Wolf Light

At a time when the world’s most famous climate campaigner (excepting Sir David Attenborough) is a sixteen year old girl from Sweden, it shouldn’t be a surprise to find a novel in which three teenage girls with special powers and much determination set out to thwart predatory capitalists bent on savaging the natural world. Zula from Mongolia, Linet in Cornwall and Adoma in Ghana draw their power from ancient spiritual beliefs which venerate the natural environment. They convene in a spiritual dimension where they take on the attributes of animal spirit guides; and they support one another in trials which are as much about growing up, assuming responsibility, finding a voice, falling in love and coping with grief, as they are about outwitting the “skin walkers” who see only the possibilities of exploitation in ancient landscapes. Badoe has a relish for language and writes prose which is at times unself- consciously poetic. Her clever integration of girl power, family relationships (particularly with grandparents), climate consciousness and the cultural beliefs of her three heroines makes for a fascinating story. I was sorry when the tale came to an end. So many books these days run on to over 300 pages or set out to be the beginning of a series without there being enough to sustain their ambition. Here I would have loved to have had more of the same.