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The Legend of Tawhiri
There is a legend in the Archipelago. Long ago, the ocean grew weak and feared for his heart. He took the form of a man and walked among the people.
Tawhiri was a gift from the ocean. Plucked from the waves as an infant. The people of the Islands know that the Ri, the spirits of the ocean, abandon unwanted half-breeds on the shore. These demigods are destined to return to the sea and leave ruin in their wake. It has happened many times before.
Tawhiri has no interest in spirits or ruin. He loves his village, but as long as the elders forbid him from the ocean he cannot pass the tests which will allow him to become a full member. When Kai'Ali, a friend whose twisted foot has held her back along with Tawhiri, passes the test and leaves him behind, Tawhiri must battle the seeds of bitterness.
Then the ocean begins to call to him.
Tawhiri was a gift from the ocean. Plucked from the waves as an infant. The people of the Islands know that the Ri, the spirits of the ocean, abandon unwanted half-breeds on the shore. These demigods are destined to return to the sea and leave ruin in their wake. It has happened many times before.
Tawhiri has no interest in spirits or ruin. He loves his village, but as long as the elders forbid him from the ocean he cannot pass the tests which will allow him to become a full member. When Kai'Ali, a friend whose twisted foot has held her back along with Tawhiri, passes the test and leaves him behind, Tawhiri must battle the seeds of bitterness.
Then the ocean begins to call to him.
185 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 14, 2024
2 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
J.H. Moore
16 books2 followersThere is more than one person in the Goodreads catalog with this name. This entry is for J.H. ^ Moore.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 18, 2024
Every so often a book comes along just when you need it most. Between the beautifully evocative setting, the relaxed pacing, and the themes that really spoke to my heart, that was this book for me.
From the opening chapter, Tawhiri is such a compelling MC, with struggles I was immediately invested in. His desire to live without bitterness and with joy for others, while still struggling with being excluded and left behind, was portrayed in a relatable and moving way. So many of the feelings that Tawhiri experiences — being an outsider, being divided between two worlds, or navigating the divide between what we dreamed our lives will be and the reality we weren’t expecting — are so very universal and beautifully drawn through his character. It really was a highlight of this story for me.
I also loved the relationships between the characters. Tawhiri and his adopted mother Ooma (her sass is just perfect, but also she truly wants the best for him). The sweet friendship and potentially something more with Kai’ali. The firm friendship with Ihaka, whose struggle to balance tradition and the past with the future and Tawhiri I really appreciated. And Solbat was an intriguing character that always left me wanting to know more.
Any review would be incomplete without mentioning the immersive worldbuilding and gorgeous settings. Purrazzi’s prose paints such a vivid picture of her Polynesian setting and made each scene a treat. The concept of the Ri was fascinating, and I loved how fleshed out the world was, full of history, traditions, legends, and even some underwater ruins.
The tension near the end had me turning pages and screaming (quietly, don’t want to scare my family) to myself. The ending was satisfying, both in terms of what I expected and what surprised me, and how it all comes full circle. Definitely a favorite read of the year!
From the opening chapter, Tawhiri is such a compelling MC, with struggles I was immediately invested in. His desire to live without bitterness and with joy for others, while still struggling with being excluded and left behind, was portrayed in a relatable and moving way. So many of the feelings that Tawhiri experiences — being an outsider, being divided between two worlds, or navigating the divide between what we dreamed our lives will be and the reality we weren’t expecting — are so very universal and beautifully drawn through his character. It really was a highlight of this story for me.
I also loved the relationships between the characters. Tawhiri and his adopted mother Ooma (her sass is just perfect, but also she truly wants the best for him). The sweet friendship and potentially something more with Kai’ali. The firm friendship with Ihaka, whose struggle to balance tradition and the past with the future and Tawhiri I really appreciated. And Solbat was an intriguing character that always left me wanting to know more.
Any review would be incomplete without mentioning the immersive worldbuilding and gorgeous settings. Purrazzi’s prose paints such a vivid picture of her Polynesian setting and made each scene a treat. The concept of the Ri was fascinating, and I loved how fleshed out the world was, full of history, traditions, legends, and even some underwater ruins.
The tension near the end had me turning pages and screaming (quietly, don’t want to scare my family) to myself. The ending was satisfying, both in terms of what I expected and what surprised me, and how it all comes full circle. Definitely a favorite read of the year!
March 20, 2026
It might've been the bright colors that drew me to this book, but it was the concept of the story that drew me in. The story itself is what drew me back to keep reading. It's such a fascinating tale of island life, adventure, living legends, and one man's struggle with his identity and sense of belonging. Torn between two good things—the people of his adoption and the people of his blood—Tawhiri lives out a deep question: where is home, and how far will you go to protect it?
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews