"The Shark Caller" by Zillah Bethell was a revelation. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would: it deserves at least 10!
The fast-paced plot, the complex characters, the magical atmospheres and the amazing writing style all come together to make for an awesome read, which can enchant younger readers and grown-ups alike.
I don't remember ever crying so much for an ending, and yet it feels so perfect I wouldn't change one bit.
Kudos to the author for using pidgin English and making me enjoy it, because, as English is not my first language (and neither is Papuan), I usually find it annoying when books contain non-standard words that can't be found in a dictionary. Instead, in "The Shark Caller" pidgin English is used in such a way that it not only adds a touch of colour to the story, but it's also perfectly comprehensible, so as not to break the reading momentum at all.
I can't wait to put my hands on the author's other works!