Makai Queen

By Tara Fairfield

ISBN #: 9781937756703

Author’s Website:  http://makaiqueen.com/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Valerie

Synopsis:

Off the coast of Lanai, far beyond the sailboats, there is a hidden world beneath the beryl-blue sea, the marvelous kingdom of Moku-ola, a place where man and beast live in harmony. Unknown and forbidden to those living above the surface, it has never been discovered….until now.

Tessa, a curious teenager with a taste for adventure roams the sandy beaches of Lanai. Feeling lost and hurt she longs for meaning and a place in this world. By chance, Tessa encounters a mysterious man who appears to be drowning. The attempted rescue puts her own life in danger as she is abducted and dragged out to sea.

Far beneath the ocean’s surface, Tessa is brought to the frightening and wondrous land of Moku-ola. As the dangers of this world threaten her very survival, Tessa must overcome the barriers of self-doubt to discover the keys to her royal destiny.

Dr. Tara Fairfield weaves a fantastical tale of adventure, forgiveness and acceptance. In Makai Queen we learn the journey is not always easy but the destination is worth it. (Goodreads)

Review:

There are some books where the summary partly describes the book, and this is one of those. Makai Queen is about Tessa, a seemingly ordinary girl. When she “rescues” the man, Moho, she’s brought to Moku-ola. There she meets new characters, quite possibly a romantic interest as well, and takes her life by storm. Makai Queen is a Christian read, although the Christian aspect of it is much less prominent than most Christian novels.

This is the first Christian book with fantasy that I’ve read. To tell you the truth, it was quite nice. I wasn’t expecting Moku-ola to be quite so beautiful and fascinating. While at times it seemed a little too perfect and amazing, for the most part I enjoyed the setting. After all, it’s not exactly possible to not like an underwater world, complete with dolphins, turtles, and seahorses.

Tessa is one of those girls who don’t know their inner strength. Personally, I found her a little unrealistic, but for the most part I enjoyed her. It was nice to have a protagonist without a vocabulary consisting of swear words. I think it’s nice not to cringe in the middle of the book during a swear word. I like how Tessa isn’t selfish, and she is a good person.

What I didn’t like is that some major events could happen in a matter of a few pages. Makai Queen is only around 200 pages, yet so much happens in it. I feel like some parts are just skimmed through. It could use a bit more detail. However, it’s nice not having to read ten sentences of description concerning a vase or something else. It’s also nice to finish a book within a few days, and not a few weeks.

Some parts were a little predicted and cliché. However, if you’re the type of person who isn’t too picky and loves a happy ending, this is the perfect book for you. As a picky reader myself, I have to say I was impressed. I enter all books expecting not to like them, but Makai Queen proved me wrong.