A far wilder magic Magic has always captivated human imagination and inspired countless stories and legends. From the spells of ancient wizards to the enchanted creatures of fairy tales, magic has the power to transport us to a realm that is far beyond our ordinary existence. But what if there is a kind of magic that surpasses all our known conceptions? A far wilder magic that exists in the deepest corners of our universe, waiting to be discovered? Science has made tremendous progress in unraveling the mysteries of our world, but there are still phenomena that defy explanation. Perhaps this is where the realm of a far wilder magic begins. It is a magic that lies beyond the boundaries of our understanding, waiting for us to explore and decipher its secrets. In the vast expanse of our universe, there are phenomena that challenge our perception of reality.
In A Far Wilder Magic, Allison Saft has written an achingly tender love story set against a deadly hunt in an atmospheric, rich fantasy world that will sweep you away.
Audrey Coulthurst, author of Of Fire and Stars With its lush 1920s-inspired world and heart-wrenchingly human characters, A Far Wilder Magic will leave readers spellbound as they join Margaret and Wes on the hunt of a lifetime. With devastatingly gorgeous prose, intricate worldbuilding, and an utterly original plot, Saft weaves a love story that will tear you apart and then stitch you whole again.
In the vast expanse of our universe, there are phenomena that challenge our perception of reality. Black holes, for instance, are immense gravitational forces that can bend space and time, devouring everything that crosses their path. They are celestial objects of such immense power and mystery that they seem to defy the laws of physics.
Review of A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft
When an email popped into my inbox one day and I saw the words “rich and tender YA fantasy romance”, I was sold immediately. Then I went on to look at the plot and discovered a new title that I just had to read, A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft.
Publisher: Orion Children’s
Genre: YA fantasy
Length: 320 pages
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher
Link: Goodreads
Spice Rating: 🌶
Synopsis
In the dark, gothic town of Wickdon, Maggie Welty lives in an old creaking manor. Maggie’s mother is an alchemist who has recently left town, leaving Maggie with just her bloodhound for company. But when Maggie spots a legendary ancient fox-creature on her porch, her fate is changed forever. Whoever tracks down and kills the hala in the Halfmoon Hunt will earn fame and riches – and if Maggie wins the hunt, she knows her mother will want to celebrate her. This is her chance to bring her home.
But the rules state that only teams of two can join the hunt, and while Maggie is known as the best sharpshooter in town, she needs an alchemist.
Enter Wes Winters. He isn’t an alchemist … yet. Fired from every apprenticeship he’s landed, this is his last chance.
Maggie and Wes make an unlikely team – a charismatic but troubled boy, and a girl who has endured life on the outskirts of a town that never welcomed her. But as the hunt takes over, the pair are drawn together as they uncover a darker magic that may put everything they hold dear in peril…
Content warnings: animal death, abuse, violence, hate crimes, antisemitism, death, parental neglect, xenophobia
My review of A Far Wilder Magic
The thing that initially drew me into this story from page one, aside from the promise of a top tier fantasy romance of course, was the writing. Allison Saft effortlessly wove together an atmospheric and enthralling tale. It was all too easy to imagine a dark and gothic Wickdon, the dense woodlands surrounding an ageing manor, and our two main characters, brought together over their need to win the Halfmoon Hunt.
The grumpy vs. sunshine character trope is one of my all time favourites, and I was living for that in A Far Wilder Magic. From the moment they met, Maggie was clearly exasperated with Wes, finding him more a hindrance than a help. But, he soon found a place at Welty Manor and the pair begrudgingly found comfort in one another.
“When she looks like this, flushed and hazy and haloed by the moon, he truly can believe God exists, and her name is Margaret Welty”
Over time, Wes and Maggie became more drawn to each another and I loved seeing their relationship develop. From Maggie helping Wes to read, to him teasing her about the smutty books she reads, their friendship blossomed into the sweetest slow burn romance, and it felt perfect to me. Also bonus points for the “he falls first and is infatuated” trope too!
Though Maggie and Wes were both isolated and lonely, each of them dealt with their feelings differently. For Maggie, keeping her distance and maintaining the manor for when her mother returns is how she best survives. And Wes, with a smile for everyone and not shy of engaging in a (not so subtle) flirt, his easygoing manner hid how heavy his responsibilities lay on his shoulders.
Wes is part of a large family who are heavily involved in other’s lives. Ever since his father died he had to take care of his mother and sisters, though he definitely did crave some time apart from them. Maggie, having been abandoned by her mother, had been isolated and alone for quite some time, arguably feeling that way even before her mother left. She was quickly swept up by the Winters family and I loved that she felt included from the very first time they meet.
Admittedly, I’ve never been great with science, and with Wes being an alchemist and the hunt relying on this quite heavily, it was a major theme of the novel. But, though I can’t say I understood every instance, it definitely didn’t draw me out of the story. In fact, I probably would have liked to read more of it, along with learning more about the hala and the lore surrounding the hunt.
“Whatever you want, I swear I’ll make it happen. I swear I’ll make you happy”
It’s also important to note that another major theme of the book is prejudice and xenophobia, towards Maggie and Wes for their beliefs and birthplace. Both characters feel shunned by the townsfolk, with slurs and physical violence used against them. While I can’t speak for any accuracy, it does read that Margaret is a Jewish-coded character and Wes being Irish Catholic-coded.
While the plot was interesting, this, for me personally, felt like much more a character exploration. The hunt itself for the hala only really occurred around the 90% mark, so while I would liked to have read more about it, I did enjoy following the characters along their journeys.
A Far Wilder Magic is an enchanting read about finding yourself and where, and with who, you belong. Packed with vivid descriptions, a tangible atmosphere, tenderness and longing, I’m still thinking about this book long after I closed the last page.
Pub day: March 8, 2022
Is it possible that within these enigmatic cosmic entities lies a far wilder magic that our human minds cannot comprehend? Beyond the boundaries of our own galaxy, there are countless other galaxies that hold the secrets of the universe. These distant cosmic islands, composed of billions of stars, are home to phenomena that are even more perplexing. Quasars, for example, are the brightest objects in the universe, emitting enormous amounts of energy that outshine entire galaxies. They are believed to be powered by supermassive black holes at their centers. What if these supermassive black holes hold the key to a far wilder magic that we have yet to understand? In the field of quantum physics, there are also several phenomena that challenge our conventional understanding of reality. Quantum entanglement, for instance, is a phenomenon where two particles become inextricably linked, regardless of the distance between them. This instantaneous connection between particles, which defies the limits of the speed of light, has puzzled scientists for decades. Could this be an example of a far wilder magic that exists on a subatomic level? Our world is full of wonders that extend far beyond our current comprehension. Whether it is the mysteries of the universe or the intricacies of the quantum realm, there is a far wilder magic that awaits our exploration. It is a magic that defies our understanding, challenges our perceptions, and invites us on a journey of discovery. As we continue to push the boundaries of knowledge, we may just uncover a world of magic that is far wilder than anything we have ever imagined..
Reviews for "The Power of the Untamed: Exploring the Unpredictability of Wild Magic"
1. Emma - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "A Far Wilder Magic". The plot was all over the place and didn't make much sense. The characters were also very one-dimensional and lacked depth. I had a hard time connecting with any of them. The writing style was also quite lacking, with repetitive phrases and poor grammar. Overall, this book was a major letdown for me and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. John - 1 star
I found "A Far Wilder Magic" to be incredibly boring. The story dragged on and on without any real direction. The author tried to create a mysterious atmosphere, but it just ended up being confusing. The pacing was off and there were too many unnecessary details that didn't add anything to the plot. I struggled to finish this book and was left feeling unsatisfied. I wouldn't waste my time with it.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high expectations for "A Far Wilder Magic", but unfortunately, it fell short. The world-building was weak and lacked depth, making it difficult to fully visualize the setting. The author also introduced too many characters without properly developing them, which made it hard to keep track of who was who. The plot had potential, but it was executed poorly, with several loose ends left unresolved. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and wouldn't recommend this book to others.
4. Mark - 1 star
I couldn't stand "A Far Wilder Magic". The writing was amateurish and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The characters were unlikeable and behaved in ways that made no sense. The author clearly didn't put much effort into crafting a cohesive story and it showed. The pacing was all off, with scenes that dragged on for too long and others that felt rushed. This book was a complete waste of my time and I regret reading it.