The scene is set with an interpretation of the creation, when the God Imo made the world from clay and the sea from spit, adding fish and then using dolphins whose souls were transformed into humans who now reside on earth. This is Mau’s world ...

After a terrifying tsunami hits the Mothering Sunday Islands in the Great Southern Pelagic Ocean, Mau is left orphaned and alone, his village annihilated. Driven by his anger at the gods for sending the wave, he sets about rebuilding his life and his Nation.

This novel is a gripping and funny story packed with irony, action and suspense.

“Silence fell over the war canoes, lined with faces, the cluster of Raider chiefs on the shoreline, the people who had crept out to watch from the cliff.”

I think this sentence in particular draws the reader and grips them making them want to keep on reading. I became so absorbed in the book I almost thought I was there.

“Cox was reloading. He had to use two hands for that didn’t he?
Click ...
Mau reached down for his knife but his belt was empty.
... Click.”

This scene also shows the suspense Pratchett builds which drives the reader on to make them keep on reading.

There is an ironic scene where Daphne, a British girl shipwrecked on Mau’s island, invites him to tea in the wreck of the ship, by drawing a map using arrows to show where the wreck is. Mau misunderstands her and thinks he is meant to fire arrows at the ship.

Another reason I enjoyed this book so much was because the it was amusing, filled with comical events such as when Daphne makes beer which must be spat in and sung to, to make it safe to drink.

Comical episodes include when the parrot (the first Mau has ever seen) of the dead captain squawks inappropriate comments such as ...

“Roberts [the dead Captain] is a dreadful boozer! Show us yer drawers!”

... to an astonished Mau.

Overall I think this book is a nice, easy read because of its relaxed and informal style, which makes the reader want to read on to the very last word. I also enjoyed the way it is frequently punctuated with jokes and funny comments.

I give this 9/10.