ARC Review: A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft

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. 

• Title: A Far Wilder Magic
• Author:  Allison Saft
• Publisher: Wednesday Books 
• Publication Date: March 8, 2022
• Genre: Fantasy 
• Source: ARC provided by Publisher/Author in exchange for an honest review)
• Targeted Age Range: YA 
• Content Warnings: antisemitism, animal injury, animal death, gore, grief, mentions of parental death, parental neglect, panic attacks, PTSD, xenophobia 
• Rating: ★★★★★

It’s no secret that I absolutely adored Allison Saft’s debut, Down Comes the Night, so it’s safe to say that A Far Wilder Magic was at the very top of my 2022 anticipated releases list. I know I say that for many 2022 releases, but believe me when I say A Far Wilder Magic is at the very top of my list. I abandoned everything to read it the day I received the ARC in the mail, and told all my friends I wouldn’t be available that evening (back before we were given focus mode — thank you, iOS 15). A Far Wilder Magic is every bit magical, entrancing and enthralling; something that tugs on all of my heartstrings, and is simply so tender. 

Where Down Comes the Night is the perfect winter novel, A Far Wilder Magic has such heavy fall vibes. It’s got strong “sit-by-the-fire, curled up with the dog (or cat), and a warm beverage of your choice” energy, making it the ideal comfort read. It’s got everything that one could possibly want in a novel: stunning prose, an immersive setting, characters and a romance that will steal your heart. 

I was emotional the minute I read the dedication, which reads: “For those with impossible dreams and for those who feel dreaming is impossible. There is so much waiting for you on the horizon.”  Once again, Allison Saft has made me feel things from a simple dedication. 

Saft writes prose like no other. It’s simply so beautiful, and the words of A Far Wilder Magic are sure to linger with me forever. One of my favorite things about fantasy, especially ones set in a historical time period, is being able to imagine yourself in their world. The majority of A Far Wilder Magic takes place in a 1920s inspired seaside town, and a lush forest. From the very first page, I felt transported into the small, coastal town of Wickdon. I could so vividly picture the town, and its people. The town of Wickdon has so much personality that it felt like a character in itself. In fact, the setting of A Far Wilder Magic gave me so much inspiration, that I’ve restarted my Animal Crossing island to create a little coastal town.   

Margaret and Wes have joined the ranks of my favorite fictional characters, and favorite dynamics. With A Far Wilder Magic being told in dual-POV, we really get to learn about their backstories, and the motivations behind their actions. I truly felt for Margaret, and her self-reliant, guarded self. It broke my heart to see her put her own dreams on hold for so long, and the way she constantly fought to get her mom’s approval. She’s colder, grumpier, but only because she’s had to be. And Wes, who is actual human sunshine, golden retriever personified, but has never truly felt known. I loved Saft’s take on the sunshine x grump trope. Both characters are the way they are out of self-preservation, their background, and upbringing. And both of them care with their entire hearts. Both Maggie and Wes are used to taking care of everything, to fend for themselves, and have so much weight on their shoulders. But the way they carry that weight, the way they appear to the world, is completely different, and I just adored that. I loved the way their relationship went from reluctant partners, to friends, to lovers. You could really see the progression of their dynamic as it moved from stage to stage. And who would I be, if I didn’t give a shoutout to Trouble, Maggie’s dog, and the true hero of the story? 

Something else I really appreciated about A Far Wilder Magic was that despite the parental neglect and emotional abuse that Margaret went through, there was no redemption arc for her mother, Evelyn. We got to learn about Evelyn’s own reasoning, but never once is it justified. I found Margaret’s dynamic with Evelyn, and the choices she makes, very powerful. 

The charm in A Far Wilder Magic lies in the internal character development, rather than the overarching hunt. While I had strong suspicions for how the story would turn out, I didn’t particularly care about who won or who lost, after a certain point. What I was rooting for was for Margaret and Wes’ individual character growth, and their healing. I wanted Margaret to learn how to let someone in, to learn that parental approval and acceptance isn’t everything and to finally put herself first. And for Wes, I wanted him to learn that he didn’t have to be that bright light for everyone all the time; he didn’t always have to be charming and charismatic. 

Overall, I absolutely adored A Far Wilder Magic, and cannot wait to reread it once it comes out. Allison Saft has outdone herself yet again, by crafting a hauntingly gorgeous story filled with love, hope, and magic. 

If you want to find out which character from A Far Wilder Magic you are, or if you just want to be dragged by yours truly, I made a little uquiz which you can take here! If you take the uquiz, I’d love to know who you got (and if it was accurate) either in the comments below or on Twitter!

Links for A Far Wilder Magic: Goodreads | TheStorygraph | Bookshop | IndieBound