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The Wilds #2

The Hunt

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Living in the Wilds isn't any picnic, but I thought I had a handle on things: avoid the beasts and I won't get eaten, avoid the waterways and the pirates won't kill me, and stab every Dark Walker I see.

That was before I found out Tiffy's friends were real and back when I’d never heard of the Skinners. Now my magic is on the fritz, and people are disappearing. Dax doesn't want me to kill any Dark Walkers, and avoiding the beasts is impossible when I live with one. Amidst all this, I've become the most wanted woman around.

254 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 25, 2015

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Donna Augustine

50 books1,300 followers

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5 stars
1,424 (44%)
4 stars
1,188 (37%)
3 stars
481 (15%)
2 stars
78 (2%)
1 star
14 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
Profile Image for Kira.
1,292 reviews139 followers
July 12, 2016
Well this was a disappointment. Not much happened to further the overarching plot. Some stuff about magic and some other people and creatures in the Wilds was explored, but not enough to satisfy my curiosity. This was about a young girl who was kidnapped and their attempts to get her back. It was all rather boring and anticlimactic.

Dax told Dahlia his biggest secret at the end of the last book. I thought it would have made them closer, but Dax was just as closed off as ever, maybe even more so. They were together most of the time, but he only spoke on a need to know basis. He spoke so little that there wasn't even a chance for witty banter. I had been expecting more character development for him. There wasn't any character development for the side characters either.

Dahlia smartened up some. She finally learned to listen others with better judgement every once and a while, so she wasn't as reckless. Instead of mouthing off all the time with no means to back it up, she was finally learning how to defend herself. She's becoming a special snowflake with her special magical skills, and every guy she talked to fell head over heels in love with her. So much page time was focused on her thoughts about Dax: Did he like her? Was he using her? Blah blah blah. It got old after a while.

Why did a love triangle have to introduced? It ruined a perfectly good story. It's a particularly shitty love triangle too. It's so obvious Dahlia only really wants Dax. She's convinced he isn't interested in her because he isn't talkative and is distant completely ignoring the fact that he spent way more time with her than anyone else. He told her his biggest secret. That should have given her a clue about how he felt. Rocky was a guy who lived in the village they were visiting. His role in the story was minimal. All I could really say about him is that he was nice. He expressed interest in Dahlia, and she actually considered it. She hated the village. Rocky asked her if she wanted to live there. She considered that as well. It didn't make any sense. Who would consider moving to a place they don't like for a guy they barely know? It was stupid. It made Dahlia seem attention hungry although she continually expressed that she didn't need anyone.

The love triangle drama ruined the end. Dahlia ran off to try to save the kidnapped girl. Then Rocky and Dax got involved. Instead of focusing on saving a child who was kidnapped, the three of them stood there arguing about who Dahlia belonged to. What a bunch of macho bullshit.




Profile Image for Hollie.
1,680 reviews
February 24, 2016
~2.5 stars~


I really loved the first book in this series, but sadly I was a bit disappointed with this one. Nothing seemed to happen!! So little of relevance occured in this read that I think when book 3 is released you could easily go from book 1 to book 3 without missing much. Here is my breakdown:

The pros:
* Offered as a kindleunlimited

The cons:
* I found this book to be exhausting!!!! There were some long and dull spells throughout this plot - it was slow moving
* I really liked the characters in the first book, but they basically just annoyed me in this one . Dal was boring, she basically ate, slept, read some, and then wondered to herself about her powers and boys. That was pretty much it. Then there's Dax.......... he was just broody, barely spoke and seemed to have zero personality in this book.

I doubt I will continue on to book 3 in this series. It's not available until May 2016, and this book just didn’t leave me eagerly anticipating more.
Profile Image for John Gilbert.
1,375 reviews217 followers
October 15, 2020
I am really enjoying this series. Set in a dystopian future where plague has wiped out most of civilisation, Dal is a survivor, of both the plague and life's hard knocks. Dal is an admirable heroine and her rescuer, Dax is an interesting character, supported by an good group, with some true evil Dark Walkers. Can't wait to go on to the next adventure in this four book series.
Profile Image for Charlie.
303 reviews44 followers
February 14, 2016
3/5 Stars

I enjoyed this one. It has it's faults there's no doubt about it but I enjoy the main character and her thoughts so I'll be interested in seeing how the next book plays out. Shame I have to wait until May for it to be released.
Profile Image for Andjela.
233 reviews18 followers
February 17, 2016
2,3/5

description
Well, this was a disappointment. After introducing us to the post Blood Fever world, riddled with Dark Walkers, strange beasts and survivors of the mysterious illness, a world full of great possibilities for a good story, author decided that it’s a great time to jump aboard the cliché train.
description
Dal becomes just another "oh so special and unique" heroine in the sea of so "oh special and unique" heroines, while more and more starting to act like annoying brat obsessed with a guy. Sure, she starts to learn how to fend for herself but that, as any other of her actions, gets overshadowed by her obsessing over Dax. Oh don’t forget the fact that everyone is drooling at the sight of her, all the while she remains completely puzzled to why is that happening, because she’s unable to perceive how special of a snowflake she really is. Dax stays distant, while simultaneously hooks Dal deeper, with episodes of tiny feeling outburst, and, of course, acts like she is his property, even going far as “staking his claim on her. And just to make things more predictable, let’s throw in a bit of love triangle, shall we? No, it’s not with the normal, cute, good guy, because they don’t even get taken in consideration, but with a pale,. Sounds familiar? Of course it does, it is in almost every other book out there.
description

But not only that I disliked the further character development, I was really disappointed with the fact the opportunity for clearing up things left unsaid in the first book, like who or what the hell are the Dark Walkers, we get randomly inserted mythical ethereal beings, who, also, don’t have any explanation as to why are they there and what is their point in this book, because I have not seen one. I think the better option would be to introduce new threats or mysteries after revealing at least just a bit about the current ones, or maybe even deepening them more- not leaving them at the same point as they were left in the first book, demeaning them to the role of running around trying to grab Dal.
Overall, book wasn’t catastrophically bad, but it sure didn’t live up to my expectations.
Profile Image for Jo Dawson.
216 reviews2 followers
December 29, 2015
The Hunt is the second installment in the Wilds series by Donna Augustine, and what a hunt it is! This novel picks up where The Wilds left off, Dahlia is in the homestead, trying to determine her place in the new world order, concerned about her safety and the well-being of her new family, knowing that she is a target in this post-apocalyptic civilization. In this book Dahlia contends with old enemies and new while she learns to navigate life in the Wilds.

What I loved about this book was Dahlia’s growth. Still young and naïve to the world outside of the asylum, she is learning more about herself, her strengths, her weaknesses – and acceptance of all of these. She is a fun protagonist full of determination, angst, and self-doubt all rolled up into one hot mess. I eagerly await the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Dana.
55 reviews1 follower
February 21, 2016
"They didn't get it, how lucky they'd been. The choices they had. It made me sad for them, because it didn't really matter what you had if you were to stupid to realize it."

I was really hoping for more, in terms of plot and character development. Donna Augustine hints at all of the things that I wanted and does a great job at furthering the plot, but I still don't see the need for the Rock. It's obviously hindering Dal, but at the same time being a push for certain characters.

The big climax was the shortest event in the whole damn book. Spent almost 328 pages building up to it and then blew it off like it didn't even happen.

The spoiler is why this isn't a favorite and it's really the only problem I had with the book as a whole. I'm excited to see if Dal is going to get any further in her quest against the Dark Walkers, among other things...there for I will be reading the third installment.
Profile Image for Andrea.
2,138 reviews1 follower
October 11, 2019
meh...

More alpha bull/ controlling behavior from Dax, and some backsliding for Dahlia. I was happy in the fist book that she seemed to be able to make decisions on her own (were they misguided at times- yes- but she seemed to have her head on pretty straight) And I got some of those vibes at times in the book- like

"They didn’t get it, how lucky they’d been. The choices they had. It made me sad for them, because it didn’t really matter what you had if you were too stupid to realize it. They could have the world but they locked themselves away, expecting the few strong ones in this place to protect them. They had no idea what life had to offer, what it felt like to test yourself against someone else and come out the winner. Own your own path."


But at other times its all about Dax this and Dax that. Should I sleep with the new guy? Why are they getting in fights over me? I no understand.

description

I get that she is sheltered, but her friends in the first book had relationships (shitty ones granted) so she can't be that clueless...right?

I had hopes..

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Profile Image for Debbie.
944 reviews79 followers
May 9, 2017
The Hunt
The Wilds Series book #2
By Donna Augustine
4.5 stars
Donna Augustine’s The Wilds series seamlessly picks right up with book two, The Hunt. Her main protagonist Dahlia continues to impress telling the story in first person keeping readers entertained with her age perfect, innocent misconceptions, smiling at the huge heart she tries to hide and gasping at her heroics. We’re introduced to new friends and foes while keeping tabs on all previous characters and waiting on the next calamity. Donna makes the unbelievable believable keeping us on the edge of our seats bringing The Wilds into brilliant focus with her vividly descriptive and amazingly inventive world building.

Narration 5 stars
Angel Clark’s flawless narration really sets off Augustine’s world building and her characters to a tee even going as far as using some really effective vocal special effects. Her narrator’s voice differing from her other voice characterizations is a persuasive tool that really benefits the listening pleasure.


Book 1 recap: Dahlia may be the last surviving “Plaguer” (someone who caught the disease and survived) of the apocalyptic disease called “The Bloody Death” that almost wiped out humanity. One side effect of plaguers is having increased psychic/magic abilities including seeing “Dark Walkers”, beings who want plaguers eliminated. Dax and his friends from “The Wilds” rescued her for this very ability.

After establishing herself in “The Wilds” community, Dahlia believes she’s finally found a home and friends in the first place since before she became a Plaguer that she feels safe. She’s trying to fit in, to be a valuable asset to the community, to find her niche. And above all else to be strong and not have to depend on anyone for help. And then there’s Dax, even though he’s revealed his “beast” to her, he’s still an enigma and she still can’t read his thoughts. Plus this girlish desire for him has to stop because even though it feels like he might be the right one she knows he’s wrong for her. At least he’s helping her to find her magic because one thing they can count on is the “Dark Walkers” haven’t given up their search for her and she has to be ready and able to defend herself and those she cares about when the battle continues.
Profile Image for JadeShea.
3,235 reviews60 followers
July 20, 2019
In the Hunt, Dal isn't allowed to kill Dark Walkers anymore, and after she learns Dax's secret things get even more complicated between them. Then Tiffy is taken and now they must deal with the Skinners and Tiffy's friends. Oh, and her magic is all messed up.

But, Dal isn't going to let any of that get to her. She's going to do everything in her power to help get Tiffy back no matter what the consequences are.

This was a great sequel to the first book in this series. I love how Dal is learning more and more because of her reading, and because of her best friend. And I really love that Dal and Dax seem to have a close relationship. The only thing I really don't like is sometimes the way Dax treats Dal, and the issue with Becca that happened. That really bugged me.

Other than that, this book was really good. It had me hooked right from the start and I couldn't put it down!
Profile Image for Vanessa.
145 reviews
December 29, 2015
Perhaps even more enjoyable than the first? In the sequel, Dal continues to observe and hunt the "Dark Walkers" that only she can see. She also explores her new magical talents with the (sexual-tension filled) help of her savior from the prior book. But luckily, this isn't just a dystopian bildungsroman. The conflict comes in the form of the abduction of a special six-year-old, and the ongoing quest to get her back, and to understand who her invisible friends are . . . . Dal continues to be appealing and I am intrigued by the expanding catalogue of paranormal creatures that inhabit the Wilds.
Profile Image for Mita.
172 reviews56 followers
January 11, 2016
Excellent second book.
Dal is still strange and a wonderful heroine to read and rally for. From the very beginning she had been a little badass and in The Hunt she starts to show it in more way than attitude.
Dax is still an ass you can't help but secretly crush on and beastly as ever.
Tiffy and her invisible friends play a prominent role in Del's developement.
The Dark Walkers are more evil than ever and the Wildes are still a tough place to be free
and yet, all together, The Hunt ramps up the intense world and story of Dal's Plaguer life, meaning, and importance to another level, making this book more than a worthy read.
It makes the series and MUST READ

Absolute Recommend.
Profile Image for Liss.
316 reviews6 followers
May 5, 2016
Nooooo. Literally can't even deal. I have never been so sad that I've had to wait for another instalment before. Literally, I was praying there was a third book into the series, but I have to wait FIVE MONTHS?!

To say I enjoyed this book would be an understatement - it was absolutely brilliant. I would 100 percent recommend reading this sequel should you have already read the first book. Man, this book took the series to a whole new level.


FYI, team Dax all the way, Rocky and Bookie can go do one.


Ugh, can't wait for he third book in May!
Profile Image for Allie Rashkow.
208 reviews12 followers
May 31, 2016
Wildly Amazing

Wow, "The Hunt" was even more entertaining than the first in the series. Non-stop action and emotion from start to finish. I loved how we were introduced to not only new characters (some of who I really like..*cough* *cough* Rocky) but new places as well. We get to explore more of the Wilds as we delve deeper into its mysteries. Now onto the next installment!
Profile Image for Karissa.
4,308 reviews214 followers
November 1, 2018
This is the second book in The Wilds series. I have been listening to this series on audiobook (I bought the complete boxed set). It's been an okay post-apocalyptic YA read.

I listened to this on audiobook and wouldn’t really recommend. The narrator is a bit hard to listen to. Dahlia’s thinking voice is super sultry and soft and her speaking voice is kind of shrill. I had this issue with the first audiobook as well. The voices are very inconsistent; some are hard to hear and others are painfully shrill.

The main story revolves around Tiffy getting kidnapped and Dahlia and Dax trying to get her back. It's a pretty simple story. Much of the book is focused on Dax and Dahlia and their strange not-quite-yet in a relationship struggle; I wish there had been less of this.

There are some interesting developments around Dahlia's special powers and the creatures that lurk around after the Bloody Death plague.

I think the author overstates things and spells out what the characters are thinking a bit too much, it comes across as very heavy handed. I honestly wouldn't continue with this series if I didn't own all the books as part of the boxed set. It's okay but not great.

Overall this is an okay series but not great. I would probably enjoy it more if I was reading it in paper format rather than listening to it on audio. There are some interesting developments around Dahlia’s character but the plot remains very “relationship” focused.
41 reviews
December 12, 2018
There's only one thing that annoys me with this series. Tiffy randomly changes ages. She starts out at 6, and by the last 2 books, is 4. This may not seem like a big deal, but it drove me nuts every time she appeared in the last books. There's a couple of typos. These 2 are the only reason I give a 4 stars instead of 5.

This is tagged on goodreads as a YA book, and it is not, due to a couple explicit sex scenes. One annoyance here- if it is a kid book, take the scene out. If it is an adult book, well, the tension was driving me nuts, and there should have been more.

I have been reading exclusively urban fantasy for the last 5+ years, so I've seen pretty much every type of idea in this type. This was a brand new plot, new storyline. It wasn't like anything at all like anything I've read before. That was a wonderful surprise. I enjoyed this series much more than I had expected. Twists and turns aplenty, made this story anything but predictable. I got the first book as a freebie from Amazon, and promptly had to purchase the others so I could finish the story.
482 reviews7 followers
March 19, 2017
So you know how sometimes the second book in a series can kind of be a bit dead, like its just a filler in the series before you get to the real action in the next book? Well let me tell you now that The Hunt is definitely not like that at all. Oh no, this second book in The Wilds series is building up the story nicely, it's slowly revealing bits of the mystery which you know is going to build up to one massive reveal. And I can't wait to find out what's going to happen next.
I'm loving Dal's internal ramblings, they really are making me giggle. The slow burn romance that is building, and it really is a slow one but I love that, is just perfect for the two main characters and the added bit of competition for Dal's affections, which she really has no clue about just makes me giddy with excitement like a little school girl. This gets the full five stars from me and I'm off to read the next one in the series now.
Profile Image for Denise Belt.
314 reviews1 follower
September 23, 2021
I know you’ve heard this before (if you read my reviews) but I just love Donna Augustine’s books and this one was no different. Book 2 in The Wilds series has Dal being wanted by about everyone in the Wilds and she has no idea why she’s so popular or unpopular depending on how you look at it. Tiffy wants her to meet with her invisible friends but they can’t be real, can they? When Tiffy goes missing Dal starts to question everything she’s learned.

Full of mysterious twists and turns that makes you want to keep reading even when you should be sleeping. Dax and Dal have a chemistry that you really want to see developed one minute, then new characters are introduced making you change your mind every five minutes.
Profile Image for Molly Smith.
687 reviews12 followers
October 26, 2017
I liked the sequel better, though Dal is still very angsty and impulsive. In YA I have more tolerance for this type of heroine, as when I was this young, I figure I was this angsty and impulsive. However, it was a bit less overt this time. I was intrigued by the Wood Mists and though the plot was fairly obvious, I enjoyed the cluelessness of Dal as Rocky and Dax squared off. The plight of Tiffi was very compelling and though I suspected what had happened, it was nerve rattling while she was missing. This world is still interesting and the narrative of Ms. Clark is settling in. I look forward to reading the next book.
Profile Image for Jassicca.
818 reviews3 followers
August 3, 2025
Book two, the Hunt, contains very little action. To be blunt, it's a bit boring. However, if you're curious about who Tiffy's friends are, the answer is revealed in this book.

In the romance department, there's not much progress between Dahlia and Dax. However, Dax might have a new rival! Still, we all know it's predetermined for the hero to end up with the girl.

As for power development, Dahlia gains better control over her fighting skills, especially after the magic block is lifted. Personally, I can't wait to see what other abilities she might have. The question remains: why do the Dark Walkers want her?
Profile Image for Debby.
37 reviews
July 5, 2022
DNF at 35% (small spoiler)

The first book already was somewhat of a disappointment, but I hoped it was going to be better in the second one.

The world really had some good possibilities for a good story, but nothing really happens. The heroine gets better but I still thought she was really annoying and stupid. All she cares about is the attention of Dax and it seems she barely cares about the fact that she is hunted by the dark walkers and that her friends from the cement giant are dead.

All she cares about is Dax and food.
This is a no from me, even though I had high hopes
Profile Image for Talarah.
586 reviews8 followers
December 16, 2019
Epic!

Another amazing story that is building this series in epic proportions.

The depth and detail that Donna puts into with this world, the background, the characters, the plot and all the twists is so intense. I love it.

We are starting to see a kindling relationship between Dax and our little Plaguer. I'm loving their witty banter relationship and watching it grow.

Absolutely digging this series, Brava!
Profile Image for Jychelle.
107 reviews6 followers
September 21, 2017
I didn't fly through this one as quickly as the first book. There were parts throughout that just kinda dragged along but overall I liked it. Finally! unffff. Arrrrg. Really? Yes, all emotions this book gave me. The ending of the book made everything worth it... and making me want to move on to the 3rd.
33 reviews2 followers
July 10, 2018
Eh

I love this story line and author..but the internal dialogue & paragraphs of yes are exceeding. Actually, to a point where if I knew such paragraph was heading that way I'd skip said paragraph. I think you're a great author but too much internal dialogue (more specifically questions) for me & Keepers series too. BUT, I do enjoy your writing a lot
Profile Image for Gem Sivad.
Author 33 books140 followers
September 19, 2017
Unforgettable.

This is my fourth reading of this series. Augustine took the time to develop all of the characters, create a seamless story as Dax and Dal battle the Dark Walkers as they fall in love. Fine writing. Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Amanda White.
581 reviews10 followers
October 16, 2017
Enjoyable

This was an enjoyable read. Dal is growing on me as a main character - her thought processes and "voice" take some getting used to, but I like how it's different. The story and world were well developed in this book and I found it interesting to read.
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