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A review by robinlovesreading
Red Sky Over Hawaii by Sara Ackerman
5.0
This is the first book I have read that is connected to the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II. I was completely engrossed in this story as it revolves around a woman named Lana Hitchcock. The story develops as Lana is rushing to see her father on the Big Island when he phones and tells her that he is ill. However, she arrived too late and he died after slipping into a coma.
However, her father was someone that made a big impression on the Big Island, and so Lana remains in order to learn more about him. Instead she discovers a secret property in the rain forest of the Kilauea volcano. To her shock, the government had been taking people away that were said to be sympathizers when it came to the war. So, Lana steps in and makes a huge move. She takes in two young German girls whose parents had been detained, a Japanese fisherman named Mochi and his son Benji.
This is no easy task for Lana. In fact, she must lie to protect everyone, keeping their secrets as best she can. There is one other person that Lana becomes involved with at this time and his name is Major Grant Bailey. Lana begins juggling matters when it comes to growing feelings for Grant all while she is trying to keep everyone safe.
What a touching story! The theme of family surfaces over and over again - whether it is due to Lana's previously fractured relationship with her father, the girls she is caring for and how much they miss their parents, and even when it comes to how her relationship with Grant grows.
Although the backdrop of this story involves the attack on Pearl Harbor, it is the characters that are the main focus. We learn much about who Lana is. We also learn a bit about how war separated families and the lasting impact that resulted. We also learned about trust and how not knowing what side to be on during the war affected relationships. This bittersweet story brought on a barrage of emotions, and was pleased to be led to a satisfying conclusion.
Many thanks to MIRA and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
However, her father was someone that made a big impression on the Big Island, and so Lana remains in order to learn more about him. Instead she discovers a secret property in the rain forest of the Kilauea volcano. To her shock, the government had been taking people away that were said to be sympathizers when it came to the war. So, Lana steps in and makes a huge move. She takes in two young German girls whose parents had been detained, a Japanese fisherman named Mochi and his son Benji.
This is no easy task for Lana. In fact, she must lie to protect everyone, keeping their secrets as best she can. There is one other person that Lana becomes involved with at this time and his name is Major Grant Bailey. Lana begins juggling matters when it comes to growing feelings for Grant all while she is trying to keep everyone safe.
What a touching story! The theme of family surfaces over and over again - whether it is due to Lana's previously fractured relationship with her father, the girls she is caring for and how much they miss their parents, and even when it comes to how her relationship with Grant grows.
Although the backdrop of this story involves the attack on Pearl Harbor, it is the characters that are the main focus. We learn much about who Lana is. We also learn a bit about how war separated families and the lasting impact that resulted. We also learned about trust and how not knowing what side to be on during the war affected relationships. This bittersweet story brought on a barrage of emotions, and was pleased to be led to a satisfying conclusion.
Many thanks to MIRA and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.