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He Who Ate The Wild
Not yet published
Expected 1 Jun 26I have grown hungry. Grief no longer nourishes me. I will eat the wild.
Whisper your prayers, light your candles, watch your steps, cherish your life, and— most importantly— never let the spirits hear your name.
These were his mother's rules before she disappeared. And Kazuki followed them, even when his father was ripped apart by a malevolent spirit. When he decides to go in search of his mother, an encounter with a corrupted bear leaves him weak, wounded, and worst of all, tainted.
With her rules and his father’s sword, he ventures north into the unknown. Demons, spirits, and gods all haunt his steps, and the closer he gets to the truth, the further from himself he becomes. His name forgotten.
Can he find his mother, or will the wild consume him?
Whisper your prayers, light your candles, watch your steps, cherish your life, and— most importantly— never let the spirits hear your name.
These were his mother's rules before she disappeared. And Kazuki followed them, even when his father was ripped apart by a malevolent spirit. When he decides to go in search of his mother, an encounter with a corrupted bear leaves him weak, wounded, and worst of all, tainted.
With her rules and his father’s sword, he ventures north into the unknown. Demons, spirits, and gods all haunt his steps, and the closer he gets to the truth, the further from himself he becomes. His name forgotten.
Can he find his mother, or will the wild consume him?
- GenresFantasy
Paperback
Expected publication June 1, 2026
4 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
He Who Ate the Wild ARC Review
A brand new fantastic standalone, that will get you hooked and leave you as a empty shell.
Written in first person, with amazing character development. If you love Z.B Steels world Song of the Damned, you are for sure gonna love thisone too!
My biggest favorite here is the characters, I don't really trust any of them until the opposite is proven, and after that I still don't trust them. And I love those types of books that makes you question everyone, and still don't really trust them when the book is done.
This was such a calm and quiet read. Maybe not for the main pov, but that's what we love right? Beautiful but such a sad story.
As mentioned on top, this is a standalone. But I actually hope it's not the case. After finishing the story, I personally feel that it could be enough story left for a next adventure for our main character. So I would actually be a bit sad if it ends here. But It can be that I'm wrong and it's a reason for it to be one book story.
Good and bad spirits, demons and a bit of magic on the side, this is a awesome quick and easy adventure to join along.
A brand new fantastic standalone, that will get you hooked and leave you as a empty shell.
Written in first person, with amazing character development. If you love Z.B Steels world Song of the Damned, you are for sure gonna love thisone too!
My biggest favorite here is the characters, I don't really trust any of them until the opposite is proven, and after that I still don't trust them. And I love those types of books that makes you question everyone, and still don't really trust them when the book is done.
This was such a calm and quiet read. Maybe not for the main pov, but that's what we love right? Beautiful but such a sad story.
As mentioned on top, this is a standalone. But I actually hope it's not the case. After finishing the story, I personally feel that it could be enough story left for a next adventure for our main character. So I would actually be a bit sad if it ends here. But It can be that I'm wrong and it's a reason for it to be one book story.
Good and bad spirits, demons and a bit of magic on the side, this is a awesome quick and easy adventure to join along.
January 10, 2026
ARC Review
He Who Ate the Wild is a harrowing coming of age story of a young boy in a Muromachi era inspired fantasy world, where spirits and humans either find harmony or go to war.
Things I love about HWATW:
The prose - the prose style is almost lyrical, which adds to the overall folktale tone of the book.
Man vs Nature - The addition of spirits that have a foot in the human world adds some bite to “nature” in this dynamic. The consequences of man mistreating the natural world comes with dire consequences that exceed destroying natural resources.
The Action - I’m into that magical anime shit, and the battles have the extravagant quality that hits right.
He Who Ate the Wild is a harrowing coming of age story of a young boy in a Muromachi era inspired fantasy world, where spirits and humans either find harmony or go to war.
Things I love about HWATW:
The prose - the prose style is almost lyrical, which adds to the overall folktale tone of the book.
Man vs Nature - The addition of spirits that have a foot in the human world adds some bite to “nature” in this dynamic. The consequences of man mistreating the natural world comes with dire consequences that exceed destroying natural resources.
The Action - I’m into that magical anime shit, and the battles have the extravagant quality that hits right.
January 3, 2026
What a lush and rich world as seen through the eyes of a boy who is so naive and yet so jaded. Terral did such a good job creating a living, breathing world full of spirits and gods and demons and magic and hope and horror.
Our MC is so complex and believable. He wants so badly to trust but is repeatedly put into circumstances that break him. He simultaneously keeps reaching for hope and connection while also fighting with his inner doubts and self-loathing that naturally push people away. I am just so astonished at how much characterization is packed into him that is contradictory on its face but completely in line with his past and how he views himself and the world.
I definitely see the inspiration from Princess Mononoke but Terral really makes this story his own.
If it isn’t already on your TBR, add it! It comes out in June.
Thanks to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Our MC is so complex and believable. He wants so badly to trust but is repeatedly put into circumstances that break him. He simultaneously keeps reaching for hope and connection while also fighting with his inner doubts and self-loathing that naturally push people away. I am just so astonished at how much characterization is packed into him that is contradictory on its face but completely in line with his past and how he views himself and the world.
I definitely see the inspiration from Princess Mononoke but Terral really makes this story his own.
If it isn’t already on your TBR, add it! It comes out in June.
Thanks to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.3 Stars: Definite Recomend.
Here’s the pitch:
In a world reminiscent of Demon Slayer and story that screams Studio Ghibli, a boy leaves home after his father is eaten by an evil spirit. On his own he ventures into a forest teeming with with spirits, malicious and benign, gods and more, joined by bird companions Susu (I mean does it get more Ghibli sounding than a journey with a spirit bird named Susu?)and Kara in search for his mother and his own name.
A coming of age story and a story of self discovery and cool monsters.
“We all bear stains. And most struggle to be cleansed. But none mark us forever. None defines us, even if they are part of our nature.”
This is a beautifully written story. If there’s anything that GJ Terral has shown here is that he can write his pants off. I cannot recall highlighting a book as much as I did here.
“The unknown isn’t the dark plunges of an ocean unexplored. It isn’t the sky above and the infinite reach of the stars or the insect and rot that rests under stones undisturbed. The unknown resides in all of us and hides at the edges of thought, not wishing to have light shone upon it.”
“Sometimes in life, change can come too fast. Sometimes, it can take far too long. Hardly ever does it happen just as intended, and this mountain and the writhing forest of pale trees below were no exception.”
Are just some examples of what he can do.
Also, this story really perfectly achieves the dark Studio Ghibli vibe that it’s going for. Even the plot of a boy going into nature with a bird named Susu in search of his own name just nails it. Beyond that there are definitely cool creatures, and wild fights- with cool magic as well.
Ok but I didn’t give this a 5?!
I wish the book did more with the side characters -especially early on - as I do feel they did improve as the book went on. That said around 1/3 into the book where you really needed to feel that the MC and the side characters connection was more than it was at that time.
I also wish more was done to develop the light romance that shows up.
I do think that GJ made improvements to the character development of the side players by the end- especially Nu.
My final critique- I’m still not sure what was going on with the bolded text that shows from time to time.
The final line is this: I recommend this. I REALLY recommend it if you like Studio Ghibli, Manga and Anime. If you’ve been wanting a darker version of a studio Ghibli movie run. Also if you’re a sucker for pretty writing.
I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Rated 5 because I cannot give partials. And this book deserves tge benefit of that score.
Here’s the pitch:
In a world reminiscent of Demon Slayer and story that screams Studio Ghibli, a boy leaves home after his father is eaten by an evil spirit. On his own he ventures into a forest teeming with with spirits, malicious and benign, gods and more, joined by bird companions Susu (I mean does it get more Ghibli sounding than a journey with a spirit bird named Susu?)and Kara in search for his mother and his own name.
A coming of age story and a story of self discovery and cool monsters.
“We all bear stains. And most struggle to be cleansed. But none mark us forever. None defines us, even if they are part of our nature.”
This is a beautifully written story. If there’s anything that GJ Terral has shown here is that he can write his pants off. I cannot recall highlighting a book as much as I did here.
“The unknown isn’t the dark plunges of an ocean unexplored. It isn’t the sky above and the infinite reach of the stars or the insect and rot that rests under stones undisturbed. The unknown resides in all of us and hides at the edges of thought, not wishing to have light shone upon it.”
“Sometimes in life, change can come too fast. Sometimes, it can take far too long. Hardly ever does it happen just as intended, and this mountain and the writhing forest of pale trees below were no exception.”
Are just some examples of what he can do.
Also, this story really perfectly achieves the dark Studio Ghibli vibe that it’s going for. Even the plot of a boy going into nature with a bird named Susu in search of his own name just nails it. Beyond that there are definitely cool creatures, and wild fights- with cool magic as well.
Ok but I didn’t give this a 5?!
I wish the book did more with the side characters -especially early on - as I do feel they did improve as the book went on. That said around 1/3 into the book where you really needed to feel that the MC and the side characters connection was more than it was at that time.
I also wish more was done to develop the light romance that shows up.
I do think that GJ made improvements to the character development of the side players by the end- especially Nu.
My final critique- I’m still not sure what was going on with the bolded text that shows from time to time.
The final line is this: I recommend this. I REALLY recommend it if you like Studio Ghibli, Manga and Anime. If you’ve been wanting a darker version of a studio Ghibli movie run. Also if you’re a sucker for pretty writing.
I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Rated 5 because I cannot give partials. And this book deserves tge benefit of that score.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
This is a beautifully written fantasy novel, with a lost main character searching for answers and trying to survive while wandering a world full of spirits and gods and monsters. For much of the novel, he has lost his own name, so he calls himself Ku, and along the way, trains and hones his skill with the blade in a village full of masked fighters, and gains companions in Nu, the nephew of the village chief, Furen, the cold and highly skilled fellow trainee, Susu, a helpful spirit in the shape of a sparrow, and Kara, the wicked guardian of the springs that Ku inadvertently contaminates. The setting of this novel is rich and lush, and as Ku wanders the world, trying to heal his own corruption while also seeking answers to what happened to his mother, you get to see a great array of spirits and gods. The spirits and gods are all mysterious and otherworldly, from Susu to She Who Weeps to What Once Walked, and they form much of the wonder of this novel, along with the fight scenes. All the Blooms in swordsmanship that were developed were especially fantastical, like
The pacing of this novel is a bit of a weak point, somewhat faltering, and although a lot happens in this novel, there are very few answers. I assume there will be more answers in book 2, but I was somewhat disappointed that we get no hint on why Ku was contaminated even before he slew the demonic bear, and that Furen seems to not be joining him for book 2.
Still, the writing and setting makes up for a lot, and you feel all of Ku's emotions almost as intensely as he does, from his hurt of being sidelined and rejected in the village to his rage at always having to run and his deep love for his friends. I look forward to reading book 2.
This is a beautifully written fantasy novel, with a lost main character searching for answers and trying to survive while wandering a world full of spirits and gods and monsters. For much of the novel, he has lost his own name, so he calls himself Ku, and along the way, trains and hones his skill with the blade in a village full of masked fighters, and gains companions in Nu, the nephew of the village chief, Furen, the cold and highly skilled fellow trainee, Susu, a helpful spirit in the shape of a sparrow, and Kara, the wicked guardian of the springs that Ku inadvertently contaminates. The setting of this novel is rich and lush, and as Ku wanders the world, trying to heal his own corruption while also seeking answers to what happened to his mother, you get to see a great array of spirits and gods. The spirits and gods are all mysterious and otherworldly, from Susu to She Who Weeps to What Once Walked, and they form much of the wonder of this novel, along with the fight scenes. All the Blooms in swordsmanship that were developed were especially fantastical, like
Her Bloom was a frozen flower, all the promise of life resting in its furled petals.
The pacing of this novel is a bit of a weak point, somewhat faltering, and although a lot happens in this novel, there are very few answers. I assume there will be more answers in book 2, but I was somewhat disappointed that we get no hint on why Ku was contaminated even before he slew the demonic bear, and that Furen seems to not be joining him for book 2.
Still, the writing and setting makes up for a lot, and you feel all of Ku's emotions almost as intensely as he does, from his hurt of being sidelined and rejected in the village to his rage at always having to run and his deep love for his friends. I look forward to reading book 2.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Book Review: He Who Ate the Wild by GJ Terral
He Who Ate the Wild is dark, atmospheric, and unflinching. The novel follows Kazuki, a young man venturing alone into the wilderness after his mother disappears and his father is killed by a malevolent spirit. Along the way he confronts corrupted beasts, spirits, and gods, navigating danger, loss, and the blurred line between survival and morality.
Terral’s prose is immersive and controlled, letting tension build naturally. The story examines how fear, grief, and the harshness of the wild shape identity and choice. Kazuki is driven by instinct and determination, and the novel emphasizes the cost of survival and the consequences of human and supernatural forces alike.
The ending reinforces the novel’s central themes. There is no tidy resolution. The journey leaves Kazuki marked, physically and spiritually, showing that the wild is not only external, but also lives inside, shaping how we endure, remember, and act.
This is a grim, compelling, and haunting read. Readers who enjoy literary horror, folklore inspired fiction, or morally complex journeys will appreciate the mood, the moral sharp edges, and the refusal to hand out easy answers. He Who Ate the Wild lingers long after the final page.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. This is my unbiased and honest review.
Publication information
Publication or outlet: Victory Editing NetGalley Co op
Run date: June 26, 2026
He Who Ate the Wild is dark, atmospheric, and unflinching. The novel follows Kazuki, a young man venturing alone into the wilderness after his mother disappears and his father is killed by a malevolent spirit. Along the way he confronts corrupted beasts, spirits, and gods, navigating danger, loss, and the blurred line between survival and morality.
Terral’s prose is immersive and controlled, letting tension build naturally. The story examines how fear, grief, and the harshness of the wild shape identity and choice. Kazuki is driven by instinct and determination, and the novel emphasizes the cost of survival and the consequences of human and supernatural forces alike.
The ending reinforces the novel’s central themes. There is no tidy resolution. The journey leaves Kazuki marked, physically and spiritually, showing that the wild is not only external, but also lives inside, shaping how we endure, remember, and act.
This is a grim, compelling, and haunting read. Readers who enjoy literary horror, folklore inspired fiction, or morally complex journeys will appreciate the mood, the moral sharp edges, and the refusal to hand out easy answers. He Who Ate the Wild lingers long after the final page.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. This is my unbiased and honest review.
Publication information
Publication or outlet: Victory Editing NetGalley Co op
Run date: June 26, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
He Who Ate the Wild is a journey of discovery amid a backdrop of spirits, demons, gods, and the unknown.
From the main character's point of view (in first person), we find ourselves in the presence of spirits, demons, and gods with strict rules for survival when encountering these beings. Our protagonist struggles with living while at the same time sounding resigned to his fate.
The characters are enigmatic and complex, rich with character development and both strengths and faults. Just as our MC experiences it, we as the readers also experience a world where trust is difficult to keep but desirous to be willingly given. What some speak into words cannot be taken at face value, leaving many things rife with additional hidden meaning to tease out.
A calm, smooth read filled with thought-provoking subtext amid a myriad of mythical and magical beings in a richly complex world.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher Victory Editing NetGalley co-op for allowing me an ARC to read and review.
From the main character's point of view (in first person), we find ourselves in the presence of spirits, demons, and gods with strict rules for survival when encountering these beings. Our protagonist struggles with living while at the same time sounding resigned to his fate.
The characters are enigmatic and complex, rich with character development and both strengths and faults. Just as our MC experiences it, we as the readers also experience a world where trust is difficult to keep but desirous to be willingly given. What some speak into words cannot be taken at face value, leaving many things rife with additional hidden meaning to tease out.
A calm, smooth read filled with thought-provoking subtext amid a myriad of mythical and magical beings in a richly complex world.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher Victory Editing NetGalley co-op for allowing me an ARC to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
He Who Ate the Wild is a dark, atmospheric fantasy that blends folklore, horror, and a haunted coming‑of‑age journey. Through Kazuki/Ku’s first‑person perspective, the novel explores grief, identity, and the cost of survival in a world ruled by spirits, demons, and distant gods. The prose is poetic yet controlled, the worldbuilding rich with eerie, inventive spirits and striking swordplay, and the tone grimly contemplative. While the pacing sometimes falters and many mysteries remain unresolved, the immersive atmosphere, emotional intensity, and morally sharp edges make this a compelling read—especially for fans of literary horror and myth‑infused fantasy.
(Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing Netgalley Co-Op for this ARC in exchange for an honest review)
(Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing Netgalley Co-Op for this ARC in exchange for an honest review)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Full RTC but I got to read thus Miyazaki inspired book early and I will say this might be the best prose of 2026. This melancholic tale is full of heart, grief, identity, and personal growth amid warring spirits and human betrayals. This is a book to watch this year, mark it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
haunting and fantastic book with great aspects and great plotting throughout. would recommend this one. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews