A review by mudder17
Wild Ground: A Novel by Emily Usher

3.0

3.5 stars

This was not an easy read, but I felt the ending made it worth pushing through the hard parts, which was much of the story. If you're looking for an uplifting story, then this is not it. But if you're looking for a story that is raw and real and perhaps holds some hope for the main character at the end, then you should check out this story. The characters are all imperfect, perpetuating generational damage, and despite the fact that I did not like Danny's father from the beginning, I could also understand where he and Danny were coming from. Ultimately, I feel that this was a case of the adults completely failing the children, and there were so many times when I kept thinking that if only so-and-so weren't so immediately judgmental. They all made mistakes and yes, the kids did too. But part of those mistakes was because they had terrible role models. Even the teachers who were supposed to be better role models immediately judged Danny or Neef, which led to bad choices. I do wonder what would have happened if Neef had allowed her English teacher to help her. I do think that her heart was in the right place, even if she had some of the savior complex happening. And Mary could have helped Danny and Neef, but I feel that her instant judgment of what they were like prevented her from truly reaching them.

This was particularly tough because it was such an unhappy book. And yet, I think the author succeeded in us seeing that as flawed as these characters were, even someone like Denz had redeeming features. While the damage that he probably caused Danny and Neef was likely permanent, I also think that some of what he did probably was good for them, even if they never speak to him again. The ending is open-ended in some ways, but ultimately hopeful.

Hands-down my favorite characters were Ali and Fionnoula as well as their community. They brought some light to what was otherwise a very depressing book. I really liked the conversations Ali had with Neef/Jen, especially about making peace with her past. Not forgetting her past, but accepting it and then letting it go. And although she would never have a relationship with Denz, I liked that she was finally able to see things from his and Danny's perspective, about being a black male in a society that automatically judges you on the color of your skin.

In the end, I would be open to reading another book by this author--she's a good writer and she drew me into Neef and Danny's story despite it being a downer. Would I recommend this book? Yes, depending on what kind of read you're looking for. Content warnings include casual drug use (both weed and much harder drugs), alcohol abuse, sexual assault and victim blaming, racism, and mental illness.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.