Day’s YA: THIS WILD WANTING

THIS WILD WANTING by Sophie Gonzales
9781250352521
11/17/2026
Wednesday Books
Ages 13-18

E-galley available on Edelweiss and NetGalley

At the edges of the mortal world lies the faerie market, where you can buy almost anything if you are willing to pay terrible prices. Skills, memories, years of your life, the freedom of one’s mind… these are all some of the chosen currencies. Declan Bonfeld is a nobleman used to paying any price, and he’s never been short of money. But now he’s faced with an unfamiliar currency—in a desperate attempt to bring back someone he loves, he finds himself trying to bargain with a ruthless fae merchant in a potion shop. While there he meets Calla, the merchant’s half-fae daughter who has spent her entire life working for and fearing her father after he kidnapped her as a baby. She tries to warn Declan of the dangers of making deals with her father, but when the two of them try to steal a potion from his shelves, they quickly discover something horrifying: the thief will pay the price, regardless of who actually drinks the potion. As Declan starts to face the effects of the potion and his mind and body begin to unravel, Calla must help him outwit her father before she loses the only person who has ever truly seen her. THIS WILD WANTING asks us: How much would you sacrifice to right a wrong?

I absolutely LOVE Sophie Gonzales and everything she writes, so I was over the moon when I found out she was releasing a standalone fantasy novel—and it definitely did not disappoint. The story had quick pacing that kept my attention and left me flying through the book, and it was beautifully written. The magical world was so vivid and I could easily picture it in my head while reading, from the busy streets to the magical markets and narrow alleyways filled with cramped stalls. I also always love a good riddle or puzzle, and with the fae not being able to tell complete lies, I was constantly trying to pick apart clues to figure out what each twist and trick would be—I was still always surprised. Every new situation felt increasingly high stakes and dangerous, and I was constantly a bit on edge reading this, stressed for both characters. The magical bargains truly tested how much they would sacrifice for those they love, and what they would risk to get something they want, even if doing so could come with horrible consequences.

A story told in dual POV is always my favorite, and this was no exception. These characters felt so real, and as they grew to trust, care for, and sacrifice for one another, I fell in love with them both. They were completely different and yet had still faced similar struggles in life, feeling like no one could ever truly care about or love them. Declan was willing to risk so much for others, convinced that he would always be able to fix things, even when it started to get him into dangerous situations. It was especially rewarding to see Calla start to slowly open up and trust Declan after facing a lifetime of abuse and isolation. Watching the two of them grow, both individually and together, made for a beautiful and gentle relationship. They made mistakes and bad decisions, but they were always able to come together for one another.

THIS WILD WANTING truly has it all—an angsty romance, some horror, and a dark magic system where powers come at a price. Sophie has crafted a breathtaking world that will leave you ripping through the pages, and readers of A FRAGILE ENCHANTMENT and THE CRUEL PRINCE will be totally captivated by this story. 

<3 Margo

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