Beware the Wild

October 17, 2014 ARC, Book Review 1

I received this for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Beware the WildBeware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker
Published by Harper Collins on 2014-10-21
Pages: 336
Amazon-Indiebound
Goodreads

There’s something about the swamp in Sticks, Louisiana. Something different, something haunting . . . something alive. Everyone knows this, and everyone avoids going near it. And even the Mardi Gras–bead-decorated fence that surrounds it keeps people away.
Until one morning when Sterling Saucier’s older brother Phineas runs into the swamp . . .

And doesn’t return.

Instead, a girl named Lenora May climbs out in his place, and all of a sudden, no one in Sticks remembers Phin at all. They treat Lenora May as if she’s been Sterling’s sister forever.

Sterling needs to figure out what the swamp’s done with her beloved brother and how Lenora May is connected to his disappearance—but first she’s got to find someone who believes her.

Heath Durham might be that someone. A loner shrouded behind rumors of drug addiction, Heath has had his own strange experience with the swamp. He and Sterling will have to piece together enough bits of memory and ancient swamp lore to get to the truth. But as the wild swamp encroaches on their town, Sterling and Heath may find a lot more than they expected . . . and Phin may be lost to them forever.

My Thoughts:

Beware the Wild is exactly the kind of book I was looking for. It’s delightfully creepy and incredibly atmospheric. I was absorbed in the story and got spine tingling chills at all the best parts! I don’t like books that are simply scary; I need there to be story built up around it. Beware the Wild does just that.

One of the main things that drew me to this book was the setting. I’ve discovered that I love a Southern Gothic tale! I think it’s partly because I haven’t traveled much in the South (aside from bigger cities) so it seems so exotic to me! Plus, I just love the way the setting becomes like another character. This is especially true of the swamp in  Beware the Wild. Pareker does an exceptional job ensuring that it truly has a presence… not just for the people of Sticks, but also for the reader. Whenever a character was venturing into the swamp my heart would start beating faster and I’d find myself tensing up for what was about to happen next. The swamp was so alive to me.

And then of course there are the characters. I loved how so many of them were not what they seemed.  There were so many layers to the characters (and the story in general.) Obviously I cannot get into that without spoilers so you’ll just have to trust me. Sterling is by far my favorite. She is so brave and loyal. I liked seeing the world through her eyes. I especially enjoyed learning more about the supernatural elements.

Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker is a fantastic debut. With an absorbing setting, interesting characters and chilling supernatural elements, it’s not to be missed.

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