This book was quite good. It’s one I would recommend to anyone, because it’s just a good book to read. The flow was great, but the book took forever to read. It actually took me a period of about 2 weeks, which is quite unlike me. It’s a book you will forget about until you see it sitting there or until you have nothing to do.

I loved the characters. They were all quite unique and each seemed to be their own person, with individual feelings.  They were just everyday people who magically entered a completely different world. It also showed how some really dramatic things can change people dramatically. 

At first I thought the book would give out the idea that Maori people were pixies in the bush. But then it proved to be the complete opposite. It tells of some of the Maori legends and it gives you a bit of insight on the language too. The whole story motivates you to learn more about the culture.

To people overseas it may feel differently, but for me  it was just a book that was great to read.

The Bone Tiki is a whole new type of fantasy where Maori fae collide with the modern world to create an adrenaline packed story where you just might find yourself chased by a huge tattooed warrior from the mists of time.

If you have ever seen the New Zealand rugby team, the All Blacks, perform the Haka before a rugby match, you might be able to envision the power behind David Hair’s imagery when in one scene he’s describing facing hundred of spirits/ghosts performing the Maori war dance. It the fight for life hadn’t got your adrenaline pumping then the powerful Maori warriors’ chant will be sending shivers down your spine!

My biggest issue with this story is that it desperately needs a glossary and pronunciation guide. Readers of fantasy are used to being introduced to new words, but I found the use of the Maori language to describe a setting distracted from the base of the story, particularly in the first couple of chapters hard; it was almost as if David Hair just didn’t know how to explain how Mat picked up this magical pendant (the bone tiki). In trying to describe the funeral of an elder we get half explanations of the Maori funeral rites and random examples of the Maori language which, without the use of glossary, just don’t do justice to the situation. What is the difference between a marae and a pa? So a ‘whare runanga’ is a ‘meeting house’, what on earth is a meeting house when it’s at home? It’s interesting in context of learning about Maori language and rites, but not really necessary to this story and we would have been better served using the English descriptions, or having better descriptions of the Maori terms. However, once we get over that the rest of the story is very well written.
The basic concept that Aotearoa isn’t just the Maori name for New Zealand, but a mythical place overlying the modern world is beautifully done (think Mists of Avalon). We get introduced to a whole new world of fae creatures: taniwhas (waterdragons)...turehu (shapeshifters)... tohunga makutu (black magician)..patupaiarehe (evil fae)... In the middle of this is our hero Mat (Wiremu Matiu Douglas), half Maori, half Irish and with not real knowledge of either sides of his culture.

He removes a tiki from a dead woman and from there the ‘adventure’ starts -  he’s on the run and chased by an evil magician. Mat is actually a really likeable character, he’s got that sweet innocence balanced with bravery and loyalty, all of which just make him a nice kid.

Actually, all the characters in this story are beautifully envisioned. I do tend to go on about story flow and emotional commitment to the characters, but to me these are incredibly important aspects of a good story, and The Bone Tiki has both. I laughed as Kelly tumbles around dressed as a clown, I was shocked when they were caught in a trap, I cried when Wiri... well, it’s just a very emotive story!

As with all good stories, this one has a few great twists and turns, but I really did enjoy the introduction to this whole new world of magical creatures. Also having this story told in quite a westernised way and in a westernised setting made it much easier to relate to. I think The Bone Tiki is going to appeal to anyone who enjoys a good urban fantasy, it is a young adult book, but there’s enough ‘blood & guts’ to make it a 13-99+. It’s an original story that is just going to delight!

Have your tissues and a box of popcorn ready for this highly emotive and engrossing story.