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geneebee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
4.0
sopesock's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
HM. this was really good — i think ??
Nainoa was saved from drowning by sharks gently carrying him back to the boat, and since then the people of the island have seen him differently. there is something magical about the boy, no one can deny it, and as he gets older he even seems to develop healing abilities.
but all these big expectations are difficult to carry. and they put a strain on his siblings, who have to grow up in his shadow — We get to see the world through each main characters’ eyes, get to love and care for them and experience their unique struggles.
This is not Nainoas story. these are the stories of his entire family. they’re messy and complicated and at times frustrating.
The scenes set in Hawai’i felt so alive, vivid and colorful and meaningful. i enjoyed those moments the most, when you could feel the magic and mystery rising up from the soil beneath the characters’ feet and into the air they breathe. i loved getting little glimpses into hawaiian myths, and growing up with their family gave me an insight into how the land and its people have changed and suffered through the years.
another reviewer mentioned that, although written by a man, the female characters were written especially well and i have to agree !!!!!!!!!!! kaui’s perspective was my favourite.
i will say, from the three parts that the book is split up in, the last one made me struggle. the characters’ decisions were hard to follow and understand and i was growing a bit tired of all the loose ends. maybe if i had moved through the book a little more slowly, i could have appreciated it more. i did read the end at like 1 am, so i was not the most concentrated, to be fair.
Nainoa was saved from drowning by sharks gently carrying him back to the boat, and since then the people of the island have seen him differently. there is something magical about the boy, no one can deny it, and as he gets older he even seems to develop healing abilities.
but all these big expectations are difficult to carry. and they put a strain on his siblings, who have to grow up in his shadow — We get to see the world through each main characters’ eyes, get to love and care for them and experience their unique struggles.
This is not Nainoas story. these are the stories of his entire family. they’re messy and complicated and at times frustrating.
The scenes set in Hawai’i felt so alive, vivid and colorful and meaningful. i enjoyed those moments the most, when you could feel the magic and mystery rising up from the soil beneath the characters’ feet and into the air they breathe. i loved getting little glimpses into hawaiian myths, and growing up with their family gave me an insight into how the land and its people have changed and suffered through the years.
another reviewer mentioned that, although written by a man, the female characters were written especially well and i have to agree !!!!!!!!!!! kaui’s perspective was my favourite.
i will say, from the three parts that the book is split up in, the last one made me struggle. the characters’ decisions were hard to follow and understand and i was growing a bit tired of all the loose ends. maybe if i had moved through the book a little more slowly, i could have appreciated it more. i did read the end at like 1 am, so i was not the most concentrated, to be fair.
missyjohnson's review against another edition
3.0
Sad and unusual book.
The story of a family, Hawai’i, Hawaiian gods, legends, poverty and choices.
Malia and Augie have three children. Dean is a 6’5” basketball star. Nainoa is brilliant and seems to be gifted with healing from the gods. He was saved by sharks after falling overboard from a boat. Kaui, the youngest and a girl is also brilliant and excels in engineering. I was a little uncomfortable with the ease that the family was able to discuss sex, especially descriptions that the parents used when talking to their children. The family lives in poverty but the parents try hard to give their children opportunities as going to the mainland to college. Lots of stupid decisions are made by all and the impact for each is dramatic. Dean and his hot head and “bad boy” needs. Noa and his need to try to heal everyone and everything but not himself, Kaui and her need to be accepted for who she is. Ultimately Hawai’i calls each one home in a different way.
The story of a family, Hawai’i, Hawaiian gods, legends, poverty and choices.
Malia and Augie have three children. Dean is a 6’5” basketball star. Nainoa is brilliant and seems to be gifted with healing from the gods. He was saved by sharks after falling overboard from a boat. Kaui, the youngest and a girl is also brilliant and excels in engineering. I was a little uncomfortable with the ease that the family was able to discuss sex, especially descriptions that the parents used when talking to their children. The family lives in poverty but the parents try hard to give their children opportunities as going to the mainland to college. Lots of stupid decisions are made by all and the impact for each is dramatic. Dean and his hot head and “bad boy” needs. Noa and his need to try to heal everyone and everything but not himself, Kaui and her need to be accepted for who she is. Ultimately Hawai’i calls each one home in a different way.
atgerstner's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
jessbishai's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
4.5
mythical_reads's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
emmabone's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
caitcat0212's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
caprivoyant's review against another edition
This was a beautiful story: a touching, family-focused, character-driven novel. It was moving and compassionate and kind. It also has one of the only good scenes representing lactose intolerance I've ever read (with a mostly minor side character) that shows that people with intolerances are still loveable and funny. 🩷
However! I did have a 1 problem with the content of the book and learned later that the marketing for the book/author was disingenuous. ⬇️
Content problem: There is no need to use the r-word.
Marketing problem: Apparently this book was marketed at a Native Hawai'ian story — the marketing also implied that the author himself is Native Hawai'ian. It might have been inspired by Native Hawai'ian myths, but this is not representative of Native Hawai'ian culture or beliefs (found this with a quick Google).
So! Read with care/caution if you choose to read at all. I didn't know. Now I know.
However! I did have a 1 problem with the content of the book and learned later that the marketing for the book/author was disingenuous. ⬇️
Content problem: There is no need to use the r-word.
Marketing problem: Apparently this book was marketed at a Native Hawai'ian story — the marketing also implied that the author himself is Native Hawai'ian. It might have been inspired by Native Hawai'ian myths, but this is not representative of Native Hawai'ian culture or beliefs (found this with a quick Google).
So! Read with care/caution if you choose to read at all. I didn't know. Now I know.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Grief, Medical content, Death, Pregnancy, Animal death, Child death, and Drug use
Minor: Sexual assault, Alcohol, Cancer, and Sexual content
mpswans1's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0