Rich in detail, both written and illustrated. A great book for anyone looking to experience the magic that was a natural part of life for the ancient Hawaiians. As a born and raised Big Island girl, growing up in the Islands and educated in it's colorful history, I can attest to this book's accuracy with regards to the culture and terminology. It is very well researched and written with a bold, imaginative creativity which makes for a very enjoyable read. The author brought to life the characters and places in vivid imagery. Get ready to be taken on a Journey to the ancient Hawaiians supernatural reality. Her poetic style was hypnotic in it's lure to draw you away form our hectic, modern, mundane, everyday life into an ancient civilization where spirits, ghosts and ancestors reborn into animals were not fantasies, but a part of THEIR everyday life. "Reading omens, predicting the future, following the advice of a vision or dream was as commonplace as the afternoon rain." I can tell you that most days, in the afternoon, it does rain! Get one for yourself, read when you are there and you'll see the magic all about you. Also a great gift to give to a friend or family member who is a reader and lover of Hawaii, it's people and it's culture.