Read an Excerpt: Hōkioi

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A family group of early Moa hunter people settles in an area rich in moa and other large ground living birds. However this is also the home of a pair of giant eagles —the hōkioi. With the female hōkioi an ever-present threat, will the close bonds of kinship, courage, strength, and even sacrifice, be enough as the people try to defend themselves against the terrifying bird? As the story unfolds, who will be the hunter and who the hunted?

Chapter 1 The Young Hunter

Beside the lake, a small boy sat very still on the lowest branch of a gnarly old rata tree. He felt himself to be as motionless as the rocks, just as Uncle Heretoa had told him he must be when hunting. Bright sunlight, trickling through small leaves above, made gentle patterns on the rough bark and patches of grey lichen where he sat. It patterned his naked body, blending his shape with the tree. The rain forest all around was lush with spring growth.

He...