The Wilderness of Girls

This story was everything I hoped for and more! It ripped apart my soul and pieced the jagged edges back together. Finished, but not quite whole.

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.

Thank you to Netgalley and Zando Young Readers for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

"The Wilderness of Girls" by Madeline Claire Franklin is a well-written and engaging novel that blends fantasy and reality to create a narrative that is nothing short of phenomenal. Before I get into the specifics of the book, I do want to provide a trigger warning for cannibalism (described in detail) as well as SA and suicide.

The book resonates with every person who has dreamed of escaping to a fairytale world, battling real-life monsters. The multiple perspectives, memoir excerpts, character development, and the lyrical quality of the narrative contribute to storytelling. While the shifts between POVs could be a bit disorienting at times in the beginning of the novel before the different characters’ names and personalities are established, I really enjoyed experiencing the perspectives of many of the characters, especially the wild girls. The book's brilliance is underscored by its remarkably written prose, marking Madeline Claire Franklin as an author to watch.

The highlights of this book for me revolve around the main character, Rhi, who is torn between belief and skepticism, becomes entangled in the authenticity and sisterhood of the wild girls. Throughout the entire book, both the reader and Rhi are faced with the question: “is the magic and other world real?” I will say that the answer is found at the end of the book, and I found it perfect in wrapping up the story of Rhi and the other girls.

The book is full of healing and has a focus on mental health and sisterhood. If you find yourself connecting with Rhi, then maybe this book can help heal something in you. This is both a heartbreaking and empowering novel filled with the inner strength of women and feminism.

Madeline Claire Franklin's debut is a triumph, showcasing her storytelling prowess and leaving an indelible mark on readers. This is a must-read for those who seek stories that resonate for quite awhile after finishing the book.

A poignant, beautiful story of six girls that is teeming with sisterhood, heart and feral, angry energy.

The Wilderness of Girls follows Rhi, a teenager desperate for a fresh start with her uncle working at the Happy Valley Wildlife Preserve. When she goes into the woods she finds a pack of wolves guarding four feral, majestic girls. Rhi gains their trust and they claim they’re princesses from another land, raised by a magical prophet to save their magical world. And as a great shock to Rhi, they believe she’s their lost fifth sister. Journalists, true crime fans, and everyone is fascinated with the story of the girls and everyone is desperate to know the truth. Rhi bonds with the girls and questions if they’re truly telling the truth or deluded. She hunts for the truth along with the wild girls and secrets and twists are revealed that impact each girl greatly.

The Wilderness of Girls beautifully toes a line of fantasy or reality with an impeccable mystery and truly lovely characters. This novel encapsulates so much of how modern society views women and I absolutely adored watching the girls turn it all on its head. I loved Rhi and was so drawn in by her story and the heavy past weighing her down. The girls were so intriguing to read about as they tried to assimilate into society and I was so enraptured to read more. My heart broke with so many scenes but was stitched up together by the end.

The author crafted a truly beautiful story of sisterhood, mental health, and support with such a well done hook. I was honestly unsure where the novel would go even to the very end. I would highly recommend picking this book up. It’s gorgeous and captivating and really unique.

I loved the ethereal narrative of this book. Everything felt so magical and engrossing.

The Wilderness of Girls is such a well written book with fantastical elements.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

Sweet goodness this one was absolutely amazing !!!!! i adored this one so much. there was so many good factors, such a lyrical narrative. thanks for the ARC zando

WOW. Every once in a while there is a book that just resonates with your heart and soul. This book is it. A beautifully sad, hopeful, and raw book. I loved everything about it.

Who doesn't want to read about feral girls entering society? I was pulled into the storyline immediately and couldn't wait to see how it played out. The writing was fantastic.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Wilderness of Girls is an incredibly thought-provoking YA book. Our main character Eden/Rhi has gone through a lot before the beginning of the book, and while for the first half or so of the book, I struggled a little bit to connect with her, I really liked her by the end of the book. I liked all of the Wild Girls, too, especially Sunder. One think I really appreciated about this story, which I typically have disliked in previous books I've read, was the way that not everything was perfectly wrapped at the end. There are still some questions that are left unanswered, but I think that only made the story and what all five of the girls were going through that much more realistic.

First and foremost, this book ripped my heart out and gave me an emotional hangover. This was a fantastic novel, full of magic, trauma, found family, healing, and love. These girls fighting not to be put in the box and fighting to get out of the box that society tries to put them in was beautifully written. Find yourself a pack, love your pack and let your pack take care of you when you need it! If you need a book that will resonate with you for a long time, this one might be perfect.

Make sure you check the trigger warnings before you dive in to this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! I really enjoyed this book and will be adding it to our library's teen section when published. This was lyrical and haunting, and I really loved Rhi's story. I think the teens in my community will love this one!

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book.*

TW for: pedophilia, sexual abuse, child abuse, cannibalism,...

"The Wilderness of Girls" is quite the wild ride. It's about Eden who after having been taken to live with her uncle takes on the name Rhi(annon), finds a bunch of girls in the forest when she's helping her uncle out. The girls, four of them, seem to have lived in a castle in a forest all their lives, protected (?) by a man they call Mother. Rhi's own traumatic past and her very nature make the girls trust her and think that she's the promised fifth princess of their realm to which they must return.

But as fantastical as this sounds, not everything adds up, the girls of various ages and ethnicities find that they cannot cope with the modern world. Their strong kinship starts to crumble. One of them finds out that she has a twin sister and that she had been stolen as an infant. The sisters begin to drift apart. Rhi too finds that she cannot run from her past forever and fleeing to a magical kingdom might not solve her problems after all.

This novel was extremely interesting and kept me at the tip of my toes, really. I didn't really know what to think, wasn't sure what was real and what was not. But the way the novel focussed on trauma and abuse suffered as a child and teen was quite well done albeit brief overall. The reader can sense that something is off with Rhi but she herself doesn't even allow herself to think about it for the majority of the book. She's also too caught up in the chaos, publicity, interest and emotional turmoil that is being caused by the girls showing up in the forest at the edge of town. I also liked that her uncle was just a really good guy, overall, how refreshing. And some queer rep too but not overly much.

I really enjoyed this book, it was so very wild, almost like a dream in parts.

When Eden finds 4 wild girls that live with wolves, she finds a place where she finally fits.
In this book you will follow her struggles against herself and wondering if she did the right thing by taking the girls out of the wild.

I read this mostly because it filled a prompt for the 52 Book Club reading challenge, but I ended up really enjoying it! I thought the characters were strong, and I really liked the perspective shift that the wild girls experienced when they entered the big wide world with the internet and body standards and all the other things that come with not living feral in the woods. I liked all the character arcs and I liked how not everything was explained at the end, because not everything needs to be! Totally did a spit-take at the transcription of the Subway Surfer-in-the-background commentary video, I was not expecting that but it was so real.

Strong 4/5 stars will recommend!

An engaging story with a mix of fantasy, trauma, and messages about societies impact on women. A good book and difficult to describe. Thank you tom#NetGalley and the publisher for a DRC.

I can't read this PDF file on my kindle...which means I can't read it. But what I made out of the first chapter - with a lot of squinting - was great, and I look forward to reading the finished copy!

As soon as I read the synopsis I immediately got Yellowjackets vibes and knew I had to read this book, and it certainly did not disappoint

Like Yellowjackets, it's not completely clear if the wilderness magic is real or not. Logic says it shouldn't be, but there are things that are hard to explain as pure coincidence. At one point I worried that this book would go info full fantasy, but I liked that it kept the lines blurred because in the end it doesn't matter if the magic is real or not, what matters is the very real bond between the girls and what they decide to make of their lives

I liked that we got to see each main character's perspective and the different ways they navigated this strange new world. Towards the start of the book I found them hard to tell apart but as it went on they each developed a more distinctive identity as they forged their new path, while still keeping their close connection

I definitely recommend this book, and look forward to checking out the author's future work

To say I'm floored would be the understatement of the century. Madeline Claire Franklin's THE WILDERNESS OF GIRLS is fierce and feral and lyrical and utterly, utterly raw in the best possible way.

First book of the year to make me cry.

10/10 one of my favourite YA thrillers ever.

4 girls living in the woods are discovered by another girl doing trail work. When brought out to the 'real' world, the wild girls aren't the victims you might think, but they believe in the magic that Mother told them about. They think they are the saviors of another land, and the girl who found them is the 5th princess. As the 'wild' girls begin integrating into the world, they struggle with giving up the dream of their wild life and their destiny. They form a tight bond with the girl who found them and one of the wild girl's twin sister. The girls are empowered, and brave, and scared, and so strong. Their bond helps one address the abuse they suffered in powerful and touching ways. This book is for those who dreamed in childhood of escape, who dreamed of finding the friends who would be their fictive kin, who love stories of strong empowered women.

Reader note: This book discusses suicide, sexual abuse of a minor, and restrictive eating. It also includes foster care, though it does portray it in its most idealistic version.

Highly recommend this book for a great story, characters you want to be part of your family, and a heart-wrenching journey of recovery and finding family.

I really, really loved this. Gorgeous prose and intense, hard hitting themes make this a book I’ll be thinking about for a long time. The fairytale-true crime mix felt so unique but was done so well. I highly recommend this one!

I expected this to be fantasy, or a dark fantasy, which is not really my thing, but it isn't. It is a tragic and realistic story about pain and loss.
I loved Jimmy and his cat. I loved how free Rhi felt with him and his cat. I love how she appreciated his untidiness.
The girls are lovely and relatable characters. I love the way the media is portrayed and their journey back into the modern world.
I just loved everything about this book. It was exactly what I needed. The girls are fierce! I also love the names of all the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for an arc in return for my honest review.

This debut is beautiful. What appears to be a fantastical, even sweet fairytale exterior, is in fact a pretty dark and emotionally fraught interior in this story of the Wild girls. While, for me, the pacing was on the slow side until after the halfway mark, the payoff is soooo rewarding. The themes in this story hit real hard but they are done very well. Throughout the story you think you know whether the magic is true or not but then slowly you begin to think the other way….and then your opinion changes again. The author does a nice job of playing with what you think you know. But where I think the story excels is in the characters’, sisters, relationship. It’s sweet, beautiful, honest, and as a reader you are rooting for all of them equally. I think it can be difficult to make a reader love all the characters, but it’s possible in this one. Definitely a debut writer to watch.

"No one fucking listens to teenage girls."

This is beautiful. A really wonderous story about four girls found in the wild and the girl who found them. We have found family, literal found family, and all the struggles that come with both. I really enjoyed the "true crime" element and mixed media aspect of the story, and honestly wish it hade been a bigger part of the book. I really wanted to know more about Mother. However, I do think the ending is pretty open ended regarding what actually happens which I think is nice for readers- even if in this instance I did want more answers.

The characters all felt distinct and relatable in different ways and together their stories cover many issues that teenagers are facing.

The writing is stunning and it definitely has that fairytale vibe about it. Super excited to see what Franlin does next.

The Wilderness of Girls by Madeline Claire Franklin is a book I will be thinking about for a while. It dealt with some really heavy issues, but it never felt overly preachy.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

This was absolutely breathtaking. The Wilderness of Girls was about grief, family, love, loss, and how magic can survive in a world that doesn’t believe in it. It was unique and real and raw — I felt like I was actually going through the journey that the girls were on. I don’t even have the words to accurately describe this other than it feels like it ripped my soul apart and then carefully sewed the pieces back together with love. This felt like “the princess saved herself” stories, except the princesses also had an entire support system to help them through the process. While I wanted what was best for the girls, I was also clinging to hope and magic until the very end. Easily my favorite book of the year. 5/5⭐.