staceyjl's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Child abuse, and Murder
zellian's review
3.0
Iluka is the safe haven that Ana has know for all her eighteen years, her grandfather Hurley had brought his family here many years ago after surviving a terrible boating incident and head injury. A secluded piece of land where they live off of furniture that Hurley makes from the pine trees they grown, plus the money that is made from the artist retreat that is run by her Aunty. When Nikau comes to Iluka under the guise of using the artist retreat to focus on his writing it opens up a whole new outlook for Ana, it also opens up the true past of Iluka. Something the rest of the family would rather keep hidden.
To The Sea has alternating timelines, between Anahita (Ana's mother) twenty three years ago with the beginning of their life in Iluka and Ana during the present. Everything is controlled in Iluka and you see how it all began during Anahita's chapters, how it is still controlled and enforced in Ana's present time chapters. Though Iluka seems like this wonderful place to live, you realize that it actually has a darker and more sinister way of life. The relationships between the other characters and Ana are complex, especially with her own mother and Hurley. It makes you have a lot of compassion for Ana and what she has to go through, I felt like the events in the book helped you to feel more connected to Ana more than anything.
Everything in this book is gradually teased out, the changing perspectives playing a big role in this and helping to keep you reeled in as a reader. There were times I was able to easily see what was happening, other times I was surprised. You can see how the author purposely and gradually brought things to you in the book, however this at times made it feel dragged out instead. Though I felt connected to Ana due to what was happening to her I felt like at the end of the book there wasn't as much growth as I would have hoped, the characters around her I felt they had even less.
Thrillers and crime novels aren't usually my cup of tea but I enjoyed this more than I thought, I would recommend this to others who usually read within these genres but may also just prewarn them on some of the content and themes that come with it. Though these types of books are usually a bit grizzly, I myself felt a bit uncomfortable at points (though, this just may be personal preference.
To The Sea has alternating timelines, between Anahita (Ana's mother) twenty three years ago with the beginning of their life in Iluka and Ana during the present. Everything is controlled in Iluka and you see how it all began during Anahita's chapters, how it is still controlled and enforced in Ana's present time chapters. Though Iluka seems like this wonderful place to live, you realize that it actually has a darker and more sinister way of life. The relationships between the other characters and Ana are complex, especially with her own mother and Hurley. It makes you have a lot of compassion for Ana and what she has to go through, I felt like the events in the book helped you to feel more connected to Ana more than anything.
Everything in this book is gradually teased out, the changing perspectives playing a big role in this and helping to keep you reeled in as a reader. There were times I was able to easily see what was happening, other times I was surprised. You can see how the author purposely and gradually brought things to you in the book, however this at times made it feel dragged out instead. Though I felt connected to Ana due to what was happening to her I felt like at the end of the book there wasn't as much growth as I would have hoped, the characters around her I felt they had even less.
Thrillers and crime novels aren't usually my cup of tea but I enjoyed this more than I thought, I would recommend this to others who usually read within these genres but may also just prewarn them on some of the content and themes that come with it. Though these types of books are usually a bit grizzly, I myself felt a bit uncomfortable at points (though, this just may be personal preference.
mandylovestoread's review
4.0
What a dark and intense read! To The Sea by NZ author, Nickki Crutchley is disturbing but beautifully written and it had me enthralled. Highly recommend.
Iluka is the only home that 18 year old Ana has know. It is remote, cut off from the world and very, very secluded. Set on the cliff edge, the sea and the beach is a character all on it's own. Deeply atmospheric with some really tough themes, To The Sea will not be for every reader. Ana lives with her family in a bubble, hardly ever coming into contact with any other humans. Until one day, Ana meets a man who is asking questions, about her family and their past. Secrets are revealed and Ana will never be the same again.
Thanks to Harper Collins Australia for my copy of this book as part of their Summer reading package.
To The Sea is out now
Iluka is the only home that 18 year old Ana has know. It is remote, cut off from the world and very, very secluded. Set on the cliff edge, the sea and the beach is a character all on it's own. Deeply atmospheric with some really tough themes, To The Sea will not be for every reader. Ana lives with her family in a bubble, hardly ever coming into contact with any other humans. Until one day, Ana meets a man who is asking questions, about her family and their past. Secrets are revealed and Ana will never be the same again.
Thanks to Harper Collins Australia for my copy of this book as part of their Summer reading package.
To The Sea is out now
tintededges's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Check out my full review here: To the Sea | Tinted Edges
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Torture, Murder, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual violence, Pedophilia, and Emotional abuse
The book has strong themes of coercive control and physical punishment.readsipsnuggle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book was not at all what expected, but I ended up loving every minute, I couldn't get enough and just had to uncover the mysteries of Iluka.
Definitely not a light read, with gut wrenching twists and turns, but intriguing nonetheless.
Definitely not a light read, with gut wrenching twists and turns, but intriguing nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Gaslighting, Bullying, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Rape, and Pedophilia
Minor: Drug use and Pregnancy
kay_andy's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ajane13's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
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