A review by elizagrant
Wolf Light by Yaba Badoe
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!!