Reviewed by Wendy Lipke
This series for the 8–14-year cohort is a fast-paced action adventure of a young First Nations’ girl who tries to save her people from being captured from those seeking more power. These books have become popular throughout the world. Co-written by a Peek Whurrong man from Warrnambool Victoria, Jordon Gould, and Richard Pritchard, of Samoan heritage, these fantasy stories are set 40,000 years ago in SW Victoria.
In this latest book, Champions, Wylah The Koorie Warrior sets out to rescue her stolen koala friends from Megabeast Island. On arriving there, she soon finds herself caught up in a series of epic challenges, with the strangest of beings, in the Colosseum on the island.
This is an illustrated chapter book with some of the sketches taking up the entire page. A map of Megabeast Island is provided before the story begins and at the end of the book can be found a glossary of the language used throughout the story. This is followed by a range of Megabeast trading cards and information about the creators of this series.
The reader is thrown into the adventure right from the first page with the illustration of two ferocious megabeasts which appear to fly off the page. As Wylah and a few friends are approaching the island they become engulfed in a forever storm which is dark and menacing but this is just a taste of what is to come.
Wylah sends her dog, Woo, off to look for their captured friends, when she finds herself committed to challenges that will hopefully free those she has come to rescue. The story then has two threads as the reader follows both Wylah and her dog as they each try to outsmart their opponents.
As this is the first of these books that I have read, and it is book 4, I became confused at first as to who all the characters were that I was reading about. Some were human, some animals, some guardians and of course the many combined fauna megabeasts. It soon became clear that this rescue mission was not going to be easy.
In Wylah’s world, gigantic megafauna Guardians protect their tribes from invading dragons and magical Totems are used in epic battles. This strong young First Nations girl embodies the kindness and courage both authors experienced from the women who raised them.
The illustrator, Richard Pritchard explains that the drawings have been created with Aboriginal permission, extensive research and the utmost respect for historical and modern culture. He has had extensive experience even working with Hollywood film directors including George Miller.
Young readers who are already familiar with these action-filled adventures will be pleased to know that the authors have mapped out an entire world of new characters and new adventures to ensure that the Wylah series can run for years to come.
Champions: Wylah the Koorie Warrior 4
(2025)
by Jordan Gould and Richard Pritchard
Allen & Unwin
ISBN:978-176118-146-7
$16.99; 384pp