BOOK REVIEW: THE SHARK HOUSE BY SARA ACKERMAN
Determined to uncover the reason for these attacks before the mayor calls a mass killing of sharks in the area, Minnow forms an unexpected alliance with enigmatic fisherman Luke Greenwood whose presence ignites feelings she can't ignore, but also stirs questions about his part in it all. As Minnow works to shield the sharks from the island's fear-fueled backlash, drawing help from two Hawaiian brothers who are housing her, she unravels a scandal that shakes the community to its core. But it's not just the secrets of the island that rise to the surface. Minnow must confront her own traumatic past, the haunting memories that have shaped her life and her connection to these misunderstood predators—and to this place.
I can remember when I was about 10 maybe, me and my dad were at the pier in San Diego, where we spent a lot of time and a man that was fishing there had caught a shark. My dad walked me over there to let me see it up close, a few men were trying to unhook it and get it back into the water. It was the first time I had seen a shark other than in captivity and I was fascinated by it. Until I was an adult, I had always lived near the ocean, and loved going to aquariums where I would head straight the sharks. I saw Jaws when it came out, and it quickly became my favorite movie, we watch it at least twice a year, always on Fourth of July. I will also watch any and every bad shark movie on the TV. When it came time to go to college I really wanted to take Marine Biology....why didn't I? I suck ( seriously ) at Math. I ended up in Marketing instead. So you can probably see why I picked up Sara Ackerman's latest book THE SHARK HOUSE. I will also add that the location of this book is Hawaii, and that I also spent three years of my childhood playing on the sandy beaches and swimming in the warm waters of Hawaii, so this book not only fed into my love of sharks, it also brought me back to one of my beloved childhood homes.
Ackerman did a fantastic job of bringing the scenery and traditions of Hawaii to life in this book, but more importantly she brought every aspect of The Shark House to life. Every character, the plot, everything is alive and felt as you read.
The story centers around Minnow, a Marine Biologist who is sent to Hawaii to investigate a recent string of shark attacks and why they keep happening in a certain area. Is it one shark that seems to target people, or is it random sharks and something else may be the trigger. One of my favorite things about the story is how Ackerman respected the sharks, her writing gave them more purpose than just being a killing beast. In fact she took the time to actually educate the reader about sharks without making it feel as if you were being schooled. She also included the importance of the shark in the Hawaiian culture, which I appreciated.
I know I am on about the sharks in this book, I mean it was one of my favorite aspects of The Shark House, but do not worry if you are thinking to yourself " Ok maybe this book is to shark heavy for my liking " Don't worry, it is not all this book has going for it. I have already mentioned the scenery and culture of Hawaii, which I think any one would enjoy, there is also Minnow herself, she has a lot to unpack while she is there, things from her past that you learn about through journal entries. As the book moves forward, you will get to see her overcome several things and grow. There is also a romance in the book, which is a small side section of the story, but once I enjoyed. It fit nicely into the story without seeming out of place or forced. Both parts of The Shark House, made it touching and human.
The Shark House is a book for anyone, the writing is beautiful and engaging and I will be picking up more from Sara Ackerman in the future.
Thank you Uplit Reads and Sara Ackerman for bringing on along on this tour
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