Description
Five kids are on a sleepover in a restored wilderness project in Ireland. With them, three teachers and one Ranger: Lisa. She is 26, longing to leave her job, out of her depth and soon to find herself mired in a nightmare.
Strange things have been happening at Lough Carrow, a vast rewilding project on the site of a former commercial peat-bog. Livestock mutilations. Rumours, myths from the neighbouring villages. Strange, unidentifiable tracks. On the trek in to the sleepover site they sight animals that have not yet been introduced to the park - wolves, wolverines, things older. Things thought long extinct.
As they near the centre of the wilding a boy realises he's forgotten his meds. A teacher volunteers to take him back to the visitor centre. Sure, what could go wrong?
That night the camp is attacked. A teacher is dragged away. Lisa's group is marooned in the wild. It is night, the four remaining kids are terrified, they need to get back to the ARK, but the wilderness seems to be playing with time and distance and something is out there. Something hungry and hunting...
About the Author
Ian McDonald was born in Manchester in 1960. His family moved to Northern Ireland in 1965. He now lives in Belfast and works in TV production. The author of many previous novels, including the groundbreaking Chaga books set in Africa, Ian McDonald has long been at the cutting edge of SF. RIVER OF GODS won the BSFA award in 2005, BRASYL won in it in 2007 and THE DERVISH HOUSE in 2010.
Reviews
A sharp thriller [. . .] with strong characterisation, a deep sense of place and real wit * The Irish Times *
Vividly written, this is [the] perfect scary fare * The Guardian *
A tense, mysterious, spooky as hell story of survival in a haunted wood . . . has the power to raise literal goosebumps * Cory Doctorow *
Superior, scary folk horror that draws on our relationship with the land. Excellent stuff * Dave Barnett *
THE WILDING is an ideal bit of science fiction-infused horror for an autumn night * Morning Star *
While monsters do what monsters do, you'll be sucked down, held and left spluttering for breath. Brilliant stuff * Daily Mail *
Book Information
ISBN 9781399611497
Author Ian McDonald
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Gollancz
Publisher Orion Publishing Co
