Review: Wild by Alex Mallory

Wild

By: Alex Mallory

Pub. Date: July 8, 2014

Publisher: Harper Teen

Pages: 448

Source: Edelweiss

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?

I received this galley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Edelweiss and HarperTeen. 

I am a huge fan of retellings, especially Tarzan ones. I love everything that has to do with Tarzan so I was especially excited about reading Wild. While some things didn't work for me 100%, I still really enjoyed the story.

From a very young age, Cade's parents have told him that a deadly virus has wiped out mankind and they are only a few survivors left, them included. They live out in the forest and if they ever come in contact with someone else, they will get infected, so they must always hide and never get noticed. This is the only life Cade knows and the life he is used too. At 17, Cade is still living this life, even though both of his parents died years ago. He's never questioned what his parents told him until he sees Dara and desperately wants to get to know her. While saving her life, Cade gets injured and the authorities are called in. Everybody wants to know who Cade is and where he came from. Cade has spent so many years completely alone, it is very hard for him to open up. But he wants to talk to Dara and wants to get to know her as well.

I really liked the characters of Cade and Dara. They had a very sweet connection and I couldn't help but root for them. So many factors kept trying to tear them apart and I hated that. I thought the ending was so perfect for the two of them. I don't think any other ending would have worked.

I really felt for Cade. His life has been filled with loneliness and lies, all of which could have been avoided. I still don't really understand why his parents did what they did. It was obvious they loved him but I think they did more hurt then good. His mom was definitely a little insane and projected that insanity onto her family.

Wild is a nice, modern retelling and I would definitely recommend this story to others!