Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker – a Review
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Description:
It’s an oppressively hot and sticky morning in June when Sterling and her brother, Phin, have an argument that compels him to run into the town swamp — the one that strikes fear in all the residents of Sticks, Louisiana. Phin doesn’t return. Instead, a girl named Lenora May climbs out, and now Sterling is the only person in Sticks who remembers her brother ever existed.
Sterling needs to figure out what the swamp’s done with her beloved brother and how Lenora May is connected to his disappearance — and loner boy Heath Durham might be the only one who can help her.
This debut novel is full of atmosphere, twists and turns, and a swoon-worthy romance
Review:
Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker is a dark scary gothic tale set in Louisiana. The star of this story is the creepy swamp that has all the town residents living in fear to go anywhere near the swamp. Our heroine is Sterling, who starts the book waiting for her brother, Phin to return. They had a fight, and he went walking into the swamp, from which he has not returned. Sterling keeps her eye on the swamp and in the dark, she sees a figure walk out.
When her mother calls her to come into the house, the girl from the swamp has made herself at home. Lenora May is recognized as her sister, the sister she doesn’t have. This is just the start of the book, and this haunting tale gets creepier by the minute. Because no one knows about Prin, he no longer exists to her family, or anyone in the town; only Sterling remembers her brother, Phin.
Though this is a dark story, it is so well written, that you keep turning the pages to find out what happens next. Sterling is a wonderful heroine, who will stop at nothing, including risking her own life to help find her brother. She is brave, determined, strong and despite the dire situation, Sterling will find someone, who secretly has gone through this. We meet our hero, Heath, and he too has lost his best friend to the swamp, whom no one remembers, except Sterling. The two of them team up in and exciting & chilling story, and a slow build romance starts between them.
The plot was well done, as Sterling, Heath, and even Lenora May must find a way to stop the swamp from luring innocents into the swamp, and also bring them back. I found myself liking Lenora May, and credit goes to Parker for giving us a possible villain, and end up being one of your favorites. There are a few surprises as who is really evil in this story. Very well done.
I was amazed at the writing of Natalie C. Parker, as she was able to take this story and hold on to us throughout. I understand this is her first novel, and all I can say is wow, an incredible start. Beware the Wild is a haunting mystery, that keeps you glued to your seat, and Parker has created some fabulous characters.
Reviewed by Barb
Copy provided by Edelweiss
