THE TANIWHA’S TEAR
BY DAVID HAIR

HarperCollinsPublishers(NZ) | NZ RRP $19.99 | April 2010

In THE BONE TIKI, David Hair began a cycle of compelling, action-packed fantasy novels; THE TANIWHA’S TEAR is the second book in this series. New Zealand myth and history intertwines our modern world with a magical land of ancient Maori/settler New Zealand. It is fast-paced, full of tension and fear, while balanced with humour and moments of wonder.

For all those who, as children, used to fantasise that taniwha lurked beneath the mud pools of Rotorua, and that the carved faces in Maori meeting-rooms were alive, this series brings these childhood fantasies to life.

This story was primarily inspired by the legends surrounding Gisborne, a region which has a longstanding presence of Maori culture.

Matiu Douglas has promised to help the storyteller’s daughter, but there are a few problems . . . The daughter is dead – she’s been petrified in stone for centuries. And she’s no longer human . . . she’s a taniwha.

When Matiu and his friends defeated Puarata, the tohunga makutu, they thought they’d won the war. Instead they started one. Now his warlocks are fighting for supremacy in a violent struggle spreading across the magical land of Aotearoa and into our world. The outcome will be determined by the taniwha Mat has promised to save.

David Hair says:
I used to devour all the myths and legends books I could find, both New Zealand and overseas. I think stories about the real and mythic past are important in understanding where we’ve come from and who we are, and in the story I had a lot of fun blending the real and the mythic to make it a very New Zealand fantasy.

David Hair was raised in the Hawkes Bay and after the traditional Kiwi OE, settled in Wellington. He currently lives in India with his wife, who is with the New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi. While he worked for many years in the financial services industry, his focus is now on writing. The Bone Tiki was his first book.

What the media said about THE BONE TIKI:

“A debut novel of unusual interest, specifically the blend of Maori mythology with a fast-paced fantasy thriller… I look forward to his next book.” – Tessa Duder, Australian Women’s Weekly

“Maori myth and modern life combine in this ambitious fantasy debut… There’s plenty of action (some violent) and excitement along the way.” – New Zealand Herald

“A first rate fantasy adventure… A fun read.” – New Zealand Listener