Beware The Wild
Author: Natalie C. Parker
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller
Release Date: October 21, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Summary:
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.
First Sentence: It’s no secret, ours is the meanest swamp in Louisiana.
My Review:
The moment I saw the cover of Beware The Wild, I just knew I had to get my hands on the book asap. Add the fact that a swamp out of all possible things had swallowed somebody in and spit somebody else back out and I was totally sold on the book. I mean, have you ever read a young adult book where a swamp is the villain in the book? I don’t think so. (If I’m wrong, you guys definitely need to tell me what other young adult books out there is focused on a swamp because I have been missing out on some epic awesomeness then.) In the end, I enjoyed reading Beware The Wild even though it didn’t turn out to be exactly what I expected.
As you guys saw from Beware The Wild‘s summary, Sterling’s brother Phin is “kidnapped” by the swamp and Sterling is determined to find him. Throughout the book, I constantly couldn’t help but admire Sterling’s dedication to finding her brother. Sterling would never give up finding out what happened to her missing brother and how to save him – she made a fool out of herself in front of the entire school (the horror!), caused her parents to call up a doctor to check up on her sanity, and even ventured to that dirty, probably smelly and definitely creepy swamp in hopes to find her brother. I, on the other hand, would probably (okay, definitely) chicken out if I was put in Sterling’s situation.
And that swamp. The swamp in Beware The Wild was definitely creepy and just the thought of stepping into the swamp makes me shudder in horror and look for a bottle of hand sanitizer to use. However, my one problem with the swamp, besides it’s grossness, is that the mystery of the swamp didn’t turn out to be what I thought it’ll be. In a way, the answer to the mystery of the swamp felt like a cop out to me. I can’t go into detail about it because of a thing called spoilers, but if you ever read Beware The Wild, you’ll most likely get what I mean.
When I first saw the synopsis of Beware The Wild and saw that “loner boy Heath Durham might be the only one who can help [Sterling],” I automatically feared some insta-love (don’t ask me why I thought that – I don’t know why, I just did). It is to my relief to report that Beware The Wild doesn’t have any insta-love in it, but then again, the romance is also not a slow, get to know you romance either. There were some cute moments in the relationship, but I didn’t really feel it. There’s nothing more I can say about the romance because I don’t want to spoil it for you guys.
Overall, Beware The Wild was an enjoyable read, but it is also definitely not one of my favorites. If you’re looking for a creepy, unique read, then Beware The Wild would be the perfect book for you.
This book sounds so creepy yet so good at the same time O.O I don’t normally read creepy books (Yup…) but I might have to give this one a shot sometime, I’ve never read a creepy book where a swamp is the villain either and I’m pretty curious about this Lenora May girl who just “climbs out” of the swamp (literally?)
I’m not usually fond of the horror, creepy genre so i may not be picking this up any time soon but thanks for this review..i admit that getting kidnapped by the swamp sound mysterious.
That’s a really different story, it even sounds a little disturbing. I have never seen a book where a swamp kidnaps people either, I guess it’s worth the read just for the experience of seeing how that turns out! The cover is creepy too, made me even more curious.
Thais Pampado recently posted…O Aniversário de Anya
Great review! This is the perfect creepy read for Halloween. ;)
Don’t normally read a book like this, but the cover pulled me in. However, I think the creepy factor wouldn’t be for me :( Thanks for the review!
For a creepy read this Halloween? Well, I guess I’m not interested at it.
I’m offed by the cover and the weird plot.
Well, it’s interesting though. Glad atleast you enjoyed it!
I love books like the this especially around this time of the year. The cover Is what drew me in also. I love a cover with trees on it. I’ve never heard of a book having a swamp be the villain either but it sounds interesting. I’ll definitely have to get my hands on this one.
I read the synopsis and your review. Like you I love the cover. The villain being a swamp also caught my attention. I am going to check out “Beware The Wild”. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention.
Terrie Fulk recently posted…Brenda Novak 12 Days Of Christmas Contest
Thank you so much for a great review. I never heard of the book until now but it sounds creepy and good and I’ll definitely add this on my tbr.
Diana Grace recently posted…Re-Release Blast: BET ON US by Rachel Higginson
Glad to hear it is creepy because I’ll be getting my copy this Friday! Great review! ^_^
Shalena @ Writer Quirk recently posted…For Fun [4] – Spooktastic Reads!
Lines like, “ventured to that dirty, probably smelly” and “just the thought of stepping into the swamp makes me shudder in horror and look for a bottle of hand sanitizer to use” made me laugh so hard! Oh. My. Gosh. Kelly! You are so funny! But that wasn’t my main focus of this review. And I hope I didn’t hurt your feelings in any way because that wasn’t my intention. I just think your reviews have what every review should, the real reviewers voice. Anywho, I think this book IS for me. After reading Another Little Piece for #WWReadathon, I just feel like I NEED to read more creepy books because I haven’t read enough of them. The only one I could remotely think it creepy is Asylum and that WASN’T creepy. It almost felt like a MG read…but yeah, I can’t wait to see what you wouldn’t spoil in this review. I want to KNOW! ^_^
I just finished up Beware the Wild, and I completely get what you are saying about it feeling a bit like a cop-put. But, overall I did enjoy the book. I loved Sterling. She was a great MC, and unlike most MC’s in YA. I also loved Candy, who was a great BFF regardless of her personal belief or disbelief, rather. Heath was alright. He was definitely sweet, but he was a bit of a wimp, which bothers me. All in all though, the big thing this book did for me was make me want even more swamp stories, but I would like some super scary ones!!
Jaime Lester recently posted…Puckster’s Christmas Hockey Tournament
I’m still not sure about this one. I do love the cover, but I’m curious about how atmospheric the story is? I don’t know why but the synopsis felt Stiefvater-ish to me, and those are unfair, high expectations… Still, I’ll keep an eye on it. Thanks for the review!
P.E. @ The Sirenic Codex recently posted…Cover Wars: Crimson Bound vs Tell Me You Love Me
I think it sounds pretty cool, I love mysteries! I hate instalove, so I’m glad to hear this doesn’t have it. I’ll have to download it on my Kindle, I’m super iffy about owning it in physical form. Of course if I love it, I’ll have to own it in real life. Thanks for the review!
Great review, Kelly! Sorry you didn’t LOVE this one. I’ve heard mixed reactions, but I want to check it out at some point.
I think Chime by Franny Billingsley has that creepy swamp feel.
Danielle @ Love at First Page recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [17]
I am sorry that it turned out to be somewhat anit-climatic in the revelation of the true nature of the swamp, because though I would be too creeped out to read this myself, I believe, it does sound like such an interesting, fresh idea, and that you were excited about it only to be let down, in the end, is frustrating. Still, it good to hear there was still plenty you DID like! x
I don’t usually read this kind of book. Some blogs recommended but I’m not sure if I’ll read it.
While I like unique ideas in books, this just reminds me of Pocahontas with Grandmother Willow. Nature coming to life. Sorry to hear that it was a letdown. I kind of wanted to pick it up, but I think it’ll be bumped to the end of my TBR pile. So many books, so little time.
The cover is soooo creepy and and the swampy mystery plot really hooks me in. Will add this book to my TBR pile. Thanks for the review!
Nina @ Whirldwind of Books recently posted…I am finally connected!!
I haven’t read the book yet but the summary sounds promising, This could be my cup of tea. I love there creepy and gothic vibe I get from the book. Also no intsa-love!!
Dannielle recently posted…Goddess Offerings #37 (Stacking the Shelves , In My Mailbox) 2015 Winter Books of HarperCollins (Preview)
I was so excited for this book when I first heard about it, but sadly, most of my excitement seems to have faded :( Sorry it let you down, but glad you still enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing.
Rebecca recently posted…Review: 17 First Kisses by Rachael Allen
This sounds like a book I need to read, and definitely different from anything that I have read. Looking it up right now
Wow. I’ve never read a book where a swamp was the villain. It seems so interesting! Too bad you didn’t LOVE it though :( It sounds great though and I think it’s a book that I might enjoy :)
Maisha recently posted…Trailer Reveal: The Book of Ivy
I am a fan of the shiver series and I think I will enjoy this book a lot. The cover is amazing and a bit creepy so this would be good to read for Halloween.
I don’t really mind what happens with the romance in a book, and it sounds like the rest of the story was pretty awesome. It’s almost Halloween and I would love a creepy and unique read to celebrate the occasion! Thanks for the review!
Monica M recently posted…Review: Lark Rising by Sandra Waugh
While I was reading the synopsis of the book I had the same reactions as you in the review. A creepy story about a swamp sounds so interesting, it just sounds dark and creepy and something I’d enjoy. Romances in books are usually completely hit or miss for me, most of the times it’s a miss but knowing there’s no insta love is relieving.
Isa recently posted…Review: The Girl of Fire and Thorns
Great review! Sounds good
The cover looks creepy and i like it ! When the description write that “for the fans of shiver and beautiful creature” i don’t know whether i should grab one ! because i read shiver and i don’t really like it and feel it was boring (although many ppl said it was nice) :( i think i will read it in the bookstore first before buy it ! Your review is Great !
What a perfect read for Halloween! The synopsis sounds interesting and from your review it sounds like a book I’d like to check out.
Thanks for the review I had a hard time to either buying it or just reading it at the library. It was a good book to read over Halloween!
I honestly have never read a review of this book until now! And your opinions made me want to read this book RIGHT NOW! The thing about the swamp being the antagonist of the book had me giggling though, I don’t know why but it interested me enough. Hahaha, so yep, I’m definitely gonna be reading this one!
That cover alone makes me want to read it, but a creepy swamp! Hopefully my library has this book. Thanks for the review!