
Member Reviews

This story is about a park ranger and the Hawaiian islands. I love to read about both those things so I got the book. Unfortunately, after three chapters, I couldn't read any more. It was like reading a book that was written in half English and half a foreign language. If you are versed in the native languages of the island, you will have no problem reading the book but I spent too much time going from the chapters to the glossary, both to find the definition of the word and how to pronounce the word. I wanted to enjoy reading the book but it was more like I was in school again and learning something new.

Editor's note: This roundup is scheduled to publish in Georgia June 11 online and June 14 print in several newspapers. Will also publish in Mississippi and Alabama during the month in newspapers and magazines, timing up to local editors. Link below will be active June 11.
From new series starters (Michael Connelly’s “Nightshade”) to the tried-and-true (Kendra Elliot’s “Her First Mistake”) our beach bag is already overflowing, and what we offer here are just a few — OK, actually 25 — of the best beach reads published through the end of June. Later this season we’ll round out the list, but for now, find an old favorite, a debut thriller or just about anything in between — including a North Alabama favorite who you just might see dining at a Cullman restaurant.
“Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man” (Berkley) by Jesse Q. Sutanto: A lovable Chinese tea shop owner stumbles upon a distressed, young woman — and a murder, the investigation of which she decides to serve up herself. With lots of tea and nosy charm, Vera tackles the project unasked as a “favor” to her (hoped for) future daughter-in-law. Sutanto mixes cozy mystery with smart humor and heartfelt moments.
“When She Was Gone” (Blackstone Publishing) by Sara Foster: When a young nanny working for one of Perth’s wealthiest families disappears, a tense investigation unravels the secrets of a seemingly perfect family, forcing everyone to confront the lies they’ve told themselves and each other. Foster delivers a taut, emotionally resonant thriller that lingers. And as expected from Blackstone Publishing, the story itself is packaged beautifully with subtle and tactile cover art: Buy the hardcover of this one.
“Follow Me” (Thomas & Mercer) by Elizabeth Rose Quinn: An eerie digital breadcrumb trail leads a tech-savvy woman into a web of deception and danger. Quinn crafts a smart, suspenseful mystery that taps into our modern fears of surveillance and online identity. “Heathers” meets “The Stepford Wives” in this tale of twin sisters.
“The Book That Held Her Heart” (Ace) by Mark Lawrence: In this final chapter of The Library Trilogy, a mysterious book bridges love, loss and literary magic in a haunting story that defies time and tests the bond between Livira and Evar — one that has never been more taut. Lawrence blends fantasy and emotion in this lyrical, genre-bending tale.
“The Great Pyramids: Collected Stories” (Arcade Publishing) by Frederick Barthelme: This sharp, wry collection captures small-town oddities, human longing and ironic twists with Barthelme’s signature minimalist flair. A masterclass in short fiction that’s both grounded and subtly surreal.
“The Boomerang” (Thomas & Mercer) by Robert Bailey: Big Pharma is on trial as Eli James, chief of staff to the president, attempts to rescue his daughter from a cancer diagnosis while simultaneously stumbling upon a cover up that could affect millions of lives — and more importantly to the bad guys, billions of dollars. Bailey keeps the thrills high and the emotional stakes higher. He also lives with his family in Huntsville — and has been know to visit Cullman County now and then. Let him know what you think of his latest if you see him around town.
“A Thousand Natural Shocks” (Blackstone Publishing) by Omar Hussain: A reporter fleeing his past while investigating a serial killer becomes entangled in a cult that promises a pill to erase his memory. The story turns to a test of time as dark secrets about the cult and the serial killer surface in an attempt to reconcile everything he’s learned with his past — before his memories evaporate.
“My Friends” (Atria Books) by Fredrik Backman: Backman returns with a moving meditation on friendship, aging, the quiet heroism of everyday people and a famous painting picturing an isolated moment of time of three tiny figures sitting at the end of a long pier. Tender, funny and unmistakably human, this is Backman’s most eloquent and lyrical story to date about how lives intersect in unknowable and unpredictable ways. An engaging read from the author of “A Man Called Ove.”
“The Language of the Birds” (Ballantine) by K.A. Merson: Arizona is no average teenager and when she finds a cryptic ransom note, she sets out to solve the riddles — and save her mother. Unwittingly, she becomes entangled in a worldwide treasure hunt that involves a centuries-old secret her father took to his grave. A quirky, surprising story soars in an introspective mystery.
“The Eternal Warrior” (Blackstone Publishing) by Ari Marmell: An immortal fighter who defies even death — an Eternal Warrior — is caught in a conflict that spans centuries, grappling with his past sins and the future of humanity in an attempt to reclaim everything that has slipped from his personal history. Marmell delivers epic fantasy with grit, heart and unrelenting pace.
“Nightshade” (Little, Brown and Company) by Michael Connelly: Done with Bosch and Ballard, at least for now, Connelly’s new series starter centers on another one-name detective, Stilwell. Due to department politics, the Los Angeles County sheriff detective has been exiled to a low-level post on Catalina Island, where he promptly begins to ruffle local feathers as he unearths secrets the natives would rather keep to themselves. Hopefully Connelly’s flair for backstory and depth will surface in future offerings, but for now, our first meeting with Stilwell offers a familiar, fun summer read.
“Kaua’i Storm” (Thomas & Mercer) by Tori Eldridge: In the lush Hawaiian landscape, a repatriated national park ranger uncovers a mystery surrounding the disappearance of her two cousins. Unfortunately for her, it’s a mystery and investigation that neither the family, the locals nor the police truly want exposed. Eldridge blends action and cultural depth in a uniquely tropical thriller.
“Rockets’ Red Glare” (Blackstone Publishing) by William Webster and Dick Lochte: A high-octane political thriller unfolds against the backdrop of a potentially explosive Fourth of July. Lochte’s sharp storytelling and fast pacing make for a perfect July 4 holiday page-turner. The book is the first in a series with Tribal Police Deputy Sage Mendiluze. Reacher and Pickett fans will find common ground here.
“Written on the Dark” (Ace) by Guy Gavriel Kay: Kay returns with an evocative, elegant historical fantasy set in a world where poetry, memory and fate collide. Centering on a tavern poet who must cater to both rogues and courtiers, Thierry Villar must also navigate churning political waters in a game of assassins and armies. Richly imagined and beautifully told storytelling.
“A Dead Draw” (Thomas & Mercer) by Robert Dugoni: In book 11 of the Tracy Crosswhite series, a pair of cold cases stir ties to the murder of Tracy’s sister in the form of suspect Erik Schmidt. When Schmidt is freed due to an investigative error, the lives of her friends and family are under direct threat. Schmidt is a master of taunt and tease as he draws Tracy deeper into his dark world. Wonderful character building in this story and the sensitive drawing of Lydia, a young woman on the spectrum whose mannerisms echo those of Tracy’s murdered sister, is exceptionally done. One of Dugoni’s best works, the author brings in just enough backstory to both start the series here, and reward long-time readers with vintage Crosswhite.
“The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club” (Ballantine Books) by Martha Hall Kelly: In a story told through dual timelines, Kelly’s narrative is a personal ode to her mother’s heritage. Involving a contemporary mystery, set at Martha’s Vineyard, whose only answers will come from the past, the story taps a wartime romance set in 1942 — and a beach read written for today. Kelly is touring extensively for this book through the end of July. Meet up with her at marthahallkelly.com/events/.
“The Turn” (Blackstone Publishing) by Christopher Ransom: An heirloom, of sorts, following his father’s death sends Casey Sweet into his dad’s past — and a current country club where Casey might just have met the long-lost son he never knew he had. Written in the tradition of “Caddyshack,” Ransom’s new novel is an engaging summer break.
“The Afterlife Project” (Podium Publishing) by Tim Weed: Humanity is facing extinction. A group of scientists with the capability to send a test subject 10,000 years into the future. One of the last women on Earth capable of getting pregnant. All of this portends that the survival of humankind is at stake in a futuristic setting evoking the ills of today.
“It Takes a Psychic” (Berkley) by Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Jayne Castle: A psychic investigator — actually, a para-archeologist — with a flair for romance and the paranormal dives into a case filled with danger and sizzling chemistry. Castle delivers her signature mix of mystery charm in a story centering on a long-dead cult leader and illicit paranormal experiments. “It Takes a Psychic” is No. 18 in Castle’s A Harmony Novel series.
“The Ghostwriter” (Sourcebooks Landmark) by Julie Clark: An author’s past returns to haunt her in the form of a ghostwriting project undertaken for her estranged father. When the project turns out to be just another one of dad’s lies, writer Olivia Dumont is forced to confront her relationship with her father … and a web of family secrets.
“Stop All the Clocks” (Arcade) by Noah Kumin: Kumin’s debut is a meditative, poetic novel about time, grief and the modern-life moments that define us … in ones and zeroes. The death of a colleague and the collapse of her AI company send Mona Veigh’s life in directions not determined by any algorithm.
“Plays Well with Others” (Blackstone Publishing) by Lauren Myracle: A bout of social media betrayal forces Jake Nolan from her job, house and husband and into a receptive bungalow on Sweetwater Lane. There, she befriends those just like herself — people itching to act on entrenched thoughts of retaliation.
“Her First Mistake” (Montlake) by Kendra Elliot: Elliot has written nearly two dozen thrillers set in her home state of Oregon and this latest offering features a minor character from the Columbia River novels: Here, Deschutes County sheriff’s detective Noelle Marshall gets her own origin story. A cold case murder mystery, this is the tale that explains what happened to Marshall to make her the detective she is today, or at least what she becomes in later storylines. A fulfilling storyline delivers much more than backstory in a captivating summer read.
“Jill Is Not Happy” (Scarlet) by Kaira Rouda: In this darkly comic tale, Jill and Jack live an enviable life in South California and, as recent empty-nesters, an unbearable marriage. A road trip “to reconnect” is really a cat-and-mouse game unknown to each other as they unwittingly match their cunning to pull one in … and push the other over, the more-than-metaphorical ledge.
“The Farm House” (Poisoned Pen Press) by Chelsea Conradt: Looking for a fresh start after her mother dies, Emily Hauk and her husband depart for a farm in rural Nebraska. Learning nothing from centuries of thrillers (“The Amityville Horror,” anyone?), they should have asked why the asking price was so low. Unknown to them, everyone who has ever lived on this farm has died. The lure of the soil is compelling, though, as Emily digs into the mystery enveloping her new home.
Reach book reviewer Tom Mayer at tmayer@rn-t.com or tmayer132435@gmail.com.
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I was excited to read a story set in Hawaii. I've never been there, but it is a bucket list place for me. The story doesn't share the glamorous tourist side of the islands but the gritty local side. I've heard that many locals suffer from the increased cost of living there. I thought this story was a thriller or mystery, but it was more of a family that shared the values of Hawaiian history. We learn so much about how homteading works and living completely off the land. It was hard at times to read names, and the pidgon speak but was very authentic to the story. The last 40% of the story was fast-paced and all the thriller action!

After ten years as a national park ranger in Oregon, Makalani Pahukula is back on Kaua‘i for her grandmother’s birthday. Having been gone for so long, Makalani finds a disconnect with her people. When she finds at home is a bickering family and the news that her cousins have gone missing.
Makalani hopes they just ran off, but then hunters find a dead body in the Keālia Forest Reserve and Makalani fears something else is at play, and the search for her cousins grows more desperate.
This book is much different than I expected it to be. The prologue is great, but the chapters immediately following take on a different tone which is the true heart of the story. Kaua'i Storm is more of a family drama than a thriller or suspense.
The setting is great. There are a lot of details beautifully described. There are also a lot of characters. To be fully immersed in the story certain things need to be understood about life for native Hawaiians. It was a lot to take in, making the story more complicated and dramatic rather than thrilling. The book is also quite long which is more in tune with a drama than suspense. I think many readers will like the focus of the story and it is the first in a series so things could be a lot different in the next one.

I was drawn to Kaua'i Storm based on the synopsis: "After ten years as a national park ranger in Oregon, Makalani Pahukula is back on Kaua‘i for her grandmother’s birthday... When she reaches the homestead, she finds a bickering family and the disconcerting news that her cousins—a failed college football player and a rebellious teenage girl—have gone missing."
Chapter one drops the reader right into the action in a way that did not work for me. It was just so dramatic, so quickly, and even though the next few chapters are less action adventure-y and more family-focused, there's still loads of drama. In that sense, the second half of this novel was much stronger for me than the first half - I think in large part because we'd been building to the drama by that point, it didn't feel out of nowhere but made sense to the story. This is the first novel in a new series; I'd expect better pacing in the next one.
I especially liked the use of the Hawai‘ian language throughout, and learning more about Makalani's family's culture and customs. There's one scene in particular, focused on forgiveness in Hawai‘i, that will stay with me. While there's a glossary and pronunciation guide in the back of the book, I appreciated listening to author Tori Eldrige's narration - what better than hearing the words in her voice? It's nice that the definitions are included, but I generally just used context clues so as to not have to stop my reading to look something up (and never got lost doing that/it was always clear what was going on).

An exquisitely told mystery that teaches the importance of permaculture, working in harmony with the earth, and the importance of family and tradition. I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii, and the author’s descriptive imagery of the landscape was so beautifully written I felt like I was there. The humour/familial ribbing and teasing in parts reminded me a little of 50 First Dates (a compliment as it’s one of my favourite movies). The food was so well described I started to feel famished, and craved trying those recipes, even though I’d just recently eaten. Told in a mixture of English and Hawaiian Pidgin, but provides a helpful translating guide. Suspenseful and thoroughly enjoyed the story.

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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WHAT'S KAUA'I STORM ABOUT?
Makalani Pahukula, who has been serving Crater Lake in Oregon as a Park Ranger for years, comes home to Kaua‘i for the first time in even longer for the celebration of her grandmother's eightieth birthday—which is going to be a family reunion/community gathering on a pretty grand scale.
When Makalani touches down, it's not quite the joyous occasion she'd anticipated. Yes, her parents and grandmother are delighted to see her—as is an old friend (I'm going to forget to mention this later, but we needed more of her). But two of Makalani's cousins are missing—one is in high school and the other is a former college football star.
Their disappearances are being written off as some foolish lark—although it gets the family squabbling—each set of parents blaming the other and lashing out. Makalani doesn't think either explanation fits the cousins she remembers (while making allowances for people changing) and she wonders why the police haven't been involved.* After a dead body is found in the nearby forest, Makalani starts to meddle and takes it upon herself to find her cousins—over the objections of just about everyone.
* And once the police eventually do get involved, you start to understand the families' decision not to involve them, and they certainly make things worse.
A QUESTION OF GENRE
First—I'm not sure that's the best heading for this section, but it's close enough. Secondly—I really don't care about this when it comes to what I think about the book, but this kept running through the back of my mind.
This is billed as a mystery, and it kind of is one—I think more of a thriller than a mystery, but we're getting into the weeds there. And Eldridge has a reputation as a thriller writer (thrillers that I greatly appreciate, I should add).
But her thrillers also involve a good layer of something else—descriptions of a minority culture (in the U.S.), trauma, business/family culture (in other nations), and so on. She pulls that off here, too. In more than one way.
We also get a fair amount of multi-generational family drama, a little social commentary, some local history, and more.
So much so that the thriller/mystery aspect of the book takes a back-seat to everything else for significant lengths of time. It doesn't hurt the novel as a whole—in fact, it makes it richer. There are family members and friends that I can hand this to that I can't hand a lot of the mysteries/thrillers that I read (and I wonder if a couple of the thriller-junkies in my life would put up with this).
CULTURE AND LANGUAGE
Speaking of that kind of thing...
I am as haole as you can get—so much so that I can't pronounce it correctly or even consistently, despite having heard it in various formats for years. So, a lot of this book took work for me to understand—work I enjoyed and was glad to do, mind you. But there was effort.
Eldridge littered this book with ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i words and phrases and Pidgin English like crazy. All—or close enough to round up—can be understood in context with a little effort. But for those who want to be sure of their understanding, there's a great glossary in the back—including words and phrases—both Pidgin English and ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i—as well as phrases, geographical references, historical and mythological figures. I didn't consult it (foolishly?) until I was done—that's just how I roll. It confirmed a lot for me and fleshed some things out, too. I do recommend consulting it in the moment.
I knew about, and chose to ignore, the Glossary. Until I finished, I didn't realize Eldridge also gave us a handy dramatis personae, which would've been a great aid in keeping track of the relationships between this large cast. Do you need to read/consult it? No. But I certainly wouldn't discourage it.
But even beyond the supplemental material, this book is about as close as you can get to a documentary on contemporary Kaua‘i as you can get while keeping this a work of fiction. There's a lot about homesteading—and the ethnic makeups required for it (past and present), those who live off the grid in public lands, and...I'm not going to be able to provide an exhaustive list, so I'm going to just stop.
I'll summarize by saying that this is a rich and informative look at the non-touristy part of Hawai‘i (or at least one island's version of it). Added to the tiered cake of characters and missing-person plot, this icing is just great.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT KAUA'I STORM?
This is going up late—I realize that, and apologize to Eldridge and Thomas & Mercer for that—but I had a hard time resisting talking about all that this novel attempts (mostly successfully) to accomplish.
It's a very crowded book, I have to say, Eldridge puts a lot into these 445 pages. There's a storyline involving an overly-zealous student of culture that generally felt out of place, and maybe was. It couldn't be told at another time, as much as I wondered if it could've been used in a sequel instead of this book, because it seemed of tertiary importance and interest compared to everything else going on. It was also entertaining and satisfying—so I'm glad she included it.
Still, it reads like a thriller of 250-300 pages, which is a neat trick.
I didn't enjoy this as much as a Lily Wong book (it shouldn't feel like one, and doesn't), and I enjoyed it in different ways than her previous work (as I should've). Having established this world and the characters—it'd be very easy for Eldridge to lighten up on the background material in the future, and keep the focus on the plot and characters while exploring the world (and keeping up the commentary)—making it a leaner and more focused thriller/mystery. I hope that's where Eldridge takes it—but I won't complain too much if she doesn't.
How did I make it this far without talking about Makalani? This is her book more than anything. We've all read/watched versions of her story—the kid who couldn't wait to leave home who comes back discovering how much she missed it, how much she's changed—and how everyone she left behind remembers her. This version of this template is very successful. She reconnects with her past, her heritage, her family—and she sees how who she is today comes from all of that. Plus, she's a pretty kick-ass ranger. It's going to be fun to watch her at work. She's tough, resourceful, and determined—but not in your typical action-hero way, more like the kind of person you could meet in real life. Likely in the line of duty as a ranger. Her connection with the land—in Hawai‘i or Oregon—and sense of duty is going to get a lot of readers to respond positively to her.
This is a solid thriller, but it's so much more. And it'll definitely leave you hungry for a sequel. I strongly recommend it.
Disclaimer: I received this eARC from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley in exchange for this post which contains my honest opinion—thanks to both for this.

I was hooked from the beginning!!
It was amazing and engaging.
I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style.
The characters were all very well developed .
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.

This hits a great balance of socially aware and propulsive. It's a little too long, but the characters are fascinating and the setting is incredibly atmospheric.

Kauai Storm by veteran writer Tori Eldridge is a fascinating mystery that encompasses the twists and turns that make it engaging and provide insights into the Hawaiian culture. These perceptions and cultural glimpses make Kauai Storm a great mystery and a valuable look at a history largely unknown to most people. The story centers around a park ranger, Makalani, returning to her native land to celebrate her grandmother's birthday. Unfortunately, upon her return, she finds her two cousins in the wind and nowhere to be seen. Makalani, a park ranger on the mainland, decides that no one is better suited to locate her cousins. As the mystery unfolds, we learn about the Hawaiian culture and how it can sometimes clash with the culture of those living on the mainland.
Tori Eldridge knows her stuff and spins a fascinating mystery that fans hope will become a long-running series.

Makalani returns to Hawaii after being absent for a long time and she feels like she doesn't fit with the family, the island, the traditions and culture. But once she learns that her cousins are missing she'll place all the effort she can to find them. The missing ones are the "difficult" ones for their families, always in trouble, but always together. Although there's action and mystery, the story really is a deep dive into Hawaiian culture and way of living. The story is beautifully written with broad descriptions of places, nature and people.
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for the eARC. It was fitting to read this during AANHPI Heritage Month. This mystery was chock full of Hawaiian culture and explored the topic of native Hawaiian homesteads and how the US government caused long term negative affects on Hawaiians through it. The main character moved off island to go to college and lives and works in Oregon but came home for her grandma's 85th birthday. Over the course of that week she helps search for her missing cousins and gets into all kinds of scrapes, as well as dealing with family infighting and trying to find her place and stay connected to her cultural values.
The book was almost more deep dive into Hawaiian social issues and history than it was mystery, even with the high action chapters. I liked it and would read more if the author keeps writing about this character!

Fascinating look at the issues surrounding native Hawaiian land rights is the backdrop to the search for two missing cousins on Kauai that is undertaken by a National Park ranger visiting for a family reunion. Stunning setting and a lot of Hawaiian lore and legends accompany this contemporary mystery.

This story is about a woman who returns home to Hawaii only to find that its much different than what she's remembered. The tension within her family was palpable and some are missing! I really like reading about the culture and always love when the author includes the dialect. Although the mystery was there, it was just a little difficult to get into and actually want to really find out what happened. There was great setting descriptions allowing a vivid scene but then other scenes weren't explained enough.
I also listened to the audiobook and felt like the narrator did a great job with the characters.

This is as much about family and Hawaiian culture as it is about the mystery of the missing cousins. Makalani was meant to be on the island for her grandmother's birthday but it turns out that her detective skills are needed. Know that this is a bit too long, that you (like me) might learn something (that's good), and that there is a glossary for the pidgin and Hawaiian words. It's nicely atmospheric and twisty. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

After ten years as a national park ranger in Oregon, Makalani Pahukula is back on Kaua‘i for her grandmother’s birthday. Having been gone for so long, Makalani finds the disconnect with her people and her struggles have never been more profound. Neither has her need to reacquaint herself with everything she left behind. When she reaches the homestead, she finds a bickering family and the disconcerting news that her cousins—a failed college football player and a rebellious teenage girl—have gone missing.
Makalani hopes they just ran off, too careless to realize the worry they’ve caused. But when hunters find a dead body in the Keālia Forest Reserve, Makalani fears something ominous is at play, and the search for her cousins grows more desperate. Although her help may not be welcomed by family and locals, Makalani is determined to solve a mystery that poses a greater risk than anyone imagines.
Tori Edlridge is a new author for me in a genre I don't read very much of. I picked this up because of the beautiful cover. I'm glad I did, though. I love the different cultural underpinnings of this. It brings a fresh perspective that I haven't read before. I'm not familiar with the Hawaiian culture, so it was cool to see a story in that context! 4⭐
I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

A thrilling, educational, and unexpectedly emotional adventure.
I’d categorize it as mostly a family drama with an underlying mystery—there is definitely a “whodunnit” element alongside traditional thriller themes and pacing, but much of the book is about family and culture. It all weaves together beautifully into an interesting and illuminating read.
Readers will appreciate the included family tree, list of characters, and glossary. Please note that there is a decent amount of Hawaiian and Pidgin English. It didn’t impede my enjoyment or understanding, but if English is not your first language you may have trouble following some of the dialogue.

DNF at 33%. I appreciated the Hawaiian history and detail to setting, but overall, this book was too long and there were way too many characters, with not much happening to any of them except for maybe three of them. Almost 450 pages, needed to be edited and the story streamlined more, especially if this is being marketed as a thriller with a National Park ranger as the main character.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Makalani Pahukula arrives home to find her family in turmoil. Two of her cousins have gone missing and no one really knows what to do. It is a good thing that Makalani has come home to celebrate her grandmother's birthday because Makalani is always looking for ways to be helpful. Sometimes too helpful. I really enjoyed learning about Hawaiian culture. I enjoyed the descriptions of the landscape and of the food. I really enjoyed the writing style as well. Lastly, I enjoyed the theme of family and forgiveness. The only thing I struggled with was trying to keep up with all the names and who was who. Luckily, the author included a glossary at the end of the book. For the people who are visual learners it would have been nice to have had a family tree as well.

I appreciate this book for the introduction into the Hawaiian culture. I think this book was more heavily expressed the emotions and importance of Ohana and the disconnect the Malakani felt since she left the home. I did like the the storyline of the missing cousins but once the male cousin was found it just felt that the female character was not important. Although, there was a glossary at the beginning for those that do not speak the language very helpful and the context clues was enough to figure out the words without going to the glossary. I did like the book but just felt the history telling was more important than the story itself. I do believe this will be a good series and cant wait to see what she gets into next. Thank you for this ARC NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.