If you love fantasy set in the real world and based on history and myths, this book may be for you. The Legend of Tawhiri is a South Pacific inspired fantasy by an author that grew up in Papua New Guinea. While I love a medieval fantasy as much as anyone else, it’s refreshing to read a fantasy set somewhere other than Europe. Fantasy is after all, about exploring a world different than that which is familiar to us. Yet it still has beloved myth-based elements such as mermaid-like creatures and demigods that make up much of what we love about fairytales and fantasy.

The beginning of the story opens with a peaceful island people celebrating the coming-of-age of their youth. Coming into adulthood requires a difficult trial—swimming into the depths below an island volcano and retrieving a talisman. One man, Tawhiri, will forever be a boy in the eyes of his people because he is forbidden to complete this trial, forbidden even to set a toe in the ocean that he loves and that gives life to his people. The people of Taloa fear that Tawhiri, a foundling on a reef, is a demi-god left by the Ri—mischievous mermaid-like creatures of the sea. The leaders of the village fear that if Tawhiri were to be called back to the ocean, it would bring destruction on their village.

Tawhiri longs for the sea, but follows the rules set by his people. He desires to be seen as a man and to prove that he is not the demigod they fear. Completing the trial could prove him to be an ordinary man or it could risk him being cast out by his people. One thing Tawhiri feels certain of is that he is not Ri.

I first discovered Tawhiri on Wattpad and was immediately drawn into the picturesque ocean setting and the charming pacific village. I loved the playful banter between Tawhiri and his adoptive mom, Ooma. I too was lured by the otherworldly call of the Ri. Even more, it’s a story we can all relate to: one of finding your place in this world.

But the story remained unfinished. It was, I think, a couple years that past, but I could not forget Tawhiri. Could not help but wonder what choice he made. Did he find his place among the Taloan people or was he called away to the sea? Imagine my excitement, when I saw the author tweet that she finally publish Tawhiri’s story.

There’s so much more I could say about this story, but I don’t want to give it all away. Tawhiri is easy to read and cozy, yet its beauty and themes gripping. I read almost the entire book in one evening until I accidentally fell asleep, so finished the last 30 minutes the next morning. The author introduced a few local words and animals (for which she provided a glossary of terms in the back) that help establish the foreign setting without going so overboard that it became difficult to comprehend.

I also reached out to the author and she graciously agreed to a few questions about The Legend of Tawhiri, and I’m glad I did as her answers were fascinating. You can read the interview on my blog: https://leannarapier.com/book-review-the-legend-of-tawhiri-by-j-e-purrazzi/