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“I had to get out of there, because if I didn’t find an escape, then who would?”
Lehua always believed people despised her. It was the only way she could explain why the villagers of Hilo sent her from one home to the next. She never lived in one place, until a powerful mo’o, a woman from the legendary Hawaiian gecko race, trapped her deep in the heights of Waiakea.
When the handsome king of Hilo tries to help her escape, a terrible curse falls upon him. Lehua must escort him to the palace for help, even as she yearns to run away from the Big Island of Hawai‘i.
But as she spends more time with the king, her desire to escape the island begins to fade, and she sees that maybe she was wrong about people all along. Maybe people were better than she thought. When her moment to leave finally arrives, will she follow the new feelings in her heart, or choose the narrative she always believed?
Lehua is inspired by the story of Rapunzel, as well as Hawaiian mythology, folklore, and culture. Fans of clean romance and happily ever afters will be moved by Lehua, the first book in The Enchanted Hawai‘i Collection, a fairy tale retelling series set in ancient Hawaii.
Lehua always believed people despised her. It was the only way she could explain why the villagers of Hilo sent her from one home to the next. She never lived in one place, until a powerful mo’o, a woman from the legendary Hawaiian gecko race, trapped her deep in the heights of Waiakea.
When the handsome king of Hilo tries to help her escape, a terrible curse falls upon him. Lehua must escort him to the palace for help, even as she yearns to run away from the Big Island of Hawai‘i.
But as she spends more time with the king, her desire to escape the island begins to fade, and she sees that maybe she was wrong about people all along. Maybe people were better than she thought. When her moment to leave finally arrives, will she follow the new feelings in her heart, or choose the narrative she always believed?
Lehua is inspired by the story of Rapunzel, as well as Hawaiian mythology, folklore, and culture. Fans of clean romance and happily ever afters will be moved by Lehua, the first book in The Enchanted Hawai‘i Collection, a fairy tale retelling series set in ancient Hawaii.
- GenresFairy Tale Retellings
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 22, 2022
6 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 5, 2024
I was really hoping to love this book, especially since the author has written so many of this type of story. But, sadly, it wasn't as....captivating?...as I was hoping for.
I LOVED the Hawaiian culture and the descriptions of the landscape. Those were the main reasons I picked up the book in the first place. Hawaiian words are so beautiful and the nature that was a huge part of the book was very cool. I also liked how Lehua's powers involved not controlling the plants, but speaking to them and asking them for help. That was a sweet element.
See this review and more on my Substack: https://momsmusings.substack.com/i/14...
However, the characters were a little simple and some of the book was extremely repetitive. Lehua's internal dialogue was starting to get really annoying, and her transformation moment was weird and unconvincing. I also am not a huge fan of shapeshifting, and that was an important aspect of the book. The romance moved a little fast as well. I didn't completely believe how quickly Ikaika fell in love with Lehua and Lehua's back-and-forth about Ikaika was so exasperating I really just wanted her to run away so I wouldn't have to read about her thoughts anymore.
The Rapunzel tones were cute and I enjoyed that, as well as the message of speaking love instead of hate to yourself. So, as a light, quick, cute palette-cleanser it was okay, and I might read one once in a while. But it's not something I would recommend for depth of character and plot.
I LOVED the Hawaiian culture and the descriptions of the landscape. Those were the main reasons I picked up the book in the first place. Hawaiian words are so beautiful and the nature that was a huge part of the book was very cool. I also liked how Lehua's powers involved not controlling the plants, but speaking to them and asking them for help. That was a sweet element.
See this review and more on my Substack: https://momsmusings.substack.com/i/14...
However, the characters were a little simple and some of the book was extremely repetitive. Lehua's internal dialogue was starting to get really annoying, and her transformation moment was weird and unconvincing. I also am not a huge fan of shapeshifting, and that was an important aspect of the book. The romance moved a little fast as well. I didn't completely believe how quickly Ikaika fell in love with Lehua and Lehua's back-and-forth about Ikaika was so exasperating I really just wanted her to run away so I wouldn't have to read about her thoughts anymore.
The Rapunzel tones were cute and I enjoyed that, as well as the message of speaking love instead of hate to yourself. So, as a light, quick, cute palette-cleanser it was okay, and I might read one once in a while. But it's not something I would recommend for depth of character and plot.
May 6, 2023
I loved the takeaways I got from this book! The story was a fun and interesting spin off of Rapunzel, and I enjoyed all of the Hawaiian culture that was explored. At times, I felt very frustrated with Lehua for so immediately turning back to her self doubts! But then I'd remember times when I have done the same, and Lehua's tendency to get locked back in to her negative self talk felt realistic to me.
This story has a good mix of magic and believability. I thought the ending was wonderful: the author somehow was able to find the right balance between a classic fairytale ending and the acknowledgement that life, love, and stories are never perfect and easy--but they are all the more beautiful because of the wonderfully imperfect people who keep trying every day.
I'm excited to read the second book!
This story has a good mix of magic and believability. I thought the ending was wonderful: the author somehow was able to find the right balance between a classic fairytale ending and the acknowledgement that life, love, and stories are never perfect and easy--but they are all the more beautiful because of the wonderfully imperfect people who keep trying every day.
I'm excited to read the second book!
March 31, 2022
Rapunzel, but in Hawaii! I liked learning more about Hawaiian folklore and culture. I would recommend if you like fairytale retellings.
July 11, 2023
This is a clean romance, YA and fairytale retelling. While I enjoyed the Hawaiian cultural references and inspiration for the story, Lehua was a character I couldn’t connect to at all. Her lack of confidence and no real growth the entire novel annoyed me to the point of almost DNF’g.
February 25, 2023
"Lehua" is a sweet fairy tale retelling of Rapunzel featuring ancient Hawai'i and Hawaiian mythology. I've always loved Rapunzel, and I liked the creative choices in this book that added a unique twist to the retelling.
In an interview I did a while back with the author, who is a friend of mine, she noted: "My protagonist, Lehua, deals with incredibly demeaning self-talk. Her lack of self-confidence stems from an abusive, toxic relationship with her 'Mother Gothel,' Makani. While readers might pull their hair out at Lehua’s inability to stand up for herself in the beginning of the book, I hope it creates empathy in people."
While readers might be annoyed with Lehua's negative self-talk, it does ring very true, as I've dealt with similar issues with self-esteem and being my own worst critic. Your mind gets stuck on a loop replaying the same lies and making you believe the lies others tell you to make you feel small.
Overall, this book would be great for young adults or mature children, since it is a clean romance with some great values that are best learned early in life.
In an interview I did a while back with the author, who is a friend of mine, she noted: "My protagonist, Lehua, deals with incredibly demeaning self-talk. Her lack of self-confidence stems from an abusive, toxic relationship with her 'Mother Gothel,' Makani. While readers might pull their hair out at Lehua’s inability to stand up for herself in the beginning of the book, I hope it creates empathy in people."
While readers might be annoyed with Lehua's negative self-talk, it does ring very true, as I've dealt with similar issues with self-esteem and being my own worst critic. Your mind gets stuck on a loop replaying the same lies and making you believe the lies others tell you to make you feel small.
Overall, this book would be great for young adults or mature children, since it is a clean romance with some great values that are best learned early in life.
March 25, 2025
A beautiful mix of Hawaiian mythology and the Rapunzel fairy tale.
Lehua was a wonderfully human character. A well of great kindness but also great self doubt. Luckily Ikaika literally climbed into her tower and pull her into the outside world, giving her the space and love to grow and learn that she is worthy of love if only she fights for it.
Ikaika had his own journey, thanks to Lehua's kindness - learning to better control and channel his anger whilst also doing his best to serve his kingdom while still following his heart. He never stopped fighting for her, which was beautiful to see.
I loved learning about the mo'o and the relationship between them and the rest of the humans on the Big Island. It was an interesting peek into Hawaiian mythology and the way elements of Rapunzel were woven into the beginning of the story were very clever.
Having read the other books of this series so far, I can say that this book is currently my favourite of the series and I'm very much looking forward to books 5 and 6 which should hopefully be coming soon.
Lehua was a wonderfully human character. A well of great kindness but also great self doubt. Luckily Ikaika literally climbed into her tower and pull her into the outside world, giving her the space and love to grow and learn that she is worthy of love if only she fights for it.
Ikaika had his own journey, thanks to Lehua's kindness - learning to better control and channel his anger whilst also doing his best to serve his kingdom while still following his heart. He never stopped fighting for her, which was beautiful to see.
I loved learning about the mo'o and the relationship between them and the rest of the humans on the Big Island. It was an interesting peek into Hawaiian mythology and the way elements of Rapunzel were woven into the beginning of the story were very clever.
Having read the other books of this series so far, I can say that this book is currently my favourite of the series and I'm very much looking forward to books 5 and 6 which should hopefully be coming soon.
July 25, 2022
I really loved reading this wonderful book! I loved the characters and the plot! I had a hard time putting this wonderful book down! I loved this retelling of Rapunzel! I am looking forward to reading the next book in this wonderful series!
October 13, 2023
Hawaiian retelling of Rapunzel
I loved the inclusion of lots of Hawaiian vocabulary and customs! This was a squeaky clean story, good for children.
I loved the inclusion of lots of Hawaiian vocabulary and customs! This was a squeaky clean story, good for children.
June 27, 2023
The novel is a Rapunzel retelling that takes place on the Big Island of Hawaii. Lehua is half mo'o and half human. She is 18 yrs old. For 7 years she's been held captive by Makani, the mo'o queen. Lehua wants to feel accepted by both humans and mo'o folk. She was rejected and teased for not knowing customs from either races. There is a love interest and a lot of traveling mixed with Lehua's insecurity and inner dialogue.
I found the book to be an excellent metaphor or allegory for mixed folk (mixed races, hapa) who never quite fit in, who often felt like an outsider when they're part of multiple races. Oftentimes it's difficult to feel belonging and find community. Themes present in the novel are self acceptance, trust, and bravery. Overall a good fairytale retelling with representation.
My favorite part talks about how the ohia lehua is the first plant to emerge after a lava flow. "But no matter what happened in your past, or how many times you've been beaten down...You can still get back up" (p. 25).
I found the book to be an excellent metaphor or allegory for mixed folk (mixed races, hapa) who never quite fit in, who often felt like an outsider when they're part of multiple races. Oftentimes it's difficult to feel belonging and find community. Themes present in the novel are self acceptance, trust, and bravery. Overall a good fairytale retelling with representation.
My favorite part talks about how the ohia lehua is the first plant to emerge after a lava flow. "But no matter what happened in your past, or how many times you've been beaten down...You can still get back up" (p. 25).
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews