Book Review: Going Wild  

By Lisa McMann 

4 Stars 

Going Wild is the first book in a series about Charlie Wilde, a teenage girl who moves to Arizona with her family and suddenly finds her life changing in ways she never expected. Shortly after the move, Charlie discovers a strange and mysterious bracelet that she can't take off. At first, it seems like just a weird piece of technology, but she quickly learns that it actually gives her the powers of different animals. With the bracelet, Charlie gains abilities like super speed, super strength, and many more, and she has to figure out how to deal with them while also handling her new life in a new place.  

I thought this book was really fun and exciting to read. Charlie's reaction to discovering her powers was probably one of the best parts, because she was completely confused and overwhelmed, which was both funny and realistic. It didn't feel fake or forced at all, it honestly felt like how any teen would react if they suddenly had wild animal powers without knowing why. The pacing of the story also worked really well. It wasn't too fast, and it didn't skip over important details. Instead, it took its time with character building and story development, and it didn't leave behind any major plot holes. It's definitely one of those books that keeps you flipping through all the pages all the way to the end.   

In my opinion, this book leans more towards younger readers, but teens could enjoy it just as much. Charlie, being a teen herself, makes her easy to connect with. Overall, it's a strong start to the series, and I can't wait to see what happens next in the book. 

Reviewed by Hayyan 

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