DNF

This is the second book in The Wilds series. I have been listening to this series on audiobook (I bought the complete boxed set). It's been an okay post-apocalyptic YA read.

I listened to this on audiobook and wouldn’t really recommend. The narrator is a bit hard to listen to. Dahlia’s thinking voice is super sultry and soft and her speaking voice is kind of shrill. I had this issue with the first audiobook as well. The voices are very inconsistent; some are hard to hear and others are painfully shrill.

The main story revolves around Tiffy getting kidnapped and Dahlia and Dax trying to get her back. It's a pretty simple story. Much of the book is focused on Dax and Dahlia and their strange not-quite-yet in a relationship struggle; I wish there had been less of this.

There are some interesting developments around Dahlia's special powers and the creatures that lurk around after the Bloody Death plague.

I think the author overstates things and spells out what the characters are thinking a bit too much, it comes across as very heavy handed. I honestly wouldn't continue with this series if I didn't own all the books as part of the boxed set. It's okay but not great.

Overall this is an okay series but not great. I would probably enjoy it more if I was reading it in paper format rather than listening to it on audio. There are some interesting developments around Dahlia’s character but the plot remains very “relationship” focused. ( )

I didn't fly through this one as quickly as the first book. There were parts throughout that just kinda dragged along but overall I liked it. Finally! unffff. Arrrrg. Really? Yes, all emotions this book gave me. The ending of the book made everything worth it... and making me want to move on to the 3rd. ( )

Completed 12/3/2016 ( )

I certainly enjoyed the Hunt, the second book in the Wilds series by Donna Augustine. This novel picks up where The Wilds left off. Dal's still a strange and wonderful heroine who grew up from age four in the Cement giant, an asylum where the country of Newco hid all its unwanted. From the very beginning, she's been a little badass and in The Hunt she begins to grow into her powers. Dahlia's trying to determine her place in the new world order, concerned about her safety and the well-being of her new extended family, knowing that she is a target of the evil Dark Walkers.. In this book Dahlia contends with old enemies and new ones, while she learns to navigate life in the Wilds. Dax is still an ass that Dal can't stop thinking about and he's as beastly as ever.
Tiffy and her invisible friends play a prominent role in Del's developement.
I loved Dahlia’s growth from the first book. Still young and naïve to the world outside of the asylum, she's learning more about herself, her strengths, her weaknesses and acceptance of who she is. Dal's a fun protagonist, full of determination, angst, and self-doubt all rolled up into one beautiful character. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in this series (Coming out in May).
Jack Murphy ( )