Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased. Screenwise is a Bookshop.org affiliate and an Amazon Associate, so if you buy a book through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Bookshop.org purchases also support independent bookstores.
Screenwise Verdict
The Dark Wild is a standout piece of middle-grade fiction. It manages to be 'important' without being annoying about it.
If your kid liked the first book (The Last Wild), this is a no-brainer. If they haven't started the series yet, get them the first one first, but know that this sequel is where the world-building really takes off. It’s smart, it’s emotional, and it actually has something to say about the world we're living in right now in 2026.
Age Fit
This is the sweet spot for 8-12 year olds. It's sophisticated enough for a 6th grader but readable enough for an advanced 3rd grader who wants something meatier than a graphic novel.
WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
88
The story centers on deep empathy between humans and animals. While it deals with a world in crisis, the core focus is on friendship, bravery, and the responsibility we have toward other living things.
Imaginative
92
Piers Torday builds a vivid, high-stakes world where animals have distinct voices and cultures. It moves beyond standard 'talking animal' tropes into a clever, dystopian exploration of nature.
Safe
90
It's a middle-grade novel, so while there is tension, danger, and some 'dark' atmosphere (as the title suggests), it avoids graphic violence or inappropriate content. The primary 'risk' is emotional intensity regarding animal peril.
Enriching
94
It tackles massive themes—environmental collapse, corporate greed, and extinction—in a way that feels like an adventure rather than a lecture. It pushes kids to think about their relationship with the natural world.
Parent Info
✓
Why It Might Be Great
It treats kids like they're smart enough to handle big ideas about the environment and ethics.
The pacing is relentless; it’s a great 'hook' book for kids who think reading is boring.
Piers Torday gives the animals distinct personalities that avoid being 'cutesy' or cartoonish.
It’s a rare sequel that actually expands the world instead of just repeating the first book's beats.
⚠
What to Watch For
There is genuine 'animal peril'—if your kid is particularly sensitive to animals being in danger or hurt, have the tissues ready.
The 'Dark' in the title isn't a joke; the city setting can feel a bit claustrophobic and tense compared to the first book.
Conversation Starters
"If you could talk to any animal species, which one would you choose to lead you through a city?"
"The humans in the book think they are 'fixing' things, but they're making them worse. Why do you think that happens in the real world?"
"Kester has to make some tough choices—is it better to save one friend or try to save a whole species?"
