Wai-nani: A Voice from Old Hawai'i

by Linda Ballou

This is the story of Wai-nani, the favorite wife of the warrior- chief destined to unite the Hawaiian Islands. Wai-nani defied the death-dealing priests and challenged the role of women. Willful and passionate, she questioned kapu; the strict laws governing all Polynesians for centuries. Believed to be handed down directly from the gods the kapu system called for human sacrifice, a slave class and limiting roles for women.Through her eyes we feel present in the lives of early Hawaiian royals and learn the secrets of the mysterious Polynesian culture. We see firsthand the impact of the Hawaiians first contact with the white man when Captain Cook sets foot on the shores of Kealakekua Bay in 1779. In the arms of the vibrant sea, Wai-nani would swim for hours with her dolphin family finding solace, joy, strength and clarity that would challenge and alter the Islands’ history forever. Wai-nani takes you on a seductive journey casting a spell that transports you back to the heart and soul of old Hawaii.Wai-nani is a truly beautiful story, written with lush language that emotes the warm aloha of my people, while bringing our ancient culture and mysticism to life. Tori Eldridge, Author

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical

282 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2008

About the author

A love triangle of extremes has proven to be a solid base for my writing. From my roots in Alaska I receive strength, solitude, centeredness and respect for the awful power of nature. In Hawaii I found nurturing, a spiritual awakening, sensuality, peace and my heroine for my historical fiction, Wai-nani-A Voice from Old Hawaii. In proud California I obtained a degree in English Literature and a doctorate in urban savvy. I continue to enjoy opportunities here for intellectual stimulation, exciting contacts and friends. It makes a great base for exploits that I share in my travel collection Lost Angel Walkabout-One Traveler's Tales.
Embrace of the Wild is historical fiction based on the adventurous life of Isabella Bird, a woman who broke through social and physical barriers to become the best-loved travel writer of her day. (1831-1904)
My new-adult novel The Cowgirl Jumped Over the Moon, is an action-adventure novel that takes you the high Sierra.
Newest release Lost Angel Unleashed third installment in the Lost Angel Adventures Trilogy
http://www.LostAngelAdventures.com for travel articles and my handbook How To Get Great Trips. For more about my novels go to www.LindaBallouAuthor.com

Reviews

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read quite a few historical fiction novels that take place in Hawaii, but none quite like this. It's not about leprosy or American colonization or even sugar cane plantations, but the natives of Hawaii and their lives, customs, superstitions, and rules before the white man's arrival. It follows a young woman, Wai-nani, the daughter and wife of chiefs. She is a woman of the sea and swims with dolphins and even "converses" with them. Let me be clear about that. She doesn't converse with them like a child would her favorite dog, but has the ability to make the dolphin sounds and clicks to convey her point.

Wai-nani leaves home after breaking a tabu. She literally swims into the arms of Makahu, who becomes her husband. She must now be accepted by his people, tolerate another wife, deal with barreness, and watch her husband deal with the inner turmoil and struggles that often afflict a fighting warrior. The arrival of Captain Cook does not improve matters on the island either. All thru these tribulations, Wai-nani has her own inner turmoils being a strong minded woman in a time when women were not even allowed to eat with the men.

Whenever Wai-nani's life story comes to a "lull" or she is is not swimming with her dolphin family to attain her inner peace, the author manages to interweave stories of the Hawaiian gods and godesses into the primary tale. From Lono's missing wife to waterfalls in love, these "myths" add a nice touch. Not to mention the descriptions... I really felt as tho I was in Hawaii and felt the water around me.

In the author's preface, she asks readers to be the judge. Was Ka'ahumanu (Wai-nani) a forerunner to the modern woman and a daring liberator, or was she a traitor to her times? Having completed this, I have come to my own conclusion. You must come to yours.

[Cara Bertoia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books that tell a great story but I want to learn something at the same time. I knew that since Linda Ballou was a travel writer that I would learn about Hawaii but what I didn't realize is that she is a beautiful writer. This story takes place at the time in history where the Hawaiians are introduced to the Europeans as seen from the Hawaiian viewpoint. It is a story about a strong woman living in a warlike country. Just get that picture of peaceful Hawaiians out of your head. She weaves a tale that keeps you intrigued all the way to the end. This is a great read about a fierce heroine. In fact, I liked the story so much I asked Linda to do an interview for my blog. Follow this link to read her interview. http://thebesttravelnovels.blogspot.c...

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wai-Nani is like no other book I have ever read. Linda Ballou is a master of language, pulling the reader in and evoking emotions hidden deep within. Her imagery will tickle your senses, allowing you to feel the story more than merely reading.

Passionate and primal, Wai-Nani transports you to the early days of Hawaii, where warriors ruled and women were expected to know their place.

Wai-Nani refuses to be bound by the shackles of society and follows her heart--finding a destiny beyond her wildest dreams. Follow her--no, join her--on this incredible journey. Joyce Anthony-author of Storm

[Yolanda Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

WAI-NANI -- HIGH CHIEFESS OF HAWAI’I HER EPIC JOURNEY by Linda Ballou is a beautifully written epic about a strong independent woman. It is a history lesson written with care and heart about a remarkable people during an amazing time. The Queen Ka’ahumanu, the favorite wife of Kamehameha the Great, inspired Wai-nani’s character.

Linda has caught the beauty, mystery, and heart of the Hawaiian culture. I found this book both educational, and inspirational; a seductive journey through time and to a place of great majesty and history. A must read for all those who enjoy romance and history.

[Irene Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wai-nani is written with so many beautiful poetic descriptions of people and scenes. Linda wrote it so magically that I felt like I was actually swimming with Eku, the dolphin and Wai-nani. I liked learning about the historical account of the ancient Hawaiian people and their culture while reading it as a love story. The characters all became so alive for me that I held concern for each one of them and how their lives would be revealed. I savored the story like a wine connoisseur savors wine. I really enjoyed the adventures this story took me on.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fictionalized account of Hawaiian royalty and, in particular, the life of one of Kameamea's most beloved wives which was fascinating and alive. A thoroughly researched book, there is no doubt that the author has a deep love for Hawaii, it's people and culture. The resulting story becomes an educational journey into their way of life. I believe that Ballou has done a great service to the Hawaiian people. It was a joy to read!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Wai-Nani: A Voice from Old Hawai’i” was a magnificent read. Ballou did extremely thorough research to accompany her beautiful writing. I really felt like I was in ancient Hawai’i. My favorite genre is historical fiction and this book was some of the best I have ever read. The setting is well described, the characters are well developed, and the connections that build to the stories end are well constructed. If you are at all interested in ancient cultures, ancient Hawai’i, or an increased understanding of the earliest beginnings of modern Hawai’i I highly recommend this book.

[Lorraine Brodek · Rating 5 out of 5]

WAI-NANI Brings Peace to Paradise!
By Lorraine Holnback Brodek (Hana, Maui, HI, USA)

The rhythm of Linda Ballou's writing is sheer poetic dialogue. Her descriptions are as mystic as the ancient Hawaiian culture she so graphically describes in this wonderful story that she tells using the voice of Wai-nani (aka Ka'ahumanu, King Kamehameha's favorite wife). Chiefess Ka'ahumanu's birthplace was in a cave at Puu Kauiki in Hana--a hill that exists today in this charming town that truly evokes the beautiful spirit of old Hawaii. Linda's artistic prose is a skillful tribute to an incredible lady who was the first champion of woman's rights in the Hawaiian Islands. Why do I think that she might not be pleased at having a large shopping mall named after her in Kahului, Maui? Please read this lovely book to learn more, then visit Hana and its historical sites, followed by a shopping trip to Ka'ahumanu Mall.

By Lorraine Holnback Brodek
Author of: A Nobody in a Somebody World; My Hollywood Life in Beverly Hills
https://www.LorraineBrodek.com

[Toby Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hypnotic spell that takes us to ancient Hawaii.

Press in to really "get" this book. Wai-nani's story is told in a hypnotic, fairy-tale or high legend voice that took me a chapter or two to get into--but once I did, I was fascinated with the way Linda Ballou had taken us into the intimate and unknown world of the Hawaiian people through the eyes of an unforgettable heroine. Wai-nani is fierce, passionate, and deeply connected to the land and ocean--and to her complex and multi-faceted warrior husband. It reminded me how fully developed the civilization of the Hawaiian people was, and how large their population, before the fateful arrival of "Kapena Kuke" and his "floating heiau."
Thanks for this journey to another time and a Hawaii seen through a princess of its people.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mahalo nui loa, Linda, for writing this glorious story. As a Hawaiian, born and raised, I loved the journey back into the days of old and the poetic way that you mixed fact, fiction, and legend. Wai-nani is a truly beautiful story, written with lush language that emotes the aloha of my people, while bringing our ancient culture and mysticism to life. Thank you so much for the careful research and the passion that you so clearly feel for Hawaii.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now in audio: http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Wai...

See YouTube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xR5l...

Wonderfully written; very magical in its prose. I highly recommend it!

[Melissa Farnsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linda Ballou has done an amazing amount of research on her topic. She writes a well informed story. An enjoyable read with very well developed main characters. Lots of information on Hawaii before the English came. Wai-Nani is inspired by a real woman who braved the ancient traditions to achieve change.

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

1779, The kahuna (elders) were the protectors & communicators of the wisdoms of time & the 4 gods.
The 4 gods are: Kane (god, creator of man, symbol of life, living waters), Kanaloa (ocean god, creator of the tides by inhaling/exhaling), Ku (god of war/chiefs, forests, canoe-making/fishing, land snatcher), & Lono (god of fertility, clouds/weather, healer).
The Hawaiian deities interacted with living humans who were transformers.
1819, Kealakekua Bay. Kamehameha the Great had passed away.
What became of Ka’ahumanu (favorite wife, mother of the PPL)?

Hana village. Pele (Goddess of the volcano/fire), & Wai-nani (daughter/sister, narrator) frolicked in the ocean with Eku (m, dolphin), & Laka (f, dolphin lover, goddess of dance) as Mano (shark) swam about.
Chief Pano’s (husband/father) favorite wife Ha'aheo (Maui, mother) had been killed.
Wai-nani (Ha'aheo’s daughter) & Makaha (m, warrior) soon became lovers.
Later they were married.
1-day Ka'eo (Makaha’s friend) was introduced to her.

Makaha had a schooner with guns/ammunition & her own sailors.
She had left to become a warrior & wage a war back on the Maui inland.
Next stop Wailuku (village).
Flashback. Kealakekua Bay. Discovery (ship). What surprise did George Vancouver have for Chief Makaha (keeper of Ku) & the villagers from King George III (England).

Warning: This book contains adult content, violence, &/or sexually explicit material which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader.

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written Hawaiian historical fiction book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great Hawaiian movie, or better yet a mini TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free author; Goodreads; MakingConnections; Making Connections discussion group talk; Star Publish; 2 edition; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Leonide Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Hawai'i's dynasty is told in semi-mythological style in this captivating book. The characters' names have been changed, perhaps to enhance the mythical quality. For those who have read other books on the dynasty, this might be disorienting, though the fictional and actual names are linked in the Author's Note. Told in first person by Wai-nani (Ka'ahumanu), the prose is lyrical and full of vibrant description. Readers become immersed in the sights, sounds, smells, and moods of old Hawai'i with special emphasis on the sea. Wai-nani and her husband Makaha (Kamehameha I) both have deep affinity for the sea and can swim with dolphins and surf immense waves. Wai-nani's relationship with dolphins and sea dominate the first chapters; the flowing descriptions become a bit excessive. The story gains momentum after the first third and captures the imagination, surging relentlessly toward the ultimately tragic conclusion.

The "poetry and pageantry of the time" is richly captured as ancient myths are woven together with historic events. Wai-nani becomes Makaha's wife at age 13, reportedly following him doggedly until he notices her. Destined to be the great warrior chief who unites all the islands, Makaha moves in and out of Wai-nani's life in a passionate yet conflicted relationship. The struggles among chiefs for dominance, political maneuvering, manipulation by priests, and jealousies among wives make for fascinating reading. Emotional experiences of characters are intense and feel authentic, and the inevitable character changes that accompany life challenges and altered status are well presented. The encounters with Captain Cook, subsequent relations with Europeans and adoption of their weapons, make for fascinating reading.

Although Kamehameha (Makaha) went on to have perhaps 30 wives and 35 children, Ka'ahumanu (Wai-nani) remained his chief wife and life-long advisor. In this story, she rails against the kapu (tabu) system early in life, setting the stage for her acts to break the system when the ruler's oldest son, called Nohea in the book (Liholiho – Kamehameha II) takes over upon his father's death. Foreshadowing the downfall of ancient Hawai'ian culture, Wai-nani observes when Nohea breaks kapu by eating with her and his mother: "I believe he knew that in the fullness of time this act would mark the beginning of the end . . ."

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wai-nani – a wife of a warrior, later to be a chef. She is a fascinating person who brought Hawaiian women into a more equivalent position to men at her own peril.
The positives were worth it. This was a very different book for me. I nearly put it off several times. I am glad I stuck with it. The positives were worth it.
The reader should be a person interested in Hawaiian culture, customs, and history.
Being a lover of dolphins, I was particularly taken by Wai-nani’s friendship with three dolphins in particular – Eku, Laka, and Piku. They become quite close. They helped Wai-nani through some stressful times. Her relationship with her warrior husband, Mukaha, is conflicted with sadness and infidelity. She married him when she was 13 years old. He eventually marries 35 other women. As he struggles to gain power and unite all the Hawaiian Islands. Wai-nani remains Mukaha's confidant and advisor.
There are a lot of vibrant descriptions of the flowers, waterfalls, and the different islands.
I do recommend this novel but be aware of the nuances I have described.
.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was sent to me by the publisher. I cannot give it higher than a 3 .. it was interesting at times, but I often got lost trying to keep the characters straight. The glossary of Hawaiian words was helpful but incomplete it could also have used a family tree so keep the characters separate. If the author's Hawaiian history is close to true I learned quite a bit, if not it sure sounded good. @Wai-nani.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wai-nani: A Voice from Old Hawai'i Set in the late 1700s, Wai-nani is the daughter of a great Hawaiian chieftain. However, she finds that she can’t live by his rules and swims away to another island. On her journey, she meets people from other Hawaiian tribes, lives through wind and wave, and eventually meets some of the first Caucasians to visit the islands. Along the way, she is accompanied by her friend the dolphin Eku.
I really wanted to like this book. I set into it wanting to sink in and soak up some Hawaiian history via this historical fiction. However, I often found myself a bit lost. Now part of that is me. I am woefully ignorant about both the history and myths of the Hawaiian peoples and the Hawaiian language. Throughout Wai-nani’s story, there are tales of the ancient Hawaiian gods woven in. Quite frankly, I would sometimes lose track of the characters, the names being so unfamiliar to me, and I would then lose track of whether or not I was was listening to events happening in Wai-nani’s present or a tale of old (of ancient gods or ancient warriors) being told to or by Wai-nani.  Secondly, there are several Hawaiian words used throughout the book (and normally I revel in this sort of thing) but the sounds are so unfamiliar to me that I had trouble keeping track of what was meant by which word… and Ooops! sometimes I confused a Hawaiian noun with a person’s name and vice versa. So, certain chunks of the plot were somewhat of a muddle to me.
So I would say that if you are as ignorant of the Hawaiian language and myths as I am, this might not be the book to start your education with. Also, I think it might be best to eyeball read it instead of listening to it as you could make note of the Hawaiian words (or hopefully the author included an small dictionary in the ebook/paper versions) and the grammar alone will clue you into whether it is a person’s name or vocabulary.
I did enjoy that Wai-nani had such an active life! She was very physically active, surfing and swimming and hiking much of the time. She often risked much voicing her opinion to chiefs concerning the traditional taboos against women doing this or that (like eating bananas). I would have enjoyed having other female characters doing the same instead of Wai-nani being the odd woman out most of the time.
Then Captain Cook and his ships come sailing in. This was initially a little confusing to me as well, and it’s because Cpt. Cook has a unique name in Hawaiian that is used primarily. However, I did like that it was more of a side note towards the end of Wai-nani’s life instead of some big climax to her life. The book does do a good job of showing that the Hawaiian peoples had full eventful lives and cultures of their own before Caucasians showed up.
I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks!
The Narration: Christine Padovan was an adequate narrator. She pronounced the Hawaiian words consistently through the book. I can’t speak to the accuracy of pronunciation because I am unfamiliar with the language. However, she had a somewhat stilted voice. I have listened to one other book narrated by Padovan (a SF story) and I thought she had added the stilt on purpose to reflect the fact that most of the characters learned from a computer, giving them all a kind of geek accent. Yet here I hear her doing the same thing throughout the book and it doesn’t work here.

[Lloyd Lofthouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wai-nani, High Chiefess of Hawai’i, Her Epic Journey
by Linda Ballou
ISBN: 978-1-932993-88-2
Star Publish LLC
$17.95
I met Linda Ballou at the 2009 Los Angeles Times Book Festival. Later, in an e-mail, she told me it took her twenty years to do the research for this historical fiction and to get it out of the drawer and into the streets. The time Ballou spent on this work shows in the rich details that flow like lava from two of the earth’s largest volcanoes found on the island of Hawaii.
Wai-nani is rich with ancient Hawaiian culture and lore. The main character may be fictional but she is a reflection of Ka’ahumanu, King Kamehameha’s favorite wife, at one time the most powerful person in the Hawaiian Islands.
Today, the Hawaiian Islands may be an incredible tourist destination, but in the 18th century, they weren’t. When the islands were more or less isolated from the rest of the world, the Hawaiian people were often at war with each other and women were second-class citizens who could be executed for daring to eat a meal on the same mat or in the same room as a man. Men could take more than one wife and the rules were strict with death often being the punishment for breaking them.
Ka’ahumanu, as represented by Wai-nani in Ballou’s novel, was an early feminist and helped bring about changes that elevated women to be equal with men.
Do not be surprised when you find Wai-nani making friends with a family of dolphins. Some readers may have trouble believing this part of the novel, but I didn’t. Before Christ, the Greeks recorded incidents of dolphins helping and befriending sailors lost at sea when their ships sunk. There are recoded incidents of dolphins still doing this in modern times. There have been stories of dolphins driving fish onto beaches to help feed starving African natives. Therefore, it was easy reading about Wai-nani swimming with her dolphin friends in the ocean.
Wai-nani also chronicles the clash between cultures when Captain Cook arrives in 1779, along with the same European diseases that devastated and killed so many North and South American Indians. When Europeans started to spread across the globe, their viruses and germs went with them and did most of the killing making it easier for the land grabs that happened later. That tragedy is part of this story too.
The Hawaiian culture, the characters and the setting are richly detailed. I have never visited Hawaii. It would be nice one day if I had that chance, but if that doesn’t happen, at least I have had the pleasure of being taken to this Polynesian paradise by reading this heavily detailed story.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing Wai-nani: A Voice from Old Hawai’i became a beautiful obsession for me. Part of my research for the story was visiting the places I’d read about in an attempt to absorb the ancient spiritual power of the Islands and to add a palpable physicality to my story. I spent several nights in Waipio Valley where much of the story takes place. I hiked into the depths of the valley and climbed up the sheer rock holding onto a vine rope, placing my feet into the indentations made by past generations. There is a love scene in the book set in the pool lined with ferns I was privileged to know first and. Many of the scenes described in the book were taken from actual experiences I had in the Islands. So many, they are too numerous to mention. This book is the culmination of a 20-year love affair with the Islands and the Hawaiian people.
The character Wai-nani is inspired by the Ka'ahumanu, the favorite wife of Kamehameha the Great, who became the most powerful woman in Old Hawai'i. She is still revered and celebrating in the Islands. Some see her as the "Loving Mother of the People" and others see her as a traitor to her times. She turned the tide on the 2,000- year- old Polynesian kapu system, then opened the door to Christianity.
In the Apple TV series Chief of War, she is engaged in a dangerous love affair with Kiane, a rival who threatens Kamehameha's rule. Her powerful personage is still in play today Learn more about her and why she inspired my novel at www.LindaBallouAuthor.com

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Hawai'i, so when I found Wai-nani: High Chiefess of Hawai'i - Her Epic Journey by Linda Ballou, I couldn't wait to read it. I was not disappointed. I raced through it, enjoying every vivid moment and cannot say enough about it.

Linda has captured the beauty of Hawai'i and the ancient lore and legend that makes Hawai'ian history so enchanting. Her main character, Wai-nani, is fourteen when the story begins, and we follow her as she becomes the first wife of the soon-to-be high chief of Hawai'i. (based upon King Kamehameha) Her gift is in the water, swimming with the porpoises, befriending them as she catches a fin and flies through the waves with them.

Using her instincts and wisdom, Wai-nani remains her husband's most trusted advisor and one of his favorite wives throughout his life, while he wrestles with change and the impact of the arrival of the white Christian men who bring both the positive ideas and the decadence of the new world.

An important aspect of any book for me is the quality of writing, and Linda is a faulous writer: "The red apple of the ohi'a tree tasted sweet in my mouth as I watched the drifting plumes of Pele, Goddess of the Volcano, cast shadows upon the shimmering sea. Frothy surf reached my ankles then receded, leaving tiny bubbles of foam upon a blank tablet of sand. The crescent sail of an outrigger flared upon the horizon." This is the opening paragraph of the book and it only gets better from here.

Don't miss it!

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have no idea how the book really was. I need to read it in print. The narration for this book is horrendous. I understand the narrator is actually rather good, but the direction for this book sucks. The narrator has a habit of reading too slow. She draws out the last syllable of the last word in every phrase and her voice goes down on the last word of every sentence. Someone else said they contacted the narrator and was told that she was doing it the way the director wanted it for dramatic effect. It was badly overdone. She sounded like a bad copy of a computer generated text to speech program. I could not follow the story because the narration was so distracting.

I only gave the story two stars because I could not follow it. I really think this book would be better read in hard copy. It is not really fair to Linda Ballou to judge her book by the narrator, but the narration was just so bad that I couldn't follow the story. The only reason I gave the narration one star is because there isn't anything lower. If you don't give it, at least, one star then it just doesn't register, so one star it is.

If this narration was the result of the direction given, then Ballou's books need a different director for future ones.

I received this audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[ZooDoc · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Wai-nani: High Chiefess of Hawai'i - Her Epic Journey." Linda Ballou has hit a home run with this wonderful novel! I highly recommend it to everyone. Ms. Ballou has delivered a well-researched historically-based tale that sends the reader back to the 1700's, to the days of early English explorers, and the era of Hawaiian war lords. In the middle of it all is a touching, though frustrating and often frightful love story surrounding the young girl Wai-nani. You the reader will swim with Wai-nani as she makes friends and communes with the dolphins, and you will go "water-sliding" with Hawaiian surfers. A wonderful escape to the past...to ocean, jungle and volcanos, a great adventure! I believe this one is destined to win many awards. ZD (This review was written by ZooDoc, international award-winning author of "War Star Rising! The Legend of Toucan Moon." Visit his website at www.zoodoc-stories.com or search MySpace for ZooDoc.)

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

If this isn't the worst commercial narration I've ever heard, it certainly comes close to it. Christine Padovan reads this book like it was a radio commercial.
Her phrasing and shaping of the text is indescribably inappropriate. I will give her credit for not stumbling over the many Hawaiian names and terms, but
her overall delivery is almost unlistenable.

With the right narrator, this could be a pretty good story. As mentioned above, there's an abundance of Hawaiian terms, most are undefined, requiring the
listener to interpret them based on context. This story almost borders on fantasy. I would have preferred more history and less fiction because I'm not
particularly fond of magical realism. Unfortunately, the poor narration reflects negatively on the overall story.

NOTE: I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for this unbiased review.

[MaryJane Rings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched and interesting to read. Having visited Hawaii and learned of the history and culture of the native Hawaiians, I found this book to be an interesting account about the ancient peoples, their diverse culture and their connection with the sea.
Good summer read.

[Marla Martenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written book. It was a gift, so a nice surprise. I love getting to read something that I never would have picked up on my own. Linda Ballou brings to life this magical tale of Wai-nani who finds pleasure and courage in the sea. We experience the Hawaiian society through her as it existed in 1779. I previously had no knowledge of Hawaiian culture or history.

I loved the story of Wai-nani's bond and friendship with Eku the dolphin. I have always wanted to swim with the dolphins, and I could imagine what a powerful experience that was. I definitely recommend picking up this delightful book!

[Greta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was the captivating story of Wai-nani, the favorite wife of Makaha in Hawaii in the 1700s. Although the audiobook narrator sounded close to an electronic voice, the story was still wonderful. Wai-nani was a fascinating woman- strong, spirited, sensual. I enjoyed reading about her love of the water and her relationship with a pod of dolphins. I feel Ballou painted a vivid picture of old Hawaii with wonderful landscape descriptions, great attention to the old customs of the Hawaiian people and explanation of how change began to occur in their lives.

**I received this audiobook for free from Audiobook Boom in return for an unbiased review.

[Anna Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book. Wainani to me is another word for empowerment. A woman's journey into the secret rituals of womanhood and historical Hawaiian traditions. Wainani, a true historical figure, is the ultimate self-actualized woman. We get to peek at her private fantasies, her sexual encounters and her love for sea creatures like Eku, her dolphin friend. This book is filled with magical experiences, warriors, ancient Hawaiian traditions and its beauty. Once you read this book you will never forget Wai-nani. She stays with you forever. I highly recommend this book.

[Linda Ulleseit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is well researched and beautifully descriptive. The historical details and setting are interwoven almost lyrically. Set against that is the amazing Wai-Nani, a woman ahead of her time, determined to lead her people to a better life. This story will place you in 18th century Hawaii, an era not well known for most people, and give you a taste of the Hawaiian legacy.

[Pamela]

Hoping to get back to this, as the author was super generous in giving me an audio and print copy of her book. I was not required to write a review, and all opinions are my own. The audio was too difficult to listen to, and sadly, has made me apprehensive for the print reading. I really do hope to finish it.