A review by leggsly
Where the Rekohu Bone Sings by Tina Makereti

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective 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

I love this book! I take back what I said in my Kaikeyi review about not liking historical fiction lol. This was a really captivating story from the start, even without a super complicated or twisty plot. The writing is so beautiful, and I especially liked how the voice switches during Imi’s chapters. Certain scenes had so much tension despite being relatively low-stakes, which I think is a testament to Makereti’s skill as a writer. 

I was invested in all the characters and really felt like I understood their motivations. I loved how Bigsy and Lula would hear stories about their ancestors and then we (the reader) got to live those stories. 

Also I don’t think I’ve ever read a book about New Zealand like this? I feel like I learned a lot while reading. There was just the right balance between in-text history and figuring things out based on context clues. 

I highlighted some bits that I thought were particularly lovely:

“If he could have turned himself into thin air at that moment, he would have willingly become nothing just to encircle her, wash over her.” (19)

“The ‘real’, you call it, as if the only things with real in them are the things you see and touch with your weak-flesh senses.” (123)

“Mere laid her head on his chest. He ran his fingers over her hair, still marvelling that this was even possible. ‘I can hear your heart,’ said Mere. No, he thought, it is your heart.” (154)