Let me start with saying, this cover is stunning. It really captures the eerie vibe of the book.
I know not everyone will like the body horror element in this, but it was the most compelling part of the whole book for me. I thought Rory Powers descriptions of the Tox was done well. The writing style in general was great, and the book was fast paced.
What brought my rating down was the characters. I could not connect with them and didn't find them complex enough. I liked the sapphic romance being included, and I would have had more of a problem if there wasn't any queer relationships represented, but I felt no chemistry between the main romance of the book. I felt the relationship between Hetty and Byatt was more engaging than Hetty and Reese.
The ending was what really ruined the book for me though. I usually like open endings, if their purpose is to make you think. The ending to Wilder Girls felt more like the author forgot to write the last chapter.
Overall, I thought the concept was great, but the execution didn't work for me.
I know not everyone will like the body horror element in this, but it was the most compelling part of the whole book for me. I thought Rory Powers descriptions of the Tox was done well. The writing style in general was great, and the book was fast paced.
What brought my rating down was the characters. I could not connect with them and didn't find them complex enough. I liked the sapphic romance being included, and I would have had more of a problem if there wasn't any queer relationships represented, but I felt no chemistry between the main romance of the book. I felt the relationship between Hetty and Byatt was more engaging than Hetty and Reese.
The ending was what really ruined the book for me though. I usually like open endings, if their purpose is to make you think. The ending to Wilder Girls felt more like the author forgot to write the last chapter.
Overall, I thought the concept was great, but the execution didn't work for me.