Wild Child

Wild Child #1

by Mike Wells

There is a "wild child" who lives deep within us all. Can it be tamed? Or must it be set free? Young adult novel.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Thriller, Suspense, Young Adult Fantasy

106 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 1998

About the author

Email me at mike (at) mikewellsbooks.com or follow me on Twitter (@MikeWellsAuthor) and get a FREE copy of one of my bestselling books. I'm an American author best known for my Lust, Money & Murder series and and written more than 25 other thriller and suspense novels. I also have taught in the Creative Writing program at Oxford. I'm known for my super fast-paced, 'unputdownable' books.

Please visit my website/blog at:

http://www.mikewellsbooks.com/

And please join me on Twitter and Facebook:

http://twitter.com/mikewellsauthor

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Reviews

[Olethros · Rating 3 out of 5]

-Pompas de jabón.-

Género. Novela corta.

Lo que nos cuenta. Durante una tarde en el lago, Briana y Kyle están disfrutando del clima y la natación cuando se produce un accidente terrible. Pero unos minutos después sucede algo extraordinario. Primer libro de la serie Wild Child.

¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:

http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please note: I read in July 2011 from a copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

My Synopsis: A fast-paced novella, “Wild Child” explores when happens when Briana – the wild child of the title – and her best friend Kyle discover a mysterious spring of glowing green water in an underwater cavern. While it heals Bri from wounds received in an accident, and makes her feel wonderful, its effects are also short-term and she must return or her wounds begin to reform and she feels weak and sick. When Kyle asks his father to have the water analyzed, he doesn’t realize what a mess he is going to create, because the chemists who tested the water contacted the government – and government representatives show up, saying they only want to help …

My Thoughts: Wells has created a great world; developing characters and making us care for them in a very short time, and telling a complete story within that same margin. His style is clean and spare, with vivid descriptions. This is technically a young adult story, but should also be enjoyable to older readers as well. Give it a try; I think you’ll like it.

[Jessica offerman · Rating 2 out of 5]

More????

It was good. A fast read left me wanting more
Some confusion as to why it ended where it did but I guess that's how they real you in to buy the next book. I prefer books that have an ending though

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Source: Downloaded for free from Amazon.co.uk.)
This is a story about 19-year-old Kyle and his best friend Briana. One day while they are out on his father’s boat, Briana convinces Kyle to go for a swim, but disaster strikes.
A speed boat whizzes straight towards Briana, and she disappears from sight.

Kyle knows that the boat must have hit Briana, but he has no idea what he should do, so he goes back to the boat.
Not long after, Briana reappears at the side of the boat – as she’s fine! She has however got a huge scar on her abdomen, and a huge cut on her leg, and tells Kyle that she found some mysterious green water at the bottom of the lake.

Dragging Kyle to the bottom of the lake, Briana shows him how the green water heals her wounds. But Kyle doesn’t trust the green water, and refuses to drink any himself.
Back on dry land Briana begins to look bad though, and tells Kyle that she needs to go back to the lake.
What exactly is the green water? How does it heal Briana? And what else does it do?


I never intended to read this book. I downloaded it for free from Amazon, and I left it on my kindle because I found out that the author lived in the UK (and would therefore count for the British books challenge!), but the cover put me off.
But when I accidentally opened this book on my kindle, I thought I’d read the first few pages before deleting it. I have to say that I was shocked when I found that I liked it, and even more surprised when I found myself racing through the pages desperate to find out what happened next!

Kyle and Briana’s story had a real mystery feel to it, and could possibly even be described as a thriller. I loved trying to guess what would happen next, and what the hell the green water really was!

The ending though…. Holy Freaking Tomato Hats – talk about a cliff-hanger. In fact, I’m not sure it even was a cliff-hanger, it was more like the story reached its crescendo, and then just stopped! Not fair! When I read a book, even if it’s a freebie, I expect to get the whole story, especially if it’s not label ‘part 1’ or something!

I really want to find out what happens next with this one, but I can’t afford the second part of the story at the moment! So annoying!
Overall; a great YA mystery/thriller, but the story just stops half-way through!!
8 out of 10.

[Adisha Kariyawasam · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book!

I read this in a few hours. Great fast-paced story with excellent realistic character interaction and dialogue.

Of particular note are the tense scenes with 'Brains and Brawn' and differences of opinion between Kyle Dunlap Jnr and Kyle Snr - Great portrayal of adolescent angst.
I loved reckless Briana Fox's reference to the 1954 B movie 'The Creature from the Black Lagoon'. So appropriate!

The story was also very humorous in places too and that was an added bonus!

It's easy to see why Mike Wells is a best-selling author across many genres.
By the way, the story behind the book's cover is an equally fascinating one. My congratulations to illustrator Seron Fuller too.

I look forward to reading book 2!

[Sarah Barnard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy takes his Dad's boat without permission to go out on a lake with the friend he's not meant to be with. While out on the water there's an accident and Wild Child deals with the aftermath of that accident, and with what might have been.

My big complaint with this book is that it's too short! Also, the ending left me wanting to turn the (virtual) page and look for more, what happens next? How does Kyle feel after what he did? Does he go back?

Will there be a sequel?

Aha! Looking at Mike's Amazon author page, there will be a sequel and it looks like Kyle does go back.... Excellent.

[By Book and Bone (Sally) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really like this story but it had its good points. It is easy to read and not too long which I found suited this story as there isn't much too it. Kyle, the protagonist, is a relatively likeable character. Briana, however, is a shallow one dimensional girl. I found it hard to understand why Kyle liked her. The other characters are skimmed over and don't really have much personality too them. Really there could have been less of them and the story wouldn't have suffered.

Over all it's a simple story that can be finished in an hour. Easy to read, easy to forget but not terrible.

[Karolina Kutryb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild Child is a short, very fast-paced book, which is taking the reader to the mysterious world of unknown. Even though from the very beginning plot seems to be quite realistic, there is something extraordinary hidden in the lake. I completely understand, why on Google Play the novela is recommended for the "fans of Stephen King and J.K. Rowling". It's written with the similar kind of language and you just can't put it away even for a moment.

[Dawn Vanniman · Rating 5 out of 5]

WILD CHILD was a fast-paced read. I finished the book in one night - not because it was easy or simple, but because it was fast-paced and exciting. If you like mystery and drama, you'll like this story. If anything, I would have liked a bit of back story for Brianna and Kyle - I felt like I was missing out on some good stuff. However, it's not needed, I just wanted it, the story stands on its own without any back story at all. Brianna is injured by a boat and Kyle thinks she's dead but she reappears better than ever. It turns out that she's found a spring in the lake with this fantastical water - it makes you feel awesome! I really like the way Brianna's injury is described, you can easily imagine it but it's not so graphic that you're grossed out.


Brianna is kind of a brat. She tries to get Kyle to do things, like swim across the lake, by calling him chicken and teases him about him looking at her. I think I would have felt worse about the accident if she had been a nicer girl. Kyle has to deal with Brianna, his cranky dad and the police/Feds without letting Brianna die or be used for research. I was really surprised by the ending, I didn't think nice guy Kyle had it in him! It was a great twist in the story and I had to read it twice as I simply couldn't believe he did it!


To my way of thinking this is traditional science fiction - it could actually happen, who's to say it can't? There's no zombies/vampires/magical beings...just some weird water. Sometimes the best idea is to keep it simple. Too many current books go on and on and by the time you get to the end, you think 'seriously? what happened to that stuff at the beginning?'


Mr. Wells is making all of his books available in ebook format. I think that's awesome, so many people are looking for good books that they can download! Mr. Wells actually gave away all of his print copies of WILD CHILD when he moved to teach in Latvia. Unknown to him, people picked them out of the recycling and were selling them on Amazon! The book is used in ESL (English as a Second Language) classes in Latvia and other places because it is modern and has 'simple, yet engaging language'.

[Marie Malyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started reading this I was expecting a novel, but instead I was presented with a perfectly formed short story. Taking me just over 2 hours to read this book sucked me into the murky depths of the lake with Kyle and Brianne (referred to in the book as Brie) and only came up gasping for air once I had finished. I had read reviews that it was gripping and fast paced but I didn't really understand what this meant until I began reading. The YA themes of teenage defiance of parental rules and awkward romances is over shadowed by a surprisingly thought provoking narrative, that developed into a fantasy science fiction themed focal point that is completly unexpected.

The character of Brie, although essential to the narrative, I felt very little connection to unlike the protagonist Kyle, who is fantastic! With his ability to both panic and stay calm under pressure, his devotion to Brie and the relationship with his Father creating a well developed and interesting character that I only want to know more about. What truly cemented my admiration for this fictional boy was the cliff hanger of an ending that left me with far more question that answers, and possibly the best reason to get my hands on the next book in the series!

The only downside however being the next book in the series. Now being a Kindle lover, I have become accustomed to only paying a certain amount for a eBook. Promising to be as 'lean' as the first one I am finding it difficult to bring myself to pay the £3.65 being asked for the rather unimaginatively named 'Wild Child Book 2' with the world 'Lilith' added on to the end almost as an after thought.

You can read my full review here: http://bit.ly/HhEWKh

[Alan McDermott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although it wasn't the kind of book I would normally seek out I had heard good things about it. It tells the story of a couple of teenagers who discover a substance with incredible properties. I won't go into any further detail as it will spoil the read, but suffice it to say the government want their share, theough one of the teenagers isn't sure they want it for the right reasons.

Very well written and had me turning the pages. In fact, I read the whole thing in a few short hours.

Nice, snappy dialogue and the characters are well drawn. Would highly recommend it.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike Wells did a great job of packing so much action into such a quick read. Brie and Kyle were great main characters and my only complaint is that I wanted to know more. I will definitely read any sequels written for this book. If you like total twists when it comes to endings and you have a couple of hours to kill, this is the book for you. Trust me, once you start reading, you won't want to put it down until you see how it ends.

[Desiree reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

i got the book awhile a go and it is great Brie and Kyle get into dads boat and then what happen next you would not believe it. Brie get hit by a boat and disappears. Were to kyle does not not but she come up with mark on here and green in her eyes. The green stuff is form a cave deep in the other side lake and it has healing powers to no one will not know the book is good read it and in joy it

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a free download that I read while at work. It was either this or an awfully dry, boring book that I brought with me. Reading the book I brought was equivalent to plucking my eyeballs out; I gave up reading it on page 3.

Anyway, back to THIS book... aside from the obvious juvenile dialogue with members of the government, I really enjoyed this book. I probably would love it if I were still in Middle School.

[Alexandra Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild Child is a gripping start to a science fiction thriller series that blends elements of suspense, conspiracy, and youthful rebellion. The story centers around a teenage protagonist who, after discovering a hidden truth about her origins, becomes entangled in a high-stakes conspiracy that forces her to confront both her past and her future. The novel is fast-paced, with a strong emphasis on action and intrigue that keeps readers engaged from the very first chapter. The world-building is solid, creating a futuristic landscape that feels both familiar and unsettling, with technology playing a crucial role in the unfolding mystery. The author does an excellent job of blending the sci-fi elements with the personal struggles of the protagonist, creating a narrative that is as much about self-discovery as it is about saving the world.

However, while the plot is engaging, the character development could have been more nuanced. The main character, while likable and relatable, sometimes falls into familiar tropes of the “chosen one” or the reluctant hero, and some of the secondary characters lack depth. The dialogue, at times, feels a bit too expository, as the characters often find themselves explaining things that the reader could infer on their own. Despite these minor flaws, the novel is a fun and thrilling read that will appeal to fans of fast-paced, action-driven science fiction. It sets up an intriguing premise for the rest of the series and leaves readers wanting to know what happens next. Wild Child offers a promising start to a series that could evolve into something even more compelling as it progresses.

[Larina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unputdownable

Why oh why is this a cliffhanger I hate cliffhanger book. Wild child left me saying what the fudge! This book was pretty awesome. It was fast past and by the time I turned the page they flew by and then the book was done. I really liked wild child. I loved it had romance but no sex. It had mystery yet never explained the mystery. Where the heck did the green waters come from... Would you drink it knowing it would make you feel like a million buck? Knowing me I would.

[Ana Ibarra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it, it was a bit different, easy to follow, it's kinda like one of Stephen King short stories, interesting and you finish and have this "ammm OK, good" feeling at the end haha (this is not a scary story thou) but I am glad the author kept it on the number of pages, maybe adding would be like adding those movie scenes when they just talk about the lost irrelevant cousin and nothing happens. Great to stick to it dude, it came out great this way. I am actually intrigued to see how the story evolves or what the second book is about.

[Laura Doe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow

I don’t even know where to start with this book, it had me completely absorbed from the very start. I didn’t know where it was going to go at all. I just couldn’t put it down at all.
I completely understood Kyle’s character and the worry for his best friend Brianna and what a hard choice he had to make in the end. But he knew it was what was best for her. I would be interested to see what happened after he left the lake and if anything happened to Brianna after he last saw her.
A fantastic little book, although it was short it didn’t feel rushed in the slightest.

[Juliet Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book, and there were definitely aspects that I enjoyed. The author clearly has a gift for description, painting scenes so vividly that you feel like you’re right there alongside the characters. However, the plot felt meandering, and I often found myself wondering where it was going. The central conflict wasn’t as compelling as I had hoped, and the characters, while likeable, lacked the depth needed to make me truly care about their fates. It’s a decent read but ultimately didn’t live up to its potential.

[Fiona Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an utterly enchanting read from beginning to end. The author’s ability to create atmosphere is unmatched; every scene felt so vivid and alive. The characters were so real, their struggles and triumphs resonating deeply with me. The themes explored were both timely and timeless, and I was left feeling both uplifted and contemplative. The dialogue was sharp and often quite funny, adding a layer of lightness to the deeper themes. It’s rare to find a book that can be both entertaining and profoundly moving.

[Tia Kaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book with high expectations, but it didn’t quite deliver on all fronts. The writing style is beautiful, with some truly memorable passages, but the story itself felt a bit lackluster. The characters were interesting, but I struggled to connect with them on an emotional level. The plot twists were predictable, which took away some of the excitement. It’s not a bad book by any means, but it didn’t quite live up to the hype.

[Corrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild Child is a short yet gripping story about Briana and Kyle who went boating and swimming in a lake. Briana's accident led into the discovery of a greenish spring water in a cave, under the cliff. But it's miraculous healing power wears off making her dependent on it.

A short engaging read. I finished too soon.

[Michelle Lynn Westmoreland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

This book is different than anything else I have read before, in a good way. I love the characters and the way the story was written. I can't wait to read the next one in the series.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. The plot was very unexpected and interesting. I thought the story was very clever. I was surprised at the outcome of the first book of this series! I was glad to have read it and want to read more of course!

[Freya Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a refreshing and unique take! The characters had such depth, and the dialogue was sharp and witty. I couldn’t put it down, and the ending was deeply satisfying. This one is definitely going on my list of favorites.

[Avianna Leblanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this, but something just didn't click for me. While the characters were interesting, the pacing felt uneven. Some parts were fantastic, while others dragged on too long. Still, there were some great moments that kept me reading.

[Lila Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic! The author has a way with words that brings every scene to life. The story was engaging, the characters lovable, and the pacing just right. It was the perfect escape and exactly what I needed. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a good read.

[Mbali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

Very good book but unfortunately book two is not free😃😕 but still I enjoyed book one. I'd recommend to everyone

[nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read love it

Love it can't wait to read the next one. Quick read but great for wasting some time. Fun fun fun

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

🤷‍♀️

I liked the premise of this story but I really didn't like the main character Brianna 😕. . . .