Review of Makai King by Fairfield

Description:

A new queen reigns beneath the sea in the underwater kingdom of Moku-ola. Armed with a sense of destiny, and friends loyal and true, Queen Tessa faces her greatest challenge ever as the ruler of sharks threatens her kingdom. Her heart has chosen one man to become her king, but another seeks to take it by force. Can her strength and resolve endure? Will her faith in the Creator’s plan and protection remain? In Makai King, second book in the Makai Series, Christian psychologist Tara Fairfield continues the adventures of Tessa in the whimsical world of Moku-ola, which began in Makai Queen, showing readers the power of forgiveness and understanding your identity as a child of God.

My Review:

Immediately magical, this fantasy novel lets the main character Tessa swim under the depths and walk on land, talk to people and communicate with animals and sea life as she reigns as the Queen of Moku-ola, a little world under the surface, in the ocean.  My attention was immediately grabbed by the Hawaiian theme, tongue, and tribal legends made to seem as though they were real-life.  The ocean/water motif was wonderfully woven throughout the entire book.  Tessa communicates with all of the water life and it’s so fun to read how this author incorporates the culture and common, day-to-day life of Hawaii with the sea creatures native to around Maui.  She describes the sayings, dress, even the plant life in exquisite detail.  The Creator of all the kingdom is woven throughout, and being written by a Christian psychologist, it was a fantastic way to insert scripture references and promises God has given to His people.

The story picks up where I assume Makai Queen left off, which - disclaimer - I have not yet read.  Because of that, I would recommend reading Makai Queen first as I do not believe Makai King was meant to be a standalone.  A lot of characters seem to reprise their roles.

Tessa, the Queen, and Kupua, the king and Tessa’s love interest in the book, stand with Kele and Alkalei as they battle against the evil Moho, who also happens to be Kupua’s brother.  Moho desires to be in Kupua’s throne, and does just about anything to get to that - including suspicious deaths of fish and other sea creatures, being abusive toward others, power-hungry, bitter, prideful and seemingly selling his soul to Lua Pele.  Moho involves twins, Henry and Sam, in his evil schemes.  

The religious allegory to each character’s role in the book is fantastic, especially when it comes to Tessa giving life and love, while Moho destroys and spreads hatred.  Even though Moho proves to be a formidable enemy, seeking likeness with the evil sharks of the ocean, Tessa and Kupua still feel love for him, and a desire for him to return to his family.

What Moho goes through in his dark quest for power is poignant, and not without warning to readers as it draws its parallels to biblical concepts and battles.  

The love story is light, sweet, and noble and is very Creator-focused (the Creator chose for them to be together).  It’s not truly a big focus as the fight for good vs. evil takes center stage, however.  Tessa, Kupua and the rest of the cast go through big and small battles for power… and you have to read to the end to find out who wins :)

Favorite quotes:

* “In the darkest places, the Creator’s light shines the brightest.

Courage, not borne from myself, strengthened me as I absorbed my

surroundings,” (pg 96)

* The entirety of Chapter 13, “Test,” was an especially powerful chapter!

My Rating:

Four Stars / A- for uniqueness, exploration of morality in an understandable way, and the flow of the story

Find the Author:

Tara's works can be found on Amazon, and she can also be found on Facebook!