The Rewilding is the second novel by Australian author, Donna M Cameron. A heart-breaking betrayal is the impetus for Jagger Eckerman’s whistle-blowing, aware that impulsive act will attract the ire of his father, the target of the exposure. His signature on the many incriminating documents requires him to go into hiding for his own safety, his freedom, perhaps his life. He seeks refuge in a coastal cave he fondly recalls from his youth, but he’s not the only one who knows about this spot.

The young woman with dreadlocks and attitude quickly earns the name “feral” in his head, and seems to think she has squatters rights to his bolthole, but can be talked around with some bills from the sale of his Porsche. He soon realises, though, that this feral has a necessary awareness of the potential dangers that lurk outside the cave: compared to her street-smarts, he’s a naïve child.

But overheard phone calls, the feral’s constant surveillance of the coast, and a midnight rendezvous with a yacht has Jagger wondering if she’s in league with drug smugglers, terrorists or illegal immigrants. His decision to steer well clear of it all has to be reversed when a certain dangerous character turns up looking for him. Suddenly, he’s handing over more large denomination notes for the privilege of travelling in her rather unconventional beat-up Land Rover, destination Queensland.

That’s not where he ends up. With each detour, Jagger gets more irritated that the feral doesn’t register the urgency and give his needs priority. He does, though, learn from those he encounters firstly, what her name is: Nia; and secondly, what her game is. He’s not sure he agrees that what she is doing is all that necessary, or will actually achieve anything. Until, that is, a weather event brings it home to him.

A more unlikely pair would be hard to imagine, yet Nia is surprised to find the suit with the pointy shoes and bag of cash doesn’t abandon her when they get to the sharp end of things, but perhaps not as surprised as Jagger is, to be helping out this feisty young woman with a sometimes-cavalier attitude to danger. All this, though, with a pair of ruthless thugs on their tail, who have perhaps met their match in Nia.

Amidst the tension of the chase, there’s plenty of black humour, especially in the juxtaposition of two protagonists with what seem to be such different values and priorities. There is a wealth of information about the environment and potential positive action that can be taken, but the message is never rammed down the reader’s throat, never onerous. An important, topical and thought-provoking read.
This unbiased review is from a copy provided by Transit Lounge Publishing.