- Title: Warrior of the Wild
- Series: no
- Author: Tricia Levenseller
- Publisher & Release: Feiwel & Friends, February 26, 2019
- Length: 328 pages
- Rate & Recommend: ⭐⭐⭐⚡ yes for YA readers
Tricia Levenseller is a huge “Bookstagram made me do it” author for me. I saw her books all over Bookstagram and then was pretty psyched when Shelf Love Crate included this book, what about a year ago? I finally read it though!
Here is the description from Goodreads:
As her father’s chosen heir, eighteen-year-old Rasmira has trained her whole life to become a warrior and lead her village. But when her coming-of-age trial is sabotaged and she fails the test, her father banishes her to the monster-filled wilderness with an impossible quest: To win back her honor, she must kill the oppressive god who claims tribute from the villages each year—or die trying.
The premise is right up my alley and I was excited to read it based off the initial question posed: How do you kill a god?
Rasmira hilariously failed the test required to become an adult and join a profession in her village. I know it wasn’t supposed to be funny, but it really was. She is a rather naive 18 year old who is slated to become the next village ruler, but she has a lot to learn about leadership.
After being banished to the Wild, she meets two exiled boys and they start a whole adventure together after gaining each other’s trust. Rasmira learns a lot of hard lessons about trust and leadership and…. Well… Nothing says that the impossible tasks can’t be accomplished with a little help.
I think there are a lot of really good lessons in the book for YA readers. Trust and teamwork and leadership skills, fairness and humility and family. There is a lot of witty banter as well which is always something I enjoy.
The world building was pretty intensive for a standalone. A lot of animal names and plant descriptions were thrown out right at the beginning, as well as village customs and building models. I had a solid image of the area even if there were a LOT of names tossed out in the first chapter or two.
Plotwise, there are a lot of individually good or cute or action packed scenes – but the plot itself fell a little flat for me by the end. The whole concept was well done and fairly unique as far as I can tell, but it just felt too easy at times. Someone was grievously injured but there happened to be a magic regenerative salve handy? I guess everyone gets a mulligan. There was one other scene where at the heat of battle, they stop to smirk and dust off their hands and I felt like it got a bit cartoon-ish. Of they would be joking around while fighting off vicious, poisonous attackers. That said, there were a lot of good monster fighting and god-challenging bits too and I did enjoy reading the mystery come unglued.
I am also now wondering if it was just my mood at the time of reading, but I think young adults will like this one more than adult readers. Some YA I can really get into, but this, while a very solid book, was just not making my pulse race. The pacing was very even though, I never felt bored for any long stretch and appreciated how the action was spread out evenly.
I don’t have a ton to say about the characters. I was definitely rooting for them and I think a lot of readers might be able to relate to some of Rasmira’s struggles, such as trying to please parents or learning about bullies and how to trust at your own discretion.
Overall this is a very solid book and I would definitely recommend it for young adult fantasy readers, or those who enjoy survival stories. Another good woman-warrior-esque book is Sky In the Deep by Adrienne Young, which I think I enjoyed a bit more.
I do want to read more of Levenseller’s books and will be moderating a Shadows Between us buddy read on the Addicted to YA goodreads forum in July if anyone is interested, feel free to ask more for info if interested.
Thank you as always for reading! Have you read the book? Want to discuss it? Drop a comment!
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