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    The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf
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    The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf
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    The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf
    Audiobook8 hours

    The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf

    Written by Ambelin Kwaymullina

    Narrated by Candice Moll

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    They're known as Firestarters. Boomers. Skychangers. The government calls them Illegals-children with inexplicable abilities-and detains them in menacing facilities so that society is kept out of harm's way. Ashala Wolf and her Tribe of fellow Illegals have taken refuge in the Firstwood, a forest eerily conscious of its inhabitants, where they do their best to survive and where they are free to practice their abilities. But when Ashala is compelled to venture outside her territory, she is betrayed by a friend and captured by an enemy. Injured and vulnerable, with her own Sleepwalker ability blocked, Ashala is forced to succumb to a machine that will pull secrets from her mind. It's only a matter of time before the machine ferrets out the location of the Tribe. Her betrayer, Justin Connor, is ever-present, saving her life when she wishes to die and watching her every move. Will the Tribe survive the interrogation of Ashala Wolf?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateApr 8, 2014
    ISBN9781480583863
    Unavailable
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    Reviews for The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf

    4/5

    94 ratings23 reviews

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    • 5/5
      I was attracted to this book by the author's heritage: of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Indigenous peoples fascinate me for their different world views. I have read a few Aboriginal folktales and learned a little about their Dreamtime. Though this is a science fiction novel, the author draws on her cultural background to create this first book in her Tribe series. As she explains in her Author's Note: "The world that Ashala occupies is not Australia, of course. But every landscape I describe in the Tribes series is inspired by one of the many biodiverse regions of Australia. In Ashala's world, where people no longer distinguish among themselves on the basis of race, the word Aboriginal has no meaning. But she carries that ancient bloodline and has the same deep connection to the Firstwood that present-day aboriginal people have to their Countries [homelands]." I admire and support this deep connection to the land.Ashala Wolf is a strong female leader who is also plagued by worries for her Tribe of gifted "Illegals." She is trying to protect her Tribe from the government, who considers them a danger to society for their unusual and different abilities. As the book opens, Ashala has been captured and is being taken to "the machine." In alternating present-day moments and flashbacks, readers learn the history of this new world and the Tribe's place in it. The plot moves in waves of speed and slowness, which is effective and mirrors the ways of the wild.Ashala is supported by deep friendships and by the land itself. She has taken the name "Wolf" for her connection to wolves just as other Tribe members are connected to other animals. This is a small, but important part of the story. Ashala's gift is Sleepwalking, based on Aboriginal Dreamwalking. Kwaymullina is adept at leaving some of the mystery of Ashala's ability to our imagination. I was fascinated by the Saur culture invented by Kwaymullina. She gives readers only a taste of their ways, but enough to make them appear viable. The Tribe's connection to the Saur is also interesting.One thing I don't like is the cover photo, though I know the author usually has little say in this. Ashala would NOT be wearing all that makeup! Still, the intensity of the eye on the cover is true to her character.A convincing future world that I felt sad to leave and characters that I'd like to meet make me eager to read the second installment, The Disappearance of Ember Crow. Here's hoping Kwaymullina continues to expand this series.
    • 5/5
      Outstanding book - beautifully written, exquisitely plotted, fabulous and completely believable characters that grab hold of the heart and don't let go, plus amazingly detailed post-apocalyptic world building that is sketched in, piece by piece, as one reads through. Absolutely adored it, read it through as fast as possible, with every spare minute of the day.As well as plot, world-building, characters, and writing, I also appreciate that the story contrasts two belief systems, the dogmatic 'Balance' of which you are either of or a threat to, and the spirituality of the title character, Ashala Wolf. The details of that are spoilery, and I leave you to discover yourself, if you haven't already read it.
    • 3/5
      Ashala Wolf knows who she is and she knows that no matter what memories The Machine tears from her she will not break. She will protect her tribe of "Illegals" who are feared for their powers that could potentially cause natural disasters like the ones that destroyed the old world. She knows who she is. Until she doesn't.

      This book draws on Australian indigenous mythology, specifically The Dreamtime. It was fresh and entertaining. I'm looking forward to reading more about the rest of the Tribe.

      [I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.]
    • 4/5
      The 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.Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
    • 2/5
      This book has had some excellent reviews, but it never really appealed, especially since the action didn't start until the last quarter. Considering, that there were nearly 400 pages, there was a lot of reading to do before I felt some excitement. However, I did like the main characters, Ashala and Conner, and thankfully their budding romance wasn't the focal point of the story. I could also handle the fact that there were people with unusual abilities, but when Grandfather Snake started to talk and Ashala could mind speak with the monster lizards (think dinosaurs), the book lost me. Also, I was bored with the dreamtime and memory parts that occurred throughout the book. Overall, very disappointing and I certainly won't be looking for the next installment.
    • 4/5
      Kwaymullina takes a familiar topic of humans with special abilities and gives us her own unique vision. It's easy to immerse yourself into Ashala's world with the vivid imagery. As the reader, you're not given the whole story up front. As Ashala regains her memories, you learn what's really going on with the illegals (children with abilities) and the government. It almost had a bit of a MEMENTO feeling to it, where the reader is thrusted into a story already in progress and work your way towards the beginning via flashbacks.One thing I noticed was that it felt like Kwaymullina was merely skimming the surface when it came to emotional depth – like being told what a character was feeling rather than being shown their emotions. While I liked the idea of having flashbacks in the story, I felt they were often drawn out too much and I found myself on several occasions wanting to skip to the end of those chapters.Despite it's flaws, it still made me curious enough to want to check out the next book in it's series.
    • 4/5
      When Ashala first ran away to the Firstwood she never expected to find a place to call home, people to call family. This was her Tribe, and she would do anything to protect them. But when one of her own is a traitor, out to turn her and her new family into the government to be locked up simply for being born different, she refuses to stand by and do nothing.Now Ashala finds herself a prisoner in the detention centre the government has set up for people like her, people who are different, and her betrayer stands by her side, as her guard. With the lives of her Tribe at stake, Ashala is helpless as the interrogation draws from her everything she remembers. But even as she is forced to reveal all, she cant help feeling there is something she's forgotten.The Interrogation Of Ashala Wolf takes place in a time after the Reckoning, after the end of the world, where the survivors no longer live enslaved to technology but in balance with nature. During this time there are those who are born with gifts, abilities that the government believes is not in balance with the world. This dystopian tale is an engrossing and enlightening beginning to a unique new series.
    • 5/5
      diverse teen fiction (kids with supernatural powers being detained; protagonist belongs to a native tribe though that part of her family's history has long been forgotten for the most part; since the Reckoning there are apparently few enough survivors to bother with the previous constructs of ethnicities). The author has roots in one of the Aboriginal tribes of Australia.

      This takes a short while to get into, but is action-packed the whole way and a satisfying adventure/romance once you figure out the main details.
    • 3/5
      A nuanced, provocative dystopian tale told in flashbacks that slowly reveal an intricate setup. The Australian author draws upon aboriginal creation stories to give the story a flavorful, fantastical uniqueness.
    • 4/5
      Sucked me in from the beginning, with its sense of triumph in the face of despair: even as Ashala is taken to the machine at the end of chapter 2 she's already winning by having used the opportunity to share her friend's philosophy with her captor; and I carry my friends with me.I guessed something of what was going on before it was revealed, but this didn't reduce the enjoyment of the story or the revelation. In fact it's the kind of narrative trick-on-the-reader that I enjoy (ie where it serves the story, isn't just done for its own sake, and is done well to boot). And each time more was revealed, the world and its characters felt more real: there was the feeling of depth, of the characters existing beyond the little we got to see of them in the story.A quick read, and a heartlifting one; feels like it would repay a re-read or two as well.
    • 5/5
      Ashala lives in a future where the world is recovering from a major disaster that happened 258 years ago and resources are in short supply. Children have also begun to exhibit strange powers that scare the heck out of adults. At first, the government was allegedly taking them for their own protection because there were times when their power created significant problems, but now that many of them have escaped and found freedom in the Firstwood Forest, Chief administrator Neville Ross has sent a spy to infiltrate them. He is determined to capture Ashala and use a machine to mine her memories as a way to catch the rest of her group. While he wants other adults to believe he has no evil intentions, in fact his designs are evil and 8in violation of the Balance.Ashalya can't understand how Justin Connor can remain aloof when she's captured and Neville begins to use the device to mine her memories. After all, he claimed to be an ally, intent on helping her and the others find freedom, but here he is, aloof and unfeeling while she's having her mind ripped open, but things aren't as they appear and that's what makes this a dandy dystopian tale with excellent connections to Australian Aboriginal mythology. This is one of those books you can't describe in much detail without spoiling the plot for those who have not read it yet. Suffice it to say, this is a very good first novel that teen and adult fans of dystopia and of books with mythology blended into the plot will like very much.
    • 5/5
      Not very often am I unable to predict how the story is going to end. Kudos to Kwaymullina for the twist I never saw coming. Very enjoyable read. I will definitely be reading book two.
    • 3/5
      The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf is decent YA fiction that may appeal to struggling readers, but does not live up to its full potential. First, I should warn that this is the sort of book for which it is very difficult to write a SPOILER-free review, so I will do my best, but if spoilers make you crawl under the covers and cry, watch out on reviews for this one. The tale of young people with special abilities living in a dystopian society under restrictive government control is, while definitely well-worn, still a great starting point. The world is well-built, based on an environmental catastrophe premise which seems all too likely, and revealed to us bit-by-bit in a very nice non-expository sort of way. The main character is a strong female, which is always appreciated, who is capable of having romantic feelings without her personhood being erased. And, by the end of the story, I will admit, I was interested to see the next book in the series. However, I almost didn't make it to the end of the story. Unfortunately, the author's use of a start-in-the-middle plot line dulls the narrative in what could be a very gripping read. Generally, I am a fan of this sort of flashback narrative, but in this case, there wasn't enough foreshadowing or tension to really motivate me to wait out the narrative structure. Our point of view from inside Ashala's head is very limiting and the fact that she is already under interrogation when the story begins takes away much of the expected tension. Because we are introduced to many characters at a midpoint in their character arc, the story feels backwards, like the first section of the book is missing. I believe this was purposeful, given the plot twists, but unfortunately it leads to a sense, in the first half of the book, that we don't really know the characters enough to care what happens to them. Given the reading level, this would make a good hi-lo book, but the reader would need to have the patience to wait for the plot twists to engage midway through the book, and many reluctant readers simply don't have that patience. My final verdict on this book for the YA world is that it's worth the purchase, even with its issues. The author is a fresh new voice in general, as well as a member of an indigenous group that a disturbing number of Americans don't even know exists. I don't think this particular title is excellent, but it is a first novel and I expect that, as the author hones her novel writing chops, the series will develop into a very exciting option for YA sci-fi dystopian readers. NOTE: I know some people will find the author's ethnicity a bad reason to recommend a book. As I've noted, that's not my only reason, but I still think that criticism deserves consideration. My response is that having the youth I work with see a variety of ethnic heritages, particularly disenfranchised ethnic heritage, reflected on the shelves is important to me. I'm not saying it has to be important to you or that I'll recommend a badly written book simply because it was written by a person of color. I'm just expressing that there is an unfortunate tendency toward white-washing in the publishing world and that breaking down that tendency requires giving a little extra considerations to authors who have likely had to struggle with discrimination to get the necessary support from agents, editors, and publishers to even get their book on the shelf.
    • 4/5
      I quite liked this book, even though it felt as if the story had just barely begun and finished quite rapidly. It is quite fast-paced, but very fun to read. The characters are likeable, especially Ashala and Jaz. I just loved Jaz. The story is unique and entrancing, even though it felt incredibly short. This is definitely a book I would recommend and I can't wait to see what will happen next with the 'Illegals" of the Tribe that resides within the Firstwood.
    • 4/5
      The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf is a novel about a world in which people with abilities are considered unnatural and thought to upset the balance of the world. Ashala Wolf is one with such an ability, and she is the leader of a tribe of runaways, or Illegals. She is determined to expose the Chief Administrator, named Neville Rose, who is breaking several laws in his quest to squash as many Illegals as possible. Ashala devises a plan with several of her friends, as well as a few unexpected plans, in order to break out several Illegal detainees and expose Neville Rose's illegal and unethical actions.I enjoyed this book very much. I'm a sucker for dystopian novels, and although they're starting to get repetitive, this novel had a lot of great plot twists and surprises. I didn't want to put it down and I found myself wanting more when I finished. I see that the author is planning on several more books to follow, so I'll definitely be watching for the sequels
    • 5/5
      I was a little confused in the beginning but i am pretty sure the Author did that on purpose, so you can feel as confused as the character. The more the story goes on the more you connect the dots to what is going on in the story.I did read the book fairly fast. Cause for one the character in the book was awesome and second the whole plot with the Twist and Turns that had me flipping threw the pages just to find out more. I really loved most of the characters in the book but the main one was for sure hands down, Ashala. Even after finishing the book i can still say she is a favorite of mine. The Love and care the character has for her tribe members was just flowing out of the pages for me. The love and care she has for them is strong and just beautiful, even when she was betrayed by one she still cared for them..because they where Tribe.you read you Ashala point of View but you also get connect with the other characters in the book. That is one of the things i liked about the book. Yes it was about Ashala but really it was about the others too. Once you watch the book unravel, it becomes this powerful book to me like trust and family and the things you will do to protect them. Scene that had me crying, but a lot of scenes was just so freaking sad...sad scene that still put a smile on your face. I Don't want to say much about the other characters but besides Connor..i just have to mention him.Threw the book i was just craving for more Conner. you get left confused by Connor threw most of the book. BUT i more towards the end you finally get more on Connor and omg i cried! specially around the end...the tears just wouldn't stop. Conner is Awesome and i am gonna go ahead and jump on the Ashala and Conner Ship. There relationship starts off a little rocky but once you read the book, that becomes understandable.Overall: Besides the slow confusing beginning, i couldn't find a flaw in the book. It's full of Mystery and lots of other awesome stuff. The book i guess you can say is a dystopian but mixed with supernatural. Anyways awesome Bool. I defiantly recommend it.
    • 5/5
      Loved it. There was so much to it than I thought when I first started and tons of thought put into the plan. The characters were lovable. It keeps you locked into their world from the beginning and the flash backs fit in with the story. Ashala was such a strong main character but every character brought something to the plate. I loved all the creatures and the Firstwood, This review is very scattered and does not do the book justice. It really is a great read.
    • 5/5
      This book's plot was the same as every book that was written in 2013. It is set in dystopic future America, and rulers have tight control over the civilization, children with powers are oppressed, and with the help of a brave hero/heroine a war breaks out to change the future with a good amount of self discovery wedged between the pages. This lead me to beleive that I would be bored with the predictable plot. I was pleasantly suprised. The main character is the perfect mix of a Katniss and a Maximum Ride and a Tris with her own aspects that make you want to be her. The intricate details and lovely characters make this book totally unique. It contains a refreshingly unique level of deep-ness and one-ness with the world. I personally want to be part of the Tribe now. Like seriously. Great read. I adored it.
    • 3/5
      I wanted to like this book more than I did. The premise is interesting enough, if nothing particularly creative (dystopian government oppresses citizens with special powers), and the format, which relies heavily on flashbacks, had some promise. Unfortunately, the characters fall flat, making it hard to be really invested in anything or anyone. After a certain point, they all start to look alike, with little to distinguish them. In addition, the flashback format skims over a lot of important relationship-building moments and relies heavily on telling rather than showing connections between the characters. I didn't hate reading it, but in retrospect it's fairly forgettable.
    • 5/5
      I absolutely loved this book. I could not put it down until I finished. I loved how I was always on my toes! I would defiantly recommend this to anyone who likes dystopian. I really enjoyed all the characters in the book. I felt like I could picture everything the author was describing. Love Love Love this book
    • 4/5
      Kwaymullina, Ambelin. The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf. U.S.A.: Candlewick Press, 2014. Print.The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf follows in the footsteps of The Hunger Games and Divergent, set in a future where the Earth has almost been destroyed and is now ruled over by a scary, totalitarian government. In this book, the government is seeking out people with special abilities (e.g. creating fire or seeing the future) and is detaining them against their wills. These people are called Illegals, and according to the government, they must be locked away and controlled because they threaten the "Balance," which supposedly caused the world to almost end in the first place. Like Katniss and Tris, Ashala is the leader of the underground resistance called the Tribe, who hide out in the Firstwood forest in order to live freely. Everything changes when someone in the Tribe of Illegals betrays them, and Ashala ends up being taken by the government and questioned—and this is where the story begins, in medias res. To find out what happens, along with some surprising plot twists, you have to read the book!I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. It was an easy read because most of the story was plot-based, although it was somewhat predictable in parts since I have read many other YA dystopias that have similar plots. However, I will credit Kwaymullina with some great plot twists that really did take me by surprise and make me want to keep reading the book. Certain facts are revealed in the middle of the book that helped everything else make sense and become more believable and realistic. I also enjoyed the fact that the book stands alone and had a satisfying ending, even though Kwaymullina is planning on making this into a series. I'm not sure if I'll keep reading this series, but I would recommend this book to people who liked other YA dystopias like The Hunger Games and Divergent.
    • 4/5
      Kwaymullina, Ambelin. The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf. U.S.A.: Candlewick Press, 2014. Print.The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf follows in the footsteps of The Hunger Games and Divergent, set in a future where the Earth has almost been destroyed and is now ruled over by a scary, totalitarian government. In this book, the government is seeking out people with special abilities (e.g. creating fire or seeing the future) and is detaining them against their wills. These people are called Illegals, and according to the government, they must be locked away and controlled because they threaten the "Balance," which supposedly caused the world to almost end in the first place. Like Katniss and Tris, Ashala is the leader of the underground resistance called the Tribe, who hide out in the Firstwood forest in order to live freely. Everything changes when someone in the Tribe of Illegals betrays them, and Ashala ends up being taken by the government and questioned—and this is where the story begins, in medias res. To find out what happens, along with some surprising plot twists, you have to read the book!I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. It was an easy read because most of the story was plot-based, although it was somewhat predictable in parts since I have read many other YA dystopias that have similar plots. However, I will credit Kwaymullina with some great plot twists that really did take me by surprise and make me want to keep reading the book. Certain facts are revealed in the middle of the book that helped everything else make sense and become more believable and realistic. I also enjoyed the fact that the book stands alone and had a satisfying ending, even though Kwaymullina is planning on making this into a series. I'm not sure if I'll keep reading this series, but I would recommend this book to people who liked other YA dystopias like The Hunger Games and Divergent.
    • 5/5
      Note: I received an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.The action and intrigue start on the first page and don’t let up, making this a quick, hard-to-put-down read. I can't go into any detail about the plot and characters because there’s a big twist about half-way through the book that I don’t want to spoil. Suffice it to say, the twist was surprising, carefully set-up, and brought a complexity to the story that pushed it from being good to being *great.* Because of the memory-displaying machine used to interrogate Ashala, and because of the plot twist, the narrative switches back and forth between the present and the past. This made the book twice as riveting since I couldn’t wait to see how things unfolded in both the present day storyline and the memory storyline.There’s some typical dystopian themes (social injustice/alienation, an evil political force/figure that must be stopped, environmental issues), but, overall, the book itself is unique enough that I’d never call it a rip off of anything else that I’ve read. The writing is crisp and expressive, the world-building is detailed and believable, and the characters are well fleshed out and likable—I look forward to seeing more of everything. Through this is part of a series, it doesn’t conclude on a cliffhanger, so this would be fine to read as a standalone book or to read without having to worry about your soul slowly being crushed under the agony of waiting for the next book to be released. I’d highly recommend this for any YA or dystopian fan.