Hot,thirilling,riveting and wet-my-pants-with-trepidation-and-fear and that was only the first 5 pages.
I've always been a lover of Pacific writing,but most Pacific writers are (for lack of a better word) 'elitist' in that you need to be indigenous to the place or time that they are writing about. L.W.Y has created a novel that caters to the masses but manages to be intimate and engaging and leaves the reader feeling as though Telesa is a secret that you are privileged to have been entrusted with.
I downloaded this book to my iphone and was sneaking time to read it,whenever wherever. With each turn of the page, the characters came to life and with many of them, I felt like I already knew them. Especially the support characters like Simone - the coolest chick on campus and that one "Queen Bee".
The first time Uncle Tuala drove up to the Hallowed Golden Gates of Samco - I closed my eyes and could see everything so clearly, the falesa in Moataa next door to where Daniel lives, the welding shop, Faatoia, Fagalii Airport oi aue!
Lani Wendt Young weaves her words with magic and I was hanging onto every last one of them.
Growing up and being fascinated by the Telesa (Teine Sa) and remembering all the do's and don'ts that my Grandmother to this day will not let any of us wear our hair down at night and insists on the fairer palagi grandkids being indoors before the sunsets.
Bella and Edward who? Leila and Daniel made me feel connected, whether it's because they are Samoan and I felt I could relate more to spirits than vampires, I'm not sure, but if you're looking for romance,suspense,mystery and a cultural exploration steeped in tradition and legend then this is the book for you.
I loved it so much I've ordered paperback copies for everyone I know as Christmas gifts.
Cannot wait for Book II to come out. Hoping Jason goes in the way of Jacob and falls off by the way side.
Team Daniel all the way!
(reviewed 5 days after purchase)