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Born Wild #1

Wild One

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Some think seeing into the future, even if it’s death, is a gift. For me it has always been a curse. Magic rules this new world and my form of it is no blessing. Neither are the walls around me that I’ve been told are for my protection. If there is anything more cruel or vicious in the Wilds than what I’ve experienced here, I can’t imagine it.

After being sold to the highest bidder, a more ruthless monster than the one who controls me is looming. My life is on the razor’s edge of disaster and about to get worse until I’m broken free, aided by one of the most unlikely allies that roams the Wilds.

I’m willing to do the unthinkable and imprison another to remain free. But now my new master is hunting me and the one I’ve trapped is all that stands between me and an existence more horrific than death.

310 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 27, 2018

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Donna Augustine

50 books1,301 followers

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5 stars
803 (47%)
4 stars
570 (33%)
3 stars
227 (13%)
2 stars
63 (3%)
1 star
30 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
Profile Image for John Gilbert.
1,396 reviews217 followers
August 8, 2022
3.5 stars

Having previously read the four book series The Wilds by Donna Augustine, I enjoyed this first of a two book series taking place in the same dystopian world presented in The Wilds. Teddy is a commodity whom has been sold as she is special, we just don't know just what her specialness is. It's a hard world with lots of bad men, beasts and magic. The journey is mostly enjoyable. I'm ready for the second novel in this two book series.

Profile Image for Sunseeker☀️.
437 reviews
July 14, 2019
This is a light fun read. Though it was a little rushed, I really enjoyed it. This is a spin off series from The Wilds (The Wilds, #1) by Donna Augustine (which was also excellent in my opinion) and could be read on its own but I would suggest reading the The Wilds first.
Profile Image for Lily.
261 reviews32 followers
July 11, 2018
The 5 stars is based off my enjoyment reading this. This isn't a perfect or groundbreaking novel, but it's exactly what you would want out of a light fantasy, fun predictable romance novel like this.

Donna Augustine's main couples are almost the same 2 people dropped into slightly different circumstances. But it works!! And each new novel gets a little bit better. In this one, the world building and supporting characters are more realistic and there some new depth to the heroine. And it's funny as always.

This is the type of book I can turn to when other books dissapoint and I need something dependably good to read.

Profile Image for JadeShea.
3,235 reviews59 followers
July 17, 2019
Teddy has lived a pretty crappy life so far. She understands that her life might get worse now that she is being sold. However, she ends up getting to make an escape, and meeting some people in the wilds. However, she is keeping secrets, and so are the people she is with. And there is one of them who seems to get under her skin more than most.

This book was really interesting. I was a little annoyed with some of the heroines choices, but I got over it after a while. Now, I'm really excited to learn more, and see where this series it going to take us.

I loved the heroine. I felt she was really strong, and brave. I was a bit annoyed with her friend at times, but other than that I liked them both. And I like the hero, but I'm not sure yet if I think he is a good fit for her. I'm ready to read more now!
825 reviews17 followers
June 11, 2018
Something about how the heroine's story didn't really begin until her scars were all magically healed so that she was beautiful once again didn't sit right with me. I also felt like there was an oversimplification of the effects of constant abuse. Despite that all, the author succeeded at reeling me into the story and leaving me eager to find out how it will all end.
Profile Image for Debbie.
944 reviews80 followers
July 2, 2018
Wild One
Donna Augustine

Augustine takes readers back to The Wilds in a brand new adventure, full of magic and danger staring a brand new cast of characters, with some familiar faces and places from the first Wilds series and a brand new villain too. Warning: the novel contains physical abuse and even though it gives the story poignancy some readers may find it too dark. There are similarities between the two Wilds series like the fight to survive and a landscape that feels somewhat familiar but the author’s inventive imagination and story crafting make this feel fresh and new. Teddy the new star is a fighter, she’s loyal and she’s got a lot going on inside, her counterpart Callon is the strong silent type and watching her build trust with him and his group is entertaining and endearing, all that plus the great chemistry and banter between them will have the audience cheering them on in no time. The plot is tight, the pace is steady, the use of humor to lighten the darkness is an effective tool and the secondary characters are fantastic. Bring on book two!

SUMMARY:
Teddy was born with Death Sight, knowing how if not when someone will die. She is also the daughter of a Plaguer, someone who contracted the Bloody Death, a virus that wiped out most of the human race and survived. She learned early in life about pain, feeling it every time one of the diabolically brutal brothers who ruled their village physically abused her because of her gift/curse. Unfortunately for her it marred and broke her body, unfortunately for them it never broke her spirit and made her that more determined to escape the dismal place and run into the beautiful and dangerous Wilds. Her plan was to heal from her latest broken bone and find a way to save herself and her lifelong friend and sister of her heart, Tuesday. But that plan got shot all to heck when a beast cleared the path for their escape and didn’t eat her, win win! Then she and Tuesday are rescued by a band of men, some friendly and some not like the leader of the pack, Callon, strangers who don’t seem to be afraid of anything or anyone. And it makes Teddy wonder what they’re hiding because everyone is afraid of something especially in The Wilds. Right?


Profile Image for Stormie.
1,019 reviews46 followers
August 20, 2019
I was intrigued at the beginning somewhat but did not enjoy this. I got to about 60% and after the whole, I'm going to go kill someone even though I have zero fighting ability and will risk everyone's lives because I have zero ability to read people, I quit. Teddy is just has zero intelligence or common sense and it was awful to watch.

The author needed to create depth in the characters and it just didnt happen. I didnt feel connected to or understand Teddy or Callon. Their behavior made no sense and they were just flat characters. The world building has potential but again, it just wasn't successful. Teddy was not in any way a likeable character. I just wasnt a fan of the storytelling in this. It needs more complexity and depth!
Profile Image for Hannah Duncan.
179 reviews7 followers
June 1, 2018
Love Donna

I’m hooked once again, hoping if I open my kindle enough more words will appear. I love being back in the world of the Wilds!
Profile Image for Krista.
1,128 reviews31 followers
July 30, 2019
I actually really enjoyed this one, I started with the free excerpt on Amazon kept going!
KU I love you so very much.
Anyway, this is an apocalyptic world (lawless of course) where women are once again below a man and where the plague has altered people to be beasts or magical.
Our H has been kept hostage and beaten and she has finally had enough. Enter her rescuer and the adventure begins. I love her inner dialogue

"It was hard to be pleasant when you were in mid-fight with someone, even if they didn’t know it"

and her observations of others, especially Tuesday.
It kept me entertained even if I was wishing for more of an actual love story between Teddy and Callon. But they are both a little wild, so on to the next book!
Profile Image for Tina.
64 reviews2 followers
July 24, 2018
If you are a Donna Augustine fan, you have got to start this series!Teddy is held captive by some low life schmucks. Even beaten and abused, Teddy keeps her chin up and her spirit free. Until one night, a group of traders passing through winds up setting her free.
Teddy has an unusual magical gift. Every one is afraid of her or wants to use her for her special kind of magic.
Will she get free from one master only to be enslaved to another?
Teddy goes on a journey that gains her some friends and one very strong alpha.

Profile Image for Dakota.
38 reviews10 followers
May 30, 2018
I'd say I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed this but that'd be a lie!

Why am I not suprised...I mean I honestly have fallen in love with everything Donna Augustine has written and this is no exception. The Wilds holds a special place in my heart and when I saw that this was based in the same world I bought it instantly because when I see her name on a book I have to own it. As expected it was fantastic
I love her heroines, they are impulsive and silly at times. They are raw, gritty and jaded yet nieve but they endear me for those reasons if that makes sense. Beautifully haunted if one could be described as that... Yes I can see how some may get annoyed but I love to look at what they came from and try to see from their point of view and it's then that I see them in a new light. The H are strong and mysterious, the perfect draw! Maybe predictable as The strongest and scariest but The perfect half to The darkness filling out heroines.
The author is a master of her craft, weaving dystopian worlds, drawing readers in and trickling info as needed to satiate. Her books always draw me in and I stay up later than I should because I cannot put them down.
We are introduced to Teddy ( or resident haunted heroine) as she fights to survive and fight back against a world determined to break her. I love tuesday much like I loved bookie, they are the glue that stabilizes our heroines as they learn their strengths. Teddy is stalked across the wilds by an unknown monster ( that's has risen in NEWCOs wake) that wishes to use her unique abilities, forcing her to do that which she hates in desperation to survive.
Yes there is predictable parts in this book and things were revealed sooner than in her previous series but I felt that it was needed to further the story. We get to see some crossover to the wilds, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for more. AHHHHH I I cannot wait to see where she will take this series....So many possibilities.
I want to say so much more about this book but I will resist because spoilers are just rude!
I don't think that you need to read the Wilds before starting this series but I advise it just so that when you run across certain things you can enjoy the reference more.
Profile Image for Natalie.
380 reviews3 followers
September 16, 2018
Brilliant new story with a continuation of The Wilds.

This is book one of this new series.
The story is about Teddy, who is also Known as being reaper kissed - basically she can see people's deaths.
Kept as a slave her entire life, she dreams about escaping the village that is her prison and facing The Wilds and the beasts and threats within them just to be free, before she is sold to another monster.

Broken to the point of not being able to stand, she is rescued by an unlikely character where her life takes on a new found freedom and lessons to be learnt.

The story provokes emotions of sadness and sorrow, joy and heartache, trust and betrail. And not forgetting the magic ingredients into the story.

I love that the story is based back in The Wilds - for those who have read 'The Wilds' series (and those who haven't, I recommend it :). There is the familiarity of the backdrop and scenery of the story, whilst this takes on a new story and adventure.

Donna Augustine has done a great job of pulling the reader into the story and seeing the story unfold through Teddy's POV.

I look forward to reading more from Donna, with this new series as well as the others she has started!
Profile Image for Katie.
427 reviews1 follower
April 10, 2019
Excellent

I love the way this author writes and the stories she weaves! They all make you feel so much!
This story is about a woman who is a reaver; she can see people's deaths. She has been held in captivity and beaten until she's scarred up and mangled w a limp. She gets her chance at freedom but still is running from those that would oppress and use her still. It's a great story and quite unique. I enjoyed that it is set far into the future with beasts and magicians on my!
I highly recommend it; you won't be sorry except that it took a long time for the next book to come out!
Profile Image for Heather Gilbert.
1,783 reviews85 followers
June 21, 2019
I want more!

I’ve recently become a fan of Augustine - her stories are unique and rather captivating, crafting worlds that are both terrifying and compelling. Born wild is no different, latching on to the premise of The wilds series and showcasing a new aspect of this diverse and expansive world. It’s intriguing, a bit biting and just enough to whet your appetite for book 2.

Pros:
- Can be read even without prior wild experience.
- Teddy.... she’s strong, stubborn and far too willful. Love her.
- Mysteries are revealed slowly, but never completely.

Cons:
- No book 2 yet.
- Some minor editing issues.
Profile Image for Sara.
300 reviews2 followers
June 9, 2019
Wonderful!

This book was amazing. Donna Augustine is one of the best authors out there. The world building is always one of my favorite parts of her books, and this one didn’t disappoint.
Teddy is very easy to love, her friendship with Tuesday is great. I can’t wait to read the next one!
Profile Image for Taneyka Lammers.
34 reviews2 followers
June 11, 2018
So great!

I love Donna Augustine books! They never disappoint! I’m just sad I have to wait for awhile before the next book comes out. I definitely recommend this book to anyone that likes adventurous books with great characters!
468 reviews6 followers
June 28, 2018
Nice story

Decent mixture of magic and mistrust with a little romantic thoughts thrown together making a interesting mix to enjoy while reading .
Profile Image for Denise Belt.
314 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2018
Wild One takes place in the Wilds, (if you haven’t read The Wilds series, don’t worry it won’t detract from this story, but I highly recommend you read them because they are terrific!) where the world we live in no longer exists after being wiped out by the Bloody Death. 

Teddy has a gift, or curse depending on how you look at it, she can see the deaths of those she is near or touches. This makes her an outcast by most standards and she is owned by a horrible man where she is continually tortured and ridiculed. She soon finds out that she has been sold to the highest bidder, but before this monster can take possession of her she is taken by a new monster. Knowing the only way to save her own life is to trap another, Teddy is left with no choice but to do whatever is necessary to stay safe and escape the horrible future that awaits her. 

The tension between Teddy and Callon is so thick you can feel it. One minute you want to tell her to do whatever she can to get away from him, and in the next moment you are hoping they will get hot and heavy. Each of the characters are so well written that you feel like you have known them forever and are really a part of the story. Augustine’s writing is magic and I can’t wait for the next story!
Profile Image for Donna Taylor.
Author 2 books20 followers
June 8, 2018
You don’t just sit down to read a Donna Augustine book, you become immersed in the lives of the characters and the intricacies of the story. Believe me, her stories are always a twisted tale layered with intrigue, angst, humor and courage, and Wild One is a perfect example of all four.

Teddy grabbed my heart from the first page and my emotions were all over the place by the end of the first chapter. Her fearlessness in pushing forward against what seems like insurmountable physical odds shows the kind of grit you just have to admire. What a sweet, loveable, loyal, and slightly goofy, friend she has in Tuesday. Which brings me to another rare thing to find in most books; Donna’s secondary characters are every bit as entertaining as her main protagonists. Tuesday’s willingness to brave the Wilds to follow Teddy through her adventures, and mis-adventures, endeared her to me.

Callon is the kind of alpha male all us ladies love to claim as our book boyfriend and would like to have as our leading man in life. No fighting, ladies. When Teddy and him meet sparks fly and not in a good way. Yikes! But watch for the subtle interplay between the two of them as the book progresses. Donna does subtle sooo well!

Loved this book and can’t wait for the next one in this spin-off series, Born Wild, set in The Wilds world!
Profile Image for Nicketa Fox.
276 reviews1 follower
May 9, 2019
Ugh

I had read another series prior to this by the same author so thought I’d give this a go. I wish I hadn’t 😑
I couldn’t even finish this book. It got to about 92% complete before I actually stopped reading because I did not want to read it any more and thinking about reading it made me roll my eyes and put off reading.
It is painful. How anyone gave this book more than 2 stars is beyond me.
The only reason it has 2 stars and not 1 is because of Tuesday and Koz. That’s all.

They main character is frustrating, whinney and stupid. She not only risks herself, but her best friend and everyone else countless times by being a petulant child.
I get it she had a hard life prior to Callon. But you know what... that doesn’t excuse ALL her behaviour and attitude towards him. She has no fighting ability or anything but decides to go off into the bloody woods to kill someone to frame the people helping her and she thinks this is a GOOD IDEA?! In what world would that be a good idea. For starters you can’t fight. Next, your trying to frame the people helping you. I just couldn’t.
Profile Image for Michele Evans.
1,213 reviews8 followers
June 7, 2018
Awesome awesome awesome!!!

I loved this book as much as I loved the Wilds series.

Some spoilers below.....

Set in the same time and lands of the Wilds, this book follows a girl who has a gift, or a curse as she sees it. She can see the exact moment of a persons death, in all the grisly details, so long as that persons life outlasts her own. Her entire life she has been kept as a slave, beaten and held in captivity. She only has one friend left in the world and sees no hope for her future. That is, until a beast comes and slays her captor and drags her away from the village she was held prisoner in her whole life.

I don’t want to spoil too much but I love these main characters. They are funny and awesome and on the road to discovering just how powerful they can be, in a world where power is needed to fight against an evil that could raze the rest of the planet. Can’t wait for book two next year!! That is SO far away !!!!
Profile Image for Crystal.
569 reviews2 followers
June 2, 2018
Why do we have to wait a whole year?

If you have not read the Wilds Series you can still read and follow this book and cast of characters. I will say I had never read any of this author's work but had The Wilds on my Kindle for a year before reading it and I was hooked. Flawed, passionate characters living in a post apocalyptic world where magic runs wild. All anyone wants is to live safe and free.

There is a little bit of romance thrown in but this is about freedom. About finding yourself, helping others, and surviving. Even the Reaper Jr. Needs love and a little understanding. Donna Augustine you have done it again. Teddy and Callon and the crew are awesome. Too bad we have to wait a year for the next book.
Profile Image for Literati Literature Lovers.
2,009 reviews158 followers
August 7, 2019
Lacked visuals and details

I know somewhere in the author’s mind she sees the entire world she sculpted, unfortunately those details are not present in this book. This is my first book by Augustine, and she does have talent with dealing with characters emotions, but the world she built is not fleshed out which truly took this book down to three stars. I felt the author expected me to fill in the blanks, but she didn’t give me enough narrative to sketch out the world inhabited by Terry and Callon the two main characters. I kept wanting there to be more, and there just never was the hmph that sustained the traveling plot, and being hunted by the big baddy plot. It was a free read via kindle unlimited.
Profile Image for Paula Dyches.
855 reviews17 followers
September 15, 2020
This is a really cool tale. The narration is executed well too. I like how the concepts of different fantasy characters are presented in this world.

Parents: this would be a rated R film. The number of Fbombs alone (I lost track after 30) could make a Marine cringe. Other curse words are present but not nearly the amount of the F word. There is some sexual content that isn’t appropriate for under 18 readers in my opinion.

Beyond all that, I really enjoyed the story itself. It was really engrossing and you get very caught up in the main characters. Looking forward to the second book for sure.


—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Profile Image for Ashleigh.
8 reviews
June 28, 2018
Another winner from Donna!

Ok, I have to say full stop that Donna Is My all time favorite author. I have read every one of her books, and feel like I love them more with each one she comes out with. This new installation in The Wilds series keeps you enthralled and absorbed until the very last word. Teddy is an awesome strong heroine, and the fact that you watch her development through the storytellers me we have a lot in store for the rest of the series. Callon is of course drool worthy, and the rapport all the characters have with each other had me cracking up. "It is like the dog". Read the book. You'll get it. Thank you again for another masterpiece Donna!!!
Profile Image for Helen Gray.
602 reviews1 follower
August 30, 2021
This book is just what I have come to expect from Donna Augustine, a slow burn romance with one hell of a plot! Teddy has had a hard life, she comes across as quite immature but the times this is set in people are in small villages which are closed off or protection. She sees death, how people are going to die and this scares people so she has been treated badly, beaten, tied up, verbally abused and when she tried to escape her leg was broken to prevent her from trying again. She is eventually sold but before she can be collected a beast breaks into the village and makes off with her. I will not divulge any more of the plot but this is an excellent book perfect for any PNR fan
Profile Image for Shawnee.
161 reviews
December 8, 2018
Awesome story!

There are many characters and protagonists you can't relate to in paranormal fiction sometimes because of their age and gender, life paths etc. This author can bring you right in and you're in the world as unpretty as this post apocalyptic society is...there are always trade-offs, more wars, love and the world endures. One of Augustine's best...beast and magic collide and not always can you tell what will happen as the author isn't transparent in this genre! Well played! Can't barely wait for more!
170 reviews1 follower
July 26, 2019
wildly wonderfully entertaining

I just finished reading this book for the third time. This time was in preparation for the second book (Yeah!) That has been released. Why I love this book: I personally find the main character inspiring. Her overwhelming need to survive and live on her terms combined with her stubbornness that crosses the line into hilarity... But the comedic moments are tinged with self aware desperation. Pair this with a man equally stubborn and hurting, excellent writing, world building, and... This author is amazing.
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