Curse of the Wolf Girl by Martin Millar

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is the book that gave me the most enjoyment this year.

It seems to be in a genre of its own: violent and whimsical, fantistical and grounded in reality, funny and soaked in sadness.

This is the second volume in the Kalix series and it is even better than the first. What more can you ask of a sequel?

It seems to me the title refers not just to Kalix but to all the femal werewolves. They are all cursed in one way or another.

This is a book bursting with memorable characters and with a plot that makes you want to keep turning the pages (which is just as well -it's a big book)

At the heart of this book is a deep understanding of dysfunctional families and the bonds and enemnities they harbour and a belief in the power of freely given friendship.

My personal favourite in this book is Vex, the fire elemental. At first she seems to be the airhead incarnate but it becomes clear that her optimism is a choice not a habit and that she is loyal and brave as well as being completely off the wall.

Kalix remains self-abusive and damaged but she is portrayed with an empathy and compassion that beats anything I've seen in mainstream fiction.

Do yourself a favour: buy this book and then buy a copy for your best friend - you'll need someone to talk to when you've finished this who will know what it is that you're so excited about.



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