Book excerpt: WINNER OF THE NSW PREMIER'S ETHEL TURNER PRIZE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE'S LITERATURE 2023 WINNER OF THE VICTORIAN PREMIER'S LITERARY AWARDS 2023 PRIZE FOR INDIGENOUS WRITING SHORTLISTED FOR THE NSW PREMIER'S UTS GLENDA ADAMS AWARD FOR NEW WRITING 2023 'A deeply immersive young adult fantasy and an enthralling debut. It's a privilege to walk this new path into the oldest of stories' AMIE KAUFMAN, New York Times-bestselling author A CAPTIVATING YOUNG ADULT DEBUT FROM A BLACK&WRITE! WRITING FELLOWSHIP WINNER Three misfits. Two warring spirits. One chance to save the world. Kirra is the great-granddaughter of a truth dreamer, and, like Great Nanna Clara, no-one believes her night-visions are coming true. When an end-of-the-world nightmare forces her to surf where her brother was killed, she time-slips into a place that could ruin her life, here, and in the Dreaming. Narn is the son of a well-respected Elder and holds an enviable role in his saltwater clan. Though he bears the marks of a man, many treat him like an uninitiated boy, including the woman he wants to impress. Tarni is the daughter of a fierce hunter and the custodian of a clever gift. Somehow, she understands Kirra when no-one else can. But who sent this unexpected visitor: a powerful ancient healer or an evil shadow-spirit? When death threatens all life, can a short-sighted surfer, a laidback dolphin caller and a feisty language unweaver work together to salvage our future? 'A story that moves with urgency - in equal parts surprising and enthralling. The story is steeped in Indigenous knowledge, thoroughly researched and replicated with permission. This is an impressive work, bolstered by lean, precise prose, and characterisation that bridges the cultural divides which might exist between the reader and the text. Rose's teenagers are alive on the page, fully realised and relatable. The Upwelling is an achievement, and it carves a new way for readers, young and old, into our continent's past.' NSW Premier's Literary Awards 2023, Judges' Comments 'The Upwelling by Lystra Rose has created an expansive world of fantasy speculative fiction with the ability to not only raise the bar for young adult fiction but also to shift the understanding and perceptions of Aboriginal people prior to colonisation. The Upwelling by Lystra Rose is a well-structured, descriptive, and expansively imaginative text with an assertion of cultural reclamation and a powerful subversion of the colony's imaginings of us.' Victorian Premier's Literary Awards 2023, Judges' report 'A breath of fresh air for both the genre and Australian literature. Lystra Rose has expertly crafted a captivating and enchanting fantasy world filled with magic and heart, while reminding us of the rich cultures and histories that were taken during colonisation . . . a must-read for lovers of YA fantasy' Books+Publishing 'A fresh new novel combining Indigenous culture and fantasy adventure, in a way not seen before' ReadPlus 'It is amazing to read a fantasy novel that draws on ancient original knowledge systems and their understandings. It's fun to read a book you can identify with' Dr Bronwyn Bancroft, award-winning Bundjalung artist and author 'Lystra Rose writes with a fresh and compelling voice, seamlessly marrying meticulous word craft and storytelling with a deep connection to her Indigenous culture. This is uniquely Australian storytelling with purpose and a poetic sensibility' Tim Baker, bestselling author