The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf

First edition

The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf is a 2012 speculative fiction novel by Ambelin Kwaymullina. Kwaymullina's debut novel, it tells the story of a nearly utopian world after an apocalypse, where some people have begun to have magical abilities, and are persecuted and detained for it. The book's protagonist, Ashala Wolf, attempts to fight these injustices in her system and save the group of runaways she leads.

Summary

Ashala Wolf, leader of a group of runaways, has been captured by the government after being betrayed by her supposed ally, Justin Connor. As Ashala attempts to survive her detainment and protect her secrets, she begins to realize that there is more going on than she knows and that she can't trust anything - even her thoughts.

Reception

The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf received mostly positive reviews. Kirkus Reviews wrote that it was a "vivid, original debut" and an "exhilarating dystopia", noting that Kwaymullina's Aboriginal Australian heritage adds "a vast, rich cultural tapestry". Booklist noted that the book contained "well-trod territory with familiar themes", but added that the Aboriginal creation stories mixed in brought "much-needed diversity to the genre". Many reviewers also commented on the novel's original storyline and unexpected twists, with Genie in a Book saying it had "a unique twist unlike anything else out there".

Awards

The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf was shortlisted for the Aurealis Awards for best young adult novel and best science fiction novel.

Sequels

In 2013, Kwaymullina published a sequel, The Disappearance of Ember Crow. The final book in the series, The Foretelling of Georgie Spider, was published in 2015.