonderful. That’s the best I can do. It’s a story that is going to stick with you.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC to review. ~I was given this book and made no commitments to leave my opinions, favorable or otherwise. ~

The Wilderwomen by Ruth Emmie lang

The story starts with 2 sisters, one who has just discovered she is pregnant and the other, graduating high school. The relationship strained after the youngest sister went into foster care.. she ends up there because their mother leaves their house one day and never returns.

They hope to rekindle their sisterhood with a road trip… problem is Zadie has no idea her little sister, who not only has the ability to read echoes of past memories, doesn't want to go on their trip. She wants to use her abilities to find their missing mother. She wants Zadie to use her psychic powers to help her in her journey and find the mother Finn believes didn't leave them behind.

This story was full of surprises. I loved every twist and turn and the supernatural element was so artfully done.

It didn't feel like it was the biggest focus of the story either. It was a really intelligent move to make the story more about the mystery of their missing mother and rebuilding their relationship and the sixth sense extraordinary abilities as a side bar.

My secret hope is there are more about sixes in more books to come from the author. I think they found a unique and original storyline that could really go places.

I adored reading about the authors' take on six senses and how they work. I was so excited reading this book! I don't normally get as giddy as a 5 year old with a piece of cake but I did.

If you love a heart warming read with a supernatural twist and a whole load of mystery then this book has to be on your list.

5 stars. Well deserved. Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for my copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Wilderwomen is an enchanting tale of two sisters on a search for their missing mother across the country. With mysticism, suspense and family values apparent on every page, this book by Ruth Emmie Long is just as captivating as Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance. My only critique is that it is a bit long with a few unnecessary characters in my opinion, but an otherwise very entertaining book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first NetGalley read and it was a great introduction into the wonderful world of advance reader copies!

The Wilderwomen is a heartwarming read about sisters who each have “gifts.” Finn’s allows her to experience the memories of others from the past and Zadie’s gives her psychic abilities.

They go in search of their mother who disappeared and find out a lot about each other as they travel. It’s an interesting read and I liked that they came across other people with gifts on their path. I thought that helped them feel like they were less alone on their journey and gave them the confidence to move forward.

Overall, it was a very sweet story about the enduring power of familial ties and I loved the unique spin about the gifts.

This is a book about what it means to be part of a family, and how we show up for each other. Zadie and Finn's mother Nora walked away five years ago, with no explanation or warning, and this is the story of the two girls coming together to find her, while dealing with their grief and hurt at her disappearance, and still trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. It is a moving story of family, the ties that bind us, the pain that tears us apart, and what we can do to heal those wounds together. It is woven together beautifully with each character having their own unique powers. The fantasy elements were what drew me to the book, and the depth and believability of the characters was what kept me riveted from the first page to the last.

Ruth Emmie Lang's writing deeply resonated with me; it almost felt like the three characters were the pieces of my life that are still inside of me, with Finn representing my youth, Zadie representing my early adulthood, and Nora representing the wild ride that is becoming and being a parent while still being a person who has their own struggles and challenges and unknowns.

So while it was a story about how we affect each other in the world and in our families, it also felt almost like a story about how the different parts of ourselves get lost, or rejected, or confused. And that when we can find and embrace those parts, all of the parts, we can start to heal and become whole again.

It was beautiful and moving and deeply relatable in so many ways, with just enough fantasy to give me that feeling of hope for the future. (I may have cried through the entire epilogue…in a good way)

There’s something about reading a perfect book that just feeds your soul in a way nothing else can. I can't wait for more books from this author.

This is a beautiful book about two sisters looking for their mom and, without knowing it, trying to rekindle their own relationship. They both tried so hard to keep their relationship alive within the confines of where life took them. And they didn't realize that what they really needed was to get back to their roots; to find their family again and remember who they were while still trying to be who they have become. I was honored to receive an ARC for this book, not knowing what it was about, but being drawn in by the cover! And it did not disappoint. Lang drew me in pretty quick within the first few chapters of the book. The book is considered magical realism, which was really neat because it gave the hint of a sci-fi but, obviously, was set in the real world. The perspectives of both sisters, as well as the mom's past perspective, created a mysterious feel to it, as well. There are so many layers of this books that make it magical and fun! I could barely put it down because of it's beauty and because I just needed to know what the heck was going on! While the ending pulled it all together and answered all of my questions, it was almost a little too quick... 90% through the book and all I could think was, "how the heck is this going to be all brought together in such a short amount of time left!?" That being said, I would still recommend this book!!

A lovely and magical story. After reading and loving Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance, I was so excited to read The Wilderwomen. I read it in one day because I couldn’t put it down. Magical realism is a favorite genre of mine and this author is brilliant. Five magical stars from me!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this wonderful novel. This is my honest review.

I struggled a bit in the beginning of this book but ended up loving it about half way through. The story focuses on a family torn apart by mysterious circumstances. The two daughters left behind try to solve the mystery with a road trip and their psychic abilities. All around great "sisters" story. Loved it

"The Wilderwomen" is a classic road-trip story, with mystery and a magical twist. Set to an 80's soundtrack and wrapped in Ruth Emmie Lang's enchanting and atmospheric writing style. I was under Lang's thrall from page 1.

Zadie and Finn grew up together, grew apart, and are finally forging a new relationship in the yawning darkness left in the wake of their mother's inexplicable dissapearance 5 years ago. Both sisters feel lost and seek closure as they each stand at the preipice of a new phase in their lives. They roadtrip across the United States that sets the past and present on a collision course. They're looking for answers and take a chance even though there is no garuntee that they will find what they are looking for. But as they travel, they discover that they were mourning something more than the loss of their mother, they were also mourning the loss of the sisterhood they had once shared.

"She could feel a clot of ency forming in her chest. It wasn't that she wanted Finn's life exactly; it was that Finn appeared happy in a way that Zadie herself hadn't been in a very long time."

At its core "The Wilderwomen is a heartfelt tale of sisterhood, compassion, forgiveness, and love... with an ethereal current of magic throughout. By the end of Zadie and Finn's journey, I was satsfied and wondering how much magic existed in this world that I had not taken the time to see. My only sticking point is that the conclusion felt too literal and heavy handed in comparision to the artful subtlety of the rest of the story.

This was truly a treat to read. Lang writes with poetry and finesse without crossing into pedantry. The story takes on hyperreal and over saturated quality with Lang's decadent and absorbing descriptions.

THE WILDERWOMEN
BY: RUTH EMMIE LANG

Ruth Emmie Lang is a new Author to me, but one that wrote a most beautiful literary novel called, "The Wilderwomen". It was written with such vivid prose that it seared my imagination so clearly that I could visualize her exotic imagery with each sentence. In fact, her writing style is so unique I have never once encountered one like hers before. At first I felt unused to this type of writing, but by the conclusion of her book; I knew that I had just read an extraordinary story that was special. It can be said that it in the very least contains the element of magical realism. In my sense it was what appeared to be fantasy, which besides any kind of mythology, I have never ventured into the fantasy genre. I am so happy that I gave this new to me genre a fair chance, because I was rewarded with a most special reward of the most precious of reading experiences.

It is about family and in this case two sisters. The older one is named Zadie and the younger one is named Finn. Their mother named Nora has left them or to be more precise, she has disappeared from their lives five years ago. Anything that I have mentioned in this review is not spoiler content since it all appears within less than five percent of the beginning.

Zadie and Finn both have gifts. Zadie discovered when she was seven years old that she has psychic abilities that come to her as premonitions. She has tried very hard to interfere with her premonitions as they are not something that she likes having. Finn can see other peoples memories which usually come in one of her senses and usually don't just belong to her but pertain to most other random people. Finn calls her gift of seeing other people's memories, which mostly deal with the past "echoes". Zadie is angry with her mother for leaving them and misses her sister Finn who was put into a foster family who live one hour away.

Kathy and Steve are Finn's foster parents and they have one son, but want to adopt Finn who has just turned eighteen. Finn loves her foster parents, but she is unsure about adoption because she feels a profound love of her sister, Zadie and she wants to find her mother who she also loves. The two girls have a week's vacation planned to be spent at the beach to celebrate Finn's High school graduation. They go on a journey instead visiting many places searching for their mother. Zadie is reluctant at first but soon agrees and the two sister's are off on a quirky and zany road trip with many stops along the way which backtracking on my part, because to me the pit stops bring them into quirky and zany experiences.

I am going to be recommending this to everyone that I know since I loved it and it was an unforgettable reading experience. It made me feel reminded of the unbreakable and unprecedented love that we feel for our family. How remarkable and how unmatched that love feels to me towards my own. How it feels when someone we love unintentionally hurts us and how the emotions and reactions to that hurt stirs up inside un-welcomed and unexpected reactions. In this case Nora loves both of her daughters and they love her but both daughters have different feelings as a result of her unexplained and unanticipated disappearance. This is a book that was recommended to me by a very cherished friend and I want to say a huge thank you because it was a tremendous gift.

Be sure to put this fantastic and uncommon novel on your to be read list if you want to escape into a world of all lovable characters trying their best to do good by their actions. I know I will be purchasing it for myself for that special book shelf (of which I am running out of space because there are too many) for the favorites. I feel like re-reading this now--it is that wonderful!

Publication Date: November 15, 2022

Thank you to Net Galley, Ruth Emmie Lang and St. Martin's Press for most generously providing me with my copy of "The Wilderwomen," for I can't thank you enough. All opinions are my own.

#TheWilderwomen #RuthEmmieLang #StMartinsPress #NetGalley