Auckland Author Surprised by Huge Support as “Kingdoms of Mu” Fantasy Series launches

A bold new fantasy universe inspired by Māori and Pacific storytelling is officially arriving this week as the five-book series Kingdoms of Mu launches to readers across New Zealand and Australia.

Written by Auckland-based author Cam Swainson-Whaanga, the series transports readers to the mythical lost continent of Mu — a vast Pacific civilisation set thousands of years in the past. The saga follows powerful families navigating prophecy, conflict, loyalty, and destiny in a richly imagined world influenced by Polynesian cultures and oral traditions.

But what has surprised the author most isn’t just the release of the books — it’s the remarkable support that has appeared during the eight-week pre-launch promotion.

“I honestly didn’t expect this level of excitement,” says Swainson-Whaanga. “The response from readers has been incredible. It’s caught me completely off guard — but in the best possible way.”

A Surprising Eight-Week Build-Up

In the weeks leading up to launch, readers across social media have been discovering the series through author videos, previews, and promotional offers. What began as a simple pre-launch campaign quickly turned into a wave of interest, with readers excited to see a fantasy story inspired by Māori and Pacific heritage.

The growing momentum has been especially meaningful for the author, who wrote much of the series during spare time while job hunting and attending interviews.

Now, as the series has officially launched and the launch week is ahead, early orders suggest something remarkable may be happening.

Closing In on 1,000 Books

For a first-time author in a relatively small book market like New Zealand, reaching significant sales numbers can be difficult. Yet the Kingdoms of Mu series is already moving quickly toward a milestone.

Swainson-Whaanga believes the series may reach over 1,000 copies sold during the launch week, and he is already more than halfway toward that goal as the official release week kicks off.

For a debut author, that level of reader engagement is both exciting and encouraging.

“For a first book series coming out of New Zealand, that kind of number would be amazing. I’m just grateful people are connecting with the idea.”

A Different Kind of Fantasy

While much of global fantasy literature is rooted in medieval European settings, Kingdoms of Mu offers something different — a story world inspired by the Pacific.

The series blends adventure, family loyalty, faith, and leadership themes within a setting influenced by Māori, Polynesian, Micronesian and Melanesian traditions.

Another unique feature is the interactive technology built into the books, where readers can scan QR codes on the covers and illustrations to bring them to life through their smartphones.

The books also incorporate phrases from Pacific languages such as Rotuman, Niuean, Tokelauan, Tuvaluan and Rarotongan, helping celebrate and preserve linguistic heritage while remaining accessible for younger readers and families.

Launch Week Begins

With the official launch week underway, Swainson-Whaanga says the focus is simply on sharing the story and seeing where the journey leads.

What began as a creative idea written during spare moments has grown into a full five-book saga — and a community of readers excited to explore the world of Mu.

“If the stories inspire even a few readers — especially new young and old Māori and Pacific readers — then that’s already a win.”

As the launch week begins, one thing is already clear: the world of Kingdoms of Mu has arrived — and readers are ready to explore it.