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An instant New York Times and Indie bestseller
An Indie Next Pick
A Waterstones Best Book of 2022

When Margaret Welty spots the legendary hala, the last living mythical creature, she knows the Halfmoon Hunt will soon follow. Whoever is able to kill the hala will earn fame and riches, and unlock an ancient magical secret. While Margaret is the best sharpshooter in town, only teams of two can register, and she needs an alchemist.

Weston Winters isn’t an alchemist—yet. He’s been fired from every apprenticeship he's landed, and his last chance hinges on Master Welty taking him in. But when Wes arrives at Welty Manor, he finds only Margaret. She begrudgingly allows him to stay, but on one condition: he must join the hunt with her.

Although they make an unlikely team, they soon find themselves drawn to each other. As the hunt looms closer and tensions rise, Margaret and Wes uncover dark magic that could be the key to winning the hunt - if they survive that long.

In A Far Wilder Magic, Allison Saft has written an achingly tender love story set against a deadly hunt in an atmospheric, rich fantasy world that will sweep you away.

  • animal death and injury (the dog lives!)

    antisemitism

    nationalism and xenophobia

    PTSD

    neglect and emotional abuse by a parent

    mentions of parental death

    graphic descriptions of blood and wounds

  • Australia: Hachette Children’s Group

    Brazil: Alta Books

    Canada: St. Martin’s

    Czechia: Albatros

    France: Bragelonne

    Mexico: Planeta

    New Zealand: Hachette Children’s Group

    Poland: Kobiece

    Romania: Trei

    Russia: Eksmo

    Turkey: Nemesis

    United Kingdom: Hachette Children’s Group

  • “If simmering romance between two people with their walls all the way up is your jam, then this book will win your heart... Romantic but not romanticized, A Far Wilder Magic suggests that the true quest isn’t hunting the mythical beast, it’s finding the truth within yourself.” — NPR.org

    “Please know that what I’m about to say, I don’t say often: A Far Wilder Magic felt so original. Reading this was like breaking open freshly baked bread—both comforting and complex at the same time. Allison Saft has crafted a romantic fantasy with a genuinely swoon-worthy male lead, and the enemies to begrudging partners to lovers storyline is based on mutual respect and a real connection. It’s about family and belonging, loneliness, and finding ones own path. A delight through and through.” — Tor.com

    “Vilinsky offers mesmerizing performances of two odd young folks who are proving their worth to the world and each other. Vilinsky’s narration ranges from the bitter disputes between the heroes to the tenderness of their developing love.” — AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award Winner

    “Deeply romantic and utterly magical.” — Kirkus Reviews

    “[Saft’s] sophomore novel has her signature lush prose and evocative settings, with dynamic characters... and a lovely romance between two characters who are considered outsiders by society at large. ” — School Library Journal

    “Wes and Margaret’s unfolding romance is subtle and satisfying, and Saft’s prose is vivid and dryly humorous. Fans of Leigh Bardugo’s original Shadow & Bone trilogy will likely enjoy this honest, evocative romance.” — Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books

    “Saft has a talent for writing lush, lyrical fantasy love stories in which opposites most definitely attract. A Far Wilder Magic follows the story of an alchemist and a sharpshooter who must join forces to hunt an ancient beast, and the slow burn romance that develops between the two is one of the best you’ll read this year.” — Paste Magazine

    “Allison Saft’s writing drips with color and paints a world so real you feel like you can touch it. A thrilling adventure full of magic and danger reminiscent of Fullmetal Alchemist, A Far Wilder Magic is a story you won’t put down.” — Marielle Orff, Towne Book Center & Café, for the Indie Next List

    “Deeply entrancing. Teeming with magic and alchemy, A Far Wilder Magic is an utterly transportive read, unfolding into a world of crumbling manors and ancient forests. Allison Saft crafts a deliberate, intricate romance that will have you as unmoored as the characters.” — Chloe Gong, #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights

    “Innovative, romantic, and intoxicating. A Far Wilder Magic is a diamond of the YA fantasy genre, with a fresh and artfully layered world and extraordinary characters to match. This is dual narrative at its finest.” — Amanda Foody, New York Times bestselling author of Ace of Shades and All Of Us Villains

    “Tender, intimate, and atmospheric, A Far Wilder Magic is unlike anything on the YA shelf. With devastatingly gorgeous prose, intricate worldbuilding, and an utterly original plot, Saft weaves a love story that will tear you apart and then stitch you whole again.” — Ava Reid, internationally bestselling author of The Wolf and The Woodsman

    “Saft’s second novel is a captivating story of family, alchemy, and love centered around two marginalized characters who dare to compete for their dreams in a world that has never given them a chance. The romance and the hunt kept my heart racing from beginning to end. Absolutely riveting.” — Audrey Coulthurst, author of Of Fire and Stars

    “With its lush 1920s-inspired world and heart-wrenchingly human characters, A Far Wilder Magic will leave readers spellbound as they join Margaret and Wes on the hunt of a lifetime. Saft’s detailed alchemical system and rich, lyrical prose bring this dark fantasy to life, crafting a tale of perseverance and passion that will linger with readers long after they reach the final page.” — Aden Polydoros, award-winning author of The City Beautiful

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