With demonstrably local storytelling furnished through a strong First Nations voice and purpose, this gothic horror debut has a lot to say. Told with sparse writing that draws the reader in and maintains a grip, Akhurst paints a vivid picture of the Queensland outback through the eyes of a city-born Indigenous teen experiencing his first connection to his Country.
Facing both supernatural and all-too-human challenges, the characters are thrown into a subtly creepy adventure that provides the reader with chills and heart-pounding action alongside a strong coming-of-age journey. With a unique concept and much to unpack in the pages, this is an excellent example of authentic Australian storytelling for the upper secondary range of the readership.