Chris Amies

I won an Early Reviewers copy of this book and really thought I would enjoy it based on its supernatural theme. Unfortunately, I had a really hard time just getting through it. The book felt really disjointed, and for the first half I kept wondering if I skipped some pages here or there. I also couldn't really attach to any of the characters, as they were pretty one-dimensional, or would do something so out of character that they were practically schizophrenic. It also felt inconsistent, as show more if it could have used a good editor - in particular, I was really annoyed by the use/non-use/use/non-use of broken English by the native islanders. The story has a lot of potential, but I just think it could have been much better written. show less

I really thought that I'd enjoy this one, as it had a premise that appealed: remote South Pacific Island in the '30s, tribal traditions, legends and superstitions, a mysterious fatal epidemic and a British archaeological expedition and it's requisite curse...

But, I had to force myself to finish, as this was a review copy. Not sure exactly where it went wrong for me, but I believe that I just couldn't come down on the side of any of the characters. Without that, it's an interesting take on show more Polynesian folk lore, which is not my preferred reading material.

The (apparent) main protagonist, Allen Delmar, is principled but sappy as he "goes native", besotted by a tribal mystic's daughter. The expedition head, Cosima Garton is an arrogant, goal-oriented archaeologist who will have her "dig", no matter what. Most everyone else, both Brits and natives are shallow, unlikable and out for themselves. A possible exception is a rather selfless medical person, whose character could have been very interesting, but is unfortunately underdeveloped.

Not horrible, all in all, but not something that I'd reach for again. show less

Other reviewers have noted the stilted prose, banal plot, and one-note characters. The story idea has potential, and the Polynesian setting is interesting, but the finished product is dull.

An archeological team arrives at an island in the pacific to excavate a long-sealed temple. Their activities are viewed with suspicion and alarm by the islanders, especially when a strange illness begins to strike them down, turning them into raging shark-like cannibals who prey on the remaining residents. It appears the illness is the latest chapter of an eternal battle between the gods of land and sea. This sparely-written book follows one of the members of the expedition as he is drawn show more unaware into a crucial role in the battle. The suspense builds slowly as the bodies mount, but the reader is not fully exposed to the potential horror, being given a somewhat detached viewpoint. Nonetheless, the plot builds and comes to a climax in a satisfying manner, and the book provides a satisfying experience. show less