In a School Library Journal review of the day, Elizabeth Bird wrote "By all logic, the melding of Dave McKean to David Almond should be a bad idea.

As feared it definitely has a slightly older readership, but the darkness of the images and the text work together in ways that actually reduce the scary factor rather than increase it.

"[1] Booktrust found that "Almond’s revelations about child grief, as ever, are unsettling, as are McKean’s tortured illustrations, but as the book progresses we witness Blue achieving a degree of acceptance, and an unworldly resolution.

"[3] The Savage has also been reviewed by The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books,[4] Booklist,[5] Horn Book Magazine,[6] Michigan Reading Journal,[7] School Librarian,[8] Library Media Connection,[9] and Reading Time.

It has been performed by the Live Theatre Company and has received favourable reviews.