Fiji: A Novel (The World Duology)

** A 2.5 Review **Back in the good ol days *cough cough* when I spent my days saving the world pushing numbers (instead of reading all day) I had a slightly creepy habit, (or at least that's what you are bound to think when I tell you what it was) I would spend my lunch hour sitting outside of Starbucks people watching. I would eat (cause that's what chubby monkeys like me do) but while I was shoveling food I would visually stalk the people around me. (cue infamous "psycho" screech.) I was fascinated by what made people tick. (Still am if I'm being honest.) Or to be more specific...what drove people to make the decision they did.Was it culture that drove them? Their upbringing? Society? What was it exactly that caused people to do what they did? What influenced their actions? Made them who they are?This (the anthropological aspect) is what was truly interesting about Lance and James Morcan's novel "Fiji.""As the pharaohs of ancient Egypt build their mighty pyramids, and Chinese civilization evolves under the Shang Dynasty, adventurous seafarers from South East Asia begin to settle the far-flung islands of the South Pacific. The exotic archipelago of Fiji is one of the last island groups to be discovered and will remain hidden from the outside world for many centuries to come.By the mid-1800′s, Fiji has become a melting pot of cannibals, warring native tribes, sailors, traders, prostitutes, escaped convicts and all manner of foreign undesirables. It's in this hostile environment an innocent young Englishwoman and a worldly American adventurer find themselves.Susannah Drake, a missionary, questions her calling to spread God's Word as she's torn between her spiritual and sexual selves. As her forbidden desires intensify, she turns to the scriptures and prayer to quash the sinful thoughts - without success.Nathan Johnson arrives to trade muskets to the Fijians and immediately finds himself at odds with Susannah. She despises him for introducing the white man's weapons to the very people she is trying to convert and he pities her for her naivety. Despite their differences, there's an undeniable chemistry between them.When their lives are suddenly endangered by marauding cannibals, Susannah and Nathan are forced to rely on each other for their very survival."Now, while I Loved (see that... capital L) the rather expansive dive into 1800′ s Fijian history that made up more than half of this book, (aka cannibals, native sacrifice and tons TONS of blood-letting) that's not really what this book was about. (Despite my allusion to it above.)"So what was it Misty?"Well...Kindle-ites...it was a button popping romance."Say WHAT?"That's right. I'm talking abs busting/lady swooning cover art type romance. Which (for the record) I soooo was not expecting. Romance? Yes. Obviously. Says it right there in the synopsis."there's an undeniable chemistry between them"But the extent of it was pretty freaking ridiculous AND repetitive. Smoldering glances? Check. Lusty dreams after reading the Bible? Check Check. (Totally not joking about that by the way.) A man hell-bent on getting a virginal girl to look his way. Hop on board, right this way! To say it was cliché filled would be a understatment. And to add insult to injury (and boy was there A LOT of injury in this book) the narrative was awkward.I don't know about all of you, but when I read a book the characters develop very distinctive voices in my head. (Hmm...maybe that could have been worded differently, like where I don't come off sounding so crazy. Anyways...) Fiji was no different. Susannah had an "English" accent, Nathan was swimming in cocky American, and the Cannibals of Fiji? They had this weird grunting thing going on. But somewhere in between all of that William Shatner popped into my head. (*shiver*) Not a good sign. To me Willie is a little stiff, very un-emotive (yes, I know that's not a word...don't judge me.) and sounds like he's reading off of a teleprompter ALL of the time. William was the narrator. In short, it felt forced (or at the very least extremely formulaic.)As for the plot (as a whole) it wasn't that bad, but it did feel a little like every action romance ever to hit the big screen. (Um...can you say Romancing The Stone?) Every possible (devastating) scenario was accounted for. Every character was strongly defined (almost stereotypical) and just when you thought you had heard/read it all...someone would die and a whole new brand of s-storm would erupt. (Sometimes less is more, just saying.)Overall...not the best book I've ever read, but certainly not the worst. The anthropological aspect was spot on and wildly entertaining. The romance was a little kitschy but ok, and the plot? It was what it was. Take it or leave it.Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: There is a very fine line between crazy and brilliant. I have yet to figure out which one I am. Cheers!

Fiji Duology 2 is by is by Lance Morcan and James Morcan. It is the sequel to World Odyssey. The characters really come to life in this book. You find yourself running along with Susannah and Sine while trying to escape. My legs were tiring out and I was having problems breathing. It was if I was actually running beside them. The plot was fantastic too. I loved the way the three characters finally came together and interacted. It was a great book.Susannah Drake and her father finally made it to their mission post at Momi Bay on Viti Levu with the Qopa clan. Here they have a house ready for them beside the church and are welcomed by the villagers. Whether or not they will be converted to Christianity would have to be seen.Nathan Johnson was also going to Momi Bay only he was going to trade muskets for beche-de-mar or sea slugs (also known as sea cucumbers). He planned to take the sea slugs to China where they would sell for a good amount of money. He makes a good deal with the chief and now has to wait until the ship returns to ship his sea slugs. Meanwhile, he and the chief’s son Joeli become friends in spite of the language barrier.Jack Halliday has married and has two children and a third one on the way. He has not given up his wicked ways and still seduces women when he is away from home which is frequently. He first traded sandalwood properties and now is looking into trading another wood. He goes to look at the property he bought which is on Vita Levu. Here he and his guide are attached and taken prisoner by the Outcasts. His guide is immediately killed and placed on the fire to cook. The Outcasts are cannibals.Rambuka is the leader of the Outcasts. He was cast out by his father, the chief of the Qopa clan. Joeli, his half-brother is groomed to take the chief’s place. Rambuka leads a raid on the village to get the golden tabua that was stolen by Rambuka. He also kidnaps Sine, the beloved of Waisale friend of Joeli, and at another time, Susannah.Joeli, Waisale, and Nathan along with warriors set out to find Rambuka and retrieve the girls. Their path leads through the jungle and over rivers. There is danger at all times. Will they manage to find the girls and if so, free them? Will they get back to the village alive? What part does Jack play in this adventure?Things get pretty confusing at times but once you figure out the people, it falls into place. Besides nature and the Outcasts, the small group also has to deal with some black magic.It was an excellent book and I was sorry to see it end.

I came across this book as I wanted to read a novel about Fiji after going there a few years ago on a kayaking and diving trip and visiting some of the outlying islands including staying in a traditional village off the tourist trail. It's a fast moving and exciting story of the tribal culture of the 1800s and how a missionary and his daughter get caught up in deadly rivalries. It's a gripping good read.

Kept interest till the last pageThis is not a read for the squeamish as it did mot hide the brutal culture of primitive Fije.I liked this book.

Well-thought out tale. You could hear the waves, feel the sea breeze, hear the rain thundering through the thick forest canopy, Nathan's change, Susannah's love, feel the pain in the Qopi warriors' sacrifice ... it was all a truly remarkable read set in the lands to which I proudly call home. London is certainly far removed from paradise.

An interesting and romantic story set in the beautiful island of Fiji. Full of tension, warfare and love between the islanders, this is extremely well written and an enjoyable read.

The setting of Fiji and it's inhabitants and customs makes this book interesting. An easy going holiday read that is interesting to the end.