Wildlands By Brogen Murphy I Book Review By Satyavrat

Book : Wildlands

Author : Brogen Murphy

Wildlands is a futuristic, utopian & atmospheric survival tale by award-winning author, Brogen Murphy.

It is the year 2050. Astrid and Indie are travelling by train to Glasgow from Manchester but are accidentally stranded in the Wildlands, a rewilded place built for all the wildlife of Britain. Indie is extremely excited because it was her dream to go into the Wildlands once, but Astrid is irritable because she knows the truth about her parents but Indie doesn’t. Together they face the problems of a burning house, extreme weather, poachers and rogue wildlife to survive and leave the Wildlands once and for all.

Astrid and Indie are two sisters stranded in the British wilderness. Their contrasting personalities drive both the narrative tension and their ultimate survival.

Astrid is the 13-year-old, protective, logical older sister. She is analytical, tech-dependent, and emotionally guarded. At the start of the book, Astrid is a typical modern teenager who relies heavily on her phone to pass the time. She initially displays a sense of apathy and detachment regarding the natural world. However, when they are stranded, she is forced to shoulder the heavy responsibility of protecting her younger sister. Astrid carries emotional weight, including a deep-seated secret and family friction regarding a distance she has put between herself and her mother. Over the course of their journey, Astrid learns to balance her logical intelligence with a more intuitive understanding of the environment. She moves from resentment and fear to a deeper appreciation for her sister and a truer understanding of what family means.

Indie is the 8 to 10 -year- old, intuitive, nature-loving younger sibling. She is observant, imaginative, and highly persistent. Unlike Astrid, Indie is captivated by the environment from the beginning, spending the train ride glued to the window hoping to spot wild bison, lynx, or wolves. She serves as an emotional anchor and a direct contrast to Astrid’s tech-focused mindset. Though initially viewed by Astrid as a liability or a distraction, Indie possesses instinctive ingenuity. Her willingness to look at the wild with wonder rather than pure terror allows her to offer unique, unexpected solutions to the dangers they face. As the story develops, Indie steps out of her older sister’s shadow. Through the physical trials of the Wildlands, she proves her capability, demanding and earning Astrid’s respect as an equal partner in their survival.

Wildlands can be enjoyed by children ages 9+ & adults alike. Jam-packed full of adventure, inspiration and British wildlife, it is a beautiful story about the importance of nature, family and the power of rewilding.

I could not help but feel a deep attachment to Astrid and Indie which drove me to keep reading to find out just what would happen to them and look forward to seeing what Brogen Murphy writes next. The only flaw was that the ending felt too abrupt but perhaps a sequel is intended.  

I liked how the book brought up several environmental issues that would make for great discussions and makes all of us think what a futuristic wilding project might look like in the centre of the UK with the extinct animals returned! Alongside the wonderful wildlife facts & fantastic world building, this book will have you questioning absolutely everything about how we live on this beautiful planet. 

A worthy Wainwright prize winner! 

Star Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!

FAQs Wildlands By Brogen Murphy I Book Review By Satyavrat

1. What is Wildlands about?
Wildlands is a futuristic adventure and survival story set in 2050. It follows two sisters, Astrid and Indie, who become stranded in a rewilded area created to protect Britain’s wildlife.

2. Who are the main characters in Wildlands?
The story centres on Astrid, a logical and protective 13-year-old, and her younger sister Indie, who is curious, imaginative and passionate about nature.

3. What is the Wildlands?
The Wildlands is a rewilded area designed as a home for Britain’s wildlife. It is filled with fascinating animals and natural landscapes.

4. What happens to Astrid and Indie?
While travelling by train from Manchester to Glasgow, the sisters accidentally become stranded in the Wildlands. They must work together to overcome challenges and find their way out.

5. What does Astrid learn during her journey?
Astrid learns to trust her instincts, appreciate nature and understand the importance of family. Her experience also helps her develop a stronger bond with Indie.

6. How is Indie different from Astrid?
Indie loves nature and observes her surroundings with curiosity and wonder, while Astrid is more logical, cautious and dependent on technology. Their differences help them work together.

7. What environmental themes does Wildlands explore?
The book explores rewilding, wildlife conservation, human relationships with nature and what the future of environmental restoration could look like.

8. What makes Wildlands interesting for young readers?
The book combines adventure, futuristic ideas, survival, wildlife and environmental themes, making it an engaging story that can also encourage readers to think about nature and conservation.

9. What age group is Wildlands suitable for?
The review recommends Wildlands for children aged 9+, as well as adults who enjoy adventure and environmental fiction.

10. What is the reviewer’s rating for Wildlands?
The book received a 5 out of 5 stars rating in the review.

11. Who wrote Wildlands?
Wildlands was written by Brogen Murphy, an award-winning author.

12. What is the main message of Wildlands?
The story highlights the importance of nature, family, teamwork and rewilding, while encouraging readers to think about how humans can share the planet with wildlife.

Where can you buy the books?

You can buy the books at Bookosmia.com and Amazon.in

Mohini Made Friends I Children’s Book About Friendship and Dance


Follow Mohini, a little girl who communicates through dance and hand gestures. She is shunned as no one seems to understand her, but she finally finds the beautiful magic of friendship. The book is an attempt to bring children, and elders alike, to the captivating story of mohiniyattam through creative non-fiction. This book, Published by Bookosmai, celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Mohiniyattam and its journey from obscurity to recognition, with beige, black, and yellow illustrations representing the dance’s costume. All through a little girl and her simple world. Get your copy now and join Mohini on her enchanting journey! Authored by: Shruthi KP Illustrated by: Rohit Bhasi A4 size.

This article is published by Bookosmia, India’s #1 publisher for and by young people. Bookosmia publishes stories, books, podcasts, events, TED-Ed talks, workshops, bedtime stories and more related to kids and young adults.
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