4/5 Knives
Throw in multiple queer female characters, a dash of ecological horror, and sprinkle over it an unknown illness that kills anyone it infects, and you have Wilder Girls.
Set on a remote island at an all-girl’s school, Wilder Girls by Rory Power follows the story of Hetty, a girl who lost one of her eyes to a terrifying disease that has taken over the island. Said disease deforms and eventually devours its host, and the symptoms manifest differently in every person infected. All these girls have are each other, a few female administrators, and the sparse, weekly supplies ferried to them by the government.
Between scarce meals, target practice, and keeping a vigilant eye on the woods, Hetty spends time with her roommates. But when her best friend Byatt vanishes, Hetty will do anything in her power to find her.
Wilder Girls felt like a young adult iteration of Annihilation, with its fascinating fusion of nature and horror. Every single character was fleshed out and felt real, and I greatly appreciated the LGBTQ+ representation, especially the bisexual rep.
My favorite aspect of this novel, which I know many will disagree with, is its use of ambiguity. Many will be frustrated to find there aren’t always explanations or answers to be had regarding the virus and where it came from. However, in my opinion, the author gave us just enough. I can understand not everyone will like being left with questions, but her work reminded me greatly of the King of Ambiguity, Paul Tremblay. And while I completely see why others might take issue with the ending, I truly believe that even though it wasn’t the ending I personally wanted, it was the only ending that made sense.
Truly, the only criticisms I have of this novel, is that I wished we were given the opportunity to see more of how the virus affected not only the people, but nature as well. I wished we spent a little more time in the woods.
At the end of the day, Wilder Girls is a chilling but moving story about female comradery, friendship, and love.
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