A story like this one only comes along once in a rare while, luminous, intimate, and deeply affecting. My great thanks go to NetGalley and also Farrar, Strauss and Giroux for the review copy. This book is available to the public, and you should get it and read it.

Initially I was drawn to this book for several fairly superficial reasons. The cover is certainly arresting; the title is perplexing. But the biggest draw for me was that it was set in Hawaii, and all of the characters are native Hawaiians. In my corner of the world, the Pacific Northwest, there are a lot of Pacific Islanders. Why anyone would leave such an idyllic climate for the dark, soggy winters we see here used to be a mystery to me, but ultimately, people follow the jobs, and so many Seattle residents come from there.

As a history teacher, I’ve always felt that my students deserve to be included in the curriculum, and so in addition to teaching about Caucasians during whatever time period we’re examining, I work in African-Americans, Latinx, Native peoples, and a variety of Asian ethnicities, but time and again I hit a wall when I tried to find something for my Islander students. And when I’ve taught literature, it’s been the same struggle. Islander kids get shut out every time. And so now I am retired, and here’s my appeal to other educators out there. Put this book in your classroom.

For the rest of you: apologies. Let’s get on with it.

As we open, the setting is Hawaii in 1995, and the protagonists are two parents and three children, all members of the Flores family. They’re on vacation when seven year old Noa falls into the ocean where sharks are circulating. But instead of devouring the boy, one of the sharks delivers him back to his family, carrying him gently in its jaws, “Like you were made of glass, like you were its child.” The first chapter is told in the second person, with Malia, the mother, recalling the event, speaking to Noa. She tells him, “The gods were hungry for change, and you were that change.” It’s obviously a miracle, and others see it happen also. Their lives will never be the same.

As the story continues, we hear from all of the family members. At first, Noa appears to be gifted with a magical healing ability, but he is still a child, and the demands on him are grueling, exhausting. But this is not the only change his magical abilities produce. Noa is the youngest child in the family, but now the siblings’ hierarchy is completely flipped, and the resentment felt by his brother and sister is dreadful. At one point Kaui, who is academically talented, fumes that she is “just his shadow, shaped like a sister.” And his brother Dean, who is an athlete, explains:

“You’re out at breakfast without him, eating cereal and joking with Mom and Dad, Kaui coming in, and you get them all laughing and smiling, just because of you. But then Noa shows up right, and suddenly it’s all questions about what’s happening with his day and did he sleep okay and here’s some thoughts about which extracurricular program he should enroll in…Hard not for get angry at that. I felt it like a fist flexing inside my own chest.”

To make matters even more fraught, there’s an economic downturn that makes it impossible for the parents to support the family. They begin charging people that come to be healed by Noa, and so the youngest child is not only the golden favorite because of his miraculous ability; he’s also the family breadwinner. And again: it’s an awful lot to put on the shoulders of one small child.

The dialect combines with the authorial voice to create characters that I swear I would know if I ran into them, and in many ways, they remind me of the adolescents that I taught. Because I was so unconscionably late here, I checked out the audio version at Seattle Bibliocommons, and I have never heard an audiobook I loved more. The voice actors are so convincing that I can hear them now, more than a month and several other audiobooks, after I finished it.

For me, that would be enough. Create visceral enough characters and I don’t even care much about the plot. But the plot is also gobsmackingly brilliant! I believed I could track where it was headed up until perhaps the 60% mark, and then there’s one surprise turn, and another, and another, till at the end I was simply sitting with my mouth open and my eyes on the text as the audio gave way to the afterword and credits. I had to remind myself to breathe.

This is one of those rare galleys that I could see reading again just for the love of it. This review is my 923rd for NetGalley, and I have chosen to reread fewer than 10 of them, so let that indicate the measure of esteem in which I hold this novel.

This book has a slow in the beginning. I really liked the story. I need to circle back to this book and i may not have been in the mood for this book because I am a mood reader.
I will and have recommended this book to folks

This story explores Hawaiian culture and beliefs in a world where mainstream culture is sweeping away that identity. We follow one family who think they have been touched by the gods, destined for greatness after their 7 year old son is saved by sharks. Their belief in the potential to pull themselves out of the world they are living in starts out so strong. But as real life continues on they become less and less convinced and find themselves drifting in ways that challenge them.

I liked the alternating chapters with each character through the years and the weaving of the mundanities of their lives with spiritual and magical elements. It is slow and shows only snippets of what is moving them forward but each is so rich and layered. That said, I'm sure I missed a lot of messages that would resonate much more deeply with the Hawaiian audience. I am glad I read this and enjoyed the journey but think a second read would help me better absorb more deeply the intentions behind the story.

Thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions above are my own.

The strength of this work is the Hawaiian folklore/ history, the use of magical realism and the deft handling of different narrators. The description is very rich. Recommended for fans of Sarah Addison Allen.

This is a case where the cover matches the book beautifully. Mythical and magical and beautiful, this is a great book for book clubs and I think it would be a fantastic fit for audiobook. I love reading a book that I have no clue where it will take me and I just go along for the ride.

Gorgeous cover. Really enjoyed this debut novel and loved the chance to learn more about Hawaiian culture. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys family sagas or magical realism.

Malia and Augie believe their son Noa is a miracle-maker because he was conceived at the same time as the Night Marchers - protectors of the island of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii - were roaming the jungle. Malia's belief is solidified when the boy, accidently falls overboard a cruise ship, gets delivered back to her by sharks in the ocean. Kawai Strong Washburn's story takes off from there, swiftly, switching perspectives and blending family drama with magical realism. Supremely crafted characters and an eventful narrative, supported by Washburn's lyrical prose populate the novel, setting its breathtaking pace. In many ways, it's a pitch-perfect novel with unforgettable characters dealing with grief, growing up, being othered as an islander and coming-of-age in poverty ridden circumstances. Washburn is a literary talent to reckon with whose tremendously insightful prose infuses life into his debut work.

It is almost impossible to believe that this is a debut novel. The writing is lyrically beautiful which adds such a punch to a work being described as Hawaiian magical realism.

The story moves from the simple premise of a poverty ridden family struggling to keep itself together as the parents are laborers who maintain a bare subsistence. One a rare day of leisure, the parents take their daughter and 2 sons on a sightseeing voyage. The youngest son falls out of the boat and is left in the distance before anyone notices and starts to shout. Then, the magical happens - a "shiver of sharks" gathers him up in their mouths to return him gently to the boat...and so the trouble begins.

The youngster is declared a "miracle child" who obviously has the power to soothe and heal, while the other children are sidelined. Washburn has the marvelous ability to give each of his characters not only a fully formed identity but also an original voice. He shows a family trying desperately to hold together as it is slowly cleaved apart.

If you are looking for a beautifully written novel that takes you out of your normal reading zone, you might just get lost in Hawaiian folklore and mysticism.

[3.5/5 stars]

SHARKS IN THE TIME OF SAVIORS focuses on the Flores family, especially Nainoa, who had a special episode with sharks during his childhood.

Nainoa, being chosen and blessed by the spirits, is the favorite child of the family and his siblings feel like they are living under his shadow. Washburn brings out the connection and competition/resentment between siblings - it is realistic and the emotions are described in a perfect intensity as each member's struggles and joy is captured.

Through lyrical writing, Washburn transports us into Hawaiian culture and myths, which I loved learning about. The pages are filled with touch of magic and the ending is beautifully wrapped up. My complaint is that the plot lacked some development, dragging the pace at times. I also was more invested in some characters than others.

Overall, this is a debut with tragical story that delivers a powerful message.

Set in Hawaii SHARKS IN THE TIME OF SAVIORS is the story about family and folklore.
The Flores family is comprised of two hard working parents. Malia and Augie struggle to make ends meet and provide for their three children.
Malia believes her son Nainoa is a blessed child. During a romantic and mystical interlude Noa is conceived. Another event involving Nainoa confirms Malia’s belief. As a rare treat the family goes out on a boat trip. Young Noa ends up in shark infested waters. His mother jumps in the water to save him. Here she witnesses the sharks giving Nainoa respect and not attacking him as expected.
Dean feels a strong connection to his brother Noa but resents all the attention his brother gets from his parents and the community. A gifted basketball player Dean earns himself a college athletic scholarship and leaves to attend school on the mainland.
Kaui is the only girl and is gifted academically. She too feels overshadowed by the attention Noa receives. She leaves to study engineering at university on the Mainland.
Noa ends up as a paramedic but struggles with his ability to heal spiritually.
After a tragic event, the family is left to cope with loss and grief.
SHARKS IN THE TIME OF SAVIORS is such a sad story I find it hard to say I enjoyed it.
I thought the story was well written. Themes include family, folklore and spirituality.
The characters were memorable. SHARKS IN THE TIME OF SAVIORS was a powerful story and will not be forgotten.
Thank to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced e-edition of this novel.

A time when places had no names. Those first humans felt the presence of things unseen, and they feared nothing. The characters in Kawai Strong's debut novel live in a place called Hawaii.
In the novel, which opens in 1995, mother and son are discussing the Kingdom of Hawaii's broken status. The mother, Malia, believes that her son will be the one to bring change. Like any other chosen human, Noa will eventually need to tell his true nature to the world the vivid depiction of the rescue is reminiscent of the blood that flowed down the streets during One Hundred Years of Solitude.
Noa is the only one who gets attention from his parents. They also care about his siblings Dean and Kaui. All three siblings eventually move to the mainland. While Noa studies engineering, Dean is a college basketball star, and Kaui studies engineering. Their parents can’t escape the islands anymore. Weve all tried to escape the past, and yet we can’t seem to find peace with the present. In this collection, Washburn explores how our collective cargo manifests itself through our disconnected relationships with each other.
This is a novel about Hawaii that is both beautiful and tragic. It is about the islands that were once so far removed from their origins that they are still recognizable today. Gods are always on the minds of these characters. After a disastrous job, Noas goes back to Hawaii to study the land that he inherited. Along the way, he will encounter various obstacles that will test his resolve to return to Hawaii. Noas is forced to return to Hawaii after his disastrous job search. He goes on a journey to understand both himself and the land that is part of him.
We may never truly see the light of our true selves until we stop living in the darkness. I enjoyed this book so much. Thank you, MCD for the gifted copy via net galley.

DNF at 20%. I think this may be a case of right book at the wrong time. I think the DNF is more about me not being in the right mood for this story than anything about the book.

Listening to the audiobook - great production with multiple narrators and pulls you into the story. However this is a story that has a bit of a slower pace and asks a little more of the reader than I can give right now.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free advance reading copy.

Thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I have always been afraid of sharks but I may have changed my mind, while a Hawaiian boy falls overboard on a cruise, only to be delivered to his mother in the open mouth of a shark. Aaaah! Heart attack. I'm scared of sharks and roaches people and I don't want neither in my house or where I swim. But when after this traumatizing and wondrous event, life turns around for the family. They feel this was a sign because the boy, his brother and sister, grow up blessed when before they had a dismal life.

But as the years go by, terrible things start to happen and may be what they thought was a blessing, is a curse. The family not only gets ripped apart, but all their success seems to crash as well.

This is a beautifully written book. I loved it,

It took me altogether too long to read this book because life, I guess, but in some ways I'm glad I took lots of time to sit with this story. It is incredibly well-crafted and magical in more ways than one.

Perhaps the most magical thing about this book, magical realism aside, is just how well Kawai Strong Washburn brought each of his characters to life. Each of the narrators from the Flores family has a distinct voice that practically oozes off the page to form a full-grown human person.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the simplicity of Washburn's language use, condensing sentences down to the essentials to give you a crystalized version that sparkles.

Nestled within the pages of Sharks in the Time of Saviors are incredibly intricate and nuanced details about native Hawaiian experiences, what it means to be connected to one's culture and heritage, the idea of exceptionalism for minority communities, and so much more.

All of this comes together to take the reader on a journey that just swallows them up. At the end, I was left winded, unsure if I wanted to feel sad or hopeful or a combination of the two. The Flores family, their journey, and the lessons they impart to the reader will be with me for a very long time.

This book was really interesting--the narrative moved in some unexpected directions with strong narrative voices to propel it forward. An awesome debut.

On the surface, this is the story of a family struggling with poverty in Hawaii. Underneath that is the struggle of the family dealing with the idea that one of their sons has been blessed by ancient spirits and how this impacts each member of the household. Following along with parts of the story from each family member's point of view, both sides of this gift are seen. I loved several things about the book. The family members were raw and honest. It is hard to not see them as real people. The writing reflects that as it floats between English and Hawaiian Pidgin. And, if you think that was faked, I will tell you that most Hawaiians (or haoles that live in Hawaii) speak in this cross cultural manner. This made reading the book very relatable and brought realism to characters in a book that requires you to accept things you can't touch and see. I also really enjoyed the description of the woman with lactose intolerance who ate cheese. As a fellow sufferer, I knew exactly where it was going and the scene in the book as so realistic! I felt her pain! Overall, this book does a great job of telling the story of a family growing apart and together combined with a loving portrayal of Hawaii. I will be sending a copy to my folks, who live in Hawaii, for them to enjoy.

For Readers Who Don't Care for Family Sagas

As soon as I see words in a blurb like "multi-generational" or "family secrets" or, heaven forbid, "family saga", I start to shy away. But this book is in a whole different world from those tales about who will get the family farm when Daddy dies.

It incorporates Hawaiian legend, myth, the story of a people and a culture, and the individual stories of strong characters touched by magic, greatness, melancholy, disappointment, and unbreakable family bonds. The book somehow manages to blend kitchen sink drama, down to earth realism, cultural history, and restrained but compelling magical elements, into a propulsive story that at its best captivates and enchants.

There's no point in summarizing the plot; the blurb does that well enough. And there's no point in just listing superlatives, because how helpful is that really? My bottom line was that this is still a family saga, it's still more angsty than I generally care for, and it sometimes wanders around more than strictly necessary. The writing is a bit showy, but there are many lovely lines and passages and the good writing was worth a few stretches of purple prose. Perhaps of greatest note - this felt authentically Hawaiian, both in terms of current Hawaiians' economic predicament and diaspora, and in the conflict for many between modern life and ancient belief and traditional practices. On that score alone this is a fine and satisfying read.

(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

i really enjoyed reading this book, i loved how unique it was with the Hawaiian elements and how great the writing was.

This was an interesting book, and I enjoyed it, but wasn't what I was looking for to include in my subscription box.

A great story set in my favorite place. I loved this book and finished it in one day.I highly recommend it to any lover of a g good book