Review: Wolf Girl 3: The Secret Cave; Wolf Girl 4: The Traitor

In Wolf Girl #3: The Secret Cave, Gwen and Rupert, along with the pack of dogs, continue to flee from the soldiers. Their one thought is their safety. Both humans long to find their parents. But each time Gwen seems to get closer, obstacles arise.

With Fran and the soldiers on their heels, Eagle, keeping a sharp eye out from above, leads them to a rickety bridge. They reach the other side with the dogs chewing through the rope to stop their pursuers from following.

Time is precious, but there is always the unexpected. Zip has injured himself and cannot walk. After carrying him a while, they decide to stop for the night. Gwen recalls her mother having used a poultice of forest sage on an infection. But where can hey find some?

Suddenly they are surrounded by countless cats, and Ma Taylor their owner. Gwen explains her dilemma and Ma invites them to her home which is surrounded by forest sage. A night’s rest is needed by all.

Morning finds Rupert tracking a convey of trucks carrying adults with a GPS he found in a soldier’s pack. It leads them to a secret cave. The pack discover a systematic workforce, breaking mineral rock from the cave walls. After hatching a plan to free the prisoners, Gwen is disappointed to discover her parents are not in the group.

There are other reunions though. Zip finds his owner, and so do many of the cats. Gwen sees her mother’s shawl on one of the women and discovers it was given to her by Tess on a chilly night. Hope is reborn that her mother is still alive. 

With Wolf Girl #4: The Traitor, the courageous and resilient Gwen, Rupert and the dogs are now in open fields. There is sadness that Zip is no longer part of the pack, but joy that he has found his owners. Their search continues. Gwen has her mother’s shawl and hopes that Sunrise, the wolf, can pick up her scent.

Sunrise is missing when they wake. So is Tess’ shawl. They find Tiny in the wrap of an anaconda but manage to free him. This will be the first of many immediate challenges for Gwen’s pack. 

They must deal with the loss of Zip, escape from a cave of reptiles, fight Komodo dragons, rattlesnakes and crocodiles.

Now Rupert believes that Sunrise has abandoned the pack. But Sunrise too, has now found her real family. She had been a pup when Gwen found her alone and starving.

Gwen’s challenges continue when they come across Captain Stone, Rupert’s nemesis, who uses wolves to guard his prisoners. He had enslaved Rupert and taken his parents captive.

Sunrise is torn. She must choose whether to stay with her family, or return to Gwen’s pack.

In this extremely popular adventure series, Anh Do has created a dynamic female le character, and made her the leader of the pack. The dogs of all breeds, and Eagle, play significant and daring roles where they all work together as a team.

Kudos must also go to the illustrator Lachlan Creagh, for the stunning art work that brings Anh Do’s text and characters to life.

Title: Wolf Girl #3: The Secret Cave; Wolf Girl #4: The Traitor 
Author: Anh Do
Illustrator: Lachlan Creagh
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $ 15.99
Publication Date: 1 June 2020: 1 December 2020
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760876371; 9781760877866
For ages: 8+
Type: Junior Fiction Younger