Release Date: August 3rd, 2021
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 352
Synopsis
From William C. Morris Finalist Nafiza Azad comes a thrilling, feminist fantasy about a group of teenage girls endowed with special powers who must band together to save the life of the boy whose magic saved them all.
Meet the Wild Ones: girls who have been hurt, abandoned, and betrayed all their lives. It all began with Paheli, who was once betrayed by her mother and sold to a man in exchange for a favor. When Paheli escapes, she runs headlong into a boy with stars in his eyes. This boy, as battered as she is, tosses Paheli a box of stars before disappearing.
With the stars, Paheli gains access to the Between, a place of pure magic and mystery. Now, Paheli collects girls like herself and these Wild Ones use their magic to travel the world, helping the hopeless and saving others from the fates they suffered.
Then Paheli and the Wild Ones learn that the boy who gave them the stars, Taraana, is in danger. He’s on the run from powerful forces within the world of magic. But if Taraana is no longer safe and free, neither are the Wild Ones. And that…is a fate the Wild Ones refuse to accept. Ever again.
Review
Thank you to Turn the Page Tours and author Nafiza Azad for sending me a copy of The Wild Ones in exchange for an honest review. The rest of the tour schedule can be found below!
The Wild Ones is just beautiful inside and out. I knew from my first look at the cover that this was going to be a book I loved. From the heartbreaking beginning to the satisfying conclusion, this book held my undivided attention. Azad’s unique prose coupled with the ‘found family’ theme definitely weighed heavy on heart. None of our main characters has had an easy life before becoming one of ‘The Wild Ones’ and we are slowly introduced to each of them with excerpts from their ‘Book of Memories’. These memory excerpts allowed for a gentle break from the journey the girls are on. The story itself was awe-inspiring and fast paced. I couldn’t wait to get to the next chapter of this book. The story read like an old fairytale and was every bit as exciting. The side characters were well-described and interesting and the settings allowed you to travel the world without leaving your bedroom. Azad’s emphasis on food in each of the locations was such a nice touch and honestly made my mouth water as well.
Our OG ‘Wild One’, Paheli, was my favorite character in the book. She is the first MC that we meet and her story starts this rollercoaster of emotion that doesn’t end until the conclusion of this story. We see Paheli experience pain, hope, determination, and fear along with her fellow sisters. It made me want a happy ending for them all so much. Their experiences and their powers couldn’t have been written any better. I wish there was more to these girls’ story, but I am so extremely happy to have read this nonetheless.
Mood Board
Meet the Author
Nafiza Azad is a self-identified island girl. She has hurricanes in her blood and dreams of a time she can exist solely on mangoes and pineapple. Born in Lautoka, Fiji, she currently resides in British Columbia, Canada where she reads too many books, watches too many K-dramas, and writes stories about girls taking over the world. Her debut YA fantasy was the Morris Award–nominated The Candle and the Flame. The Wild Ones is her second novel.
Turn the Page Tours Schedule: The Wild Ones
August 1st
Turn the Page Tours – Welcome Post
Clouded Galaxy Reads – Review
Justice for Readers – Review & Mood Board
August 2nd
The Fictional Journal – Favorite Quotes
The Litt Librarian – Review
Lily’s Cozy Blog – Review & Favorite Quotes
August 3rd
JD’s Book Journal – Review & Favorite Quotes
Thindbooks Blog – Review
A Cottage of Words – Review & Mood Board
August 4th
Uponthebooktower – Review, Mood Board & Book Playlist
She Reads Again – Review
Fountain of Books – Review, Mood Board, Book Playlist & Favorite Quotes
August 5th
Diary of a Bookgirl – Review & Mood Board
HerBookishObsession – Review & Mood Board
In Vogue with Books – Review & Favorite Quotes
August 6th
Binded by Letters – Review & Favorite Quotes
Books, Reviews, and Procrastination – Review & Favorite Quotes
Noted – Review & Favorite Quotes
August 7th
DJREADSBOOKS – Review & Book Playlist
Read with Holy – Review
Novel Sistah Reads the World – Book Playlist
Daniyal’s World – Review & Favorite Quotes
Check out my other blog posts here!
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