Thank you to NetGalley and Zando Young Readers for my arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

TW: Sexual assault, suicide/suicidal ideation, domestic abuse, and eating disorders

"The Wilderness of Girls" by Madeline Claire Franklin is a poignant, magical, and beautiful story about six girls, sisters, who are more than what society labels them.

I was and am absolutely blown away by this book. This book follows Rhi, a teenager seeking a fresh start at the Happy Valley Wildlife Preserve after the sudden arrest of her father and departure of her stepmother. While walking in the woods, she discovers a group of wild girls protected by wolves. These girls claim to be princesses from a magical realm, raised by a prophet to save their kingdom. To Rhi's surprise, they believe she's their lost sister. Rhi is unsure whether the girls are telling the truth, but as she forms a close bond with them, she tries to figure out who they really are.

There's a lot to this book that I thought was masterful and just eloquently done. I typically find it difficult to connect with teenage characters and although I have a mental illness, I struggle even more to connect with teenage characters who also have mental illness. But the way that Rhi and the other girls are writter was just...I don't know, it felt so organic and so grounded. I found myself identifying with each of the girls, but especially with Rhi and Grace. Franklin does a great job of gracefully handling heavy and traumatic topics and amidst the magic, her characters react realistically and believably. UGH. I cannot say enough how much I love this book.

Please go read it! Request it at your library! Purchase it from an independent bookseller! Just read it!

WOW. The image of Rhi encountering the Wild Girls with the wolves for the first time is seared into my memory. It's such a visceral, stunning encounter that created a strong attachment to all five "girls." Madeline Claire Franklin's writing is ferocious and lyrical with deep emotional roots in every character. I love this book and can't wait to recommend it to everyone, especially my high school writing students. READ THIS ONE!

A novel that pushes the boundaries of genre, is it fantasy is it realistic fiction?
A story that will keep you wanting more, it has you feverishly waiting to turn the next page to uncover more of the story.

This book. It's poetry. It's a knife. It destroyed me. I have not read anything this beautiful, devastating, and original in a very long time. This book goes straight past the skin and into the raw beating heart of what it means to be a person; a girl; someone who doesn't belong and yet hungers for connection; someone who has been hurt and who is trying to figure out how to unwrap their identity from the pain. Other people will I'm sure say very intelligent things about the plot (so unique) and the message (I repeat: devastating with a raw hope that hurts almost as much as the painful parts) etc--all I can say is PICK THIS ONE UP. The end.

“They want us to roll over and be good little girls.” In The Wilderness of Girls, Madeline Franklin weaves a spell of a story with lush, intricate prose that will leave readers’ hearts aching for the wild girls, and believing that magic exists, even if not in the way one thinks of it.

This book is for every girl who dreamed of running away to a fairytale world. Who dreamed of learning to slay dragons because the monsters in her life (visible and invisible) are all too real.

I loved everything about it, the multiple perspectives, the memoir excerpts, the character development, and the lyrical almost ethereal quality of the narrative.
The Wilderness of Girls is sheer genius, remarkably written, and an absolutely phenomenal debut.

“The Wilderness of Girls” by Madeline Claire Franklin is a thought provoking novel that you should go into knowing as little as possible - don’t read reviews with heavily detailed summaries of this book. If you are a fan of the tv show Yellowjackets, you’ll love this book.

This young adult mystery will keep you on your toes and have you questioning what you should believe. Although you may complete this book and still have many unanswered questions remaining - this wild ride will be enjoyed and keep you turning the pages trying to piece together this puzzle. Each of the main female characters has a unique story to share that shaped who she has grown to become.

There are deep themes of trauma throughout this book - be prepared to shed some tears and have your heart ache repeatedly. This story shines a light on mental health and the issues that are specifically faced by women in our modern society — gaslighting, assault, Stockholm syndrome, delusions of grandeur … are there any men out there we can trust? Is it really so bad to be wild and free?

Be prepared for an emotional hangover upon completion. This book will resonate with those who carry the shame associated with being a woman, anyone who has ever questioned their reality or had their world shaken by abuse — no matter what draws you into this story, buckle up, because it’s going to be a wild ride.

Thank you so much to NetGalley & Zando for the ARC in exchange for my review.

This book was definitely an experience! It’s a story about sisterhood, trauma, being a young woman in society, and believing in magic. I loved that it kind of blurs the line between fantasy and reality, and as a reader you’re not really sure what’s real or not. Honestly even after finishing I’m still not entirely sure.

Following the “wild girls” as they were forced to assimilate into society was gripping but also heartbreaking and dark at times. Despite the unusual circumstances, the author really showcased the universal struggles that girls deal with growing up. Rhi’s story was especially emotional and I really appreciated her healing journey - shoutout to Uncle Jimmy for being the best side character.

This was a wonderful debut and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author. Thank you to Zando for the ARC!

Is it too early to say that this book is one of my 2024 best reads? The Wilderness of Girls at first reminds me of books with words like wild and girls on the title and its variation, that seemingly belong and is marketed to either fantasy or thriller, but this one is neither. It centers around brave teenage girls and wilderness outside and inside them, literally and figuratively, and how they always find each other. It's bittersweet, thought-provoking, and touching at the same time. I can't help but root for these girls and wish the best for them as they grow.

Eden lives with her uncle after her rich father is arrested, then changes her name to Rhi to leave her life with father and stepmother behind. While she was working part time at Happy Valley Wildlife Preserve, she encounters four mysterious girls and helps the badly injured one, only to find that she would be the fifth princess destined to save Lutheria—according to a male figure the girls called Mother. There is intriguing, close-to-reality mystery side delivered by medical notes and Reddit post and podcast transcript, and then there is enchanting, spine-chilling fantasy side in the "memoir" excerpt of Wild Girls of Happy Valley before they meet Rhi. The limited third point of view featuring the girls' perspectives in turn makes it easy to understand what they experience. And the author surely doesn't shy away from graphic depiction and heavy themes, so check the trigger/content warning out if needed.

I miss an upper YA like this. It brings my memory to some of Deb Caletti's works plus true crime and magic. Rhi and the girls explore how to live in the present and look forward to the future while embracing their past, no matter how heartbreaking it was. The complicated view presented with respect, the sisterly bond of this new found pack, the lyrical writing that gets better the more I flip the page, are not only very enjoyable but also... fulfilling? Like I just savored a really good meal. Rhi is perfect as the main character—likeable, strong, and empathetic. Her personal journey that is eclipsed with her discovery of the girls hits me the most.

It doesn't start well right away, at least for me, as I find it too "telling" like the story is just grasping that the audience is young adult. I'm glad I follow along because it gets more engaging. Though I absolutely love the direction it towards to, I have to say if you go for whodunnit closure and/or actual magical elements taking place, you might be disappointed. The cover is very pretty, though. It nails on hinting its otherworldly dark vibe with a bear trap positioned like a crown. I personally like the title typeface and the forest bluish green/rusty gold contrast.

The blurb mentions Sadie but the criminal aspect isn't that resolved, and also The Hazel Wood but the fantasy aspect is debatable. Maybe this book doesn't need comparison, because on its own it's already gorgeous and complex and neat that I wish I could write something like this.

Such a beautiful and haunting story with lovable and well developed characters that felt so real! It had a few pacing issues but it was overall a very engaging and emotional read.

If you're looking for a poignant, thought-provoking and gripping read with a bit of magic and mystery, i highly recommend picking this up!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me an opportunity to read this ahead of the release.

This is a hauntingly beautifully written book about what it means to believe in fairy tales that a parent tells you.
Its also about friendship, sisterhood, and coming to terms with the reality of what will be once you grow up and no longer believe in fairy tales.

I loved the character Rhi/Eden. So complex, yet still so sweet. So down to earth. She is the main character and bystander as the Wild Girls go through their re-introduction into society.

The author keeps you guessing, wondering if the fairy tales are real or not to the very end.

This is a great book and I think a lot of young women need to read it.

From the first line this book draws you in. A fairytale wth a gutsy heart.
Characters you'll love and will stay with you.
I hope you have the day free - once you start reading, you won't want to put it down.

THE WILDERNESS OF GIRLS is great for fans of the TV show YELLOWJACKETS and Mindy McGinnis's BE NOT FAR FROM ME. While this has thriller aspects, the majority of the story focuses on the inner thoughts and feelings of not only the Wild Girls, but Rhi, the main character and their Wild Girls' fifth "sister." This book touches on many topics from abandonment, adoption, abuse, mental health, etc., but does not make it feel like an "issue" book. Well written and intriguing, readers will want to find out where the Wild Girls came from and if their mythology is true.

Really unique read, enjoyed the characters and the overall story however I really struggled with the pace being too slow and really had to make myself read on. Overall I’m glad I did, but it was hard work which was a shame.

Following her father’s arrest, Rhi is sent to live at the Happy Valley Wildlife Reserve with an uncle she barely knows and whilst in the forest one day she discovers four feral girls guarded by wolves. Rhi forms an instant bond with the girls and the story follows the mystery of their identity, their individual struggles with local media attention and their adjustment to a world outside the literal and metaphorical wilderness.
As Rhi and the Wild girls find their place in modern society, the author examines and challenges how society treats young women and the limited choices they sometimes have in order to cope with a situation they are in due to no fault of their own. The Wilderness of Girls is a triumphant celebration of sisterhood and finding your pack – those people who can be your support system.
I loved this unique debut with its lyrical prose which treads a wavering line between reality and fantasy. Readers should note the trigger warnings before reading.

The Wilderness of Girls is a beautiful journey of self discovery and acceptance despite it all. Our story opens with Eden, numb to her father & stepmother's antics (he is literally getting arrested but he's awful so truly he deserved it) and follows her to Happy Valley, PA to live with her maternal Uncle. The small town's forest ranger, Uncle Jimmy gives Rhi (the artist formerly known as Eden) a part time job at the ranger station. One morning while she is doing a trail check, she is met with 4 girls that will change her life.

I don't want to give too much of the story away because the journey truly is incredible, but the 4 girls the "Wild Girls of Happy Valley" have lived their whole lives in the forest, guided by a man they called Mother. When they meet Rhi, there is confusion all around, and when they are taken to the local hospital the small town erupts with gossip.

I cannot express how much I enjoyed reading this, young girls go through so much and I think many people will see themselves in Rhi and Grace. As we follow the pack, we as readers learn right alongside them that you have to hold on to who you truly are and to not let the world around you pressure you to conform to what they want you to be. My only disappointment was that there was no closure about Mother (and man do I want to know) but I appreciated that it really sent home the message of not living your life for someone else and what they expect you to be.

5 stars for this amazing, fantastic story!
Everyone needs to read this story at least once in life. Such good writing, amazing plots, lovely author!

What a beautiful book.

I love books that straddle (defy?) genre, and this is why. This story is simply too big to fit neatly anywhere. Is it speculative? Contemporary? I’m not sure, and it doesn’t really matter. I love it, just the way it is.

The characters are the heart of the story here and I fell in love with each and every wild girl, especially Rhi, whose revelations broke my heart. I loved everything this book had to say about being a girl in todays world and all the rage and grief that comes along with that. I loved this book and will be reading everything this author writes going forward.

Was waiting for this story for a while. It was everything I expected! Can’t wait to have it on my shelf.

Highly recommend it. 10/10

The plot was very interesting, and I really enjoyed the blur between fantasy and reality. The girls' bond and journeys were enthralling to read about, since I love books with themes of sisterhood.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.