Laura's & Megan's Informal Buddy Read for Flight of a Maori Goddess starting Sept 8, 2020.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This topic is open to discuss Flight of a Maori Goddess by Sarah Lark



Synopsis
The dawning twentieth century brings change to New Zealand—and new opportunities for any woman bold enough to grasp them. Atamarie Turei, whose mother fought for suffrage, has enrolled as the first female student at the Canterbury College of Engineering. On a surveying trip she meets Richard Pearse, who shares her passion for aviation. Being part Maori, part white, and thoroughly independent, Atamarie is soon vilified by Richard’s conservative farm community, forcing her to navigate the next step in a liberating life.

Roberta Fence, Atamarie’s best friend, has just graduated from college. Obsessed with charismatic, womanizing doctor Kevin Drury, Roberta follows him to South Africa, where their work together in the brutal Boer concentration camps will change her—but not define her.

Soon, Atamarie and Roberta will discover that destiny lies closer to home. There, each woman forges a path through star-crossed love, family upheaval, and a shifting social landscape. And by reconciling ambition with the spirituality of her ancestors, Atamarie endeavors to make her dreams take flight at last.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

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[Megan]

I'm ready Laura :-) Will start reading this at some point tomorrow. Curious how she is going to finish this series off!

[Laura]

Me too!!

[Laura]

Finished part 1

(view spoiler)[

I loved the inclusion of the family tree. That might have been helpful in the 2nd book too. Lark certainly has this trilogy intertwined with relationships doesn't she?

Kinda sad that Juliet feels she needs to tamper with the protection. I actually think Kevin and Juliet deserve each other. Do you think she will stay with Michael and Lizzie? And is she going to marry the other brother?

I think, so far, I like Antamarie more than her mom's story in book 2. I like how she is paving the road for women to follow in her footsteps

(hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Finished Part 1
(view spoiler)[ I thought the same thing about the family tree. My only problem is that works well in a physical book but if you're reading on kindle I always worry about losing my place to check who is who.

I don't think she'll marry Patrick, she wants two things a good looking husband and a husband to provide for her. I don't think Patrick meets the first criteria enough - depends though shes desperate enough. I was shocked at her for doing that but interesting this is the first person in this series to use protection.

Yeah shes much nicer than her mother.

I thought this was the least exciting start of all 3 books - no rape which is good but nothing really happens it just plods along... (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Megan, I don't have a kindle but I use the kindle app and I can go back and check anything prior and not lose my spot.
An actual kindle should be similar? I can bookmark my page on an ebook from Overdrive so I'm guessing there must be a way on the kindle.

Agree, this book starts off the least exciting but also agree it's rather nice not to have any rape scenes.

[Laura]

Finished part 2
(view spoiler)[
I think Juliet is a spoiled brat! That was just wrong what she did to Patrick. I'm hoping him and the baby have a more positive ending in the rest of the book.

I do like the chapters about the doctors in South Africa. I think Kevin has grown up a little while here<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Part 3
(view spoiler)[
Colin Coltran???? I had hoped we saw the last of him.

So far this book really hasn't been about Antamarie has it?
<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Part 3
Up to chpt 4
(view spoiler)[
Good god, conditions are inhumane. I suspect Doortje was raped by Colin and his squad.

It irks me that rape is a topic in her three books but I guess she is being realistic as it happened a lot in those times. <\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

I'm using the browser kindle during the day because I'm working - so its easier to hide reading.

Finished Part 2(view spoiler)[
I'm sorry Patrick married her but then at least he can keep the baby I do wonder how Kevin is going to take this though.

The South Africa stuff started interesting but now I'm bored with it. Hes probably the least interesting character in this book.

I read some comments about this book before starting saying this was the least interesting of the 3 and I can agree already. I'm not missing the rape but the author is definitely implying life is easier now than with the previous generations. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Finshed part 3
(view spoiler)[ Oh boy, that was a long section.
Even though Atamarie is my least favorite character I felt bad for how she was treated and how Richard's parents kicked her out of the hospital.

Richard seems like he suffers from bi polar disorder with all his manic emotions.

What do you think will happen with Roberta? Will she end up with Kevin or the vetinarian? I do like that this book shows some people standing for equality.
I agree this book is a little slower but I am still enjoying it. I rarely look at reviews before I read a book because I don't want to be influenced by other's thoughts and opinions. <\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Part 4- chapter 2
(view spoiler)[
I should have guessed that Doortje would be pregnant from the rape.
Do you you think she will go to New Zealand with Kevin? It's her best option. <\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Finished part 4
(view spoiler)[
I can't even summon up a little sympathy for Atamarie....Chloe and Heather did warn her.

What did you think of Doortje killing Colin?

I don't think Doortje will have an easy time in New Zealand <\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Finished Part 3 (view spoiler)[
Yes I think this was a very long system.
My problem with this book is there seemed to be a purpose for each book; Michael, Lizzie and Kathleen finding a new life for the first book, the second book was meant to be women's rights (although I felt that wasn't very represented) and then this book just doesn't seem like theres a purpose, is it this battle/war in South Africa?
I didn't mean to look at reviews, It caught my eye when I went to get the book on kindle.
I don't think she'll end up with Kevin, he doesn't seem to care a bit about her. I'd not be surprised if she goes back home without either of them... (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Finished Part 4
(view spoiler)[I have no sympathy for her or Roberta, both seem silly chasing men that are clearly not interested. Although Roberta seems to have figured it out.
I completely 100% understand why she reacted the way she did after seeing him, its sad that she did but hopefully they can all protect her and she can live a happy life now without having to worry about it. I don't think she'll truly be happy with him (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

I probably won't get to read the next part tomorrow Laura, I'm helping a friend move house

[Megan]

OK so I got through part 5 but I'm going to stop here and try and read the next part sunday
(view spoiler)[The first start of this I felt moved quite quickly but then it sort of became more gossipy and less about things happening and more affairs and silly stuff.
I had a thought while reading about Doortje being racist towards her maid that its funny awful things still happen to awful people - thinking about her rape. Its sad to read about such blatant racist actions but I'm sort of surprised how accepting all the characters have been about the Maori and then Juilet being black. Not that I'm unhappy about it because its nicer to read but surely would have been more accurate having more outcry having these mixed relationships and babies.
Also if you were Kathleen would you want to tell Doortje about Colin being her son? I think I'd have wanted it out in the open even if it ruined what ever friendship we could have, secrets like this will never work. Do you think it'l come out about Colin being killed? And who by?
Also I hate that Juilet is back. Its a shame that the author's chosen to include a woman of Creole background but made her so awful. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Sounds good! I'll catch up later today and then likely finish on Sunday as Amazing Race starts in a couple of days.

Keep an eye on your messages this weekend as we will have several decisions to make.

[Megan]

I'll try to do the same. Part 6 looks to be 12 chapters and then the last part has only 4 chapters so maybe if we can get my friend moved quicker than I think it will take and I can get a quiet hour to myself I'll finish it over the weekend.

Ok will keep an eye out, gmails being a pain and not sending me notifications if I get an email so I'll try and fix that too.

[Laura]

Hopefully the move goes smoothly!

[Laura]

Part 5
(view spoiler)[
I agree Megan this part became very catty and gossipy. I just want to tell Roberta to move on, Patrick move on, Kevin you are a slime bag make a choice.

Its a complicated mess for sure. I agree I think it would be better to get all those secrets out there. Kathleen should just tell Doortje but didn't Kevin ask her not to?
I am surprised that everyone is so accepting of the women of color... there was a little racism earlier with Atamarie but not a lot and like you I am happy to see the women treated well but I don't think Lark accurately depicts racism.
As a society we have made progress but we still have a ways to go before there is equality amongst all people.
<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Part 6
(view spoiler)[ I'm finding a recurring theme that boys seem to follow in their father's footsteps. Would have been interesting for Joe to not become like Eric and Colin not to be like whatever his dad was called.
I really dislike Kevin and Juilet. Shes terrible but he isn't much better.

As this is coming to the end, I do have to admit this book isn't as good as the other two. Its like she ran out of things to do, I don't dislike this book its just OK.. nothing really special. (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Finished!
(view spoiler)[ I'm glad they made Doortje sort of overcome her upbringing and begin to change but I still wasn't keen on her.
Kevins a jerk plain and simple and the way of Lizzie saying she needs to control Michael made very sure I didn't like her still.
This book was a let down to me. It could have been a very interesting ending but it just never got going. Went on at a weird pace and felt gossipy and catty instead of interesting. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Sorry Megan, we went hiking Saturday and over to my brother's on Sunday that I didn't get to finish this yet.

[Megan]

Laura wrote: "Sorry Megan, we went hiking Saturday and over to my brother's on Sunday that I didn't get to finish this yet."

No problem!! Hope you had a good weekend :) Its not much of an ending I warn you

[Laura]

Part 6
Megan, I agree with everything you said. This part was catty and gossipy too. I agree, I don't like Juliet but Kevin isn't much better.

Atamarie hopelessly after Richard is annoying. I also don't like this book as much as the other two. She definitely ran out of things to write about in this book.
Almost finished

[Laura]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
Oh boy, the drama!! I agree, this book wasn't as good as the other two, like you said earlier I think she ran out of stuff to write about.
I guess in the end everyone had a happy ending , even Juliet:-)

I think I will eventually try another of her series but not just yet! Might you be up for another? Or one of her stand alones?
Thanks for reading with me!! (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Yes, I'd be up for it. I think the story over the 3 books was mostly engaging and I liked her writing style. I'd be up for trying another of her books