“I step into my destiny. I’m ready to fight the fight of my life.”
I enjoyed book 1 & 2 of the Wylah series, but book 3 didn’t hit home as much as the first two, so I was intrigued to see where the 4th book would take the story. I’m glad to say it’s back on track.
In ‘Champions’, we join Wylah as she makes her way to Megabeast Island in search of her friends. But on arrival she is thrust into another challenge, Annabel’s annual ‘Dragon Queen’s Champion Tournament’, where the champion wins freedom for their people. But it’s no simple challenge, with warriors from around the world competing - including Wylah’s newest crew of comrades from Gaelic, Hindu, Maori and Samoan backgrounds. Suddenly, Wylah is competing in dangerous challenges that will test her skills and loyalty. With the help of her new allies, will Wylah find a way to win or will Annabel’s evil ways overcome her plans to free the world?
Jordan & Richard have done a great job with this series, blending elements of First Nations culture into an action packed storyline that has been very popular in my classroom. My students have been most enthused by the range of animal characters within the story (Tulna is my favourite), and this book is no different with some unique megabeast additions. The inclusion of First Nations vocabulary and practices littered throughout the book, provide opportunities for rich discussions & learnings. I thought the introduction in this book of new characters from other cultures was smooth & clever, and added depth to the story. I also enjoyed the variety of challenges within the tournament, with less focus on flat out fighting scenes, and more opportunities for Wylah’s character to show growth & maturity.
Well done Jordan & Richard on creating a story with such rich cultural significance that kids love.
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