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The Tribe 1: The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf Paperback – 1 July 2012
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“There will come a day when a thousand Illegals descend on your detention centres. Boomers will breach the walls. Skychangers will send lightning to strike you all down from above, and Rumblers will open the earth to swallow you up from below ... And when that day comes, Justin Connor, think of me.”
Ashala Wolf has been captured by Chief Administrator Neville Rose. A man who is intent on destroying Ashala’s Tribe – the runaway Illegals hiding in the Firstwood. Injured and vulnerable and with her Sleepwalker ability blocked, Ashala is forced to succumb to the machine that will pull secrets from her mind. And right beside her is Justin Connor, her betrayer, watching her every move. Will the Tribe survive the interrogation of Ashala Wolf?
- Print length400 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherWalker Books Australia
- Publication date1 July 2012
- Reading age14 - 18 years
- Dimensions12.9 x 3 x 19.81 cm
- ISBN-101921720085
- ISBN-13978-1921720086
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Review
This is a series that gets better as it goes - each idea is developed and the world-building is ON POINT. It's so nice to see Australian YA making a hit with novels like this, especially ones that connect with Indigenous heritage as well. If you want a post-apocalyptic trilogy with a unique twist unlike anything else out there, then this is for you. ― Genie in a Book
Feisty heroines looking to save the world are by no means losing their popularity, and their fans may wish to follow Ashala’s adventures. ― BCCB Reviews
This is well-trod territory with familiar themes, but the author draws upon aboriginal Australian creation stories to bring much needed diversity to the genre. ― Booklist
This was nothing like The Hunger Games, but it had about it many of the qualities I loved about that series. ― January Magazine
‘The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf’ is a darn-good yarn. ― Alpha Reader
The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf is the first is a stunning new series, The Tribe, from first time novelist Ambelin Kwaymullina. ― Aussie Reviews
Kwaymullina's debut is absolutely breath-taking! ... Fantastic characters, wonderful plot and beautifully written. Kwaymullina is a brilliant writer with a authentic and refreshingly YA voice, I can't wait to see what she has install for us next! ― Badass Bookie
Ambelin writes with a clear style and the story and tension build steadily throughout ― Book Expo Australia
I honestly don't know the words to properly describe this novel and exactly how great it is… ― Book Savvy
keeps the reader in a page-turning frenzy ― Buzz Words
The Interrogation Of Ashala Wolf can be described in one word, awesome. ― Diva Book Nerd
With strong and solid characters, a enchanting mix of the elements of nature and animals, Kwaymullina's debut novel is absolutely not to be missed! ― Forget Me Not
The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf is a gripping read with little twists and turns that keep you guessing about what is coming next, and the tension and pace keeps up through the entire novel… This is one of my favourite reads for 2012 ― Genre Snobs Not Allowed
this book was as awesome as I expected it to be and then some… I adored every moment I spent in this world. ― Happy Go Lucky and Lost
This is utterly brilliant dystopian spec fic. ― Heidi Reads - a Librarians Blog
a brilliant dystopian, unlike any other I’ve read before. I loved it and give it 5 out of 5 stars. ― Inside My Worlds
The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf grabbed me by the nose and positively yanked me in. ― Lauren's Loquacious Literature
I love this book so much! It is different to other young adult fiction that I normally read but I really enjoyed it. ― Library Lover
An enjoyable story that I’d have no hesitation in recommending to a young adult audience. ― Mark Webb
The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf is a refreshing, futuristic adventure, full of twists and turns. ― My Best Friends Are Books
Kwaymullina has a unique and powerful voice, one that blends together a tense science fiction/adventure with a thoroughly envisioned world view and mythology that has echoes of Aboriginal beliefs ― Random Acts of Reviewing
Ambelin creates a gripping book, full of suspense. We can’t wait for the second of The Tribe series. ― Small Puddles
a fascinating and enjoyable read, both complex and nuanced. ― The Intrepid Reader
The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf is a unique Australian dystopian with a thrilling plot and a cast of realistic and loveable characters. I’d recommend this to all fans of dystopian and paranormal YA. ― Vegan YA Nerds
The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf sets itself apart. It is a bitingly clever dystopia, highly imaginative. Where other books fall flat, this one stands out as a startling contemporary example of the dystopian genre ― Australian Book Review
Stunning plot twists that will have fans gasping for the next instalment of The Tribe, a series which promises to be the new teen must-read. . . With a storyline that moves between past and present, introduces a cast of vibrant characters and embraces themes like social injustice, alienation, the environment and the misuse of power, it soon becomes clear that this is original and exciting writing ― Lancashire Evening Post
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Walker Books Australia
- Publication date : 1 July 2012
- Language : English
- Print length : 400 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1921720085
- ISBN-13 : 978-1921720086
- Item weight : 374 g
- Reading age : 14 - 18 years
- Dimensions : 12.9 x 3 x 19.81 cm
- Book 1 of 3 : The Tribe
- Best Sellers Rank: 31,710 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Customer reviews
Top reviews from Australia
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- Reviewed in Australia on 31 May 2017Format: KindleI had to read this book for school. Finished it that night. Would recommend it to everyone.10/10
- Reviewed in Australia on 8 July 2021Format: PaperbackA likeable protagonist; Ashala Wolf holds the hearts and wellbeing of her tribe close and battles her inner demons and the external authorities to keep them sage. The story presents a future state where the world has found a Balance. The Accords meant to keep the Balance in play are, of course, subverted by those with a taste for power. As in many YA novels, the adults are the antagonists, rarely recognising the uniqueness and integrity of the younger people. The magic and connection to the land, animals and water was well woven and the 'Illegals' held interesting magical powers.
The simple plot line wove back and forward between present and past which I found a little unsettling at times, though all loose ends were tied off in the conclusion.
A good YA read.
- Reviewed in Australia on 2 February 2015Format: KindleGreat read!!! I came in not expending much but really enjoyed the twists and the writing style. I also really enjoyed the world Ambelin has created, it was well thought out. The character were strong and kept in character throughout the book.
- Reviewed in Australia on 23 August 2021Format: KindleVerified PurchaseThis had a very promising start, but lost its way through the middle, and delivered a by-the-numbers ending. Of course, its target market is probably tweens, so from that perspective I imagine it ticked a lot more boxes.
The concept was an interesting take on dystopia and I would have like a little more exploration of that. I also thought the way the author wove together a number of different creation stories was clever and well done.
All in all, a quick and easy read that didn't offend, but I doubt I'll read the others in the series.
- Reviewed in Australia on 9 October 2016Format: KindleI had high hopes for this book, and while it didn’t quite meet them, I really appreciated the fact that it didn’t rely ono so many tired tropes that are prevalent in the YA dystopian genre.
Ashala Wolf is an Illegal, someone with an ability that allegedly causes a disruption to the Balance. She has been taken prisoner by Neville Rose, the Chief Administrator of Detention Centre 3, and is subjected to The Machine, which can harvest memories from a person’s mind. All the while, Justin Connor, her betrayer stands by… but all is not as it seems, including Ashala’s of her Tribe and her capture…
First of all, there is no love triangle in this book! I know! And on top of that, the dysoptia is not constructed around a regression to bygone sexist and racist ages. Anyone can be born with an Ability (Ashala’s is sleepwalking, and being able to do whatever she wants in her dreamstate; others can cause fires or earthquakes, heal others or alter memories), and there are people of all races and genders in Ashala’s Tribe. The same is true of Enforcers, Adminstrators and Citizens. So this book gets major props for that, because goodness me, I tired of those awful tropes.
There is a romance, but it was a bit ploddy, and never convinced me entirely. I think part of this is due to the structure of the book. Ashala believes things to be one way for a significant portion fo the story, but a revelation part way through completely changes the way she, and the reader, sees things, meaning a lot of her past is restructured as she comes to terms with it. While I liked this structural arrangement in terms of plot, it did mean the relationships between some of the characters got a little confused.
(^^ I hope that makes sense. I’m trying to be spoiler-free).
The world-building was mostly good; there was definitely enough to go on, and things were explained as they needed to be throughout. However, I think I was hoping for a bit more evidence of inspiration taken from the author’s Palyku (an Australian First Nation) culture. There is a serpent character who is rather reminicent of the Rainbow Serpent, and certainly the idea of the Illegals could be taken as an allegory for the Stolen Generations (up until the 1970s, Aboriginal children were forcibly removed from the families and raised with white people so as to better “assimilate” into “proper” Australian culture), but I was hoping for something more in this vein.
The story actually concludes rather nicely, making me wonder whether Kwaymullina actually intended it to be a series from the outset. Since it feels wrapped up, I don’t feel the need to rush out and get the second book straight away, but the synopsis of the second book is intriguing, so I might still give it a go at some point.
Top reviews from other countries
- Michael CunninghamReviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 May 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseDiscovered this book on a random search. It has great, relatable characters, an interesting setting and an intriguing plot. Largely well written with minor pacing issues but nothing that detracts from the enjoyment. I'll be looking at the sequels soon :)
- Waites FamilyReviewed in the United States on 6 March 2017
4.0 out of 5 stars *Review from The Illustrated Page*
Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseThe Interrogation of Ashala Wolf is a fairly original YA dystopian with a lot of different concepts and a unique tone.
In the future, long after the earth was almost completely destroyed due to environmental catastrophe, the new society is focused on keeping the Balance so that the world will not be destroyed again. Only problem? There exist those with fantastical powers that are kept in detention, because their gifts put them outside the Balance and endanger the world order. All children must be tested for these powers at age fourteen. Ashala ran away at age twelve and is now the leader of the Tribe, a group of run away children and teens who live in the wilderness beyond Gull City.
But Ashala’s been captured. She’s in the hands of the enemy, Chief Administrator Neville Rose, who’s intent on using her to go after the rest of the Tribe. Even hooked up to a machine that searches through her memories, can she keep her secrets and her Tribe safe?
The synopsis might clue you in, but Ashala Wolf is not the sort of YA dystopian that’s action packed with fight scenes. Instead, it’s largely composed of flashbacks that explain the current situation and Ashala’s secrets. It’s the Christopher Nolan of YA dystopians.
Actually, the entire set up of the dystopia is unusual. For one thing, it’s a democracy and Ashala and her friends aren’t trying to overthrow the entire system. They actually agree with the concept of the Balance, but they believe that those with gifts are part of the Balance. Additionally, they’re not trying to change the world with violence. They expressively state that they want to use ideas instead, and in a democratic system this largely consists of grass root campaigns, peaceful protests, and legislative reforms. Where else have you ever seen this in a YA dystopia?
Also, the novel respects its readers and doesn’t go overboard on making the government evil. For instance, I’m pretty sure that most YA dystopias (*coughLegendcough*) would have the government secretly killing the detained, because sending children to prison isn’t “evil enough” or something. Whereas, The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf expects that its readers can figure out that the loss of freedom is a bad thing.
Also, where most Standard YA Dystopian Heroines become the figurehead of some sort of resistance, Ashala’s actually a leader. She’s a very empathetic protagonist, and a large part of why she is the leader is because she cares so deeply for the people she gathers around her.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that while Kwaymullina is depicting a post racial world, Ashala is of Indigenous Australian descent and that Indigenous mythology plays a role in the novel.
On the negative sides, the writing style’s serviceable but not great and the book risks becoming preachy about environmentalism. What really makes Ashala Wolf shine is its originality. However, the romance subplot is the least original aspect. It contains the Compulsory Heterosexual Romance with a heavy coating of Twin Souls. Luckily, it wasn’t that prevalent.
If you’re interested in YA dystopia or looking for something lighter to read, I’d certainly suggest The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf.
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in Canada on 19 February 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read for any age.
Verified PurchaseExcellently written, this book has a perfect balance of fantasy and realism. The kind of book that allows you to dream while creating vivid parallels with what we experience, and almost every character is relatable on some level.
- SaraReviewed in the United States on 20 August 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book
Verified PurchaseThis book was absolutely amazing, and is now my second favorite book ever. I usually don't like dystopian and never would have picked it up if it wasn't a gift. However, this is not like usual dystopian books. It was very different and I could not stop reading it and have now read it three times.
I did not find the switching back in time part confusing, I feel like it was done well, and it was very fascinating with original plot twists. I had no idea what was going to happen but I was not bored. I also liked that it neatly wrapped up the main plot of the book while not solving the underlying issue, so it made way for The Disappearance of Ember Crow without making it seem like the end of a chapter like some books.
The environmental message was linked through the book which was really different, interesting and cool. Also, there was romance, but not that much.
Connor and Ashala were both really realistic.
The main thing about the series was, as I reread it, I could find lots of metaphors for today's world I hadn't seen the first time. I don't know why english teachers don't start teaching this.
This is more for the rest of the series, but I found Neville to be an amazing villan.
I don't live in Australia and had never heard of the Citizenship accords that happened there. Reading the afterword got me to research that. Ambelin Kwaymullina is my new favorite author and I love the other two books in this series and Catching Teller Crow.