Owl: a novel
Joanna Orwin

Longacre Press 2001

224p pbk $16.95

ISBN: 1-877135-58-5

When Hamish McIntyre discovers some Maori rock drawings, he doesn’t know what he is getting himself into. The next thing he knows, a giant bird is killing the sheep, and he, with his cousin Tama, are the only ones who can stop it.

This book retells the Waitaha legend of Pouākai, the giant man-eating bird, in modern times. This novel is, I think, a fantasy/thriller.

I think that this was a great book, with a really interesting plot line. I would recommend it for people over the age of 12, because it has a very complex plot line that most younger readers may not understand, and a moderate amount of swearing.

It is the read alone sort of book, and some words in it may be difficult to pronounce, as it has a lot of Maori in it. It is all used in a way so that you know what it means, so it shouldn’t be a problem, otherwise.

The language used suits this age level as well, or maybe a bit higher. However, I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone younger. It is also quite a violent book, with a lot of animals and people getting killed. Although it is just written about, I think that some people might find it disturbing.

Bryan, aged 14, Canberra, ACT