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kcfromaustcrime's review
4.0
Iluka, perched above the Pacific Ocean, is a beautiful, isolated, place, home to Ana and her family. Her grandfather's sanctuary, somewhere more complicated for her mother and Ana. It is, however, a place where creativity abounds, and Ana's aunt runs an artists' retreat there, her grandfather is a furniture maker and her uncle tends the land. Ana and her mother Anahita seems less settled, less in tune, perhaps not helped by living in the main house with the grandfather, a difficult man to say the least.
TO THE SEA is a shifting timeline novel, with two main narrators - Ana and her mother. This added a level of complication to the story for this reader, which felt very deliberate, crafted, as this is a complex, tricky story full of portent and mystery, steeped in the past and decisions out of the hands of Ana and Anahita, but affecting them, more than just about anybody else. Ana, perhaps because she's so young, seems to constantly be searching outwards, whereas Anahita seems more resigned, ghostly for want of a better word. Everything about their lives is controlled by this place, that seems so idyllic, so safe, so freeing, and yet there are secrets. As is often the way in these sorts of novels, it's the arrival of a stranger - an artist in residence - that forces Ana to make a decision - protect everyone and everything or tell the truth and watch the edifice of their lives collapse.
Atmospheric (in spades), with a terrific sense of place, TO THE SEA is a tense, page turning thriller, with a multi-layered plot that is revealed via the parallel timeframes. It will require commitment from the reader - both in terms of keeping up with the shifting storylines, and in sticking with the growing sense of foreboding and dread. The resolution, I must admit, took this reader by surprise, and looking back to see why, the hidden crimes, the motives, they were all there, it was just the overwhelming sense of foreboding that made me miss some of the clues.
Definitely a page turner, definitely one of those creepy, worrying, disquieting sorts of thrillers that are equal parts fascinating and equal parts designed to make you want to keep all the lights on and question every single place ever defined as paradise or an idyll.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/sea-nikki-crutchley
TO THE SEA is a shifting timeline novel, with two main narrators - Ana and her mother. This added a level of complication to the story for this reader, which felt very deliberate, crafted, as this is a complex, tricky story full of portent and mystery, steeped in the past and decisions out of the hands of Ana and Anahita, but affecting them, more than just about anybody else. Ana, perhaps because she's so young, seems to constantly be searching outwards, whereas Anahita seems more resigned, ghostly for want of a better word. Everything about their lives is controlled by this place, that seems so idyllic, so safe, so freeing, and yet there are secrets. As is often the way in these sorts of novels, it's the arrival of a stranger - an artist in residence - that forces Ana to make a decision - protect everyone and everything or tell the truth and watch the edifice of their lives collapse.
Atmospheric (in spades), with a terrific sense of place, TO THE SEA is a tense, page turning thriller, with a multi-layered plot that is revealed via the parallel timeframes. It will require commitment from the reader - both in terms of keeping up with the shifting storylines, and in sticking with the growing sense of foreboding and dread. The resolution, I must admit, took this reader by surprise, and looking back to see why, the hidden crimes, the motives, they were all there, it was just the overwhelming sense of foreboding that made me miss some of the clues.
Definitely a page turner, definitely one of those creepy, worrying, disquieting sorts of thrillers that are equal parts fascinating and equal parts designed to make you want to keep all the lights on and question every single place ever defined as paradise or an idyll.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/sea-nikki-crutchley
mykaelahcockroft's review
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
queencleo's review
3.0
A slow and twisted eerie tale of a family cult on a clifftop by the ocean. Explosively opening with a confusing account of domestic violence and murder, the secrets get buried deeper and deeper as twenty years pass and the family remain cut off from reality.
The characters lacked growth and I struggled to understand their drivers as the turn of events became more and more unlikely, yet predictable. I was really hoping for a different outcome.
The characters lacked growth and I struggled to understand their drivers as the turn of events became more and more unlikely, yet predictable. I was really hoping for a different outcome.
becca_in_a_book's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book wasn't for me. I didn't like any of the characters and found them infuriating. I was not satisfied by the ending either. Not my usual type of book, so that's probably why I didn't enjoy it. It was an easy read though, and I was intrigued, however, it felt like watching a car wreck. I'm sure this book really worked for some people, but unfortunately not for me.
chelseas_reads's review
3.0
to the sea follows a cult like family who live in a remove part of new zealand. they live off the land, and where necessary they rent out a cabin for income.
while to the sea sounded good in theory, i found the execution was somewhat lacking. there were plenty of interesting things going on in iluka – ranging from manipulation to murder.
the book got a little boring sometimes with the time jumps (the book alternated between anahita many years ago, and ana in the present). i found anahita to be rather boring and unrelatable. ana was tolerable. while i enjoyed nikau, he also became somewhat annoying in the middle (only to be good again by the end).
this book tackles some tough topics. the patriarch of the family is heavily sexist and full of himself – forcing his family to live away from society and by his rules. it was difficult to read some of the scenes where abuse was laid on certain characters (including infants).
(i believe there was also hints at child sexual assault, but i could have misread the situation).
to the sea is labelled a “thriller”, although there was really nothing that thrilling about it. it was a mystery that handled some difficult topics.
overall, while the plot was solid, i think to the sea could’ve worked better with some more relatable characters. while our main character and nikau were the most interesting, it wasn’t enough to keep me invested.
if you’re looking for a dark book that tackles some heavy topics and delves into psychological trauma, i think this book would be a great fit for you. if you’re looking for a fast paced thriller, it may not be the one.
while to the sea sounded good in theory, i found the execution was somewhat lacking. there were plenty of interesting things going on in iluka – ranging from manipulation to murder.
the book got a little boring sometimes with the time jumps (the book alternated between anahita many years ago, and ana in the present). i found anahita to be rather boring and unrelatable. ana was tolerable. while i enjoyed nikau, he also became somewhat annoying in the middle (only to be good again by the end).
this book tackles some tough topics. the patriarch of the family is heavily sexist and full of himself – forcing his family to live away from society and by his rules. it was difficult to read some of the scenes where abuse was laid on certain characters (including infants).
(i believe there was also hints at child sexual assault, but i could have misread the situation).
to the sea is labelled a “thriller”, although there was really nothing that thrilling about it. it was a mystery that handled some difficult topics.
overall, while the plot was solid, i think to the sea could’ve worked better with some more relatable characters. while our main character and nikau were the most interesting, it wasn’t enough to keep me invested.
if you’re looking for a dark book that tackles some heavy topics and delves into psychological trauma, i think this book would be a great fit for you. if you’re looking for a fast paced thriller, it may not be the one.
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.