Review: Wildalone by Krassi Zourkova!

In this darkly imaginative debut novel full of myth, magic, romance, and mystery, a Princeton freshman is drawn into a love triangle with two enigmatic brothers, and discovers terrifying secrets about her family and herself—a bewitching blend of Twilight, The Secret History, Jane Eyre, and A Discovery of Witches.

Arriving at Princeton for her freshman year, Thea Slavin finds herself alone, a stranger in a strange land. Away from her family and her Eastern European homeland for the first time, she struggles to adapt to unfamiliar American ways and the challenges of college life—including an enigmatic young man whose brooding good looks and murky past intrigue her. Drawn to the elusive Rhys and his equally handsome and mysterious brother, Jake, she ventures into a sensual mythic underworld as irresistible as it is dangerous.

In this shadow world that seems to mimic Greek mythology and the Bulgarian legends of the samodivi or “wildalones”—forest witches who beguile and entrap men—Thea will discover a family secret bound to transform her forever . . . if she can accept that dead doesn't always meangone, and love doesn't always distinguish between the two.

Wildalone is a wonderfully enchanting debut novel. Never before have I read a novel written by someone who is originally from a different country, but I am really glad I ventured out with this one. (This story and author have me very interested in venturing out even more.)

This novel was beautiful. Both the writing and the gorgeous cover/designs inside the book. Originally it was the cover that drew me in, but what's inside the book matches quite well. The writer draws you in from the beginning with lyrical writing that flows as easily as some of the poems within the book.  The novel is also very hard to put down as there is so much going on throughout the novel; it really captures reader's attention.

The story is as magical as the writing. I have a deep love and appreciation for Mythology from all cultures and this story is full of it! It is not only endlessly entertaining, but fascinating as well! I really enjoyed that Wildalone included many different aspects that worked really well as a whole. It is not only about a girl that leaves Bulgaria in order to attend Princeton, but a story that is full of mythology, romance, music, poetry and mystery.  Wildalone was a breath of fresh air, unique among the mythology/paranormal based stories that have been popular in the past several years. I'm interested to keep learning more and more about the folklore and mythology in the future books.

I really enjoyed the characters, Thea especially. Rhys and Jake were great characters too. I struggled with Rhys for a bit, but I really grew to understand and appreciate him for the complex character he is. The relationship between the three main characters was really interesting to watch as it unfolded as it's not a typical love triangle.

I would definitely recommend this story to anyone that loves mythology and would like a unique and beautifully written story! I am very much looking forward to the sequel to Wildalone!

A big thank you to the author for sending me a copy for review!

5/5