Nation is an adventure story with a complex but fascinating plot, which keeps you gripped throughout the novel.

The novel starts with a young man-to-be called Mau who is busy becoming a man on an island called the Boys’ Island, when a wave hits his home, killing everyone he knows and loves. Stricken with grief, he discovers a ‘trouserman’ girl; a lone survivor of The Judy, a ship that was wrecked on the shores of Mau’s island in the wave. She and Mau are left to struggle with loss, responsibility and raiders. Along with a handful of natives from the neighbouring islands also hit by the wave, they must fight for their nation.

I think this novel really works because of the well-thought out characters and the way that the story flicks through different characters’ stories and their points of view. It is a bit slow to start and confusing at the beginning as you don’t get the full picture, but once all the information has been filled in, it’s a very graphic novel.

I really enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy.