From the first page of J. E. Cherry’s novel, the reader is enfolded in the fascinating history and unspoiled beauty of ancient Hawaii. This forms the backdrop of a compelling work—which feels more real than fiction. Here is a story truly worthy of its extraordinary main character, the Kahuna Kamaka. As we follow his development from young apprentice canoe builder to masterful healer, teacher and spiritual adept, the rich sights and sounds of his island home of Kauai fill our senses. The presence of the one God I’o pervades all aspects of the kahuna’s life, so that timeless truths are woven seamlessly throughout the chapters. We come to know Kamaka, his teacher and fellow islanders intimately, which makes the heartbreak dramatically acute when warriors from Tahiti and Samoa arrive, determined to turn this peaceful paradise into a hell of fear and oppression. Can Kamaka save his people?