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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
really loved this one. the book's description isn't even what it's all about. family-based saga over a fourteen-year period, interchanging perspectives of each character, all about history and destiny and homeland, with touches of magical realism. beautifully written.
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Listened via my library’s app - audiobook.
3.5/5
Read for prompts for:
#TheStorygraphGenreChallenge2022
#PopSugarReadingChallenge2022
3.5/5
Read for prompts for:
#TheStorygraphGenreChallenge2022
#PopSugarReadingChallenge2022
There is just something in this writing style that is not working for me unfortunately..
oh my goodness, i really loved this book!! when i went into it and read the first couple chapters, i expected something completely different than what i ended up getting - and not in a bad way at all!
i have told friends before about my irrational distaste for anything involving fantasy, magic, stuff like that. not sure where it came from, i just don't find myself drawn to that stuff. however, i'm thinking i might be a bit of a magical realism girl now, because wow did i love the bits of magic and otherworldliness in this book! Nainoa's initial discovery of his strange abilities was interesting enough for me, but seeing these abilities, these connections to Hawai'i, in each member of the Flores family throughout the book was absolutely magical. i adored learning about all these Hawai'ian legends and Hawai'ian history during this read as well.
and speaking of the Flores family, the stories between each member of the family had me completely drawn in as well. i'm a slut for Family Dramas, and this book had plenty of parent/sibling and inter-sibling storylines that were really intriguing for me to explore.
and the language! the beautiful descriptions of the land!!! oh my goodness, it all felt so tangible, like Hawai'i itself was leaping off the page and into my hands. Kawai Strong Washburn has such a beautiful way with words. this was a stunning debut, and i hope the author writes so so much more goodness like this in the future!
i have told friends before about my irrational distaste for anything involving fantasy, magic, stuff like that. not sure where it came from, i just don't find myself drawn to that stuff. however, i'm thinking i might be a bit of a magical realism girl now, because wow did i love the bits of magic and otherworldliness in this book! Nainoa's initial discovery of his strange abilities was interesting enough for me, but seeing these abilities, these connections to Hawai'i, in each member of the Flores family throughout the book was absolutely magical. i adored learning about all these Hawai'ian legends and Hawai'ian history during this read as well.
and speaking of the Flores family, the stories between each member of the family had me completely drawn in as well. i'm a slut for Family Dramas, and this book had plenty of parent/sibling and inter-sibling storylines that were really intriguing for me to explore.
and the language! the beautiful descriptions of the land!!! oh my goodness, it all felt so tangible, like Hawai'i itself was leaping off the page and into my hands. Kawai Strong Washburn has such a beautiful way with words. this was a stunning debut, and i hope the author writes so so much more goodness like this in the future!
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Right. Whew
I felt this book in my bones. I felt Hawaii, I felt the nature and the gods, I felt each of the family members and their journies and my goodness, it was an experience. The different ways the characters spoke, the Hawaiian slang and cadences, Hawaiian life beyond what we see on TV, connection to one's ancestral home. I'm giving this novel a five because I'm still thinking about Dean and Noa and Kaui long after I've closed the book. I am undone.
I felt this book in my bones. I felt Hawaii, I felt the nature and the gods, I felt each of the family members and their journies and my goodness, it was an experience. The different ways the characters spoke, the Hawaiian slang and cadences, Hawaiian life beyond what we see on TV, connection to one's ancestral home. I'm giving this novel a five because I'm still thinking about Dean and Noa and Kaui long after I've closed the book. I am undone.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I feel like I'm not done thinking about this book yet. the combination of Hawaiian mythology/legends with this story of a loving, slightly dysfunctional family trying to manage the gap between expectations and reality while also dealing with economic hardship creates something that will definitely stick with me. Anyone who liked the books Gold Diggers or There There should give this a shot, too.