Blaine Stevens

A blood thirsty island king, Captain Cook, disease epidemics, whippings, hetrosexual sex, homosexual sex, small wars, a disgruntled english sailor, a woman in love with a man, a man in love with a woman - these are some of the items which form part of the landscape in Blaine Steven's Sandwich Islands epic 'Island of Kings'.

The novel is certainly captivating, the mental picture is paints is both vivid and compelling, the plot developments are well paced and interesting. Yet when the book changed from the perspective of the island to that of an english criminal I found myself wondering if this was even the same book and how it was related. Sure enough the two tales tie back together but the change seemed rather abrupt and unexpected to this reader.

Overall, it was an enjoyable picturesque journey however I found the ending a little lacklustre, almost like the author was preparing for a sequel but wasn't sure he'd have enough material so left out the climactic plot resolution from this book.

Oh, and it paints Captain Cook as the old grandpa everyone has in the family who keeps repeating the stories he's already told you again, and again, and again; which was a little humourous.… (meer)