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Waking the Wild
Fifteen- year- old Anya is bummed. Her dad has left the family, and now her mom has uprooted her from her home in L.A. and moved her to the shores of Emerald Lake, where she knows no one. To top it off, she keeps having strange and troubling dreams.
However, she is quickly adopted by an odd pack of friends, who seem to know more about her than they should. Meanwhile, her mom seems to know more about Anya's new home and friends than she will tell. The secrets Anya learns unleash a power she couldn't have imagined, and reveal the wildness lurking just beneath the surface of her normal life.
Little does she suspect an earth-shaking battle is coming, and that she will need all her newfound powers to protect her home, her family, and her community. A wild adventure awaits...
However, she is quickly adopted by an odd pack of friends, who seem to know more about her than they should. Meanwhile, her mom seems to know more about Anya's new home and friends than she will tell. The secrets Anya learns unleash a power she couldn't have imagined, and reveal the wildness lurking just beneath the surface of her normal life.
Little does she suspect an earth-shaking battle is coming, and that she will need all her newfound powers to protect her home, her family, and her community. A wild adventure awaits...
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 27, 2025
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 17, 2025
A pack of delightful fantasy fun!
So, I found myself in a stare down with the unearthly blue eyes of the beast on the cover of this very intriguing new book. And, as if echoing their challenge, words appeared behind them: "Teen and young adult." A quick run past the bathroom mirror reminded me I was kind-of, sort-of, maybe just a little bit outside that range. So, could this be a book for me? Something I'd want to pick up at the end of the day? Just kick back, enjoying the comfortable feel of book in my hands, then turning the pages - one! two! three! - until, wavelike, the pages lapped over me and I was living inside the story and the story was part of my life.
Guess who blinked?
I won't make up a play-by-play of all the mysteries, wonders, perils and cool creative moments inside. It will be too much fun for you to discover them on your own. But one secret is just a little too obvious not to slip out: good fantasy needs to hold a kernel of truth to make it fly.
This is Anya's story, narrated by an LA kid moved away from loved familiar places and faces to a new home with nature in all its splendor outside her back door. Anya is bright, confident, open to adventure and would see herself as worldly wise as any well-brought up 15-year-old might actually be. Still, she hesitates a long moment before sending a heart emoji to the cute guy in her new circle of friends. Little details like that make her real and wonderful. When an exhilarating snow board run carries Anya into a magical, dreamlike scene, the reader is more than ready to follow alongside. Where we're led, surprisingly, starts to take on some of the qualities of the old 1950s drive-in science fiction movies where the monster was inspired by the fears of the day. But those could be great fun and the message (here ecological) has only grown more relevant. Anya and her pack (a well diverse group, reflecting the actual world we live in) combine the powers they've found within themselves to save the day. Hurrah! The story ends with a touching, sweet moment suggesting new adventures to come.
At the end, when I closed the book and set it down, I found myself locking eyes with the beast again. But this time it felt different. "Could we do this again? And soon?"
So, I found myself in a stare down with the unearthly blue eyes of the beast on the cover of this very intriguing new book. And, as if echoing their challenge, words appeared behind them: "Teen and young adult." A quick run past the bathroom mirror reminded me I was kind-of, sort-of, maybe just a little bit outside that range. So, could this be a book for me? Something I'd want to pick up at the end of the day? Just kick back, enjoying the comfortable feel of book in my hands, then turning the pages - one! two! three! - until, wavelike, the pages lapped over me and I was living inside the story and the story was part of my life.
Guess who blinked?
I won't make up a play-by-play of all the mysteries, wonders, perils and cool creative moments inside. It will be too much fun for you to discover them on your own. But one secret is just a little too obvious not to slip out: good fantasy needs to hold a kernel of truth to make it fly.
This is Anya's story, narrated by an LA kid moved away from loved familiar places and faces to a new home with nature in all its splendor outside her back door. Anya is bright, confident, open to adventure and would see herself as worldly wise as any well-brought up 15-year-old might actually be. Still, she hesitates a long moment before sending a heart emoji to the cute guy in her new circle of friends. Little details like that make her real and wonderful. When an exhilarating snow board run carries Anya into a magical, dreamlike scene, the reader is more than ready to follow alongside. Where we're led, surprisingly, starts to take on some of the qualities of the old 1950s drive-in science fiction movies where the monster was inspired by the fears of the day. But those could be great fun and the message (here ecological) has only grown more relevant. Anya and her pack (a well diverse group, reflecting the actual world we live in) combine the powers they've found within themselves to save the day. Hurrah! The story ends with a touching, sweet moment suggesting new adventures to come.
At the end, when I closed the book and set it down, I found myself locking eyes with the beast again. But this time it felt different. "Could we do this again? And soon?"
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June 14, 2025Beth is Dh’s cousin. This is her self-published YA Fantasy debut
March 5, 2025
What a fantastic read!! I have enjoyed every moment of this captivating story. History, adventure, culture, community and so much more. I highly recommend. Can’t wait to see what’s next
May 18, 2025
I'm not a young adult, nor am I a teenager, but in the way that the profoundly and rightfully popular "Hunger Games" and "Twilight" had us all unexpectedly identifying with the young heroes and heroines of those very different worlds, "Waking The Wild" has that kind of also-real-adult storytelling magic that snares you into its epicenter in a wild ride you just don't want to stop. With a pack of teenage characters so deliciously drawn you want them all to be your besties, and an ever-spiraling journey to the deep dark mysteries it explores, Waking The Wild is a wonderfully relentless page turner where putting the book down seems like an act of betrayal to that gang you just met and wanna keep riding shotgun with. Apparently this is the first book from Ms. Colla, but I'm sensing a helluva lot more and I hope so, cause I can't wait to shapeshift again with my newfound friends, on the edge of that magic lake, under the moon and stars, back in the wild - so get crackin', Colla!
March 11, 2025
Waking the Wild is one of those books that sticks with you long after you finish it. Beth Colla has this incredible way of weaving together adventure, self-discovery, and a deep connection to nature without ever feeling preachy. The writing is vivid and immersive—you can almost feel the wind and hear the rustling leaves. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to get outside and reconnect with yourself. If you love stories about personal transformation with a bit of wilderness thrown in, this one’s a must-read.
March 29, 2025
As an adult reader, I found this book to be so relatable. It took me back to a time in my life when I had to move with family to a small town. I expected the worst but was delightfully surprised at how easily I made new friends and best of all, I found a friend with horses!
In this touching story, Anya must leave LA for “boring” Lake Tahoe. Leaving her best friend behind is so painful. What she discovers in Tahoe is beyond your wild imagination! There are new friends, family secrets and even danger. For the Therians, this is a must read. Go with Anya on a wild adventure! I’m glad I did.
In this touching story, Anya must leave LA for “boring” Lake Tahoe. Leaving her best friend behind is so painful. What she discovers in Tahoe is beyond your wild imagination! There are new friends, family secrets and even danger. For the Therians, this is a must read. Go with Anya on a wild adventure! I’m glad I did.
October 4, 2025
“Waking the Wild” is a breathtaking read! Anya’s journey to discover her strength, and navigate a mysterious new world had me hooked from start to finish. Anya’s story is beautifully written and deeply relatable. Colla’s enchanting book is about courage, friendship, and finding your inner strength — a book I’ll recommend to everyone!
April 3, 2025
I was so excited to read this book. I love Indian legends and this did not disappoint. I was hooked after the first chapter and couldn't put it down. Fun, easy read with so much anticipation. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews