The Wilde Trials - by MacKenzie Reed (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

From the acclaimed author of The Rosewood Hunt comes a thrilling dark academia mystery with an exes-to-lovers second chance romance about a high-stakes competition at an elite boarding school packed with shocking twists, second chances, and deadly deceit, where allies--and enemies--are the people you'd least expect.

Chloe Gatti will do whatever it takes to win her elite boarding school's annual competition, the Wilde Trials. In the two weeks leading up to graduation from Wilde Academy, a dozen seniors are chosen to compete in a series of seven ultimate physical and mental tests, and the winner will take home over half a million dollars--money that Chloe needs to help her sick sister.

But the competition is fierce and includes her brooding ex-boyfriend, Hayes Stratford, whose brother was the only student to die during the trials a few years ago. When someone starts blackmailing Chloe during the competition, she's forced to strike a deal with Hayes--if he helps her discover who is sabotaging her, she'll help him solve the mystery his brother left behind.

Following clues from Hayes's brother, the unlikely allies discover that something isn't right about the Wilde Trials. With a life-changing prize looming over her head and her buried feelings for Hayes rising to the surface, Chloe will have to decide what's really worth fighting for, and if the cost of competing outweighs the potential consequences, even if that includes ending up like Hayes's brother--dead.

Fans of Jessica Goodman and Maureen Johnson will love this dark academia thriller with a romantic twist!

"An action-packed, fast-paced adventure with characters that crackled off the page. I had so much fun on this wild ride." --Goldy Moldavsky, New York Times bestselling author of The Mary Shelley Club

"Mackenzie Reed does it again! Action-packed and filled with heart, The Wilde Trials is a thrill ride from start to finish. With a jaw-dropping mystery and unexpected twists at every turn, this cutthroat academic competition keeps its Challengers--and readers--on their toes." --Rachel Moore, author of Us in Ruins and The Library of Shadows

"Atmospheric, pulse-pounding, and swoon-worthy, The Wilde Trials is perfect for readers who like their thrillers with a delicious side of dark academia. Full of riddles, hidden passageways, and a creepy, crumbling estate, Mackenzie Reed's sophomore novel offers not only a high-stakes competition but also a thoughtful examination of ambition--and its sometimes deadly cost." --Olivia Worley, author of People to Follow and The Debutantes

• A JLG Gold Standard selection!
• One of Forbes Magazine's 40 Most-Anticipated Young Adult Books!
• A Paste Magazine Best New YA Book!

Review Quotes

"An action-packed, fast-paced adventure with characters that crackled off the page. I had so much fun on this wild ride." - Goldy Moldavsky, New York Times bestselling author of The Mary Shelley Club

"Atmospheric, pulse-pounding, and swoonworthy, THE WILDE TRIALS is perfect for readers who like their thrillers with a delicious side of dark academia. Full of riddles, hidden passageways, and a creepy, crumbling estate, Mackenzie Reed's sophomore novel offers not only a high-stakes competition but also a thoughtful examination of ambition--and its sometimes deadly cost." - Olivia Worley, author of People to Follow and The Debutantes

"Mackenzie Reed does it again! Action-packed and filled with heart, The Wilde Trials is a thrill ride from start to finish. With a jaw-dropping mystery and unexpected twists at every turn, this cutthroat academic competition keeps its Challengers--and readers--on their toes." - Rachel Moore, author of Us in Ruins and The Library of Shadows

"Sparks fly as the attraction roars to life amid a tangled web of hidden motivations, shocking betrayals, and unchecked ambition. [A] fun, action-packed mystery wrapped in riddles and scavenger hunts, while lightly touching on themes of class privilege and academic pressure." - Publishers Weekly

"An engaging premise that mixes mystery and high-stakes competition among wealthy teens. The haunting setting of the abandoned Wilde Estate is well-conveyed and memorable." - School Library Journal

Praise for The Rosewood Hunt: "A captivating mystery full of secrets, family betrayals, and intrigue wrapped inside a fabulous treasure hunt that will leave readers spellbound. Reed seamlessly weaves classic mystery elements with a truly touching story of family and greed." - Kathleen Glasgow, author of the New York Times bestsellers Girl in Pieces and The Agathas

"The meaningful friendships are endearing [and] the thrilling hunt for the fortune takes center stage. An exploration of chosen family packed with action and unexpected twists." - Kirkus Reviews

"A vividly drawn, well-paced cat-and-mouse game with intense action sequences, whip-smart dialogue, and tender moments." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Reed's impressive debut reads as a fun, updated version of The Westing Game, full of family secrets, intrigue, betrayal, and a good helping of teen angst and romance. Full of excitement and danger. It's the motley crew's slowly building relationships that comprise the heart of the book."

"This fast-paced mystery is a treasure hunt that includes family betrayals, greed, diversity, and a little romance. Will grab the attention of readers from the start."

"With unlikely allies, complicated family issues, secrets, and humour, The Rosewood Hunt is a highly addictive read for anyone who loves a good mystery." - The Nerd Daily

"Such a fun adventure! Mackenzie Reed has crafted a fast-paced, exciting mix of treasure hunt, romance, and family secrets that fans of The Inheritance Games will surely gobble up."

"A high-stakes exploration of grief, greed, and what it means to choose your own family, The Rosewood Hunt is a perfectly twisty mystery filled with complex characters and reveals that will leave your heart racing. A must-read for any National Treasure or The Goonies fan!"

"Readers be warned: once you pick up Mackenzie Reed's debut, you won't want to put it down. The Rosewood Hunt is a fun, twisty, fast-paced mystery with just the right amount of angsty drama, perfect for fans of The Inheritance Games and Goonies." - Liz Lawson, New York Times bestselling author of The Agathas, The Night in Question, and The Lucky Ones

"The Rosewood Hunt is a heart pounding thrill ride. With a breakneck pace, jaw-dropping betrayals, and dizzying twists, this high stakes treasure of a hunt kept me guessing to the final page." - Dana Mele, author of People Like Us and Summer's Edge