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The Secret Wild
A fantastical, botanical adventure about friendship, bravery – and finding home in a new place.
Fern has spent her whole life in the rainforest, and loves nothing more than climbing, exploring and talking to the trees. When she suddenly has to leave all that behind and move to London, with only an eccentric uncle for company, Fern feels entirely uprooted.
But when she meets a little plant that can understand her every word, it seems that things are looking up! That is until strange things start happening in the giant lily pads on the Thames, monkey vines on the London Eye, and now her new friend is starting to wilt…
Can they solve this growing mystery together – before it’s too late?
Paddington Bear meets Little Shop of Horrors in this botanical and brilliant debut for 8+.
Fern has spent her whole life in the rainforest, and loves nothing more than climbing, exploring and talking to the trees. When she suddenly has to leave all that behind and move to London, with only an eccentric uncle for company, Fern feels entirely uprooted.
But when she meets a little plant that can understand her every word, it seems that things are looking up! That is until strange things start happening in the giant lily pads on the Thames, monkey vines on the London Eye, and now her new friend is starting to wilt…
Can they solve this growing mystery together – before it’s too late?
Paddington Bear meets Little Shop of Horrors in this botanical and brilliant debut for 8+.
304 pages, Paperback
Published May 5, 2022
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90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 11, 2022
In a Nutshell: An excellent children’s fiction full of adventure and mystery, and centred on a topic not commonly found in this genre – plants!
Story:
As a children’s fiction, this book caters to its target reading segment perfectly. There is a steady pace throughout the story. There are lots of interesting and spooky things happening. There are amazing settings – the Amazonian rainforest and London city providing a fabulous and contrasting background for the story. I loved how the landmarks of London were used to enhance the impact of the villain’s wicked pursuits.
The characters are exactly as they should be in this genre. There is an absolutely adorable protagonist who is torn between her feelings. (Plus points for being a girl who isn’t afraid to live life on her own terms.) There is a nerdy uncle who can’t make anything other than toast but loves his little niece in his own way. There is a little boy next door who is caught up in his own problems but is still a friend in need. There is a devious villain who will spook kids out and yet win their sympathy by the backstory. The villain has a sidekick who is equally nefarious and bumbling. Each of the characters is larger than life but also layered well. None of the main characters is a clear black or white, which isn’t common in children’s fiction. I enjoyed how most of the characters’ names had a connection to plants.
For a debut novel, this book manages to do an amazing job and it kept me hooked from start to end. Does it mean that this is a book without flaws? Not really. There are some farfetched events, a few convenient coincidences, and a perfectly-tied ending. But keep in mind that this is children’s fiction and all of these are common features of this genre. So just channel your inner princess Elsa and sing 🎶Let it go, let it go🎶 to these trivial shortcomings.
Heartily recommended to all readers aged tween and above. If you want a fun adventure novel set around plants, this is the book for you.
4.5 stars.
PS: Isn’t that cover art outstanding?
My thanks to Walker Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Secret Wild”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Story:
Ten year old Fern Featherstone loves plants, talks to plants and knows a lot about plants, but not in the theoretical way her botanist researcher dad wants her to. Both her parents hunt for rare plants in the Amazonian rainforest, but after a certain misadventure, they decide that Fern will be better off living with her dad’s brother Ned in London. Needless to say, Fern isn’t happy about leaving her beloved rainforest to go stay in a city.
Life in London is totally unlike what she is used too and Fern soon finds herself “uprooted” and homesick. When she meets a little plant that seems to respond to her conversations, she is happy at having a companion.
But there is something strange afoot in London. Giant plants are popping up almost overnight in various public places, surrounding famous structures and destroying monuments. What is happening? How are Fern and her little plant friend connected to this mystery? You’ll need to read the book to know more.
The book is written in the limited third person perspective of Fern.
As a children’s fiction, this book caters to its target reading segment perfectly. There is a steady pace throughout the story. There are lots of interesting and spooky things happening. There are amazing settings – the Amazonian rainforest and London city providing a fabulous and contrasting background for the story. I loved how the landmarks of London were used to enhance the impact of the villain’s wicked pursuits.
The characters are exactly as they should be in this genre. There is an absolutely adorable protagonist who is torn between her feelings. (Plus points for being a girl who isn’t afraid to live life on her own terms.) There is a nerdy uncle who can’t make anything other than toast but loves his little niece in his own way. There is a little boy next door who is caught up in his own problems but is still a friend in need. There is a devious villain who will spook kids out and yet win their sympathy by the backstory. The villain has a sidekick who is equally nefarious and bumbling. Each of the characters is larger than life but also layered well. None of the main characters is a clear black or white, which isn’t common in children’s fiction. I enjoyed how most of the characters’ names had a connection to plants.
For a debut novel, this book manages to do an amazing job and it kept me hooked from start to end. Does it mean that this is a book without flaws? Not really. There are some farfetched events, a few convenient coincidences, and a perfectly-tied ending. But keep in mind that this is children’s fiction and all of these are common features of this genre. So just channel your inner princess Elsa and sing 🎶Let it go, let it go🎶 to these trivial shortcomings.
Heartily recommended to all readers aged tween and above. If you want a fun adventure novel set around plants, this is the book for you.
4.5 stars.
PS: Isn’t that cover art outstanding?
My thanks to Walker Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Secret Wild”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
May 12, 2022
Thank you to Walker for the ARC to review.
This was such a fun book! The premise was engaging and exciting - imagine suddenly being surrounded by gigantic plants! - but also thought provoking and very timely considering all the climate chatter at the moment. I loved the characters and the world was described beautifully, particularly at the start in the rainforest. I even learned a thing or two about plants and flowers!
This was such a fun book! The premise was engaging and exciting - imagine suddenly being surrounded by gigantic plants! - but also thought provoking and very timely considering all the climate chatter at the moment. I loved the characters and the world was described beautifully, particularly at the start in the rainforest. I even learned a thing or two about plants and flowers!
May 30, 2022
The Secret Wild is one of the most exciting adventure-mystery books I’ve read in a long time and with sprinklings of eco-themes and a passion for plants this book has wound it’s tendrils into my heart. The main character Fern has lived a rather unconventional childhood and when she’s moved from the rainforest to the big city it’s no wonder she feels uprooted from her life. And yet she isn’t alone - she’s met a new plant-friend (who can understand her every word!).
But life in the city isn’t quite what she’s expecting: giant lily pads cross the Thames, the underground is infested with giant plant roots, monkey vines have taken over the London Eye and there’s a Guerrilla Gardener on the loose.
Needless to say this story has been pruned to perfection and the themes of eco-terrorism, rewilding and nature conservation will no doubt appeal to young readers. The main characters are brilliant - full of nerves and bravery, humour and a little heartache, kindness and for the antagonist and protagonists alike an unwavering sense of justice.
Perfect for fans of Beetle Boy!
But life in the city isn’t quite what she’s expecting: giant lily pads cross the Thames, the underground is infested with giant plant roots, monkey vines have taken over the London Eye and there’s a Guerrilla Gardener on the loose.
Needless to say this story has been pruned to perfection and the themes of eco-terrorism, rewilding and nature conservation will no doubt appeal to young readers. The main characters are brilliant - full of nerves and bravery, humour and a little heartache, kindness and for the antagonist and protagonists alike an unwavering sense of justice.
Perfect for fans of Beetle Boy!
April 7, 2023
When Fern moves from the rainforest to the city, she feel entirely uprooted. But soon she meets a little plant that understands her every word, and things are looking up!
That is until strange things start happening: giant lily pads on the Thames, monkey vines on the London Eye...
Can they solve this growing mystery – before it's too late?
This was an unbelievable book, but not in a good way.
To start off, I really liked the idea of it. I thought it sounded fun to read a very pro-nature and plant-inspired story, and I also liked that the villain was a bit of a . However, the execution was far from great. The Secret Wild is the author's debut and it feels like it. The characters feel like caricatures of people instead of real people. There were also many things that transpired that were so unbelievable that they took me out of the story, such as or in the same scene when . Or, towards the end, when . It just didn't make sense and it felt silly. Again, not in a good way.
I also feel like the end left out one major thing.
The last thing I didn't like wasn't even the author's fault. This book had more errors than any other book I've read in a long time. Where was the proofreader during this project?? The book is riddled with spelling mistakes, sentences that don't make sense, no space between sentences, and so on. This surprised me since the book was published by Walker Books, which is a major book publisher and I have several of their books at home. It feels like they were either in a big rush or that there were some very inexperienced people working on this project. And that's the worst part. The idea is good, but this book really needed a great team to work on it and it didn't have that.
That is until strange things start happening: giant lily pads on the Thames, monkey vines on the London Eye...
Can they solve this growing mystery – before it's too late?
This was an unbelievable book, but not in a good way.
To start off, I really liked the idea of it. I thought it sounded fun to read a very pro-nature and plant-inspired story, and I also liked that the villain was a bit of a . However, the execution was far from great. The Secret Wild is the author's debut and it feels like it. The characters feel like caricatures of people instead of real people. There were also many things that transpired that were so unbelievable that they took me out of the story, such as or in the same scene when . Or, towards the end, when . It just didn't make sense and it felt silly. Again, not in a good way.
I also feel like the end left out one major thing.
The last thing I didn't like wasn't even the author's fault. This book had more errors than any other book I've read in a long time. Where was the proofreader during this project?? The book is riddled with spelling mistakes, sentences that don't make sense, no space between sentences, and so on. This surprised me since the book was published by Walker Books, which is a major book publisher and I have several of their books at home. It feels like they were either in a big rush or that there were some very inexperienced people working on this project. And that's the worst part. The idea is good, but this book really needed a great team to work on it and it didn't have that.
May 24, 2022
This is a nice book, totally deserving of the warm, fuzzy feeling the cover elicits. How uncommon as well to have a book which ostensibly romanticises plants! Awesome!
The story is about Fern who really appreciates plants, to the point that she talks about them ALL the time and basically knows everything about them - largely thanks to her dad, who happens to be a botanist and her mum who hunts down exciting plans in the Amazon. Sadly, her parents decide that she will have more stability living with her Uncle Ned, so Fern has to leave the rainforest and move to the city - imagine that level of culture shock!!
Luckily Fern manages to befriend a little plant, but there appears to be HUGE plants shooting up around London and she thinks she might be able to get to the bottom of this. It feels a lot like Dora the Explorer, maybe combined with Epic, the movie.
I really like that Alex Evelyn has created quite a unique landscape here - it's a cool blend of magical realism with an interesting spin on it from the typical stories we might be more familiar with. I also appreciated the nature based names - nice touch.
My only complaint is that there were quite a few moments which just didn't seem reasonable to me - perhaps needing me to suspend my disbelief a little more than I'm comfortable doing. I also think the initial theme of Fern's parents essentially shipping her off to London wasn't given the screen time it deserved, given how triggering that likely is for some children.
Regardless, it's unquestionably a much needed and welcome addition to a genre which quite often has seen it all before!
ARC provided from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
The story is about Fern who really appreciates plants, to the point that she talks about them ALL the time and basically knows everything about them - largely thanks to her dad, who happens to be a botanist and her mum who hunts down exciting plans in the Amazon. Sadly, her parents decide that she will have more stability living with her Uncle Ned, so Fern has to leave the rainforest and move to the city - imagine that level of culture shock!!
Luckily Fern manages to befriend a little plant, but there appears to be HUGE plants shooting up around London and she thinks she might be able to get to the bottom of this. It feels a lot like Dora the Explorer, maybe combined with Epic, the movie.
I really like that Alex Evelyn has created quite a unique landscape here - it's a cool blend of magical realism with an interesting spin on it from the typical stories we might be more familiar with. I also appreciated the nature based names - nice touch.
My only complaint is that there were quite a few moments which just didn't seem reasonable to me - perhaps needing me to suspend my disbelief a little more than I'm comfortable doing. I also think the initial theme of Fern's parents essentially shipping her off to London wasn't given the screen time it deserved, given how triggering that likely is for some children.
Regardless, it's unquestionably a much needed and welcome addition to a genre which quite often has seen it all before!
ARC provided from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
March 30, 2022
Torn away from the exciting, lush environment that she adores, Fern is determined not to like living in grey London as it’s clearly just going to be a big disappointment. But a strange little plant, who can understand her, piques Fern’s curiosity and starts an adventure of a lifetime that is going to make London a bit wilder.
Fern was just a delightful character, so inquisitive and warm-hearted. Young readers will adore her and her affection for the natural world, I know I did! I liked how the friendship evolved with Fern and Woody. Uncle Ned was a fantastic contrast to Fern’s parents and a complete joy. Fern may have thought him too eccentric but I loved him straight way.
It’s a fun story that will appeal to imaginative children that are enticed by a wild yarn and maybe help save a few plants in the process!
I received an early copy from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
The jacket design by George Ermos was stunning, and the small illustrations throughout added to the charm of the book.
Fern was just a delightful character, so inquisitive and warm-hearted. Young readers will adore her and her affection for the natural world, I know I did! I liked how the friendship evolved with Fern and Woody. Uncle Ned was a fantastic contrast to Fern’s parents and a complete joy. Fern may have thought him too eccentric but I loved him straight way.
It’s a fun story that will appeal to imaginative children that are enticed by a wild yarn and maybe help save a few plants in the process!
I received an early copy from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
The jacket design by George Ermos was stunning, and the small illustrations throughout added to the charm of the book.
August 14, 2023
This was a really unique and special book with a great main character and a really interesting eco meesage.
Fern has lived her life so far exploring the rainforests with her parents but one day that all changes and they decide to continue their explorations without her, sending her to London to live with her eccentric Uncle. This is a London slightly different to the one we know though with giant plants sprouting up everywhere and taking over many of the most famous buildings in the city. Fern is really unhappy there until she rescues a small plant that she finds she can communicate with and when it starts to grow at an alarming rate, she begins to investigate whether it might be in some way connected to the plants appearing in the city.
It was a great exploration of the connection between city and countryside and the impact that we as humans have on the environment. Fern was a brilliant character - independent, confident but also open minded and friendly - and I loved her friendship that she developed with her neighbour.
A lovely story, full of fun and adventure but important messages too.
Fern has lived her life so far exploring the rainforests with her parents but one day that all changes and they decide to continue their explorations without her, sending her to London to live with her eccentric Uncle. This is a London slightly different to the one we know though with giant plants sprouting up everywhere and taking over many of the most famous buildings in the city. Fern is really unhappy there until she rescues a small plant that she finds she can communicate with and when it starts to grow at an alarming rate, she begins to investigate whether it might be in some way connected to the plants appearing in the city.
It was a great exploration of the connection between city and countryside and the impact that we as humans have on the environment. Fern was a brilliant character - independent, confident but also open minded and friendly - and I loved her friendship that she developed with her neighbour.
A lovely story, full of fun and adventure but important messages too.
May 16, 2022
What an absolute delight to read! This is such an original and beautiful book. It put me in mind of a true classic children's story but with a more up to date feel, with fabulous storytelling that pulls you in from the opening pages. The characterisation is brilliant, I knew the imagery was going to be fab when we get 'cinnamon-coloured hair from the opening page'. Fern is so engaging, a likeable, strong and relatable character that I found myself really rooting for her throughout. The secondary characters add so much to this story, and are a colourful and fun on so many levels, including an antagonist that I found easy to dislike. The environment is a strong theme throughout, and family and friendship in this beautiful story, I can highly recommend it to lovers of both adventure and plants!
August 22, 2022
The Secret Wild is a wonderful adventure story from author Alex Evelyn. The story follows young Fern who has been travelling around the world with her botanist parents since she was born but now she is getting too adventurous and in too much danger to stay with them and so she is sent to stay with her Uncle in London.
However, when arriving in London the place seems to be being taken over by plants. Fern and her new little plant friend (they she stole from a botanist on her flight to London) are needed to work out what is happening and why.
The book is so much fun. It has wonderful moments within and a real love for the natural world. It had me rushing through it eager to know what was happening in London and I loved the connected between Fern and her new plant friend who understands her.
This would be a wonderful book to put a smile on any middle-graders face.
However, when arriving in London the place seems to be being taken over by plants. Fern and her new little plant friend (they she stole from a botanist on her flight to London) are needed to work out what is happening and why.
The book is so much fun. It has wonderful moments within and a real love for the natural world. It had me rushing through it eager to know what was happening in London and I loved the connected between Fern and her new plant friend who understands her.
This would be a wonderful book to put a smile on any middle-graders face.
March 14, 2022
I really enjoyed this book and read it really quickly. It was well written with an engaging storyline that will compell children to keep reading and well developed charcaters that children will love.
I loved the fun imagery and descriptions in the book when plants and fauna started springing up all over London on well known buildings/structures. I really liked this book and would have loved reading this as a child, I will definitely be recommending this book and lookng for more from the author.
I loved the fun imagery and descriptions in the book when plants and fauna started springing up all over London on well known buildings/structures. I really liked this book and would have loved reading this as a child, I will definitely be recommending this book and lookng for more from the author.
November 19, 2023
Review by 8 year old daughter:
It is a story about a girl called Fern whose parents are botanists. One day she gets sent to live in London with her uncle Ned and she meets the amazing famous botanist Oleander... Meanwhile large plants are taking over the city of London.
I liked the fact this book was about plants because most books don't have this subject so it was quite unusual. I really liked how Fern made a new plant friend that she had fun with. The ending was exciting. I think it is a good book to recommend to plant lovers but also to anyone aged 7 to 11.
It is a story about a girl called Fern whose parents are botanists. One day she gets sent to live in London with her uncle Ned and she meets the amazing famous botanist Oleander... Meanwhile large plants are taking over the city of London.
I liked the fact this book was about plants because most books don't have this subject so it was quite unusual. I really liked how Fern made a new plant friend that she had fun with. The ending was exciting. I think it is a good book to recommend to plant lovers but also to anyone aged 7 to 11.
May 18, 2022
This botanical adventure makes you want to kick off your shoes and scamper up the nearest tree! It follows the story of Fern as she adjusts to her new life in London after her wild upbringing in the rainforest with her scientist parents. It’s got a unique and relatable heroine, a cast of brilliantly quirky characters and important themes about nature and friendship. Plus, a hefty dose of plant magic. It’s a real page turner and we absolutely loved it.
September 9, 2023
This was an unexpectedly delightful little gem of a book, perfect for young nature lovers. Fern is so loveable as a main character and her fondness and dedication to her "pet" plant Special is wonderful to read about. There is a good dose of action and adventure in this book, and a heartwarming ending that illustrates the power of a child's innocent love and faith.
May 11, 2022
A botanical London adventure for 8-11 year olds that will grow on them with every page. Really enjoyed it and fell in love with Fern. I do have one question to ask the author though….. about the weather. Already recommending to children at school.
April 29, 2023
London taken over by giant plants and a Special plant that can understand what Fern (a would-be botanist who hates wearing shoes) makes a wonderful read. Another fantastic children’s book to recommend at school.
May 13, 2022
It’s beetle boy but plants!
Very exciting adventure perfectly pitched for the age group and lots of fun.
Very exciting adventure perfectly pitched for the age group and lots of fun.
August 7, 2022
Absolutely gorgeous! I loved this book
April 16, 2023
I loved this
January 1, 2025
Good book. Nice storyline. Would recommend
June 7, 2025
My nine year old absolutely loved this book!!
December 30, 2025
This middle-grade book is about a girl who has to learn to live in London after traipsing round rainforests of the world with her botany parents.
Fern has to fly back to London to have a 'normal' life: wear shoes, go to school, make friends with real people rather than talk to plants. When a passenger drops a little plant, she should really return it. But she is so delighted that it understands her, and responds by gesticulating with its tendrils and pods. After all, this passenger has so many other plants, surely she wouldn't missing this baby one. But the plant is withering and Fern has to steal the plant food it's been fed on.
The author has successfully given a good picture of the chaos in London. It reminded me of the adventures in The City of Secret Rivers. There are many things I like about this book. It sends a subtle message about climate change and how we need to look after our planet. It features a woman-in-Science, and she very much reminded me of the antagonist in Beetle Boy. The plant theme in this book reminded me of The Halloweeds and the MG version of This Poison Heart.
An imaginative story.
Fern has to fly back to London to have a 'normal' life: wear shoes, go to school, make friends with real people rather than talk to plants. When a passenger drops a little plant, she should really return it. But she is so delighted that it understands her, and responds by gesticulating with its tendrils and pods. After all, this passenger has so many other plants, surely she wouldn't missing this baby one. But the plant is withering and Fern has to steal the plant food it's been fed on.
The author has successfully given a good picture of the chaos in London. It reminded me of the adventures in The City of Secret Rivers. There are many things I like about this book. It sends a subtle message about climate change and how we need to look after our planet. It features a woman-in-Science, and she very much reminded me of the antagonist in Beetle Boy. The plant theme in this book reminded me of The Halloweeds and the MG version of This Poison Heart.
An imaginative story.
February 4, 2023
Fern Featherstone doesn’t really come from anywhere. She’s kind of nomadic, travelling the world with her botanist parents looking for increasingly rare species which may have medical uses.
Fern, however, is a little too wild and too at home in the jungle and so, after yet another ‘incident’ her parents decide she must be sent back to London to live with her uncle, Edward, for a proper education and some socialisation.
Uncle Ned though, is not what his brother may have hoped - An author specialising in medieval adventure who works all night, sleeps all day and who’s cooking skills peak at cheese-on-toast. Thankfully Fern brought a friend with her to keep her company. Special is fern’s plant who both understands and communicates with her but also gets rather jealous of Ned and Fern’s new friend Woody.
Into this crazy backdrop, parachute a mad botanist who wants to take London back for the plants and you have a truly cracking story aimed at younger readers (9+) which also entertains world weary adults like me. I absolutely loved it and I’m off to do some guerilla gardening of my own!
Fern, however, is a little too wild and too at home in the jungle and so, after yet another ‘incident’ her parents decide she must be sent back to London to live with her uncle, Edward, for a proper education and some socialisation.
Uncle Ned though, is not what his brother may have hoped - An author specialising in medieval adventure who works all night, sleeps all day and who’s cooking skills peak at cheese-on-toast. Thankfully Fern brought a friend with her to keep her company. Special is fern’s plant who both understands and communicates with her but also gets rather jealous of Ned and Fern’s new friend Woody.
Into this crazy backdrop, parachute a mad botanist who wants to take London back for the plants and you have a truly cracking story aimed at younger readers (9+) which also entertains world weary adults like me. I absolutely loved it and I’m off to do some guerilla gardening of my own!
March 7, 2024
not a bad little book. I enjoyed the premise a lot and the story was fun enough, but i wasn't really taken in by the story and found myself overall a bit disappointed by the story. despite that, i do think that younger kids will find this to be a fun, exciting read. I just feel i've read books that i've enjoyed a lot more.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews