Return Of The Wild

by O.L. West

Oscar never dreamed of having a companion like Pax, the thylacine. And Pax never dreamed of meeting his real family. So when they’re offered the chance to go on an adventure to find the thylacines, they can hardly refuse.

But in a secret land where mammoths, cave bears and sabre-toothed cats still roam, danger is never far away. And Oscar and Pax’s courage and wits will be tested at every turn.

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Return Of The Wild is a revitalising, exciting, epic middle grade fantasy adventure, evoking elements of C.S. Lewis (Narnia) and Jurassic Park. Themes include the true value of friendship, family (chosen and found), stewardship of the earth, and the merits of growing oneself with an open mind. A particularly engrossing read for those with an interest in nature and extinct animals from the late Pleistocene era.

338 pages, Paperback

First published July 25, 2021

About the author

O.L. West is an author of fantasy adventure middle grade books, including Return Of The Wild. Influences include C.S. Lewis, Rudyard Kipling and J.R.R. Tolkien. If he's not writing, he's most likely exploring the local Gloucestershire countryside.

Reviews

[Emma Lewis-Galic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED Return Of The Wild so much that I read it in two sittings. It's an excellent 'moral tale' for all ages without being preachy. It has some really endearing characters (and some sinister villains too!) and the premise is nicely 'magical' whilst still being anchored in a very real, very 'normal' world to which most of us can relate.
The book would appeal I think to lovers of the worlds of Narnia and Harry Potter of all ages but also particularly those who have an affinity for the natural world and animal kind or any child who has been on safari / to a wildlife park / to the Natural History Museum or has an interest in dinosaurs! The ecological aspect is extremely mature and well thought out and researched, as is the idea of the god of the animal kingdom placing faith in the (albeit damaged) relationship between animal kind and human kind healing, and the concept of the natural world needing to be in balance - the way that was described was really clever, I thought, with the two lands (one where all the differing species are able to thrive, one where things are more off kilter) and the differing characters and leadership styles of tribe leaders and the effect on their kind. There was an abiding and heartfelt message in this book and I found myself wishing all young humans were like the main character, who was very relatable. It deserves to become a classic of our time, there's a lot to unpick / digest and is far from simplistic even though it's easy to read / follow the story. The book stays with you long after you've read it, which is always to me a strong sign of a good book.
The depiction of the extinct species was excellent and the pace was good, I was completely gripped in parts. 'Oh, Eagle!' And yup, a few tears did flow BUT it wasn't TOO sad (and I am a big empath and animal lover.)
Who hasn't wanted to have a talking extinct animal for a very best friend for life?
By the way, I'm 47 but I think this book would be suitable for a very intelligent 9/10 year old (and upwards, maybe ideal @12) with higher reading age. Teenagers of any age wanting respite from the modern day stresses would find respite in its pages as I did!
Loved it, can't wait for the next one.

[Peter McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oscar is a quiet boy without many friends. But his life is about to dramatically change when his school receives a mysterious basket of eggs delivered to their doorstep. This is not a new phenomenon and has in fact happened in various locations throughout history, although the occurrence is rare and the odds astronomical that it would be Oscar’s school. The eggs contain “talkies” or talking animal companions and when they hatch are bonded with their human partners for life. Oscar is chosen through a lottery to receive an egg, and befriends a newborn Tasmanian tiger that he names Pax. The Tasmanian tigers, or thylacines, are extinct in the real world, and Pax’s origins are shrouded by question marks. They decide to venture to the Wild Lands, where the eggs come from, to find Pax’s family, but instead what they’ll find is the adventure of a lifetime and danger around every turn.

“Return of the Wild” from O. L. West harkens back to tales of grand adventure from authors like C.S. Lewis. The Wild Lands is a mythical land that will reignite your sense of childlike wonder. I really liked how West incorporated a number of extinct animals as its inhabitants since it really solidified it as a fantastical place. I also really enjoyed the budding relationship between Oscar and Pax and watching it grow throughout the narrative. There were plenty of tense moments that kept me on the edge of my seat and emotional moments that tugged at my heart strings. Between all of it, the overarching moral of the story was powerful, about coexisting in harmony with animals, and really resonated with me as an animal lover. I hope that we haven’t seen the last of Oscar and Pax as I would love to follow them on future adventures.

[Jessica Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT.