The Bone Tiki

Aotearoa #1

by David Hair

What do you do when you meet a tohunga makutu? You run.
When reality dissolves and myths and legends come alive? You run faster.
And when the dead come to life and blood debts have to be paid, will you have the courage to do what must be done?
Matiu Douglas has a bone tiki he stole from a tangi. His father's important new client wants it. Badly. And he has some very nasty friends. When Mat is forced to flee for his life, an unexpected meeting with a girl called Pania sets his world spinning. Suddenly he's running through the bush with a girl-clown, a dog who is way too human, and a long-dead warrior. Fearful creatures from legend are rising up around him, and Mat faces a terrifying ordeal.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Adventure, Mythology, Action

303 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2009

About the author

David Hair is the author of The Bone Tiki, winner of Best First Novel (Young Adult Fiction section) at the 2010 NZ Post Children's Book Awards. The Bone Tiki and its sequel The Taniwha's Tear are fantasy novels set in New Zealand. David is a New Zealander, who has worked primarily in financial services. He has a degree in History and Classical Studies. He has lived from 2007 to 2010 in New Delhi, India, but usually resides in Wellington, New Zealand. Apart from writing, he is interested in folklore, history, and has a passion for football.

Reviews

[Parewhai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I come from Hawkes Bay, one of the locations in which this novel is set, and I cannot forget how elated I was as I imagined myself, clearer than I ever have, travel with Mat across Marine Parade, and encounter Pania of the Reef. But, more importantly, I cannot stress how important this series is to me: a Māori woman. To read about Māori mythology and to see it come to life, right before my eyes, was a treat I will never forget.

[Thomas Edmund · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is almost everything I could ask for in a contemporary New Zealand novel - seemless integration of Mäori mythology into a ripping adventure story, genuine kiwi dialogue (it’s actually quite strange reading, like hearing the NZ accent on television) and original plotting. You must read this book


TBT follows Mat, a young Mäori teenager who lives with his mildly corrupt lawyer dad, Tama. Normally Tama represents gang-leaders and drug dealers, however the latest client Mat meets is something else, a Mäori mystic shunned by his peers. Tama’s client wants a bone tiki that Mat’s aunty gave to him, and in order to thwart the creep Mat takes the thing and goes cross country.


Weirdness ensues


TBT probably is best classified as young adult (it does follow a teenager) and the relationships are a bit cheesy and superficial, although in saying that some of the philosophical points are quite deep, and the mythological is simply awesome. As an adventure story Bone Tiki is unparalleled, even if some of the characters kinda drop out of the story...


The rest of the world must read this book lest they all get their knowledge of NZ from here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdVHZw...

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son is a very smart young man and an avid reader, but he has some trouble with executive function, making showing what he knows and understands harder than it should be.

He is currently studying this novel in English class and it seemed to me that the best way that I could help him keep on top of his assignment work for it, was to read it too. Even before I started reading, I was pleased to see that his class was reading a modern, New Zealand author who was incorporating Maori culture and myth and New Zealand history with what promised to be a fast paced and interesting story. Compared to the ancient and extremely British books I read for class when I was his age, this is a much more suitable book for Kiwi teenagers to study at school.

It was indeed all those things and I very highly recommend this book. The protagonist, Mat, comes across as a well-rounded fifteen year old Kiwi boy who, while part Maori, has never really felt the need to take the time to embrace his heritage, to his detriment when that heritage is suddenly the things he needs for survival, let alone victory. Mat is a very relatable hero, as are the friends and allies he picks up along the way.

I also liked that while Maori culture is foremost, the book doesn't forget New Zealand's Pakeha history either and the two coexist both easily and uneasily, much like in the real world.

As an adult, I enjoyed this book very much. I know my son did as he raced ahead of me (struggling not to "spoil" me on the bits I hadn't read yet) and has also read the second book in the series, with the third on reserve at the library. This book works completely as a standalone novel, but there are five more in the sequence. I'm interested in reading them, but I'll have to find the time around all the others things I want to reread.

[Cas ♛ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read as a school assignment. Seriously though, didn't like it.

[Isabella · Rating 1 out of 5]

One gets the distinct feeling that the author wanted to write a movie and not a book, what with all the scenes (especially towards the end) that gave off a distinct feeling that the author was imagining something far more epic than he was able to describe.

Overall, I found this novel pretty boring for the most part, and although it's nice to have a book that centres around Maori myths and legends, I think they could have been included more interestingly than they actually were- I felt that, if you swapped out the characters and places for almost any other country's, there would be very little about the actual story that was distinctly Maori, or Kiwi for that matter.

It's a typical chosen-one-takes-down-big-dark-bad-guy tale, and while an alright introduction to Maori mythos for the little-informed, and Maori kids who rarely see their own mythos represented anywhere may enjoy it, it's not a very good story.

[Francesca Pashby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crikey! This was all over the place ... where is an editor when one is needed?!

A story with heaps of potential, but honestly it all became a lot of a muddle (Hello? Editor?)

Mat is a 15 year old boy from a broken home, living with his dad, who is Maori, and mixed up in some 'stuff'. Mat inherits the bone tiki of the title, which comes with super magic powers, including being up to summon up a feisty warrior named Wiri (or Toa or Wiremu or William).

Mat is also being chased by a bad man who wants the tiki for himself, and an EXCESSIVE amount of drama ensues (Yoo hoo, editor!)

The main characters are great, really interesting (including the girl, Kelly, who helps Mat on his mission), and I enjoyed the NZ setting, and the mythology of this alternative 'Aotearoa', but the plot was swerving around the book like a blind grandpa on a Harley Davidson. Yikes!

[Miss Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story straddles the fantasy genre with kehua, taipo, ponaturi and patupaiarehe as well as the sci-fi genre with mortality, various portals to a parallel world and a shapeshifter (turehu). "Here lost and legendary creatures can still be found." I loved the idea of the talisman's powers (and the warning that is implied when power is held by the wrong person) as well as the interactions with mythology including the taniwha, moa and Pania of the reef - a story all of us from Hawke's Bay know.
At the end of the novel, I sense the protagonist, Mat, has a better understanding of identity, belonging and loyalty. It proves that only through experience can you become more interested in something and only with faith or self-belief do you become better at something.
I like the inclusion of Maori words such as, tohunga, rangatira, whare, and taiaha to reinforce two of our three official languages.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This probably would have been a great read if I were 10-14 and knew a little more about Maori culture. It also bothered me that the main character spent a lot of time wishing he knew more about his Maori culture. That really bugged me. It was mentioned often enough that it became an issue, if that makes sense.

A young Maori boy discovers that the world he lives in is only part of what is out there. There is a world where all the legends live. He must cross between the two worlds in order to stop an evil force from controlling his family.

[Pip Kereama · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really, really shit.

Bad characters, character relationships, character consistency, character arcs, plot, cultural representation, and badly edited.

This book is creepy, low-key racist, and just badly written.

Do not read, it is not worth your time.

[FlynnRulez · Rating 2 out of 5]

pretty trash tbh

rather be playing fortnite
bad game lol

was forced to read this for an English assessment and everyone agreed it was bad

Thanos kills pou rata at the end

[Maritioni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was never really interested in Maori culture until I read this book,i wanted to learn more about the mythical world of New Zealand and this was an effortless and enjoyable way to do so.It introduces different historical events and insights into how life was here before and mixes it with modern day life.The perspective is sometimes a bit naive but given it is seen through the eyes of a 15 yr old it becomes part of the journey.The main character is Matiu Douglas, a young and confused Maori boy and a victim of living in a broken home. When Matt goes to his Auntie Wai Aroha’s funeral, he takes an ancient Tiki and suddenly his life spirals out of control. With the mysterious and evil Tohunga Puarata chasing him to reclaim the Tiki, Matt teams up with Kelly and the dog Fitzy. Together they seek the answers to the problems that they come across and strive to find out the secret that the Tiki possesses.
The bone tiki probably is best classified as young adult (it does follow a teenager) and the relationships are a bit cheesy and superficial, although in saying that some of the philosophical points are quite deep, and the mythological is simply awesome. As an adventure story Bone Tiki is unparalleled, even if some of the characters kinda drop out of the story.David Hair takes ancient places and beliefs and blends them with a modern world. His story takes place in a world where reality and myth collide, where spirit world and modern world mix and there are 600 year old people at our rugby games.The real theme of the book is that Justice will always prevail in the end. Also that you should never be ashamed of not knowing much about your culture. It also show that with enough loyalty to do the job, the right tools to do the job, the right friends to do the job and the willpower to do it. It can be done no matter what you’re up against.
It is a fast moving, action packed story line that keeps one glued to the reader, wanting more. I'm eager to read the next David Hair book on Aotearoa.

[Indi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'll be honest: not a very good book.

Good main character (Matiu Douglas) who helps readers understand the main idea of the book: the significance in connection to culture. However, he is the only consistent variable in the whole book. In every chapter a new problem arises and somehow Mat magically escapes, each bad guy falling right into his trap in perfect timing like they're ballroom dancing. Not only that, but characters drop in and out of play so badly you forget they exist. Too many scenes and a rushed storyline work to make a difficult to follow plot. Severe editing is needed.
A glossary may also be useful for international readers who don't understand Māori words and references. Along with that, no macrons are used throughout the entire book, meaning a lot of the Māori words are actually spelt incorrectly (editing where?).

May I also comment: it is extremely weird that a soul hundreds of years old likes a young woman that lives in a different dimension while simultaneously being in love with the main character's grandma. Why is no one talking about how messed up that is?

[Ligma Smegma · Rating 1 out of 5]

In-Depth Review of The Bone Tiki
David Hair’s The Bone Tiki is a novel that, despite its intriguing premise, ultimately fails to deliver a satisfying and coherent reading experience. The book attempts to weave a narrative rich in mythology and fantasy, but it is undermined by numerous flaws in plot development, character portrayal, and overall execution.

Plot and Pacing
At the heart of The Bone Tiki is the journey of Mat, the protagonist, who is tasked with finding and reclaiming the powerful and enigmatic Bone Tiki. While the premise holds promise for an adventurous and immersive story, the novel’s pacing is severely problematic. The narrative frequently suffers from erratic shifts in plot, creating a disjointed and often confusing reading experience.

From the beginning, the novel struggles with a lack of coherent direction. The plot seems to jump from one scene to another with little regard for smooth transitions or logical progression. This erratic pacing disrupts the flow of the story, making it difficult for readers to fully engage with the narrative. The frequent and abrupt changes in plot direction can be jarring, leaving readers feeling unsettled and disconnected from the unfolding events.

Repetitive Conflicts
A significant issue with the book is its repetitive and formulaic approach to conflict. Mat encounters a seemingly endless array of adversaries throughout the story. Each chapter introduces new enemies, often with minimal background or development. This constant barrage of antagonists quickly becomes tedious, as the narrative fails to build a sense of lasting tension or suspense.

Mat’s effortless victories over these enemies contribute to the overall lack of stakes in the story. The ease with which he overcomes each challenge undermines the narrative’s ability to create genuine suspense or emotional investment. The repetitive nature of these confrontations diminishes the impact of Mat’s victories, making them feel unearned and superficial.

Characters and Development
Characterization in The Bone Tiki is another area where the novel falls short. Mat, as the central figure in the story, lacks depth and complexity. His character is portrayed in a one-dimensional manner, with little exploration of his motivations or personal growth. His frequent triumphs over enemies come across as contrived, as they are not well-supported by his character development or the narrative itself.

The supporting characters are equally underdeveloped. They appear intermittently and serve minimal roles in advancing the plot or enriching the story. Their interactions with Mat are shallow and often feel forced. The lack of meaningful character development and interaction creates a sense of detachment, preventing readers from forming strong connections with any of the characters.

Writing Style and Editing
The writing style in The Bone Tiki is another significant area of concern. The prose is often cumbersome and fails to engage readers on a deeper level. Descriptions are either overly verbose or insufficiently detailed, resulting in scenes that feel disjointed and unclear. The dialogue, which should serve to reveal character dynamics and advance the plot, often comes across as stilted and unnatural. This contributes to interactions that feel artificial and unconvincing, further detracting from the overall quality of the novel.

Additionally, the book suffers from numerous editorial oversights. Inconsistencies in plot and character behavior suggest a lack of thorough proofreading. These errors contribute to the story’s fragmented nature, making it challenging for readers to follow and invest in the narrative. The overall lack of polish in editing is evident throughout the book, adding to the sense of frustration and dissatisfaction.

Themes and Mythology
While The Bone Tiki aims to explore themes of heroism and mythology, these elements are not well-executed. The novel’s treatment of its mythological aspects feels superficial and lacks depth. The Bone Tiki itself, which is central to the story, is inadequately explained and developed. This results in a vague and incomplete understanding of its significance and power.

The thematic exploration of heroism is similarly lacking. Mat’s journey is portrayed more as a series of disconnected events rather than a meaningful exploration of his growth and the consequences of his actions. The novel fails to provide a nuanced examination of its themes, leaving readers with a sense of missed potential.

Conclusion
In summary, The Bone Tiki by David Hair is a novel that promises an adventurous and mythical journey but ultimately fails to deliver. Its disjointed plot, repetitive conflicts, underdeveloped characters, and poor writing and editing combine to create a frustrating and unsatisfying reading experience. While the premise of the story holds potential, the execution falls short of creating a compelling and immersive adventure. Readers seeking a well-crafted fantasy novel with rich characters and a coherent narrative may find The Bone Tiki lacking in the very qualities that make the genre enjoyable.

[Genevieve Temple · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book sucks. Plain and simple. The plot is not interesting the characters aren't likeable and the mythos parts are badly incorporated.

The plot is simple chosen-one stuff, a classic trope that I won't bash, the author chooses to do absolutely nothing interesting though. The characters are boring and unlike able, Kelly was good at the start before she started crushing on Wiri?????? Awful choice. Mat is boring and just a vessel for the reader, nothing interesting here, and the mythos parts were just ? Weird. They didn't do much for the book and while the concepts are okay they just don't work. This book reads like moth bitten teddy bear, nothing of substance and nothing to write home about.

[Katie Furze · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Hair has transfigured the Maori myth 'The Wooden Head’ about Hakawau and Puarata into a fast paced contemporary novel for young adults. It incorporates the darker aspects of Maori mythology including turehu, patapaiaere, kehua, taniwha, spirits of the dead, the underworld, shapeshifters, and black magic to create an exciting and frightening tale that ricochets between two parallel worlds – present day New Zealand and a myth-world named Aotearoa. Hair brings the richness of Maori mythology to life for teens, particularly those who enjoy fast-paced fantasy, similar to Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson books, but better!

[Coral Smith]

A fantastic tale of Maori myths and legends and NZ historical past mixed together with current day timing. Matiu Douglas finds himself on an unbelievable adventure of survival and mystery after discovering his father is trying to take his Aunt Wai's tiki at her tangi when she promised it to Matiu. Matiu takes the tiki as he has a "gut feeling" he is supposed to have it, not his father. This begins his adventure on finding the truth behind the bone tiki.

Teaching - NZ Curriculum content
Read Aloud

[Erica Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the surface, an enjoyable read - although it gets a bit all over the show in parts and could have benefited from more editing. What bothered me more were the microaggressions against Māori. References to things that Māori 'aren't known for' such as medicine and law felt off, as well as the two worlds - the mythical world being Aotearoa and the 'real' world being New Zealand. Then there is the question of whether it is right for a pākehā author to be writing a story that aims to be so immersed in te ao Māori. Too many cringey moments to make me think that it is ok, in this case at least.

[Linda Sanggaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. I was so proud reading it as I am a New Zealander. I fell inlove with the character Wiri, I thought that he was well developed and you could really tell that he was an old soul.

The Turehu was a bit of a twist in the story and when the characters did the haka at the end, oah my gosh, that was a pivotal moment of the book. I loved it...can't wait to read more.

[Kaila Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cool concept, I just wish it had been executed better. Definitely fun to read a novel set in Aotearoa New Zealand and with te ao Māori integrated into it, but I found a lot of the action scenes sounded like an imagined film scene that the author struggled to describe. Generally a bit messy and all over the place.

[Michael Heath-Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A full speed story that may have been imagined for the big screen although how they are going to portray the main character as having been eaten by one of the other characters will as usual be glossed over.

[Sjahrne Nesbit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has to be one of the best series I've read.

[Becks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed how the land of 'Aotearoa' s interwoven with the real day Aotearoa/ New Zealand.

[Jaq · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delicious storytelling.

[Scarlett · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to read this for school 🤪

[Mikeywood S · Rating 1 out of 5]

i think david has bad hair honestly

[ligma sexton · Rating 1 out of 5]

i wod rather smigma

[hi · Rating 5 out of 5]

hi

[Dee Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. Loved thinking about Aotearoa and modern day New Zealand living in tandem, aware of each other and not knowing. Was beautiful and took my imagination on a journey.

[Saskia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot!! Enjoyable.

[Peggy Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ka Pai. A great read.

I really enjoyed this pukapuka. I look forward to studying it with my Year 10 English class in 2024. So much to think about and to write about after reading it. I am sure my akonga will love it.