Conquest: a Historical Novel of Kamehameha the Great
Bowker, 2020

Summary: This historical novel, set in 1793, continues the saga of Kamehameha as he continues his battles to unite the chain of the Hawaiian Islands (Splintered Paddle). Hero Kalani and his wife have settled onto his Maui farmland seeking a peaceful life. In the night, Kalani wakens to the horror of torch-carrying attackers setting fire to his Maui village. Those trying to escape are killed by tattooed, masked men. Burnt to death is his wife. His dream of a peaceful life free from battles is ended. Were the killers a fierce, secret warrior group, the Pahupu? Kalani sets out to find and kill them. To escape from murder by a high chief who accuses him of heresy, and a false noble status–the wearing of feather cloak and helmet, Kalani seeks the aid of one of Kamehameha’s wives, a former lover. On a search to find pahupu, an English sea captain, Vancouver, takes a liking to him and asks him to find the killers of crew members. A twisted path unfolds as he searches for the killers of his wife and aids Vancouver. Peace in the islands is shattered by the king of Oahu. He threatens Kamehameha, leading to great battles in Waikiki and the cliffs of Nuuanu. Throughout the ordeals, Kalani realizes that his risky adventures in the past led to the deaths of people he loved. Well researched, the battle scenes are based on actual historical battles.