Absalom’s Wake Part Five: Ocean Born by Nancy A. Collins

Biting Dog Publications, 2013

ASIN:  B00G4LMYGW

Available: eBook(Smashwords, Kindle)

Absalom’s Wake Part Five: Ocean Born picks up where part four left off.  The crew is recovering from the fight with the savage shark-men of the Mano Kanaka tribe.  Ten crew members lie dead, including Captain Solomon.  The only surviving officer is Mr. Godward, and he assumes command as captain.  Captain Godward decides they are too close to catching King Jim’s harem to stop the hunt and look for new crew members.  The hunt continues!

That evening Koro reveals to Jonah that he is descended from one of the Ocean Born, the gods of his people: Ikatere, the Dolphin God. After they fall asleep, Jonah dreams of swimming under the sea with Koro.  He is told that it is taboo to hunt King Jim’s harem in these waters.  The Absalom is doomed!

The next morning dawns blood red, and the Absalom is in the midst of the harem.  Koro refuses to break his taboo and hunt the whales.  Captain Godward orders the crew to clap Koro in irons.  Eager hands hold Koro until his secret is revealed.  Koro is a merman!  The shocked crew cries, “Monster!” as Koro dives into the sea, narrowly escaping torture.

This part is as splendid a read as the others in this six part series.  The descriptions are just enough to keep it interesting without bogging down the action.  The characters each have distinctive voices and have developed to show more depth in each part.  The tone has maintained throughout the series very well.  The multi-layered plot line is a lot of fun.  The mystery and tension keep building as one question leads to another.  This is what keeps me hooked!  Previous works by this author I have read are: Absalom’s Wake, Part One: Gone A’ Whaling; Absalom’s Wake, Part Two: Blood on the Beach; Absalom’s Wake, Part Three: The Whale Rider; Absalom’s Wake, Part Four:Terror Comes Aboard.  Recommended for adult readers.

Contains:  Racist Language, Swearing

Note: Absalom’s Wake is a six-part ebook serial. Check out these reviews of earlier parts of the story!

Absalom’s Wake, Part One: A Serial Adventure of Terror on the High Seas

Absalom’s Wake, Part Two: Terror on the Beach

Absalom’s Wake, Part Three: The Whale Rider

Absalom’s Wake, Part Four: Terror Comes Aboard