The Pacific Chronicles presents The Islanders by James and Richard Eldridge. This story combines island adventure with fantasy and superhero fare. Eleven-year-old Kilikina and her brother, fourteen-year-old Kaimana, are unknowingly given access to a hidden and legendary world in their native O’ahu in the Hawaiian islands. A myna bird explains to them that every few twenty or thirty years, the Ali’i chooses someone, and this time, he has chosen two. The Ali’I only appoints someone if he needs help. Kilikina and Kaimana have been given the gift to speak to any animal they choose, along with other special abilities. Together, the siblings are going to help bring unity in a place where there has been a division for many years, and defend the Valley against a great evil.

The Islanders will strike you as a cross between The Jungle Book and Moana. Growing up on the Big Island and running around Waikoloa, Waimea, Honoka’a, and Mililani, brothers James and Richard Eldridge have a good grasp of the story’s local color as well as the dimensions of their story’s characters. Its brilliant illustrations are an added bonus that lends further life to their referenced locations, people, and creatures from Hawaiian legends. The Islanders is enormously entertaining, and its arrival now gives it an added sense of relevance and inspiration. The siblings experience highs and lows during their adventure, where their brother-and-sister bond is tested and strengthened. The tale deeply respects the myths that have inspired it. It’s a must-read for people of all ages, a series that you will look forward to and recommend to others.

Islanders: The Pacific Chronicles is book one in the series written by James Eldridge and illustrated by Richard Eldridge. Kilikina and Kaimana are young teenagers living a carefree life on the island of O’ahu, Hawaii. That is until one day they suddenly get struck by a freak flash of lightning. Although luckily they are unharmed, it seems they can now talk to animals! Some nasty rodents chase them into a seemingly ordinary shed, but to Kilikina and Kaimana’s surprise, a whole other magical world exists on the other side. Thanks to two mythical dwarven brothers, the siblings explore the mysterious and other-worldly Hunaia Awāwa. They encounter many animals native to Hawaii and learn to appreciate the harmony the animals live in. As it turns out, the siblings have a lot more in store for them than the simple hike they had planned for the day.

James Eldridge has built such a magical world in his book Islanders. As the first book in the Pacific Chronicles series, it only touches the surface of the great adventure Kilikina and Kaimana are going to have. I have quite a fascination with Greek and Egyptian mythology and was very excited to read about the Hawaiian mythological creatures James decided to add to his book. Richard Eldridge provides beautiful pictures to accompany the story. His illustrations give life to the adventure and immerse the reader in the mystical world of Hunaia Awāwa. I appreciated the definitions James provided for some of the Hawaiian words. That way he could give the book an authentic feel without confusing readers. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Islanders and anyone looking for a little adventure will love it too.