I enjoyed Down Comes the Night immensely. Talk about an immersive and wonderful setting. So you know I was so excited for A Far Wilder Magic. And you know I was extra intrigued with alchemy AND a sharpshooter. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
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.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
TW: anti-semitism
You’ll always be able to summon me when you tell me about a girl who is a sharpshooter and a boy who is experimenting with alchemy. Alchemy is a topic I will always read about – because hello magic and science – so I instantly loved this element in A Far Wilder Magic. However that was just the beginning. Because the characters in A Far Wilder Magic utterly betwiched me. Talk about such a precious cinnamon roll character of Wes. This book is dual POV so we’re able to see his layers, how fiercely protective he is, but also how idealistic he is.
At the same time, Margaret is isolated and scared of leaving what shreds of security she has. Her relationship with her mom is complex with a capital C. And watching these characters get to know each other, as they’re partnered for a chance at a future, was heart warming. A Far Wilder Magic also features anti-semitism and just a whole heaping load of prejudice against both of them. My heart broke for the ways this treatment of Margaret has forced her to bear it, to harden her heart. All while also feeling Wes’ desire to even the scales, to fight back against the cruelty.
A Far Wilder Magic is full of magic and action. There are shooting competition scenes and plenty of alchemy, but at its core is a character driven heart. When I think about why I loved this book so much, Margaret and Wes are the number 1 reason. On paper they seem like opposites. But in each other they can find slivers of hope and home in each other. It’s a story about resistance to hatred, survival, and the act of joy in the face of intolerance.
(Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links. For more information you can look at the Policy page. If you’re uncomfortable with that, know you can look up the book on any of the sites below to avoid the link)
Find A Far Wilder Magic on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org & The Book Depository.