I received this book for free from HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Beware the Wild Published by HarperTeen on October 21st 2014 Genres: Paranormal, Thriller, YA
Source: HarperCollins
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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.
This debut novel is full of atmosphere, twists and turns, and a swoon-worthy romance.
This started on a great note with a super creepy premise that had a lot of potential, but it started dragging and getting more and more ridiculous; magical peaches and gaterboys and all. in the end, I unfortunately can’t say I enjoyed this one very much.
It did grab me full-on at the start, though. Sterling’s brother goes missing inside a swamp, and the next thing you know, a strange girl comes out in his place and no one but our main character even remembers her brother. So of course, her family thinks she’s gone insane. They remember this new girl, though, as if she had been there all along. Even Sterling starts getting false memories about their childhood together. Sounds awesome, right? I loved it,then, I truly did! I particularly enjoyed the creepy atmosphere and eerie swamp that seemed like a character in itself. It’s described as being both magical and evil, and had me completely enamoured. From then on, the story did not go in the direction I had hoped for and expected, however. We find out very early on what the secret behind the swamp is, and why Sterling is the only one who remembers the missing people. That was the beginning of the end for me, sadly. After learning of the swamp’s… abilities, I was less enthused with the whole story arc. The mysterious element went from intriguing to mildly interesting and even silly. The answers found in magical peaches and magical cherries only made me snicker and snort, and then when you add in half boy, half alligator beasts… nope, not for me at all.
Still, I could have rolled with it if I had cared about the characters, but unfortunately they fell flat for me as well. I feel like Sterling had this whole complex character arc that just did not come through. She talks of her physically abusive father and having a sort of anxiety anorexia, yet this is merely mentioned in passing. Sure it’s mentioned several times, but it’s a tell rather than show writing style that ultimately failed to make me feel her psychological scars or emotional struggles. Which is a real shame because it could have given the story a lot more depth and tension. Instead, I grew frustrated with my inability to understand her as her personality simply came off as confusing. Then we’ve got the secondary characters who felt like convenient plot devices with nonexistent personalities. In turn, there was absolutely zero chemistry between her and the love interest, Heath, who was your cliché misunderstood “rumoured” bad boy.
While I enjoyed the suspense and the eerie atmosphere built around this swamp, the execution of the mystery and the route it took really bored me. I also did not expect this level of strange – and not the good kind of strange (for me at least). Really, though, this is like a B-Rated horror movie. Some will find themselves fully entertained by it, and others will roll their eyes and sigh. I’m sure you can guess which side I landed on. And with that, I wish you good luck with this one!
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This does not entice me to read this novel but I already have a copy so we’ll see. Thanks for the review!
Hannah @ The Irish Banana Review
Sigh. I was afraid of this when I considered reading this book. Ultimately I passed on it because it would read silly or cliche. Sorry you didn’t like it.
Nick @ Nick's Book Blog
Giselle, I felt the same way as you did about this book. With all the praise, I assumed it was an epic and scary read, but it really wasn’t. For the most part, I was sorely bored and I couldn’t care for the characters much. It did start of strongly but it went downhill after that.
I’m sorry you were disappointed with this.
Great review!
Kristin@Blood,Sweat and Books
I enjoyed Beware the Wild but I completely understand your review because a lot of those same things bugged me as well (especially Heath & Sterling’s relationship).
Carina Olsen
I love your thoughts about this. <3 And HAH. It was a two star read for me too. Just so so awful 🙁 and it could have been so good, which just makes me depressed, lol. But glad you disliked it too 🙂
Megan
Yikes! I love the premise of this one, but it sounds like is came no where close to it’s potential. I think I will steer clear. Thanks for the warning!
ShootingStarsMag
That’s a bummer this one fell flat in so many ways. It does sound like it could have been a really great, creepy book.
Chyna @ Lite-Rate-Ture
I couldn’t have said it any better! I’m glad someone agrees with me. The eeriness was good, but the execution failed…the romance was unnecessary and the whole storyline was so incredibly weak. I had no problem with the writing, but it only the execution that I really a problem with. 🙁
Savannah
Thanks for being honest.