mschwartz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
madtnation's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
betweenbookends's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve previously read and loved Abby Geni’s short story collection, The Last Animal and her debut novel, The Lightkeepers. So I was very excited to get to this and I’m glad to report that it was worth a read. The Wildlands, to me, felt like a slight deviant from her usual style. While the inherent theme of environment and relationship to the natural world remain the focus, her stories, usually more personal, literary and character driven, in this however, was much more plot focussed, in the style of a page turner, and more simply written. I’m not sure if that was a conscious choice by the author to better fit into the ‘thriller’ genre but to me, that was a slight let-down. In the Wildlands, she also dialled up the human impact to environment, presenting a social cause and making it personal.
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The plotline follows the life of 4 siblings, orphaned after a category 5 tornado devastates and destroys their home, taking away the life of their father, having already lost their mother. Darlene the eldest, quickly rises to look after her younger siblings and foregoes her aspirations to attend University, instead taking a job and being the sole breadwinner of the family. A massive fight between the Tucker, the second eldest sibling and Darlene, spirals out of control and Tucker leaves his sisters for good. Most of the story is narrated from the youngest, 9 year old Cora’s perspective. Cora has a very special bond with her brother, and his reappearance under unusual circumstances convinces Cora to tag along with Tucker on a mission that she doesn’t really understand. The consequence of Tucker’s actions, to which Cora becomes an unintentional accomplice, and Darlene’s efforts to retrace Cora’s whereabouts and rescue her, is the central crux of the story.
~
Geni shines in the description of the natural world and the plot was certainly engaging, but ultimately for me, it didn’t create the magic that The Lightkeepers did. Geni, in this explores the idea of how extreme faith in a cause, however noble, can tip over and become toxic, fanatic, with one losing one’s sense of reason. Tucker’s love for the animals, and the wild, and his hate for human race as the cause of that destruction becomes more and more radical as the novel progresses. The unnatural hold he has over Cora, her thoughts and interpretations was uncomfortable to read. Certain plot points seemed unrealistic to me, and Tucker’s cynical voice at times was a little too heavy-handed bordering on being ‘preachy’ than engaging. The final ‘event’ that Tucker is involved in seemed too far-fetched and reasoning for it didn’t entirely make sense. Another minor qualm was that, Jane, the third sibling could have been removed from the book to no consequence.
~
The Wildlands is an interesting, ecological thriller that is worth a read. However, if you’ve never tried Abby Geni, I’d certainly recommend The Lightkeepers over this one.
~
3.5/5
~
The plotline follows the life of 4 siblings, orphaned after a category 5 tornado devastates and destroys their home, taking away the life of their father, having already lost their mother. Darlene the eldest, quickly rises to look after her younger siblings and foregoes her aspirations to attend University, instead taking a job and being the sole breadwinner of the family. A massive fight between the Tucker, the second eldest sibling and Darlene, spirals out of control and Tucker leaves his sisters for good. Most of the story is narrated from the youngest, 9 year old Cora’s perspective. Cora has a very special bond with her brother, and his reappearance under unusual circumstances convinces Cora to tag along with Tucker on a mission that she doesn’t really understand. The consequence of Tucker’s actions, to which Cora becomes an unintentional accomplice, and Darlene’s efforts to retrace Cora’s whereabouts and rescue her, is the central crux of the story.
~
Geni shines in the description of the natural world and the plot was certainly engaging, but ultimately for me, it didn’t create the magic that The Lightkeepers did. Geni, in this explores the idea of how extreme faith in a cause, however noble, can tip over and become toxic, fanatic, with one losing one’s sense of reason. Tucker’s love for the animals, and the wild, and his hate for human race as the cause of that destruction becomes more and more radical as the novel progresses. The unnatural hold he has over Cora, her thoughts and interpretations was uncomfortable to read. Certain plot points seemed unrealistic to me, and Tucker’s cynical voice at times was a little too heavy-handed bordering on being ‘preachy’ than engaging. The final ‘event’ that Tucker is involved in seemed too far-fetched and reasoning for it didn’t entirely make sense. Another minor qualm was that, Jane, the third sibling could have been removed from the book to no consequence.
~
The Wildlands is an interesting, ecological thriller that is worth a read. However, if you’ve never tried Abby Geni, I’d certainly recommend The Lightkeepers over this one.
~
3.5/5
readingundertheradar's review against another edition
5.0
This is one I can tell I will be thinking about for a long long time. So powerful and thoughtful and unsettling and lovely.
natesea's review against another edition
3.0
🌟🌟🌟
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“Maybe this was what her father had been trying to tell her. In his plainspoken way, he was reminding her that change was both inevitable and unstoppable. That little ripples could cause greater waves, unfurl into unexpected patterns. He was telling her not to dwell on the past or fret about the future, since every moment was followed by another, some wonderful, some terrible, all unpredictable and unknowable before hand, all essential components of the complexity of a vast and marvelous world.”
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Abby Geni’s second book had high expectations after her astounding debut, but The Wildlands is a stumbling follow-up. The first third is engrossing, showing Geni’s ability to put you in the chaos of Cora’s and her family’s life. However, the rest is a bit of a mess. The characters fall flat, the plot too contrived, the events inauthentic. Cora keeps you reading, though, her perspective the most endearing... if only to get you through to the end. Hopefully Geni’s next book will return to the magic this one only shows glimpses of.
-
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“Maybe this was what her father had been trying to tell her. In his plainspoken way, he was reminding her that change was both inevitable and unstoppable. That little ripples could cause greater waves, unfurl into unexpected patterns. He was telling her not to dwell on the past or fret about the future, since every moment was followed by another, some wonderful, some terrible, all unpredictable and unknowable before hand, all essential components of the complexity of a vast and marvelous world.”
-
Abby Geni’s second book had high expectations after her astounding debut, but The Wildlands is a stumbling follow-up. The first third is engrossing, showing Geni’s ability to put you in the chaos of Cora’s and her family’s life. However, the rest is a bit of a mess. The characters fall flat, the plot too contrived, the events inauthentic. Cora keeps you reading, though, her perspective the most endearing... if only to get you through to the end. Hopefully Geni’s next book will return to the magic this one only shows glimpses of.
-
sklewi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
maureenmcc's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. Gripping story, wonderfully told. Four and a half stars.
hmonkeyreads's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this but it feels like it took forever for me to finish it.
The strange adventures of a 9 year old girl, kidnapped (willingly) by her older brother who is an animal rights activist and their crime spree across America. Meanwhile her sister tries to locate them.
Reminded me a little of a book I read years ago where a chimp was raised as member of the family (We are All Completely Beside Ourselves) and also a little bit of Fierce Kingdom.
The strange adventures of a 9 year old girl, kidnapped (willingly) by her older brother who is an animal rights activist and their crime spree across America. Meanwhile her sister tries to locate them.
Reminded me a little of a book I read years ago where a chimp was raised as member of the family (We are All Completely Beside Ourselves) and also a little bit of Fierce Kingdom.