Megan L (Iwanttoreadallthebooks)'s Reviews > Wildland

When Kat Jamison is forced to make a difficult decision, she retreats to the Blue Ridge Mountains in hopes that the quiet solitude will help her make the right choice. Her breast cancer is back but she is not sure whether she wants to continue to fight with another round of chemotherapy or let the inevitable happen. But her solitude is soon interrupted by two abandoned dogs and two children, Lily and Nirav. A sleepover at Kat's cabin quickly becomes dangerous when lightning starts a deadly wildfire that cuts off Kat's cabin from the cabin of Nirav's father as well as that of Lily's father. Kat is forced to abandon the cabin and she, the children and the dogs flee the encroaching flames. As Malcolm (Nirav's dad) and Scott (Lily's dad) launch a rescue mission, Kat must protect the children and dogs by going deeper into the mountains. They encounter treacherous terrain and deadly smoke and flame as Kat tries to find a way for all of them to survive. But when death seems imminent, will Kat fight to save herself?

Wildland is a remarkable debut novel by Rebecca Hodge. She created a gripping story that immediately captured my attention and hasn't let go, even after I finished reading. It is a character driven story and Kat is a remarkable character. Brave, seemingly fearless even when facing extreme danger and death, and caring, Kat is a relatable, strong woman who was willing to sacrifice her safety and life for two children (and dogs) that she barely knew. And while Kat is the star of the story, I thought that Hodge excelled at her development of the other characters, especially Malcolm and Scott.

The story was fast paced and full of action and I could feel myself holding my breath as I was reading, wondering what would happen next. Hodge created an atmosphere of tension and danger that had my heart racing and my palms sweating. I could feel Kat's every emotion and I even found myself getting teary at certain points of the story.

I won't reveal what happens in the end but Hodge ties together the story beautifully with just the right amount of emotion and resolution for all of the characters. Wildland is a special book and Rebecca Hodge is a very talented writer. I hope that she has more stories to tell because I definitely want to read them!

4.5 stars!