Thank you so much Harper Books for my free copy – all opinions are my own.
Book Description:
Cursed. Maisie Cothay has never known the feel of human flesh: born with the power to kill or resurrect at her slightest touch, she has spent her childhood sequestered in her family’s manor at the edge of a mysterious forest. Maisie’s father, an anthropologist who sees her as more experiment than daughter, has warned Maisie not to venture into the wood. Locals talk of men disappearing within, emerging with addled minds and strange stories. What he does not tell Maisie is that for over a millennium her female ancestors have also vanished into the wood, never to emerge—for she is descended from a long line of cursed women. But one day Maisie’s father disappears, and Maisie must venture beyond the walls of her carefully constructed life to find him. Away from her home and the wood for the very first time, she encounters a strange world filled with wonder and deception. Yet the farther she strays, the more the wood calls her home. For only there can Maisie finally reckon with her power and come to understand the wildest parts of herself.
My Review:
This is a dark, unique, and creative debut that combines the style of an age old fairy tale with modern nuances. Maisie Cothay is sixteen years old and leads a cursed life. She has the rare ability to resurrect the dead and kill any living thing. She’s had to live her entire life without touching a single soul. Growing up, her only company is her father and a housekeeper until one day she disappears. Maisie believes she’s only gone for a few hours but it’s actually days. When her father goes to look for her, he disappears as well. This is a coming-of-age story where Maisie looks to the past for answers.
I devoured and savored every page of this book. Maisie is such an interesting character and I am completely fascinated by her story. But I am mostly enraptured by the women in the woods, by their stories, and how they came to be there. They are all waiting for the girl with incredible powers to set them free. The character development is outstanding and the writing is elegant and really draws you in. I was completely invested and attached to the characters. And can we please talk about this cover?!! It’s stunning! WHAT SHOULD BE WILD is inventive and I was swept away in the story.
My rating is 5 out of 5 stars!
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