The Wilds

The Wilds, Book One

By: Donna Augustine

Narrated by: Angel Clark

Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's Summary

My name is Dahlia, but I'm called a Plaguer, a person who survived the Bloody Death. When the virus first hit the world, it ravaged the human race. I thought I was lucky to survive it, but survival comes at a cost. Ever since the sickness, I see things, and I'm hunted for these visions.

Some seek me out because they want to keep their secrets safe. They don't want the world to know the truth of what they are. Others, like Dax, want my knowledge. Dax has secrets of his own, but as long as he helps me evade the Dark Walkers, he can keep them.

This book is for all the Plaguers, the truth sayers branded and marked as liars, often hunted and sometimes forgotten. This book is for the girl who was right.

©2015 Donna Augustine (P)2015 Donna Augsutine

A world worth sinking your fangs into...

The Wilds Book 1

There are stories out there that that can build a fire within you so strong your skin feels the burn even days after it’s ending. They can wrap your mind and heart up so fast and so hard that you’d hate the words on the pages if you weren’t itching so bad to turn the next page... Loving every second of it. That was the case with The Wilds. I’ve never listened to a book on audio as I prefer to draw my fingers across the pages while I absorb its essence. Or hug it to my chest with happy sighs of contentment, or throwing the damn thing across the room in a moment of utter frustration. So this will also be a review of the reading.

For the cons: It took nearly a lifetime to get the beginning of the story out of the way. The protagonists origins/home life and the hate there of, was very constant. I nearly put the book down due to how tiring it was to hear how much hated her dilemma. The narrator did a splendid job throughout the book, although in the beginning took a little to gain her comfort zone. However, after meeting Dahlias friends and their innocent Nancy Drew ways, both the Narrator and the story, take off for the ride of a lifetime.

Pros: I had planned on placing the attitude/characteristic of Dahlia in the con section but I found myself hoping for more of her spunky, young, ‘I know everything’ ways. I began rooting for her innocence to win out and her love for living to shine bright, straight to the end. I have to say, I’m so glad I didn’t put this book down. The characters fast gained places in my heart and made wiggle room only for their fellow conspirators. The many voices for the characters that Angel put into the narration were flawless and lacked nothing. I genuinely enjoyed waiting for the next character to be introduced just so I could meet them and learn how they sounded.

I made my way through the first book in one night, much to the chagrin of my eyelids and I regret absolutely nothing. I will now, at 12 AM, start the next edition in this masterpiece of a series.

And take my word on this... don’t stop reading/listening.

Interesting Dystopian Series

A series of plagues has swept the world and no one knows when it will come again. Only a few survive the black death and those who do are imprisoned, and not only because they may still carry the disease. The rare survivors are called Plaguers and are able to see things that others can't. Including the Dark Walkers.

This was a quick listen with a strong female lead and a mysterious male just as strong. Dahlia was an interesting mix of naive and stubborn, at times I wanted to shake her, at others I wanted to smack everyone around her. The world building was excellent, and I can tell the author is just getting started. You'll definitely want to have book two bought and ready to listen to next!

The narration was well done, and immersed me in the story. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Wonderful adventure

This is the first audio book I've ever listened to and it was fantastic . The author wove an engaging story that I wanted to come along with and the narrator did an amazing job of making the story come to life and keeping me listening.

Love this series.

I absolutely love this series. The narrator does a great job. I'm not a super fan of all the female characters having high pitched whiney voices. After all they've been through I imagined more of what the narrators voice sounds in between dialogue. All together tho I couldn't stop listening so it didn't take away from my experience at all. Kudos

Amazing!

Would you listen to The Wilds again? Why?

Absolutely! I enjoyed the story, and well, the second time around you can always pick up on details you may have missed. It was very enjoyable so I would have a second or third listen without a problem.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Wilds?

Honestly there where two I loved, the meeting of teh beast in the wilds with the two main characters and near the end of the book where the "second shoe" dropped so to speak.

What does Angel Clark bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Definitely the dimension of emotions the characters had so much problems wrestling with. Being able to hear anger, or grief, it really gave the story a new dimension.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I would have to say, the rescue, after she was found again. She had finally given up. So someone else was there to do the fighting.

The beginning of the 2nd series

This is the 2nd series of Donna Augustine's books for me. I was so impressed with the first one I heard (which was her latest) I had the desperate need to find all her other work.

Now on to book 2 of the Wilds. I can't wait.

The end of civilazation .... maybe

The story starts off slow, but it picks up so stay with it. I liked the strong female character (Dahl) and that Dax didn't take her to bed before the end of the chapter (to find if when that happens you will have to read the story)

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest opinion

Exciting and Engaging Dystopian Action Intrigue

If you could sum up The Wilds in three words, what would they be?

Well-Developed
Riveting
Intriguing

What did you like best about this story?

The blend of suspense, mystery, gritty dystopian, character development, strong world-building and slow build relationships.

Have you listened to any of Angel Clark’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first by Angel. I thought she did a great job. She had a wonderful Dahlia voice and her work of telling a story carried me along so that I saw it in my mind very well.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! And I almost did once things got going and there was so much I wanted to know.

Any additional comments?

The story ends abruptly at a good spot on a big reveal. It's not a cliffhanger, but this will be one that won't standalone well and the reader should anticipate needing to continue on to get the complete story.

Great way to experience The Wilds!

What did you love best about The Wilds?

The story

What did you like best about this story?

The characters

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

made less mistakes

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Excited, gasping

Any additional comments?

The audible edition of The Wilds is a wonderful way to experience a more comprehensive experience of the novel. Angel Clark does a great job with the all the voices, tonality and character interpretation. There are a few narrative mistakes in this edition but it doesn’t lessen the overall enjoyment of the listen. And her voice in first person as the star, Dahlia is exceptional and gives a more intense characterization of her extreme vulnerability and innocence in life matters.

interesting

Would you listen to The Wilds again? Why?

yes one of my favorites, the story and narrators passion

Who was your favorite character and why?

the voice of angel clark

Have you listened to any of Angel Clark’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

yes her work is always amazing i am always left on the edge of my seat

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

i just really enjoyed it i couldent stop listening and had to choose work or the book

Brilliant

This is a brilliant and unusual story that drew me in from the very beginning. The characters are brought to life with the wonderful writing. the narration is captivating. This book is well worth listening to.

Keeps you guessing till the end, very well written

Well I wasn’t sure if this was going to be a good read in the middle of a real pandemic, but it really was! Excellent writing. Great story. Lots I wasn’t expecting. Likeable very strong female lead. Loved it.

fantastic

what a fantastic YA fantasy audiobook from the pen of Donna Augustine and narrated by Angel Clark. I look forward to more in the series xxx

amazing first book

Really good start to a series.
Dahl is funny and easy to like.
im enjoying the slow build of a relationship between Dahl and Dax more like real life.
this is a must read for anyone who likes paranormal and the new take on the end of the world is interesting.

Loved it!

It was interesting that the story starts off in a general mental institute, which houses Plaguers who are seen as mad because they have special powers that allows them to detect the Dark Walkers that no-one else can see. The story escalates when Dahlia who is forever planning to escape with her inmate friends, is unexpectedly rescued by mysterious Dax. Dahlia agrees to help Dax in return for the breakout but it comes at a cost to Dahlia's safety and her plans to help her friends escape the asylum too. Dax and Dahlia have a fun but antagonistic relationship and are obvious reluctant love interests. What stands out for me is Dahlia's funny, take no prisoners attitude. Her quick-witted comebacks are really funny.

First time reading from this author and was completely surprised by how good the book was and how hilarious it was. There were so many laugh out loud moment's, it had me chuckling all the way through. This fantasy book is really well written.

There are some issues where the narrator repeats a number of phrases which should have been edited out. Also although the narrator was great she does tend to all of sudden shout/speak with some of the male character's, which is not easy on the ears when you where headphones. But overall a great book, I would definitely recommend.

I was given this book for free of my own choosing and I voluntarily left this review.