Wolf Logic

Crooked World #2

by Masha du Toit

Never trust a werewolf. That's Gia's first lesson as she enters the wolf cages at Special Branch, the police force that deal with the illegal use of magic. But working with the tracker-werewolves is not the greatest danger she faces: Gia is a spy. She risks torture and death if her secret is discovered.Then Gia receives shocking news. Her little brother has disappeared, taken out of his bed, in the middle of the night. She doesn't want to believe that Special Branch is responsible, but who did take Nico? Could it be the magical terrorists, the Belle Gente? Or is there another, even stranger explanation? Contemporary fantasy set in Cape Town, South Africa: Wolf Logic is the sequel to Crooks & Straights.

408 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2015

About the author

Masha du Toit is an artist and writer living in Cape Town, South Africa. She illustrates stories that don’t exist yet, and writes about unexpected magic in everyday situations. She’s inspired by folk- and fairy tales, puppetry, and spur-of-the-moment bedtime stories.

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

You have to apply wolf logic.

An alternate magical South Africa and a coming of age story for Gia. I hope there's a third book exploring how Nico and Gia continue to change the world.

[Andy Goldman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book in this series and the second book was just as good. We follow Gia and Nico this time around, as they each navigate a world where magic folk (crooks) and straights live uneasily together. Much of the book is experiencing the world-building through their eyes, learning about different types of magical creatures and the politics of this version of South Africa. The story flows along meditatively for the most part, although there were frequent moments where I realized I was tearing through the pages to find out what happened next. All in all, another engrossing look into a fantastical yet very real world.

[Dava Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

All too often, the second book is a let down. Not so here. Wolf Logic is just as charming, just as magical, and just as wonderful as Crooks & Straights. There are so many things to love about these stories. If you like stories set in contemporary times, but with a flair of fantasy, do yourself a favor and read these two. The only bad thing is having to wait for the next book in the series.

[Jocelyn Newmarch · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really loved the first book in this series and was so looking forward to the sequel. Unfortunately, this one just didn't add up for me. There was a lot going on in this book, and in the end I think the author herself didn't quite know how to tie things up. Anyway, our heroine is as well-meaning and blundering as always, and we find out a bit more about Special Branch and why some of the "crooks" or magical folk, have chosen to work for it. A disappointing read overall, but the series has such great world building that I'd still buy a third volume in a heartbeat.

[K Idamari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action, Adventure, and Revelations

Gia is now a cadet in the youth brigade of the Special Branch—the police force that investigates magical activities—at the dreaded Valkenberg facility. Valkenberg is not a place to trifle around. It's a life of strict routine and menial work, not to mention the constant bullying by the senior cadets, especially Cadet Jooste.

From the Weres cells to Dr. Scubbe's labs to the secret Children's division, Gia tries not to show her revulsion for the Special Branch's methods and give herself away. Despite her efforts to keep a low profile, while she awaits for instructions from the Belle Gente (the magical rebels), she gets put in the forefront on many occasions, much to the displeasure of Cadet Jooste. And on top of it all, she has to watch out for Cadet Lee, the senior most cadet and also a contact telepath.

With all that's going on, Nico (Gia's not-so-Straight younger brother) goes missing. Gia doesn't believe the Belle Gente took him, they are far too honourable. Her nosing around the Special Branch's data centre proves unhelpful, too. The odds keep mounting and Gia is faced with a moral crisis. If she's to keep her end of the bargain to the Belle Gente, she stands to lose her friends; and if she reneges, she could lose her brother. Either way she could end up dead. That is when Wolf Logic helps her.

Another perfect bed-time read, although I did read it during the day on my phone, too. There is just the right amount of dread and action, so that Gia doesn't seem too much of a pawn of fate. The times when we get to glimpse at Nico's POV are quite enlightening, and I believe them to be nicely done.

The Afrikaans names were a little hard to get used to, but I think I managed to get them right (or I think I did) about three quarters of the way in. The conclusion is by far the most believable I've read in a long time. There's loss, true, but there's hope, too. I hope there's another book set in the same world-there's political unrest and uncertainty, and yet it is just as alluring as Rowling's.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picking up from the story of the first book, Crooks and Straights, this book lives up to everything I enjoyed about the first. Great characters, emotional hooks and a unique viewpoint into a world where things aren't always what they seem.

I loved the new POV sprinkled throughout this one.

Where much of the conflict in the first book is external, the fight turns inward for portions of this one this one. It gets a bit more into the grey area of the thoughts and actions of the world as well.

Amazing read! Looking forward to introducing my daughter to this pair of books over the summer.