From multiple award-winning novelist, John Blossom comes this volcanic tale of hope and magical realism. Thirteen-year-old Mahina Moemoea lives on a ranch in Hawaii and wants more out of life than just feeling the earth's energy in the soil. For Tutu, her grandmother, communing with the garden is enough, but that’s because she doesn’t experience Mahina’s amazing flying dreams. When Tutu tells Mahina that the family’s special powers may have killed her mom and dad, she tries to obey Tutu's strict command to ignore them, until her mom’s spirit entices her on a perilous underground path to fulfill the family's destiny of aloha to humanity.
“To make the extraordinary ordinary, so that the ordinary has a chance to feel extraordinary again." Follow the adventures of Mahina in this magical and inspiring tale as she discovers a living cavern on her property that holds the most uplifting power yet to stop climate change.
A literary novel of generational conflict and hope and a must-read for anyone who believes that love and higher consciousness can overcome fear and greed. Sure to take its place as one of the most poignant young adult novels ever written on the subject of humanity and nature, reading Mahina Rises is like remembering the best dream you've ever had and realizing it's there for you whenever you need it.
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Mahina's tale of magic, spirituality, determination, and nature proves an exciting and thought provoking plot for young readers. They will be enthralled with Mahina's refreshing ideas and the story's exceptionally unique setting.
Prose: Throughout, Blossom crafts believable dialogue and stunning descriptions of nature. The balanced and smooth writing style provides the proper backdrop for Mahina's story, while engaging with the novel's themes.
Originality: Blossom offers an intriguing story of a young girl seeking to make a difference. Between the elements of magical realism and the story's well-developed characters, readers will find this exciting and thoughtful.
Character/Execution: Each character within Mahina Rises is lovingly fashioned with their own individual goals, fears, and aspirations. They all work together in a cohesive manner to help steer the plot in an engaging and thrilling way.
Date Submitted: August 27, 2024
Mahina Moemoea often dreams of flying towards her mother's voice—a mysterious force calling her to the lava tubes where her parents met their end during a hurricane 13 years ago. Tutu, her grandmother, remains tight-lipped about the tragedy, and when Mahina shares the thrill of her flying visions, Tutu's response is sharp: "The Moemoea dreams … are a curse," she warns, convinced that these dreams led to her daughter’s death. For Tutu, working in their ranch's rich and revitalizing soil is enough. She makes Mahina promise to ignore her dreams, fearing she might lose her granddaughter to the same fate.Mahina, ever the dreamer, refuses to be tethered by fear and, though plagued with guilt, defies her Tutu. When a hurricane destroys Po'okela Academy, Mahina dares an idea inspired by her dreams—a fundraising concert to rebuild her school—and enlists the help of her best friend, Koa, and her supportive teacher, Ms. Reynolds. What unfolds is a dangerous yet soaring journey where Mahina discovers that the Moemoeas’ irresistible powers are far more than a curse, through secret trips to the lava tubes, bouts of sleepwalking and nightmares, and the growing realization that her visions might even hold the key to combating climate change.
Blending magical realism and Hawaiian lore, Blossom (author of Horse Boys) offers a timeless story, rich with Hawaiian culture, and implores readers to contemplate the power of dreams and the fears that often stifle them, with lovable characters who embody the courage of the next generation. Tutu's words, "the power is not in the dreams. It is in you," resonate throughout, a reminder that dreams mean nothing without action. Mahina Rises is a powerful call for guardians to nurture their children's dreams and for the young to believe they can make a difference in a world ravaged by greed. This is an urgent read on caring for our planet.
Takeaway: Soaring adventure of two kids who combat climate change.
Comparable Titles: Axie Oh's The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, Peter Brown's The Wild Robot.
Production grades
Cover: B-
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-
This was a captivating, hopeful, mystical adventure story! I love young adult fiction, and this story was actually really full of interesting thought explorations about the power of our intuitions, dreams, and about the possible realities we can step into when we connect with the power of nature and support one another. It deals with a really important and present topic of how kids are grappling with the changes in climate and is hopeful in offering a vision of how we can all work together to connect to the field of love and care for the earth to open up new realities for this precious planet. I was given an ARC in exchange for a review and I flew through it! :) So much resonance and synchronicity in reading this book! Great thoughtful and uplifting read for adults and youth nourishing our imaginations with hope!
Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers’ Favorite 5-Stars:
Mahina Rises by John Blossom revolves around Mahina Moemoea, a girl orphaned and raised by her grandmother Tutu. Mahina has intense dreams, which she believes connect her to her deceased mother and a family legacy. As Hurricane Byron approaches Hawaii, Mahina’s dreams grow more vivid. However, her relationship with Tutu becomes strained due to Tutu's concerns about the influence of Mahina’s dreams and external distractions, including a campaign to fundraise. Mahina explores a lava tube linked to her family’s past, but as her health deteriorates due to an acceleration of Mahina's power, media attention, and stress, Tutu must come to terms with what has to be done in the time she has left so Mahina can continue her environmental efforts and preserve her family's legacy.
I love a book with an empowered female protagonist, and John Blossom delivers with Mahina in Mahina Rises. First of all, the landscape of Hawaii not just being a backdrop, but almost serving as another character, is spectacular. It's difficult to imagine any other place with the potency of the islands to serve as ground zero in Mahina's coming of age. The characters are all well-developed, especially Koa, and it's very easy to understand where Tutu is coming from with her fears. The crux of the story is the combination of Mahina's power, which is multifaceted but the 'rising' in the title does lean into its physical manifestation and the environmental assault on Earth. The writing is clean and accessible, the pacing is pitch-perfect, and the message couldn't be more timely or important. Very highly recommended.
Reviewed by Kimberlee J Benart for Readers’ Favorite - 5 Stars
Mahina Rises is a young adult novel by John Blossom filled with magic and adventure. Set in Hawaii and framed by the effects of climate change, it features a courageous thirteen-year-old girl named Mahina who lives on a ranch with her tutu (grandmother). Mahina lost her parents as a baby, and the tragedy of that event colored her tutu’s outlook on life, filling her with the fear that she may lose Mahina to the same powers that their family has held for generations. Torn between her tutu’s warnings and the dreams in which her mother urges her forward, Mahina confides in Koa, her best friend and classmate. With the help of a dedicated teacher, they chart a path forward. Will it lead to danger and death or to love, understanding, and healing?
If you enjoy magical realism, Mahina Rises is for you. The well-paced narrative skillfully conveys Mahina’s emotional struggle with understanding her place in the world. The relationship between Mahina and Koa is utterly sweet and tinged with the beginnings of a teen romance. I vote for a sequel! The support of their teacher and other adults as Mahina and Koa face one challenge after another is a positive aspect. John Blossom has woven a wonderful tale that blends indigenous Hawaiian lore and respect for the environment with the harsh reality of climate change and the greed that fuels it. This is a story of adventure, family love, friendship, and a greater love for our earth and each other. Highly recommended.
Reviewed by Frank Mutuma for Readers’ Favorite - 5 Stars
Koa's energy hadn't diminished like Mahina's, and he was looking forward to the climate change presentations, but his optimism didn't last after hearing how people were destroying Mother Earth. But who was responsible? Was it individuals or large corporations? Could individuals make a difference, and was healing the planet profitable? Mahina had brilliant ideas and dreams. With the help of Koa and his father, her input helped rebuild her school after the devastating hurricane that had caused so much damage. She was hard-working and lived on the ranch with Tutu, who was becoming increasingly paranoid about Mahina's dreams. She told Mahina to ignore the dreams because they could be dangerous. Can dreams and reality merge, and why was Tutu so worried? To find out, get a copy of Mahina Rises by John Blossom.I could not have read Mahina Rises by John Blossom at a better time. The cleverly woven story captures the prevailing dialogue on the thorny issue of climate change and our responsibility to care for the environment. I loved other themes encapsulated in the book, primarily through the character of Tutu, such as morals and values. The vivid description of places and characters kept me intrigued and entertained. I also loved the plot twists concerning Mahina's flying ability and dreams. They created suspense and held my attention throughout the book. The characters were also well-developed and easy to relate to. The author used them effectively to pass on the intended message. The reader will also appreciate the easy-to-understand language used, which makes the book accessible to all. I cannot wait to read more from this talented author.
