Book excerpt: The echoes of Princess Millah's triumph on Aotearoa have spread far across the ocean, drawing desperate pleas from a cluster of dying islands. A vibrant coral reef fades into lifelessness, and a sense of encroaching darkness suffocates the islands' spirit. Sensing a powerful echo of the evil she once faced, Millah knows she cannot turn away. Despite the elders' concerns for Aotearoa's own fragile recovery, she gathers a crew of skilled and resourceful companions, including a legendary warrior. Their journey across the perilous ocean tests Millah's courage and spirit and pushes her connection to the island spirits to its limits. Yet, the desolate islands they encounter, marked with a profound despair, only fuel her determination to discover the source of this evil and bring hope to the Silent Isles.