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The Wilding of Em's Path
A gripping, lushly told sapphic dystopian tale about daring to resist and love during the darkest times.
Untamed and wild, Cynda is an outdoorswoman holed up in the Appalachian backcountry. Her solitary existence is shattered when Kadija, a fierce, freedom fighter, tracks her down.
Kadija demands Cynda return to civilization to face the consequences of an out-of-control project Cynda worked on years ago. But how can she take on the destructive research institute preying on vulnerable, sensitive people when it almost destroyed her once? How can Cynda face the outside world again, now it’s awash in so much fear and violence that it suffocates her?
As the warring pair reluctantly journey into a dystopian world, the ties that bind them slowly draw them closer. But what happens if those delicate ties ever break?
Untamed and wild, Cynda is an outdoorswoman holed up in the Appalachian backcountry. Her solitary existence is shattered when Kadija, a fierce, freedom fighter, tracks her down.
Kadija demands Cynda return to civilization to face the consequences of an out-of-control project Cynda worked on years ago. But how can she take on the destructive research institute preying on vulnerable, sensitive people when it almost destroyed her once? How can Cynda face the outside world again, now it’s awash in so much fear and violence that it suffocates her?
As the warring pair reluctantly journey into a dystopian world, the ties that bind them slowly draw them closer. But what happens if those delicate ties ever break?
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Published May 21, 2025
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283 people want to read
About the author
Ana K. Wrenn
2 books47 followersProfessor emeritus turned full-time writer, Ana K Wrenn lives and works in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
Prior to being a professor and author, she worked various jobs, including housekeeping, horse-stall mucking, fast-food cashiering, and office managing.
If she weren't writing fulltime, she would clean bathrooms for a living, but she begs you: please put your soiled items in the trashcan. After all, it's only another inch or so away. She believes in you.
Fly over to the Wrenn's Nest https://anakwrenn.com/
Prior to being a professor and author, she worked various jobs, including housekeeping, horse-stall mucking, fast-food cashiering, and office managing.
If she weren't writing fulltime, she would clean bathrooms for a living, but she begs you: please put your soiled items in the trashcan. After all, it's only another inch or so away. She believes in you.
Fly over to the Wrenn's Nest https://anakwrenn.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 19, 2025
4.5 Stars
The introduction to the characters and the plot was subtle when it came to highlighting the fantasy aspect of the story. But once I got the general idea of the plot, suddenly all the idiosyncrasies made sense. It reminded me a little bit about X-Men and The Institute by Stephen King.
When I read The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, Barrack Obama was president. When I read 1984 by George Orwell I was too young and naive to be politically aware. And those dystopian societies were just that, dystopian and quite farcical for me to imagine actually happening in real life. However, experiencing 2025 and watching America’s current political climate and some countries around the world, reality seems to be mirroring fiction more and more. The parallels between 2025 America and The Wilding of Em’s Path is honestly quite hair raising.
Personally, I think the whole concept of the novel was genius. It’s not a new idea per se but the type of special abilities the characters possess hasn’t been tackled as much in other novels which makes this story refreshing to read.
A beautifully written low fantasy novel. I enjoyed reading The Wilding of Em’s Path so much and hope more people pick up the book.
The introduction to the characters and the plot was subtle when it came to highlighting the fantasy aspect of the story. But once I got the general idea of the plot, suddenly all the idiosyncrasies made sense. It reminded me a little bit about X-Men and The Institute by Stephen King.
When I read The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, Barrack Obama was president. When I read 1984 by George Orwell I was too young and naive to be politically aware. And those dystopian societies were just that, dystopian and quite farcical for me to imagine actually happening in real life. However, experiencing 2025 and watching America’s current political climate and some countries around the world, reality seems to be mirroring fiction more and more. The parallels between 2025 America and The Wilding of Em’s Path is honestly quite hair raising.
Personally, I think the whole concept of the novel was genius. It’s not a new idea per se but the type of special abilities the characters possess hasn’t been tackled as much in other novels which makes this story refreshing to read.
A beautifully written low fantasy novel. I enjoyed reading The Wilding of Em’s Path so much and hope more people pick up the book.
May 11, 2025
Ana K Wrenn has an amazing brain.
Not unlike The Handmaid’s Tale, this story feels like a warning of the not-too-distant future, where the government is stripping away rights, wealthy white communities are pushing people of color to the margins and unethical individuals are taking advantage of the vulnerable. But a network of freedom fighters are determined to make a difference.
As this dystopian dark academia adventure with romantic elements unfolded, Wrenn was able to incorporate her deeply rooted love of nature with the need to control scientific study that oversteps ethical boundaries.
Cynda, a scientist and woodswoman who has been hiding away in the Appalachian woods, is sought out by Kadija, who is convinced that Cynda is the only one who can help stop an unscrupulous scientist performing Mengele-like experiments on vulnerable populations with special gifts. While harrowing, their adventure is thought-provoking and reminder of the necessity of checks and balances when humanity begins to break down.
For those that read Strange Attractors by Wrenn, this is no less intense, but a completely different type of story. It displays the author’s versatility and brilliance, along with her ability to write beautiful, thoughtful prose. Sign me up for anything and everything the woman writes.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Not unlike The Handmaid’s Tale, this story feels like a warning of the not-too-distant future, where the government is stripping away rights, wealthy white communities are pushing people of color to the margins and unethical individuals are taking advantage of the vulnerable. But a network of freedom fighters are determined to make a difference.
As this dystopian dark academia adventure with romantic elements unfolded, Wrenn was able to incorporate her deeply rooted love of nature with the need to control scientific study that oversteps ethical boundaries.
Cynda, a scientist and woodswoman who has been hiding away in the Appalachian woods, is sought out by Kadija, who is convinced that Cynda is the only one who can help stop an unscrupulous scientist performing Mengele-like experiments on vulnerable populations with special gifts. While harrowing, their adventure is thought-provoking and reminder of the necessity of checks and balances when humanity begins to break down.
For those that read Strange Attractors by Wrenn, this is no less intense, but a completely different type of story. It displays the author’s versatility and brilliance, along with her ability to write beautiful, thoughtful prose. Sign me up for anything and everything the woman writes.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 26, 2025
Let me start saying that the cover of The Wilding of Em's Path is one of the prettiest I have seen in a while. There is a lot going on in it and it already gives many hints on what this book will be about.
Said so, I think I would have liked to read first a prologue to explain what had happened in the world and a hint of what the whole "mission" in the book should be. It took me some time to understand it and in the end I feel like only some parts of the whole dystopia have been resoluted.
In an unknown present, Cynda lives secluded from the rest of the civilization. She abhors people after a project she had been working on had gone terribly wrong. Her days are spent in the wilderness, in contact with nature, trying to be self-sufficient and surviving with everything the earth provides her, until an unexpected visitor, Kadija, shows up at her retreat to convince her that she is the only one who can change the world again, and undo some of the wrongs done in the past.
The novel is a melting pot of what has been happening in the USA during lockdown and with Trump's rising. Some of the themes don't feel like a dystopia, but reflect exactly some events happening in the country right now, and "evil" is not really one entity but so many that Kadija's true intentions seem more the start of a series than a standalone book.
I mean that the resolution didn't feel much as a conclusion, but a promise that more will come. Maybe this was the intention of the author? You have to start somewhere to undo some wrongs to rebuild society?
I had a feeling of Homo homini lupus while reading it. Snitching on others being an acquired new skill in order to serve a personal agenda and narcissism and lack of empathy to advance science the new trend in trying to shape society for your own glory.
I found interesting the categorization of the society according to their communication behaviour and the way they relate to each other. The exchange/draining/feeling of one's energy and how some people can use their skills into manipulating others in doing what they want. Energy vampires are everywhere and empaths are most of the times the weakest link.
How shutting down emotions could be the solution for some to survive in this world and how for others, instead, using extreme kindness and understanding would be their downfall.
And how we are all connected in a sort of way. Energy connects us all in a web of links.
Interesting take on reality for sure. There is a lot going on in it. Like reading nowadays news... overwhelming.
Said so, I think I would have liked to read first a prologue to explain what had happened in the world and a hint of what the whole "mission" in the book should be. It took me some time to understand it and in the end I feel like only some parts of the whole dystopia have been resoluted.
In an unknown present, Cynda lives secluded from the rest of the civilization. She abhors people after a project she had been working on had gone terribly wrong. Her days are spent in the wilderness, in contact with nature, trying to be self-sufficient and surviving with everything the earth provides her, until an unexpected visitor, Kadija, shows up at her retreat to convince her that she is the only one who can change the world again, and undo some of the wrongs done in the past.
The novel is a melting pot of what has been happening in the USA during lockdown and with Trump's rising. Some of the themes don't feel like a dystopia, but reflect exactly some events happening in the country right now, and "evil" is not really one entity but so many that Kadija's true intentions seem more the start of a series than a standalone book.
I mean that the resolution didn't feel much as a conclusion, but a promise that more will come. Maybe this was the intention of the author? You have to start somewhere to undo some wrongs to rebuild society?
I had a feeling of Homo homini lupus while reading it. Snitching on others being an acquired new skill in order to serve a personal agenda and narcissism and lack of empathy to advance science the new trend in trying to shape society for your own glory.
I found interesting the categorization of the society according to their communication behaviour and the way they relate to each other. The exchange/draining/feeling of one's energy and how some people can use their skills into manipulating others in doing what they want. Energy vampires are everywhere and empaths are most of the times the weakest link.
How shutting down emotions could be the solution for some to survive in this world and how for others, instead, using extreme kindness and understanding would be their downfall.
And how we are all connected in a sort of way. Energy connects us all in a web of links.
Interesting take on reality for sure. There is a lot going on in it. Like reading nowadays news... overwhelming.
August 15, 2025
Nearly slayed me. Excellent book, excellent writing. Loved the plant lore, the love of the land that shone through. Despite having had my heart in my throat for most of it, I'm very glad I read it. (I'm a coward who frets about characters in mental and physical danger. If you're made of sterner stuff than me, you will ADORE this book). Come the apocalypse, you'll find me in the forest.
November 20, 2025
The Wilding of Em's Path by Ana K. Wrenn is an eerie cautionary tale about a future that does not seem far removed from the current reality of the United States. Wrenn writes of a world that has devolved into a dystopian society in which underground networks are necessary to assist those who are othered before they can be 'disappeared,' trafficked, or turned into authorities. Voter suppression, anti-protest policies, anti-immigration sentiment, anti-queer rhetoric, racism, and other forms of systemic oppression create an unsafe, volatile environment in which hope is steadily dimming.
Cynda and Kadija could not be more different, except for their shared status as highly sensitive individuals. Kadija pulls Cynda from her refuge, urging her to confront the toxic colleagues of her past in hopes of exposing a rogue scientist who is conducting horrendous experiments on individuals with heightened sensitivities—"a neurobiological phenomenon"—in a Mengele-esque manner.
The author skillfully paints a bleak yet realistic vision, and the thin thread of hope still running through the chaos.
The battle for humanity is being fought on all fronts as Kadija and Cynda journey on their mission. They grow closer with reliance on one another, shared trauma, and a deeper connection. Individually, they are complex, interesting characters. I like the way they ground one another. I would have liked to feel more chemistry between them, although their relationship is not about romance but is vital to their mission's success.
I enjoy the author's writing style and creativity, while she also draws from reality in constructing this complicated and precarious setting. Wrenn effectively combines heavy, realistic content with science fiction elements and a sapphic relationship subplot. I recommend this novel and will be reading her other as well.
#BIPOC #researchscientist #freedomfighter #dystopian #scifi #oppositesattract #HEA #hope #racism #anti-immigration #sapphic
I received this ARC from the author through NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.
Cynda and Kadija could not be more different, except for their shared status as highly sensitive individuals. Kadija pulls Cynda from her refuge, urging her to confront the toxic colleagues of her past in hopes of exposing a rogue scientist who is conducting horrendous experiments on individuals with heightened sensitivities—"a neurobiological phenomenon"—in a Mengele-esque manner.
The author skillfully paints a bleak yet realistic vision, and the thin thread of hope still running through the chaos.
The battle for humanity is being fought on all fronts as Kadija and Cynda journey on their mission. They grow closer with reliance on one another, shared trauma, and a deeper connection. Individually, they are complex, interesting characters. I like the way they ground one another. I would have liked to feel more chemistry between them, although their relationship is not about romance but is vital to their mission's success.
"They held one another without speaking, as if both understood that love during the darkest times was the fiercest act of resistance two women could offer the world."
I enjoy the author's writing style and creativity, while she also draws from reality in constructing this complicated and precarious setting. Wrenn effectively combines heavy, realistic content with science fiction elements and a sapphic relationship subplot. I recommend this novel and will be reading her other as well.
#BIPOC #researchscientist #freedomfighter #dystopian #scifi #oppositesattract #HEA #hope #racism #anti-immigration #sapphic
I received this ARC from the author through NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.
May 6, 2025
What can I possibly say to convey how much I loved this book! It is a sapphic dystopian story yet deeply resonated with the times we live in today. A terrifying glimpse of what we may be heading towards in a way only Ana K. Wren can express. It is an unfolding love story struggling and surviving in the most difficult of times. It is a glimpse into the experiences of highly sensitive people, told through a story we can all sink into and surface with an even deeper understanding of ourselves and others. It is a lesson in trusting our own intuition, our gut feelings, and how we can balance and refuel when we’ve given too much. It is a reminder to keep hope alive and remember that even in the darkness, the light will shine again. These lessons are in between the lines of this story and are understood at a more subtle, yet visceral level. These are the elements that touched me deeply and left me in gratitude and respect for Ana’s ability to tell a story that resonates on multiple levels while touching on difficult topics and evoking emotions throughout.
The main characters have depth and invite the reader in to gain a deeper understanding of their life experiences that have brought them to where they are. The relationship between Cynda and Kadija is complicated and poses a threat to the isolated world Cynda has created for herself, her safety, her sanity. When Kadija arrives at her secluded refuge in the forest she brings with her the past Cynda has worked so hard to leave behind. She has no desire to venture out into the world that has caused her such pain and where violence and hatred has taken root.
Kadija is a freedom fighter, a warrioress. She is committed to the fight against the people in power that would rather see her and those like her dead. She is a woman of color, a highly sensitive woman and a representation of all that they want to use and destroy. Her mission is to bring Cynda back with her to stand against the destructive research institute that Cynda was part of and escaped years ago.
As their connection deepens and attraction builds, will they survive what awaits them as they journey back to civilization?
5 stars is not enough when rating this book. It is a must read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ylva and Ana K. Wren for the arc. I am honored to leave my honest review.
The main characters have depth and invite the reader in to gain a deeper understanding of their life experiences that have brought them to where they are. The relationship between Cynda and Kadija is complicated and poses a threat to the isolated world Cynda has created for herself, her safety, her sanity. When Kadija arrives at her secluded refuge in the forest she brings with her the past Cynda has worked so hard to leave behind. She has no desire to venture out into the world that has caused her such pain and where violence and hatred has taken root.
Kadija is a freedom fighter, a warrioress. She is committed to the fight against the people in power that would rather see her and those like her dead. She is a woman of color, a highly sensitive woman and a representation of all that they want to use and destroy. Her mission is to bring Cynda back with her to stand against the destructive research institute that Cynda was part of and escaped years ago.
As their connection deepens and attraction builds, will they survive what awaits them as they journey back to civilization?
5 stars is not enough when rating this book. It is a must read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ylva and Ana K. Wren for the arc. I am honored to leave my honest review.
August 7, 2025
A phenomenal story about fierce women not yielding to oppression and combining forces and hearts to fight smarter and harder. This is, above all, a story of deep love and hope.
I received an advance copy from Netgalley for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The world is crumbling. Powerful but evil forces are destroying society, community and humanity. Being sensitive is not considered a gift, it is seen as a curse. Cynda, formerly known as Em, has escaped her life as an academic testsubject for research into empaths and sensitivity in all forms. She vowed never to return, until one day, an annoying but intriguing freedom fighter works her way into Cynda’s reclusive home deep in the woods. The fierce Kadija is a nuisance, invading her peaceful life in Eden. And to think this rebel wants her to return to the one terrifying person and place Cynda was lucky to escape from.
This story is beautifully captivating. After just a few pages I was living and breathing the green wilderness. Smelling all the distinctive odors Kadija picks up on and wishing I had some of her sensitivity (but only with the good smells 😉).
Cynda’s secret hideaway in the forest is described as Eden. It’s an oasis in the middle of nature, but I cannot help to think Eden is a lot of work! Cynda lives and breathes her compound, connecting with nature on a cellular level. Her ability to connect with all living things is a beautiful but dangerous skill. One that might turn out to be fatal.
Cynda and Kadija connect, literally, at a cellular level. Both are so called ‘sensitives’ and they are able to ingrain themselves in the other trough this truly magnificent web that interconnects all living things. In their own way each woman is brave and fierce. Kadija in literally fighting oppression. Cynda in willing to confront her worst demons. Their individual strengths and the connection they share makes them an almost unstoppable force. Or in Kadija’s own words: ‘…love during the darkest times was the fiercest act of resistance two women could offer the world.’
The scary dystopian world Wrenn has brought to life on paper has an eerily close resemblance to the terrifying turn the real world has taken. It makes my blood turn to ice but then I remember: Kadija and Cynda may be fictional characters but if everyone of us carries even a tiny piece of them within, all is not lost. Whether it is Kadija’s fighting force or Cynda’s empathy and knowledge of nature, it gives me hope. And hope is just what we cannot stand to lose right now.
Ana K. Wrenn’s writing style is immersive, it exudes a deep respect for both nature and the intricacies of being human and is at times truly poetic. The Wilding of Em’s Path is only Wrenn’s second novel but she has proven, without a doubt that she is truly top tier.
I received an advance copy from Netgalley for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The world is crumbling. Powerful but evil forces are destroying society, community and humanity. Being sensitive is not considered a gift, it is seen as a curse. Cynda, formerly known as Em, has escaped her life as an academic testsubject for research into empaths and sensitivity in all forms. She vowed never to return, until one day, an annoying but intriguing freedom fighter works her way into Cynda’s reclusive home deep in the woods. The fierce Kadija is a nuisance, invading her peaceful life in Eden. And to think this rebel wants her to return to the one terrifying person and place Cynda was lucky to escape from.
This story is beautifully captivating. After just a few pages I was living and breathing the green wilderness. Smelling all the distinctive odors Kadija picks up on and wishing I had some of her sensitivity (but only with the good smells 😉).
Cynda’s secret hideaway in the forest is described as Eden. It’s an oasis in the middle of nature, but I cannot help to think Eden is a lot of work! Cynda lives and breathes her compound, connecting with nature on a cellular level. Her ability to connect with all living things is a beautiful but dangerous skill. One that might turn out to be fatal.
Cynda and Kadija connect, literally, at a cellular level. Both are so called ‘sensitives’ and they are able to ingrain themselves in the other trough this truly magnificent web that interconnects all living things. In their own way each woman is brave and fierce. Kadija in literally fighting oppression. Cynda in willing to confront her worst demons. Their individual strengths and the connection they share makes them an almost unstoppable force. Or in Kadija’s own words: ‘…love during the darkest times was the fiercest act of resistance two women could offer the world.’
The scary dystopian world Wrenn has brought to life on paper has an eerily close resemblance to the terrifying turn the real world has taken. It makes my blood turn to ice but then I remember: Kadija and Cynda may be fictional characters but if everyone of us carries even a tiny piece of them within, all is not lost. Whether it is Kadija’s fighting force or Cynda’s empathy and knowledge of nature, it gives me hope. And hope is just what we cannot stand to lose right now.
Ana K. Wrenn’s writing style is immersive, it exudes a deep respect for both nature and the intricacies of being human and is at times truly poetic. The Wilding of Em’s Path is only Wrenn’s second novel but she has proven, without a doubt that she is truly top tier.
July 2, 2025
An intense dystopian adventure!
Cynda lives a solitary existence as an outdoorswoman but when Kadija tracks her down everything changes. With civilization out of control as a result of a project Cynda was involved in years ago, Kadija insists she join her in the fight for freedom, but for Cynda it’s not that simple.
This was fun but with very scary elements that a world like this one day could be very real rather than a dystopian universe in fiction. I really loved the sense of danger lurking around every corner, how switched on Kadija was even though she was feeling so vulnerable, and all the sensory overloads Cynda was experiencing and emotional dysregulation Kadija awoke inside her. They shared quite the connection. Cynda didn’t make things easy for Kadija and heightened her fears sometimes that really put her on edge, yet somehow she always remained calm and ready to outrun any threat. I really admired her for all that.
Cynda was truly unique. She was so connected and sensitive to feelings, emotions, what her senses told her and yet at other times she was so naive as a result of being away from the realities of this world for so long. I loved how she was trying to remain carefree and true to the peaceful self she had found in the mountains yet felt so uncomfortable at the same time. So many times she wanted to run but a bond with Kadija and sense of loyalty eventually had Cynda realising she had to do something to stop all this.
A very intriguing and imaginatively clever and creative story. There were some deeply disturbing realities that were heartbreaking but all relevant in helping Cynda to come to terms with the severity of what had resulted from the project. Interesting read with lots of emotion and warmth to balance the darker moments.
Cynda lives a solitary existence as an outdoorswoman but when Kadija tracks her down everything changes. With civilization out of control as a result of a project Cynda was involved in years ago, Kadija insists she join her in the fight for freedom, but for Cynda it’s not that simple.
This was fun but with very scary elements that a world like this one day could be very real rather than a dystopian universe in fiction. I really loved the sense of danger lurking around every corner, how switched on Kadija was even though she was feeling so vulnerable, and all the sensory overloads Cynda was experiencing and emotional dysregulation Kadija awoke inside her. They shared quite the connection. Cynda didn’t make things easy for Kadija and heightened her fears sometimes that really put her on edge, yet somehow she always remained calm and ready to outrun any threat. I really admired her for all that.
Cynda was truly unique. She was so connected and sensitive to feelings, emotions, what her senses told her and yet at other times she was so naive as a result of being away from the realities of this world for so long. I loved how she was trying to remain carefree and true to the peaceful self she had found in the mountains yet felt so uncomfortable at the same time. So many times she wanted to run but a bond with Kadija and sense of loyalty eventually had Cynda realising she had to do something to stop all this.
A very intriguing and imaginatively clever and creative story. There were some deeply disturbing realities that were heartbreaking but all relevant in helping Cynda to come to terms with the severity of what had resulted from the project. Interesting read with lots of emotion and warmth to balance the darker moments.
June 14, 2025
First, this book is a FAVORITE! Ana K. Wrenn can weave an incredible story. This is a dystopian story about a not to far away future America. It is scary how close to what is
happening and could become. But the story of Em Cynda Berman, and Kadija's relationship and fight to right a wrong is all encompassing. I LOVE this book! Worth more than 5 stars!
happening and could become. But the story of Em Cynda Berman, and Kadija's relationship and fight to right a wrong is all encompassing. I LOVE this book! Worth more than 5 stars!
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May 21, 2025I’ve previously abandoned Ana K. Wrenn’s first book because of the wordiness and winding writing style. This second foray into writing for the author sounded very interesting. I love me some dystopian stories.
And that’s where it’s already a miss to me, yes, it’s a bit dystopian but the world building is very lacking to me. I don’t feel like it’s dystopian at all. A world at war? Possibly. Dystopian? Nope, not so much.
It took me a rather long time to get through this book, and in the end I am not even sure what I read about. The books showed potential, but it was lacking for me.
I think this author’s writing style might just not be for me. This stuff happens, it’s not to say this is a bad book, or bad writing. The book/ the author and simply don’t match
And that’s where it’s already a miss to me, yes, it’s a bit dystopian but the world building is very lacking to me. I don’t feel like it’s dystopian at all. A world at war? Possibly. Dystopian? Nope, not so much.
It took me a rather long time to get through this book, and in the end I am not even sure what I read about. The books showed potential, but it was lacking for me.
I think this author’s writing style might just not be for me. This stuff happens, it’s not to say this is a bad book, or bad writing. The book/ the author and simply don’t match
May 23, 2025
This is a tough one to review. It is an interesting book about how some people in our society are treated and how close we are to a future that is out of control. I'll admit it's not an easy or "fun" read. The setting of this story feels too similar to the future waiting for us if we don't do something to change it. It's a little heavy handed at times and I'll admit I prefer my books to be a little more subtle. But it's touching on a lot of important subjects.
Cynda and Kadija are very interesting main characters and I enjoyed their journey into realising how important they are for each other. I also really liked the slow reveal of the powers they both had and how they worked.
I'll admit that at times this book felt like a sequel. I think it was due to the world building and the author not giving us enough to build the world we are in. Maybe it's due to how similar it ended up to ours in the end. But I still struggled with the big picture of the story, and with a feeling that I was already supposed to understand the settings of this book. My other issue was that Kadija is set up to be this big time revolutionary but in the end we find out that what she's trying to stop is just one thing in this nightmare reality. She's not working on the structural issues that allowed this to happen in the first place, just stopping one guy. My issue is that... This won't change what is happening in the world of this story, not even short term. So in the end it feels like a fruitless exercise in revenge.
This is definitely a story that will work for some people, it just wasn't for me.
Cynda and Kadija are very interesting main characters and I enjoyed their journey into realising how important they are for each other. I also really liked the slow reveal of the powers they both had and how they worked.
I'll admit that at times this book felt like a sequel. I think it was due to the world building and the author not giving us enough to build the world we are in. Maybe it's due to how similar it ended up to ours in the end. But I still struggled with the big picture of the story, and with a feeling that I was already supposed to understand the settings of this book. My other issue was that Kadija is set up to be this big time revolutionary but in the end we find out that what she's trying to stop is just one thing in this nightmare reality. She's not working on the structural issues that allowed this to happen in the first place, just stopping one guy. My issue is that... This won't change what is happening in the world of this story, not even short term. So in the end it feels like a fruitless exercise in revenge.
This is definitely a story that will work for some people, it just wasn't for me.
May 19, 2025
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this very strange book
Cynda is based in the Appalachian mountains, not hiding exactly but she doesnt want to be found so when Kadija turns up demanding that she goes back and helps put right what went wrong with her experiment cynda isnt happy....
there is a lot wrong with the world now....and kadija has a job to do.... cynda must obey and help
as the warring pair travel together an understanding happens between them.... but danger is always around them and betrayal is something that can happen when they least expect it....
was never to sure on this one... but the relationship between the two main characters was enough to keep me reading...
Cynda is based in the Appalachian mountains, not hiding exactly but she doesnt want to be found so when Kadija turns up demanding that she goes back and helps put right what went wrong with her experiment cynda isnt happy....
there is a lot wrong with the world now....and kadija has a job to do.... cynda must obey and help
as the warring pair travel together an understanding happens between them.... but danger is always around them and betrayal is something that can happen when they least expect it....
was never to sure on this one... but the relationship between the two main characters was enough to keep me reading...
May 9, 2025
A bit too close to the potential dystopian times upon us for my own comfort, but a truly enjoyable and immersive read.
The setting is descriptive in the Appalachian and our main character Kadija (badass freedom warrior) is attempting to draw Cynda out of her current wilderness safe space to enact a rebellion on the research institute she escape and left years ago.
The story as a whole was dark but very well written, truly drew me in. I loved the setting and science that was tied in.
Really cool read, thanks for the ARC!
The setting is descriptive in the Appalachian and our main character Kadija (badass freedom warrior) is attempting to draw Cynda out of her current wilderness safe space to enact a rebellion on the research institute she escape and left years ago.
The story as a whole was dark but very well written, truly drew me in. I loved the setting and science that was tied in.
Really cool read, thanks for the ARC!
August 16, 2025
Ana K. Wrenn's writing is not for the faint of heart. There are Feelings going to be felt and you might find yourself thinking some deep thoughts and examining some of your life choices as empathy flares in your bosom for characters whose behavior you may not admire. I need to be wearing my big girl boots to take on a Wrenn book, and I like it. I look forward to the next opportunity to pull them on. And her cover art I would happily hang as lithographs on my walls.
June 14, 2025
The Wilding of Em's Path is a beautifully written dystopian novel that shook me to my core. Ana K. Wren crafts a world that feels disturbingly familiar—where societal collapse isn’t loud and sudden but quiet, creeping, and all too plausible. It’s the kind of dystopia that doesn’t require you to suspend disbelief because it already feels like it could be tomorrow’s headlines. Wren’s prose is lush and evocative, walking a delicate line between raw urgency and poetic introspection.
At the heart of the novel is Kadija, whose journey through this fractured landscape is not just one of survival, but of reclamation—of identity, love, and purpose. The love story between Kadija and Em threads through the chaos and is anything but simple. It’s messy, deeply felt, and layered with the kind of emotional realism that makes your chest ache. Wren doesn’t offer easy answers or perfect resolutions, but instead captures the way love can be both a refuge and a battlefield.
This book didn’t just make me feel—it made me think. It held up a mirror to the world we live in and forced me to confront what we’re willing to lose, and what we’re willing to fight for. The Wilding of Em's Path is a gut-punch in the best way, and I won’t be forgetting it anytime soon.
At the heart of the novel is Kadija, whose journey through this fractured landscape is not just one of survival, but of reclamation—of identity, love, and purpose. The love story between Kadija and Em threads through the chaos and is anything but simple. It’s messy, deeply felt, and layered with the kind of emotional realism that makes your chest ache. Wren doesn’t offer easy answers or perfect resolutions, but instead captures the way love can be both a refuge and a battlefield.
This book didn’t just make me feel—it made me think. It held up a mirror to the world we live in and forced me to confront what we’re willing to lose, and what we’re willing to fight for. The Wilding of Em's Path is a gut-punch in the best way, and I won’t be forgetting it anytime soon.
May 27, 2025
I’m going to be honest, it feels like a weird time to be reading dystopia. But when it’s this well-written, it’s worth it.
In some future America, we have slipped into a complete autocracy in which people have no expectation of privacy and anyone who isn’t White is at risk of being put in a detention center. Kadija is a Brown badass freedom fighter, part of the resistance network which has been driven deep underground. She received a weird assignment on her (dead? detained?) crew chief’s secure modular device and finds herself in the middle of the woods in Appalachia trying to locate a woman who disappeared from society some time ago.
Cynda is a high sensitive individual - she can control “nectar”, which basically allows her to alter the threads of life and also….suggest…people do what she wants them to. She had been participating in a research project (High Sensitive Person Project) trying to better understand people who are considered “Sensitives”, but something has driven her all the way to her “Eden” and she is living alone, completely off the grid, and has no intention of ever leaving.
Kadija and Cynda wind up on a journey that exposes this strange new society and shares fascinating vignettes of the types of groups that would spring up in this environment. There are The Real Queens (Karens on steroids), who the government allows to operate in the interest of the State, and terrifying good old boys - looking for anyone of color who they can send to detention centers. But there are also fascinating places of resistance, all connected in an unseen web, which help our protagonists on their journey. Although Kadija has a deceptively straightforward mission, navigating the country is anything but simple. Their path from a safe hotel to an almost cult-like safe space called Mercy Haven, run by Sisters, to her old crewmates house, to an extraordinarily posh neighborhood keeps the reader, as well as the protagonists, on their toes. Wrenn did an amazing job of bringing the reader along on the journey with the protagonists - I felt the cortisol flood my system as I was just sitting on my couch because I was constantly concerned for my new friends. Every new situation posed a threat and felt very high stakes.
Wrenn’s character writing is excellent - the secondary characters were all defined individuals, and all played critical roles in getting our protagonists to where they needed to go. I think Wrenn is also the queen of prickly women - both Cynda and Kadija have extraordinarily high walls draped in thorny plants to keep anyone from getting close. Getting to know each other was slow, but they saw pieces of their own wounded souls in each other and that led to a deep, unbreakable connection.
Questions about scientific research ethics and the things that fellow scientists (and funders) will turn a blind eye to are central to this book. Outside of the overall government, the “big bad” in this book is Dr. Bryant Peters a scientific leader who conducts research on Sensitives - a group of people who have specific sensory super-abilities, but are othered in society. Part of the selling point of his research (and schools he founded) to families is making these individuals more “normal”.
I will say that this is the least escapist things I have read in a while. I generally like dystopia, but in these times, dystopia feels a little too close to home. If you are feeling overwhelmed and defeated, this might not be the book for you right now, even though it’s excellent. Be kind to yourself first and foremost.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ylva Publishing for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
In some future America, we have slipped into a complete autocracy in which people have no expectation of privacy and anyone who isn’t White is at risk of being put in a detention center. Kadija is a Brown badass freedom fighter, part of the resistance network which has been driven deep underground. She received a weird assignment on her (dead? detained?) crew chief’s secure modular device and finds herself in the middle of the woods in Appalachia trying to locate a woman who disappeared from society some time ago.
Cynda is a high sensitive individual - she can control “nectar”, which basically allows her to alter the threads of life and also….suggest…people do what she wants them to. She had been participating in a research project (High Sensitive Person Project) trying to better understand people who are considered “Sensitives”, but something has driven her all the way to her “Eden” and she is living alone, completely off the grid, and has no intention of ever leaving.
Kadija and Cynda wind up on a journey that exposes this strange new society and shares fascinating vignettes of the types of groups that would spring up in this environment. There are The Real Queens (Karens on steroids), who the government allows to operate in the interest of the State, and terrifying good old boys - looking for anyone of color who they can send to detention centers. But there are also fascinating places of resistance, all connected in an unseen web, which help our protagonists on their journey. Although Kadija has a deceptively straightforward mission, navigating the country is anything but simple. Their path from a safe hotel to an almost cult-like safe space called Mercy Haven, run by Sisters, to her old crewmates house, to an extraordinarily posh neighborhood keeps the reader, as well as the protagonists, on their toes. Wrenn did an amazing job of bringing the reader along on the journey with the protagonists - I felt the cortisol flood my system as I was just sitting on my couch because I was constantly concerned for my new friends. Every new situation posed a threat and felt very high stakes.
Wrenn’s character writing is excellent - the secondary characters were all defined individuals, and all played critical roles in getting our protagonists to where they needed to go. I think Wrenn is also the queen of prickly women - both Cynda and Kadija have extraordinarily high walls draped in thorny plants to keep anyone from getting close. Getting to know each other was slow, but they saw pieces of their own wounded souls in each other and that led to a deep, unbreakable connection.
Questions about scientific research ethics and the things that fellow scientists (and funders) will turn a blind eye to are central to this book. Outside of the overall government, the “big bad” in this book is Dr. Bryant Peters a scientific leader who conducts research on Sensitives - a group of people who have specific sensory super-abilities, but are othered in society. Part of the selling point of his research (and schools he founded) to families is making these individuals more “normal”.
I will say that this is the least escapist things I have read in a while. I generally like dystopia, but in these times, dystopia feels a little too close to home. If you are feeling overwhelmed and defeated, this might not be the book for you right now, even though it’s excellent. Be kind to yourself first and foremost.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ylva Publishing for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
June 7, 2025
This is more than a story!
As someone who has a keen interest in exploring how we can all connect with our world and each other in a much more meaningful and energetic way, this book was an unexpected delight to dive into.
Ana has a truly beautiful way of crafting a story and taking you on a journey that will blow your mind and have you questioning everything. What does it truly mean to be alive, to exist, to feel, to connect, to love and to collectively resist. Those moments where we need to pay attention and those unexpected places we find kinship.
Ana holds us lightly as she weaves her story into the very core our being. Her vivid and full sensory language descriptors had me immersed in each moment, with every character, in a way I’ve never experienced before.
This book is more than a story, it’s a space for us to feel and to question. And for that, I am enormously grateful.
Sensational!!!
As someone who has a keen interest in exploring how we can all connect with our world and each other in a much more meaningful and energetic way, this book was an unexpected delight to dive into.
Ana has a truly beautiful way of crafting a story and taking you on a journey that will blow your mind and have you questioning everything. What does it truly mean to be alive, to exist, to feel, to connect, to love and to collectively resist. Those moments where we need to pay attention and those unexpected places we find kinship.
Ana holds us lightly as she weaves her story into the very core our being. Her vivid and full sensory language descriptors had me immersed in each moment, with every character, in a way I’ve never experienced before.
This book is more than a story, it’s a space for us to feel and to question. And for that, I am enormously grateful.
Sensational!!!
July 18, 2025
(4.50)
May 17, 2025
This is a sapphic dystopian novel set with America, the Appalachian area where we meet our main characters Kadija and Cynda. Kadija a freedom fighter and sent on a mission to return to civilisation with Cynda and destroy the research institute she previously escaped from.
This is a slow burn where connections build firstly in Cynda’s Eden where Kadija is not in her element and then further through their journey together back to civilisation.
This has some wonderful writing and some interesting world building that could be a bit on the nose given the current climate. But some fantastic character development but I would have liked further insight into the backstory and a times the story for me felt a bit too long in places. However an interesting story that I would recommend when this comes out on the 21st May. I was given an opportunity to read this via an ARC on NetGalley.
This is a slow burn where connections build firstly in Cynda’s Eden where Kadija is not in her element and then further through their journey together back to civilisation.
This has some wonderful writing and some interesting world building that could be a bit on the nose given the current climate. But some fantastic character development but I would have liked further insight into the backstory and a times the story for me felt a bit too long in places. However an interesting story that I would recommend when this comes out on the 21st May. I was given an opportunity to read this via an ARC on NetGalley.
May 18, 2025
Superb! Strong female leads, dystopian world and great plot twists. Really really enjoyed this. Fantastic work, thank you author. Thank you to # NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. A favourite author definitely
May 11, 2025
Emily Cynda Berman hides in Eden while the word is going under. Kadija is sent to retrieve her since the world needs her special abilities, the ECB effect. Cynda is the key to end the madness going on in the world, she may be able to stop the horrible Peters.
The book was beautifully written, angsty and dystopian so really my type of story. I must however admit that I struggled a bit while reading since so complex and perhaps too many layers to consider. Thus, I had a lot of mixed feelings when finishing the book a few days ago. After thinking about the story for a few days I realized it is a story that stuck in my mind so I may have liked it a lot more than I initially thought. With that said I think the book would have benefitted a lot with more backstory and a long epilogue so we could see that Cynda and Kadija really get their HEA.
I received a free ARC via NetGalley and leave a review voluntarily.
The book was beautifully written, angsty and dystopian so really my type of story. I must however admit that I struggled a bit while reading since so complex and perhaps too many layers to consider. Thus, I had a lot of mixed feelings when finishing the book a few days ago. After thinking about the story for a few days I realized it is a story that stuck in my mind so I may have liked it a lot more than I initially thought. With that said I think the book would have benefitted a lot with more backstory and a long epilogue so we could see that Cynda and Kadija really get their HEA.
I received a free ARC via NetGalley and leave a review voluntarily.
September 25, 2025
As I started reading this book, I wasn’t sure I was going to like it. Cynda didn’t seem like a character I could feel any connection to. Then there was Kadija and I wasn’t sure what her angle was for wanting Cynda to leave her paradise in the mountains. As the story unfolds and we understand the characters more I came to enjoy these characters and the depth they had.
The way Ana K Wrenn writes you can feel and visualize the places in this book. The way she describes the Appalachian Mountains you can feel the love she has for it.
This book is written in such a way that it feels like a peek into the future. Which feels off putting at times. But there is hope throughout the story.
Do yourself a favor and don’t rush through this book. Take your time and immerse yourself in this world, let yourself engage and experience your five senses.
Thank you to Ylva Publishing and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for my honesty review.
The way Ana K Wrenn writes you can feel and visualize the places in this book. The way she describes the Appalachian Mountains you can feel the love she has for it.
This book is written in such a way that it feels like a peek into the future. Which feels off putting at times. But there is hope throughout the story.
Do yourself a favor and don’t rush through this book. Take your time and immerse yourself in this world, let yourself engage and experience your five senses.
Thank you to Ylva Publishing and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for my honesty review.
May 9, 2025
As I sit down to write this honest review in exchange for the free (ARC) copy I was blessed to receive, I find it extremely difficult to find the prerequisite words to describe this brilliant novel Ana K Wrenn has crafted.
If you want to get technical, this book is a dystopian, enemies to lovers, angsty story. Yes these words are accurate but lacking in describing this multifaceted story.
The backcountry of the beautiful and mysterious Appalachia is where we find Cynda fully embracing nature in chosen solitude. A solitude which is about to be challenged by the appearance of the force of nature that is the freedom fighter Kadija, who has come to uproot Cynda by all means necessary and return her to a dystopian civilization and back to an important project Cynda was a part of which has gotten out of control. However the prospect of leaving paradise for hell is terrifying to Cynda and even more terrifying is the thought of having to face a project that almost ended her. Will Kadija be able to convince her to take this dark journey with her? What darkness and cruelty awaits them both in a world which is breaming with turmoil? Will this path bring them closer or destroy them and what would be the price they both have to pay to walk it?
Be ready to experience a kaleidoscope of emotions, immersive sceneries and vivid descriptions of sounds, smells and tastes that will completely transport you . It might not be a romance in the traditional sense but there is no doubt in my mind that it is a story of love and the power of it to prevail in the darkest of times. The vivid descriptions of the magical nature of Appalachia immerses you into Cynda's world completely and then the contrast with the civilization and all it has become is jarring. The reader is able to connect with both characters and understand them fully, as the author takes you by the hand and reveals their souls. Nothing remains uncovered and by the end of it you feel so full. Through both characters feelings, fears, despair and love you are connected to the author in a way that is uncanny. I would go as far to say that this novel is a looking glass to the author's heart and the intimacy of it all is truly a gift to the reader.
A dystopian novel that manages to be very contemporary, touching upon so many societal issues and a warning if you will, of what could happen in the very near future if we do not stand and fight the forces that are threatening to turn us into empty unfeeling vessels. Cynda and Kadija might seem like they are standing on opposite river-banks. But how opposite can two people be when at their core resides love, compassion and a will to make a difference?
This is an important read that I daresay everyone should experience. A remarkable reminder of how we can fight for each other and how by being forces of kindness and good we can find our way through the darkest of tunnels. At the end of the day this book is a beacon of hope.
Definitely infinite stars (here they only let me give it 5) for the cavalcade of emotions that is The Wilding of Em's Path by Ana K Wrenn.
If you want to get technical, this book is a dystopian, enemies to lovers, angsty story. Yes these words are accurate but lacking in describing this multifaceted story.
The backcountry of the beautiful and mysterious Appalachia is where we find Cynda fully embracing nature in chosen solitude. A solitude which is about to be challenged by the appearance of the force of nature that is the freedom fighter Kadija, who has come to uproot Cynda by all means necessary and return her to a dystopian civilization and back to an important project Cynda was a part of which has gotten out of control. However the prospect of leaving paradise for hell is terrifying to Cynda and even more terrifying is the thought of having to face a project that almost ended her. Will Kadija be able to convince her to take this dark journey with her? What darkness and cruelty awaits them both in a world which is breaming with turmoil? Will this path bring them closer or destroy them and what would be the price they both have to pay to walk it?
Be ready to experience a kaleidoscope of emotions, immersive sceneries and vivid descriptions of sounds, smells and tastes that will completely transport you . It might not be a romance in the traditional sense but there is no doubt in my mind that it is a story of love and the power of it to prevail in the darkest of times. The vivid descriptions of the magical nature of Appalachia immerses you into Cynda's world completely and then the contrast with the civilization and all it has become is jarring. The reader is able to connect with both characters and understand them fully, as the author takes you by the hand and reveals their souls. Nothing remains uncovered and by the end of it you feel so full. Through both characters feelings, fears, despair and love you are connected to the author in a way that is uncanny. I would go as far to say that this novel is a looking glass to the author's heart and the intimacy of it all is truly a gift to the reader.
A dystopian novel that manages to be very contemporary, touching upon so many societal issues and a warning if you will, of what could happen in the very near future if we do not stand and fight the forces that are threatening to turn us into empty unfeeling vessels. Cynda and Kadija might seem like they are standing on opposite river-banks. But how opposite can two people be when at their core resides love, compassion and a will to make a difference?
This is an important read that I daresay everyone should experience. A remarkable reminder of how we can fight for each other and how by being forces of kindness and good we can find our way through the darkest of tunnels. At the end of the day this book is a beacon of hope.
Definitely infinite stars (here they only let me give it 5) for the cavalcade of emotions that is The Wilding of Em's Path by Ana K Wrenn.
May 8, 2025
May cut too close to modern reality for some readers at times
I liked this story more than her first book. The dystopian storyline may not be everyone's cup of tea right now and this one rubs up close or overlaps with aspects of current reality depending on where you live in the world. I'm not used to reading books in this genre when they're not 'ripped from the headlines' necessarily but also don't feel like a distant possible future; it's a bit more unsettling and less escapist reading. The dark themes may trigger some readers; that may be a given. There is however humor and some lighter feel good moments to offset the drama and darker stuff.
Main characters Cynda and Kadija are fun to follow around; the cat and mouse scenes with each of them believing themselves to be the cat in that scenario are entertaining reading. Kadija is beyond fish out of water when on Cynda's turf and Cynda is frequently underestimated by several characters, to their detriment. There are some endearing secondary characters and quirky ones who are easy to imagine. Chapter endings are often written in such a way that you want to continue reading into the next chapter and beyond.
I appreciate author Wrenn's contrast of so-called 'civilization' with the woods where Cynda lives. The intriguing powers possessed by various characters and their exploitation in part thanks to research funding and corrupt negotiations, with wealthy donors steering or dictating the direction and focus of research provides ample food for thought in modern day. I don't think I've ever read a book with such a high focus on smell and scent but it adds dimension to the reading and may heighten the reader's own olfactory awareness along the way. The ending and resolution are shorter compared to the long build up to get there and some readers may question whether justice was served in the end; a few minor questions lingered in my mind when I finished the story but that may be intentional to enhance the uncertainty of the dystopia. Although the story is set in part in Appalachia, the settings could have just as easily been in numerous other parts of the USA or other countries so it feels like a 'could be happening in my backyard' kind of tale again adding to that dystopic feel.
I'm not a big reader of dystopian stories, especially lately, but I read thru this one quickly in a matter of days with several very long reading sessions of 'just one more chapter' happening on repeat. If you want unconventional characters in a slow simmer slow burn romance and don't mind dark themes in your reading material, give this one a read and check out Wrenn's first book as well particularly if you're in academia.
I liked this story more than her first book. The dystopian storyline may not be everyone's cup of tea right now and this one rubs up close or overlaps with aspects of current reality depending on where you live in the world. I'm not used to reading books in this genre when they're not 'ripped from the headlines' necessarily but also don't feel like a distant possible future; it's a bit more unsettling and less escapist reading. The dark themes may trigger some readers; that may be a given. There is however humor and some lighter feel good moments to offset the drama and darker stuff.
Main characters Cynda and Kadija are fun to follow around; the cat and mouse scenes with each of them believing themselves to be the cat in that scenario are entertaining reading. Kadija is beyond fish out of water when on Cynda's turf and Cynda is frequently underestimated by several characters, to their detriment. There are some endearing secondary characters and quirky ones who are easy to imagine. Chapter endings are often written in such a way that you want to continue reading into the next chapter and beyond.
I appreciate author Wrenn's contrast of so-called 'civilization' with the woods where Cynda lives. The intriguing powers possessed by various characters and their exploitation in part thanks to research funding and corrupt negotiations, with wealthy donors steering or dictating the direction and focus of research provides ample food for thought in modern day. I don't think I've ever read a book with such a high focus on smell and scent but it adds dimension to the reading and may heighten the reader's own olfactory awareness along the way. The ending and resolution are shorter compared to the long build up to get there and some readers may question whether justice was served in the end; a few minor questions lingered in my mind when I finished the story but that may be intentional to enhance the uncertainty of the dystopia. Although the story is set in part in Appalachia, the settings could have just as easily been in numerous other parts of the USA or other countries so it feels like a 'could be happening in my backyard' kind of tale again adding to that dystopic feel.
I'm not a big reader of dystopian stories, especially lately, but I read thru this one quickly in a matter of days with several very long reading sessions of 'just one more chapter' happening on repeat. If you want unconventional characters in a slow simmer slow burn romance and don't mind dark themes in your reading material, give this one a read and check out Wrenn's first book as well particularly if you're in academia.
May 22, 2025
What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun. - Ecclesiastes 1:9.
Whatever you may think of dystopian novels, world building, etc., just forget it. This story finds us dealing with an environment that is all too familiar to our current situation: The government forgetting/ignoring what habeas corpus means; those at the top of the socioeconomic totem pole are basically running the show (ethically or not) at the expense of minorities; and marginalized groups are subject to ignorance and shall we say, less than charitable conduct. There is always resistance though, some of it with willing and not-so-willing participants and this is where the story begins for us. Our author begins by taking us back to nature, and the all natural. Because isn’t that where recovery, renewal, and rebirth come from? She also focuses on our senses, which throughout this story I got the feeling was being used to show that the vast majority of people’s senses are quite deadened these days. We are, in fact, desensitized. So we meet Cynda and Kadija, and when rebel Kadija convinces Cynda to return to the “civilization” she left to help put a stop to an outrageous experimental program, they embark on the type of adventure that has you on the edge of your seat while cringing at what we’ve become.
Perhaps the timing was poor or perhaps it was impeccable. The day I reached a point in the novel where our main characters were in a series of dangerous hiding out spaces, was also the day I visited the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam. To know that story and then read this one knocked my mind out in a way that is too overwhelming for words. I don’t normally quote the Bible, but it’s true that there really is nothing new under the sun.
Whatever you may think of dystopian novels, world building, etc., just forget it. This story finds us dealing with an environment that is all too familiar to our current situation: The government forgetting/ignoring what habeas corpus means; those at the top of the socioeconomic totem pole are basically running the show (ethically or not) at the expense of minorities; and marginalized groups are subject to ignorance and shall we say, less than charitable conduct. There is always resistance though, some of it with willing and not-so-willing participants and this is where the story begins for us. Our author begins by taking us back to nature, and the all natural. Because isn’t that where recovery, renewal, and rebirth come from? She also focuses on our senses, which throughout this story I got the feeling was being used to show that the vast majority of people’s senses are quite deadened these days. We are, in fact, desensitized. So we meet Cynda and Kadija, and when rebel Kadija convinces Cynda to return to the “civilization” she left to help put a stop to an outrageous experimental program, they embark on the type of adventure that has you on the edge of your seat while cringing at what we’ve become.
Perhaps the timing was poor or perhaps it was impeccable. The day I reached a point in the novel where our main characters were in a series of dangerous hiding out spaces, was also the day I visited the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam. To know that story and then read this one knocked my mind out in a way that is too overwhelming for words. I don’t normally quote the Bible, but it’s true that there really is nothing new under the sun.
July 6, 2025
The Wilding of Em’s Path is a sensational, sapphic dystopian story that had me intrigued from the blurb and the gorgeous cover and glued to the pages until the very end.
Cynda only just escaped from the changing world with her health and sanity barely intact into the Appalachian mountains and has built a sustainable life. When Kadija, a freedom fighter, finds her, she is terrified of losing what she has created.
Kadija has been tasked with returning Cynda to the world she ran from and a man who is on a path to ruin civilisation. She is furious and disgusted at the woman she finds hiding in the wilderness, a woman she expected so much from.
Cynda reluctantly agrees to return with Kadija, and to her dismay, the world is a completely changed place. No one is safe, and their trip to the institute Cynda once called home is filled with terror and destruction.
The bond Cynda and Kadi form is strong and keeps them moving forward, and both women become the fighters needed to stop evil from ruining innocent lives.
Cynda and Kadija are both fierce women who have lived lives sure to test the strongest of people. The world is a mess, with references, which unfortunately would come true if certain powers were allowed to rule the way they wish. Romance takes second place to the gripping story, but the slow burn is sweet and paced out beautifully.
The Wilding of Em’s Path may not be the easiest story to read, not with how unfriendly the world has become for some people lately, but it is scarily relevant, full of hope, and shows the strength and courage of those willing to fight for what they believe in. Don’t miss this one.
I received an ARC from Ylva Publishing via NetGalley and am leaving a voluntary review
Cynda only just escaped from the changing world with her health and sanity barely intact into the Appalachian mountains and has built a sustainable life. When Kadija, a freedom fighter, finds her, she is terrified of losing what she has created.
Kadija has been tasked with returning Cynda to the world she ran from and a man who is on a path to ruin civilisation. She is furious and disgusted at the woman she finds hiding in the wilderness, a woman she expected so much from.
Cynda reluctantly agrees to return with Kadija, and to her dismay, the world is a completely changed place. No one is safe, and their trip to the institute Cynda once called home is filled with terror and destruction.
The bond Cynda and Kadi form is strong and keeps them moving forward, and both women become the fighters needed to stop evil from ruining innocent lives.
Cynda and Kadija are both fierce women who have lived lives sure to test the strongest of people. The world is a mess, with references, which unfortunately would come true if certain powers were allowed to rule the way they wish. Romance takes second place to the gripping story, but the slow burn is sweet and paced out beautifully.
The Wilding of Em’s Path may not be the easiest story to read, not with how unfriendly the world has become for some people lately, but it is scarily relevant, full of hope, and shows the strength and courage of those willing to fight for what they believe in. Don’t miss this one.
I received an ARC from Ylva Publishing via NetGalley and am leaving a voluntary review
May 16, 2025
In all the bleakness: hope
Ana K Wrenn continues to write fascinating books with her distinct voice. The Wilding of Em‘s Path is a dystopian novel. It takes current, chilling developments in the US to its bleak, possible conclusions. We now see the blueprint, Wrenn delivers with her novel the new oppressive society which might be build on it.
The darkness is balanced by good people and the growing understanding between Cynda/Em, the hermit, and Kadiya, the freedom fighter. There is heartbreak, love, frighteningly familiar scenes, beauty, hope, fears and courage, broken cities, a deep connection to nature and the deep forests of the Appalachians.
The first chapters are especially captivating - an impressionistic kaleidoscope of feelings, observations, thoughts, nature introducing the two main characters and the wilderness. A roadtrip leads to discoveries: good, bad, abysmal, love, home, betrayal.
Not an easy read, a book that needs to be digested slowly. Don‘t despair though, there are many pockets of hope and beauty.
I received an ARC via netgalley. The review is left voluntarily.
Ana K Wrenn continues to write fascinating books with her distinct voice. The Wilding of Em‘s Path is a dystopian novel. It takes current, chilling developments in the US to its bleak, possible conclusions. We now see the blueprint, Wrenn delivers with her novel the new oppressive society which might be build on it.
The darkness is balanced by good people and the growing understanding between Cynda/Em, the hermit, and Kadiya, the freedom fighter. There is heartbreak, love, frighteningly familiar scenes, beauty, hope, fears and courage, broken cities, a deep connection to nature and the deep forests of the Appalachians.
The first chapters are especially captivating - an impressionistic kaleidoscope of feelings, observations, thoughts, nature introducing the two main characters and the wilderness. A roadtrip leads to discoveries: good, bad, abysmal, love, home, betrayal.
Not an easy read, a book that needs to be digested slowly. Don‘t despair though, there are many pockets of hope and beauty.
I received an ARC via netgalley. The review is left voluntarily.
June 9, 2025
Interesting And Unique but..
I am torn on how to feel about the story, which is why I’ve settled on a three star rating. The premise is undeniable, unique, and I truly appreciate the fresh take. The depiction of societal change mirrors our current climate and decline in many ways. Read the Handmaiden’s‘s Tale, and you will spot some parallels. However, the story was often confusing, especially in the beginning. I understand the book is intentionally different, but I feel the execution could’ve been smoother. One of the main characters, Kadijah, wasn’t as fully developed as I would have liked. I found myself wanting more depth from her. I also wish the side plot involving Carl and the Resistance had been explored further– they held a lot of promise. All in all, this is a good pick if you’re in the mood for something unconventional and thought-provoking.
I am torn on how to feel about the story, which is why I’ve settled on a three star rating. The premise is undeniable, unique, and I truly appreciate the fresh take. The depiction of societal change mirrors our current climate and decline in many ways. Read the Handmaiden’s‘s Tale, and you will spot some parallels. However, the story was often confusing, especially in the beginning. I understand the book is intentionally different, but I feel the execution could’ve been smoother. One of the main characters, Kadijah, wasn’t as fully developed as I would have liked. I found myself wanting more depth from her. I also wish the side plot involving Carl and the Resistance had been explored further– they held a lot of promise. All in all, this is a good pick if you’re in the mood for something unconventional and thought-provoking.
June 15, 2025
I don't often gravitate towards dystopian novels, but I will always read anything Ana K. Wrenn writes.
This book hits close to home right now with what we are experiencing in this country, but it is infused with hope and actually made me feel hopeful about our current situation.
Wrenn is such a gifted storyteller. It was so easy to become immersed into this story of Cynda, who just wants to shut out the outside world and Kadija, who is determined to bring Cynda back to civilization to help stop experiments on the highly sensitive population.
It isn't a light read, but it is fascinating, entertaining and shows the immense talent that Ana K. Wrenn has. I highly recommend it and can't wait to see what she brings us next.
An ARC was provided by Ylva Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review.
This book hits close to home right now with what we are experiencing in this country, but it is infused with hope and actually made me feel hopeful about our current situation.
Wrenn is such a gifted storyteller. It was so easy to become immersed into this story of Cynda, who just wants to shut out the outside world and Kadija, who is determined to bring Cynda back to civilization to help stop experiments on the highly sensitive population.
It isn't a light read, but it is fascinating, entertaining and shows the immense talent that Ana K. Wrenn has. I highly recommend it and can't wait to see what she brings us next.
An ARC was provided by Ylva Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review.
June 29, 2025
“Radiant threads stretched and branched out of the midnight forest, weaving into her. She followed them, a gossamer trail of yellow and white. The hum pulled her along and filled her with the arterial blood of stars, reuniting her with…Kadija.”
Excerpt From
The Wilding of Em's Path
Ana K. Wrenn
This material may be protected by copyright.
This is the type of writing you can expect from this book. Ana K. Wrenn’s brain works differently and it is exquisite. The story line and character development is remarkable. Dystopian times that seem like they can, and are, happening right now in the United States. And the ending is perfect.
Excerpt From
The Wilding of Em's Path
Ana K. Wrenn
This material may be protected by copyright.
This is the type of writing you can expect from this book. Ana K. Wrenn’s brain works differently and it is exquisite. The story line and character development is remarkable. Dystopian times that seem like they can, and are, happening right now in the United States. And the ending is perfect.
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