The Last Wild #1: The Last Wild

A beautiful and lyrical novel reminiscent of John Boyne and David Almond.

In a world where animals no longer exist, twelve-year-old Kester Jaynes feels as if he hardly exists either. Locked in a home for troubled children, he’s told there’s something wrong with him. So when he meets a flock of talking pigeons and a bossy cockroach, Kester thinks he’s finally gone a bit mad. But the animals have something to say… The pigeons fly Kester to a wild place where the very last creatures have survived. Here, a wise stag asks for Kester’s help. Together they embark on a great journey, joined by a bouncy wolf-cub, a spoilt show-cat, a dancing harvest mouse and a stubborn girl named Polly.

The animals saved Kester Jaynes. But can Kester save the animals?

“Splendid stuff.” Eva Ibbotson

“A darkly comic and hugely inventive adventure.” Eoin Colfer

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Recent reviews

  • not my favorite book

    9 March 2014

  • loved it

    Great for kids aged 10 plus and I think you’ll definitely like, interesting plot

    5 March 2014

  • loved it

    I really enjoyed this book because I love animals and it was different. All the animals died, that’s what everybody thought, because of a disease called red eye, but there was a couple 100 left in the world, and one boy could save them all.

    Being trapped in Spectrum Hall because he cannot talk but not knowing why his was in this dreadful place. All he had left from his parents was a watch and a scarf. Why where there pigeons in his room helping him escape? The birds where talking to him and he was talking back. There is one white pigeon that muddles up his words and ninety-nine other grey ones. A really good adventure about saving many animals lives and losing some one the way.

    I would recommend this book for children aged 9+ as some parts are hard to understand.

    Kloe, aged 12 The last wild is a gripping tale of friendship and not giving up. Kester must help the wild and get them to his father before its too late.Filled with laughs (caused by the white pigeon!) the Last Wild is a fantastic book and hopefully the first of many from Piers Torday!

    Caoimhe, aged

    I enjoyed reading this book. It was fun.

    The age is for 12-15 would really enjoy it. There are sensitive areas such as death to some animals and a few words which aren’t good for younger children (like bloody and damn).

    The idea of the book is like a mission. The book is based outside in the wilderness and the writing makes you feel like you’re there. Piers Torday’s writing made me feel like I was in the character’s shoes. Polly was a great character because she was not afraid of anyone! Kester Jaynes was a bit shy as he couldn’t really speak to humans but they made for a great time.

    A definite page turner for the summer! Hope this is the first of many from Piers Torday!

    Charlotte, aged 11

    22 August 2013

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  • Awards

    Winner of the 2014 Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize for The Dark Wild.

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