Review by Booklist Review
The Wild sits in between two provinces of perpetually warring witches, and its nonmagical townsfolk have to constantly contend with errant spells, from the harmless (hair is temporarily turned to spaghetti) to the tragic (body is turned inside out). No ones hates this wayward magic more than 12-year-old Willa, who has been despondent ever since her parents were transformed into clouds by a misplaced enchantment. So when she seemingly performs of bit of accidental magic, no one is more surprised and horrified than Willa herself. Whisked away to be tutored in the magical arts, she has a year to choose a detested coven or risk exploding from her unbridled power. But when a rogue witch attacks the townsfolk, Willa has to save her home and new friends and devise a way to live a magical life on her own terms. Plozza's absorbing novel is full of inventive (and occasionally hilarious) magic; the spell casting, via wild exclamations and intricate dance steps, is particularly entertaining. A bewitching introduction to an original magical world.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
For many years, the Ordinary Folk of the Island of Dreary have been caught between the two factions of the Witch War, occasionally becoming victims of wayward spells. Among those innocent bystanders is Willa Birdwhistle, "bold and unruly and headstrong" and portrayed on the book's cover as white, who lost her parents a year earlier to a stray curse. When she suddenly manifests magic on her 12th birthday, both covens lay claim to her, noting that should Willa not choose one by her 13th birthday, she'll explode. She's subsequently instructed in the ways of each coven: the "serene but vague" Silverclaws who rarely speak, never cut their hair or nails, and cast spells through dance, and the cruel Irontongues, "hairless, warty, and green," whose magic relies on tongue-twisting incantations. As the Witch War heats up, Willa works to understand her abilities and choose her destiny, though neither coven appeals to her. Juxtaposing Willa's earnest internal growth with an absurd and bureaucratic magical realm, Plozza (The Boy, the Wolf, and the Stars) creates a sense of alienation in the tween, even as she establishes new bonds, in this offbeat read with an archetypal heroine. Ages 8--12. Agent: Katelyn Detweiler, Jill Grinberg Literary. (July)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4--7--Willa Birdwhistle is Ordinary. And like all Ordinary people in Bad Faith, Willa is used to the daily interruptions and inconveniences of the Witch War. The conflict between the Irontongue and Silverclaw covens has gone on so long that no one in Bad Faith knows how or why it started, nor have Ordinary people been able to do much other than accept the war as a fact of life. A year ago, Willa's parents were turned into clouds by a wayward hex, and since then 12-year-old Willa has tried to be a good girl like they would have wanted. But that all changes when witnesses spot Willa apparently stopping a spell in midair, and she is accused of being a witch herself. She is carted off to the castle to begin rigorous magical training. She must select a coven to join before her 13th birthday, otherwise she will explode. Several mysteries unfold during Willa's magical training, and readers will enjoy the way the plot threads interweave to reveal details about the history of the two covens and their war, the rogue witch who is tormenting the citizens of Bad Faith, and Willa's own magic. At times the tone of the book seems too silly for some of the darker content, but the levity helps tamp down what could be very scary moments. All main characters are presumed white. VERDICT A fun new entry in the field of magical mysteries, this action-packed tale will keep readers engaged and leaves room for a sequel.--Dana West
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Twelve-year-old Willa Birdwhistle does not want to be a witch. Warring witches' covens aim spells at each other that often misfire, causing Ordinary Folk to hate them. One errant spell turned Willa's parents into clouds, leaving her to deal with her untamed wildness that often results in unexplained magic. Eventually she is accused of witchcraft, punished, and banished to the palace, where she will be tutored in proper magic. On her 13th birthday she will have to choose to join either the Silverclaw or Irontongue coven--or explode. Willa finds herself involved in intrigue, danger, and fast-paced, heart-stopping adventures, with loads of twists and turns, ever escalating spells and counterspells, magical books, an army of cats, mysterious unseen characters, ghosts, powerful enemies, and a rogue witch who may cause total destruction. New friends Gish and Marceline assuage her loneliness and help her in her quest for answers. Willa is often confused and frightened but also caring and brave. She digs deep seeking self-awareness and often arrives at profound and mature conclusions. Plozza makes this most complicated, improbable scenario seem completely believable by carefully maintaining its established worldbuilding. Playful language and syntax provide a bit of comic relief in the names of some spells, instructions, and character names; the titles of the magic books are hilarious. The climax leaves important questions unanswered and begs for a sequel. Willa is not physically described but lives in a racially diverse world. Exciting and highly imaginative. (Fantasy. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
