Wylah (Wheel-la) is preparing her new art lessons for the children of her tribe. She learnt how to cave paint from her grandmother who is their tribe leader. Wylah is keen but nervous about teaching her first lesson.

Things don’t quite go to plan with excited children, and suddenly her art lessons are far from her mind. The ground begins to leap under their feet followed by a cacophony of noise.

Wylah wakes up inside the cave with only one of her students. After digging their way through a rockfall they discover they are alone in the village. An even bigger blow is to come, but not before she learns she is her people’s only hope. Her village was attacked by dragons, her people taken in giant cages. She must now step into her grandmother’s shoes and become the Koorie Warrior.

A warrior? She only knows about art and how to care for her animals, nothing about being a warrior. The quest that lies in front of her is very clear. Find the Guardians of each tribe and collect their totems. Only then will she be strong enough to defeat the dragons and men who took her people.

But that means travelling far and stepping into other tribe’s territory – dangerous all on its own. With her furry friends at her side – two giant koalas, and a Tasmanian tiger, she sets off with her grandmother’s totem. This is a boomerang that Wylah must master. Inside each tribe’s totem is a powerful creature of their land.

With courage and her grandmother’s spirit and reputation, she sets off on her quest, surefooted and confident one moment and worried she’s far from warrior status the next. With each gathering of totems and yet another tribe’s respect with her, Wylah is closer to her goal – to save not only her tribe but them all.

The ultimate historical quest – based 40,000 years ago!

Wylah is part of an indigenous tribe of Australia. Her companions are a mix of fantasy and Australian megafauna. Mythical characters also play a key part as a Bunyip becomes part of her army.

This is not only a fast-paced, exhilarating and roaring read for young readers, indigenous words and their meanings are part of the story. These are backed up by a glossary at the back of the book which includes correct pronunciation.

Alongside Wylah’s journey, another perspective is shown from members in the slave camp guarded by the dragons. The reader learns why the tribespeople have been taken and what Wylah will be facing when she arrives with her Guardians.

The reading level is a slight step up from adventure series like Wolf Girl, helping readers stretch their reading skills.

Looking forward to the next adventure and the engaging window into a cultural history I haven’t read about before.

Author – Jordan Gould

Illustrator – Richard Pritchard

Age – 7+

(2022, Allen & Unwin, Australia, Indigenous People, First Nations, History, Warrior, Courage, Grandparent, Grandmother, Lizard, Turtle, Black Cockatoo, Snakes, Quest, Leaders, Slaves, Gold, Dragons, Series, Historical, Fire, Bunyip, Animals, Tasmanian Tiger, Bravery, Courage, Frog, Snakes, Fantasy, Action, Battle, Fight, Greed, Aboriginal persons)