It was magic, it has characters well build, it has personal growth.. And it's not very long.. It gave me One Piece vibes with the quest they had to do and we have 4 friends, it was funny really making that comparison but still it feed the need of any fantasy lover so only for that this book is a solid 4 to me

**Review of *Savage Wild* by Hope Gordon**

Hope Gordon’s *Savage Wild* is an enchanting foray into a vividly imagined world brimming with adventure, magic, and personal growth. Set in the captivating Pantmawr Valley, the novel follows Badger and his mischievous friends as they embark on a daring journey that tests their bravery and character.

The story begins with a lighthearted misadventure when Badger and his friends, driven by curiosity and a touch of reckless ambition, decide to sample a mysterious plant known as Wild Fruit. What starts as a harmless escapade quickly spirals into a life-threatening ordeal, forcing Badger to seek the help of a Divine specialist in the far-flung Savage Wilds. The journey that ensues is fraught with danger, discovery, and profound revelations about their unique world.

Gordon’s world-building is exceptional, creating a richly detailed setting that feels both expansive and immersive. The Vast United Continent is a tapestry of colorful landscapes and intriguing cultures, making the journey through its realms as thrilling as it is visually stunning. The meticulously crafted map mentioned in the advance praise is not merely a backdrop but a gateway into a world that feels alive and dynamic.

The characters in *Savage Wild* are another highlight. Badger and his friends are endearing and well-developed, each with their distinct personalities and flaws. Their growth throughout the novel is both genuine and relatable. Gordon avoids the trap of creating perfect heroes; instead, her characters are flawed and complex, which adds depth to their interactions and personal journeys. Even the adult characters are portrayed with nuance, showcasing their imperfections and the need for compromise and understanding.

The novel’s themes of stepping out of one’s comfort zone and embracing life’s challenges are woven seamlessly into the narrative. Badger’s quest is not just a physical journey but a metaphorical one, emphasizing the importance of facing fears and pursuing growth. This message is both inspiring and accessible, resonating with readers of all ages.

The magical elements of the story are skillfully integrated into the plot, adding layers of intrigue and wonder. The consequences of consuming the Wild Fruit and the subsequent adventures in the Savage Wilds are imaginative and engaging, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

Overall, *Savage Wild* is a delightful read that combines whimsical adventure with meaningful themes. Hope Gordon’s ability to create a vibrant world and complex characters makes this novel a compelling start to what promises to be an exciting series. Whether you are a young reader or simply young at heart, this book offers an inviting escape into a world where magic and personal growth go hand in hand.

Savage War by Hope Gordon
This eARC was provided by NetGally and Hope Gordon. Thank you for the opportunity to review.

Savage War is an adorable middle grade novel that sits at 208 pages. It follows four friends: Badger, Willow, Piranha (Pir), and Sharp. Each friend resides in a different region and inherits a specific type of magic because of it. They journey together to find the Wild Fruit, a forbidden enhancer for magic, and typical magical hijinks ensue.

I loved how the characters worked together as they stumbled and overcame obstacles. There was never a point where I thought one character would be left behind, as they all took care to lift one another up, even after mistakes were made.

While I found the prose to be a bit stilting for MG, the beginning of the story starts off both too slow (the pacing) and too fast (Gordon throws you right into action without any time to learn the characters and understand their world, necessary exposition for MG), but the story and premise fulfilled every promise the summary gave. It was cute. It was wholesome. Perfect for any middle grade fantasy lover.

What I Loved
The story centers around four friends—Badger, Willow, Piranha (Pir), and Sharp—each having unique powers inherited from their regions. Their friendship and the way they support each other through thick and thin are heartwarming and inspirational.

One of the highlights was how well the characters’ personalities were portrayed. Gordon’s skillful writing brought them to life spectacularly. The friendships between the characters are authentic and wholesome. Moreover, the quick tempo of the narrative kept me captivated, especially as the story reached its climax.

A powerful message conveyed in the book is that personal growth is often achieved by pushing beyond our comfort zones, something I struggle with as an adult. This theme urges you to embrace life fully and not succumb to fear—a powerful takeaway for young readers.

What Didn’t Resonate With Me
While there is much to love about “Savage Wild”, there were a few aspects that didn’t resonate with me as strongly. The book’s beginning is slow, but the story eventually picks up. Once it did, however, it maintained a thrilling pace until the end.

Another point of contention was the lack of exposition at the start. The story jumped right into the action, leaving little room for initial scene setting or character introduction. Although this approach may appeal to some readers, I felt it could benefit from a bit more groundwork to help readers connect with the world and characters from the outset.

Characters
The characters in “Savage Wild” are one of its strongest assets. Badger, Willow, Piranha, and Sharp form a delightful group with diverse backgrounds and powers. Their distinct voices and personalities add depth to the story, making their adventures even more compelling.

Badger, the apparent leader, shows resilience and a strong sense of responsibility. Willow brings a nurturing and calming presence to the group. Piranha, with her fierce and adventurous spirit, adds excitement, while Sharp’s intelligence and strategic thinking often guide the friends through tough situations. Together, they complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses, demonstrating the value of teamwork and friendship.

The supporting characters, including the adults, are also well-developed, each contributing meaningfully to the plot and the protagonists’ growth.

Tropes and Themes
“Savage Wild” incorporates several familiar tropes and themes that are effectively woven into the narrative. The coming-of-age journey, the quest, and the battle between good and evil are central elements that drive the story forward.

Friendship and responsibility are the dominant themes, illustrated through the protagonists’ interactions and challenges. The book emphasizes the importance of supporting friends, acknowledging mistakes, and learning from them. It also explores the concept of using one’s abilities and circumstances to shape one’s destiny, rather than being defined by them.

Conclusion
“Savage Wild” by Hope Gordon is a magical adventure that middle-schoolers and young teenagers will adore. It’s a book that I would have loved as a young reader and still find joy in today. Despite a slow start and a lack of initial exposition, the book’s strengths lie in its vibrant characters, fast-paced plot, and wholesome themes.

I highly recommend adding this book to kids (and adults young at heart) looking for feel-good fantasy adventures centered around friendship and personal growth. If you enjoy epic fantasies with heartwarming friendships and thrilling quests, “Savage Wild” is a wonderful choice!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!

Wild Fruit is forbidden for those as young as Badger and his friends. There is always a risk of danger when eating it. But surely it couldn’t be as bad as the rumors say? Yet when Badger and friends cause hijinks to acquire Wild Fruit, they could never predict what would happen. While each of them carries a power, when they bite into the fruit it amplifies their abilities, and for some, it will forever change them.

Savage Wild is such a wholesome tale. This is the perfect beginner fantasy novel for young adults. The friendships between Badger and his friends are so heartwarming. They support one another, and their strengths and weaknesses pair so well. Even when one makes a mistake, the others try to make them feel better by acknowledging the mistake, but not letting them dwell on it. These characters are certainly the friends you want to continue having adventures with.

And adventures they have! Each step of the journey is filled with picturesque imagery. The forest seems majestic as they travel into the wilds. But what starts as a simple quest to find a friend, turns into a fight for the throne. Little do the friends know, the wilds are in an uproar as two opposing sides seek to become king. Badger and his friends will unwittingly be swept into the battle and have to use their combined strength to make it through.

Savage Wild has a wonderful array of representations. It is also one of those tales that while it does deal with darker elements, the characters make it easier to read. And it has great themes underlying the story such as friendship and learning how to carry increasing responsibility.

A great start to what could be a super series. Badger and his friends are so diverse but relatable that you want to look out for them. Their journey has many twists and turns drive the story on without being too unbelievable. Great rich world building.

Savage Wild by Hope Gordon is a magical, adventurous beginning to a colorful new world! This book follows four friends, each with their own sets of powers inherited from the region they come from. Badger, Willow, Piranha (Pir), and Sharp are a wonderful friend group from a myriad of backgrounds who get into mischief together, until one day, their mischief sets into motion the journey that will change all their lives, and the world in which they live. Together, they must determine who they can trust and what choices to make as they are thrust into the spotlight of turmoil that has long been festering in the Savage Wild.

Hope Gordon has created a vibrant world that I, for one, am excited to see our characters traverse as they continue their journey. Her characters are distinct and lovable, without falling into the traps of being 'perfect'. Even the adults in this book have their faults and must do their best to overcome them, offering their own apologies and compromises when it comes to working with and forming relationships with the main quartet.

Badger grapples with new responsibilities while learning more about a side of his family and heritage he hasn't had much exposure to. Willow works to make the world a better place through his music, his mischief, and his friendship, even in the face of distrust. Pir is there for their friends and works to gain a better understanding of the world around them, Sharp wants to protect her friends and live up to her role as a Warrior, even though it requires hard choices for her to make. Each member of the quartet has their own 'little destinies' that have just barely begun, and it will be a joy to see them work through them, together and separately, as their story continues.

The twists in the story are well done and not overly surprising because of the hints sprinkled throughout! One reveal managed to surprise me because I'd taken the hints to be for a different reveal. After having finished the book, however, I can't imagine that reveal going any other way!

I appreciated the message that, although we may not always be able to choose what happens to us, we can choose how to use our abilities and circumstances to reach the future we envision. Our circumstances and backgrounds don't define us! We define who we are ourselves.

Personally, I found the beginning to be bit fast-paced and would have preferred more of an introduction to the world and characters before the inciting incident, but the rest of the book more than makes up for it.

This just the type of book I would have absolutely adored as a middle-schooler and young teenager, and still find joy in today. I would highly recommend adding it to class libraries if any educators are looking for magical adventure books centering around a group of friends in a vivid world!

To kick things off, this marks my debut as an ARC reader, which adds an exciting new dimension to my reading journey. I'm grateful for the opportunity to dive into this book in advance. What immediately captured my interest was the description, especially its emphasis on friendship and adventure. The cover art beautifully accentuated the dynamic presence of the protagonists, sparking even more curiosity.

It was the meticulously crafted map that won me over. Upon seeing it, I knew I was in for a treat. I appreciated how each character's personality was vividly portrayed, bringing them to life in a spectacular manner. While I found the pacing a bit slow at the start, it quickly intensified as the ending approached.

Delving deeper into the book, the message that resonated with me is the importance of stepping out of our comfort zones for personal growth. It emphasizes the value of further exploration, urging me (as a reader) to embrace life fully without succumbing to fear.

I found the storyline and plot engaging. If not for a few spelling errors and a section where the paragraph seemed disjointed, I would have rated it 5/5. However, considering it's an ARC, I understand these issues. I still believe it's worth recommending and I’m eagerly waiting for the next installment in the series.