I received this galley in consideration for an honest review.
Beware The Wild by Natalie C. ParkerSeries: Beware The Wild #1
Published by Harper Collins on October 21, 2014
Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal
Goodreads
It's an oppressively hot and sticky morning in June when Sterling and her brother, Phin, have an argument that compels him to run into the town swamp -- the one that strikes fear in all the residents of Sticks, Louisiana. Phin doesn't return. Instead, a girl named Lenora May climbs out, and now Sterling is the only person in Sticks who remembers her brother ever existed. Sterling needs to figure out what the swamp's done with her beloved brother and how Lenora May is connected to his disappearance -- and loner boy Heath Durham might be the only one who can help her.
If you travel around the Gulf Coast or even crack open a book of Cajun folk tales, you will quickly learn that swamps are the keepers of much of the fear of the unknown. Beware The Wild does an excellent job of building on that folklore and weaving a tale about family, control, and the fears with which we all live. The story begins with the a fight between two siblings and a girl, who everyone but Sterling remembers as a member of the family. I have always loved this trope in paranormal fiction. There is something fascinating about being the only one who remembers that really draws me into a story, and Beware the Wild was no exception. Sterling is determined to make everyone remember her brother, but of course that makes her seem even more crazy. She soon finds an ally in Heath, who brings some romance to the story as well as some much needed support for Sterling. The romance was not the main focus of this book, but I enjoyed its presence in the story and Heath’s character.
The writing in Beware The Wild is richly atmospheric, with a baseline level of creepiness that permeates every word and really sets a dark tone to the story, which I really loved. I am always happy when authors don’t shy away from the darkness in their writing, and with kids going missing in the swamps for years, this was a story that could have easily sounded overdone. However, the pitch-perfect storytelling made it into a book that, once started, I could not put down. The swamp seemed to eat at everything that Sterling was, and I loved how her attempt to conquer it, and rescue her brother, felt like a quest for herself as much as her family. I know that Beware The Wild will appeal to fans of paranormal stories, but I think that even if this type of book isn’t your usual read, you should give it a try. The excellent writing and creepiness made it a wonderfully absorbing tale.
Today is your lucky day because I have TWO copies of this fantastic book to give away! I have one signed ARC and one finished copy. There will be two winners, with the first place winner choosing which book they want and second place will receive the remaining book.
You must be 13+ to enter. Open internationally. Contest-only social media accounts will be disqualified.
That is one impressive cover!
I’ve heard so many good things about this book!
Nice cover. Sounds interesting, though.
I am so excited to read this!!! Thanks for the giveaway!
Not sure why I didn’t request this for review because it sounds really creepy and good — adding to the TBR!
Thanks so much for stopping by! Jen @ YA Romantics
Sounds intriguing and fun! Can’t wait to read it!!!
I saw this on Goodreads a whole ago and thought it would be a fun read, particularly since I live in the South.
This sounds so good, and your review makes me want to read it even more. I appreciate your mentioning the level of romance — so tired of that being the focus lately.
I haven’t read a paranormal story in a while but this sounds like the perfect creepy read! Thanks for the review 🙂
Definitely not my usual type of read, but it sounds intriguing!!! I’d love to read more…thanks for the giveaway
I love the cover! I’m very interested in the setting and how it adds to the mystery of the story! 🙂
I absolutely LOVE this cover and this book sounds amazing! Thanks for the giveaway!
THIS COVER! I’ve had this book on my radar since I first heard about it and now that it’s out, I’m dying to get my hands on it. Sounds so, so creepy and disturbing!
The cover for this one is so creepy!
Ms. Parker’s debut is already on my TBR list, and I’m looking forward to checking out her work as soon as I get my mitts on a copy. Thanks for the chance to do so here!
I look forward to reading the book. It sounds great.
I like strange stories, especially about a person only you remember/know about. Proving their existence make a very interesting book.
yes, even the word swamp brings unknown and creepy to mind
Thanks for the giveaway!
I love the mystery in this book, Beware the Wild.
This book has me intrigued. Thanks for the chance to win!
When I first heard about this book I was so excited, but unfortunately it kind of fell off my radar. Glad you loved it, I hope if I read it, I do, too.
Each time I hear something positive about Beware The Wild, I can’t help but be happy about it because I want to read it as much as the people who commented before me do. Each positive review also encourages me to read this book and it reinforces me that I’ll enjoy this story too. I can’t wait to see and read why Beware The Wild is a good creepy story to read before the creepiest holiday is over 😀
Love the cover!!
Thanks fort he INT giveaway.
The premise for this book sounds amazing, and I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway!
I <3333333ed the cover so much and when reading about it… sounds just like a book I would love to read.
Thanks so much for the giveaway and the chance to win <3333
Great review! I’ve heard so many good things about this book and I really want to read it! THE COVER IS AMAZING, I LOVE IT!
Love the cover! Thanks for the giveaway!! 🙂
I love this cover since I saw it on Goodreads.
Heard great things about this one, excited to read it.
Thanks for a giveaway! 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway!
Awesome cover! Thank you for the giveaway!
Love the cover! This is the first time I hear about this book, but it sounds amazing!
Looking forward to reading this book
This book sounds super spooky, which I’m totally craving right now. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity 🙂