The Upwelling

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 2023 PRIME MINISTER'S LITERARY AWARD FOR YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE

SHORTLISTED FOR THE NSW PREMIER'S UTS GLENDA ADAMS AWARD FOR NEW WRITING 2023

SHORTLISTED FOR THE READINGS YOUNG ADULT PRIZE 2023

LONGLISTED FOR THE ARA HISTORICAL NOVEL PRIZE 2023 - CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULT

'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

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. It's 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. Jing Xuan Teo is the co-founder of Amplify Bookstore, Australia's first BIPOC specialist bookstore.

Lystra Rose, a descendant of the Guugu

Yimithirr, Birri Gubba, Erub and Scottish

nations, is an award-winning writer and editor

who lives in a land where the rainforest meets

the sea . . . Yugambeh-speaking Country (Gold

Coast), Australia. When she's not catching

waves with her husband and their two groms,

Lystra is editing Surfing Life magazine and

is the executive producer of Surfing Life TV

(globally broadcasted on Fuel TV). She is the

first female editor-in-chief of a mainstream

surf magazine in the world. Surfing is Lystra's

daily reminder to 'let fear be your friend, not

your foe, and use it to do the things you love

or were meant to do'. It's also her creativity

generator.

The Upwelling is Lystra's debut novel.

'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 authorA 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 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'Not a surfer? Me neither, but I felt like I rode the waves with Kirra, feeling the salt spray on my face. Not Indigenous? Me neither, but I felt like I walked, and at times ran, amid the rich Yugambeh culture. There are so many things I am not, but that's why I love to read. The Upwelling is a cultural education by stealth' Bern Young , award-winning radio presenter, ABC Gold Coast

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