Blood and Awakening

Nathan, a half-Black, half-White witch, wakes in the forest, naked and drenched in blood, haunted by the memory of violence he cannot fully recall. The world is dangerous: White Witch Hunters are after him, and his animal Gift—transforming into a beast—leaves him with gaps in memory and a gnawing sense of guilt. He is alone, traumatized by the violence he's both suffered and inflicted, and the only thing keeping him going is the hope of reuniting with his friend Gabriel. Nathan's struggle is not just for survival but for self-acceptance, as he grapples with the wild, uncontrollable part of himself that both protects and terrifies him.

Waiting for Gabriel

Nathan hides in a remote Swiss valley, clinging to a plan: if things go wrong, wait at the cave for Gabriel. Days blur into each other as he catalogues the positive—trees, birds, silences—to stave off despair. He reflects on his family, his father Marcus, and the scars—physical and emotional—that mark him as a Half Code. The animal inside him is both a curse and a lifeline, allowing him to survive but at the cost of his humanity. Nathan's longing for connection is palpable, and his hope that Gabriel will return is the only thing keeping him from succumbing to the darkness.

Memories and Longing

Nathan's thoughts drift to Annalise, the girl he loves but cannot reach. He recalls their secret meetings, the thrill and fear of first love, and the impossibility of their relationship in a world divided by witch bloodlines. Their memories are bittersweet, filled with longing and the ache of separation. Nathan's inability to touch or thank Annalise mirrors his struggle to connect with others, and his memories serve as both comfort and torment. The innocence of their past stands in stark contrast to the violence and betrayal that now define his life.

Hunters in the Valley

Nathan's solitude is shattered by the return of Hunters to Mercury's cottage. He observes Kieran, Annalise's brother and his old tormentor, and contemplates revenge. The urge to kill is strong, fueled by past trauma and the animal within, but Nathan hesitates, unable to kill in cold blood. The encounter forces him to confront the darkness inside himself and the cycle of violence that has shaped his existence. The valley, once a place of refuge, becomes a battleground, and Nathan's decision to spare Kieran is both an act of mercy and a sign of his internal conflict.

Unexpected Allies

Nathan's isolation ends with the arrival of Nesbitt, a half-Black, half-fain witch sent by the enigmatic Van Dal. Nesbitt's irreverence and resourcefulness provide a new perspective, and he brings news: Gabriel is alive, saved by Van Dal after being shot by Hunters. Nesbitt's partnership with Van Dal introduces Nathan to a broader network of Black Witches and Half Bloods, challenging his assumptions about trust and loyalty. The alliance with Nesbitt is uneasy but necessary, and Nathan's world expands beyond survival to the possibility of resistance.

Reunion and Revelations

Nathan is reunited with Gabriel at Van Dal's luxurious hideout. The joy of reunion is tempered by the complexities of their relationship—Gabriel's feelings for Nathan, Nathan's devotion to Annalise, and the trauma they both carry. Van Dal, a powerful Black Witch, reveals her plan to form an alliance against Soul O'Brien, the new leader of the White Witch Council, and his sister Jessica, now head of the Hunters. The alliance is fragile, built on mutual need rather than trust, and Nathan is drawn into a larger conflict that will test his loyalties and his sense of self.

The Amulet's Secret

Gabriel's family letters contain half of a powerful amulet, coveted by Van Dal and potentially dangerous in the wrong hands. The amulet's history is entwined with the fates of Black and White Witches, and its recovery becomes a symbol of hope and power. The process of handing over the amulet to Van Dal is fraught with emotion, as Gabriel expresses gratitude for her saving his life, and Nathan grapples with the meaning of objects, legacy, and the sacrifices made for survival. The amulet's incomplete nature mirrors the fractured alliances and unresolved tensions among the witches.

Alliance of Outcasts

Van Dal's alliance brings together Black Witches, White rebels, and Half Bloods, united by their opposition to Soul and the Hunters. The group is a collection of outcasts, each with their own scars and motivations. Nathan is forced to confront his prejudices and the limits of trust, especially when Celia, his former jailer, joins the alliance. The coalition is fragile, threatened by old grudges and the ever-present threat of betrayal. The alliance's goal—to restore balance and prevent the extermination of Black Witches—gives Nathan a new sense of purpose, but also places him at the center of a war he never wanted.

Potions and Transformations

Van Dal's expertise in potions becomes crucial as Gabriel seeks to regain his Gift and Nathan struggles to control his animal transformations. The process is both magical and psychological, requiring trust, sacrifice, and the use of Nathan's soul as a catalyst. The ritual to restore Gabriel's Gift is harrowing, binding the two friends together in a trance that tests their limits. Nathan's journey to control his animal side is fraught with failure and self-loathing, but also moments of insight and acceptance. The theme of transformation—physical, emotional, and magical—runs through their struggles, highlighting the cost of power and the difficulty of self-mastery.

The Bunker's Secret

The search for Annalise leads Nathan and the alliance to Mercury's secret bunker, hidden in the Norwegian wilderness. The journey is perilous, involving visions, potions, and the sacrifice of Pilot, a Black Witch who holds the key to Mercury's location. The bunker is a labyrinth of magic and danger, and the rescue mission is a test of courage, cunning, and loyalty. The confrontation with Mercury is intense, culminating in a battle that unleashes Nathan's animal Gift in full force. The victory is costly, and the aftermath leaves the alliance shaken and Nathan forever changed by the violence he has unleashed.

Rescue and Betrayal

Annalise is rescued from her death-like sleep, but the reunion is bittersweet. Nathan's confession about killing Kieran, Annalise's brother, strains their relationship to the breaking point. The cost of survival and the burden of secrets threaten to destroy the fragile happiness they have found. The alliance, too, is tested by internal divisions, the challenges of leadership, and the ever-present threat of the Hunters. The lines between friend and enemy blur, and Nathan is forced to confront the reality that love and loyalty are as dangerous as any spell or weapon.

The Animal Within

Nathan's struggle with his animal Gift reaches a climax as he learns to control, and even embrace, the beast within. The process is painful and fraught with moral ambiguity—his animal side is both protector and predator, capable of great violence and deep connection to the earth. The tension between wildness and humanity becomes a central theme, as Nathan realizes that his power is both a blessing and a curse. The acceptance of his dual nature is hard-won, and the consequences of his actions—especially the violence he inflicts—haunt him even as they save his life and the lives of those he loves.

War Council

The alliance, now calling itself the Alliance of Free Witches, prepares for war against Soul, Jessica, and the Hunters. The camp is a microcosm of the larger conflict—divided by bloodlines, haunted by loss, and struggling to find common ground. Leadership is contested, resources are scarce, and the threat of betrayal looms large. The arrival of Marcus, Nathan's father and the most feared Black Witch, shifts the balance of power but also brings new dangers. The council's debates and decisions set the stage for the coming battles, and Nathan finds himself both a leader and a weapon, shaped by prophecy and necessity.

First Blood, First Loss

The alliance's first attack on a Hunter training camp is both a victory and a tragedy. The battle is brutal, and the cost is high—Greatorex is wounded, and the reality of war becomes undeniable. Nathan's role as a killer is cemented, and the lines between justice and vengeance blur. The aftermath is filled with grief, anger, and the realization that survival will require even greater sacrifices. The alliance's unity is tested, and the personal toll of violence becomes clear as Nathan and his friends struggle to process what they have done and what they have become.

Love, Lies, and Loss

The pressures of war strain every relationship in the alliance. Nathan's confession to Annalise about killing Kieran drives a wedge between them, while Gabriel's unrequited love for Nathan adds another layer of complexity. The death of Deborah, Nathan's sister, at the hands of the Council, brings grief and a renewed sense of purpose. The alliance is haunted by loss, and the personal becomes political as every choice has consequences. The struggle to balance love, loyalty, and survival is at the heart of this chapter, and the cost of honesty is as high as the cost of betrayal.

The Prophecy Fulfilled

The alliance's greatest battle ends in disaster. Betrayed and ambushed by Jessica and the Hunters, the rebels are slaughtered. Marcus is mortally wounded by Annalise, who shoots him to save her brother Connor. In a moment of prophecy and necessity, Marcus asks Nathan to kill him and take his heart, absorbing his Gifts. The act is both a fulfillment of destiny and a shattering of Nathan's soul. The violence is raw and transformative, leaving Nathan more powerful but also more isolated than ever. The prophecy that he would kill his father is realized, but at a cost that may be too great to bear.

Rivers of Blood

The alliance is decimated, the survivors scattered, and Nathan is left alone, consumed by grief, rage, and the Gifts he has inherited from Marcus. The valley is littered with bodies, and the rivers run red with blood. Nathan's sense of self is fractured, and his relationships—with Annalise, Gabriel, and even himself—are in ruins. The war is far from over, and the cycle of violence seems unbreakable. Yet, in the midst of despair, there is a glimmer of hope: the possibility of change, the memory of love, and the wild, untamable spirit that refuses to be extinguished.

Characters

Nathan

Nathan is the protagonist, a Half Code—half Black Witch, half White Witch—marked by trauma, violence, and a profound sense of not belonging. His journey is one of survival, self-discovery, and the struggle to reconcile the wild, animal Gift within him with his desire for love and acceptance. Nathan's relationships—with his father Marcus, his friend Gabriel, and his love Annalise—are fraught with longing, betrayal, and the ever-present threat of loss. Psychologically, Nathan is shaped by years of abuse, imprisonment, and the burden of prophecy. His development is a painful process of learning to accept both his darkness and his capacity for connection, even as the world demands he choose sides.

Gabriel

Gabriel is Nathan's closest friend and, at times, his savior. A Black Witch trapped in a fain body, Gabriel's journey is one of transformation—both magical and emotional. His love for Nathan is deep and complicated, providing both comfort and tension. Gabriel's intelligence, humor, and resilience make him a stabilizing force, but his own traumas and desires are never far from the surface. He is both a mirror and a foil for Nathan, embodying the possibility of acceptance and the pain of unfulfilled longing. Gabriel's willingness to risk everything for Nathan is both his greatest strength and his deepest vulnerability.

Annalise

Annalise is the embodiment of Nathan's longing for normalcy and love. A White Witch from a family of Hunters, her relationship with Nathan is fraught with danger and the weight of history. Annalise's own journey is one of awakening—literally and figuratively—as she moves from innocence to a painful awareness of the world's brutality. Her inability to fully accept Nathan's darkness, and her own acts of violence, drive a wedge between them. Annalise is both a source of hope and a reminder of the cost of survival, her presence forcing Nathan to confront the limits of love and forgiveness.

Marcus

Marcus is the most feared Black Witch, Nathan's father, and the living symbol of the wild, untamable power that Nathan both fears and desires. Marcus is a paradox—capable of great violence and moments of tenderness, deeply alone yet fiercely protective of his son. His relationship with Nathan is marked by absence, misunderstanding, and the shadow of prophecy. Psychologically, Marcus is shaped by loss, survival, and a rejection of human society in favor of the animal within. His death at Nathan's hands is both a fulfillment of destiny and a final act of love, passing on his Gifts and his burdens.

Van Dal

Van Dal is a powerful Black Witch and the architect of the alliance against Soul and the Hunters. Her mastery of potions and her ability to manipulate others make her both a valuable ally and a potential threat. Van Dal's motivations are complex—part self-preservation, part genuine desire for balance—and her relationship with Nathan is one of mutual need and wary respect. She represents the possibility of unity among witches, but also the dangers of power and ambition. Psychologically, Van Dal is pragmatic, charismatic, and deeply aware of the costs of war.

Nesbitt

Nesbitt is a half-Black, half-fain witch whose irreverence and resourcefulness provide both levity and practical support. He is a survivor, skilled in tracking, fighting, and navigating the complexities of witch politics. Nesbitt's relationship with Nathan is one of mutual annoyance and growing respect, and his partnership with Van Dal adds another layer of complexity to the alliance. Psychologically, Nesbitt uses humor to mask pain and fear, and his loyalty is hard-won but steadfast. He represents the resilience of those caught between worlds, never fully accepted but always essential.

Celia

Celia is a White Witch, former Hunter, and Nathan's one-time captor. Her decision to join the alliance is driven by pragmatism and a recognition of the greater threat posed by Soul and Wallend. Celia's relationship with Nathan is fraught with history—abuse, betrayal, and a grudging respect. She is a skilled fighter and leader, but her rigidity and inability to fully empathize with those she has harmed make her a controversial figure. Psychologically, Celia is shaped by duty, guilt, and a desire for control, and her development is marked by moments of self-awareness and stubbornness.

Soul O'Brien

Soul is the new leader of the White Witch Council, a master manipulator who uses fear, violence, and propaganda to consolidate power. His alliance with his sister Jessica and Wallend, and his campaign to exterminate Black Witches, make him the primary antagonist. Soul's psychological profile is one of narcissism, paranoia, and a willingness to sacrifice anything for control. He represents the dangers of unchecked authority and the seductive nature of power, serving as a dark mirror to the alliance's struggle for survival and justice.

Jessica

Jessica, Nathan's half-sister, rises to lead the Hunters after being disfigured by the Fairborn. Her hatred for Nathan and her zeal in pursuing Black Witches make her a formidable enemy. Jessica's psychological makeup is defined by resentment, ambition, and a desire for validation from Soul. Her actions are driven by a need to prove herself and to exact revenge on those she blames for her suffering. Jessica's leadership style is brutal, and her presence is a constant reminder of the personal costs of war.

Gabriel's Animal

The animal within Gabriel (and by extension, within Nathan) represents the primal, instinctual side of witch nature. It is both a source of strength and a threat to humanity, embodying the tension between civilization and wildness. The animal is a psychological construct as much as a magical Gift, forcing its host to confront the parts of themselves they fear and desire. Its presence is a constant test of control, morality, and the possibility of integration.

Plot Devices

Duality and Transformation

The narrative is structured around the theme of duality—Black and White, human and animal, love and violence. Nathan's transformation into an animal is both a literal and metaphorical device, representing the struggle to reconcile different parts of the self. The use of potions, rituals, and magical Gifts serves as a means of exploring psychological states, trauma, and the possibility of healing. The structure of the story—alternating between action, introspection, and memory—mirrors Nathan's internal conflict and the broader divisions within the witch world.

Foreshadowing and Prophecy

The prophecy that Nathan will kill his father Marcus hangs over the narrative, shaping characters' choices and relationships. Foreshadowing is used to build tension and highlight the tragic inevitability of certain events—Marcus's death, the betrayal of the alliance, and the cycle of violence. The use of visions, dreams, and magical artifacts (like the amulet) reinforces the sense that the characters are caught in a web of destiny, struggling to assert agency in a world that seems determined to repeat its own history.

Shifting Alliances and Betrayal

The formation of the alliance is marked by shifting allegiances, old grudges, and the ever-present threat of betrayal. Characters are forced to work with former enemies, and the lines between friend and foe are constantly redrawn. The narrative uses these shifting alliances to explore themes of forgiveness, pragmatism, and the cost of survival. Betrayal—both real and perceived—drives much of the conflict, culminating in the disastrous ambush that destroys the alliance and fulfills the prophecy.

Psychological Realism and Internal Monologue

The story is told primarily through Nathan's perspective, with extensive use of internal monologue and psychological realism. This device allows for a nuanced exploration of trauma, guilt, desire, and the struggle for self-acceptance. The narrative structure—fragmented, nonlinear, and often stream-of-consciousness—mirrors Nathan's mental state and the chaos of the world around him. The use of memory, fantasy, and sensory detail creates an immersive emotional experience for the reader.

Analysis

Half Wild is a raw, unflinching exploration of identity, trauma, and the cost of survival in a world divided by blood and power. Sally Green's narrative delves deeply into the psychological scars left by violence, prejudice, and betrayal, using the fantastical elements of witchcraft as metaphors for real-world struggles with otherness, self-acceptance, and the search for belonging. The novel's structure—fragmented, introspective, and driven by the rhythms of memory and desire—mirrors the protagonist's internal chaos and the external turmoil of war. At its heart, Half Wild is a story about the impossibility of purity—of blood, of motive, of love—and the necessity of embracing complexity, duality, and even darkness to survive. The lessons are hard-won: that power comes with a price, that love is both salvation and vulnerability, and that the wildness within us can be both a source of strength and a path to destruction. In a modern context, the book resonates as a meditation on the dangers of extremism, the importance of empathy, and the enduring hope that even in a world of rivers of blood, connection and change are possible.

Last updated: October 16, 2025