Review: A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft

~ Thank you to Macmillan and Wednesday Books/St. Martin's Press for sending me an early copy in exchange for an honest review! (Any quotes in this review are subject to change, as this is an ARC.) RELEASE DATE: March 8, 2022 ~

But if lust is so perverse, why would God make girls like Margaret?

Buckle up everyone, if you're looking for a fantasy romance that's actually a romance, this one's for you. It took me a little bit to get into this story, but only because it was slightly different than I was expecting. I thought it would focus on the hunt, and then have aspects of the romance and emotional arcs of the characters. It's kind of the opposite, but that is totally not a bad thing. So, if you're going into this book, expect a deep exploration into the emotional arcs of Margaret and Wes and the slow-burn conversion of them from strangers to lovers. They both bring a LOT of baggage to the table, especially Margaret, but that makes it all the more satisfying by the end.

I love so many elements of this story. The fall, forest setting in a seaside town was exquisite--I literally highlighted so many of the descriptions. I also loved how Saft handled Margaret's relationship with her mother. Was it frustrating to read at times? Of course, but again, it made it all the more satisfying at the end. I don't like when books portray an emotionally abusive parent and end with the message "but I still loved her because she's family," and luckily this book most certainly did not do that. Yes, Margaret still struggled with the idea, but in the end, she stands up for herself.

Wes was also really funny. I don't think I was quite as attached to his emotional arc, but I still loved him as a love interest. I loved the scenes with his family, especially when Margaret interacted with them as well.

Allison Saft really poured her heart out on the page, and that was evident in the soul of this story. It's touching, funny, and overall exciting. A fabulous sophomore novel, and I will continue to be excited about her forthcoming works!