Beware the Wild

If you travel around the Gulf Coast or even crack open a book of Cajun folk tales, you will quickly learn that swamps are the keepers of much of the fear of the unknown. Beware The Wild does an excellent job of building on that folklore and weaving a tale about family, control, and the fears with which we all live. The story begins with the a fight between two siblings and a girl, who everyone but Sterling remembers as a member of the family. I have always loved this trope in paranormal fiction. There is something fascinating about being the only one who remembers that really draws me into a story, and Beware the Wild was no exception. Sterling is determined to make everyone remember her brother, but of course that makes her seem even more crazy. She soon finds an ally in Heath, who brings some romance to the story as well as some much needed support for Sterling. The romance was not the main focus of this book, but I enjoyed its presence in the story and Heath’s character.

The writing in Beware The Wild is richly atmospheric, with a baseline level of creepiness that permeates every word and really sets a dark tone to the story, which I really loved. I am always happy when authors don’t shy away from the darkness in their writing, and with kids going missing in the swamps for years, this was a story that could have easily sounded overdone. However, the pitch-perfect storytelling made it into a book that, once started, I could not put down. The swamp seemed to eat at everything that Sterling was, and I loved how her attempt to conquer it, and rescue her brother, felt like a quest for herself as much as her family. I know that Beware The Wild will appeal to fans of paranormal stories, but I think that even if this type of book isn’t your usual read, you should give it a try. The excellent writing and creepiness made it a wonderfully absorbing tale.