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Wake the Wild Creatures
Already one of the most acclaimed novels of 2025, this extraordinary, timely, and must-read novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Nova Ren Suma explores young women's freedom and rage as Talia plots her way back to her hidden mountaintop home after her mother's arrest for murder.
I reached the clearing with the seven white pines and stopped to get my breath back. The mist filled my lungs, peppery and also sweet, and momentum pushed me forward. Giddy, I dropped into a bed of moss, soft and slick in spots, and rolled in it, howled for no reason, felt close to an understanding of some kind, as if an eye inside me was peeling open. It was the first full moon after I turned thirteen, and I knew that whatever happened in this next stretch of hours would change me forever after.
I wasn’t wrong.
Three years ago, Talia lived happily in the ruins of the Neves, a once-grand hotel in the wilds of the Catskill Mountains, with her mother Pola and their community of like-minded women. Some came to the Neves to escape cruel men, others to hide from the law, but all found safety and connection in their haven high above civilization, cloaked by a mysterious mist that kept intruders away. But as their numbers grew, complications followed, and everything came crashing down the night electric lights pierced the forest. Uniformed men arrested Pola, calling her a murderer and a fugitive, and Talia was taken away.
Now sixteen, Talia has been forced to live with family she barely knows and fit into a world scarred by misogyny, capitalism, disconnection from nature . . . everything the women of the Neves stood against. She has one to return to the Neves. But as Talia awaits a signal from her mother, questions arise. Who betrayed her community, and what is she avoiding about her own role in its collapse? Is it truly magic that keeps the hotel so hidden? And what does it mean to embrace being her mother’s daughter? With the help of an unexpected ally, Talia must find her way to answers, face a mother who’s often kept her at arm’s length, and try to reach the refuge she lost—if the mist hasn’t swallowed her path home.
Fierce and lyrical, unsettling and tender, Wake the Wild Creatures marks the long-awaited return of one of the most distinctive voices in young adult literature.
I reached the clearing with the seven white pines and stopped to get my breath back. The mist filled my lungs, peppery and also sweet, and momentum pushed me forward. Giddy, I dropped into a bed of moss, soft and slick in spots, and rolled in it, howled for no reason, felt close to an understanding of some kind, as if an eye inside me was peeling open. It was the first full moon after I turned thirteen, and I knew that whatever happened in this next stretch of hours would change me forever after.
I wasn’t wrong.
Three years ago, Talia lived happily in the ruins of the Neves, a once-grand hotel in the wilds of the Catskill Mountains, with her mother Pola and their community of like-minded women. Some came to the Neves to escape cruel men, others to hide from the law, but all found safety and connection in their haven high above civilization, cloaked by a mysterious mist that kept intruders away. But as their numbers grew, complications followed, and everything came crashing down the night electric lights pierced the forest. Uniformed men arrested Pola, calling her a murderer and a fugitive, and Talia was taken away.
Now sixteen, Talia has been forced to live with family she barely knows and fit into a world scarred by misogyny, capitalism, disconnection from nature . . . everything the women of the Neves stood against. She has one to return to the Neves. But as Talia awaits a signal from her mother, questions arise. Who betrayed her community, and what is she avoiding about her own role in its collapse? Is it truly magic that keeps the hotel so hidden? And what does it mean to embrace being her mother’s daughter? With the help of an unexpected ally, Talia must find her way to answers, face a mother who’s often kept her at arm’s length, and try to reach the refuge she lost—if the mist hasn’t swallowed her path home.
Fierce and lyrical, unsettling and tender, Wake the Wild Creatures marks the long-awaited return of one of the most distinctive voices in young adult literature.
384 pages, Hardcover
Published May 6, 2025
25 people are currently reading
4704 people want to read
About the author
Nova Ren Suma
14 books869 followersNova Ren Suma is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling and #1 Indie Next Pick The Walls Around Us as well as A Room Away from the Wolves, both finalists for an Edgar Award, among other acclaimed novels. She was co-editor of the story & craft anthology FORESHADOW: Stories to Celebrate the Magic of Reading & Writing YA, and her own short stories appear in various anthologies. She is a MacDowell fellow, a Yaddo fellow, and has taught creative writing at the University of Pennsylvania and Vermont College of Fine Arts. She grew up in the Hudson Valley and now lives in Philadelphia. Wake the Wild Creatures is forthcoming from Little, Brown in May 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
October 16, 2025
Rated 4.5 really.
Excerpt from my review - originally published at Offbeat YA.
Pros: Unique twist on the all-female-commune trope. Relatable, compelling protagonist. Atmospheric, gorgeous writing.
Cons: The now-and-then structure may confuse some readers. Some details aren't addressed or explained.
WARNING! Sexual assault (mostly off-page; one instance on page, but not overly graphic). Death of a minor and an adult (off-page/not graphic). Arson. A prison scene.
Will appeal to: Those who like a poetical yet fierce, dreamlike yet visceral approach to feminism.
Nova Ren Suma is back! Her previous book came out in 2018, go figure - seven years is an eternity in book industry. Suma shared her writing and publishing journey for Wake the Wild Creatures in a series of interviews and newsletters, and for a number of reasons, that journey was a hard, yet ultimately exhilarating experience for her. One thing I can testify, though: she hasn't lost her touch.
IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
Nova Ren Suma could never produce a bad book - or even an average one. And regardless of the content (I'll get to that in a minute), I mean it on a sentence and atmosphere level. All her stories are a masterclass in writing, though they remain accessible and avoid purple spikes (also, she knows how to write a first chapter that makes you want to read what comes next...WTWC and The Walls Around Us are a hard testament to that). All her stories drip with ambiance to the point that you can not only see, but almost taste and smell the places she describes - which is all the more true with a narrative where nature is front and center, and almost a character in itself, like this one. And she never fails to use her writing gift to create vibrant protagonists - all young women - and give them a voice that feels natural and a perspective that feels both believable and something you can get behind (or at least understand), even when you and those characters don't exactly see eye to eye. So, what I mean is, on the writing front this book is impeccable, and a thing to be savoured and revered in equal measure, and main character Talia's voice - as a kid, at 13, at 16 - is spot-on, conveying the innocence of someone who's grown up in an isolated, all-women enclave while at the same time (and for that very reason) allowing her to make insightful remarks about "civilization"'s flaws and all the ways it can fail (or more like vilify) the female gender. [...]
Whole review here.
Excerpt from my review - originally published at Offbeat YA.
Pros: Unique twist on the all-female-commune trope. Relatable, compelling protagonist. Atmospheric, gorgeous writing.
Cons: The now-and-then structure may confuse some readers. Some details aren't addressed or explained.
WARNING! Sexual assault (mostly off-page; one instance on page, but not overly graphic). Death of a minor and an adult (off-page/not graphic). Arson. A prison scene.
Will appeal to: Those who like a poetical yet fierce, dreamlike yet visceral approach to feminism.
Nova Ren Suma is back! Her previous book came out in 2018, go figure - seven years is an eternity in book industry. Suma shared her writing and publishing journey for Wake the Wild Creatures in a series of interviews and newsletters, and for a number of reasons, that journey was a hard, yet ultimately exhilarating experience for her. One thing I can testify, though: she hasn't lost her touch.
IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
Nova Ren Suma could never produce a bad book - or even an average one. And regardless of the content (I'll get to that in a minute), I mean it on a sentence and atmosphere level. All her stories are a masterclass in writing, though they remain accessible and avoid purple spikes (also, she knows how to write a first chapter that makes you want to read what comes next...WTWC and The Walls Around Us are a hard testament to that). All her stories drip with ambiance to the point that you can not only see, but almost taste and smell the places she describes - which is all the more true with a narrative where nature is front and center, and almost a character in itself, like this one. And she never fails to use her writing gift to create vibrant protagonists - all young women - and give them a voice that feels natural and a perspective that feels both believable and something you can get behind (or at least understand), even when you and those characters don't exactly see eye to eye. So, what I mean is, on the writing front this book is impeccable, and a thing to be savoured and revered in equal measure, and main character Talia's voice - as a kid, at 13, at 16 - is spot-on, conveying the innocence of someone who's grown up in an isolated, all-women enclave while at the same time (and for that very reason) allowing her to make insightful remarks about "civilization"'s flaws and all the ways it can fail (or more like vilify) the female gender. [...]
Whole review here.
April 20, 2025
Wake the Wild Creatures instantly grabbed my attention with its stunning green cover, the ominous title and the enticing blurb by Nina LaCour … I’m so glad I picked this atmospheric YA novel by author Nova Ren Suma a first for me and I’m excited to check out her backlist!
Talia grew up the ruins of Neves an abandon hotel in the mountains of the Catskills with her mother Pola and a group of other women who seeked safety within the fog covered woods. Until one day when they were found… now Talia has been living with her Aunt on the Flatlands for three years waiting for a sign from Pola that it’s safe to return to Neve.
A book to add to your Girlhood TBR. Jumping back from present to past you get a full experience of the mysterious land that feels like a fever dream. This book was timely and thought-provoking. With themes of found family and belonging it will be one I will be thinking about for some time.
Thank you Little, Brown Young Readers/ Hachette Audio
Releases 5/6
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
Talia grew up the ruins of Neves an abandon hotel in the mountains of the Catskills with her mother Pola and a group of other women who seeked safety within the fog covered woods. Until one day when they were found… now Talia has been living with her Aunt on the Flatlands for three years waiting for a sign from Pola that it’s safe to return to Neve.
A book to add to your Girlhood TBR. Jumping back from present to past you get a full experience of the mysterious land that feels like a fever dream. This book was timely and thought-provoking. With themes of found family and belonging it will be one I will be thinking about for some time.
Thank you Little, Brown Young Readers/ Hachette Audio
Releases 5/6
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
May 7, 2025
Wake the Wild Creatures is an atmospheric coming-of-age story with themes of family drama, feminism, and found family. Set against the backdrop of the Catskill Mountains, the story follows 16-year-old Talia, who was raised in the Neves—a secluded hotel turned sanctuary for women escaping past traumas. When the women are found by local authorities, Talia’s mother, Pola, is arrested, and she is sent to live with her aunt in the “real world”—a stark contrast to her untamed life in the Neves, causing her an identity crisis and societal challenges.
Suma’s writing is poetic and beautiful and reads more like adult literary fiction than a YA book. The story analyzes the blurred lines between sanctuary and imprisonment and will make readers ponder what a free society really looks like and the price we pay for safety. The story has a nonlinear structure—the present-day timeline is intermixed with many flashback scenes from different points in Talia’s wild upbringing. If reading on audio, it’s recommended to listen at a slower speed to appreciate all the descriptive prose and to follow all the time jumps.
The characters are richly developed. Talia is a strong, outspoken, and resilient character. Having grown up in the Neves, in constant survival mode, she’s always planning out her next move and always ready to bolt. When she is forced to interact with teenagers her own age, she comes across as defensive and hostile, being fully aware of what they think of her backstory and her incarcerated mother. Her relationship with her cousin, Lake, is a highlight of the book—Lake is the only one who understands Talia and is willing to help her, and their dialogue is very compelling. Talia’s mother, Pola, is a complex, flawed character, but her unconditional love for Talia is very evident, especially in the flashback scenes and when they reunite at the jail. There’s definitely a supernatural element to their connection, so be sure to pay close attention to their dialogue!
The Neves setting, amidst the atmospheric Catskill Mountains, is a character in its own right—it has an ethereal, dreamlike feel, shrouded in mist with an enchanted waterfall that adds layers of magical realism and beauty to the story. The community that comes together has a very strong “found family” feel to it—they have a set of rules, daily responsibilities for everyone, and all look out for each other and their home. The concept of a utopian feminist community in an abandoned mountain hotel feels far-fetched but is still very intriguing. By the end, when Talia returns, it feels as though her experiences and found family were nothing but a fever dream—it’s definitely an ending worthy of discussion, and for that reason, this book is a great book club choice!
Overall, Wake The Wild Creatures is a highly original and thought-provoking tale. It will especially resonate with readers who enjoy emotional stories with defiant FMCs on paths of self-discovery. If all of this sounds intriguing, don’t hesitate to pick up a copy of this book!
Suma’s writing is poetic and beautiful and reads more like adult literary fiction than a YA book. The story analyzes the blurred lines between sanctuary and imprisonment and will make readers ponder what a free society really looks like and the price we pay for safety. The story has a nonlinear structure—the present-day timeline is intermixed with many flashback scenes from different points in Talia’s wild upbringing. If reading on audio, it’s recommended to listen at a slower speed to appreciate all the descriptive prose and to follow all the time jumps.
The characters are richly developed. Talia is a strong, outspoken, and resilient character. Having grown up in the Neves, in constant survival mode, she’s always planning out her next move and always ready to bolt. When she is forced to interact with teenagers her own age, she comes across as defensive and hostile, being fully aware of what they think of her backstory and her incarcerated mother. Her relationship with her cousin, Lake, is a highlight of the book—Lake is the only one who understands Talia and is willing to help her, and their dialogue is very compelling. Talia’s mother, Pola, is a complex, flawed character, but her unconditional love for Talia is very evident, especially in the flashback scenes and when they reunite at the jail. There’s definitely a supernatural element to their connection, so be sure to pay close attention to their dialogue!
The Neves setting, amidst the atmospheric Catskill Mountains, is a character in its own right—it has an ethereal, dreamlike feel, shrouded in mist with an enchanted waterfall that adds layers of magical realism and beauty to the story. The community that comes together has a very strong “found family” feel to it—they have a set of rules, daily responsibilities for everyone, and all look out for each other and their home. The concept of a utopian feminist community in an abandoned mountain hotel feels far-fetched but is still very intriguing. By the end, when Talia returns, it feels as though her experiences and found family were nothing but a fever dream—it’s definitely an ending worthy of discussion, and for that reason, this book is a great book club choice!
Overall, Wake The Wild Creatures is a highly original and thought-provoking tale. It will especially resonate with readers who enjoy emotional stories with defiant FMCs on paths of self-discovery. If all of this sounds intriguing, don’t hesitate to pick up a copy of this book!
May 23, 2025
FUCK EM UP, TALIA
May 4, 2025
Another wonderful book by this amazing author. If you are looking for a book with a bit of whimsy but also a weird-but-kick-ass FMC then let me introduce you to Nova Ren Suma. Now, I usually do not like Magical Realism but there is just something about how beautiful and powerful her books are that draws me in. Her stories might be whimsical but they bite and they bite HARD. Imagine a place safe from men, safe from this cruel world. What would you do to get to that place?
January 23, 2025
Another stunning YA novel from Nova Ren Suma. In Wake the Wild Creatures, she invents a world that is believable and magical at the same time. Talia washes back and forth between the present and past as she tells about life in the Neves, an abandoned hotel run by her mother, made into a rough refuge for women who need to disappear from something or someone.
When Talia is thirteen, she and her mother are caught and separated. Her mother is jailed and Talia is taken to live with her aunt, uncle, and cousins. Her cousin Lake is not happy to share a room with Talia or to have her at the same school. Her aunt provides what she needs but is not honest with Talia and is not to be trusted.
Wake the Wild Creatures kept me turning pages. I read it every chance I could and would have happily locked myself away from any responsibilities to sit and finish it.
I was lucky to be able to read an advanced copy of this book through Edelwiess. The gorgeous cover was revealed just yesterday. I cannot wait for May for this book to be in the hands of everyone.
When Talia is thirteen, she and her mother are caught and separated. Her mother is jailed and Talia is taken to live with her aunt, uncle, and cousins. Her cousin Lake is not happy to share a room with Talia or to have her at the same school. Her aunt provides what she needs but is not honest with Talia and is not to be trusted.
Wake the Wild Creatures kept me turning pages. I read it every chance I could and would have happily locked myself away from any responsibilities to sit and finish it.
I was lucky to be able to read an advanced copy of this book through Edelwiess. The gorgeous cover was revealed just yesterday. I cannot wait for May for this book to be in the hands of everyone.
February 28, 2025
First, I'd like to say a thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Wake the Wild Creatures.
It's just after 4am here in Los Angeles. Body aches and the chills, compliments of flu season, are keeping me awake.
I figure this must be the universe's way of telling me I have time, right now, to start this book.
I'm one chapter in, and I'm really loving Nova's writing style. It's truncated. But also flowing. I love a writer who makes a style their very own!
She brings the reader into the wild woods with such glaring details, right before she dumps you into the nightmare of suburbia.
That was my initial thoughts on Wake the Wild Creatures. And I continued to be enthralled by the characters and their surroundings to the very end. The story jumps timelines often, which is my only true complaint. I hope that Nova does a follow up as I'd love to continue to follow Talia on her journey through life.
It's just after 4am here in Los Angeles. Body aches and the chills, compliments of flu season, are keeping me awake.
I figure this must be the universe's way of telling me I have time, right now, to start this book.
I'm one chapter in, and I'm really loving Nova's writing style. It's truncated. But also flowing. I love a writer who makes a style their very own!
She brings the reader into the wild woods with such glaring details, right before she dumps you into the nightmare of suburbia.
That was my initial thoughts on Wake the Wild Creatures. And I continued to be enthralled by the characters and their surroundings to the very end. The story jumps timelines often, which is my only true complaint. I hope that Nova does a follow up as I'd love to continue to follow Talia on her journey through life.
May 3, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
The beautiful cover of this book is what captured my attention, but the story, characters and underlying messages are what kept my attention, and completely blew me away. The writing is rich and vibrant while still being easy to read. I really liked a lot of the characters, and felt I could relate to them throughout their journeys. A wonderful read, that I couldn’t put down!
The beautiful cover of this book is what captured my attention, but the story, characters and underlying messages are what kept my attention, and completely blew me away. The writing is rich and vibrant while still being easy to read. I really liked a lot of the characters, and felt I could relate to them throughout their journeys. A wonderful read, that I couldn’t put down!
May 10, 2025
Sometimes YA novels really hit home on the message. This was one of those beautifully crafted, poignant reads. I very much enjoyed this story.
September 27, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
May 2, 2025
3.5 Interesting Fantasy related story. Parts of it were mystical and magical, and there remained unanswered questions in the end.
April 27, 2025
Floored.
I saw Nina LaCour recommend WAKE THE WILD CREATURES and was beyond excited when I was approved for the audiobook ARC.
And damn, this book DELIVERED.
I won't spoil anything, so this review is gonna be mostly vibes. And let me tell you, the vibes were excellent. A captivating tale of eeriness, a raging teen, community, pains of being AFAB. (Definitely check out the content warnings for this book, though!)
As a nature lover, I particularly enjoyed Talia's connection with/respect for the wilderness. The story is filled with messy, complicated characters. I found the relationship between Talia and her cousin super compelling, realistic, beautiful, nuanced. Incredible storytelling all around. I couldn't stop listening. The narration by Helen Laser was perfect.
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I saw Nina LaCour recommend WAKE THE WILD CREATURES and was beyond excited when I was approved for the audiobook ARC.
And damn, this book DELIVERED.
I won't spoil anything, so this review is gonna be mostly vibes. And let me tell you, the vibes were excellent. A captivating tale of eeriness, a raging teen, community, pains of being AFAB. (Definitely check out the content warnings for this book, though!)
As a nature lover, I particularly enjoyed Talia's connection with/respect for the wilderness. The story is filled with messy, complicated characters. I found the relationship between Talia and her cousin super compelling, realistic, beautiful, nuanced. Incredible storytelling all around. I couldn't stop listening. The narration by Helen Laser was perfect.
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2025
First and foremost, thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! I really, really enjoyed this book, and I'm thrilled to have had the chance to read and review it.
Now, onto the actual review. (Mild to medium spoilers ahead. You have been warned.)
This was my first Nova Ren Suma book. I was not familiar with the author and requested this book based on the plot description alone. It did not disappoint. "Wake the Wild Creatures" is a beautiful, haunting story of a teenager taken from the only life she's ever known (in what outsiders would call a "cult" situation) and thrust into "the real world."
The story is told in two waves -- present day and flashbacks of the character's childhood.
It's a little bit YA (according to the description -- it doesn't necessarily READ like a YA book), a little bit mystery/suspense, and a little bit urban fantasy. The primary themes are female empowerment, survival, and how our pasts shape and determine our futures. There's also a strong prevailing dance with the idea of captivity vs. sanctuary -- what defines each? can the lines ever be blurred? is it captivity if the whole world says it is but it feels like home instead?
In short, it's a very complex story for something marketed as "YA."
A little background info:
Our MC, Talia, spent her entire childhood living wild in the Catskill Mountains with her mother and other women trying to escape the horrors of the outside world. They live in an abandoned hotel that doesn't appear on any maps or show up on aerial searches. Many of the women who live there, including Talia's mother, are -- by definition -- criminals. But they're criminals who murdered rapists, child abusers, and other not-so-great people. Others aren't criminals but ARE escaping those same situations in their own private lives.
When Talia turns 13 (the book's opening), outsiders find her, and her mother (a murderer) surrenders herself rather than let Talia be taken into the system. In turn, she arranges for Talia to live with her sister (Talia's aunt) in the outside world.
Growing up wild in a place that she believes to be magical has not necessarily equipped Talia for the modern world of money, high school dances, and other modern conveniences. It's also left her with an understandably skewed view of "men." She fears and distrusts them but is also incredibly naive about their motivations and actions.
The flashback scenes are incredible -- almost enchanting -- and allow the story of Talia's past to unfold at just the right pace. The modern-day scenes are heartbreaking and emotional. Talia's only goal is to get back to the Neves (the hotel), but along the way, she becomes close with someone in "the real world," too.
The events that unfold leave Talia with more questions than answers. Was it her fault that her mother was taken? Is her community in the Neves still there? Did someone betray them? Was "the magic" real? Or was it just a lie she and the other women told themselves to feel safe?
As far as plot goes, that's as much as I will say.
What I WILL explain is why I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5, and that was due to the "magical" elements. (The medium spoilers happen here, so read on at your own risk.)
For 90-95% of the book, the reader is led to believe that there is no real magic. It's just a story created to make the community feel more secure and self-contained. However, at the end, things happen that can only be explained through the use of actual magic. Coming so late in the book, it didn't seem realistic, nor did it seem to fit with the rest of the story.
I didn't hate it, and I understand why it had to happen the way it did. But I felt like it took some of the story's credibility away.
Still, it was a great book with absolutely gorgeous prose, and the hotel was so vividly and beautifully described as to become a character in and of itself -- and one I'd very much love to visit.
Despite my irritations with the magical elements, I'd still highly recommend this to readers of all ages.
Now, onto the actual review. (Mild to medium spoilers ahead. You have been warned.)
This was my first Nova Ren Suma book. I was not familiar with the author and requested this book based on the plot description alone. It did not disappoint. "Wake the Wild Creatures" is a beautiful, haunting story of a teenager taken from the only life she's ever known (in what outsiders would call a "cult" situation) and thrust into "the real world."
The story is told in two waves -- present day and flashbacks of the character's childhood.
It's a little bit YA (according to the description -- it doesn't necessarily READ like a YA book), a little bit mystery/suspense, and a little bit urban fantasy. The primary themes are female empowerment, survival, and how our pasts shape and determine our futures. There's also a strong prevailing dance with the idea of captivity vs. sanctuary -- what defines each? can the lines ever be blurred? is it captivity if the whole world says it is but it feels like home instead?
In short, it's a very complex story for something marketed as "YA."
A little background info:
Our MC, Talia, spent her entire childhood living wild in the Catskill Mountains with her mother and other women trying to escape the horrors of the outside world. They live in an abandoned hotel that doesn't appear on any maps or show up on aerial searches. Many of the women who live there, including Talia's mother, are -- by definition -- criminals. But they're criminals who murdered rapists, child abusers, and other not-so-great people. Others aren't criminals but ARE escaping those same situations in their own private lives.
When Talia turns 13 (the book's opening), outsiders find her, and her mother (a murderer) surrenders herself rather than let Talia be taken into the system. In turn, she arranges for Talia to live with her sister (Talia's aunt) in the outside world.
Growing up wild in a place that she believes to be magical has not necessarily equipped Talia for the modern world of money, high school dances, and other modern conveniences. It's also left her with an understandably skewed view of "men." She fears and distrusts them but is also incredibly naive about their motivations and actions.
The flashback scenes are incredible -- almost enchanting -- and allow the story of Talia's past to unfold at just the right pace. The modern-day scenes are heartbreaking and emotional. Talia's only goal is to get back to the Neves (the hotel), but along the way, she becomes close with someone in "the real world," too.
The events that unfold leave Talia with more questions than answers. Was it her fault that her mother was taken? Is her community in the Neves still there? Did someone betray them? Was "the magic" real? Or was it just a lie she and the other women told themselves to feel safe?
As far as plot goes, that's as much as I will say.
What I WILL explain is why I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5, and that was due to the "magical" elements. (The medium spoilers happen here, so read on at your own risk.)
For 90-95% of the book, the reader is led to believe that there is no real magic. It's just a story created to make the community feel more secure and self-contained. However, at the end, things happen that can only be explained through the use of actual magic. Coming so late in the book, it didn't seem realistic, nor did it seem to fit with the rest of the story.
I didn't hate it, and I understand why it had to happen the way it did. But I felt like it took some of the story's credibility away.
Still, it was a great book with absolutely gorgeous prose, and the hotel was so vividly and beautifully described as to become a character in and of itself -- and one I'd very much love to visit.
Despite my irritations with the magical elements, I'd still highly recommend this to readers of all ages.
May 5, 2025
Nova Ren Suma has a such a unique way of writing magical realism. I’ve been following her since 2015, when I read THE WALLS AROUND US and declared it my pick for the Printz. (Sadly, the Committee did not take my personal preferences into account.) She grounds her stories in the real world, with cell phones and homecoming dances and bitchy high school girl antics, but there’s always something freaky simmering in the background. I love it.
WAKE THE WILD CREATURES is told in two timelines. In the past, Talia grows up in the Catskill mountains, where her mother, Pola, is the leader of a “collective” of women who’ve left their lives behind to live in the woods. In the present, known fugitive Pola is in prison and Talia is forced to assimilate to the “real” world she’s never known. As the book got going, there were several directions I thought it might go. A “raised by wolves” story where a 16-year-old with zero life experience is rescued and has to go to high school? A slow burn psychological thriller where the narrator realizes over the course of the book that the community she’s desperate to get back to was actually a murderous cult? A werewolf thing? (In order of how much I wanted each of those stories, from most to least: werewolf, raised by wolves, cult.)
As it turns out, WAKE THE WILD CREATURES is none of those things. The plot is fairly straightforward despite the dual timelines. The magical realism is a small part of the story (smaller than I would’ve liked). Nova Ren Suma writes brilliant, beautiful prose and I am still so in love with this premise, but the structure (large info dumps about Talia’s past, and very little going on in the present) made it a denser, slower read than it should’ve been. If you’re a fan of Nova Ren Suma (as I am!), her signature style shines through in WAKE THE WILD CREATURES, and it’s likely enough to keep you going. But if you’ve never read her books before, this is probably not the one to start with.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
WAKE THE WILD CREATURES is told in two timelines. In the past, Talia grows up in the Catskill mountains, where her mother, Pola, is the leader of a “collective” of women who’ve left their lives behind to live in the woods. In the present, known fugitive Pola is in prison and Talia is forced to assimilate to the “real” world she’s never known. As the book got going, there were several directions I thought it might go. A “raised by wolves” story where a 16-year-old with zero life experience is rescued and has to go to high school? A slow burn psychological thriller where the narrator realizes over the course of the book that the community she’s desperate to get back to was actually a murderous cult? A werewolf thing? (In order of how much I wanted each of those stories, from most to least: werewolf, raised by wolves, cult.)
As it turns out, WAKE THE WILD CREATURES is none of those things. The plot is fairly straightforward despite the dual timelines. The magical realism is a small part of the story (smaller than I would’ve liked). Nova Ren Suma writes brilliant, beautiful prose and I am still so in love with this premise, but the structure (large info dumps about Talia’s past, and very little going on in the present) made it a denser, slower read than it should’ve been. If you’re a fan of Nova Ren Suma (as I am!), her signature style shines through in WAKE THE WILD CREATURES, and it’s likely enough to keep you going. But if you’ve never read her books before, this is probably not the one to start with.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 6, 2025
I spend a lot of time reading novels where the fish-out-of-water characters are often the types who often can’t wait to leave home, are glad they left home, or sometimes just resign themselves to the idea they’ve left home. Wake the Wild Creatures is the inverse of that–Talia is like a native plant or animal whose been uprooted from the soil of where she calls home and not only can’t thrive anywhere else but constantly feels the emotional distance and longing for the land she came from. That distance and longing is forged into determination and resolution over the course of this book, even as Talia’s childhood in the community she and her mother started is explored in retrospect.
Wake the Wild Creatures is a coming of age novel that I would sort into the YA category I’ve seen called “Coming of Rage”: Books for the YA set with strong female protagonists under the age of 21 who are angry (or become angry), are unapologetic about it, and take action. Now, this isn’t a horror novel or even a thriller. It’s just one daughter’s search to understand the world around her, who her mother really is and the reasons for her actions, and her endeavors to return to the only place she knows she’ll call home. 4⭐️
Thanks to Little Brown for Young Readers and The NOVL for the gifted copy of this book. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: Coming of Age/Magical Realism/YA Fiction
Wake the Wild Creatures is a coming of age novel that I would sort into the YA category I’ve seen called “Coming of Rage”: Books for the YA set with strong female protagonists under the age of 21 who are angry (or become angry), are unapologetic about it, and take action. Now, this isn’t a horror novel or even a thriller. It’s just one daughter’s search to understand the world around her, who her mother really is and the reasons for her actions, and her endeavors to return to the only place she knows she’ll call home. 4⭐️
Thanks to Little Brown for Young Readers and The NOVL for the gifted copy of this book. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: Coming of Age/Magical Realism/YA Fiction
July 8, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for providing a free arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
For the most part, I enjoyed reading the story. In general, the author does a great job crafting a mystery around the community at the Neves, as well as Paula, Talia's mother. Talia is a strong protagonist, and I love getting to see the world through her eyes. She has a unique voice that is very compelling and realistic for her experiences. It sets up an interesting contrast between freedom and expectations found at the Neves versus that found in modern society. Despite the beautiful prose and the powerful themes that are explored, I wasn't the biggest fan of the long flashbacks to the Neves. I wish more of the story had focused on Talia in the present, working her way back to the Neves. I got the sense that long stretches of time would be in the past, recounting all that happened at the Neves, and it didn't always feel like it was building to the larger plot. The ending also left many unanswered questions, so I ultimately felt like not much changed between the start and end. Excellent idea and build-up, just wish there was more at the end.
*3.5 stars
For the most part, I enjoyed reading the story. In general, the author does a great job crafting a mystery around the community at the Neves, as well as Paula, Talia's mother. Talia is a strong protagonist, and I love getting to see the world through her eyes. She has a unique voice that is very compelling and realistic for her experiences. It sets up an interesting contrast between freedom and expectations found at the Neves versus that found in modern society. Despite the beautiful prose and the powerful themes that are explored, I wasn't the biggest fan of the long flashbacks to the Neves. I wish more of the story had focused on Talia in the present, working her way back to the Neves. I got the sense that long stretches of time would be in the past, recounting all that happened at the Neves, and it didn't always feel like it was building to the larger plot. The ending also left many unanswered questions, so I ultimately felt like not much changed between the start and end. Excellent idea and build-up, just wish there was more at the end.
*3.5 stars
July 23, 2025
What a ride. this story immediately hooked me and kept me hooked the entire time.
it follows Talia, a teenage who grew up in a remote hotel in the Catskills in a cult/commune/community with her mother who was wanted for murder. they formed a community with fellow women who were running from men, the law, or wanted to live off the grid. when Talia's mom is finally arrested when she is 13, Talia is sent to live with her aunt until she is 16, when she goes to visit her mom in prison.
the whole book is told in multiple timelines, one of her life in the Neves, and one with her aunt among civilization.
honestly a very wild read that was inticing until the very end.
it follows Talia, a teenage who grew up in a remote hotel in the Catskills in a cult/commune/community with her mother who was wanted for murder. they formed a community with fellow women who were running from men, the law, or wanted to live off the grid. when Talia's mom is finally arrested when she is 13, Talia is sent to live with her aunt until she is 16, when she goes to visit her mom in prison.
the whole book is told in multiple timelines, one of her life in the Neves, and one with her aunt among civilization.
honestly a very wild read that was inticing until the very end.
May 2, 2025
This book is both lyrical and eerie. The story follows sixteen-year-old Talia, a girl torn from her strange, secretive home and forced to reclaim her past and power. Talia's character is complex, raw and real and she really pulls you into her story that's heartbreaking and empowering. Nova Ren Suma blends memory, myth, and emotion into a haunting coming-of-age tale full of mystery, meaning and one that will stay with you long after the last page. Thank you Tbr and Beyond Tours, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and Nova Ren Suma for sharing this book with me!
August 14, 2025
Great book! I found it very easy to visualize everything the author wrote and it really made a wonderfully immersive experience. It was also interesting to see the perspective of someone who has not experienced the civilized world and how they act within it. A refreshing and unique read with a surprisingly tame ending that left a few loose ends to think about.
Long live the Neves!
Long live the Neves!
October 3, 2025
This book was not my typical YA genre to be read. However, it was quite intriguing. Full review to come following publication in School Library Journal. :)
Also, this took me way too long to read, but it wasn't due to lack of interest. It was a digital/print book, and I don't have as much time to read this format compared to the time I have to listen to audiobooks.
Also, this took me way too long to read, but it wasn't due to lack of interest. It was a digital/print book, and I don't have as much time to read this format compared to the time I have to listen to audiobooks.
July 25, 2025
This was a very different story than what I was expecting. It felt a little slow and empty at times, but there was this wildness untamed in the main characters that wasn’t entirely explained. I don’t know if I would necessarily refer someone to it, but I’m not mad that I read it
May 31, 2025
Strong, gritty girlhood.
September 2, 2025
I know I give a lot of books five stars but this one was a whole new level. It was so deep and so so well written.
September 19, 2025
It’s very rare that I love a YA book so intensely….I have nothing bad to say about this book and will never ever forget it. It was absolutely beautiful and most of my theories were right tehehehe
June 3, 2025
Fabulous. Both a beautifully-crafted story and a scream of rage against our society’s objectification and abuse of women and girls, and the vilification of those who say “no more.”
May 28, 2025
I appreciated the themes of this book. I wish that it had a bit more subtlety, though-perhaps it is more middle grade than young adult.
August 18, 2025
finally. I think I may have found my next read. dry spell, what spell?
update: that was a great story. 4.5 stars.
update: that was a great story. 4.5 stars.
September 26, 2025
Defiance, empowerment, womanhood, feral survival, trust in the wild and the community that you choose as your home. This is what makes Wake the Wild Creatures such a fierce and unapologetic story, one that will surely pierce through the cloudy mist into readers’ hearts.
May 7, 2025
4.5 stars
May 10, 2025
4.5⭐️ Talia has only known life at the Neves, a hidden, mist-shrouded abandoned hotel turned sanctuary for women in the Catskills. But when police raid the commune and arrest her mother, Talia is forced into a harsh outside world she doesn't understand. Disoriented and grieving, she holds onto one hope: a signal from her mother that it’s time to return. But as she waits, Talia begins unraveling the secrets of her past.
What I Loved:
✨ Found Family & Feminist Community: The Neves becomes a safe haven for women fleeing patriarchal violence, silencing, and trauma. Yet, the outside world labels it a cult. I loved how Suma blurs the line between sanctuary and captivity.
✨Magical Realism: Subtle and haunting—just enough to keep the story's edges hypnotic with tension and glowing with mystery.
✨Past/Present Timelines: I loved the structural contrast between Talia’s memories of life at the Neves and her fragmented experiences in the outside world. The past feels lush and dreamlike; the present is harsh and disorienting. This contrast mirrors Talia’s emotional journey perfectly.
🎧Narration Nate: Helen Laser is incredible! She brings Talia to life—capturing her innocence, heartbreak, and quiet rage with unforgettable depth.
Other Highlights: Feminist speculative fiction, atmospheric coming-of-age, and layered mysteries with emotional weight.
What I Loved:
✨ Found Family & Feminist Community: The Neves becomes a safe haven for women fleeing patriarchal violence, silencing, and trauma. Yet, the outside world labels it a cult. I loved how Suma blurs the line between sanctuary and captivity.
✨Magical Realism: Subtle and haunting—just enough to keep the story's edges hypnotic with tension and glowing with mystery.
✨Past/Present Timelines: I loved the structural contrast between Talia’s memories of life at the Neves and her fragmented experiences in the outside world. The past feels lush and dreamlike; the present is harsh and disorienting. This contrast mirrors Talia’s emotional journey perfectly.
🎧Narration Nate: Helen Laser is incredible! She brings Talia to life—capturing her innocence, heartbreak, and quiet rage with unforgettable depth.
Other Highlights: Feminist speculative fiction, atmospheric coming-of-age, and layered mysteries with emotional weight.
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