" Extraordinary . a story of 19th -- century Hawaiians both in the islands and on the West Coast, and particularly the story of its last king, David Kalakaua . a story told with such an unerring combination of literary imagination and historical empathy that even though it is set in a known past it unfolds suspensefully." -- Elinor Langer, "The Oregonian" " "" The author' s admiration of and eloquent sorrow for the inexorable destruction of inherently graceful and spiritually rooted alternative ways of life are both characteristic and affecting. Akin to his characters, Houston seems committed to an honorable memory of what has gone before." -- Elsbeth Lindner, "San Francisco Chronicle "" Houston gives us an engaging historical detective story, but his novel succeeds most as a richly delineated portrait of 19th-century Hawaii and California populated with characters of real vigor . He keeps his eye on the essential task: making the filaments that link the past to the present and the fiction to the history visible and strong." -- Charles Matthews, "San Jose Mercury News " " A vivid visitation to the past.

pulls readers inexorably into its rich recesses." -- Brad Hooper, "Booklist," starred review " James Houston is a novelist whose work shines with profound humanity. He vividly imagines history, our residence on earth, our racial quotient, the mystery of our fragile human character as though these concerns were fiction' s truest subjects." -- Richard Ford " A distinguished successor to Houston' s superb fictionalizationof the Donner Party ordeal, "Snow Mountain Passage," and compelling evidence that he' s one of the best historical novelists working today." -- "Kirkus Reviews" (starred review) " Superb . the historical detail is mesmerizing." -- "Publishers Weekly " " A fascinating account delivered with power, precision, and a generous imagination. There is no better historical novelist working today than Jim Houston.

" -- Karen Joy Fowler.