Wild Girl

"For readers who love stories of strong women finding their voices in difficult worlds, and who appreciate prose that sings as much as it narrates, Jehane Spicer has delivered a remarkable gift-a tapestry of time, myth, and spirit, woven with uncommon skill." - Sociology GroupTrapped by privilege and bound by contract to marry a stranger, Helaine de Berzé feels like a caged bird in her own home. Haunted by secrets and surrounded by enemies in the guise of friendship, Helaine's carefully controlled life shatters when betrayal strikes from within. Fleeing into the forbidden forest, she encounters the Wild Boy and the mythical unicorn he protects-beings of untamed magic who awaken her yearning for freedom and purpose.But Helaine's escape is short-lived. When her father falls gravely ill, Father Robert-the family priest whose true agenda is hidden even from himself-demands she summon the unicorn to save him, even if it means sacrificing the legendary creature. As her people are gripped by fear of the plague, they too demand the unicorn's death. Helaine is torn between loyalty to her family, the dictates of her heart, and her growing realization of the power she holds.With danger closing in from all sides, Helaine must decide whom to trust, how far she'll go to protect those she loves, and whether she can ever return to the life she left behind.For fans of Katherine Arden's latest book, The Unicorn Hunters.--"I most enjoyed the scenes where we are in the company of women, and in Helaine's secret meetings with the Wild Boy, both of which reveal a growing relationship, for better or for worse, marked by trust and caution." - Readers' Favorite"Spicer's novel is a captivating, folkloric tale about freedom, loyalty, betrayal, trauma, and religious zealotry." - Kirkus Review"It is difficult to discuss the many thematic threads woven into the story without going into spoilers, but suffice to say, the novel, despite featuring fairy tale creatures, is not escapist at heart. It's real. It confronts the reader to deal not only with some age-old issues regarding women's place in the world, but also the ways in which we imagine escape from such issues." - Independent Book Review"Quill says: Wild Girl: Hunting the Unicorn is a haunting blend of historical fiction and fantasy that examines the price of power and the courage required to forge your own path." - Feathered Quill