Kirra doesn’t understand how or why, but her dreams come true. And no one believes her, not even Nan, who told Kirra to never mention her ‘power’. One night, she dreams of a particularly dangerous surf at Jellurgal Point that leads to the end of the world. Forced by Nan to confront her fears (and to prove to herself that her dreams do not come true), Kirra rides the waves at Jellurgal Point. Suddenly, the waves turn, and Kirra gets pulled under. She resurfaces on an unfamiliar beach in an alternate timeline in which colonisers never came to ‘Australia’. Taken in by the local tribe, Kirra meets Narn and Tarni and is soon swept into an adventure of a lifetime trying to save the world with their newly discovered powers.
The Upwelling is 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.
Interweaving Yugambeh language into its narration and dialogue, The Upwelling is unapologetically and proudly Indigenous in language and storytelling. Its limited exposition and explanation of culture and practices is refreshing as these are treated as normal everyday occurrences that readers should already know. While it would be easy to call The Upwelling ‘confusing’ at times, as it does not pander to a non-Indigenous readership, it is this refusal that makes the novel even more compelling. The Upwelling is a must-read for lovers of YA fantasy, especially if you enjoyed Only A Monster by Vanessa Len.
