Witi is a quiet kind of guy, writing songs and playing his music, or out on the waves on his surf board with his best friend Alana. He has never felt at ease on land, staying away from school sports teams and anything athletic if possible. His dad always said that he had scoops (hands) on tentacles (arms) and paddles (feet) – great for water but no good on land.

But now Dad has gone – vanished 8 years before without a trace, with even detectives giving up on finding him. Witi and his mum get on with life, but still miss him every day. Witi knew Dad was special. He’d travelled the world as a successful singer and musician and then returned and had a family.  Witi was 10 when his Dad vanished, or did he just leave? The wondering never left Witi.

Witi knows his dad was special in other ways too. Mum always says he had a beautiful mind, but he could also hear voices, especially near the ocean. Witi heard them too, but learnt to stop telling his shrink this. It was easier and made Mum happier.

There is a new kid at school. Blond, loud, confident and an Aussie. When he jumps in to help Witi in a fight at school, they become mates. Witi wasn’t too keen at first, but Jordy is too persistent to say no to. Suddenly Witi and Alana become three with Jordy, and things feel a little off kilter. Alana has always been there, especially after his Dad vanished – his girlfriend/not girlfriend. Jordy seems to like Alana and Witi feels increasingly uncomfortable.

One day, Witi’s Mum tells him to tidy out Dad’s shed. It’s time, she says. Alana helps and they discover a strange code on a piece of masking tape. When they discover an unopenable box, the tape holds the key. What’s inside begins an intriguing journey to find not only Dad, but Witi’s destiny that has been mapped out in his dreams, his Koro’s predictions and spoken by the ocean itself.

A cyclone is on its way and while searching for the perfect wave (Jordy’s crazy idea), and Koro’s instructions, Witi, Alana and Jordy find themselves in the centre of it. The cyclone isn’t the most dangerous thing coming though, and soon drones are diving, bullets are flying and a powerful gateway is on its way.

Witi’s destiny is in his hands, on his board and his trust in the waves below him.

So much more than a surfing tale, set on the NZ East Coast, Nor’ East Swell picked me up and hurtled me into a young man’s past, future and destiny. Nor’ East Swell introduces you to a boy and his mother, missing their father and husband. There is a girl, loyal, independent, strong and brave, and a new friend who smoothly slides into their lives, with his own agenda backed by powerful forces.

A supernatural element is refreshing, delivered within Maoritanga and purpose, often poetic and then frightening, as the main character discovers more about his father and himself. Swirl this up into a cyclone, betrayal and new whanau and this is an intriguing read.

The author’s style is specifically aimed at reluctant readers, especially older teen boys, with no speech marks to detract from the story. I wondered if this would be difficult to navigate, but it flows perfectly well without them. Lots of white space is also key in this tale, provided by journal entries, thoughts, dreams and dialogue.

Fantastic read for 14+

Author – Aaron Topp

Age – 14+

(2022, Onetree House, Surfing, Maoritanga, East Coast, Ocean, Sea, Waves, Betrayal, Secret, Science, Climate Change, Supernatural, Loyalty, Military, Friendship, Whanau, Family, Beach, Sand, Surfboard, Action, Danger, Cyclone, NZ Bush, Destiny, Disappearance, Mystery, Courage, Crime, Environment, Fantasy, Grief)