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Review: Wild by Alex Mallory


The forest is full of secrets, and no one understands that better than Cade. Foraging, hunting, surviving— that’s all he knows. Alone for years, Cade believes he’s the sole survivor. At least, until he catches a glimpse of a beautiful stranger…

Dara expected to find natural wonders when she set off for a spring break camping trip. Instead, she discovers a primitive boy— he’s stealthy and handsome and he might be following her. Intrigued, Dara seeks him out and sets a catastrophe in motion.

Thrust back into society, Cade struggles with the realization that the life he knew was a lie. But he’s not the only one. Trying to explain life in a normal town leaves Dara questioning it.

As the media swarm and the police close in, Dara and Cade risk everything to get closer. But will the truth about Cade’s past tear them apart?

A YA Tarzan retelling.


The synopsis promises a modern retelling of Tarzan and that's exactly what you get. Those of you who've read the original story, knows it doesn't have the most typical happy ending.

Cade has lived in the forest for as long as he can remember. It's been three years since he buried his parents and hasn't come across any humans since then. The forest is the only world he has ever known until he sees Dara.

Dara and her boyfriend, Josh, went on what was supposed to be a romantic camping trip, but things turn sour pretty quick. Most of their food gets eaten by raccoons or something and while Josh wants to go back, Dara insists on staying. While exploring the forest she has the feeling of being watched. When she meets Cade her first reaction is not to run away, but curiosity.

Due to some events Cade is suddenly thrust into society. A strange new world, filled with people and first he does not deal with it well. Nobody believes his story and to make things more complicated the press has gotten word about the wild boy. Let's just say that this small town turns into a mad house.

Cade slowly learns more about this new world and while it's fascinating, it's not home. There are also not a lot of people he trusts, but Dara he can talk to. She's the most fascinating thing in this world to him. Still all Cade really wants is to go home.

This story was certainly very interesting. Though Cade has grown up in the forest, he's not a savage or even extremely wild. I really liked how honest he was in certain things, speaking very matter of factly. It was clear to see the interest between Dara and Cade. She claims she just wants to help him, but there is definitely more going on.

I really truly enjoyed reading about Cade's unusual adventure, though I'm having some mixed feelings about the end. It's not the happy ending you expect, nor is it a sad ending. The ending is open and gives you the opportunity to fill in the blanks as you wish.





The Author
Alex Mallory is a pen name for YA author Saundra Mitchell. She’s a big fan of reading, history, camping and competitive M&M sorting.

She once crossed a dilapidated train trestle in the middle of the night, 200 feet above the Wabash River, in a futile attempt to prove her love to someone who had no idea she existed.

1) She lived to tell about it. 2) It didn’t work. 3) She doesn’t recommend it.

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