When Strange Gods Call

by Pam Chun

Twelve years ago, Miki Ai'Lee walked away from her traditional Chinese heritage, leaving her native Hawai'i behind. Now thirty and unmarried, Miki is a respected art history professor on the mainland.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1463560478
• ISBN13: 9781463560478
• Release Date: August 2011
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 276 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

excellent read

loved the book. I've never written a review before, but this book is beautifully written and completely captivating. I totally shared Miki's angst over family obligations vs. true love. EXCELLENT.

Delicious Modern Day Romeo & Juliet Kind of Story

Miki Ai'Lee and Alex Demming were high school sweethearts, but were forced to break it off because of a feud between their families. In the past the Demming family stole some land from the Ai'Lee family and they Ai'Lees have never forgiven them. Miki leaves her love, she leaves Hawaii too and moves to the Mainland where she teaches Art history at a University in San Francisco. However her grandmother takes ill, so after twelve years Miki comes home. Circumstances in Alex's life also cause him to come home to work the family ranch. It's been twelve years since they've seen each other, but Miki still has feelings for Alex, but as far as the family's are concerned any relationship between the two is still taboo. One might think that after all this time the two adults might be able to get back together, but life isn't always easy and theirs is further complicated by the fact that Alex's cousin and Miki's brother are both contesting the position of the governor's deputy commissioner. Miki, now thirty and unmarried, must face the new realisation that her life is more important than the feud that has held her back for all these years and she may be helped or hindered by dark family secrets that have been long buried. Ms. Chun has written a book that not only will tear at your heartstrings, but she delivers the kind picturesque description of Hawaii that will have you wanting to book a flight. I could literally taste the air, smell the flowers, see the ocean blue. What a delicious and warm book.

So much history.......

Pam Chun takes you on a ride through this novel. She describes her characters so well. You will not be able to put this book down. Having lived in Hawaii for 5 years it brings back many memories......the smells of the flowers when you enter the airport terminal, the smell of salt in the air from the ocean, the colors of the ocean, and the many neighborhoods she describes. You will become addicted to the story of Miki and Alex till you get to the end to find out what has happened. Will Miki and Alex be able to overcome their family feud/curse? Miki's family does not want her to have anything to do with Alex because he is a Demming. Many years ago the Demmings took a piece of land from the Ai'Lee's....then they cursed the Demming family. Will time repair these wounds, release the curse, and help with forgiveness? Miki was a headstrong girl who didn't understand the way her family treated her.....and catered to her brother. She felt they didn't care about her wants and needs. She has now come back to the islands after 12 years of living on the mainland, to spend time with her ill grandmother. But what she finds on this vacation home is herself and how to control her own life. Miki is still head strong and doesn't realize her own feelings for awhile since she's been doing what her family has wanted her to do and not listening to her own feelings. Miki also learns some secrets of her family. Alex is back to the islands also....after some losses in his family. He's back to help his father with the ranching on Kauai. Does he still have feelings for Miki? Or does the curse affect those he loves? I finished the book in two days. I couldn't get anything done till I finished this book. It was so good. It described island life with their many cultures, so well. I hated for the book to end. I wanted to hear more about Miki and Alex's life. I wanted to hear more about all the aunties and uncles. I wanted to hear more of driving over the Pali highway to Kailua. But the book ended. I don't think you will be disappointed.