I very much liked the originality of the first book of this series. This one, well, it fell short of my expectations. Leila is so bad at communication it drove me crazy - in a bad way. She can't communicate with Daniel. She can't communicate anything significant to Keahi, but only pushes him away to become her enemy. She can't communicate with Teuila, who is in a place that Leila was in only a year ago. Also, knowing there are people trying to kill her she just goes ahead and lives her life with absolutely no preparation for when she will meet her enemies - and most of that 'life living' (the Center, the Fashion Show) just felt like filler to me. Having a main character you can't respect? Bad. In the first book she had mastered her fire and in this book she hardly uses it. Even when facing Sarona and her cronies, Leila hesitates and doesn't use her fire instinctively or readily. I thought she was supposed to be the most powerful telesa? Oh yeah and when Keahi knifes Sarona, Leila is only horrified. Nevermind she kept thinking she would kill Sarona herself; nevermind Sarona killed Jason, Nevermind Sarona is crazy and would kill everyone Leila loves if given the chance. Absolutely ridiculous. Her high-minded self-righteousness bugs. The book only gets good at the end with this new introduction of the "embodiment of earth's water element" and by implication what looks like Leila's body being taken over by Fire Goddess Pele. Hopefully the next installment will be better. Uh... it was ok. I didn't like having to think about reality of sexual abuse, although we should acknowledge and help those abused victims,and maybe even do things to prevent it, as it does happen throughout the world. It was nice the author paid tribute.. but it was too close to reality for me, and I was very uncomfortable. Like having to re-live something, instead of enjoying a book I was hoping to be great! The parts about Daniel n Leila kept me into the book, but that's about it. I didn't enjoy the reality.. and I see at the end that she was recognizing and bringing awareness to victims throughout the world. ugh.... But Oh well.Also, Leila is somewhat portrayed as a weakling. She has a strong mind, but is not very smart? She willingly goes far away to a death... I can see how she's self sacrificing.. but of course somethings going to be "set up" to trap them? It's like just falling into the arms of the enemy, plain dumb. In the big fight she didn't do anything... she felt nothing.. not even to turn her flame on... until told.. We really don't need another Bella.. weak, confused, depressed. What she did in the magma was great, and I guess there's no changing the story now. So, ahh... it wasn't amazing like the first book-- which was a dreamland..Something I noticed... it seems like a lot is going on. Like she's incorporating a lot into the plain characters, giving them lots of opportunities that normally one doesn't get. Rugby, Surfing, Paddling, Singing, Designing, Modeling, New York, New Zealand, California, Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, Hmmm... And Daniel is just too awesome.. but maybe that's how we view Polynesian people, they can do anything and everything they put their mind to given the right opportunities and desire.I give it a 3 star, cause I still like the Love triangle thing going on.. not impressed or drawn in by the reality of life.. the reason I escape to books.
What do You think about When Water Burns (2012)?
3.5 stars. I didn't like this as much as the first book, but I still want to read the third!
—Lissabby
Good read .. Def pulled @ mah heart strings lol .. Malo Lani!!
—Melinda
Another awesome book, I give it up for our Polynesian writers.
—dan
