'A sharp thriller [. . .] with strong characterisation, a deep sense of place and real wit' The Irish Times

'Melds the urban and rural to take folk horror somewhere unexpected, spooky and, paradoxically, new' SFX

'Blends folk horror with modern terror . . . The Wilding is a great novel' JamReads.com

'Natural horror at its finest, this haunting tale of a camping trip gone wrong grips you, shocks you and leaves a lasting impression' crossstitchandstories

'Ian McDonald has never written a bad novel' Cory Doctorow

'Undeniably powerful . . . told with beauty and grace' Locus

'The Wilding is an excellent slice of modern horror . . . strongly recommended!' runalongtheshelves.net


Strange things have been happening at Lough Carrow.

Local villagers have told dark rumours about the vast peat bog ever since the huge project to rewild it began.

Strange tracks have been seen leading into and out of the site. Livestock has been mutilated in the area. And on their trek to a camp site in the heart of the bog some of Lisa's group - five teenagers and three teachers she's guiding on a wilderness experience - spot wolves, wolverines, and something that looks older and scarier than either . . . even though Ireland's lost wild animals are yet to be introduced to the park . . .

They have planned one cosy campout in this strange wilderness, where time and space themselves seems to be shifting, but as darkness falls it's clear they have a very different night ahead.

The camp is attacked.

The campers are trapped.

And something out there has only just begun to hunt . . .

A sharp thriller [. . .] with strong characterisation, a deep sense of place and real wit * The Irish Times *
Vividly written, this is [the] perfect scary fare * The Guardian *
A tense, mysterious, spooky as hell story of survival in a haunted wood . . . has the power to raise literal goosebumps * Cory Doctorow *
Superior, scary folk horror that draws on our relationship with the land. Excellent stuff * Dave Barnett *
THE WILDING is an ideal bit of science fiction-infused horror for an autumn night * Morning Star *
While monsters do what monsters do, you'll be sucked down, held and left spluttering for breath. Brilliant stuff * Daily Mail *

Ian McDonald was born in Manchester in 1960. His family moved to Northern Ireland in 1965. He now lives in Belfast and works in TV production. The author of many previous novels, including the groundbreaking Chaga books set in Africa, Ian McDonald has long been at the cutting edge of SF. RIVER OF GODS won the BSFA award in 2005, BRASYL won in it in 2007 and THE DERVISH HOUSE in 2010.