Review: Night Beach by Kirsty Eagar

Where to start with this book.  This is not a run of the mill Young Adult novel and this is definitely not a stock standard paranormal.  What this novel is, is hard to put down, it was eerie and suspenseful and showed the world from a completely different perspective.

The story centres around Abbie a lonely 17 year old who looks at everything from an artists view. She is romantically obsessed with he step cousin Kane who lives in the downstairs part of their house and until recently barely noticed her existence.  When Kane arrives back from a surfing trip Abbie notices that while everything appears normal on the surface with Kane, something is just not right – there are shadows, there is blurred perceptions and a menancing feeling that just doesn’t seem to go away.

I was worried going into this novel that this book would be wrought with Australian slang and cliches and was so relieved to instead discover a beachside town that could have been almost anywhere.  While there was some references to Australian surf culture it in no way deterred from the story but instead enriched it showing a side to Australian life. I loved how connected this book was to the ocean and infact all the locations were well written and so very sensory I could almost feel I was there too.

Abbie was a fascinating character and her journey of self discovery was absolutely riveting.  I loved the self portraits she took throughout the novel giving you clear glimpses of her personal growth and feelings it was such a different way of communicating with readers and I loved the impact it gave to the story. The back story of Abbie’s family history was subtletly woven into the main storyline really letting you empathise for this young woman who just seemed so very isolated from the get go.

The horror element to the book was incredibly exciting and I spent 3/4 of the novel wondering if it was actually happening or if it was all in Abbie’s head – all those internal musings and hints of otherworldliness just left you never really sure.  The conversations Abbie has with her babysitting charge Joey and her imaginary friend Pinty were deliciously creepy and I’m still concerned for that poor 3 year old and what is clearly haunting her! Eagar also doesn’t shy away from some truly violent horror scenes towards the end, I’m still reeling and horrified about the poor dog.  I won’t say more for fear of spoilers but I will say animal lovers beware some things in this novel are definitely what I would label as disturbing.

This novel definitely surprised me I was not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did and I can’t wait to pick up Kirsty Eagar’s other novels now.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Australia for providing me with a copy of this novel for review. Night Beach is  released today, the 26th April 2012.

Rating

Month In Review | Tea, Daydreams & Fairytales says:

April 30, 2012 at 8:29 pm Reply

[...] Night Beach [...]

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Firefly Beach by Meira Pentermann | Tea, Daydreams & Fairytales says:

May 25, 2012 at 1:50 pm Reply

[...] signed up for the book tour shortly after reading the phenomenal Young Adult novel, Night Beach by Kirsty Eagar which had a similar premise and I was really in the mood for supernatural [...]

Rebecca says:

June 8, 2012 at 6:26 pm Reply

I have this on my shelf which I won from a giveaway and this lovely review of yours definitely makes me want to pick it up and read it! I previously read Raw Blue (Kirsty’s debut) and enjoyed it. I hope you enjoy it her other novels as much as you did this one.

Philippa says:

June 8, 2012 at 7:49 pm Reply

It is seriously such a good book, I was really surprised by how dark and engaging it was in comparison to most YA novels I read. I definitely recommend getting onto it!

Bonnie says:

June 9, 2012 at 1:36 am Reply

Gosh I’ve been so anxious to get a hold of this book. Grr! I want to read this so bad. Fabulous review!

Philippa says:

June 9, 2012 at 12:24 pm Reply

Thank you! This really was a brilliant read, I wish it was released in the US so more people would get a hold of it – it’s fantastic!

Rebecca Hipworth says:

June 11, 2012 at 1:44 am Reply

This sounds really good. I like scary novels and the cover is eerie… I think I’ll check it out! I wonder if this is a standalone?

Philippa says:

June 11, 2012 at 1:57 pm Reply

It is brilliant and I think it most definitely is a stand alone which is a refreshing change! I hope you get a chance to read it soon!

Latishar M. says:

July 6, 2012 at 9:32 pm Reply

This book is so gorgeously disturbing that I’m still recovering (it’s only been, what, a month? ). I struggled to finish this, not because it was awful (which it most definitely wasn’t) but because, well I’m a wuss and can barely sit through a scary movie, let alone a whole creeptastic book! I loved the build up of the tension and how real all the characters felt (I grew up in a town with a “committee”). I’m glad I read it, but don’t think I could do it again without leaving all the lights on and someone else in the house :S

Philippa says:

July 6, 2012 at 11:06 pm Reply

I read most of this is the very wee hours of the night (I do most of my reading while nursing or cuddling my daughter back to sleep) and it was sometimes too scary, I would have to put a light on to go back to my room! I love that type of creepiness where often nothing that scary is said but the overtones are deliciously eerie!

Hira Hasnain says:

July 10, 2012 at 8:44 am Reply

Philippa, before reading this review, I had NO idea this book existed. And, now, after having read your review, this book is going straight to the top of my TBR list. I’m getting slightly bored with the usual paranormal YA novels, and am ready to read something truly atmospheric, eerie and chilling. Your insightful review has convinced me that this is JUST the book to read this summer! Thank you…

Philippa says:

July 12, 2012 at 1:40 pm Reply

This makes me so excited! I really hope you get to read it soon it is sooooo good!

Rebecca Hipworth says:

July 11, 2012 at 4:50 am Reply

This book looks really creepy… It sounds so intriguing and very different from anything else out there. I shall have to check it out.

Philippa says:

July 12, 2012 at 1:45 pm Reply

It is incredibly different to most YA books – if you get a chance to read it I would love to hear what you think!