Title: Huaka’i: The Voyager Book 1
Author: David Vervalin
Publisher: Writers Branding LLC
ISBN: 978-1954341005
Pages: 508
Genre: Literature & Fiction/Action & Adventure
Reviewed by: Tony Espinoza
Pacific Book Review
Part of the process of discovering one’s purpose in life and who they really are is the “journey.” The journey allows us to find our own path in life, to take risks or chances and even pursue our dreams, each allowing new branches to open up to us to follow or not follow. As the American Trappist monk and writer Thomas Merton once said, “What can we gain by sailing to the moon if we are not able to cross the abyss that separates us from ourselves? This is the most important of all voyages of discovery, and without it, all the rest are not only useless, but disastrous.”
In author David Vervalin’s Huaka’i: The Voyager Book 1, the author tells the breathtaking story of Bane, a young man with dreams of sailing the world. Gaining the support of his family, the boy makes a plan to take a year after her gets his engineering degree to sail the world. However, this happens in the midst of WWII, and the war slowly changes his journey for him. From the hardships of navigating the ocean waves to the dangers of WWII and the relationships he forms with people along the way, this is a story of love, loss, hope and the journey in between.
The author has crafted a brilliant story that hinges on the protagonist’s journey. Splitting the book in half between the hero’s journey leaving his home and sailing on his first leg around the world – and the other half covering the war and its impact on his character, the reader is given a glimpse into two very distinct storylines. The first half of the novel does an incredible job of setting up the personal life of the protagonist, while the second half showcases his growth in the midst of war. The natural way the author implements things including romance and even a touch of clairvoyance into the protagonist’s journey was a welcome sight to see, as the relationships which came from these two things really elevated the story to new heights.
This is the perfect read for those who enjoy WWII-era storytelling, namely adventure stories set within a global setting, as well as those with a passion for sailing and the history of those who have sailed the world before. As a history buff, I found the author’s ability to channel the lives and people of that era into the storytelling really made the narrative feel authentic and engaging, making for an interesting read.
Action-packed, haunting and lengthy-yet engaging all at once, author David Vervalin’s Huaka’i: The Voyager Book 1 is a must-read action and adventure novel. A fantastic blend of in-depth character study and history, the author brilliantly crafts a narrative which feels both nostalgic and fresh all at once. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your own copy of this incredible read today!
