Review: Wonderful beginning for this Duology
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 11, 2014
I received the book from the author for an honest review.Since I have read Fiji: A novel first, it was interesting to learn how the three main characters within the book came together, which made Fiji and incredible book. How their experiences have shaped them into the people they have become, and the choices they have made from an early age that had set them up for their journey together.In this book you are introduced to Nathan, Jack and Susanna as very young children. Each in their own world with their own troubles, which played a tremendous role in their destiny. Nathan who grew up in America, and Susanna and Jack that grew up in England but on different sides of the coin; so to speak.Nathan who had an abusive father but yet instilled within the young child a love for traveling and adventure; and at the tender age of twelve ran away to escape from one life to find his own way. With a sharp mind and an eye for making money he flourished where ever he went. Receiving favor, learning hard lessons and trust only one person; himself.Jack who had made choices to better himself was willing to learn a trade and worked hard to do what it takes. To get away from poverty that was part of most of his younger years; but at the end making a wrong decision, which caused him to serve seven years of hard labor in New South Wales. A new British colony at the end of the world; as it was known during the late nineteen hundreds. Always a loner that defended himself becoming strong and independent on this difficult path.Susanna who grew up vastly different the two men, protective and secure under the watchful eye of her father Reverend Drake. But yet she also had to deal with the loss of her mother at a very young age, falling in love with a chimney-sweeper, and almost made a grave mistake. Her father stepping in to rectify it with any means possible.Following her father when he received the call for mission work on the Island of Fiji. A brave and courageous young woman that stepped up to any challenge that came on her way.Determined to do what was needed and supporting her father unconditionally.Most of the story is written with their adventures in mind on the seas. Their journeys, as they traveled to different parts of the world on different vessels, each learning their lessons from life on these ships. We meet different and interesting characters that helped to shape them into the grown-up we get to know in Book 2.During Nathan's travels he met a young man Tatoosh, who would play an great role in his life. Shipwrecked and abandon on an Island, he was caught by the native tribe and had to work as a slave, doing all sorts of things as the chief demanded from him. Here he also learned the pleasures of women, since they found the young white American extremely handsome, he was never without a lover.As with Book 2 the authors mixed the sexual adventures of the characters and the believes of Christianity into the book without being offensive, vulgar or preachy. The normal desires and the temptations of a human and life became part of their lives, wrestling with the quilt at times, but never willing to let it influence them negatively. It was just part of the adventure.Especially where Susanna was concerned; who grew up in a very loving but religious home. Her struggles was more in focus as she met young men, falling in love; her dreams filled with sexual encounters with them. At times she believed God punished her for these thoughts throwing herself wholeheartedly into her studies. Deeply devoted to God and the mission.The two men of course enjoyed every opportunity given to them with no shortage of exploring a woman's body to become good lovers themselves.Jack's travels showed the brutal ways of the slave masters aka servants of Her Majesty's Crown to get in line with the law as they saw it. People who did time for meaningless things, suffering under these cruel task masters. Causing Jack to escape on several occasions, each with their own adventures and repercussions.Life on the ship on Jack's first trip was very harsh with many of the convicts dead by the time they landed at their destination. Jack himself had barely survived but his will to live and his tenacity made him to overcome these hardships almost in a stride. Here he showed his strength and agility to overcome no matter the odds stacked against him.The many storms and deaths they all had to face were part of the story line emphasizing their own struggles as human beings. There were obnoxious characters and lovable characters that all played a part to make this a wonderful read filled with adventure, tragedy, hope, struggles and overcoming the odds.A coming of age book as three people learn to deal with the hand handed out to them, making the best of every situation the authors could throw at them.Personally I will recommend that you read this book first to better understand the plot in Book 2, the three characters and how they came together to give us a wonderful, in-depth and descriptive story of the Islands and the time they lived in.