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Spark Hunter
Over a million hectares of wild bush-clad land and one young hunter …
Nissa Marshall knows that something is hiding deep in the forests of Fiordland National Park – she’s seen their lights in the trees. But what are they, and why does no one else seem to notice them?
When Nissa abandons her school camp to track down the mysterious lights, she finds herself lost in a dangerous wonderland. But she’s not the only one in danger – the bush and the creatures are under threat too – and she wants to help. What can a school kid do where adults have failed, and can she find her way back? In Fiordland, the lost usually stay lost.
'Spark Hunter' is an epic Kiwi adventure-fantasy – a story of survival in one of the world’s last great wildernesses.
Nissa Marshall knows that something is hiding deep in the forests of Fiordland National Park – she’s seen their lights in the trees. But what are they, and why does no one else seem to notice them?
When Nissa abandons her school camp to track down the mysterious lights, she finds herself lost in a dangerous wonderland. But she’s not the only one in danger – the bush and the creatures are under threat too – and she wants to help. What can a school kid do where adults have failed, and can she find her way back? In Fiordland, the lost usually stay lost.
'Spark Hunter' is an epic Kiwi adventure-fantasy – a story of survival in one of the world’s last great wildernesses.
280 pages, Paperback
Published October 13, 2021
4 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Sonya Wilson
2 books9 followersSonya Wilson has been a broadcast journalist for many years, reporting, producing and presenting for TV news and current affairs shows such as One News, 20/20, Sunday and Q + A.
She grew up in Southland, but now lives in Auckland with her husband and two sons, her elderly Burmese cat called Graham and her dog Dusky.
She runs the charity children’s book scheme, Kiwi Christmas Books, and works as a freelance writer and journalist.
She grew up in Southland, but now lives in Auckland with her husband and two sons, her elderly Burmese cat called Graham and her dog Dusky.
She runs the charity children’s book scheme, Kiwi Christmas Books, and works as a freelance writer and journalist.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 9, 2022
Nissa loves the NZ bush and considering she isn't quite 13, has spent a lot of time in it. Her dad and brother love to hunt deer, both proud of the antlers back home on the wall. When Nissa is looking down the barrel of a powerful rifle at a beautiful stag, she thinks differently.
There is something she'd like to hunt though, although she has no idea what it actually is. Ever since she was 5 yrs old, Nissa has seen strange lights in the bush. They move around easily in the air but retreat if she tries to move closer. At that age her talk of fairies is put down to imagination. As she ages however, after being teased by her brother's friend, Tama, she learns to keep her sightings to herself.
When a chance to explore a possible hiding place for these lighted creatures presents itself, Nissa grabs it. It is the 2nd day of a school camp called Deep Cove. It is deep in the Fiordland bush and her class is on the Hanging Valley trek when she sees another light. This light seems to be beckoning to her, wanting her to follow. With her compass, snacks, and other tramping supplies in her backpack she convinces herself she can find her way back to the Deep Cove Hostel before she is missed. She knows bad weather is coming, but when it hits she realises her terrible mistake.
Nissa will soon learn what the lights really are. She will learn more about the bush and all the creatures in it than she has learnt in the last 12 years, including medicinal secrets and edible delicacies. The bush of Fiordland is ancient and so are some of its flora and fauna, but there is danger coming and it is growing.
Meanwhile, a huge search has been set up looking for Nissa. Hope for her safety dwindles by the day, but some will never give up.
Nissa only remembers today, her family and friends forgotten. She is part of the forest now....
Spark Hunter is a riveting story of an imaginative world of ancient creatures woven into the real world of the impenetrable, beautiful and extremely dangerous Fiordland bush.
Told in three parts - Tahi, Rua and Toru, all are set in 2020 as main character Nissa researches, plans and finds the strange creatures that have intrigued her, her whole life.
This truly kiwi story is set deep in Fiordland where many experienced explorers have mysteriously vanished since 1773. This historical context is added by including actual letters and diary entries, and a preceding fictional chapter to each of the three sections of the book.
As Nissa is plunged into another world, the real world outside is desperately searching for her, portrayed in emails, texts, and news reports throughout the story.
Never venturing far past bush trails and tracks myself, the multilayered details of the towering trees, giant ferns and lush green mosses of the undergrowth came alive on the page. The rituals, language and quirks of the 'lights' were original and interesting even as they were woven into the very nature of the NZ Bush. Now I know why Keas take windscreen wiper blades and rubber from windscreens, not to mention a wonderful secret about the mighty Moa!
Spark Hunter is fast moving, imaginative, and informative, leaving the reader with the possibility of more from Nissa.
There is something she'd like to hunt though, although she has no idea what it actually is. Ever since she was 5 yrs old, Nissa has seen strange lights in the bush. They move around easily in the air but retreat if she tries to move closer. At that age her talk of fairies is put down to imagination. As she ages however, after being teased by her brother's friend, Tama, she learns to keep her sightings to herself.
When a chance to explore a possible hiding place for these lighted creatures presents itself, Nissa grabs it. It is the 2nd day of a school camp called Deep Cove. It is deep in the Fiordland bush and her class is on the Hanging Valley trek when she sees another light. This light seems to be beckoning to her, wanting her to follow. With her compass, snacks, and other tramping supplies in her backpack she convinces herself she can find her way back to the Deep Cove Hostel before she is missed. She knows bad weather is coming, but when it hits she realises her terrible mistake.
Nissa will soon learn what the lights really are. She will learn more about the bush and all the creatures in it than she has learnt in the last 12 years, including medicinal secrets and edible delicacies. The bush of Fiordland is ancient and so are some of its flora and fauna, but there is danger coming and it is growing.
Meanwhile, a huge search has been set up looking for Nissa. Hope for her safety dwindles by the day, but some will never give up.
Nissa only remembers today, her family and friends forgotten. She is part of the forest now....
Spark Hunter is a riveting story of an imaginative world of ancient creatures woven into the real world of the impenetrable, beautiful and extremely dangerous Fiordland bush.
Told in three parts - Tahi, Rua and Toru, all are set in 2020 as main character Nissa researches, plans and finds the strange creatures that have intrigued her, her whole life.
This truly kiwi story is set deep in Fiordland where many experienced explorers have mysteriously vanished since 1773. This historical context is added by including actual letters and diary entries, and a preceding fictional chapter to each of the three sections of the book.
As Nissa is plunged into another world, the real world outside is desperately searching for her, portrayed in emails, texts, and news reports throughout the story.
Never venturing far past bush trails and tracks myself, the multilayered details of the towering trees, giant ferns and lush green mosses of the undergrowth came alive on the page. The rituals, language and quirks of the 'lights' were original and interesting even as they were woven into the very nature of the NZ Bush. Now I know why Keas take windscreen wiper blades and rubber from windscreens, not to mention a wonderful secret about the mighty Moa!
Spark Hunter is fast moving, imaginative, and informative, leaving the reader with the possibility of more from Nissa.
October 31, 2021
FOR YOUNG READERS OR THE YOUNG AT HEART 😀
Wow! There are so many reasons to love this book and as an adult who loves being transported to places of beauty (Fiordland rating right up there!) I was hooked.
Well written and researched, with a strong young female protagonist, Nissa Marshall, at its centre this book is a treasure. The storyline weaves important themes: including the impact of climate change on nature and our birdlife. I loved the mix of history and Māori language woven throughout this modern-day adventure story. The author's passion for Fiordland, one of the world's last great wildernesses, shines through. This is a story where survival requires a touch of fantasy and good-old-fashioned imagination to transport and delight the senses. Highly recommended.
Wow! There are so many reasons to love this book and as an adult who loves being transported to places of beauty (Fiordland rating right up there!) I was hooked.
Well written and researched, with a strong young female protagonist, Nissa Marshall, at its centre this book is a treasure. The storyline weaves important themes: including the impact of climate change on nature and our birdlife. I loved the mix of history and Māori language woven throughout this modern-day adventure story. The author's passion for Fiordland, one of the world's last great wildernesses, shines through. This is a story where survival requires a touch of fantasy and good-old-fashioned imagination to transport and delight the senses. Highly recommended.
May 16, 2023
A fantastic book for children. Wilson combines extracts from newspapers and articles with an enchanting tale set in Fiordland.
October 6, 2023
Nz fantasy! Loved it 🥰
Set in Fiordland and super onto it with Māori concepts and flora/fauna
Set in Fiordland and super onto it with Māori concepts and flora/fauna
June 12, 2022
This book is going to hang around in my head for a while... and would be a 4.5 star book if such a thing existed!
It is a based on a fantastic concept and it is beautifully written. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because I wonder if it could have been a little more tightly edited around the middle part, just to keep things moving along a little more quickly.
But that is a minor detail.
Nissa is from Invercargill but has spent a lot of time in the Fiordland National Park on family holidays, where, over the years, she is convinced she has seen mysterious lights which she feels are important to the land.
When she goes on a school tramp as a Year 8 student she sees another of these lights and she leaves the track to follow it. But she gets horribly lost in dreadful weather.
As she tries to hunker down in an old tree log she suddenly finds herself in the midst of some strange forest beings - not all of whom are pleased to see her.
She discovers that each of the beings is a spark for a particular flora or fauna of the area and they are desperately trying to stay alive. Some have already gone and they don't want any more to disappear... and some worry that Nissa will bring predators with her which will be fatal to some species.
As time goes on, Nissa's family and friends lose hope of finding her alive, but a small core keep the search for her alive.
Meanwhile, Nissa realises that the forest creatures are in trouble and it is going to be up to her to keep them alive.
This story is firmly set in New Zealand, and in Fiordland - not only immersing us in it's natural beauty but also its history. It is a cleverly woven tale which I will be recommending to lovers of Des Hunt.
It is a based on a fantastic concept and it is beautifully written. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because I wonder if it could have been a little more tightly edited around the middle part, just to keep things moving along a little more quickly.
But that is a minor detail.
Nissa is from Invercargill but has spent a lot of time in the Fiordland National Park on family holidays, where, over the years, she is convinced she has seen mysterious lights which she feels are important to the land.
When she goes on a school tramp as a Year 8 student she sees another of these lights and she leaves the track to follow it. But she gets horribly lost in dreadful weather.
As she tries to hunker down in an old tree log she suddenly finds herself in the midst of some strange forest beings - not all of whom are pleased to see her.
She discovers that each of the beings is a spark for a particular flora or fauna of the area and they are desperately trying to stay alive. Some have already gone and they don't want any more to disappear... and some worry that Nissa will bring predators with her which will be fatal to some species.
As time goes on, Nissa's family and friends lose hope of finding her alive, but a small core keep the search for her alive.
Meanwhile, Nissa realises that the forest creatures are in trouble and it is going to be up to her to keep them alive.
This story is firmly set in New Zealand, and in Fiordland - not only immersing us in it's natural beauty but also its history. It is a cleverly woven tale which I will be recommending to lovers of Des Hunt.
November 30, 2022
Absolutely stunning! I adored this book and even though I borrowed it from the library, I’ll still go purchase my own copy with the intent of returning to it over the years and generations.
Fiordland holds a special place in my heart, as it did my grandparents, and as it so obviously does for Sonya Wilson. The author’s passion for such a wild corner of our world shone through on every page. I really appreciated the little excerpts of email and phone conversation that tied the fantastical to the real. I thought Wilson very effectively tied in themes of climate change, conservation, and youth/female empowerment. I was also grateful for the inclusion of Te Ao Māori, mātauranga Māori and Māori kupu whilst keeping the narrative true to our ever growing and diversifying nation. The story felt inclusive without shouting it at you from the page.
To tie so much in to a children’s book and to still keep the reader hooked into the adventure-packed storyline is a true testament to Wilson’s skills and accomplishment. Please don’t let this being a children’s book fool you. I would recommend Spark Hunter to anyone, but especially those with a spark of youth in their hearts (or bellies) and an affinity for our great outdoors.
Fiordland holds a special place in my heart, as it did my grandparents, and as it so obviously does for Sonya Wilson. The author’s passion for such a wild corner of our world shone through on every page. I really appreciated the little excerpts of email and phone conversation that tied the fantastical to the real. I thought Wilson very effectively tied in themes of climate change, conservation, and youth/female empowerment. I was also grateful for the inclusion of Te Ao Māori, mātauranga Māori and Māori kupu whilst keeping the narrative true to our ever growing and diversifying nation. The story felt inclusive without shouting it at you from the page.
To tie so much in to a children’s book and to still keep the reader hooked into the adventure-packed storyline is a true testament to Wilson’s skills and accomplishment. Please don’t let this being a children’s book fool you. I would recommend Spark Hunter to anyone, but especially those with a spark of youth in their hearts (or bellies) and an affinity for our great outdoors.
July 28, 2022
Nissa Marshall is an outdoorsy girl who is trying to figure out "the sparks" she keeps seeing in the forests of Fiordland. On a school trip she figures it will be ok to follow one of these sparks she sees to finally discover what they are. This leads her down a dangerous path through the forests of Fiordland. Full of adventure, mystery and Maori folklore, this is a great read for any student looking for adventure.
Great read aloud for teachers and NZ curriculum content.
Great read aloud for teachers and NZ curriculum content.
April 1, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this very New Zealand fantasy adventure. Twelve year old Nissa Marshall has grown up in an outdoorsy South Island family and so a school camp in Fiordland National Park doesn’t faze her. She has also grown up seeing mysterious lights in the forest, that no one else notices. Determined to find out more, when she sees the lights again during a camp trek, she follows them, and suddenly is lost in the wilderness. A land where some have entered and not all have come out.
However this is when Nissa’s adventure truly begins. She enters a strange, natural world of tiny creatures, “sparks”, who are connected to the ancient bush and flora and fauna. Nissa learns that they and the land are in need of protection, and perhaps she is finally the human who can help. Can she meet the dangerous challenge, and will she make it home?
Sometimes when I read NZ novels for children, the use of Te reo Maori, Maori mythology or the inclusion of our natural world or culture in the stories seems forced and inauthentic. However, I didn’t feel that with Spark Hunter. The combination of modern day relationships, history, fantasy and our beautiful New Zealand natural world was effortlessly portrayed.
The ethereal world of the “sparks” felt very natural and clever, and quite possible! I could imagine them in their tiny outfits made from nature, and loved their way of talking, using both Maori and English gleaned from humans they had encountered, plus an ancient language of the forest.
I liked the use of historical documents to give context to the story, and the news reports, texts, email, and social media to let the reader know what was happening in the real world while Nissa was lost.
A great middle school read, and deserving of its NZ Book Award.
However this is when Nissa’s adventure truly begins. She enters a strange, natural world of tiny creatures, “sparks”, who are connected to the ancient bush and flora and fauna. Nissa learns that they and the land are in need of protection, and perhaps she is finally the human who can help. Can she meet the dangerous challenge, and will she make it home?
Sometimes when I read NZ novels for children, the use of Te reo Maori, Maori mythology or the inclusion of our natural world or culture in the stories seems forced and inauthentic. However, I didn’t feel that with Spark Hunter. The combination of modern day relationships, history, fantasy and our beautiful New Zealand natural world was effortlessly portrayed.
The ethereal world of the “sparks” felt very natural and clever, and quite possible! I could imagine them in their tiny outfits made from nature, and loved their way of talking, using both Maori and English gleaned from humans they had encountered, plus an ancient language of the forest.
I liked the use of historical documents to give context to the story, and the news reports, texts, email, and social media to let the reader know what was happening in the real world while Nissa was lost.
A great middle school read, and deserving of its NZ Book Award.
June 28, 2025
Spark hunter is a fantasy adventure story set in Fiordland, New Zealand. It is a great book for middle schoolers. I love the way the author has incorporated Maori legends into the story. There is also the use of Te Reo Maori words in this story, accompanied by a glossary at the end of the book, making it great for learning some new words. Perfect for anyone who has an interest in native New Zealand species.
February 15, 2022
'See this is the problem with the way you humans think,' he said. 'You think you are somehow separate from all of this nature, all of us. You are not.'
A terrific tale of connection with the land, with nature, with endangered species and one brave girl who dares to step in where adults can't to save what she can.
A terrific tale of connection with the land, with nature, with endangered species and one brave girl who dares to step in where adults can't to save what she can.
April 30, 2023
I read this to my 8 yo son over 2-3 months, at bedtime. We both loved it - loved the evocative description of Fiordland and the vivid portrayal of the sparks’ connectedness to place and nature. Highly recommend reading to a child, as it’s a delight for grown-ups too.
September 9, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this story. A great debut novel.
October 27, 2022
Loved the story line
Very relatable story about our local area
Interesting addition of Mātauranga maori
Very relatable story about our local area
Interesting addition of Mātauranga maori
October 28, 2022
A good read for our junior students in our school library. A great kiwi read with history and environmental issues set in the beautiful Fiordland National Park
August 14, 2023
Loved it. New Zealand bush and birds with a bit of magic and Maori history and legend thrown in. Fantastic story.
September 14, 2024
Hated it
November 18, 2024
Loved this book. Awesome story.
February 20, 2023
A fantastic story of wonderment and adventure, taking place in the last untouch places in New Zealand. Reading the story, you automatically smell the lush green bust, the wonderful bird song, and just perhaps, you too will think magic exists out there somewhere.
A beautifully crafted book that is a compelling read.
A beautifully crafted book that is a compelling read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews