Nothing But An Animal — Half Wild by Sally Green {Book Review}

Title: Half Wild (Half Bad #2)
Author: Sally Green
Publisher: Viking Books
Release Date:  March 24th, 2015
Standalone/Series: Part two in a trilogy
Genre: Young Adult – Fantasy

Goodreads link

My rating in stars: 4,5 stars
My rating in words: I loved it!

What it’s about:

“You will have a powerful Gift, but it’s how you use it that will show you to be good or bad.”

In a modern-day England where two warring factions of witches live amongst humans, seventeen-year-old Nathan is an abomination, the illegitimate son of the world’s most powerful and violent witch. Nathan is hunted from all sides: nowhere is safe and no one can be trusted. Now, Nathan has come into his own unique magical Gift, and he’s on the run–but the Hunters are close behind where they had to buy 5.56 ammo online and they will stop at nothing until they have captured Nathan and destroyed his father.

My thoughts (Spoiler-free):

“The point of being good is doing it when it’s tough, not when it’s easy.”

In my review of Half Bad I said that this series had the potential to become one of my all-time favorites. I can only second that statement once again here. The second book in the series is just as good as the first. If not even just a tiny bit better. I am in love and here’s why:

– The writing style. I love this writing style. It’s super personal and dark and lets you get in  Nathan’s head so very well. There are some stylistic choices, like playing with the font size or not having any caps, but that’s only at certain points in the story and I feel like they imply Nathan’s mindset so perfectly. I’ve never read any other book where I feel like I’m so into the main character’s head as this series.

– The moral ambiguity. The question of what is good and what is bad is constantly present in the story and the answer is never fully clear. And I love that. This story will have you loving characters while not agreeing with some of the dark stuff they do. And it will have you hating characters, but at the same time understanding their actions.

– Nathan and Gabriel. Aww man, these two characters. Separately they are these two completely different, but super lovable and intriguing characters.But put them together and you have fire. I love them both so much and I ship them even harder. Yes, technically there is a love triangle, but don’t run away just yet. Even though the story revolves around finding Annalise, the third party in this particular triangle, it never felt like a triangle to me. Because the end-game is so very clear. Nathan/Annalise feels insta-lovey, fake and shallow, while Nathan/Gabriel is developing slowly and is honest and deep.

– Nathan and Marcus. This twisted father/son relationship has been intriguing me since book one and I was glad to see this explored just a bit further in book two.

– The ending. The ending to this book was a perfect fit to the rest of the story. It’s dark, bleak, violent and so morally grey.

Is it a perfect book? No. I can understand it’s not everyones’ cup of tea. There were just a few things that kind of bugged me. One had to do with the development of Gabriel’s feelings for Nathan. Now, while we’re in Nathan’s head we see his side of the story and it is PERFECT. But for once, I wish we had a few chapters from Gabriel’s POV. I would have loved to see things develop some more from his side too. Though yes, this would take away a bit from the awesomeness that is being inside Nathan’s head so much. I’m conflicted. Is there a novella out there from Gabriels’ POV? I don’t normally read them, but in this case I so would.

A second thing is the rather stereotypical second character Nesbitt. I loved Nesbitt and he did become one of my favorite characters, but his “Mate” and “Crickey”‘s were a little over the top. We get it, you’re Australian! No need to hit us over the head with all these blatant stereotypes. But it did get better as the book went on.

Overall though, I loved this book and I am in love with this series. I’d recommend it to everybody. I am both super pumped and super scared to read book three though. Knowing the style, darkness and bleakness of book one and two, I’m pretty sure book three will tear my heart out.

Favorite quotes:

“I always thought a person’s Gift reflected something about that person and all I can think is that my Gift reflects my desires, and my desires are to be totally wild, totally free.”

“It’s easier to stay positive with your eyes open.”

“Tired?” he asks.
“Tired—yes. Angry—yes. Pissed off—ninety-nine percent of the time. Fun to be around—never.”
Gabriel smiles. “Who wants fun when you can have interesting?”

“Don’t worry about me, kid. The second you start to turn, I’m getting my gun out and shooting you.”
I stare at him but, before I can think of anything to say, he adds, “Don’t look so alarmed, mate, my aim’s spot on. I’d just wing you. You heal quick – no harm done.”
And from his voice I know he’s serious. I mumble to Gabriel, “See? People ask you to show your Gift by turning into Obama; me, they shoot and say ‘No harm done.'”