★★★★☆
One of the things I love about our local independent bookstore is the section at the front of the store dedicated to North Carolina authors. A few weeks ago, I scanned the shelves for a novel set on the Outer Banks when the striking cover of Wildland caught my eye. The “staff pick” endorsement and setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains led me to change directions and leave with Wildland as my next read.
When breast cancer survivor Kat Jamison finds out her cancer has returned, she literally heads for the hills to decide what to do next. Before she can spend much time reflecting, Kat ends up with a cabin filled with two dogs and two children, Lily and Nirav. When lightning strikes and ignites a wildfire, Kat, the children, and the animals are forced into the wilderness on foot to try and escape the deadly situation.
Hodge’s uncomplicated writing, combined with heartwarming characters, kept me engaged. She does an excellent job of building and keeping up the suspense as the action alternates between Kat, the kids, and the pets’ harrowing journey and the rescue mission underway to locate and save them. The author’s expertise and love for animals as a veterinarian comes through in the story. The two dogs are an integral part of the story, with experiences that parallel what Kat is going through.
“You survived a storm or a battle, events that had a distinct ending, but when the fight kept going, you were simply a combatant.”
Rebecca Hodge, Wildland
The descriptions of fleeing the fire are heart-poundingly realistic. She also expertly captures the tumult of emotions felt in the aftermath of a fire. The vividly described scenes brought back memories from my childhood when my house caught on fire early one morning, and my family had to escape.
I recommend this book to those looking for a fast-paced story about love and survival. I look forward to seeing what Hodge writes next.
For more reviews of books written by North Carolina authors, visit the NC author category.