I loved the concept of this story and the idea of a Wildlands in Britain with nature roaming uninterrupted by humans. Until two kids fall in, of course. But the execution of this was not as magical as the concept - the pacing was really slow and I found myself (an avid reader) skimming sections. The “big secret” was not exactly earth shattering and the ending left loose ends which might have provided more exciting storytelling (the poachers get away with it?). The relationship between the sisters was well written and I loved their connection. I also enjoyed some of the passages of nature writing which was beautiful and vivid. But this was 100 pages too long, under edited and needed more pace to keep young readers engaged.

Astrid, and her little sister, Indie, are on a train crossing the Wildlands - a huge rewilded area of England and Scotland, where no-one has been for years. When the train stops, a combination of bad choices and bad luck see it carry on its journey leaving Astrid and Indie behind. It is up to the sisters to find their way home again, through this unpredictable and unexplored landscape full of wild animals, with no hope of any human help along the way.

I really enjoyed this book. It is one of those where you have to suspend reality a bit; the characters encounter every possible bit of bad luck and seem to lurch from fine to half-dead and back again in a fairly short space of time and they make some decisions which seem unlikely, especially considering their ages, but if you can get beyond this, it's a good adventure, all very neatly tied up at the end.

Exciting, entirely believable, and beautifully written, this is a middle-grade novel that blew me away and one that I’m hoping will be on many readers’ radars already because it most definitely deserves to be.

When we first meet the two girls, they are safe, if a little bored, as they journey on the train between Manchester and Glasgow that cuts directly through the Wildlands, enroute to meet their Mum. Like most teenagers, Astrid is glued to her phone, while the younger Indie gazes out of the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of the creatures that now roam the Wildlands below. When the train makes an unexpected stop, Astrid and Indie find themselves accidentally stranded in this vast, untamed landscape. With no phone signal and no way to call for help, they must rely on their wits and each other to survive.

What follows is a heart-pounding adventure as the sisters navigate the dangers of the Wildlands—predatory animals, treacherous terrain, and their own fears. Murphy’s writing is both vivid and evocative, bringing the rewilded landscape to life in stunning detail. The Wildlands are as much a character in this story as Astrid and Indie, with their beauty and danger woven into every page.

Astrid and Indie are wonderfully drawn characters, each with their own strengths and vulnerabilities. Astrid, the older sister, is practical and resourceful, but her reliance on technology is tested in this unfamiliar world. Indie, on the other hand, is curious and brave, with a deep love for nature that proves invaluable. Their relationship is the heart of the story, and Murphy captures the bond between siblings with warmth and authenticity.

The pacing is excellent, with short chapters that make it easy to keep reading “just one more.” The tension builds steadily as the sisters face one challenge after another, and there are moments of joy and wonder that balance the darker, more perilous scenes. The themes of resilience, family, and humanity’s relationship with nature are explored with nuance and depth, making this a story that will stay with readers long after they’ve turned the last page.

Wildlands is a fabulous read for Year 4 upwards, and I can’t wait to see what Brogen Murphy writes next. It’s a book that not only entertains but also encourages readers to think about the world around them and their place within it.

A thrilling and thought-provoking adventure, Wildlands is a must-read for anyone who loves stories of survival, sisterhood, and the power of nature.