Title: Dream Island
Author: Josie Litton
Published in March 2002 by Bantam
Genre: Historical/Fantasy
ISBN: 0-553-58389-1
The Hawkforte family is an old, established, and and well respected family. For centuries, the Hawkforte family has been closely aligned with the ruling family of England, and in Prinny's England, they remain steadfast. But Lady Joanna Hawkforte has become increasingly agitated. Her brother Royce, the current Earl has been missing for too long. He promised to be home by Christmas, but it is almost six months past, and there has been no sign, no word, and only suspicions to show a path. It was Royce's intent to go to Akora, a mythical island nation and search for the family ties that have been rumored to exist between the Hawkfortes and the Akorans. Family legend tells of a younger son who found himself there over 1100 years ago. The contact established between the island and the family, left them many artifacts, the only known artifacts which were the proof of Akora's existence to those who believed. Now, with Royce missing, Lord Alex Darcourt has to have the key. He cut her royally, and publicly at the ball, but that can't stop her. He is leaving, and one way or another, she will be going with him. She will go to Akora, she will bring Royce home. So what if no one has ever left Akora, she and Royce will be the first to so, and NO ONE will stop her.
Lord Alex Darcourt is every woman's dream. Tall, well built, devestatingly handsome, and rich beyond belief, he is the target of every grasping matron in the ton. Darcourt, the Marquess of Bostwick, is believed by many to be the unofficial laison between the Akorans and the English. The son of an English father and an Akoran mother, a Prince in his own right, Alex travels frequently between the islands. Now there is trouble in the wind, and Alex is going home to find out what, if anything, he can do to help. He has missed his island home. A home that his people would fight to the death for, and be glad in the dying. Akora, the mythical island where the structure of the society has lasted for over three thousand years. An island that is surrounded by rumors of death to those who set foot on its shores; an island safe in its mystery, but now endangered by that very same isolation. The thoughts of home fill his mind, but the noise from below shattered the peace. The ship is well built. His people have been sailing the seas in them for centuries, but loose cargo can still cause damage. What he does not expect to find is a stowaway, and definitely NOT Lady Joanna Hawkforte!
Dream Island is a true adventure that crosses lines between history and fantasy. Josie Litton has done wonderful things with the twisting of the Atlantis Myth, and incorporating it into a historical setting. The first in a trilogy, Josie has set us up with delightful characters. A vibrant, bull-headed young woman who is devoted to her brother, and determined to find him at any cost. A darkly handsome Lord, who has his own secrets. Add to that, two vibrantly brought to life societies that are in their own struggles for survival. The key to love is hidden in the mix, and it is for Alex and Joanna to find it and unlock what is really in their hearts. I was thrilled with this book. It has a quality that makes you believe that such a place as Akora can exist, and that Atlantis really was 'beyond the Pillars of Hercules. This does not lack for excitement, content, or symetry. It is well thought out and puts Homer to the pale. Never in his wildest dreams could he have created Akora. It is a must buy and a DO NOT MISS!
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
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