The Last Wild

by Piers Torday
The Last Wild cover
Good Books rating 4.5
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  • ID: 1459
  • Added: 2025-10-06
  • Updated: 2025-10-06
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
booktrust.org.uk · Unknown · 2025-10-20
excellent 4.50

The Last Wild is a captivating book with talking animals that delivers serious messages about human behavior. The story follows Kester Jaynes, who discovers he can talk to animals and embarks on an important mission. The book is praised for its engaging language, imaginative storytelling, and memorable characters, including a talking cockroach and a brave companion named Polly.

The Last Wild is a book that defies expectations. Initially skeptical due to its talking animals, the reviewer was quickly drawn in by the compelling language and enthralling story. The book tackles serious themes about human behavior while maintaining an engaging narrative. The protagonist, Kester Jaynes, loses his speech after his mother's death and is sent to an academy for challenging children. The world has been devastated by a disease called red eye, which has wiped out most animals, and the countryside is deserted as people crowd into cities to avoid the disease. The only food available is a formula made by a company called Facto, run by Selwyn Stone. Kester discovers he has the unique ability to talk to animals and escapes from the academy with the help of a cockroach and a flock of pigeons. He meets a huge stag, the last of the wild animals, and learns he has been rescued for a crucial mission. The reviewer loved the book, highlighting its imaginative storytelling and memorable characters, including a talking cockroach and Polly, Kester's brave companion. The book's ending suggests it may be the first in a series, which the reviewer hopes is true.

Quick quotes

    I absolutely loved this book, it deserves to win prizes

    I also like Polly, who becomes Kester's companion, because she is so brave

    I like the last sentence particularly because I it suggests that this book may be the first of a series.

goodbooksandgoodwine.com · Unknown · 2014-03-30
excellent 5.00

The Last Wild is praised for its engaging characters and humorous moments, making it a favorite middle-grade book. It tackles serious themes like animal extinction and human nature, suitable for children aged 9-12, with a 5/5 star rating.

The Last Wild is a standout middle-grade book that follows Kester Jaynes, a boy who can speak to animals and holds the key to saving them from a deadly virus. The story is both heartfelt and humorous, with believable and relatable characters that will appeal to both children and adults. It addresses important themes like animal extinction and human nature, making it a great choice for children aged 9-12. The book is part of a trilogy, and the reviewer highly recommends it for its engaging characters, adventure, and humor. They give it a perfect 5/5 star rating.

Quick quotes

    Without a doubt, The Last Wild is my favourite middle grade book in recent years!

    This book is great for lots of reasons.

    I’d thoroughly recommend this to adults and children who will love the characters, the adventure and some of the humorous characters.

theguardian.com · Unknown · 2013-06-23
brilliant 4.00

The Last Wild by Piers Torday is a middle-grade debut that explores a world without animals, controlled by a single corporation. The story follows Kester Jaynes, a timid boy who transforms into a leader as he embarks on a journey to save the last surviving animals. The book is praised for its character development, environmental themes, and balance of heavy and light moments, making it a challenging and thought-provoking read for young readers.

The Last Wild by Piers Torday is a captivating middle-grade novel that delves into a world devoid of animals, where a single corporation controls everything. The story revolves around Kester Jaynes, a twelve-year-old boy who has been mute since his mother's death and is placed in a reform school. His life takes a dramatic turn when he encounters talking animals, including a cockroach and a flock of pigeons, who reveal that he is their only hope for survival. Kester embarks on a journey to save the last surviving animals from a disease called the berry eye, discovering his own courage and bravery along the way. The book is lauded for its rich character development, with Kester evolving from a timid boy into a leader, and other memorable characters like the brave stag, the stubborn girl Polly, and the comedic pigeon adding depth to the narrative. The Last Wild also tackles significant themes such as environmentalism and the impact of large corporations, presenting these ideas in a way that is accessible and thought-provoking for young readers. Despite its heavy themes, the book maintains a balance with lighter moments, such as the antics of a young wolf cub and a dancing harvest mouse, ultimately offering a message of hope. It is highly recommended for those looking to challenge their children and spark meaningful discussions about the world.

Quick quotes

    The first thing that struck me about The Last Wild by Piers Torday is the brilliantly colored cover. It’s eye catching with cool typography. The concept of the book, however, dug it’s claws into me and I was hook line and sinker for Torday’s middle grade debut.

    Kester Jaynes is at reform school in this tower. School is kind of terrible, no one is particularly kind to him. You see, Kester has been placed in the reform school because he has not uttered a single word since his mother died.

    The book is heavy and sad at times, yet various characters come along to lighten the mood, such as a brave young wolf cub and a dancing harvest mouse. Ultimately, there is more hope to this book than there is dark themes.

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