By Kaylie Seed
Kenna Ward has always been a surfer; one filled with passion and drive for the sport. Three years ago, when her boyfriend drowned, she decided to hang up her surfboard and was not ready to take on the water anytime soon. Kenna is drawn back to the beach out of concern for her friend Mikki after she announces her engagement to a man Kenna doesn’t know. Kenna ends up travelling to a remote Australian beach and what unfolds is a thriller packed with twists, turns, and mystery.
Reynolds’ descriptions and characterization is spot on. Her characters felt well developed and nuanced, each with their own unique personalities showing throughout the story, even if they could be unlikeable at times. Readers will be able to feel and taste the waves as Reynolds’ descriptions of what is around the characters are detailed and full of wonder. Reynolds also does a fantastic job at educating readers on the world of surfing if they are not already familiar.
Readers who enjoy shorter chapters will find that the chapters in The Swell pair perfectly with the overall quick/dark mood of the novel. Unfortunately, the ending becomes repetitive and dramatic to the point that it feels rushed and unfinished. The ending fizzles out after such a captivating read for the majority of the book, which felt disappointing. Overall, The Swell was a great thriller with a large focus on the sport of surfing. Readers who enjoy atmospheric reads or who enjoy the sport of surfing will truly enjoy The Swell.
Thank you, Penguin Random House Canada, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.