Review by e-tasana-williams -- Naupaka Blooming by J.L. Eck
Posted: 31 May 2016, 22:06
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Naupaka Blooming" by J.L. Eck.]
3 out of 4 stars
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Naupaka Blooming: A Hawaiian Love Story, by J.L. Eck
It's summertime. And it's already hot, hot, hot. So I chose this book as a way to escape to a lush tropical island, to live vicariously through the characters in the book, and yes, to read a romantic tale. After all, who doesn't love a good love story, especially one set in Hawaii?
Naupaka Blooming: A Hawaiian Love Story is a novel written in two parts, and built around the legend of the Naupaka flower that blooms with only half its petals. Part One is set in 1600 Hawaii, and introduces the star-crossed lovers, Kanoa and Priness Leilani. This part of the book is similar to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, but with a twist. Part Two is set in present-day Hawaii, and introduces the heroine Liz, the sole heir of a Hawaiian great-grandmother she never got a chance to meet. As a condition of the will, Liz must live in her great-grandmother's home in Kailua for two years in order to inherit it. As Liz settles into her life in Kailua she meets new friends who are strangely familiar to her, and develops a love interest in a man who she has never met, but with whom she feels an instant electrifying connection.
This love story was an enjoyable read overall, with plot twists and exciting drama sprinkled throughout. Part One draws the reader in with beautiful imagery of the lush island atmosphere of 1600 Hawaii. A sword fight at the end of Part One leaves the reader in suspense as to the fate of the heroine. An unexpected twist grabs the reader's attention at the close of Part Two, Chapter 1, and has the reader wondering how this new revelation will play out in the rest of the novel. Sorry, but to reveal more about these moments in the story would require spoilers.
The author J.L. Eck relocated to Hawaii from the states as an adult, much like Liz, the heroine in Part Two of the story. Eck's first-hand knowledge of Hawaii, and her understanding of a newcomer's first impressions of the islands show in the opening of Part Two. Her appreciation of the natural beauty, and observance of the diverse surroundings and eclectic people are evident in her writing, as is her practice of Buddhism.
Liz begins learning about yoga and Buddhism after moving to Kailua. After a while the reader gets the sense that Eck is using the book as a platform to promote Buddhism as a way of life. It was not Eck's inclusion of Buddhist practices in the story line that distanced me from the book at times, but her insistence on bashing Christianity as a means of proselytizing. I would have preferred to see Buddhist principles introduced without the attached negativity.
Naupaka Blooming: A Hawaiian Love Story is an interesting read that brings a different perspective to the traditional love story. I enjoyed the book. Readers who like romance mixed with history and spirituality would enjoy this book as well. But the alienation of the reader in the second half, as well as several editorial oversights lead to its rating of 3 out of 4 stars.
******
Naupaka Blooming
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Naupaka Blooming: A Hawaiian Love Story, by J.L. Eck
It's summertime. And it's already hot, hot, hot. So I chose this book as a way to escape to a lush tropical island, to live vicariously through the characters in the book, and yes, to read a romantic tale. After all, who doesn't love a good love story, especially one set in Hawaii?
Naupaka Blooming: A Hawaiian Love Story is a novel written in two parts, and built around the legend of the Naupaka flower that blooms with only half its petals. Part One is set in 1600 Hawaii, and introduces the star-crossed lovers, Kanoa and Priness Leilani. This part of the book is similar to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, but with a twist. Part Two is set in present-day Hawaii, and introduces the heroine Liz, the sole heir of a Hawaiian great-grandmother she never got a chance to meet. As a condition of the will, Liz must live in her great-grandmother's home in Kailua for two years in order to inherit it. As Liz settles into her life in Kailua she meets new friends who are strangely familiar to her, and develops a love interest in a man who she has never met, but with whom she feels an instant electrifying connection.
This love story was an enjoyable read overall, with plot twists and exciting drama sprinkled throughout. Part One draws the reader in with beautiful imagery of the lush island atmosphere of 1600 Hawaii. A sword fight at the end of Part One leaves the reader in suspense as to the fate of the heroine. An unexpected twist grabs the reader's attention at the close of Part Two, Chapter 1, and has the reader wondering how this new revelation will play out in the rest of the novel. Sorry, but to reveal more about these moments in the story would require spoilers.
The author J.L. Eck relocated to Hawaii from the states as an adult, much like Liz, the heroine in Part Two of the story. Eck's first-hand knowledge of Hawaii, and her understanding of a newcomer's first impressions of the islands show in the opening of Part Two. Her appreciation of the natural beauty, and observance of the diverse surroundings and eclectic people are evident in her writing, as is her practice of Buddhism.
Liz begins learning about yoga and Buddhism after moving to Kailua. After a while the reader gets the sense that Eck is using the book as a platform to promote Buddhism as a way of life. It was not Eck's inclusion of Buddhist practices in the story line that distanced me from the book at times, but her insistence on bashing Christianity as a means of proselytizing. I would have preferred to see Buddhist principles introduced without the attached negativity.
Naupaka Blooming: A Hawaiian Love Story is an interesting read that brings a different perspective to the traditional love story. I enjoyed the book. Readers who like romance mixed with history and spirituality would enjoy this book as well. But the alienation of the reader in the second half, as well as several editorial oversights lead to its rating of 3 out of 4 stars.
******
Naupaka Blooming
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Eatsleaves's review? Post a comment saying so!