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elizagrant's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a bit speechless. I really enjoyed reading this book, especially the second half, which is why I'm giving four stars, though I can see some things that I can't really make sense of, some things I feel aren't used to the best of their potential, and some pacing issues.
Badoe's writing style can sometimes confuse me (if I'm not paying full attention), but I do really love reading her writing. It brings out some indescribable emotion and is really quite beautiful to experience. The three voices of Zula, Adoma and Linet are rather distinct and engaging.
I really liked this novel, and I really can't describe or think of why. This book is satisfying and feels complete, yet incomplete. It made me really quite emotional, and I think that what it did do, it did really well, I just wish that it did a bit more.
I would recommend this book, but I would just be wary that it is not an action packed, fast moving story. It's honestly quite odd, because for all of the things that I "don't like" about this book, I am able to see past and appreciate them, as they help to create a story that feels like, rather than a large story in these sister's life, a transition in their lives from student to protector.
SPOILERS
First of all, I love each of the sisters. Firstly, Adoma. She is so willful, protective, wise and honestly quite funny. I really enjoyed reading about her and hearing her voice. I felt for Linet, and her story and emotions were so real, and the story about her lake so captivating. Zula made me cry so much. I just wanted to learn more about each character.
The magic was one thing that I felt was used well, but I wish there was a bit more attention to in the very last chapter. Which I will get to...
The plot of the teachers all dying one by one tugged on my heartstrings a Lot, and I understand how, in the context of climate change and environment loss, this could represent the loss of stability and the sisters and our need to take what we know and whats been done and create change by taking matters into our own hands. I did feel that it could have been explored a little bit more, especially the grief of this affecting not only decisions, like it does with the sisters decision to be more outright, but also their outlook and attitude. Not that this wasn't done, I just think it would have been done a bit more.
I love the idea of each cultural place having a guardian protecting it and learning about it, passing that knowledge down through generations, and I love the way that this is cross continental. Each culture has its important locations, and each needs to be protected and cherished as well as each other.
What was also discussed, but could have been shown more over a longer period of time is the negative effects that greed has on cultured that rely on the land. Which would have required a more climactic resolution.
It was a little anticlimactic with the end, and I was slightly disappointed with the minimal use of magic in the end climax. We didn't really get to see how the girls' training paid off in the end, especially since we were told in only three pages and Zula had been out with being shot. However, I do think that this story doesn't need to be that of a one and done action packed finale, it really shows a transition of responsibility to the girls, and I know that they continue to protect their cultural sites, growing their power and knowledge. Its an ongoing pursuit.
I think the ending with the giant waking up is really intriguing. I'd like to know if there's more to come??
Anyways, despite what I wish there were more of or that I thought could have been executed better, I did really enjoy this read. If u read this far, want to comment? We can discuss thoughts!!
Badoe's writing style can sometimes confuse me (if I'm not paying full attention), but I do really love reading her writing. It brings out some indescribable emotion and is really quite beautiful to experience. The three voices of Zula, Adoma and Linet are rather distinct and engaging.
I really liked this novel, and I really can't describe or think of why. This book is satisfying and feels complete, yet incomplete. It made me really quite emotional, and I think that what it did do, it did really well, I just wish that it did a bit more.
I would recommend this book, but I would just be wary that it is not an action packed, fast moving story. It's honestly quite odd, because for all of the things that I "don't like" about this book, I am able to see past and appreciate them, as they help to create a story that feels like, rather than a large story in these sister's life, a transition in their lives from student to protector.
SPOILERS
First of all, I love each of the sisters. Firstly, Adoma. She is so willful, protective, wise and honestly quite funny. I really enjoyed reading about her and hearing her voice. I felt for Linet, and her story and emotions were so real, and the story about her lake so captivating. Zula made me cry so much. I just wanted to learn more about each character.
The magic was one thing that I felt was used well, but I wish there was a bit more attention to in the very last chapter. Which I will get to...
The plot of the teachers all dying one by one tugged on my heartstrings a Lot, and I understand how, in the context of climate change and environment loss, this could represent the loss of stability and the sisters and our need to take what we know and whats been done and create change by taking matters into our own hands. I did feel that it could have been explored a little bit more, especially the grief of this affecting not only decisions, like it does with the sisters decision to be more outright, but also their outlook and attitude. Not that this wasn't done, I just think it would have been done a bit more.
I love the idea of each cultural place having a guardian protecting it and learning about it, passing that knowledge down through generations, and I love the way that this is cross continental. Each culture has its important locations, and each needs to be protected and cherished as well as each other.
What was also discussed, but could have been shown more over a longer period of time is the negative effects that greed has on cultured that rely on the land. Which would have required a more climactic resolution.
It was a little anticlimactic with the end, and I was slightly disappointed with the minimal use of magic in the end climax. We didn't really get to see how the girls' training paid off in the end, especially since we were told in only three pages and Zula had been out with being shot. However, I do think that this story doesn't need to be that of a one and done action packed finale, it really shows a transition of responsibility to the girls, and I know that they continue to protect their cultural sites, growing their power and knowledge. Its an ongoing pursuit.
I think the ending with the giant waking up is really intriguing. I'd like to know if there's more to come??
Anyways, despite what I wish there were more of or that I thought could have been executed better, I did really enjoy this read. If u read this far, want to comment? We can discuss thoughts!!
crispydegas's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
gjj274's review
4.0
I read this authors first book in 2018 and, although I enjoyed it, something missed the mark for me a little bit with that one. However, I said in that review that I thought this author showed potential and I was interested in checking out anything she wrote in the future and I'm glad I managed to get my hands on a copy of this book.
I really enjoy this authors writing style. It's quite flowery and lyrical, definitely fairytalesque and I think that it fits really well with the fabulist themes throughout the story. I found myself moving along with the flow of this story and as a result I finished it quite quickly and I felt quite immersed within the book.
As with this authors previous work, this book features some interesting and important topics. This one discusses the impact humanity is having on our natural world through things like deforestation and I think this was a really interesting theme to focus a novel on. The magical way the author wove these themes throughout the book, I felt, worked really well and it left me with a lot of food for thought on the subject.
This story is told through 3 different POVs from 3 very different characters from different parts of the world. I loved this diversity between characters, each had their own important places and people but this overarching theme brought them all together and I loved their interactions. This group of 3 female characters were fantastic, they each had their own individual personalities but they fit so well together and I loved the strong, supportive friendship group that they formed throughout this book.
Overall I really enjoyed this one, and I'm glad I gave this author another chance. I particularly enjoyed the writing style and I really loved the group of characters in this story. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for this authors future work and will certainly be picking up any more books that she writes.
I really enjoy this authors writing style. It's quite flowery and lyrical, definitely fairytalesque and I think that it fits really well with the fabulist themes throughout the story. I found myself moving along with the flow of this story and as a result I finished it quite quickly and I felt quite immersed within the book.
As with this authors previous work, this book features some interesting and important topics. This one discusses the impact humanity is having on our natural world through things like deforestation and I think this was a really interesting theme to focus a novel on. The magical way the author wove these themes throughout the book, I felt, worked really well and it left me with a lot of food for thought on the subject.
This story is told through 3 different POVs from 3 very different characters from different parts of the world. I loved this diversity between characters, each had their own important places and people but this overarching theme brought them all together and I loved their interactions. This group of 3 female characters were fantastic, they each had their own individual personalities but they fit so well together and I loved the strong, supportive friendship group that they formed throughout this book.
Overall I really enjoyed this one, and I'm glad I gave this author another chance. I particularly enjoyed the writing style and I really loved the group of characters in this story. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for this authors future work and will certainly be picking up any more books that she writes.
bregger99's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
lydialoooks's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
omiai's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
bookishbynaturee's review
4.0
In this book, we follow three girls from different parts of the world, Linet from Cornwall, England, Adoma from Mongolia, and Zula from Ghana. These girls are magically and telepathically connected to one another and all have shrines they must protect to ensure the safety of Mother Nature as there are skinwalkers lurking trying to destroy it all.
Yaba Badoe writes this so beautifully and leaves a poignant message. Not only this but you experience a sisterhood that withstands throughout heartbreak and other trying times. Badoe also keeps a childlike and lighthearted nature of the story and while it is definitely geared to younger readers there are messages to be taken from readers of all ages.
I loved seeing the cultural representation and the lives of the girls in their respected country. I am from Ghana and so I related and could understand a lot of what was written about Zula, it was hilarious at times.
This book isn't really fantasy, it is more magical realism but I still couldn't quite follow or grasp the magical happenings at times but other than that I really enjoyed it and it's a great short read.
Yaba Badoe writes this so beautifully and leaves a poignant message. Not only this but you experience a sisterhood that withstands throughout heartbreak and other trying times. Badoe also keeps a childlike and lighthearted nature of the story and while it is definitely geared to younger readers there are messages to be taken from readers of all ages.
I loved seeing the cultural representation and the lives of the girls in their respected country. I am from Ghana and so I related and could understand a lot of what was written about Zula, it was hilarious at times.
This book isn't really fantasy, it is more magical realism but I still couldn't quite follow or grasp the magical happenings at times but other than that I really enjoyed it and it's a great short read.
wordsofclover's review
4.0
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publishers/author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Zula, Adoma and Linet are sisters yet they live on opposite ends of the world to each other. Zula guards her beloved mountain in Mongolia, Adoma cares for the River Goddess in Ghana and Linet's soul is one with the drowning pool in Cornwall. Though not bound by blood, the sisters live with each other in a world beyond our own and learn how to use their gifts for the good of the world. But when evil and greed threatens to destroy nature, the sisters must rise up and fight with everything they have.
This is a beautifully told story that really echoes the fight humankind are having today with the current climate emergency, and the wall of corporate greed and cruelty that seems intent on destroying our beautiful world. Wolf Light really emphasises the importance of caring for nature, and how in turn, nature cares for us as well. This book has a wonderful bond of sisterhood in it as well, and it's very much three girls rising up to face down whoever tries to break them apart and they're always there for each other through thick and thin.
The writing in this is very melodious and flowery, which suited the spiritual nature of the book in my opinion. I think this story bordered between middle grade and YA and because of that I feel like some parts of the story missed out on further development which could have made it stronger. I would have liked more back story about the guardians - how they knew of their powers, how they met each other in the spirit world and knew the girls would be the most powerful. It was alluded to that there was a wider group but we only saw Nana Merrimore's friends. Linet's story also felt a little bit unfinished and it felt like she didn't really get her 'rising up' story the way the others did. The villains were very black and white in this book too, and I think they got their comeuppance too suddenly and easily as well. I would have liked a bit more of a fight between them all I think, as the suddenness of everything near the end felt rushed.
Overall, a really enjoyable story though!
Zula, Adoma and Linet are sisters yet they live on opposite ends of the world to each other. Zula guards her beloved mountain in Mongolia, Adoma cares for the River Goddess in Ghana and Linet's soul is one with the drowning pool in Cornwall. Though not bound by blood, the sisters live with each other in a world beyond our own and learn how to use their gifts for the good of the world. But when evil and greed threatens to destroy nature, the sisters must rise up and fight with everything they have.
This is a beautifully told story that really echoes the fight humankind are having today with the current climate emergency, and the wall of corporate greed and cruelty that seems intent on destroying our beautiful world. Wolf Light really emphasises the importance of caring for nature, and how in turn, nature cares for us as well. This book has a wonderful bond of sisterhood in it as well, and it's very much three girls rising up to face down whoever tries to break them apart and they're always there for each other through thick and thin.
The writing in this is very melodious and flowery, which suited the spiritual nature of the book in my opinion. I think this story bordered between middle grade and YA and because of that I feel like some parts of the story missed out on further development which could have made it stronger. I would have liked more back story about the guardians - how they knew of their powers, how they met each other in the spirit world and knew the girls would be the most powerful. It was alluded to that there was a wider group but we only saw Nana Merrimore's friends. Linet's story also felt a little bit unfinished and it felt like she didn't really get her 'rising up' story the way the others did. The villains were very black and white in this book too, and I think they got their comeuppance too suddenly and easily as well. I would have liked a bit more of a fight between them all I think, as the suddenness of everything near the end felt rushed.
Overall, a really enjoyable story though!
littlebluewonderings's review
3.0
The end. Why? Why leave me hanging like that? Is she dead? Alive? Met her true love?
It was an interesting book to read. It is full of moral lessons and views on every page. A story about sisterhood and the bond with mentors, this book transcends cultural borders with the three main characters bond that is beyond that of family.
It was an interesting read, and not at all what I was expecting. Quite a few times I was slightly confused, and it took me some time to get used to the format. An interesting take on a very present issue.
It was an interesting book to read. It is full of moral lessons and views on every page. A story about sisterhood and the bond with mentors, this book transcends cultural borders with the three main characters bond that is beyond that of family.
It was an interesting read, and not at all what I was expecting. Quite a few times I was slightly confused, and it took me some time to get used to the format. An interesting take on a very present issue.
midnightb00ks's review
4.0
-Featuring magic, sisterhood and nature
Wolf Light by Yaba Badoe is a richly told tale of culture, sisterhood and what it means to protect the places and people we love.
This book is told in beautiful, lyrical prose that swept me away. The descriptions created vivid images in my mind and made me care for the people and places depicted and helped give the book a very spiritual feel.
This story resonates deeply with the current struggles we are having with the climate and the greedy people who put money before earth's ancient and beautiful land. Wolf Light shows us how important it is to care for nature through the three girls struggle with the skin-walkers.
The relationship between our main characters, Zula, Adoma and Linet, is beautiful. They all come from different backgrounds and cultures but are only whole all together. I loved this portrayal of the beauty of sisterhood.
This book has great diverse representation and shows three girls standing up for what they believe in. This novel doesn't lament what we have lost as much as teach us to stand up and fight for what remains.
The idea of this book was a little complicated to follow at first but once I caught up on what it was about, I enjoyed the plot. It was well paced and easy to read.
The main downside of this book for me was that it felt too young for me. I liked the writing and the characters a lot but I just couldn't connect to them because it felt aimed at a younger audience than the books I usually read. I'll definitely be passing it on to my younger sister because I think she'll enjoy it more than I dead.
Wolf Light was a moving, cultural book about the beauty of nature and it's magic. I'd recommend this book to those who like rich prose and beautiful settings.
Wolf Light by Yaba Badoe is a richly told tale of culture, sisterhood and what it means to protect the places and people we love.
This book is told in beautiful, lyrical prose that swept me away. The descriptions created vivid images in my mind and made me care for the people and places depicted and helped give the book a very spiritual feel.
This story resonates deeply with the current struggles we are having with the climate and the greedy people who put money before earth's ancient and beautiful land. Wolf Light shows us how important it is to care for nature through the three girls struggle with the skin-walkers.
The relationship between our main characters, Zula, Adoma and Linet, is beautiful. They all come from different backgrounds and cultures but are only whole all together. I loved this portrayal of the beauty of sisterhood.
This book has great diverse representation and shows three girls standing up for what they believe in. This novel doesn't lament what we have lost as much as teach us to stand up and fight for what remains.
The idea of this book was a little complicated to follow at first but once I caught up on what it was about, I enjoyed the plot. It was well paced and easy to read.
The main downside of this book for me was that it felt too young for me. I liked the writing and the characters a lot but I just couldn't connect to them because it felt aimed at a younger audience than the books I usually read. I'll definitely be passing it on to my younger sister because I think she'll enjoy it more than I dead.
Wolf Light was a moving, cultural book about the beauty of nature and it's magic. I'd recommend this book to those who like rich prose and beautiful settings.