T_Sinns
Posted June 17, 2012
I love the authors ability to describe Samoa. I myself have never been but through this book I can picture the magical beauty it holds there. The story really pulls you in but I had some issues in the middle as it seemed to drag on a bit. But eventually the story picked back up. As the story unfold you become engulfed with the characters and their relationship as it builds and develops. The end leaves you with a good amount of questions and kinda just bluntly ENDS but I guess that pulls you towards wanting to get the second book of this trilogy so you can get the answers you so desperately want and need.
Recommended for anyone that wants a book that pulls you in and doesn't let go. Perfect for a relaxing afternoon. You won't want to be disturbed.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.DaniC
Posted June 14, 2012
I started reading Telesa not knowing anything about Samoa and by the time I was finished I was in love! In love with the Samoa culture and mythology that Lani Wendt Young brought to life in this wonderful book.
Telesa has everything a YA book needs. There is humor, suspense, romance and all of it takes place in what has to be one of the most beautiful settings I have read about in a long time. The Samoa mythology is unique and anyone who loves Paranormal stories is going to love this.
The characters are fantastic and realistic. Leila is a teen trying to find her place this world after her father dies. She goes to Samoa, the land of her dead mother, in hopes of finding out more about her heritage. The people she meets and what she learns about herself is a story you won’t want to put down!
GothicAngelBookReviews
Posted June 13, 2012
Leila Folger is 18 years old. She's just lost her father and feels lost and alone. She doesn't want to keep living with Grandmother Folger and so decides to undertake a journey to Samoa. A journey of discovery that leads her to find out things she never expected were possible.
Upon arriving in Samoa, she is met by Aunty Matile and Uncle Tuala. Aunty is a sour-faced woman and is quick to dash Leila's hopes of an enjoyable 3 month stay. The way she is so curt with Leila. You would do well to always respect Aunty though. She is a woman you wouldn't want to cross.
Leila has come to Samoa in search of vital information. She wants to know about her family. Specifically about her mother. The mother she never had because she died in a hurricane when Leila was just a baby. But Aunty isn't happy about this and is quick to tell Leila that she would do well not to bring up the subject of her mother - and any time Leila tries, she is only met with a fierce resistance.
Aunty believes that what she is doing by not telling Leila anything, is protecting her from the harsh truth about the kind of woman her mother was.
So Leila settles into a routine of going to school, home and of course, church. She's not to go anywhere else. Aunty Matile and Uncle Tuala do their best to enforce this, for Leila's own protection.
It's at school that she meets Daniel. The devastatingly handsome Head Boy, or should I say Chunk Hunk...? (you'll get that reference when you read the book) He's handsome, sweet, kind... He could never be interested in Leila... could he...?
Leila is glad that settling into SamCo (Samoa College) is easier than she had expected. She's used to American ways and social cliques that she's never been a part of. But though SamCo has some of it's own cliques, this time Leila feels a part of everything. Thanks in large to her fa'afafine friend Simone. He's the most feminine boy she's ever met. Finely manicured hands. Subtly applied eye-liner. But he's funny and kind, making Leila feel completely at ease in his company.
I won't go too much into the real gritty part of the story, that's a journey for you to embark upon.
What I will say is this...
As the story unfolds, you are taken on a magical journey. Lani Wendt Young has written this from her heart. As a girl born in Apia, Samoa - it is clear to see she loves the land that she is from and it has inspired the most beautiful story.
With a beautiful fluidity, TELESA is more than just a story. It's more than just mere words on a page. It's a journey that you undertake and come out smiling on the other side. Yes, there are hard times to go through. Yes, there are ups and down, twist and turns. But those all add to the beauty of it.
I can say in all honesty that Lani Wendt Young has shot to the top of my 'new favourite authors' list and TELESA has been added to my 'most-favourite' list on Goodreads, but also to my mental lists of 'favourite books of 2012' & 'favourite books EVER'.
It's clear that Lani poured her heart and soul into creating this amazing story. I am in absolute awe of her at this moment in time. She created inspiring characters. The good and the evil. I adored Leila's quiet yet fierce strength and passion for what she believes in. Aunty Matile and Uncle Tuala are to of my favourite secondary characters. Simone is one of my favourite 'best friend' characters - I have never heard of anyone who is fa'afafine before - I absolutely adored him.
As for Daniel. Oh. My. God. I cannot begin to explain how fiercely I loved him! There aren't enough words in my vocabulary.
I was slightly tempted along the way by the beautiful Jason. I'll admit to imagining him stood there in his half-naked glory. But when it comes down to it, I am a one-man woman. Daniel stole my heart. (and don't care if he ever gives it back)
I admit to crying twice. The fact that I cried is testament to how wonderful a story it is. I don't cry easily.
This was my Goodreads status last night...
"I'm 82% done with Telesa - The Covenant : Can somebody hand me a tissue? I just cried a river! I haven't cried like that over a book in ages. Really tugs on my heart strings. I love this book!"
Honestly, I defy anyone who reads this not to cry. So grab yourself a box of tissues!
I could go on all day, but I feel this is probably a good place to shut up! I told you I would type and just hope for some sense to come of it!
AlwaysYAatHeart1
Posted June 12, 2012
When I first started reading this book it was kind of slow getting started for the first few chapters, but don’t let that fool you. It was quite an adventure. Leila is an 18-year-old girl who has lost her father, is living with an overbearing grandmother, and decides to take off to Samoa to find out more about her mother. Upon arrival, she doesn’t feel any more welcome in Samoa than she did back home. Her Aunt and Uncle tell Leila that she shouldn’t have come, and they set strict rules for her. Leila doesn’t want to seem ungrateful, so she does as they ask. At school she ends up meeting the most beautiful boy she has ever seen, Daniel. She tries to ignore her feelings, but she is drawn to him, as he is to her. She also begins to feel ill, especially at night, feeling like she has a fever all the time, and on top of that, no one will tell her anything about her mother. It is as if the subject is taboo. As her relationship with Daniel intensifies, so does her fever, until something happens which completely changes everything. Then, she arrives home one day and finds someone there she never expected….someone she believed was dead….and Leila’s life as she knew it changes forever.
I found this book completely thrilling. Leila turned out to be a kick-butt heroine. The legend and myth of the Telesa incorporated a paranormal element that was fresh and exciting. I loved the romance. Daniel is quite the hottie. There are also quite a few other characters that were fun to get to know. Simone is hilarious and so well written, as were the other characters. The book, especially closer to the end, is action packed and filled with suspense. There is so much more to this story than I can put in a review, and I don’t want to give away any spoilers. This paranormal romance is combined with some kick-butt action, some supernatural women who can control the elements, in addition to a little mystery and suspense, with some really hot guys added in, which altogether make for a great read. Lani Wendt Young has done an outstanding job with this novel. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, When Water Burns.
lpcoolgirl
Posted June 11, 2012
This was a highly enjoyable romance/mystery/thriller, set in Samoa, a unique setting, with a unique plot, and just a wonderful book! With heartbreak, challenges, and wonder beyond wonder, Telesa is a wonderful book!
Leila was a strong character, the traditions of Samoa, and respecting elders and how her aunt and uncle received her, and acted around her, and her attempts to learn who her mother was as a person, well, it aggravated me, and while it did the same to Leila, she didn't act on that frustration and anger, she just kept it inside, making her a better person then me!
Well, except when she's talking with Daniel, who really raises her hackles, and boy, it that funny to read, especially the cutting the grass scene, and yeah that was really hilarious! All that tension, conflict, and growing passion, it was a wonderful (for the reader) start to their relationship, because it was so explosive, that debate.
Rising tensions between being a Telesa and being with David, and the heat, the passion, the rules and the beliefs, it all comes to head, and you better watch out, because it is volcano hot, and someone is going to be hurt!
This was a fantastic book, highly enjoyable, and yeah, I did, so I hope you guys check this book out!
