This book was very different from Half Bad in a way that it shows Nathan (the main character) as a lot more mature and more sure about what he wants. Also, he really makes the reader feel bad for him due to what he has been through which wasn't really such a big aspect in the first book. This was important because the reader felt a lot closer to the main character and felt more emotionally attached.
Half Wild continues from where Half Bad ended and shows Nathan's struggles with hiding from the white witches (the Hunters and the council) who want him dead and his mission to save Annalise whom he is madly in love with. In order to save Annalise he must face Mercury, one of the strongest Black witches of all time (after Nathan's father of course). He must also learn to use his gift of turning into a wild animal, whom he cannot control. It's basically the toughest life a teenager in a fantasy world could have.
The story line is very complicated and it is impossible to understand if you haven't read Half Bad. It took me a while to read it because I didn't thoroughly enjoy it but by the time I got to the ending I was desperate to know what happens next.
My favourite part about the book is the relationship between Nathan and Gabriel. The two boys are great friends but Gabriel has romantic feelings for Nathan who obviously doesn't return his feelings because he loves Annalise. However, what was really touching was the fact that this didn't affect their remarkable friendship one bit, even when Gabriel kisses Nathan.
This book was amazingly written. There were times where I thought WHAT THE HECK, for example when it said, "But I know it's happening cos there're little bones in my vomit and rags of furry skin and blood. There was a tail once. A rat's tail, I think". Then there was also bits that made me eager to find out more such as where it says, "watch the triangles in his eyes fade to nothing as I taste him and swallow his heart".
Overall this was a very exciting book and the ending was extremely unexpected and it's hard to not give any spoilers but what I would say is for those who have read Half Bad, to definitely read Half Wild. It is much better than the first book and although it was a bit slow at times, the ending really made up for it.
• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop.
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