There’s something so captivating about Allison Saft’s writing as it captures the essence of seasons within simple words. She builds whole worlds that are gorgeous and laced with beauty and tinged with touches of cruelty. Where her characters are struggling to be seen, and ultimately connect with something. Every page of this book is filled with yearning, magic, and all of the connections that human beings can make. It illustrates how some broken relationships can be mended, while some are past the point of no return. Wes and Maggie managed to capture my whole heart, and definitely made me long for a mug of hot chocolate by the end. You’ll want to add this book to your TBR. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong, or have been lonely, this book sees you.
A Far Wilder Magic begins with Margaret Welty’s spotting of the hala, the last mythical creature that marks the beginning of the Halfmoon Hunt. Whoever manages to kill the hala during the competition will earn both fame and riches, but Margaret just wants to be able to bring her mom home. Though she’s an expert sharpshooter, she needs an alchemist to be able to enter the competition. Enter, Weston Winters, who’s not quite an alchemist yet. Everything hinges on his ability to be taken on as an apprentice by Master Welty. To his misfortune, the only person at Welty Manor is Margaret and her hound Trouble. Her condition for him to stay: enter the competition with her. As two outsiders, it’s not just about winning the competition, but lasting long enough to survive.
Though this book starts off a little slow, it picks up a few chapters in and develops into a story that centres on themes of trust, family, and building relationships. There’s something comforting about this story, blending historical elements with the allure of alchemy that blend seamlessly into an enchanting world. Each character interaction unearths a bit more about the main characters and their perspectives of the world and themselves. Wes and Trouble are easy to fall in love with, while Margaret takes a moment to warm up to. However, her quiet endurance of her circumstances belies a strength greater than anyone else.
Each time I pick up a book with a sunny boy and a grumpy girl, I smile despite myself. Wes is a charismatic, charming, and incredibly thoughtless young man with a great love for his family. He’s relentless in his pursuit of dreams, but often at the expense of others who don’t usually stay mad for long. Margaret is very practical, no nonsense, and has near impenetrable shields in regards to her feelings. She doesn’t let much show. Even better, when these two characters meet, it isn’t insta-love, but a veritable DISASTER. Every bit of this story is overcoming that first meeting and learning to trust one another. Both of them have trouble with their feelings, and are struggling with loneliness. The one thing that they have in common is that they’re both considered outsiders.
I think this is the first book where I’ve encountered a character who does sharpshooting, and it definitely made me want to learn, if only for the aesthetics (and the fact that I own a bloodhound who would love to go out in the woods to track). With the major focus of this book being the Halfmoon Hunt, I loved every bit of work that went into the preparation for the competition.
Moreover, this book is incredibly atmospheric, delivering the brisk winds of autumn with each turn of the page. I loved the mood that it set, especially as I read it under an overcast sky. Each scene is set against a beautiful backdrop. Especially the ones that centre around Margaret and Trouble. The plot centres around the hunt for a legendary mythical creature, whose death can propel someone to fame and fortune. The way that the myth and magic of this world are entwined makes this story fascinating. Though it’s explained pretty easily, the way that it comes out in the story is elaborate and adds a fascinating element to the story. There are some darker elements to this book. If you’re someone easily triggered by bullying, emotional manipulation/abuse, hate crimes, and prejudice, then you might approach this with caution.
Undoubtedly, this is a 10/10 read for me. Sometimes, the most captivating reads aren’t the ones that have grand battle scenes and come clad in armour. Sometimes, they’re the ones wrapped in tweed, and surrounded by forests and autumnal wind.
A Far Wilder Magic is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
When Margaret Welty spots the legendary hala, the last living mythical creature, she knows the Halfmoon Hunt will soon follow. Whoever is able to kill the hala will earn fame and riches, and unlock an ancient magical secret. If Margaret wins the hunt, it may finally bring her mother home. While Margaret is the best sharpshooter in town, only teams of two can register, and she needs an alchemist.
Weston Winters isn’t an alchemist–yet. Fired from every apprenticeship he’s landed, his last chance hinges on Master Welty taking him in. But when Wes arrives at Welty Manor, he finds only Margaret and her bloodhound Trouble. Margaret begrudgingly allows him to stay, but on one condition: he must join the hunt with her.
Although they make an unlikely team, Wes is in awe of the girl who has endured alone on the outskirts of a town that doesn’t want her, in this creaking house of ghosts and sorrow. And even though Wes disrupts every aspect of her life, Margaret is drawn to him. He, too, knows what it’s like to be an outsider. As the hunt looms closer and tensions rise, Margaret and Wes uncover dark magic that could be the key to winning the hunt – if they survive that long.
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.
