The Hawaiian Islands. 1819: The Hawaiian king who united the islands is dead. Hawaii is on the verge of Civil War between followers of the traditional religion led by Ku and those conspiring to end the centuries of obedience to the gods of death for breach of kapu.
Hero Kalani Tana (Splintered Paddle and Conquest novels) returns to the islands from China and working on whaling ships. While away, he learned about other, more peaceful, religions. He joins the conspiracy.
Kalani reunites with his son who works on the farm, but his young daughter has wandered off.
Whalers keep island bars busy, enjoying the cards and women.
Meanwhile, six thousand miles away, Christians set sail on a mission to bring Jesus to the savages.