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…

If simmering romance between two people with their walls all the way up is your jam, then this book will win your heart…When they eventually let each other in, it’s as satisfying as these things get. …Romantic but not romanticized, A Far Wilder Magic suggests that the true quest isn't hunting the mythical beast, it's finding the truth within yourself.” —NPR.org The last of the day is bleeding out over the mountains, dribbling gutted-red light onto the yard. Once the sun sets completely, it’ll only get colder. She shivered herself sleepless for hours last night, and now everything aches like she’s been folded up in a shoebox. Procrastinating on her least favorite chore isn’t worth feeling like this again tomorrow. The catch is only teams of two are allowed. Margaret is the best shot in town, but she needs an alchemist for a partner. Perhaps Wes can serve a purpose after all. 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… Wes and Margaret’s unfolding romance is subtle and satisfying, and Saft’s prose is vivid and dryly humorous. Fans of Leigh Bardugo’s original Shadow & Bone trilogy will likely enjoy this honest, evocative romance.” — Bulletin for the Center of Children's BooksProbably the thing that I struggled with most– which is totally a me issue– is that the book is written in third person, present tense. I don’t know why I tripped over that so much, but I know it slowed me down in my reading because I kept translating it to past tense in my head and then confusing myself. It took a long time for my brain to get with the program on that one, unfortunately. I meant it when I said there's a life for us-a good one. A country where we don't have to be afraid. A house in the countryside. A whole library full of smutty books and a huge kitchen and seven kids- or no kids- and five hounds just like Trouble. Whatever you want. I swear I'll make it happen. I swear I'll make you happy."😭 Trouble shakes his ears out indignantly when she finally releases him, then dances out of her reach. He stands there, regal head lifted, tongue lolling, one pink ear turned inside out. For the first time in days, she laughs. He does love her; he just hides it well, the proud, dramatic thing. But Margaret loves him plainly and far more than anything else in the world.

YA Fantasy is hit-or-miss for me, but this one worked so well. I think Adult Fantasy readers may enjoy this book too. Readers who want to dip their toes in Fantasy might find this a good place to start as well. Book Genre: Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Fiction, High Fantasy, Historical, Magic, Magical Realism, Romance, Young Adult, Young Adult Fantasy The Plague has left a population divided between Elites and Ordinaries—those who have powers and those who don’t; now, an Ordinary teen fights for her life. A branch snaps at the tree line, loud as gunfire. Margaret whirls toward the sound, maul raised and teeth bared. He hardly spares her a second glance. Margaret sighs with exasperation, her breath steaming in the air. It figures she can’t compete with a scent. Once he grabs ahold of one, he won’t let it go for anything. He’s as good a hunting dog as ever, even if he’s stubborn as an ass half the time.

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Wes’ honest talk about his family situation warms her heart and she finally let him wait for her mother’s return but as soon as she realizes he has enough talent to help her join the hunt, she finally asks for his help. I liked the development of the relationship between Wes and Maggie. Maggie has a hard exterior and comes across unapproachable and at times abrasive. Wes comes across overly confident and charming while hiding all of his insecurities underneath it all. Maggie has a way of seeing Wes for who he really is and all of his posturing. Wes sees how Maggie is truly hurting and how alone she has been all this time. As the two of them work together to win the hunt, they are also slowly healing themselves and recognizing who they are and what they want.

Wes and Margaret's unfolding romance is subtle and satisfying, and Saft's prose is vivid and dryly humorous. Fans of Leigh Bardugo's original Shadow & Bone trilogy will likely enjoy this honest, evocative romance." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

About Kasey

Weston Winters isn’t an alchemist—yet. He's been fired from every apprenticeship he's landed, and his last chance hinges on Master Welty taking him in. But when Wes arrives at Welty Manor, he finds only Margaret. She begrudgingly allows him to stay, but on one condition: he must join the hunt with her.