I love Bryce Courtenay's books, however this sequel started of well, but became too predictable. The characters of Tommo and Hawk were difficult to fall in love with, which was entirely the opposite of Ikey and Mary in The Potato Factory. The story showed very little personal growth in the characters, which was what I was looking for after all the adventures. However I recommend it only as a continuation of the Solomon's story.

Awesome

A really enjoyable historical sequel to the Potato Factory. Set across the 1850s - 1860s in New Zealand and Australia. This picks up shortly after the ending of the Potato Factory and provides some interesting insight to life in New Zealand in particular during this period. Really good and I look forward to the 3rd and final book in the series.

I didn't think it could get better but this one was just as amazing as The Potato Factory. Mr. Courtenay continued the story of Ikey and Mary through to the lives of their adopted children, Tommo and Hawk. OMG! I am sorry that this book is over but so glad there is a 3rd book!!!! I am continually amazed by how real Bryce Courtney can make history seem. I learn so much about history and human nature while reading his books. While it is true that life is stranger than fiction- Bryce's fiction carries with it all the dark tragedies that define real people and make his characters' motivations all the more real and all the more devastating. An amazing author- MUST READ!

Tommo and Hawk continue the saga of the Solomon family in the land of Australia and also this time we go to New Zealand. Bryce Courtney is telling the early settlement history of these territories through the adventures of the Solomons. Tommo and Hawk are twins that we met in book 1. They are the much loved adoptive sons of Mary who is devastated when they are kidnapped aged 7. They return some years later very damaged by their horrendous treatment by their respective masters. Still in their teenage years they decide to set off on an adventure together and start the journey on a whaling ship. Although I know this is part of history and is still happening I found this part of the book very difficult to listen to. My heart just goes out to the whales and no matter how difficult the job of the men was, and it was a mighty ordeal to catch one of these mighty giants, I will always be on the side of the whale. On to New Zealand and the Māori wars and poker games and daring escapes. Not as good as book 1 but I will continue with the Solomon saga. Read excellently as always by Humphrey Bower.

4.5

This is Book #2 in this trilogy of the history of Australia.. I met Hawk and Tommo in the first book and was anxious to learn more about these men and how Australian history was woven into their adventures.

I gave this book 3 stars because all the dialogue bored me.. There was a lot of dialogue, which did add a certain understanding to each particular situation... but I wanted to move more quickly to the next historical situation and the next adventure..

And oh, the adventures Hawk and Tomma had in this book...from 1856 to 1861 ..from teens to young men..from whale hunting to the Maori wars to the Rocks in Sydney to the miners' riots in the goldfields....and yes, first loves for both of our boys..

These young men prove over and over again that what happens to a child up to age 7 or 8 molds the child for life. The age old contravery: genetics verse environment and/or good parenting.. Ikey and Mary and the skills they taught these boys early in life are discussed by the boys often in this book .. and the love these boys have for each other kept them moving forward and making the "right" choices..

Greed,family devotion, hatred, voilence, addictions, first loves, separations, death.. and yes, to some extent, good over evil - Bryce Courtenay has told of raw Australian history in the making.. the book ends with a cliff hanger ... and I have already started Book #3 in the trilogy "Solomon's Song".

Enter a strange life of two interesting men. Loved it.

Like probably the majority of sequels, this one the second installment of a trilogy, it didn’t live up to the original. Granted the storyline got advanced, but often not in a good way - I found myself not buying in emotionally to the characters or their problems. I think it could have been a much more interesting story had the author expanded on different aspects of the brothers’ travels. Don’t get me wrong, Tommo and Hawk had a lot of good moments. But by the end, I wanted to move on. I didn’t care that Hawk’s fiancée got killed. Actually I got kind of angry that Courtenay pulled the rug out at the last minute for the sole purpose of setting up a cliffhanger ending, thus forcing the reader to buy Part 3 to find out how Part 2 actually ended. I’ll probably eventually get sucked in to find out, but definitely not right away. One thing this story did for me was to open an interest in the Maori people. I have a copy of The Whale Rider which I'm going to re-read right now.....

Heartbreaking, hopeful, and full of love. This is a typical Bryce Courtenay novel and he develops the characters so well. You really become invested in them and feel like you know them.

Another wonderful book that i read many times. Thank you, I loved it and you educated me again on aspects of life i never knew before reading this.

xxx

4.75