Kotuku by Deborah Savage

Kotuku Reviews

• 
  Lance

  While I found the story and some of the characters interesting enough, this novel felt much too problematic throughout for me to deeply enjoy or connect to.
  
  For starters, the cover shows a white teenage guy with traditional Maori tribal tattoos. In the book, the face tattoos shown here are only on one ghost-like figure that is an actual grown Maori man. So that's weird and serves as an introduction to the awkward issues of race throughout the novel.
  
  The other major issue is one of age difference in relationships. The 17 year old female main character falls instantly in love with a man that looks like the ghost she's seen her whole life. This older guy is 32. He shows his good-guy-ness by not pursuing her and telling her their age difference is too much, but a few chapters later ends up kissing her and holding her. Oh, they're also distant cousins (which he keeps secret for vague reasons of mystery and story philosophy).
  
  The gist of the plot is that Wim, the 17 year old girl, is suffering from multiple traumas - her best friend dying of an eating disorder / suicide less than a year ago and complex isolation from her family (especially much older sisters) as well as other peers. Wim likes unwanted animals, not humans. But along comes David, who looks like the literal man in her waking dreams. She's drawn to this man, but he's trying to at least act like he's not wanting to steal this child from her family. Then in comes Wim's crazy great aunt. From there, the plot largely progresses only due to the crazy aunt Kia's escapes and adventures from the confines of Wim's home, sprinkled in with Wim learning more about her family history through David. In the end, Kia disappears magically into the sea, Wim is saved by the ghost, and David gets the child bride he wants.
  
  In the story, Wim's only growth is she starts the process of overcoming her traumas solo (when she really needs some therapy, poor thing) and she learns to have courage to face her fears on rare occasions (when she should probably listen to the fear that David is too old and lives too far away and so on). Wim's family sucks and doesn't help her the way she should be supported either. They think David saved Wim's life when Kia was "swept to sea" but it was actually the ghost. Since David saved her life, the family appears to drop all concerns with their daughter moving across the world to be with the old dude. The only attempt the family makes at caring for Wim is forcing her into being closer to her now adult older sisters and their boyfriends' children that are nearly her age. Not great parenting here.
  
  Overall, I found the writing to be decent. It's nice in that simple, easy-reading way that lets the story come to you quickly and clearly. However, nearly all the characters seemed to be standard stock characters with new coats of paint. The story dragged at several parts. The plot revolved around family history secrets and dramas (not my thing) plus star-crossed lovers of vastly different ages (also not my thing and very problematic for young people to read). Add to all this the issues with the "magical natives" aspects of the novel, and I just couldn't get over it all to like the story much.
• 
  Debra Goodman

  Wim takes in strays and works as stable manager for Dune Stables, in Provincetown, owned by Evelyn and Tammy. The summer before her senior year, Wim's family worries about her future, and how she is coping with the death of a friend, but Wim feels comfortable with her life. That summer her family takes in her great aunt Kia, and a researcher arrives from Aotearoa/ New Zealand to study Maori ties with Cape Cod sailing families. Mysteries unfold that connect with Wim personally, and - to quote the book jacket "It will take every ounce of Wim's courage to sift through the secrets and open her heart to love again.
  
  I found this book a page turner - with compelling mysteries and tensions between the characters - captured realistically in the dialogue as characters struggle to understand each other and Wim struggles with her own feelings and identity. I like the complexity of characters, including Wim's parents and other adults. In addition, it is a nature story - as Wim explores marshes, beaches, and woods - discovering wildlife, particularly the white heron that the Maori's call "Kotuku." It is a cultures in contact story told from a white perspective, but brings to life the historic connections between Maori culture and new england sailors. A unique twist on a coming of age story. Another element of diversity in this story is the same-sex couple, Evelyn and Tammy, Their relationship is a very matter of fact and accepted part of Wim's life. (Well, it is set in Provencetown.)
  
  Great read. I accidentally read it twice but enjoyed it both times.
• 
  Ariel

  I liked this book a lot , it confused me a lot too though . I think that's because they talk about spiritual things and used a different language for certain words . Once again her writing style never ceases to annoy me and I still yet loved the book . It ended well and had good characters , I would read it again . (:
• 
  Goldie Marie

  I could totally relate to the main character, I am a horse rider, trainer, and LOVER. I also adore the author Deborah Savage who also wrote Summer Hawk wich is also wonderfull.
• 
  Lauren

  This book is so good I read it once a year. Horses, history, romance, et more!
• 
  Jess Trebanna

  Dealt with some sensitive themes that I'm not really fond of reading about. Bloke on the front doesn't look Maori (am I missing something here?). But interesting.
• 
  Kate

  I really like this book, but it was not what I expected from reading the back cover.