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Sea Change
Struggling to look after his grieving mother, sixteen-year-old Alex wants nothing more than to leave school. All right, he made some poor decisions during the summer holiday, not least of which was getting involved with Chuck, a stranger hiding out in this remote part of the Scottish Highlands. Chuck was exciting, challenging Alex to take ever-increasing risks. But Chuck wasn't supposed to turn up dead next to Alex's fishing boat. With the bills mounting, Alex has to accept that he is struggling to cope. But things get even worse when his best friend goes missing.
177 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 25, 2020
‘Sea Change’ marries a page-turning plot with some absolutely beautiful, evocative writing that brings all the stark, desolate beauty of a small coastal town in Scotland to life.
After the death of his father, Alex is trying to look after his mum, earn some extra money, and cope with school and exams. Chuck provided the opportunity to let off some steam during the summer holidays, but now the new school year has begun, Chuck has vanished, and Alex finds himself drawn into more trouble than he needs.
Alex is a wonderfully complex main character, struggling under far too much pressure, trying desperately to care for his mum. He’s just lovely and I was really rooting for him throughout this novel.
His best friend Daniel has his own issues to deal with, and he is as well-drawn and as fully realised as Alex. There are some fabulous side characters too, including Alex’s wonderful cousin Moth.
This is a YA novel that treats its readers with respect; it doesn’t patronise or preach, and acknowledges the sometimes difficult lives that teenagers have to face. It’s an honest book, with authentic characters and a novel (and author) that I highly recommend.
After the death of his father, Alex is trying to look after his mum, earn some extra money, and cope with school and exams. Chuck provided the opportunity to let off some steam during the summer holidays, but now the new school year has begun, Chuck has vanished, and Alex finds himself drawn into more trouble than he needs.
Alex is a wonderfully complex main character, struggling under far too much pressure, trying desperately to care for his mum. He’s just lovely and I was really rooting for him throughout this novel.
His best friend Daniel has his own issues to deal with, and he is as well-drawn and as fully realised as Alex. There are some fabulous side characters too, including Alex’s wonderful cousin Moth.
This is a YA novel that treats its readers with respect; it doesn’t patronise or preach, and acknowledges the sometimes difficult lives that teenagers have to face. It’s an honest book, with authentic characters and a novel (and author) that I highly recommend.
July 3, 2019
The beautiful settings, the rustic coastline, the moors and wilderness juxtaposed with a small Scottish town a stone's throw away from Perth made this book for me. The coastal scenes and boating and fishing references were delicately painted. Alex as a young lad struggling with many aspects of teen life, as well as his own grief, puts his grieving mother first. This is a haunting protrayal of a young boy, coping on his own in the best way he can, whilst many of the adults around him let him down. He's a bit of a misfit among his peers and finds solace in his fishing and cooking. This story is about friendships, bad decisions, mistakes and the complexity of life. I would have liked to have learned in a little more detail about Alex's poor decisions, perhaps through flashback. A strong debut novel, dealing with sensitive issues respectfully and with attention to detail.
A strong 4* read from me.
A strong 4* read from me.
June 23, 2019
I was lucky enough to read this novel back in January and the story has stuck in my head ever since. It was my first 5-star read of 2019 and I don't give books 5 stars often. The story centers around best friends Alex and Daniel, and mysterious Chuck who claims to be on the run. When Chuck turns up dead, the secrets that Alex and Daniel are keeping from each other intensify. The story gripped me from the beginning and I finished it in one sitting. The characters are relatable, believable and interesting. The story has a sense of place and flows naturally. I would like to see a squeal featuring these characters - I think they have more stories to tell.
Loved it. 5 stars
Loved it. 5 stars
June 13, 2019
I don't know what possessed me to request this book but I'm so glad I did because from the moment I read the first page I knew I had made the right decision.
This reminded me a bit of Meg Rosoff, not so much in the writing style but the story itself and the way it was able to characterize a very English kind of miserableness and mindset.
I particularly liked the rhythm at which the story was told, giving the characters time to evolve and change their minds as well as letting the reader get to know them slowly playing with our preconceived ideas of what everyone was gonna be and then surprising us.
The best part of the book for me was definitely the characters though, mainly the friendship between Alex and Daniel that kept them together through all their differences and hardships. There were no vapid little characters here though. Everyone had secrets and a reason to be in the story.
This story was able to keep the tension and the mystery until the end and when it finally unfolded, it did it well. I loved the ending and that the author knew where to stop, leaving just enough mystery to keep the story and characters in our mind.
Thank you to NetGalley and Stone Cold Fox Press for this ARC.
This reminded me a bit of Meg Rosoff, not so much in the writing style but the story itself and the way it was able to characterize a very English kind of miserableness and mindset.
I particularly liked the rhythm at which the story was told, giving the characters time to evolve and change their minds as well as letting the reader get to know them slowly playing with our preconceived ideas of what everyone was gonna be and then surprising us.
The best part of the book for me was definitely the characters though, mainly the friendship between Alex and Daniel that kept them together through all their differences and hardships. There were no vapid little characters here though. Everyone had secrets and a reason to be in the story.
This story was able to keep the tension and the mystery until the end and when it finally unfolded, it did it well. I loved the ending and that the author knew where to stop, leaving just enough mystery to keep the story and characters in our mind.
Thank you to NetGalley and Stone Cold Fox Press for this ARC.
July 1, 2019
I took a chance on "Sea Change" as I hadn't heard of Sylvia Hehir but the very brief description seemed intriguing and it's always good to move away from my tried and tested genres and authors occasionally to try something different. I'm so glad I did as I was not disappointed! I was gripped from the beginning by this easy-to-read and engaging thriller and I really appreciated Sylvia Hehir's portrayal of the setting, creating a marvellous sense of place, for me.
With characters who were well drawn, relatable and believable, the story had a natural flow and the pacing was good. I really appreciated this very worthwhile and fantastic story.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Stirling Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
With characters who were well drawn, relatable and believable, the story had a natural flow and the pacing was good. I really appreciated this very worthwhile and fantastic story.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Stirling Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
May 5, 2020
I wanted to buy 'Sea Change' as a birthday present for a friend's daughter so thought I should read it first. I loved it - the descriptions, the easy flow of the writing, nothing jarred. The author deals expertly with topics that are testing for all of us, let alone the young adults in the book: death, bereavement, the dangers of technology, isolation. It is easy to identify with the main character, Alex, who must find a way to come to terms with all of this, and work out the limits of his responsibilities. The story is set in a small, isolated community on the west coast of Scotland, but this could so easily be seen as a metaphor for small communities of friends in any setting. I found the characters very engaging and believable. I rarely give five-star reviews but didn’t hesitate with this book, which is now in the hands of the young teen in question
March 27, 2021
I didn't expect to be quite as invested in this book as I was - but once I hit a certain point I didn't want to put it down.
The first chunk balances it's time between the characters well, and I didn't see the first major twist coming. In general, the writing had a flow that was easy to stay absorbed in.
There were some areas that felt a little underdeveloped, and the final motivations revealed as everything comes together didn't quite seem strong enough for me.
That said, it was a genuinely enjoyable read, and I'm glad I picked it up.
The first chunk balances it's time between the characters well, and I didn't see the first major twist coming. In general, the writing had a flow that was easy to stay absorbed in.
There were some areas that felt a little underdeveloped, and the final motivations revealed as everything comes together didn't quite seem strong enough for me.
That said, it was a genuinely enjoyable read, and I'm glad I picked it up.
June 28, 2019
This was a slow burner to start with. However, Alex, Daniel and Chuck are intriguing enough to make you read on, especially when Alex finds a body on the beach.
As the story progresses, the storyline speeds up, drawing you further into their lives and developing the characters beautifully. I felt that the pace of the book was just right, balancing between a story of friendship and the mystery that sweeps you along with the book.
Definitely worth a read for fans of YA fiction.
As the story progresses, the storyline speeds up, drawing you further into their lives and developing the characters beautifully. I felt that the pace of the book was just right, balancing between a story of friendship and the mystery that sweeps you along with the book.
Definitely worth a read for fans of YA fiction.
November 23, 2019
It took me a while to finish the book because of my busy schedule and another reason is that I can't grasp the beginning of the story but as it reaches around the happenings about Daniel, I get hooked to now what really happened and turned out that it is a good story indeed.
It holds to it's genre thriller because you will really want to know what happened next. All in all, the story is a good read.
Thank you to the author and the publisher for the chance you had given me to read it.
It holds to it's genre thriller because you will really want to know what happened next. All in all, the story is a good read.
Thank you to the author and the publisher for the chance you had given me to read it.
December 28, 2019
This is a prime example of what words in the hands of a skilful writer can do. Full of tension and unexpected turns, this is the kind of dark book which teenagers will love, not shying away from the realities and challenges of modern life. It portrays a world so rarely shown: teen lives in remote parts of Scotland, but connected, for better or worse, by technology.
I haven't read anything like it.
I haven't read anything like it.
May 9, 2019
I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks NetGalley!
Sea Change is a young adult thriller. Alex is a teenager taking care of a his "grief-stricken" mother. During all of this, his friend goes missing and ends up dead next to his fishing boat. What happened?!
Such an interesting and easy read.
Thanks NetGalley!
Sea Change is a young adult thriller. Alex is a teenager taking care of a his "grief-stricken" mother. During all of this, his friend goes missing and ends up dead next to his fishing boat. What happened?!
Such an interesting and easy read.
September 16, 2019
A dark coming of age story, a mystery and a tale of friendship & betrayal all rolled into one. This book beautifully portrays the life of its teenage characters in a small coastal part of the Scottish Highlands. When a body turns up on a beach, it sets in motion a sequence of events where the past is shown to be filled with buried secrets. Highly recommended.
June 10, 2020
Really enjoyed reading this book. Couldn't put it down towards the end. A great book for young adults.
June 17, 2023
I really enjoyed this book and rooted for the main characters. There were many twists and cliff hangers, but a level of violence that suited a YA novel. It was also refreshing to see that a female teenager was the main instigator in solving the mystery as many male-led novels don't do this.
I was also pleasantly surprised to see that a blossoming gay relationship was depicted sensitively - I was left wondering why this wasn't mentioned in the book blurb as this would be snapped up by teenagers looking for a thriller with characters they could identify with.
It was well written in that it depicted, realistically, teenage characters often in difficult family situations and their propensity to hide things from adults. Some chapters made me heartfelt for Alex and Daniel which gave a sense of realism to the novel.
There was a strong sense of place and the story ideally suited the Scottish small-town location. I initially thought it was set in the Highlands, but was pleasantly surprised to see town names I had visited in Perthshire.
Although some of my pupils will not enjoy the complexity of this story, this is definitely one for a teenage book group because of the subject matter it touches on and the likeability of the main characters.
I was also pleasantly surprised to see that a blossoming gay relationship was depicted sensitively - I was left wondering why this wasn't mentioned in the book blurb as this would be snapped up by teenagers looking for a thriller with characters they could identify with.
It was well written in that it depicted, realistically, teenage characters often in difficult family situations and their propensity to hide things from adults. Some chapters made me heartfelt for Alex and Daniel which gave a sense of realism to the novel.
There was a strong sense of place and the story ideally suited the Scottish small-town location. I initially thought it was set in the Highlands, but was pleasantly surprised to see town names I had visited in Perthshire.
Although some of my pupils will not enjoy the complexity of this story, this is definitely one for a teenage book group because of the subject matter it touches on and the likeability of the main characters.
February 3, 2020
Read more reviews at thebookbloglife
Sea Change was a book I received from Netgalley. I was excited to read something with a little more of an edge to it and maybe with a little bit of a bite. When I read the description about a body and teenagers and risks and dares I knew it would be right up the street of what I was looking for. I have to be honest and say that I thought the execution of it all could have been better done but the concept was well thought out but there was just something missing when it all came together. I think there was so much filler content that was never really developed and that showed when we got to the end.
I think the way this story kicks off was a little underdeveloped, Sea Change focuses on Alex and his story, especially his home life and lack of support from parental figures. I think this aspect of the story was brushed over, and almost placed there in order for other things in the book to happen. I understand the trope of neglectful parents, it runs rampant in YA literature but this felt a little empty to me, there wasn’t enough of a back story for me to understand why and what was going on. I don’t really enjoy it when mental illness is used to move a plot along when it’s so underdeveloped and unexplored.
I also think there was a lot introduced very quickly and not an awful lot was looked at. By the end of Sea Change I still had no clue who Chuck was or why he was friends with Alex or even how they had become friends. I think a lot of it was brushed over in order to make time for the more exciting parts to happen but I felt they fell flat because there was no buildup, nothing to really pull you into the story. I was really disappointed because I love a good thriller especially when the buildup leaves you questioning everything you know. I was already questioning everything because I had no idea what was going on or why.
I wanted to love the characters but we just didn’t learn enough about them or their relationships with one another to actually render any feelings. I desperately wanted to have them be the redeeming factor in Sea Change, for them to be the pinnacle of this book and for their flaws to carry the book. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case, they seemed to be two dimensional with no clear motives or drive. I wanted there to be something in this book to bring it back for me, but unfortunately not.
I wouldn’t recommend Sea Change I’m sorry to say. I was expecting something completely different and the payoff was just poor within this book. It was an easy read but I’m not sure that makes up for the lack of development throughout.
Read more reviews at thebookbloglife
Sea Change was a book I received from Netgalley. I was excited to read something with a little more of an edge to it and maybe with a little bit of a bite. When I read the description about a body and teenagers and risks and dares I knew it would be right up the street of what I was looking for. I have to be honest and say that I thought the execution of it all could have been better done but the concept was well thought out but there was just something missing when it all came together. I think there was so much filler content that was never really developed and that showed when we got to the end.
I think the way this story kicks off was a little underdeveloped, Sea Change focuses on Alex and his story, especially his home life and lack of support from parental figures. I think this aspect of the story was brushed over, and almost placed there in order for other things in the book to happen. I understand the trope of neglectful parents, it runs rampant in YA literature but this felt a little empty to me, there wasn’t enough of a back story for me to understand why and what was going on. I don’t really enjoy it when mental illness is used to move a plot along when it’s so underdeveloped and unexplored.
I also think there was a lot introduced very quickly and not an awful lot was looked at. By the end of Sea Change I still had no clue who Chuck was or why he was friends with Alex or even how they had become friends. I think a lot of it was brushed over in order to make time for the more exciting parts to happen but I felt they fell flat because there was no buildup, nothing to really pull you into the story. I was really disappointed because I love a good thriller especially when the buildup leaves you questioning everything you know. I was already questioning everything because I had no idea what was going on or why.
I wanted to love the characters but we just didn’t learn enough about them or their relationships with one another to actually render any feelings. I desperately wanted to have them be the redeeming factor in Sea Change, for them to be the pinnacle of this book and for their flaws to carry the book. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case, they seemed to be two dimensional with no clear motives or drive. I wanted there to be something in this book to bring it back for me, but unfortunately not.
I wouldn’t recommend Sea Change I’m sorry to say. I was expecting something completely different and the payoff was just poor within this book. It was an easy read but I’m not sure that makes up for the lack of development throughout.
Read more reviews at thebookbloglife
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews