Lalani of the Distant Sea

This summary section includes “Prologue,” “Chapter 1: Three of Them,” “Chapter 2: House of Light,” “Chapter 3: Girl on the Rocks,” “Chapter 4: House of Shadows,” and “Chapter 5: You Are Where the Binty Sing.”

In a mythical land, there are two islands. Each one contains a mountain. Mount Kahna is thought to be a source of woe by the Sanlagitan people who live in its shadow. They all long to travel to Mount Isa, where good fortune resides. The people send one expedition after another in search of Isa, but the mariners never return.

Twelve-year-old Lalani Sarita lives on the island of Sanlagita. She enjoys spending the night at the home of her best friend, Veyda Yuzi, where Veyda’s mother, Lo, tells folk tales. Veyda’s younger brother, Hetsbi, is often frightened by these stories, but he listens anyway. Tonight, Lo is telling them about the evil Mount Kahna that wants to kill anyone who approaches it. There is a terrible creature that roams its hills, seeking to steal the eyes of its prey.

Later that evening, Hetsbi says that some of the local girls found strands of Ziva’s hair on the rocks by the shore.