The Wild Lands by Paul Greci - HIGH

The Wild Lands by Paul Greci, 384 pages. Imprint (Macmillan), 2019. $18.

Language: PG-13 (23 swears, 6 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS  - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Siblings Travis and Jess are headed into the ravaged countryside in search for anyone or anything that may have survived the rending of the earth and the collapse of the government. While they find a few sympathetic souls, they are mostly surrounded by dangers lands and terrifying strangers.

The character development is excellent in this book.  Travis and Jess are tested by the desolate and ruined land; they find hope and friendship in a group of fellow teenage wanderers, but they also find much conflict. Their journey takes them through challenges physical, mental, and moral. Travis steps up to the task of taking care of his sister, while Jess shows amazing resolve and grit through the challenges she is faced with. Dylan is a truly frightening character because he posses some power to ""know"" what is happening before hand. Greci has developed a world that is altogether too real and possible. His description of the land is almost like another character.  He has created a frightening landscape with his firsthand knowledge of the wilderness of Alaska. I would highly recommend this novel to those who love a high adventure, thrill ride of survival through the wild lands of Alaska.

Jessica Nelson Media Specialist