Guardian of the Dead, which is based around Maori beliefs and tales (the native populace of New Zealand, who have intermingled with the settlers and such over the generations), makes me want to move to NZ even more. I know very little about Maori beliefs, we covered it only in a general way during anthropology in college, but I remember reading a blog post by the author about the fight she had over the cover design. Originally it was supposed to depict a girl with a green decorated mask, Healey argued with her publisher about the fact the tattoos and markings Maori's use are deeply seated in spiritual and tribal beliefs. Just randomly sticking squiggles here or there is more culturally offensive then they could possibly realize. Which is why the cover is now the plain mask staring upwards.

Throughout Guardian Healey shows a deep reverence and respect for the Maori and their culture. Though everyone in the novel is New Zealand born (and raised for the most part), not everyone is Maori and thus sometimes our main character Ellie is treated to some chiding remarks about her lack of knowledge or understanding by her best friend Kevin (who is Maori). Healey explains the culture to the reader in an approachable and interesting fashion; I never once felt as if she was just info-dumping or trying to preach.

This is also something of a different kind of boarding school story for me. I suppose I've become used to American Boarding School YA's because the NZ Boarding School that Ellie and Kevin attended felt more like a college then a HS (aided by the fact the university attached to the HS was just across the field).

I wasn't keen on one or two plot developments. One, a plotline between Ellie and a college student who shows interest in her, felt like it was just a contrivance to bring her to a bigger plot point. At first it made sense, but at the end of it (when the goal was achieved) it felt under-developed and shallow. I was also more than a little confused by the ending and how things turned out with the 'mysterious boy' that Ellie has a crush on. Without spoilers its hard to explain why, but what happens to him by the end of the book is more than a little tangled up.

Overall I think this was a truly engrossing read. Healey's use of a different kind of supernatural, one more rooted in generations of tradition and belief, was a refreshing breeze next to all the vampire and werewolf novels coming out. Technically you could consider this in the 'Fae' category, but this is not your Seelie or UnSeelie average type of novel. This book also made me want to know more about the Maori culture, something I plan on doing very soon. ( )

Full of Maori and Polynesian myths and legends, some of the structure, plot, use of landscape/climate, myth, etc. reminds me of Susan Cooper and Diana Wynne Jones. {edit 2/6/12} Also reminded me of Neil Gaiman's [b:American Gods|4407|American Gods|Neil Gaiman|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1258417001s/4407.jpg|1970226], in which one of the characters tells Shadow that people carry their mythologies with them, a point which is made several times by Mark Nolan, one of the other main characters in the story.


Ellie, the main character of the story finds herself drawn into a world full of magic, danger and fairy type creatures from Maori myths known as the Patu-pai-ri-hi (patoo-pie-ree-hee - I'm just guessing at spelling) who move in through the mists and use humans as both breeding partners and for entertainment. The people they claim and take into the mists often come back years later, since the passage of time is different in the mists and are often mad from the experience. Their similarity to the Fae of Irish myth is quite strong despite the constant references to Classic mythology (which I never liked tbh).

These folk, desperate to get their immortality back (something they lost thanks to the works of Maui - the major hero in Polynesian mythology who brought forth not only fire but the islands of New Zealand and also most of the other Pacific islands where Polynesians founded their colonies [i.e. the island of Maui in Hawai'i]) hatch a plan to bring about the death of millions by destroying the north island of New Zealand. The hope is to overwhelm the sleeping goddess with the dead and return their power.

Ellie suddenly finds herself thrust into the forefront of the battle to stop the Patu-pai-ri-hi from achieving their goal, confronting the Goddess Guardian of the Dead [Hine-nui-te-po] and saving the lives of many.


This story was enjoyable on a number of levels - from learning new myths and legends to exploring a new (for me) landscape of New Zealand ... for instance I don't think I ever realized before that NZ was split into two islands [shows how well I pay attention]. It was a great deal of fun to read about Maui from a new perspective and how, while he might be a hero to one group, he would not be to another (OK, I guess I can see how Prometheus fits in here).

Ellie, even at 17, is a strong character who knows what she wants out of life and won't take the guff off anyone. She foils two attempts on her virtue in one night, faces down the Patu-pai-ri-hi who has designs on her best friend, takes on a goddess out of nightmare and saves the lives of millions. I can see her growing into an incredible woman. ( )

Interesting and strange but good. New Zealand and Pacific island mythologies and young adult challenges combine to make a creepy and exciting story.

Warning tho it is a bit intense at times. There's some threats of sexual assault and references to past non consent, pretty brutal violence, and what I would classify as body horror. The main character also struggles with her body image if you need a heads up for that. ( )

"What's this?"
"I was researching," I snapped. "With databases and search engines. It's the twenty-first century, Mark! Anad you haven't been at the library since it opened, because I was waiting outside when they opened the bloody door!"
"Shut UP!" an anguished male voice howled from the stacks. ( )

Looooooved it! Way more than I expected to. ( )