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The Savage Wilds #1

Savage Wild Hearts

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Carve their hearts. Take their power.

Val has only ever known a Seattle surrounded by the forested Wilds. Like everyone, she’s heard whispers about the glittering, ruthless kingdoms and dangerous human-like wildlings deep within. But with a sick guardian and money tight, Val’s more than willing to brave the Wilds’ depths, carving and selling magic-filled heart gems from its numerous beasts.

Until one day she wanders too far and Rune finds her.

He’s a wildling, more savage and beautiful than any beast, and he has a deal for her: Val will use her unique abilities to help him take the unclaimed high throne of the Wilds. In return, Rune will let her carve the powerful heart gems of his enemies, something there’s no shortage of.

As Val is thrust into a vicious conflict between Lords, kings, and awakening gods, nothing is as it seems. But both the Wilds and Rune—cruel, kind, broken Rune—hold secrets, and if Val’s not careful it might be her heart she loses next.

Fans of epic adventures with morally gray characters, a lush fantasy world, and a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance will love Savage Wild Hearts, the first book in the Savage Wilds series.

356 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2023

122 people are currently reading
4837 people want to read

About the author

Sean Fletcher

36 books385 followers
Sean Fletcher was born in the broiling, arid state some people lovingly refer to as Texas. He is the Amazon bestselling author of YA fantasy, in addition to other forthcoming books whose characters will not give him a moment's peace until they get their turn in the spotlight. When not making things up and putting them on paper, he can be found hiking, biking, or traveling, sometimes all at the same time.

Get two free YA fantasy books from Sean's Heir of Dragons and Mage's Apprentice series when you sign up for his author newsletter ➜ https://www.subscribepage.com/seanfle...

Visit Sean's website ➜ https://seanfletcherauthor.com

Join the Fantasy Fiends Reader Group on Facebook ➜
https://www.facebook.com/groups/18944...

Instagram ➜ seanfletcherauthor

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5 stars
119 (48%)
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88 (35%)
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29 (11%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
Profile Image for Bookish_Aly_Cat.
964 reviews46 followers
May 7, 2024
This was such an amazing read! The world building was so intricate and captivating that I couldn’t help but immediately be drawn in to the unique world the author created.

This book was so interesting and I especially loved the magical power aspects of the story. I really enjoyed following Val on her adventure throughout this slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers fantasy.

Read this if you like:
✨ Strong FMC
✨ Magical Powers
✨ Betrayal
✨ Morally Gray MMC
✨ Quest/adventure

Thank you @TheNerdFam and @seanfletcherauthor for the gifted copy of the book.
Profile Image for Erin Sweeney.
64 reviews2 followers
June 1, 2024
I received this book as an ARC read and was blown away by the original world the author built in the Pacific Northwest. The intertwining of the human world and the Wilds built a unique magic system that had me engrossed from the beginning. Throughout the story I thought the clues we were getting about Val and her magical lineage were leading to a reveal that she was some sort of hybrid Wildling but a twist of a whole new realm and kingdom being interwoven at the last minute really blew me away. I am very excited to dive into the rest of this series and see where it goes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lilly.
155 reviews15 followers
July 21, 2024
Well that was a unique read.
North America has been taken over by the Wilds with Savage wildings and beasts inhabiting it. By the time of this book it has eaten up most of the continent. Val lives in a Seattle fully surrounded by the encroaching woods. She ventures into the Wilds and hunts to survive. But when she’s discovered by the authorities in the city and also by Rune -a sadistic wildling- her whole world turns upside down. She questions who or what she is as her strange unknown powers grow. Not wilding and not quite human. Can she succeed in fulfilling the bargain she made with Rune? Can she help the banished princeling claim his throne? Or will she lose the one thing she always thought she loved?

The setting in this book is definitely a unique one with a plot as twisted as the characters. And where it left off… like ahh!
If ever I read a book with anti-hero characters this is it. Both Rune and Val are distrusting, malicious, and manipulative. They both have tragic backgrounds and questionable motives. But by the end even though they bounce off each other’s jaggedness they form a deep respect for each other which they know can’t be more and yet... Val is an enigma. Rune reminds me a lot of Jacks in “Once Upon A Broken Heart”. Somewhere beneath his bitter abrasive self is something that has love for a select few. Triss was a dear. Marian overly protective but endears herself through her grouchy threats. Xander was wonderful. The closest thing to a happy-go-lucky wilding I think there is lol

I hope to continue the series at some future point. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Jaimes_Mystical_Library.
927 reviews45 followers
May 8, 2024
This was a great young adult fantasy! The author did a great job with the world building and I really liked the characters in this one. Savage Wild Hearts was a great start to The Savage Wilds series and I can’t wait to see how the story continues in the next book. There was so much packed into this book making it a unique and enjoyable read.

Read this if you like:

📖 Enemies To Lovers
📖 Unique Magic Systems
📖 Fae

Thank you to The Nerd Fam and @seanfletcherauthor for sending me a gifted copy of this book.
Profile Image for Brooke Riley.
Author 4 books78 followers
May 19, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and once I get through some more of my TBR I will be reading the next book!

If you're looking for a book that has no spice but plenty of tension and reminds you why you love to read, read this one!
Profile Image for Seraphia Bunny.
2,107 reviews34 followers
January 31, 2024
Savage Wild Hearts is the first book in the Savage Wilds series, and this mix of fantasy and dystopian is going to be one that you don’t want to miss.
An engaging story that features two characters – Val, a human, and Rune, a wildling. Val constantly visits the Wilds to acquire heart gems, but with the government cracking down on “illicit” trading and hunting, her only source of income is about to be taken away. But that’s where Rune comes in. He makes her a deal...one that she can’t exactly walk away from. No matter how hard she tries.
Savage Wild Hearts is a page-turner packed with twists, turns, flickers of potential romance, and so much more. This is a gripping story filled with ups and downs, and so many surprises that will have your jaw on the floor and begging for more.
Get ready to follow along as Rune fights an uphill battle to claim what he believes is rightfully his with Val by his side. But brace yourself for the revelation of a secret that swirls just beneath the surface concerning Val.
You’ll be howling for book two by the time you’re done.
5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Ashley Montgomery.
25 reviews
October 14, 2023
I loved this book.

Hit the floor running - how it felt starting Savage Wild Hearts. We’re immediately thrust into the thick of the Wilds, with Val hunting, and the adventure never stops from there.

The world building was great and the action keeps you on the edge of your seat. I was hooked from the very first chapter and couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed the main characters and can’t wait to see how they develop further in the sequels. I wish there was some spice between Val and Rune, but I’m hoping that may be a possibility in Savage Wild Souls.

I definitely suggest this book for anyone looking for adventure, savage characters, and multiple mysteries.

I received an ARC copy and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Erin.
59 reviews
June 1, 2024
I received this book as an ARC read and was blown away by the original world the author built in the Pacific Northwest. The intertwining of the human world and the Wilds built a unique magic system that had me engrossed from the beginning. Throughout the story I thought the clues we were getting about Val and her magical lineage were leading to a reveal that she was some sort of hybrid Wildling but a twist of a whole new realm and kingdom being interwoven at the last minute really blew me away. I am very excited to dive into the rest of this series and see where it goes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lanae.
9 reviews3 followers
July 16, 2023
I received an advance reader copy of this book and omg I really fell hard for this series! I mean the world building alone was phenomenal. Now I know this story was about my mysterious badass friend Val, but I Rune Quickly became my favorite! His confidence and his bloodlust (I love a slightly unhinged ML) won me over.

I gave it 4 stars because there was no spice 🥲 but I’m hoping for some in the next book, because there is definitely more between Val and Rune then they’re ready to admit just yet!
Profile Image for Pam.
838 reviews
July 1, 2023
I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Wilds just appeared in the human world and started consuming it. No one really knows when it started but the Wilds is full of beasts and wildlings.
As a child Val survived the Wilds but she doesn’t remember what happened just that she was covered in blood when she was found. Val is now an adult who goes in the Wilds on a regular basis to collect heart gems, something every wildling creature has, and they are the only way for humans to use magic.
Rune is a wildling; he is beautiful but deadly and calculating. Rune offers Val a deal to help him claim the high throne of the Wilds by using her unusual magic that she has kept repressed most of her life. In return Val can collect the heart gems of any slain creature or wildling to save her guardian from a Wilds illness.
Val and Rune with his merry group of followers go through the Wilds to find the heart tree so Rune can get his crown. There are enemies at every turn both human and wildlings. When it really counts can Val trust Rune to do what’s right?
I loved this book; the characters are amazing, and this is an original story. This book had my attention from page one to the very end. This book has everything, lies, deceit, danger, secrets, hidden agendas, friendship, respect, loyalty, tragedy and destruction. There is so much going on in this book that I left a lot out of this review because I didn’t want to include any spoilers, but this is a must read.
Profile Image for Katie Buckingham.
652 reviews7 followers
October 18, 2023
Wow! From the first few paragraphs, I was sold on this one! Dark wildings vs. humans? The story is a love story with no real love? If you like Holly Black and her Fae love hate romance in the Folk of Air series, you will love this book too! The main characters are gritty and mean, yet you end up rooting for them both. I just found a new must-read author!
Profile Image for Kat Darby Lifted_pdx.
198 reviews5 followers
July 3, 2024

"Savage Wilds was fantastic! This book is set in the Pacific Northwest and features some of my favorite book tropes: hidden identity, found family, reluctant alliances. The story is a plot-driven dystopian urban fantasy and I refuse to say more as I'm jumping into book two now due to the cliffhanger, but who cares; this series is complete, so I'm gonna go binge it.
Profile Image for Leah Dynes.
1,033 reviews11 followers
July 31, 2023
This book was a slow start for me. Once everything ramped up and got going, it was really enjoyable, but it was a bit hard to get into at the beginning. That being said, I am excited to see what happens next after that cliffhanger!
Profile Image for Jessie.
271 reviews8 followers
December 19, 2024
It feels like Neverland crashed into the landscape of the Hunger Games and you’re not sure if the MMC is a child or a man or a just a man-child. But it’s so damn weird that you gotta keep going. And bam! Next thing you know, the FMC is Emma Frost. I think. It’s quite a reveal regardless 🙃
Profile Image for Britt.
508 reviews84 followers
July 25, 2023
Okay wow, this was absolutely amazing.
Fantasy woven with the real world, or what’s left it after The Wilds take over, found familyish (they were there but now…) fierce FMC, asshole MMC, magic, crystals, forest magic- really all the magical powers; this was just a phenomenal story.
I was pulled into this story for the first chapter. The characters, the world, the writing-it was all just perfection.
For how terrible and a little unhinged Rune was, I adored him. And Val, her character growth was fun to read but that ending!
I hate cliffhangers, this one is pretty severe but worth it.

I received an EARC copy from the author. All opinions are mine.
Profile Image for BookishVibesClub.
247 reviews55 followers
February 15, 2025
I was so easily immersed into this magical world where fantasy meets dystopian. This book checks all the boxes with an incredibly well-developed and beautifully written world, strong FMC, alluring adventure, betrayal, morally grey MMC, with characters who are easy to love and easy to hate. I will immediately be reading the next books in this Savage Wild Hearts series and can’t wait to read other books written by Sean Fletcher. This is one of the best written stories I’ve read.

❤️‍🔥 magic
❤️‍🔥 strong FMC
❤️‍🔥 self discovery
❤️‍🔥 morally grey MMC
❤️‍🔥 quest
❤️‍🔥 warring rivals
❤️‍🔥 found family
❤️‍🔥 frenemies
❤️‍🔥 nicknames
❤️‍🔥 touch them and ☠️
❤️‍🔥 urban fantasy meets dystopian

🫑 (no spice, swoony tension)
Profile Image for Lexie.
110 reviews15 followers
June 17, 2024
[RECESIONE IN ITALIANO]

Oggi vi parlo di una bellissima scoperta di questo autore fantasy indipendente. Si tratta di un Young Adult ambientato in un mondo che ha molte cose in comune con il nostro pianeta, ma altrettante differenze.

Il “Wilds” (la Natura, in poche parole), avanza piano piano inglobando strade, negozi, intere città. E facendo soccombere gli abitanti umani per mano degli “wildlings”.

Solo pochi avventurosi, i cacciatori, si addentrano in questa zona del mondo alla ricerca delle “heart gems”. Ed è proprio durante una spedizione che Peyton trova una bambina ferita e sotto shock, la nostra protagonista, e decide di adottarla e portarla nel mondo umano con lei.

Ma il Wilds reclama sempre ciò che è suo.

Val cresce e, con l’età, anche il suo senso del dovere aumenta. Non per niente abbandona la scuola per dedicarsi alla caccia clandestina. Con Peyton malata e un fratellastro che non si occupa di loro, Val è l’unica speranza di sopravvivere.

Durante una spedizione, però, incontra un wildling. E non uno qualsiasi, ma Rune. Colui che, quando era ancora solo una bambina, l’aveva salvata.

E anche colui che, proprio ora, nel presente, ha un piano per salire al trono come erede legittimo. Ma per farlo, ha bisogno di Val e delle sue capacità straordinarie.

Perché sì, Val è speciale. Ed è la chiave di tutto. Non smetterà di sorprendere i lettori, se stessa e soprattutto Rune, dall’apparenza fredda e minacciosa.

Tra i due non si instaura il più amichevole dei rapporti, ma riusciranno a sviluppare un senso di lealtà e di appartenenza tale da potersi fidare l’uno dell’altro. Anche se sono costantemente messi alla prova dall’impulsività di una o dalla manipolazione dell’altro.

Anche la tensione amorosa è palpabile, anche se, personalmente, avrei forse voluto qualcosa di più. Ma come primo volume di una trilogia, sicuramente sarà approfondito più avanti.

Ad aiutare Val e Rune, ci penserà la piccola squadra di futuri sudditi del futuro re, composta da personaggi diversi e interessanti.

Per quanto riguarda gli antagonisti, c’è l’imbarazzo della scelta. E anche qualche colpo di scena inaspettato.

In un mondo in cui le alleanze sono fatte in base alla forza dimostrata e la lealtà vacilla come uno straccio steso al vento, questo libro vi accompagnerà in un viaggio fatto di azione, amicizia, scoperte e magia.

Una lettura che si distacca da ciò al quale sono abituata, ma che non mi ha lasciata per nulla delusa. Anzi, sono curiosa di continuare la serie e scoprire gli sviluppi tra i personaggi e, soprattutto, superare il cliffhanger del finale.

Lo consiglio a chiunque abbia voglia di tuffarsi in un universo magico, in cui dolcezza, amore e amicizia sono solo debolezze, e che vi farà trepidare durante le sue innumerevoli scene di azione!

Savage Wild Hearts è disponibile solo in inglese, per il momento.

[ENGLISH REVIEW]

Today, I want to share a wonderful discovery from an indie fantasy author. It's a Young Adult novel set in a world that's similar to ours but with some key differences.

The "Wilds" slowly takes over, swallowing roads, shops, and entire cities, and causing humans to fall prey to "wildlings."

Only a few brave souls, known as hunters, venture into this part of the world in search of "heart gems." During one of these expeditions, Peyton finds a wounded and traumatized little girl, our protagonist, and decides to adopt her and bring her back to the human world.

But the Wilds always reclaims what's its own, and deep down, she knows it will reclaim her, too.

Val grows up, and with age, her sense of duty increases too. She drops out of school to focus on illegal hunting. With Peyton sick and a stepbrother who doesn’t take care of them, Val is their only hope for survival.

During one expedition, she encounters a wildling. Not just any wildling, but Rune—the one who saved her when she was just a little girl.

Now, in the present, Rune has a plan to claim the throne as the rightful heir. But to do so, he needs Val and her extraordinary abilities.

Because yes, Val is special. She’s the key to everything. She will keep surprising the readers, herself, and especially Rune, who seems cold and threatening on the surface.

The relationship between the two isn't exactly friendly, but they manage to develop a sense of loyalty and trust for one another. Although, they're constantly tested by Val's impulsiveness and Rune's manipulative nature.

The romantic tension between them is undeniable, though personally, I would have liked a bit more. But as the first volume in a trilogy, there's plenty of room for that to develop.

Val and Rune get help from a small team of future subjects for the future king, each character diverse and interesting. (And I can’t wait to meet them again!)

When it comes to antagonists, there's no shortage, along with a few unexpected twists.

In a world where alliances are based on strength and loyalty is as fickle as the wind, this book takes you on a journey filled with action, friendship, discovery, and magic.

It’s different from what I usually read, but it didn’t disappoint me at all. In fact, I’m excited to continue the series and see how the characters develop, especially after that cliffhanger ending.

I recommend it to anyone who wants to dive into a magical universe where sweetness, love, and friendship are seen as weaknesses. You'll be on the edge of your seat during the countless action scenes!

"Savage Wild Hearts" is currently available only in English.
160 reviews
July 21, 2023
Danger, magic, and adventure in the wilds!
Val is attracted to the wilds but one day she is caught by Rune; on capture she must make a deal to save her sister. A fast paced story that keeps you interested in all the characters. Will Rune take the unclaimed high throne? How does Val a human have magic?
Profile Image for Faith Kress.
8 reviews
October 12, 2023
I wish I could say I loved it because the plot was great and the world building wasn’t bad at all, it had so much potential, but some of the characters just made me lose interest in it. I really liked Val and her story but didn’t feel the chemistry between her and Rune, I’m sad to say.
Profile Image for Jaclyn B..
495 reviews4 followers
May 27, 2024
This is a really solid set up to a fantasy world amidst a modern setting. Which may not be the highest praise but hear me out.

The Wilds sprang suddenly and strangely, spreading out to take over the northwest. The city of Portland was lost, amongst others, and Seattle struggles to survive. The Wilds seem content for now, not attempting to grow and consume more land.

Inside the Wilds live fantastic beasts made from nature, powered by Heart Gems. By hunting them, humans are able to harvest the heart gems and use them to power objects that allow them to have a little of the magic of the Wilds.

Some of the most powerful beings to be found are the Wildlings, humanoid creatures that are highly intelligent and cruel. Capable of compulsion that can enslave a human, and other forest magic.

Val is a hunter, a human who tracks down beasts of the Wilds for their heart gems. She can't go for the bigger, more powerful creatures, but she manages to get enough to survive. She's at home in the Wilds, they call to her in a way that they shouldn't, and she can't seem to stay away. Never mind that she somehow has magic of her own, and her earliest memories begin there.

Her life is turned upside down when she meets a powerful young wildling, Rune, a boy she'd met long before. He's after a throne, one he says is rightfully his, and when Val manages to break his compulsion, he decides she's just the help he needs to get it. Val runs, only to discover that her fence for heart gems is being shut down, and as a freelance hunter she now has no way to sell her gems. No way to afford the medicine Peyton needs, the woman who took her in all those years ago.

This book was a big of a slow starter for me, but did a very good job of showing, not telling, how the magic and the world worked. Which meant it took a little time to get some answers.

We're still left with questions, and an even bigger story on the horizon. I was so glad that I was able to get the first two books free, as well as an ARC of the third through BookSirens. Because I immediately started the next book, and I'm so excited to see where this story goes! I'm leaving this review voluntarily, and hope more people will find this great series!
Profile Image for Bekah.
48 reviews
July 20, 2023
Savage Wild Hearts was such a wild ride. It was definitely a darker post-apocolyptic urban fantasy and there were some things that could be triggering to some readers with people being captured and having horrible things done to them briefly talked about by some characters as they remember but nothing explicit.There was definitely a lot of fighting and gore but hey it's the Wilds, you'll have to read to find out exactly what I mean by that. This book was a new concept to me and it was like a breath of fresh air to read something new and different in the best way possible. Because this was a new idea to me this book pulled me in and kept me intrigued and reading until 2:30 am when I finished the book. The Wilds are taking over the US and nobody knows why. Are the Wilds something to be feared or just another world trying to exist? Val feels drawn to the Wilds but finding out why might just cost her everything. Can she really work with who she sees as the enemy to save the only person she considers to be her family or will she get too close to the enemy and get burned in the process? Just when I thought I had it all figured out, Sean threw in a twist that I did not see coming. I loved that Val is the strong female character we need and want her to be. Rune was definitely broody and mysterious and I still don't think I have him all figured out. I can't decide if anything is going to truly develop between Val and Rune or not but I really hope it does...that's for you Sean if you're reading this. Lol Anyway, This was such a fast-paced read for me and I loved the mystery of it all. There was definitely world building going on and lots of details and I love that about this book. There was absolutely something way bigger at stake than Val realized and with that ending I know there is so much more for Val to uncover. I am going to try to patiently wait for the next book to be released. I'm rooting for you Val! Definitely dive into this book, you will be glad you did! You can thank me later.
Profile Image for R.M. Krogman.
Author 11 books50 followers
August 11, 2023
"Savage Wild Hearts" is the first in series of a YA coming-of-age fantasy by Sean Fletcher, and it is a fun read with a fascinating setting. The familiar world of the Pacific Northwest is being consumed by the Wilds, an immersive forest of savagery and magic. It gives major Mononoke vibes! Humanity is nothing against the Wilds, and even lesser against the wildlings within. Nevertheless, the main character Val keeps returning, drawn by the power of the Wilds and by the heart gems within its beasts. With enough gems, she can pay rent, and she can pay for medicine for her family. Anything is worth risking for them, even her life.

Val is a worthy MC, a young woman with a heart for exploration of a world beyond her control, and is capable of far more than she realizes. She has a particular ability in the Wilds, a strength most don't have, which draws her into the machinations of the wildings. As she learns more about Rune and his rabble, she sees both heartbreaking beauty and heartless mercilessness, incredible strength and a society just as broken as her own. The battle for the wildling crown will be fought to the death, and the web drawing her into it is as complex as the ancient roots of the trees, as irresistible as the infringing Wilds. Rune is cold, driven only by his pursuit of the crown, and yet he is dedicated to his people more deeply than anything Val has before seen. Do the wildlings truly have hearts, or is it only the icy light of a gem in their chests?

The cover art is beautiful, and there is some lovely chapter art as well. Val's voice is consistent and easy to empathize with, and it's a pretty quick, smooth read. This story is told in first-person point-of-view, past tense. I will be reading the next!
Profile Image for Lana.
2,769 reviews59 followers
June 23, 2023
This first book in Sean Fletcher’s new series is so different to his usual style of young adult urban fantasy, it is dark, cruel, a survival of the fittest type of ruthless book, which gripped me right from the first line. It has characteristics of a post apocalyptic world where there is a division between humans and the wildings who live in the wilds which are overtaking the human cities. Humans fear the wilds and try not to venture too deep into them but some hunters do so. They hunt for creatures who dwell there to steal their heart gems in order to sell these as they were in high demand. Rune, a wilding, captured Val, a human, and took her with him into the wilds. He had a following who believed he was the true heir to the high king’s throne and were out to see him crowned. Rune wanted Val to help him find the heart tree which only recognised the true heirs and then provided the crown which had belonged to his late father. However first they had to battle the lords who opposed his claim namely the very powerful Jezaline, Mordecai, Lord Aleki and Cobb his son. This was no easy feat as they had armies of wildings and powerful magic. But Rune had been through so much he now feared nothing, and vowed nothing would stop him. I love the edge of the seat reading, I just could not put the book down fearing for Rune’s and Val’s lives even at each other’s hands at times. I love that they built a sort of relationship between them even though it is a forbidden one on many counts. The ending is very surprising and really makes me want to have book 2 in my hands to go on compulsively reading right now.
Profile Image for Blagica .
1,382 reviews16 followers
April 28, 2024
Engaging Fantasy

I relish weekends dedicated to catching up on books I've been eyeing, and finding one that grips me from the very first page is a true delight. "Savage Wild Hearts" was the gem of my recent reading spree, marking my introduction to Sean Fletcher's work, and I must say, it left quite the impression. Here's why it earned a solid four stars and my wholehearted recommendation.

Set in a captivatingly unique and darker world, the story follows Val, who awakens in the wilds with no memory. Raised to fear the savage creatures known as wildlings, she finds herself entangled in a perilous scheme involving hunting these very beings for their magical heart gems. However, an unexpected encounter with the enigmatic Rune leads her down a path of discovery, unveiling her own latent powers amidst the violent politics of the wildlings.

Rune, with his morally ambiguous nature, stole the spotlight for me. His dynamic with Val crackles with intrigue, leaving me eager to witness their evolving relationship.

The magic system crafted by Fletcher is refreshingly original. I was fascinated by the concept of creatures possessing heart gems that humans could harness for magic, each wildling exhibiting unique abilities such as compulsion, earth manipulation, and healing. Exploring these intricacies alongside Val's own burgeoning powers promises an engaging journey ahead.

In sum, "Savage Wild Hearts" offers a compelling foray into fantasy literature. With the sequel readily available on Kindle Unlimited, it's an enticing invitation to immerse oneself in this captivating new world.





Profile Image for Alison Williams.
Author 3 books11 followers
May 15, 2024
This is actually a 4.5 review as I really enjoyed Savage Wild Hearts by Sean Fletcher. This was a thoroughly entertaining introduction to a wild and magical dystopian setting. Overnight, many years before the opening of the book, The Wilds suddenly appeared, taking over the landscape surrounding most cities in our human world. Inhabited by dangerous, enchanted creatures and human-like people called Wildlings, humanity exists in a precarious balance with the Wilds with war an ever-present threat. Amidst this tension, young hunter Val, collects special heart gems from the prey she kills in the mystical forests. The gems have special powers of their own making them particularly valuable. Val needs the money to pay her foster mother's medicine. Unfortunately, this vulnerability forces her into an uneasy alliance the Wildling lord, Rune. He seeks to use Val's mysterious magical powers to support his quest to become High King of the Wildlings and he uses threats against Val's Foster mother to ensure her cooperation. From there, Val, Rune, and his followers embark on a highly-dangerous quest that forces them all to confront some less-than-savoury truths about themselves and the magic around them.

Sean Fletcher has created a thrilling tale with fantastic characters that draw a reader into the story and once the pace takes off it's hard for it to slow down. However, that fits with this story and makes for a great read for anyone interested in fantasy and/or dystopian novels. Highly recommend.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Molly Persson.
100 reviews1 follower
May 22, 2024
Savage Wild Hearts- Sean Fletcher
5+✨
Wow, just wow. I don’t even know what to say right now, my body is already itching for book 2! I loved everything about this book, the characters, the storyline and the plot. I devoured this book in less than a day, and never once did I lose interest. Our FMC Val is my favourite type of girl, stabby and doesn’t take anyones shit. Rune our MMC is honestly kinda caring, even though he doesn’t show it, but he is written so well that you can just tell. Marian is growing on me, even though she is one mean gal. But she is doing it because she cares deeply about her friends. Xander seems like the type of guy you would want as your best friend, where can I get me one of those?
🌿Some of my fav quotes🌿

“𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩, 𝘝𝘢𝘭. 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘛𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘥.”-𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘴

“𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤. 𝘞𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦?” -𝘝𝘢𝘭

“𝘓𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺, 𝘐’𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘯 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦, 𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥-𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥” -𝘝𝘢𝘭

”𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘹. 𝘎𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵.” -𝘙𝘶𝘯𝘦

All in all, this is one of my favourite books so far in 2024!
Here is what you will get,
🌱Stabby FMC
🌱Magical creatures
🌱Hidden powers
🌱Enemies to something?
🌱Low key kidnapped
🌱Betrayal and lies
🌱Kingdoms at war
If any of those peaked your interest I highly recommend you go and get this book NOW!
Thank you to Sean Fletcher and Booksirens for this E-book, I am leaving this review voluntarily💕
Profile Image for Alessia Doni.
162 reviews6 followers
June 23, 2024
✨” Is that such a terrible thing, to be more feared than loved?”✨

🧝🏻‍♀️Pericolo, avventura, azione e magia sono tutti gli elementi che troverete in Salvage Wild Hearts! Ha un world building molto particolare ed originale che viaggia fra il distopico e il fantasy : le Wilds ( la natura) hanno preso possesso di gran parte degli stati uniti andando cosí a creare una continua lotta fra Wildlings e Umani . Inoltre le Wilds ed i wildling con la loro crudeltà , complotti e un sistema basato sulla “legge del più forte”, intrighi politici e manipolazioni mi hanno dato tante vibes al “ Principe Crudele” facendomi amare ancora di più il tutto!

🌲Ho amato un sacco anche i Personaggi: Val è un’umana alla quale è stato insegnato di temere le Wilds, ma inevitabilmente lei ne è sempre stata attratta dimostrando una strana affinità con quest’ultime . Personalmente ho amato Val: l’ho trovata intelligente, coraggiosa e con uno spirito di adattamento verso ogni situazione ammirevole pur riuscendo ad ammettere di essere terrorizzata del trovarsi in uno mondo letale per lei sotto ogni forma.
🌲Rune l’ho amato: è crudele, ambizioso , spietato e non esita a manipolare Val in un accordo per farsi aiutare a conquistare il trono. Ma oltre tutto ciò si dimostra essere una personaggio leale tiene tutti a distanza per evitare che si facciano male. Inoltre mi ha ricordato molto Cardan e l’ho giá detto che l’ho amato?😂
👑 La relazione fra Val e Rune non ha nulla di romantico ( al momento) ma è basata sulla manipolazione e sull’odio l’uno per l’altra, ma man mano si trasforma in una relazione basata sul rispetto reciproco e questa cosa mi è piaciuta molto!

✨Savage Wild Hearts è il primo di tre volumi e per questo risulta essere molto introduttivo e cj mette un po’ per ingranare. Ma una volta entrato nel vivo della storia? L’ho divorato! Ho trovato il world building originale , ben dettagliato e descritto nei minimi dettagli , Inoltre, tutti gli intrighi politici , le manipolazioni e le scene d’azione non mi hanno mai dato un’attimo di pace. L’unica cosa è che magari avrei voluto un po’ più di romance.. ma per quello effettivamente ci sono ancora due due libri!

❓Vi piacciono gli intrighi politici?
🇬🇧 Do you like political intrigues?
Profile Image for Katy.
273 reviews3 followers
May 13, 2025
The Wilds, in search of a crown a dark dystopian fantasy

Step into a dystopian world…it wasn’t a virus, an invasion from outer space, a military experiment gone wild or a cult set on purging the world of its evil. We aren’t even sure if the rest of the world is still free since they are closed off from the rest of the world. We only know of Seattle, Portland and Vancouver where the Wilds have spread, leaving little livable space for humans. Our food is in short supply, work is hard to find, and the government is tightening around us. The Wilds is an encroaching living forest where wildlings, magical beings and mutated beasts live. There is living vegetation all through the Wilds that would devour you if you are too slow.
This is a dark fantasy. I give Sean Fletcher full marks for making me feel the terrors but not lay them out in the open for me to see, except in my imagination. I loved this story, and it is only the start, with a cliffhanger that made my heart stop and at the same time want to implement my own torture on a few of the characters. The trilogy is complete so there is no waiting to find out what happens next. I loved this beginning and have gone in search of the rest of the story. I recommend this series for those who enjoy dystopian worlds, magic, danger, mystery and tales of the dark.
Profile Image for Erica.
440 reviews6 followers
July 15, 2023
I loved so much about this book! An amazing unique darker story with great characters.

After waking up in the wilds and not remembering anything Val is rescued and raised with the knowledge that the wilds are a vicious place and the wildings are evil savage monsters. However, in order to save her guardian Val must return to the wilds to kill the creatures, collect their heart gems and sell them to humans to use their magic. When she goes deeper then usual to find bigger heart gems, Rune finds her instead. Offering her a deal she can’t refuse, she starts to learn more about her own magic and finds herself in the middle of the wildlings bloody vicious politics.

I loved the morally grey/wicked Rune, he was such a great character and I love how him and Val interacted. I can’t wait to see where their relationship goes next.

The magic system was so different and interesting, I love that all the creatures from the wilds had heart gems and that humans could take them to use magic. The wildlings had different abilities, like compulsion, earth wielding and healing and I’m eager to read more of the different types while also learning about Val’s unique magic.

Overall a great fantasy read and I am eager for book 2!
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