Three years ago, Talia lived happily in the ruins of the Neves, a once-grand hotel in the wilds of the Catskill Mountains, with her mother Pola and their community of like-minded women. Some came to the Neves to escape cruel men, others to hide from the law, but all found safety and connection in their haven high above civilization, cloaked by a mysterious mist that kept intruders away. But as their numbers grew, complications followed, and everything came crashing down the night electric lights pierced the forest. Uniformed men arrested Pola, calling her a murderer and a fugitive, and Talia was taken away.
Now sixteen, Talia has been forced to live with family she barely knows and fit into a world scarred by misogyny, capitalism, disconnection from nature . . . everything the women of the Neves stood against. She has one goal: to return to the Neves. But as Talia awaits a signal from her mother, questions arise. Who betrayed her community, and what is she avoiding about her own role in its collapse? Is it truly magic that keeps the hotel so hidden? And what does it mean to embrace being her mother’s daughter? With the help of an unexpected ally, Talia must find her way to answers, face a mother who’s often kept her at arm’s length, and try to reach the refuge she lost—if the mist hasn’t swallowed her path home.
Wake the Wild Creatures is an atmospheric coming-of-age story with themes of family drama, feminism, and found family. Set against the backdrop of the Catskill Mountains, the story follows 16-year-old Talia, who was raised in the Neves—a secluded hotel turned sanctuary for women escaping past traumas. When the women are found by local authorities, Talia’s mother, Pola, is arrested, and she is sent to live with her aunt in the “real world”—a stark contrast to her untamed life in the Neves, causing her an identity crisis and societal challenges.
Suma’s writing is poetic and beautiful and reads more like adult literary fiction than a YA book. The story analyzes the blurred lines between sanctuary and imprisonment and will make readers ponder what a free society really looks like and the price we pay for safety. The story has a nonlinear structure—the present-day timeline is intermixed with many flashback scenes from different points in Talia’s wild upbringing. If reading on audio, it’s recommended to listen at a slower speed to appreciate all the descriptive prose and to follow all the time jumps.
The characters are richly developed. Talia is a strong, outspoken, and resilient character. Having grown up in the Neves, in constant survival mode, she’s always planning out her next move and always ready to bolt. When she is forced to interact with teenagers her own age, she comes across as defensive and hostile, being fully aware of what they think of her backstory and her incarcerated mother. Her relationship with her cousin, Lake, is a highlight of the book—Lake is the only one who understands Talia and is willing to help her, and their dialogue is very compelling. Talia’s mother, Pola, is a complex, flawed character, but her unconditional love for Talia is very evident, especially in the flashback scenes and when they reunite at the jail. There’s definitely a supernatural element to their connection, so be sure to pay close attention to their dialogue!
The Neves setting, amidst the atmospheric Catskill Mountains, is a character in its own right—it has an ethereal, dreamlike feel, shrouded in mist with an enchanted waterfall that adds layers of magical realism and beauty to the story. The community that comes together has a very strong “found family” feel to it—they have a set of rules, daily responsibilities for everyone, and all look out for each other and their home. The concept of a utopian feminist community in an abandoned mountain hotel feels far-fetched but is still very intriguing. By the end, when Talia returns, it feels as though her experiences and found family were nothing but a fever dream—it’s definitely an ending worthy of discussion, and for that reason, this book is a great book club choice!
Overall, Wake The Wild Creatures is a highly original and thought-provoking tale. It will especially resonate with readers who enjoy emotional stories with defiant FMCs on paths of self-discovery. If all of this sounds intriguing, don’t hesitate to pick up a copy of this book!
Narrator Performace
The audiobook of Wake The Wild Creatures is an atmospheric and immersive listen narrated by the incredibly talented Helen Laser! Laser brings protagonist Talia vividly to life, using a tone infused with angst, anxiety, and uncertainty, perfectly mirroring a character living in a world outside her own, with people she doesn’t like. When narrating the flashback scenes in The Neves, Laser creates an almost ethereal-like atmosphere where listeners are left wondering if these are real memories of the protagonist or some kind of fever dream. Every member of the sanctuary community is given a distinct voice and personality, giving the feel of a multicast listen, including some very convincing voices for the children.
Some of the most compelling parts of the audiobook are the dialogue scenes between Talia and her cousin Lake—Laser’s delivery emphasizes Talia’s stubbornness and mistrust of everyone, but by the end their sisterhood-like bond is so beautifully captured, and listeners will be engrossed by their open and honest dialogue. In the final chapter, Laser shifts her performance to depict a more mature version of Talia, who’s accepted the fate of her mother and the uncertainty of her future. By using a calmer, more poetic tone Laser authentically captures the powerful final messages being delivered by the author.
Overall, the author’s fresh, beautiful writing coupled with Laser’s dynamic performance makes this highly original story come fully alive on the audiobook. Although marketed as a YA book, Laser’s sophisticated performance elevates it to more of an upper YA/new adult story. It’s a must-listen for audiobook enthusiasts who enjoy immersive, atmospheric stories with elements of magical realism, suspense, and family drama!
Narrator Performace
The audiobook of Wake The Wild Creatures is an atmospheric and immersive listen narrated by the incredibly talented Helen Laser! Laser brings protagonist Talia vividly to life, using a tone infused with angst, anxiety, and uncertainty, perfectly mirroring a character living in a world outside her own, with people she doesn’t like. When narrating the flashback scenes in The Neves, Laser creates an almost ethereal-like atmosphere where listeners are left wondering if these are real memories of the protagonist or some kind of fever dream. Every member of the sanctuary community is given a distinct voice and personality, giving the feel of a multicast listen, including some very convincing voices for the children.
Some of the most compelling parts of the audiobook are the dialogue scenes between Talia and her cousin Lake—Laser’s delivery emphasizes Talia’s stubbornness and mistrust of everyone, but by the end their sisterhood-like bond is so beautifully captured, and listeners will be engrossed by their open and honest dialogue. In the final chapter, Laser shifts her performance to depict a more mature version of Talia, who’s accepted the fate of her mother and the uncertainty of her future. By using a calmer, more poetic tone Laser authentically captures the powerful final messages being delivered by the author.
Overall, the author’s fresh, beautiful writing coupled with Laser’s dynamic performance makes this highly original story come fully alive on the audiobook. Although marketed as a YA book, Laser’s sophisticated performance elevates it to more of an upper YA/new adult story. It’s a must-listen for audiobook enthusiasts who enjoy immersive, atmospheric stories with elements of magical realism, suspense, and family drama!
The audiobook of Wake The Wild Creatures is an atmospheric and immersive listen narrated by the incredibly talented Helen Laser! Laser brings protagonist Talia vividly to life, using a tone infused with angst, anxiety, and uncertainty, perfectly mirroring a character living in a world outside her own, with people she doesn’t like. When narrating the flashback scenes in The Neves, Laser creates an almost ethereal-like atmosphere where listeners are left wondering if these are real memories of the protagonist or some kind of fever dream. Every member of the sanctuary community is given a distinct voice and personality, giving the feel of a multicast listen, including some very convincing voices for the children.
Some of the most compelling parts of the audiobook are the dialogue scenes between Talia and her cousin Lake—Laser’s delivery emphasizes Talia’s stubbornness and mistrust of everyone, but by the end their sisterhood-like bond is so beautifully captured, and listeners will be engrossed by their open and honest dialogue. In the final chapter, Laser shifts her performance to depict a more mature version of Talia, who’s accepted the fate of her mother and the uncertainty of her future. By using a calmer, more poetic tone Laser authentically captures the powerful final messages being delivered by the author.
Overall, the author’s fresh, beautiful writing coupled with Laser’s dynamic performance makes this highly original story come fully alive on the audiobook. Although marketed as a YA book, Laser’s sophisticated performance elevates it to more of an upper YA/new adult story. It’s a must-listen for audiobook enthusiasts who enjoy immersive, atmospheric stories with elements of magical realism, suspense, and family drama!
