The Wilding of EM’s Path by Ana K. Wrenn: Book Review
The Wilding of Em’s Path by Ana K. Wrenn is a sapphic dystopian story set in the Appalachian backcountry, where isolation collides with resistance.
Cynda, a solitary outdoorswoman, is pulled back into civilisation when Kadija, a fierce freedom fighter, demands her help in confronting the fallout of a destructive research project. What unfolds is a dark, immersive account of survival, difference, and the brutal treatment of those deemed “sensitives.”
This is not a utopia, it’s a raw exploration of how systems exploit vulnerability and how resilience can be forged in the shadows.
Writing
The prose is exquisite yet unflinching. Wrenn writes with a lyrical sharpness that makes every page feel deliberate, layered, and alive. At times I stopped to reread passages simply to savour their rhythm.
The characters’ inner lives are drawn with nuance, both strong and fragile, both resistant and exposed, and the writing mirrors this duality. It’s immersive detail without excess, a style that makes the Appalachian setting pulse with atmosphere and emotional weight.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
What stood out most was the way the characters embodied strength and vulnerability in equal measure, making them deeply human and compelling. Cynda’s transformation from Em into someone who has chosen solitude adds layers of complexity, while Kadija’s identity as Boar underscores her fierce commitment to resistance.
Wrenn reshapes familiar tropes such as enemies to lovers and forced proximity into something raw and confronting, refusing to let the narrative slip into predictability. The lyrical prose carries emotional weight with precision, ensuring that the story resonates long after the final page.
Heads Up
This is a confronting read. Wrenn does not shy away from depicting the deep physical and mental mistreatment of sensitives, exploited by the research institute at the heart of the story. These themes of violence, oppression, and systemic abuse are integral to the narrative. They are never gratuitous, but they are heavy, and readers should be prepared for the emotional impact.
The Conclusion
The Wilding of Em’s Path is a dark, immersive, and beautifully written dystopian novel that lingers long after the final page. It is not light or fluffy. It is confronting, lyrical, and unforgettable. Wrenn’s writing refuses to soften difference, instead offering a raw meditation on resilience, vulnerability, and survival.
This book is perfect for readers who want sapphic dystopian fiction with emotional depth, nuanced prose, and characters who embody both strength and fragility. It may leave you with a book hangover, not because it’s easy, but because it’s impossible to forget.
Excerpt from The Wilding of Em’s Path by Ana K. Wrenn
Change came to Cynda’s life in a whisper of spring leaves.
She set down the heirloom tomato and stood up, shielding her eyes from the morning sun.
Only a breeze.
But no such luck. The ghost of humanity materialized, floating from the forest to the edge of Cynda’s homestead. It was a woman who rose to the height of a young female bear and wore a cinched coat and slim-fit pants. All in black.
“Emily.” The stranger lowered her hood to reveal skin the hue of sun-warmed limestone and a ponytail the color of a gleaming black snake. “Professor Nadar sent me.”
Cynda shook her head. Words had never come easy to her, but not having talked to anyone for a while now, she was even more speechless. “No Em here,” she croaked. I killed her off.
“You are Emily Berman, and you hide in Eden while the world’s hell bound.” The woman’s energy clawed at Cynda. “The professor says it is time. The project requires your… attention.”
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Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 9783690060332
Publisher: Ylva Publishing
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