Song of the Spirits

In the Land of the Long White Cloud Saga, Book 2

By: Sarah Lark, D. W. Lovett - translator

Narrated by: Anne Flosnik

Length: 20 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

New Zealand, 1893: William Martyn is better educated and more cultivated than the other men breaking their backs searching for gold near Queenstown. William is the son of landed Irish nobility, and he comes to town ready to invest in the best equipment. On his search for supplies, he encounters spirited and beautiful young Elaine O’Keefe, who promptly falls in love with him.

He is captivated by her charms until Kura, Elaine's half-Maori cousin, comes to visit. William succumbs at once to Kura's exotic beauty and free-spiritedness, and tension develops not only between the two cousins but also between the colonial settlers and their Maori neighbors.

©2013 Sarah Lark (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Compelling sequel or wonderful on its own

As good as part 1 Pulls you right in and great narration Looking forward to part 3

Enjoyed!

This second book (out of three) is a very good sequel to the first. It was a o lot of fun to follow the families involved into the next generation and listen to these newcomers’ individual trials and errors as the background of time and history continues to roll on.

Narration continues to be excellent! Looking forward to listening to the next and final installment. ☺️

This series is a fun read - from Eng. to Australia

At the turn of the century in England that live with the class system. There was no chance to climb the ladder, make yourself better. The star of these stories left England to be a teacher in Australia - things happen - and well she had a great adventure.

Love Lark’s Novels

This is the second trilogy I’ve listened to by the talented author and I have been engrossed with every word. I started reading The Sea of Freedom trilogy before a trip to New Zealand and felt it was a great introduction to the stunning landscapes and history both Maori and Pakeha inhabitants

Can be read as a stand-alone novel

Following extended families of the heroines we met in the first book of the series. More lively and entertaining story that definitely holds the reader! I liked this more, than the first part. The book can be read as a stand- alone novel, too.

Great Story and Heart Warming

Warm and loving story with multiple story lines that came together in the end with heart warming love.

1893 New Zealand, Book 2 in Series, EXCELLENT!

This second book in the Land of the Long White Cloud series is just as good as the first. The beauty of New Zealand shines through, as does the history and ruggedness of the era, 1893 through 1898 (sixteen years after the first book). The story continues as Kura, Gwyn's half Maori granddaughter falls in love with William Martyn (stealing him away from her shy cousin, Elaine). No one has ever been able to tame or discipline, Kura, whose Maori mother, left her with Gwyn to raise at an early age. All the family from the first book blend naturally into Song of the Spirits, growing, changing, maturing, finding their places with children and grandchildren . . .and with the land. The writing has such depth and beauty . . . and is clean and refreshing (although it does contain Maori tradition and historical content true to the time period). Although the books are lengthy, I wouldn't change a thing.

Historical Fiction

The details of life in New Zealand, viewed from many different perspectives added depth and knowledge that a reader will enjoy to the end of the novel.

Easy listening story, narrator is not my cuppa

The series is enjoyable. It's simple, easy to follow, nice escapism, good story lines with characters you can get to know over the long haul. It lacks any real level of historical detail so you won't get distracted by historical inaccuracies. The story is about the characters and the author relies very little on historical details of the period in which the characters live. The sparse descriptions of fashion, industry, sheep farming, mining operations, etc. are all era appropriate but shallow enough to escape any dissection for historical accuracy. Nobody was wearing watch chains, tricorn hats, short pants, bikinis or stilettos when the Singer sewing machine made its debut.

Narrator is too 'breathy' for my taste...imbuing words and sentence ends with forced breath / whisper hues makes my ears cringe. Avid audio listeners know what I mean. I've been cringing for 40 hours now but, I'm going to listen to the last installment because it's an enjoyable enough story.

Enjoyable

Any additional comments?

The second in the series, this book recounts the second generation. As with the other novels in the series, I had hoped for more Maori participation with less emphasis on 'tribe' and 'witch doctor' type stuff.

The Maori are a wonderful people with a rich and proud history.

It's a romance novel, and fiction, but some of the things the characters get into are eye-rolling.

Still, I enjoyed it and did purchase the whole series.