It’s been 52 years since a rebellion against the richest 1% of the world and the death of Tech. The earth was dying and only the rich were able to consider a new world. An act of desperate sabotage cancels that prospect from humankind as a shuttle explosion also takes out Earth’s moon. An epic shift in gravity causes tectonic plates to shift, land to rise from the ocean and a devastating fever to wipe out many. New tribes have evolved in the aftermath, adapting to their new environment.

In Aotearoa, Hell’na has been telling stories to her nieces and nephews on the beach one night, when a bright light appears in the sky. Something plummets to the Earth, right where her family were sitting. Hell’na and her friend Hinemoa survive to see a strangely tattooed man towering over them.

Hell’na has the power of transforming things into weapons and she strikes out… only to find herself in prison days later, alongside the stranger in the next cell. She has been in trouble before, and the authorities don’t trust her story about him falling from the sky. But the stranger speaks in a weird language that only Hell’na can understand. He says he is the god Tāne-Mahuta and he is looking for the trickster demi-god Māui.

Hell’na is soon on a quest to find Māui, with a group of mercenaries who have special powers like her. She has a lot on the line. Tāne claims he can save her whanau that he landed amongst when he arrived, and the authorities gave her her freedom only in order to learn more.

Hell’na and her crew are soon among cave dwellers who can walk up walls, keepers of Earth’s past, and in the presence of royalty. Soon, secrets are revealed and a ferocious Taniwha released.

Will they all make it to their destination of Lake Taupo where they will learn more about Māui? Do they know they are being followed? Why does Tāne  really want to find Māui?

Wow! THIS LAND is a graphic novel bringing together well-known place names of Aotearoa, superpowers, Māoritanga and a chance to learn some basic day to day te reo Māori, (Māori language). This power-packed, all-out-action read is written for not only New Zealand readers but graphic novel adventure fans around the world.

Sumptuously illustrated, coloured and lettered, the author wanted to produce a graphic that not only showcased his amazing talent, but to

“…provide a resource to help normalise te reo globally and within NZ Homes, and make it part of the everyday language for young Kiwi kids to absorb.”

​”…Introduce the world to powerful stories and the legends of Aotearoa.”

and he has done that and more. Already hugely popular outside Aotearoa and with its own merchandise line (which is pretty cool), THIS LAND (1) The Search for Maui certainly left me wanting more. Watch out for the next in this series which is sure to be popular in Aotearoa New Zealand too.

Hell’na is a kick-ass character that any gender can appreciate, with her sass, courage, and fearless leadership. But she’s made mistakes too, making her even more likeable.

Looking forward to the next in this series.

Author – Mark Abnett

Illustrator – P R Dedelis

Graphic Novel

Age – 11+

Learn more about THIS LAND on Mark Abnett’s amazing website here

Read a review of the next book in the series (Click on the Cover)

(2022, Scholastic, Action, Adventure, Betrayal, Conflict, Courage, Family, Fantasy, Future, Humour, Series, Graphic Novel, Super heroes, Super powers, New Zealand author, Aotearoa, Futuristic, Mercenaries, Danger, te reo Māori, Māori language, Moko, Tribes, Treaty, Taniwha, Atua, Gods)