Seventeen-year-old Lottie Mitchell is a liar. She might also be a horrible person—because someone good wouldn’t have caused the death of her best friend, Val. Messina, Lottie’s other best friend, has her own secrets to worry about—she’s running from her terrifying, abusive stepfather. When the friends learn that Val had planned to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, they set off into the desert with Val’s ashes and her beloved copy of Wild to fulfill her dream. The only problem, aside from being woefully underprepared for the treacherous terrain and the fast-approaching fire season, is that without Val playing peacekeeper, Lottie and Messina are at each other’s throats. The secrets they carry are heavier than their packs, and they’re going to have to find their trust in each other—and themselves—if they’re going to survive.
We Became Wild is a gripping, feral story about grief, friendship, and what it means to be a woman alone in the world.
Short Book Report: We Became Wild (YA SH3LF)
We Became Wild is a fast-paced and emotionally intense novel that follows two complex young women, Lottie and Messina, as they navigate survival, trauma, and an uncertain friendship. The story is “unflinchingly feral,” meaning it doesn’t hold back in portraying the overwhelming emotions of its characters, making it especially appealing to teen readers who enjoy emotionally driven contemporary fiction similar to works by John Green, Kathleen Glasgow, and Mindy McGinnis.
At its core, the novel is deeply rooted in the author’s personal experiences with California hiking and nature, which also serve as both a setting and a form of emotional healing. This connection to the natural world adds depth to the story, especially as the characters use the wilderness as both refuge and challenge while processing grief and trauma.
Lottie and Messina are portrayed as layered, flawed, and resilient. Their bond becomes a lifeline in a world where neither has ever truly known safety or comfort. The tension throughout the novel steadily builds, shaped by threats such as abusive family situations, hunger, and dehydration, creating a constant sense of unease.
The pacing is one of the book’s strengths – it pulls readers in quickly with immediate tension and strong character dynamics. The climax, involving a surprise wildfire, is carefully foreshadowed and intensifies the survival stakes in a way that feels both shocking and earned.
Overall, We Became Wild is a confident and engaging debut that blends emotional depth with survival-driven suspense. It will likely appeal to readers who enjoyed I Am Still Alive, We Are Okay, and Every Last Word, as well as fans of character-focused, emotionally charged YA fiction.