Published by MIRA on June 9, 2020
Genres: Fiction, Historical, World War II, Romance
Pages: 400
Format: eBook
Source: ARC
Goodreads
Inspired by real places and events of WWII, Red Sky Over Hawaii immerses the reader in a time of American history full of suspicion and peril in this lush and poignant tale about the indisputable power of doing the right thing against all odds.
The attack on Pearl Harbor changes everything for Lana Hitchcock. Arriving home on the Big Island too late to reconcile with her estranged father, she is left alone to untangle the clues of his legacy, which lead to a secret property tucked away in the remote rain forest of Kilauea volcano. When the government starts taking away her neighbors as suspected sympathizers, Lana shelters two young German girls, a Japanese fisherman and his son. As tensions escalate, they are forced into hiding—only to discover the hideaway house is not what they expected.
When a detainment camp is established nearby, Lana struggles to keep the secrets of those in her care. Trust could have dangerous consequences. As their lives weave together, Lana begins to understand the true meaning of family and how the bonds of love carry us through the worst times.
I fell in love with Ackerman’s writing in The LT’s Nurse last year and Red Sky Over Hawaii was among my most anticipated reads for 2020. One thing that Ackerman never fails to deliver is a rich setting for her historical fiction. Even with this story being a glimpse into the past, the tension and fear within the communities is palpable. Medium paced, readers have the chance to experience a bit of rural Hawaii with a dash of magic.
It took me a while to settle in with the characters but, overall, each had their own fun quirks that made them feel authentic and well-rounded. I adored Coco, Marie was a typical pre-teen, and Sailor lent some much needed goofy puppy love to offset some of the heartache. As well rounded each of the characters were, I had trouble identifying with Lana which made this a slower read for me.
I’m also on the fence regarding the romance. I enjoyed the fated aspect, but I wish we had more time to build up the foundation for a romance that doesn’t hinge on his relationship with her father. It made her love for him feel a little forced.
That aside, I adored the magical realism and rich Hawaiian culture Ackerman wove into the tale. Hands down, that was my favorite part.
Red Sky Over Hawaii‘s unique approach to Pearl Harbor and the island internment camps made for a compelling read. While I didn’t connect with Lana, I definitely still recommend readers pick this up. Especially if you enjoy rich settings and a dose of magical realism with your history.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed a review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
About Sara Ackerman
Sara is a USA Today bestselling author who writes books about love and life, and all of their messy and beautiful imperfections. She believes that the light is just as important as the dark, and that the world is in need of uplifting and heartwarming stories. Born and raised in Hawaii, she studied journalism and later earned graduate degrees in psychology and Chinese medicine. She blames Hawaii for her addiction to writing, and sees no end to its untapped stories.
A few of her favorite things, in no particular order – hiking, homemade PIZZA, a good thunderstorm, stargazing, BOOKS, craft beer, her wonderful BOYFRIEND, surfing, mountain streams, friends, and ANIMALS. In fact, animals inhabit all of her novels in some way, shape or form – dogs, donkeys, sea turtles, a featherless chicken, endangered Hawaiian crows, horses, and even a lion. When she's not writing or teaching, you'll find her in the mountains or in the ocean, which is where most of her inspiration happens.
