Reviews and Awards
Reviews and Awards for Into the Wild
Advance Praise for Out of the Wild
"An enchanting romp full of adventure, humor and cleverness!" -- Holly Black, New York Times bestselling author of The Spiderwick Chronicles and Tithe
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"An amazing, wild ride with very high stakes, and the fate of humans and fairytale people alike on the shoulders of one determined girl. This is even better than the first book!" -- Tamora Pierce, New York Times bestselling author of Terrier (Beka Cooper) and The Will of the Empress
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"This is one of those rare occasions when the sequel is as good as the first book, if not better. Though, in my estimation, they make two halves of one story, and what a wonderfully entertaining story it is." -- Charles de Lint, author of The Blue Girl and Widdershins, in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction (Read full review)
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"Head-spinning fun! Any book that mixes fire breathing dragons and Elvis Presley is a rare treat." -- Michael Buckley, New York Times bestselling author of The Sisters Grimm series
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"I loved INTO THE WILD a whole lot, but you know what? OUT OF THE WILD was even better... I suspect this duo will turn a whole lot of kids on to old fairy tales, urban fantasy and the power of story in general."
-- Leila Roy, Bookshelves of Doom (Read full review)
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"OUT OF THE WILD is one of those incredibly rare sequels that is even better than the first book...What an accomplishment -- to create a complete tale and then create another book that makes the first even more complete and powerful.
Durst's books are very friendly, filled with humor, and will be enjoyed by many types of readers."
-- Tasha Saecker, Kids Lit (Read full review)
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"I'm happy to report that Out of the Wild is another tremendously fun, fairytale-filled book... As always, all of the fairytale allusions, from the well-known stories to the lesser-known ones, were wonderful. I would recommend these books to any lover of fairytales and adventure."
-- Miss Erin (Read full review)
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"OUT OF THE WILD by Sarah Beth Durst is even better than INTO THE WILD... Each chapter either had me laughing or clutching the pages in anxiety for Julie (and a certain other nameless person!)."
-- Look Books (Read full review)
Coming June 2008 from Razorbill / Penguin Young Readers
Pre-order from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Powell's Books,
or your local independent bookseller
Read the first chapter
ISBN-13: 978-1-59514-159-0
ISBN-10: 1-59514-159-6
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"INTO THE WILD is VERY cool, with a unique look at the great fairytale characters. I couldn't put it down until I knew how this brave, extraordinary girl could face such powerful magic!"
-- Tamora Pierce, New York Times bestselling author of Terrier (Beka Cooper) and The Will of the Empress
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"Sarah Beth Durst's INTO THE WILD is fabulous in the oldest, truest, and best sense of the word, harking back to fables, wonder, and magic unleashed. It's bold, sassy, and utterly engaging. I can't wait to see what she does next!"
-- Bruce Coville, author of The Unicorn Chronicles and Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher
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"INTO THE WILD's fairy-tale characters are fascinating, and Julie is everything one could want in a heroine -- she's intelligent, practical, determined and brave; at once more ordinary and more extraordinary than she herself thinks she is. I'll be keeping an eye out for more work from Sarah Beth Durst."
-- Patricia C. Wrede, author of The Enchanted Forest Chronicles
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"Sarah Beth Durst kept me reading because she's so inventive with her take on fairy tales' relevance to our world... The fun of INTO THE WILD is in recognizing the iconic figures from fairy tales and seeing them in this new light that Durst has provided for us. You'll breeze through this book and you'll have a fine time while doing so."
-- Charles de Lint, author of Wolf Moon and Blue Girl, in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction
(Read full review - It's the second review of three in the Books To Look For column.)
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"INTO THE WILD is an entertaining, introspective, clever remixing of traditional fairy tales with a Labyrinth edge and a self-aware sensibility, and it signals a strong debut from Sarah Beth Durst."
-- Michael Jones, Realms of Fantasy Magazine (Read full review)
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"Deeper than most rewritten fairy tales, this existential story is chunked with big ideas about the fairy-tale genre, yet the story is lightened with touches that will connect with its audience."
-- Kirkus (Read full review)
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"Durst takes readers on a grand adventure involving candy houses and ogres, providing plenty of opportunities to watch for favorite fairy-tale characters and chances to spy traditional story traps before Julie becomes caught up in them... Julie's imaginative quest and the presence of some mainstream names (Cinderella, Snow White) will [keep young readers'] attention and, perhaps, send them back to the shelves in search of additional stories, or those they may have forgotten they knew and loved once upon a time."
-- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (Read full review)
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"There have been many fairy tale related books lately, but don't overlook this one. The personalities of the characters are fresh and fun and the story is original... INTO THE WILD is fast moving and fun as the characters pull together to defeat the Wild while trying not to get trapped in any of its stories."
-- Alyson Del Vecchio, Baker & Taylor's CATS Meow Newsletter (Read full review)
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"The story is peppered with sly allusions, and Julie is an appealingly reluctant heroine, one whose goodness and bravery come with plenty of wry, contemporary sarcasm."
-- Booklist (Read full review)
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"INTO THE WILD is a creative romp through the fairy tale genre, highlighting the strength of the female characters whose stories we all know so well."
-- Kliatt (Read full review)
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"Durst pulls you in on page one and takes you on a wild adventure that's in parts hilariously funny, seriously thoughtful, depressing, and still filled with love, hope, and family. She plays on our knowledge of the standard fairy tales and turns them upside down and inside out."
-- Gayle Surrette, SFRevu (Read full review)
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"INTO THE WILD is an amazing, wild, romp of an adventure... What really sets it apart is that Durst truly gets - and truly conveys to the reader - the darkness in the old fairy tales, not only the obvious darkness of having to dance in red-hot iron shoes, but the darkness of happily ever after."
-- Sheila Ruth, Wands and Worlds (Read full review)
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"Durst reads between the lines of our favorite fairy tales to unearth the truth that lies within. It is a refreshing escape from our stereotypes. It is entertaining, funny, suspenseful and moving."
-- Mikaila Baca-Dorion, Worcester Magazine (Read full review)
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"I found myself chapter by chapter enmeshed in a tale of free will, the very definition of happiness, self-sacrifice, and out-and-out good storytelling... Durst has a style entirely of her own that bears watching. Consider this an intense debut."
-- Betsy Bird, School Library Journal blogger (A Fuse #8 Production), librarian (NYPL Donnell Children's Room), and 2007 Newbery Judge (Read full review)
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"This is Durst's debut novel, a fantasy adventure both smart and, at times, irreverently funny. Best of all, Durst knows her fairy tales, even the minor ones, and she manages to embrace the darker elements of these tales while at the same time not scaring the pants off the junior high readers at which the novel is aimed."
-- Julie Danielson, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast (Read full review)
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"INTO THE WILD is a fantastic story with a spunky main character and a fast-paced plot. The author weaves all of the well-known fairy tales into her book with an ease and clarity that makes the reading of the book a delight. Highly recommended for anyone who loves fairy tales, or is just in need of a good story."
-- Miss Erin's Blog (Read full review)
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"INTO THE WILD is a great pick for younger fantasy readers as well as for older fans of fairy tales and fairy tale re-tellings (especially fans of Fables and of Labyrinth). It's about family and friends, temptation, betrayal and redemption, love and sacrifice and trust. It's a coming of age story and, of course, a fairy tale. Fairy tale lovers will recognize both well-known and lesser-known stories, but it isn't at all necessary to be familiar with them all to enjoy the book. It's funny, sad, and, at moments, scary."
-- Leila Roy, Bookshelves of Doom (Read full review)
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"INTO THE WILD is a thoroughly imaginative debut novel. Rather than simply retelling stories we all know, Durst brings the stories to life, with real people, real settings, and real problems. Julie is a great protagonist, whose greatest strength, surprisingly, is that she is a normal girl... An excellent and absorbing read for reluctant readers, fantasy fans, or anyone really. This is sure to be a fit with most readers, and I eagerly await the next book, due out in June 2008."
-- Alyssa Feller, Young Adult Books Central (Read full review)
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"This book is a great twisty ride through fairy tales... The writing here is straight-forward and welcoming. I really enjoyed the juxtaposition of a modern teen into the frightening and often horrifying world of fairy tales... Julie is a wonderful heroine, filled with spunk, humor and angst. Her reluctance to be a hero is wonderfully portrayed as are all of the little fairy tale touches."
-- Tasha Saecker, Kids Lit (Read full review)
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"Sarah Beth Durst has written a quirky, heartwarming novel full of surprises, humor, and fairy tale characters aplenty... I really enjoyed every character, every imaginative depiction of their backstories in the Wild and out of it, and Julie is a feisty and determined protagonist. I love re-imagined fairy tales when they're done right, and this is a great one to add to my collection."
-- Sarah Stevenson, Readers' Rants (Read full review)
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"INTO THE WILD is one of the most original fantasy books I've read in ages. These fairy tales aren't what you think they are. Rather than changing a fairy tale like is often done in books, Sarah Beth Durst takes every fairy tale you've ever heard and makes it real, and dangerous. And she does so brilliantly! I can't even find the words I'm really looking for to describe how amazing this book is. Run, don't walk to your nearest bookstore or library and get a copy today!"
-- Teen Book Review (Read full review)
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"Who hasn't wished that they could live in a fairy tale? Marry the handsome Prince or Princess and live happily ever after? Sounds great to me. Except when "happily ever after" means repeating the same story, over and over, with no end, and no choices... INTO THE WILD is hilarious in parts, sad in parts, and surprisingly honest. A great book. I enjoyed it immensely!"
-- Carrie Spellman, TeensReadToo (Read full review)
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"This was a fabulous book. I think I knew it would be; so many people have absolutely loved it. But it's hard to convey in a review how wonderfully clever it is, how enjoyable it is to read. Durst takes every single fairy tale character and uses them in new and unexpected ways, making the old stories come alive again. I loved the struggle for free will and how the Wild uses character's choices... I can't wait to read the sequel."
-- Book Nut (Read full review)
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"INTO THE WILD is an entertaining read and an intriguing puzzle to crack."
-- Alexis Burling, KidsReads (Read full review)
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"What I like best about the book is the way Julie is a real 12-year-old girl, albeit living in unusual circumstances. She isn't some sort of idealized fairy tale princess... But she's loyal to her family and to her best friend, and she's capable of making huge personal sacrifice for people she loves."
-- Jen Robinson, Jen Robinson's Book Page (Read full review)
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"The author blends a variety of genres, and fairy tales in a intricate and engaging read... The novel, though entrenched in fantasy, offers up some very real messages and themes, and is so enjoyable, you'll hope the "ever after" never comes."
-- Bri Meets Books (Read full review)
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"I loved everyone in this book. Sarah did a great job of expanding on the typical fairytale characters, but still keeping them true to their standards... I'd recommend this book to anyone, adult or child, that likes fairytales. Reading it was a very enjoyable experience."
-- Cassandra Richoux, Bookwyrm Chrysalis (Read full review)
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"Why, o why, did I wait so long to read this book? It was fantastic, no phenomenal, just all around great. I got sucked into Julie's story by the end of the first sentence and couldn't tear myself away from the story. I loved how the author took a bunch of fairy tales and pulled them into the story and made them so exciting. I was so envious of Julie through the whole book that she got to go on this amazing adventure with fairy tale creatures and I didn't. The whole story just felt so real and I just couldn't get enough of it. For anyone who loves fairy tales this is a must read, or if you're just looking for an amazing book to read, run to your library or bookstore and pick up a copy of INTO THE WILD. You will not be disappointed in the least. Truly there aren't many words to describe this book, but I managed to find a few! Also the sequel, OUT OF THE WILD, hits stores June 19, and you know I will be first in line to go get a copy!!"
-- And Another Book Read (Read full review)
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"INTO THE WILD by Sarah Beth Durst combines realistic fiction with fantasy to come up with an extraordinary tale of fitting in and courage."
-- Debbie Shoulders, The Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle
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"I LOVE IT! It's one of the most rollicking good times I've had with a book in ages! And yet, the author also puts some really dark things under the microscope there--our assumptions about fairytale life, about family relationships, about finding our true paths... All with humor, magic, and jaw-dropping writing. Grab it in June! You're in for a wonderful, thought-provoking read!"
-- Tiffany Trent, author of Hallowmere
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"Sarah Beth Durst's debut, INTO THE WILD, is a sweet, fun book that turns everything you thought you knew about fairy tales on its ear. Join Rapunzel's daughter Julie on a quest to save the world from the Wild--the dark and dangerous woods-with-a-life-of-its-own that feeds off of fairy tales... and has escaped into Julie's hometown, turning mundane objects, buildings, and people into fairy tale versions of themselves. Brilliantly conceived and perfectly executed. Durst knows her landscape well. Brava!!"
-- Elizabeth C. Bunce, author of A Curse Dark as Gold (Read full review)
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"I loved INTO THE WILD. It's so inventive, suspenseful, and action-packed. Julie is a wonderful character. I was so drawn in to the story, I got really emotional when she had to... [spoiler removed]. Also, the ending is so perfect! I'm so looking forward to the sequel."
-- Leslie Margolis, author of Fix and Price of Admission
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"INTO THE WILD is a fun romp through classic fairy tales by a talented and brilliant author, Sarah Beth Durst... Full of adventure, excitement, and humor, INTO THE WILD is a book you'll want to read again and again!"
-- Bookworm Readers (Read full review)
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"Fairy tale fans will love INTO THE WILD's unusual look at fairy tales from an outsider's perspective. This light-hearted fantasy-adventure will be familiar and new at the same time to most middle school readers."
-- Tandem Insights (Read full review)
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"So, in case I hadn't mentioned it yet, INTO THE WILD just plain rocks. Like the best books for young readers, it works on many levels. It's fun and the characters are believable and engaging. It's also very original. As much as I love retold fairy tales, this isn't one of them. This is fairy tale land completely re-imagined - but with a great number of familiar characters. On top of all that you get all the nice layers that make for the kinds of "oh. oh! OH!" moments that come only when you re-read at age sixteen the book you loved at age eleven. It's one of those books that's both enjoyable and easy to read, but still makes you want to pick it apart into tiny pieces and then put in back together again."
-- The True Confessions of an Hourly Bookseller (Read full review)
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"I just finished reading INTO THE WILD. What a creative, fun, and well-written book! Just looking at the other author raves all over the cover got me excited about it and the premise is just awesome. This is the most innovative twist on fairy tales I've seen in a long time."
-- Your Friendly Librarian (Read full review)
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"I really enjoyed this book... It's modern, it's hip, and it's nostalgic. Who hasn't wanted to be the princess in a fairy tale? Who hasn't wanted their own Prince Charming? Sarah Beth Durst shows us the other side of the fairy tale coin. I look forward to any more works from her!"
-- The Reading Zone (Read full review)
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"I almost cried while reading INTO THE WILD, not because of the plot, but because it was so good! It was such a wonder to find this book!"
-- Squeaky Books (Read full review)
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"Ever have a strange occurence where you've judged a book by its cover, and it turned out to be a wonderful book? That was what INTO THE WILD was like for me. I love the cover! I love how creative it is--and I especially like the walking cat. You don't see too many walking cats on book covers now, do you? And the book proved to be as interesting and thought provoking as its cover."
-- Over My Head (Read full review)
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"Once upon a time, fairy tale characters were the prisoners of a being called The Wild... Fans of the Grimm brothers and Hans Christian Andersen will enjoy this book, which references tales popular and obscure. It is the most recent of many young adult novels based on fairy tales, and is one of the best and least predictable."
-- Daphne Lee Mei Lin, The Places You Will Go (Read full review)
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"The story of how Julie rescues her mother, and learns a little something extra about herself and her family, is beautifully told. The adventures are fast-paced and enthralling. The support characters are supportive (Julie's best friend, who valiantly blows her trumpet for hours to help Julie, and her "brother," Puss-in-Boots, are among the most memorable of these) and multi-dimensional. I highly recommend this book. My thoughts upon finishing it were, "Wow! I can't wait to read about Julie's next batch of adventures." I hope there will be a next batch of Julie adventures, because I like the characters, and I like Sarah's writing style."
-- Faith Stencel, ChaucerianGirl (Read full review)
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"The cleverness of both Durst's story telling and her character Julie's actions, is in their breadth of knowledge about fairy tales. They know them all, and use each one to maximum impact."
-- April Erwin, Projecting A (Read full review)
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"This book, in short, rocks!"
-- Mrs. Magoo Reads (Read full review)
Other Opinions...
"INTO THE WILD is full of lies! Lies, lies, lies! The portrayal of Goldilocks is particularly offensive. Just because I think it's important to look one's best does not mean I am self-absorbed and shallow." -- Goldilocks
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"Please do not read INTO THE WILD. The truth about fairy tales must remain secret. Everything you and I hold dear depends upon it." -- Rapunzel
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"Single male cat (orange with a penchant for fine clothing) seeks female feline companion. Must enjoy long conversations and chasing mice." -- Puss-in-Boots
Available now from Razorbill/Penguin Young Readers
Buy from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Powell's Books,
or your local independent bookseller
Read the first chapter
ISBN-13: 978-1-59514-156-9
ISBN-10: 1-59514-156-1
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