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An Expanse of Blue
Fans of The Poet X will fall for this powerful, romantic debut novel-in-verse about a Native Hawaiian girl's fight to find belonging in a fracturing family, sharing a message of love with resounding emotional truth.
Aouli Elizabeth Smith is adrift: unheard at home and an unbeliever at church, fighting her sister and losing her best friend. Overflowing with feeling, she pours her secrets and herself into her song journal when the world threatens to sweep her away. The one place she feels tied down to earth is at her Aunty Ehu’s house. Those joyous Saturdays with her extended Native Hawaiian community living in Western Washington are precious to her. Under the maple trees, the fragments of her life fit together, if only for an afternoon.
Then, an unspeakable truth about her father shatters this one perfect corner of her life.
As Aouli’s world constricts around what others wish she could be, language fails her. But when a new boy, Nalu, turns up with eyes that seem to pierce right into her soul, maybe it’s love that can give her the words to set herself free.
Aouli Elizabeth Smith is adrift: unheard at home and an unbeliever at church, fighting her sister and losing her best friend. Overflowing with feeling, she pours her secrets and herself into her song journal when the world threatens to sweep her away. The one place she feels tied down to earth is at her Aunty Ehu’s house. Those joyous Saturdays with her extended Native Hawaiian community living in Western Washington are precious to her. Under the maple trees, the fragments of her life fit together, if only for an afternoon.
Then, an unspeakable truth about her father shatters this one perfect corner of her life.
As Aouli’s world constricts around what others wish she could be, language fails her. But when a new boy, Nalu, turns up with eyes that seem to pierce right into her soul, maybe it’s love that can give her the words to set herself free.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published May 19, 2026
About the author
Kauakanilehua Mahoe Adams
1 book35 followersKauakanilehua Māhoe Adams is the debut author of AN EXPANSE OF BLUE (Heartdrum, 2026), a YA novel in verse and a contributor to LEGENDARY FRYBREAD DRIVE-IN, edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Heartdrum), which received the 2025 Michael L. Printz Award and American Indian Youth Literature Award.
Her poetry appears in THE COUNTRY IN THE MIRROR: POEMS OF PROTEST & WITNESS, edited by Sharon Darrow (Rootstock, 2026) and in the forthcoming WITNESS: POEMS TO ADDRESS THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF POLICING, edited by Ari Tison and Ty Chapman, illustrated by Damon Davis (Zest, 2026). She holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts.
Kaua is of Native Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, and European descent and grew up as a part of the Native Hawaiian diaspora in Washington state. Today she lives in Carlsbad, California with her husband, where she spends her time writing, reading, dancing hula, and bending to her dogs’ every whim. Find her on Instagram and Threads @kauawrites for book news, musings, and a surplus of dog photos.
Her poetry appears in THE COUNTRY IN THE MIRROR: POEMS OF PROTEST & WITNESS, edited by Sharon Darrow (Rootstock, 2026) and in the forthcoming WITNESS: POEMS TO ADDRESS THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF POLICING, edited by Ari Tison and Ty Chapman, illustrated by Damon Davis (Zest, 2026). She holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts.
Kaua is of Native Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, and European descent and grew up as a part of the Native Hawaiian diaspora in Washington state. Today she lives in Carlsbad, California with her husband, where she spends her time writing, reading, dancing hula, and bending to her dogs’ every whim. Find her on Instagram and Threads @kauawrites for book news, musings, and a surplus of dog photos.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
May 23, 2026
A beautiful book, both inside and out.
A tender story of love in many forms - love lost, first love, sisterly love, love fought for and finding love for oneself. This book is tender and painful and honest. It beautifully encapsulates the pain and freedom and struggle that comes with being a teen and finding your voice and place in the world.
A tender story of love in many forms - love lost, first love, sisterly love, love fought for and finding love for oneself. This book is tender and painful and honest. It beautifully encapsulates the pain and freedom and struggle that comes with being a teen and finding your voice and place in the world.
June 20, 2026
I loved this novel in verse that is narrated by a Hawaiian American teenager who is struggling to cope with the toxic environment of her family and home and the tug between her need to be like everyone else and her father's strict rules.
Auoli cannot communicate what she feels to anyone else. Her father is very rigid and maintains a regimented atmosphere at home, her mother seems completely passive and her older sister simply toes the line and doesn't understand her. When she comes across a secret regarding her father, something so huge that it changes everything she thought she knew about him, she is unable to tell anyone or keep it inside and so rebels the only way she knows by sneaking out with friends and partying. Until she meets newcomer Nalu, also from Hawaii and also suffering from a recent tragedy. He seems to be the one person she can trust and bond with.
Auoli's state of mind and the plight of a child stuck in a home where this kind of emotional abuse is normalised is excellently portrayed.
Her gradual realisation of what she needs to do to thrive despite all the negativity was so good. I loved the way the author chose to end the book as well, on a note of optimism and hope but very realistic.
Just as the blurb says, this book did indeed remind me of The Poet X and I loved it just as much.
Auoli cannot communicate what she feels to anyone else. Her father is very rigid and maintains a regimented atmosphere at home, her mother seems completely passive and her older sister simply toes the line and doesn't understand her. When she comes across a secret regarding her father, something so huge that it changes everything she thought she knew about him, she is unable to tell anyone or keep it inside and so rebels the only way she knows by sneaking out with friends and partying. Until she meets newcomer Nalu, also from Hawaii and also suffering from a recent tragedy. He seems to be the one person she can trust and bond with.
Auoli's state of mind and the plight of a child stuck in a home where this kind of emotional abuse is normalised is excellently portrayed.
Her gradual realisation of what she needs to do to thrive despite all the negativity was so good. I loved the way the author chose to end the book as well, on a note of optimism and hope but very realistic.
Just as the blurb says, this book did indeed remind me of The Poet X and I loved it just as much.
June 3, 2026
Gut wrenchingly beautiful! Loved this poetic masterpiece! I would recommend to absolutely everyone!!
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Want to Read
May 3, 2024From the rights:
“A debut YA novel in verse about a diasporic Native Hawaiian teenager and her struggle to find herself in the wake of a heartbreaking discovery about her family and first love.”
coming summer 2026
“A debut YA novel in verse about a diasporic Native Hawaiian teenager and her struggle to find herself in the wake of a heartbreaking discovery about her family and first love.”
coming summer 2026
May 30, 2024
I was lucky enough to read this book before it was published. And yall? Hold on to your hats. Kaua’s poetics, masterfully crafted characters, and compelling plot will blow you away.
June 1, 2026
TL/DR: Beautiful plot that offers cultural insights alongside a coming of age story. Written in poetic style which is not quite my vibe. Not sure if the novel is the best fit for an audiobook but overall, a good read. 2.5 ⭐️
Thank you to Harper Audio and Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to The Expanse of Blue ALC. Sorry for the late review.
This was a beautiful story with insights into Hawaiian culture. More broadly though, Aouli’s coming of age story is still relatable to many young adults, Hawaiian or not. Through her desire to find her wings, her coming to terms with parents as flawed people rather than role models, and her home life having an impact on her ability to maintain her friendships, this novel perfectly captures how even simple things can be quite heavy for a child of that age, especially all at once.
The book reads as series of diary entries, which makes Aouli’s life feel that much heavier. And it’s neat that Aouli’s diary, as we learn, is written in song (she wants to be a singer). So therefore, as we’re reading, we are reading her songs, which explains the choice in poetic style writing throughout the book.
With that said, I had a hard time vibing with that poetic/lyrical style of writing, and I don’t know if that style of writing translates well to audio. Hearing the texting blocks (Me; Taylor; Me; Taylor…) in audio just doesn’t sound good. It also really bothered me when the same word would be repeated like 20 times in a row. The first time I noticed was in Track 07 with the words: “the forest” and I originally thought it had been an audio issue but after multiple instances (probably about once a chapter) I realized it was intentional.
As well, not sure if this relates to the writing or the narrator, but she kept doing this thing where she says: Every. Word. Of. A. Sentence. Like. This.
I don’t really know how to explain it. I do think that kind of speech emphasis can add valuable tonal context. But she does it a lot. This also gets annoying after a while.
I honestly considered DNF’ing because of these things but I wanted to give the book a chance to prove me wrong because I was interested in the plot. I do want to mention though that I read (or should I say DNF’d) the only other lyrical style novel I’ve picked up and so after listening to this, I’m wondering if the problem I had for both was just the style.
I did find a technical problem regarding the actual audiobook file: by the end of track 043, it says I have 15 mins left to the audiobook and have finished 94.6% of it. Then when it goes to track 044, I’m only at 81.2% and still have 54 mins to go!! That was a little disheartening because I had thought I was almost finished.
Overall, I’m glad to have given this a listen. I feel like the biggest takeaway for me was learning more about my own reading preferences but there is value in this novel. I’m giving it a 2.5 to reflect my own personal taste but rounding it up to a 3 where relevant to acknowledge that, beneath the writing style, the story truly was beautiful!!
Thank you to Harper Audio and Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to The Expanse of Blue ALC. Sorry for the late review.
This was a beautiful story with insights into Hawaiian culture. More broadly though, Aouli’s coming of age story is still relatable to many young adults, Hawaiian or not. Through her desire to find her wings, her coming to terms with parents as flawed people rather than role models, and her home life having an impact on her ability to maintain her friendships, this novel perfectly captures how even simple things can be quite heavy for a child of that age, especially all at once.
The book reads as series of diary entries, which makes Aouli’s life feel that much heavier. And it’s neat that Aouli’s diary, as we learn, is written in song (she wants to be a singer). So therefore, as we’re reading, we are reading her songs, which explains the choice in poetic style writing throughout the book.
With that said, I had a hard time vibing with that poetic/lyrical style of writing, and I don’t know if that style of writing translates well to audio. Hearing the texting blocks (Me; Taylor; Me; Taylor…) in audio just doesn’t sound good. It also really bothered me when the same word would be repeated like 20 times in a row. The first time I noticed was in Track 07 with the words: “the forest” and I originally thought it had been an audio issue but after multiple instances (probably about once a chapter) I realized it was intentional.
As well, not sure if this relates to the writing or the narrator, but she kept doing this thing where she says: Every. Word. Of. A. Sentence. Like. This.
I don’t really know how to explain it. I do think that kind of speech emphasis can add valuable tonal context. But she does it a lot. This also gets annoying after a while.
I honestly considered DNF’ing because of these things but I wanted to give the book a chance to prove me wrong because I was interested in the plot. I do want to mention though that I read (or should I say DNF’d) the only other lyrical style novel I’ve picked up and so after listening to this, I’m wondering if the problem I had for both was just the style.
I did find a technical problem regarding the actual audiobook file: by the end of track 043, it says I have 15 mins left to the audiobook and have finished 94.6% of it. Then when it goes to track 044, I’m only at 81.2% and still have 54 mins to go!! That was a little disheartening because I had thought I was almost finished.
Overall, I’m glad to have given this a listen. I feel like the biggest takeaway for me was learning more about my own reading preferences but there is value in this novel. I’m giving it a 2.5 to reflect my own personal taste but rounding it up to a 3 where relevant to acknowledge that, beneath the writing style, the story truly was beautiful!!
May 23, 2026
#firstlinefriday
“Mass begins at 10:00 a.m. on the dot, but we are late because I walked out of my room this morning in leggings and a sweatshirt and Dad lost his shit. Now he leads the charge across the packed parking lot, checking over his shoulder to make sure we’re all still there while Mama grips my hand like I’m a little kid, like she’s worried I’m going to try to escape.”
This fantastic novel-in-verse about Aouli, Native Hawaiian and growing up in Seattle with her parents and older sister. She’s struggling to fit the tight mold her father has made for her. She dreams of the freedom to write her music, spread her wings like ‘Alalā.
This one is comp to The Poet X and I could definitely see the similarities, in that both MCs struggle to follow the strict teachings of their religious families, rebelling against aspects of the Catholic faith. Aouli also must figure out how to deal with the huge secret she has uncovered of her father, and how it changed how she sees him.
The emotions of not living up to her parents expectations, growing apart from her best friend, a sister who has become so distant she can no longer confide in, and growing feelings for the new arrival in town.
I thought this was such an emotional and powerful story, that managed to convey not only Apuli’s feelings, but also connect us to her Hawaiian heritage and traditions as she herself finds a deeper connection to her ancestors and protectors.
I love novels-in-verse, and the Poet X is one of my favorites, and for sure this one goes into the favorites list. It’s a fantastic coming of age story, and I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC from the publisher and digital ARC copy for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
“I don’t look like it? My hair is dark like the starless sky untouched by city lights. My eyes are green like the speckled backs of slithering mo‘o. My jaw is strong like the rounded edge of a pōhaku pounding poi. My skin is smooth like pāhoehoe from a hundreds-of-years-old flow. My hips are full like the moon rising over Mauna Kea. My feet are tough like ‘opihi stuck to jagged cliffsides. I don’t look like it? I am a descendant of the Earth Grandmother. Of the Sky Father. Of the Star Mother. Of the Kānaka Maoli. The people. My people.“
“Star eyes pierce into mine, and in them I see both the beginning and the end of a thousand skies. An e x p a n s e of blue.”
“Mass begins at 10:00 a.m. on the dot, but we are late because I walked out of my room this morning in leggings and a sweatshirt and Dad lost his shit. Now he leads the charge across the packed parking lot, checking over his shoulder to make sure we’re all still there while Mama grips my hand like I’m a little kid, like she’s worried I’m going to try to escape.”
This fantastic novel-in-verse about Aouli, Native Hawaiian and growing up in Seattle with her parents and older sister. She’s struggling to fit the tight mold her father has made for her. She dreams of the freedom to write her music, spread her wings like ‘Alalā.
This one is comp to The Poet X and I could definitely see the similarities, in that both MCs struggle to follow the strict teachings of their religious families, rebelling against aspects of the Catholic faith. Aouli also must figure out how to deal with the huge secret she has uncovered of her father, and how it changed how she sees him.
The emotions of not living up to her parents expectations, growing apart from her best friend, a sister who has become so distant she can no longer confide in, and growing feelings for the new arrival in town.
I thought this was such an emotional and powerful story, that managed to convey not only Apuli’s feelings, but also connect us to her Hawaiian heritage and traditions as she herself finds a deeper connection to her ancestors and protectors.
I love novels-in-verse, and the Poet X is one of my favorites, and for sure this one goes into the favorites list. It’s a fantastic coming of age story, and I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC from the publisher and digital ARC copy for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
“I don’t look like it? My hair is dark like the starless sky untouched by city lights. My eyes are green like the speckled backs of slithering mo‘o. My jaw is strong like the rounded edge of a pōhaku pounding poi. My skin is smooth like pāhoehoe from a hundreds-of-years-old flow. My hips are full like the moon rising over Mauna Kea. My feet are tough like ‘opihi stuck to jagged cliffsides. I don’t look like it? I am a descendant of the Earth Grandmother. Of the Sky Father. Of the Star Mother. Of the Kānaka Maoli. The people. My people.“
“Star eyes pierce into mine, and in them I see both the beginning and the end of a thousand skies. An e x p a n s e of blue.”
May 27, 2026
Thank you Harper360 YA for sending me an ARC copy.
May 3, 2026
For fans of:
Novels in verse
Complex family dynamics
Finding your voice
Diverse reads
Romance
This was such a quick, easy read since it’s written in verse, but don’t let that fool you, it still hits hard.
The writing is beautiful. Like actually beautiful. The poetry flows so well and really pulls you into the story.
I loved how much this focused on the diaspora experience, feeling like a different person in a place that isn’t home. That part really hit for me. I related a lot to Auoli, especially the frustration of being a teenager trying to understand why your parents made certain choices. One moment that really stood out (no spoilers) was around her name and people constantly mispronouncing it.
Overall, this is such a thoughtful, emotional read. Super accessible but still meaningful, especially if you’re trying to get back into reading.
Novels in verse
Complex family dynamics
Finding your voice
Diverse reads
Romance
This was such a quick, easy read since it’s written in verse, but don’t let that fool you, it still hits hard.
The writing is beautiful. Like actually beautiful. The poetry flows so well and really pulls you into the story.
I loved how much this focused on the diaspora experience, feeling like a different person in a place that isn’t home. That part really hit for me. I related a lot to Auoli, especially the frustration of being a teenager trying to understand why your parents made certain choices. One moment that really stood out (no spoilers) was around her name and people constantly mispronouncing it.
Overall, this is such a thoughtful, emotional read. Super accessible but still meaningful, especially if you’re trying to get back into reading.
Want to Read
October 2, 2024LITERALLY CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS!!!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I picked this book up because I saw this comped to The Poet X and was read by the author, which are two pluses in my book. And the comp was right on the money with the exploration of a young girl from Washington with Hawaiian heritage discovering romance and navigating her faith and fractured family. Aouli is a teen who’s struggling with her faith and has a messy family life and putting her thoughts in her special song journal. And when I say messy family life, it’s MESSY. I understood big time the pressure she’s under from her father to be perfect, and her frayed relationship with her sister. She’s feeling stuck, struggling to find her voice and exploring defiance, with mixed results.
Like The Poet X, this book has an element of exploring and examining a teen girl’s connection to Catholicism and while it doesn’t condemn it, shows that it’s not as black and white as it might seem. It also explores Aouli’s Hawaiian heritage and mythology. There’s a romance and some sexually based violations, and both are explored a bit. The characters are fleshed out and complicated, just like in real life, and their connections with Aouli change throughout the story.
I love the visceral and lyrical prose, and having the author do the audiobook was a great plus. By the end, I got to the point where I was mumbling “Gina” over and over, and love the part where she was describing her mother flipping the channels as “flip flip flip” over and over. It gave a cadence to the story and felt like an extra layer of immersion I didn’t expect to feel. The story doesn’t have a clean ending, but it’s part of the point to see that she is continuing with her life despite the changes and stronger for the experiences. Good news for audiobook listeners, there’s a supplement of the glossary. This is HIGHLY recommended, especially if you are a fan of in-verse novels.
*I received an ARC from Netgalley and Heartdrum. All opinions are my own.*
Like The Poet X, this book has an element of exploring and examining a teen girl’s connection to Catholicism and while it doesn’t condemn it, shows that it’s not as black and white as it might seem. It also explores Aouli’s Hawaiian heritage and mythology. There’s a romance and some sexually based violations, and both are explored a bit. The characters are fleshed out and complicated, just like in real life, and their connections with Aouli change throughout the story.
I love the visceral and lyrical prose, and having the author do the audiobook was a great plus. By the end, I got to the point where I was mumbling “Gina” over and over, and love the part where she was describing her mother flipping the channels as “flip flip flip” over and over. It gave a cadence to the story and felt like an extra layer of immersion I didn’t expect to feel. The story doesn’t have a clean ending, but it’s part of the point to see that she is continuing with her life despite the changes and stronger for the experiences. Good news for audiobook listeners, there’s a supplement of the glossary. This is HIGHLY recommended, especially if you are a fan of in-verse novels.
*I received an ARC from Netgalley and Heartdrum. All opinions are my own.*
June 29, 2026
**Review of physical ARC received via Heartdrum**
A surprising 5 star from one of the YA ARCs I received at Bookfest. Follows an endearing protagonist who struggles with normal teenage life while also balancing chaotic familial stressors & an overbearing parent. The novel being written in verse felt like a perfect choice, and Aouli’s voice feels distinct. It’s rare that I’m able to connect to a YA novel so quickly, but I think that the writing made this a memorable read that can appeal to anyone.
Can’t wait for this author’s future works, can’t believe this is a debut. 6 ⭐️ if I could, will be a favorite of this year. ♥️
A surprising 5 star from one of the YA ARCs I received at Bookfest. Follows an endearing protagonist who struggles with normal teenage life while also balancing chaotic familial stressors & an overbearing parent. The novel being written in verse felt like a perfect choice, and Aouli’s voice feels distinct. It’s rare that I’m able to connect to a YA novel so quickly, but I think that the writing made this a memorable read that can appeal to anyone.
Can’t wait for this author’s future works, can’t believe this is a debut. 6 ⭐️ if I could, will be a favorite of this year. ♥️
June 9, 2026
An Expanse of Blue by Kauakanilehua Adams transported me back to my teenage years in a way I never expected. Through the poetry woven into the narrative, I was reminded of the intensity of adolescence—the complexities of family relationships, the bonds of friendship, and, of course, the joys and heartaches of first loves. I was genuinely surprised by how powerfully the story stirred emotions I hadn’t revisited in years.
As someone who is not Hawaiian, I also appreciated the opportunity to learn more about Hawai`ian culture and language. These elements added richness and authenticity to the story, making it both an emotional and educational reading experience.
This is a moving, beautifully written novel that will stay with me for a long time.
As someone who is not Hawaiian, I also appreciated the opportunity to learn more about Hawai`ian culture and language. These elements added richness and authenticity to the story, making it both an emotional and educational reading experience.
This is a moving, beautifully written novel that will stay with me for a long time.
June 11, 2026
As I was reading this book I already knew I wanted/NEEDED to re-read it as soon as possible. I have so many thoughts on this because it’s just bursting with so much love and pain and joy and history and culture. I loooove how this was written in verse, I really can’t imagine it any other way. I can’t believe this is the first book I’ve read about the Native Hawaiian experience, and I can’t wait to read more (and also more books in verse). Unreal how amazing this story and its writing are. I adore it!!
June 30, 2026
Beautifully written. The way the family comes together at the end to stand up for themselves is worth every page to get there. The story addresses life with an extremely strict and verbally abusive parent and how to cope with living in a house of cards.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
May 21, 2026
This was so beautiful. I don’t even really have the words to explain the feelings this book made me feel. This was such a beautiful exploration of grief, family, and love in all its forms. Aouli overcomes and discovers much about herself as things around her begin to change. The way hard things are tackled in this book are just so well done. And it warmed my heart to read Hawaiian words, to be brought back to my culture through this story. It was also nice to know that my experience being a Hawaiian in the mainland is not unique and I felt very connected to Aouli, her sister, and Nalu and his sister in that way.
I feel extremely blessed to have read this book.
Thank you so much to Harper Collins for a free arc copy of An Expanse of Blue in exchange for my review.
I feel extremely blessed to have read this book.
Thank you so much to Harper Collins for a free arc copy of An Expanse of Blue in exchange for my review.
May 20, 2026
*3.5 stars
What a wonderful story told in verse! I loved the Hawaiian representation and how Aouli's acceptance of and love for her identity largely affected her process of learning to spread her wings! Aouli received guidance through her answers in the form of dreams, which was insightful and gave me perspective on why Hawaiian culture is centralized around listening to and respecting elders and ancestors. I loved reading about the strong connection Aouli developed with her extended family; even when she struggled to connect with her immediate family, her extended family always gave her a soft place to land!
The romance was so sweet, I loved Nalu and how he encouraged Aouli to express herself and stand up for herself! He, unlike most of Aouli's friends, understood why her culture was so important to her and never told her that she didn't look or act "Hawaiian enough". Their chemistry was evident, and I loved how their relationship revolved around deep conversations and emotional connections rather than physical touch alone!
I liked how realistically Aouli's relationships with those in her life were portrayed, nothing was sugarcoated and even in the end, many conflicts were not completely resolved. This left much room for imagination and contemplation on the part of the reader, which surprisingly added to the impact rather than taking away from it! (Especially after reading the author's note on why this ending was chosen.)
One thing I didn't love was how the author implied that Nalu himself caused the spreading of Aouli's wings. I understand that he played a big part in helping her discover herself, but the unfurling of her wings occurred in a romantic moment rather than an empowering one. I would have liked to see Aouli take flight at a stronger point in the story so it wasn't implied that a romantic relationship marks the start of your resilience.
I also struggled with the repetition of certain words. While I do see that the author repeated certain words for the sake of sending a stronger and more memorable message, the repetition at several points grew excessive. On certain pages, a word or phrase was repeated more than 50 times with no other words in between. I couldn't help but imagine how painful it might be to listen to the audiobook and hear the same word over and over until it loses meaning entirely, which would completely defeat the purpose of repeating the word in the first place. So in other words, I understand why the author included repetition, but I think it would have held a similar amount of impact if it had been shortened, even if only slightly.
The final thing I struggled with was how certain scenes were cut too short for my liking. There were several moments where Aouli was finally opening up and was engaging in deep conversation, but the story quickly moved on and left out the reactions of those she was speaking to. I think hearing the positive reactions of others would have strengthened the message of not being afraid of expressing yourself and would also have fueled my love for Aouli's relationships even more.
But overall, I'm so glad I picked this one up! I'm always looking for impactful books with diverse representation, so if that's what you're looking for, I would recommend this!
What a wonderful story told in verse! I loved the Hawaiian representation and how Aouli's acceptance of and love for her identity largely affected her process of learning to spread her wings! Aouli received guidance through her answers in the form of dreams, which was insightful and gave me perspective on why Hawaiian culture is centralized around listening to and respecting elders and ancestors. I loved reading about the strong connection Aouli developed with her extended family; even when she struggled to connect with her immediate family, her extended family always gave her a soft place to land!
The romance was so sweet, I loved Nalu and how he encouraged Aouli to express herself and stand up for herself! He, unlike most of Aouli's friends, understood why her culture was so important to her and never told her that she didn't look or act "Hawaiian enough". Their chemistry was evident, and I loved how their relationship revolved around deep conversations and emotional connections rather than physical touch alone!
I liked how realistically Aouli's relationships with those in her life were portrayed, nothing was sugarcoated and even in the end, many conflicts were not completely resolved. This left much room for imagination and contemplation on the part of the reader, which surprisingly added to the impact rather than taking away from it! (Especially after reading the author's note on why this ending was chosen.)
One thing I didn't love was how the author implied that Nalu himself caused the spreading of Aouli's wings. I understand that he played a big part in helping her discover herself, but the unfurling of her wings occurred in a romantic moment rather than an empowering one. I would have liked to see Aouli take flight at a stronger point in the story so it wasn't implied that a romantic relationship marks the start of your resilience.
I also struggled with the repetition of certain words. While I do see that the author repeated certain words for the sake of sending a stronger and more memorable message, the repetition at several points grew excessive. On certain pages, a word or phrase was repeated more than 50 times with no other words in between. I couldn't help but imagine how painful it might be to listen to the audiobook and hear the same word over and over until it loses meaning entirely, which would completely defeat the purpose of repeating the word in the first place. So in other words, I understand why the author included repetition, but I think it would have held a similar amount of impact if it had been shortened, even if only slightly.
The final thing I struggled with was how certain scenes were cut too short for my liking. There were several moments where Aouli was finally opening up and was engaging in deep conversation, but the story quickly moved on and left out the reactions of those she was speaking to. I think hearing the positive reactions of others would have strengthened the message of not being afraid of expressing yourself and would also have fueled my love for Aouli's relationships even more.
But overall, I'm so glad I picked this one up! I'm always looking for impactful books with diverse representation, so if that's what you're looking for, I would recommend this!
July 9, 2026
MY TOP READ OF 2026
Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly give another novel 5 stars this year, Kauakanilehua Mahoe Adams went ahead and wrote a 10 STAR novel in verse.
An Expanse of Blue is, hands down, the best book I’ve read in 2026 and the most beautiful. Like move me to tears on multiple occasions, beautiful.
This novel in verse is an art piece that deserves your attention and respect, but it never demands it. It simply, gracefully, leads you into a place of commonality and understanding. Of love. Of loss. Of grief. Of the undeniable truths of growing up and trying to figure out where you belong.
As a hapa girl, Native Hawaiian and Caucasian, myself who grew up in Kona but now lives on the mainland…
This book. Just. WOW.
When we say representation matters, this book is exactly what we mean. Never have I ever seen myself so deeply in a book until now. I am literally at a loss for words, and don’t worry sis, I talk A LOT, so please understand this is one of the highest compliments I can give.
I also grew up Catholic and caught between two worlds, just like our main character. The family dynamics are not exactly my own, but damn, do they feel authentic. Painstakingly real. The kind of real that sits in your chest because you recognize the shape of it, even if every detail is different.
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours, then cried under the covers at 2 a.m. when I finished it, hoping that hiding would somehow keep all the love and grief bursting from my soul from breaking out of the house and into the world.
This book felt like meeting a distant cousin and sitting with her, swapping stories from our teen years. It felt like reliving moments I had forgotten until now. It felt like Kauakanilehua did something that is SO HARD as a Native author: she represented her people, her family, her friends, and her characters with honesty, while still making the story tangible to anyone from any background, because we’ve all had to be teenagers at some point.
She took deep, beautiful parts of Hawaiian culture and wove them into this novel in verse like the master artist she is, and I could not be more moved.
Thank you, Kauakanilehua, for seeing me. Thank you for helping me see myself.
This book should be required reading in high school, and that is a hill I will absolutely die on. Not only is the verse gorgeous, but the story is so beautifully human that you could dissect it in an English class, a creative writing class, a psychology class, and honestly, a history class too. Because there is a whole rabbit hole about how what happened to Native Hawaiians contributed to men like our main character’s father, and to Hawaiians having to leave Hawaiʻi in the first place.
That is a TED Talk for another day.
For now, do yourself a favor and read this beautiful book.
If not for me, then for your soul.
Because this is soul food and therapy wrapped in pages that just yearn to be loved.
(Please note this review is under my husbands account that we share)
Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly give another novel 5 stars this year, Kauakanilehua Mahoe Adams went ahead and wrote a 10 STAR novel in verse.
An Expanse of Blue is, hands down, the best book I’ve read in 2026 and the most beautiful. Like move me to tears on multiple occasions, beautiful.
This novel in verse is an art piece that deserves your attention and respect, but it never demands it. It simply, gracefully, leads you into a place of commonality and understanding. Of love. Of loss. Of grief. Of the undeniable truths of growing up and trying to figure out where you belong.
As a hapa girl, Native Hawaiian and Caucasian, myself who grew up in Kona but now lives on the mainland…
This book. Just. WOW.
When we say representation matters, this book is exactly what we mean. Never have I ever seen myself so deeply in a book until now. I am literally at a loss for words, and don’t worry sis, I talk A LOT, so please understand this is one of the highest compliments I can give.
I also grew up Catholic and caught between two worlds, just like our main character. The family dynamics are not exactly my own, but damn, do they feel authentic. Painstakingly real. The kind of real that sits in your chest because you recognize the shape of it, even if every detail is different.
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours, then cried under the covers at 2 a.m. when I finished it, hoping that hiding would somehow keep all the love and grief bursting from my soul from breaking out of the house and into the world.
This book felt like meeting a distant cousin and sitting with her, swapping stories from our teen years. It felt like reliving moments I had forgotten until now. It felt like Kauakanilehua did something that is SO HARD as a Native author: she represented her people, her family, her friends, and her characters with honesty, while still making the story tangible to anyone from any background, because we’ve all had to be teenagers at some point.
She took deep, beautiful parts of Hawaiian culture and wove them into this novel in verse like the master artist she is, and I could not be more moved.
Thank you, Kauakanilehua, for seeing me. Thank you for helping me see myself.
This book should be required reading in high school, and that is a hill I will absolutely die on. Not only is the verse gorgeous, but the story is so beautifully human that you could dissect it in an English class, a creative writing class, a psychology class, and honestly, a history class too. Because there is a whole rabbit hole about how what happened to Native Hawaiians contributed to men like our main character’s father, and to Hawaiians having to leave Hawaiʻi in the first place.
That is a TED Talk for another day.
For now, do yourself a favor and read this beautiful book.
If not for me, then for your soul.
Because this is soul food and therapy wrapped in pages that just yearn to be loved.
(Please note this review is under my husbands account that we share)
July 9, 2026
Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly give another novel 5 stars this year, Kauakanilehua Mahoe Adams went ahead and wrote a 10 STAR novel in verse.
An Expanse of Blue is, hands down, the best book I’ve read in 2026 and the most beautiful.
This novel in verse is an art piece that deserves your attention and respect, but it never demands it. It simply, gracefully, leads you into a place of commonality and understanding. Of love. Of loss. Of grief. Of the undeniable truths of growing up and trying to figure out where you belong- it checks all the boxes in the most human way possible.
As a hapa girl, Native Hawaiian and Caucasian, who grew up in Kona but now lives on the mainland…
This book. Just. WOW.
When we say representation matters, this book is exactly what we mean. Never have I ever seen myself so deeply in a book until now. I am literally at a loss for words, and don’t worry sis, I talk A LOT, so please understand this is one of the highest compliments I can give.
I also grew up Catholic and caught between two worlds, just like our main character. The family dynamics are not exactly my own, but damn, do they feel authentic and painstakingly real. The kind of real that sits in your chest because you recognize the shape of it, even if every detail is different.
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours, then cried under the covers at 2 a.m. when I finished it, hoping that hiding would somehow keep all the love and grief bursting from my soul from breaking out of the house and into the world.
This book felt like meeting a distant cousin and sitting with her, swapping stories from our teen years. It felt like reliving moments I had forgotten until now. It felt like Kauakanilehua did something that is SO HARD as a Native author: she represented her people, her family, her friends, and her characters with honesty, while still making the story tangible to anyone from any background, because we’ve all had to be teenagers at some point.
She took deep, beautiful parts of Hawaiian culture and wove them into this novel in verse like the master artist she is, and I could not be more moved.
Thank you, Kauakanilehua, for seeing me. Thank you for helping me see myself.
This book should be required reading in high school, and that is a hill I will absolutely die on. Not only is the verse gorgeous, but the story is so beautifully human that you could dissect it in an English class, a creative writing class, a psychology class, and honestly, a history class too. Because there is a whole rabbit hole about how what happened to Hawaiians contributed to men like our main character’s father, and to Hawaiians having to leave Hawaiʻi in the first place.
That is a TED Talk for another day.
For now, do yourself a favor and read this beautiful book.
If not for me, then for your soul.
Because this is soul food and therapy wrapped in pages that just yearn to be loved.
An Expanse of Blue is, hands down, the best book I’ve read in 2026 and the most beautiful.
This novel in verse is an art piece that deserves your attention and respect, but it never demands it. It simply, gracefully, leads you into a place of commonality and understanding. Of love. Of loss. Of grief. Of the undeniable truths of growing up and trying to figure out where you belong- it checks all the boxes in the most human way possible.
As a hapa girl, Native Hawaiian and Caucasian, who grew up in Kona but now lives on the mainland…
This book. Just. WOW.
When we say representation matters, this book is exactly what we mean. Never have I ever seen myself so deeply in a book until now. I am literally at a loss for words, and don’t worry sis, I talk A LOT, so please understand this is one of the highest compliments I can give.
I also grew up Catholic and caught between two worlds, just like our main character. The family dynamics are not exactly my own, but damn, do they feel authentic and painstakingly real. The kind of real that sits in your chest because you recognize the shape of it, even if every detail is different.
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours, then cried under the covers at 2 a.m. when I finished it, hoping that hiding would somehow keep all the love and grief bursting from my soul from breaking out of the house and into the world.
This book felt like meeting a distant cousin and sitting with her, swapping stories from our teen years. It felt like reliving moments I had forgotten until now. It felt like Kauakanilehua did something that is SO HARD as a Native author: she represented her people, her family, her friends, and her characters with honesty, while still making the story tangible to anyone from any background, because we’ve all had to be teenagers at some point.
She took deep, beautiful parts of Hawaiian culture and wove them into this novel in verse like the master artist she is, and I could not be more moved.
Thank you, Kauakanilehua, for seeing me. Thank you for helping me see myself.
This book should be required reading in high school, and that is a hill I will absolutely die on. Not only is the verse gorgeous, but the story is so beautifully human that you could dissect it in an English class, a creative writing class, a psychology class, and honestly, a history class too. Because there is a whole rabbit hole about how what happened to Hawaiians contributed to men like our main character’s father, and to Hawaiians having to leave Hawaiʻi in the first place.
That is a TED Talk for another day.
For now, do yourself a favor and read this beautiful book.
If not for me, then for your soul.
Because this is soul food and therapy wrapped in pages that just yearn to be loved.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars
Sometimes, it feels like EVERY YA verse novel gets an automatic comparison to _The Poet X_ simply by virtue of the format, but this one actually comes through with some strongly connected motifs AND a match in genre and audience. Critically, there are also some clear distinctions that help this book shine independently, so folks will feel a real sense of something new here, too.
Aouli, the protagonist of this debut, is Native Hawaiian and lives with her parents and sister in Washington state. Like some other YA heroines we all know and love, Aouli has a religious family, but her relationship to this system is a bit challenged. Her family's devotion to this structure also highlights their individual hypocrisies and short comings in various areas. Aouli grapples with a lot of challenges on this front with each of her family members for entirely different reasons, and many readers in the target audience will find her experiences deeply relatable (and painful). This family goes through their share of suffering, and the healthy and less healthy ways they manage will also be useful for young readers who may be navigating similarly complex challenges of their own.
This is an outstanding debut for many reasons, and fans of well constructed YA, mindful representation, and verse enhanced motifs will find a lot to love here. I am looking forward to recommending this one to students and to reading much more from this promising new voice.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Heartdrum for this arc and alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Sometimes, it feels like EVERY YA verse novel gets an automatic comparison to _The Poet X_ simply by virtue of the format, but this one actually comes through with some strongly connected motifs AND a match in genre and audience. Critically, there are also some clear distinctions that help this book shine independently, so folks will feel a real sense of something new here, too.
Aouli, the protagonist of this debut, is Native Hawaiian and lives with her parents and sister in Washington state. Like some other YA heroines we all know and love, Aouli has a religious family, but her relationship to this system is a bit challenged. Her family's devotion to this structure also highlights their individual hypocrisies and short comings in various areas. Aouli grapples with a lot of challenges on this front with each of her family members for entirely different reasons, and many readers in the target audience will find her experiences deeply relatable (and painful). This family goes through their share of suffering, and the healthy and less healthy ways they manage will also be useful for young readers who may be navigating similarly complex challenges of their own.
This is an outstanding debut for many reasons, and fans of well constructed YA, mindful representation, and verse enhanced motifs will find a lot to love here. I am looking forward to recommending this one to students and to reading much more from this promising new voice.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Heartdrum for this arc and alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
July 8, 2026
In the world of incessant ads and pop ups, I usually tune out the noise. I am grateful that when Goodreads popped up an advertisement for An Expanse of Blue I actually took the time to look at it, as this has easily landed itself among my favorite books of the year.
Novels in verse are one of those mediums that I often forget how much I enjoy. I love how the structure of the page locks the reader into a near dance. Rather than just reading the words, there’s a rhythm to the page and its words, how much or how little information you’re allowed to receive on each page, and more. The reader is forced to create a relationship with the words as they are written, and it helps make the characters feel more immediate, more raw, and makes the reading experience very different from your traditional novel.
Adams crafts An Expanse of Blue with equal parts finesse and raw power, never letting the words lose the poise and beauty of her poetry, whilst also never feeling like they sanitize the subject matter. Adams also does an excellent job at layering the story with complex, memorable characters. Aouli is an excellent protagonist, and I have no doubts she will be well received and remembered by the novels readers.
This novel drew comparisons to Elizabeth Acevedo’s The Poet X but I actually somewhat disagree there. I think it’s much closer to Acevedo’s other novel in verse Clap When You Land in that they’re both explorations of sisters coming to terms with not only each other, but also complex relationships with their father, etc. Clap When You Land happens to be my favorite of Acevedo’s novels, so this is an overwhelming positive for me. I also don’t find the two novels derivative of each other — they’re very complementary in how they explore their respective themes.
Overall, An Expanse of Blue is a novel I read in one sitting, and I cannot recommend it enough. Kauakanilehua Māhoe Adams’s debut is an excellent one, and I know that whatever her next release is I will immediately be buying! If you get a chance, definitely one I think everyone should check out!
Novels in verse are one of those mediums that I often forget how much I enjoy. I love how the structure of the page locks the reader into a near dance. Rather than just reading the words, there’s a rhythm to the page and its words, how much or how little information you’re allowed to receive on each page, and more. The reader is forced to create a relationship with the words as they are written, and it helps make the characters feel more immediate, more raw, and makes the reading experience very different from your traditional novel.
Adams crafts An Expanse of Blue with equal parts finesse and raw power, never letting the words lose the poise and beauty of her poetry, whilst also never feeling like they sanitize the subject matter. Adams also does an excellent job at layering the story with complex, memorable characters. Aouli is an excellent protagonist, and I have no doubts she will be well received and remembered by the novels readers.
This novel drew comparisons to Elizabeth Acevedo’s The Poet X but I actually somewhat disagree there. I think it’s much closer to Acevedo’s other novel in verse Clap When You Land in that they’re both explorations of sisters coming to terms with not only each other, but also complex relationships with their father, etc. Clap When You Land happens to be my favorite of Acevedo’s novels, so this is an overwhelming positive for me. I also don’t find the two novels derivative of each other — they’re very complementary in how they explore their respective themes.
Overall, An Expanse of Blue is a novel I read in one sitting, and I cannot recommend it enough. Kauakanilehua Māhoe Adams’s debut is an excellent one, and I know that whatever her next release is I will immediately be buying! If you get a chance, definitely one I think everyone should check out!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you HarperCollins, Heartdrum Books and NetGalley for a chance to read this ARC!
Aouli feels caged underneath her father's oppressive anger and demands, her mother's silence, and her sister's perfection. While reeling from discovering a dark secret about her father, Aouli finds herself drawn to a new boy in her church class and her song lyrics journal for some release. Yet the longer she holds in her voice, the harder it gets to reach out to those that may help her the most...
Once I got to Act 2, I couldn't stop reading! After Aouli tries to gain some freedom from her father, only to get herself injured. From there the secrets she keeps hiding to her evolving relationships-all complicated. With such beautiful language, Aouli is able to finally make a stand against her father while being able to reach out to those who truly care while being able to leave some long over due relationships behind.
The characters are strong, like I can easily see all of this novel happening in real life, with the added effect of poetry really enhancing the emotions.
In the end, it's a bittersweet tale, while not having answers to all of the problems in her life. Aouli is able to find her voice in order to find the ones she truly loves in her life. I highly recommend for those that love novels in verse, diaspora folks finding comfort in one another, and complicated relationships.
Aouli feels caged underneath her father's oppressive anger and demands, her mother's silence, and her sister's perfection. While reeling from discovering a dark secret about her father, Aouli finds herself drawn to a new boy in her church class and her song lyrics journal for some release. Yet the longer she holds in her voice, the harder it gets to reach out to those that may help her the most...
Once I got to Act 2, I couldn't stop reading! After Aouli tries to gain some freedom from her father, only to get herself injured. From there the secrets she keeps hiding to her evolving relationships-all complicated. With such beautiful language, Aouli is able to finally make a stand against her father while being able to reach out to those who truly care while being able to leave some long over due relationships behind.
The characters are strong, like I can easily see all of this novel happening in real life, with the added effect of poetry really enhancing the emotions.
In the end, it's a bittersweet tale, while not having answers to all of the problems in her life. Aouli is able to find her voice in order to find the ones she truly loves in her life. I highly recommend for those that love novels in verse, diaspora folks finding comfort in one another, and complicated relationships.
May 24, 2026
When everything falls apart, music and love may help her find her voice again.
🌊
Aouli Elizabeth Smith feels disconnected from nearly every part of her life: unseen at home, uncertain in church, and drifting away from the people she loves. The one place she feels whole is with her Native Hawaiian family community during cherished weekends at her Aunty Ehu’s house. But when a painful truth about her father shatters that sense of safety, Aouli struggles to find her voice. Through music, family, and a growing connection with a boy named Nalu, she begins searching for the words and strength to reclaim herself.
🎵
Powerful and deeply melancholy, this YA novel-in-verse will give you all the feels. The emotional depth, poetic writing, and exploration of identity, family, and finding your voice reminded me a lot of The Poet X. Fans of Elizabeth Acevedo’s work will absolutely connect with this one as well. The diasporic Native Hawaiian representation was my favorite because there aren’t many books like this out there.
CW: adultery, emotional abuse, child abuse, infidelity, toxic friendship, death, grief, racism, religious bigotry
I do not know why, but I really struggled to connect with this one. I'm wondering if it's because I listened on audio instead of reading the novel-in-verse on the page. Loved representation, but the romance fell flat and it didn't hit me the way The Poet X did.
🌊
Aouli Elizabeth Smith feels disconnected from nearly every part of her life: unseen at home, uncertain in church, and drifting away from the people she loves. The one place she feels whole is with her Native Hawaiian family community during cherished weekends at her Aunty Ehu’s house. But when a painful truth about her father shatters that sense of safety, Aouli struggles to find her voice. Through music, family, and a growing connection with a boy named Nalu, she begins searching for the words and strength to reclaim herself.
🎵
Powerful and deeply melancholy, this YA novel-in-verse will give you all the feels. The emotional depth, poetic writing, and exploration of identity, family, and finding your voice reminded me a lot of The Poet X. Fans of Elizabeth Acevedo’s work will absolutely connect with this one as well. The diasporic Native Hawaiian representation was my favorite because there aren’t many books like this out there.
CW: adultery, emotional abuse, child abuse, infidelity, toxic friendship, death, grief, racism, religious bigotry
I do not know why, but I really struggled to connect with this one. I'm wondering if it's because I listened on audio instead of reading the novel-in-verse on the page. Loved representation, but the romance fell flat and it didn't hit me the way The Poet X did.
June 20, 2026
Aouli Elizabeth Smith, Native Hawaiian, daughter, sister, and friend, is dealing with many issues, beyond those typically faced by juniors in high school. Her father, a judge, is severe in his language and attitude while her mother is quiet and never argues back. Her older sister Kāia is a senior and has applied to Yale at the insistence of their father, and her best friend Taylor is slowly pulling away from her. When Aouli discovers a secret about her father it breaks her heart and she begins to question her family life. But she can’t share this secret with anyone. Then Nalu, a newly arrived Native Hawaiian transplant suddenly bursts into her life, and helps to heal her heart. A budding songwriter and singer, Aouli pours her feelings into her song journal, and Nalu is the only one she shares her songs with.
This novel-in-verse is beautifully written, with Māhoe Adams, who is a Native Hawaiian, making every word count. Some of the pages have few words and others have the same words repeated into shapes. The empty spaces are as important as the worded spaces for it gives the reader a chance to slow down and take in the meanings. An Expanse of Blue is about love and family, friendship and trust and having faith in oneself and growing up. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
This novel-in-verse is beautifully written, with Māhoe Adams, who is a Native Hawaiian, making every word count. Some of the pages have few words and others have the same words repeated into shapes. The empty spaces are as important as the worded spaces for it gives the reader a chance to slow down and take in the meanings. An Expanse of Blue is about love and family, friendship and trust and having faith in oneself and growing up. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Oh my goodness this book! First off, an immense thank you to Harper Collin’s Children’s Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
I’ve read a couple other novel-in-verse but this one is by far the best. This book is probably moving into my top five, all time. The artistry of the story told in this format was MAGICAL. There were times I simply felt myself tearing up from the beauty of the words and craft. And there were other times when I bawled.
I think so many of us can relate to being teenagers and having parents who don’t understand us, but what about when that involves religion, lies and deceit, verbal abuse…
I could go on and on. I want to share this book with everyone. And more importantly, I lived for the imagery created through Hawaiian culture. The cover and knowing this was a story from within a marginalized group was all I needed to pick it up, but everything inside was so much more than I could have anticipated.
If you love art, words, an emotional story, reflection, a BEAUTIFUL young romance, just read this book.
I’ve read a couple other novel-in-verse but this one is by far the best. This book is probably moving into my top five, all time. The artistry of the story told in this format was MAGICAL. There were times I simply felt myself tearing up from the beauty of the words and craft. And there were other times when I bawled.
I think so many of us can relate to being teenagers and having parents who don’t understand us, but what about when that involves religion, lies and deceit, verbal abuse…
I could go on and on. I want to share this book with everyone. And more importantly, I lived for the imagery created through Hawaiian culture. The cover and knowing this was a story from within a marginalized group was all I needed to pick it up, but everything inside was so much more than I could have anticipated.
If you love art, words, an emotional story, reflection, a BEAUTIFUL young romance, just read this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
📚 A beautifully written, deeply open and emotional story about a Hawaiian teen living in the PNW, who keeps searching for a place to be herself.
She is grows up feeling alone in an ultra controlling, strict, religious household - with emotionally immature parents. In school she walks the line of outcast and popular, trying not to draw too much attention to herself because she has never felt enough.
🎧 The narration by the author was just lovely, she emoted everything, it felt like I was embedded in each scene and emotional note.
📓🌺🌊🛐🎶🏕️🪽🌧️
I can't wait to get a visual copy to do an immersive read and mark each line that stuck out. Some of the highlights are:
🗯️”The longer you hold it in, the louder it will scream to get out”
🗯️“Maybe I just want the freedom to make the choice for myself”
🗯️“There should be no limits on joy”
🗯️“Maybe I was never meant to be something expected, maybe I was meant to be something more”
🗯️”My heart is made of only sharp edges - Fashioned to cut from the inside out”
She is grows up feeling alone in an ultra controlling, strict, religious household - with emotionally immature parents. In school she walks the line of outcast and popular, trying not to draw too much attention to herself because she has never felt enough.
🎧 The narration by the author was just lovely, she emoted everything, it felt like I was embedded in each scene and emotional note.
📓🌺🌊🛐🎶🏕️🪽🌧️
I can't wait to get a visual copy to do an immersive read and mark each line that stuck out. Some of the highlights are:
🗯️”The longer you hold it in, the louder it will scream to get out”
🗯️“Maybe I just want the freedom to make the choice for myself”
🗯️“There should be no limits on joy”
🗯️“Maybe I was never meant to be something expected, maybe I was meant to be something more”
🗯️”My heart is made of only sharp edges - Fashioned to cut from the inside out”
May 22, 2026
🌊✨ An Expanse of Blue by Kanakanilehua Mähoe Adams is a beautifully written coming-of-age story told entirely in verse that completely flows like a song. 💙📖
We follow Aouli, a Hawaiian teen living in Washington State, as she navigates family, friendship drama, identity, faith, and first feelings of romance. Through her eyes, we get a heartfelt look into both Hawaiian and Catholic culture, while she uncovers family secrets that force her to figure out where she truly belongs.
What I loved most was how deeply connected Aouli becomes to her ancestors and heritage, discovering her own courage and strength along the way. The verse style gives this story such an emotional rhythm that makes every moment feel intimate and powerful. 🌺🌊✨
If you love:
💙 novels in verse
💙 emotional coming-of-age stories
💙 family secrets & self-discovery
💙 rich cultural representation
💙 soft romance sprinkled throughout
…this one is definitely worth picking up!
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Audio Children’s and Kanakanilehua Mähoe Adams for the ALC.
We follow Aouli, a Hawaiian teen living in Washington State, as she navigates family, friendship drama, identity, faith, and first feelings of romance. Through her eyes, we get a heartfelt look into both Hawaiian and Catholic culture, while she uncovers family secrets that force her to figure out where she truly belongs.
What I loved most was how deeply connected Aouli becomes to her ancestors and heritage, discovering her own courage and strength along the way. The verse style gives this story such an emotional rhythm that makes every moment feel intimate and powerful. 🌺🌊✨
If you love:
💙 novels in verse
💙 emotional coming-of-age stories
💙 family secrets & self-discovery
💙 rich cultural representation
💙 soft romance sprinkled throughout
…this one is definitely worth picking up!
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Audio Children’s and Kanakanilehua Mähoe Adams for the ALC.
May 25, 2026
An Expanse of Blue is steeped in Hawai'i localness while set on the continent, & demonstrating the racism those of us in the predominantly haole areas of the diaspora, the longing for home, a parent who is never satisfied in more ways than one, the other parent shrinking from their role with every passing day, confined within a religion not of their ancestors, & all wrapped up in insecure teen angst. It is full of cultural references that set the tone for 'Aouli's experience & I appreciated that being in the diaspora & missing home every day. Aunty 'Ehu provides a grounding point for 'Aouli, her safe space & primary connection to her culture outside of Catholic influence. The author captures the essence of an abusive home in which words are the weapons of choice & the (imo) inciting incident for 'Aouli's internalized pain that she describes as a hole in her heart. It's when she & Nalu become close that she finally sees her heart was always as whole as the expanse of the sky & the sea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2026
✨ 4/5
✨ An expanse of Blue is a heart touching, coming of age story of young Hawaiian Catholic girl living in United States. Instead of a book, it would be more fitting to call it diary of Aouli - she writes about her fears, dreams, crushes, expectations and secrets of their family.
✨ The book successfully captures many aspects of immigrants, Catholic guilt, how the issues of parents affect the kids, friendships, betrayals. As a teen, it can be so confusing; but it's all worth it when you find yourself. The book is just that.
✨ I would love to highlight that the book is published in an atypical fashion. Margins have been disregarded, spacing has been used to emphasize her mood, words repeated which almost gives a poetic effect. All these help to convey the story much better and connect with Aouli.
✨ Definitely go for it. Book is available to purchase.
✨ Author - @kauawrites
✨ Publisher - @epicreads (I received this arc as part of the Epic Insiders program. Thank you so much )
#hawaiian #story
✨ An expanse of Blue is a heart touching, coming of age story of young Hawaiian Catholic girl living in United States. Instead of a book, it would be more fitting to call it diary of Aouli - she writes about her fears, dreams, crushes, expectations and secrets of their family.
✨ The book successfully captures many aspects of immigrants, Catholic guilt, how the issues of parents affect the kids, friendships, betrayals. As a teen, it can be so confusing; but it's all worth it when you find yourself. The book is just that.
✨ I would love to highlight that the book is published in an atypical fashion. Margins have been disregarded, spacing has been used to emphasize her mood, words repeated which almost gives a poetic effect. All these help to convey the story much better and connect with Aouli.
✨ Definitely go for it. Book is available to purchase.
✨ Author - @kauawrites
✨ Publisher - @epicreads (I received this arc as part of the Epic Insiders program. Thank you so much )
#hawaiian #story
June 18, 2026
Aouli Elizabeth Smith, Native Hawaiian, daughter, sister, and friend, is dealing with many issues, beyond those typically faced by juniors in high school. Her father, a judge, is severe in his language and attitude while her mother is quiet and never argues back. Her older sister Kāia is a senior and has applied to Yale at the insistence of their father, and her best friend Taylor is slowly pulling away from her. When Aouli discovers a secret about her father it breaks her heart and she begins to question her family life. But she can’t share this secret with anyone. Then Nalu, a newly arrived Native Hawaiian transplant suddenly bursts into her life, and helps to heal her heart. A budding songwriter and singer, Aouli pours her feelings into her song journal, and Nalu is the only one she shares her songs with.
This novel-in-verse is beautifully written, with Māhoe Adams, who is a Native Hawaiian, making every word count. Some of the pages have few words and others have the same words repeated into shapes. The empty spaces are as important as the worded spaces for it gives the reader a chance to slow down and take in the meanings. An Expanse of Blue is about love and family, friendship and trust and having faith in oneself and growing up.
If readers enjoyed That Which Feeds Us by Keala Kendall, another AAPI author, they will also like this story about Native Hawaiians.
Who should buy this book? High schools, public libraries
This novel-in-verse is beautifully written, with Māhoe Adams, who is a Native Hawaiian, making every word count. Some of the pages have few words and others have the same words repeated into shapes. The empty spaces are as important as the worded spaces for it gives the reader a chance to slow down and take in the meanings. An Expanse of Blue is about love and family, friendship and trust and having faith in oneself and growing up.
If readers enjoyed That Which Feeds Us by Keala Kendall, another AAPI author, they will also like this story about Native Hawaiians.
Who should buy this book? High schools, public libraries
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