This book by Australian author Karleah Olson is a captivating debut novel of hope and survival. Shortlisted for the Fogarty Literary Award, this is a confronting yet compelling read from the very first chapter.

Olson, based in Perth, blends gothic atmosphere with the raw, windswept beauty of Western Australia’s coast in this haunting tale.

When Briony first meets Ren, he is standing in the freezing sea at the edge of their small coastal town.

Ren has returned to the place he once called home, now burdened by obligation — to care for his dying father. But the town is a prison of memories, especially those of his late brother, Sam, whose death drove Ren and his mother away years ago.

Briony, meanwhile, is stuck in limbo, refusing to leave. She clings to the hope that her missing sister, Sarah, will one day return, even as everyone else has given up.

What she doesn’t know is that Sarah and her friend Aria are stranded on Wreck Island, trapped in an abandoned research station, fighting to survive with no hope of rescue.

From the first page, Olson immerses readers in a story that is as haunting as it is beautiful. The narrative shifts between “The Shore,” “The Shallows,” and “The Deep,” weaving together past and present with dark, devastating, and unexpected turns. The pacing is deliberate, allowing tension to build and emotions to unfold naturally, making for an utterly gripping read.

At its core, this is a deeply character-driven novel, exploring grief, isolation, and the emotional traps that bind us.

Olson’s prose is rich with atmospheric detail — every crashing wave, every gust of sea breeze, every grain of sand underfoot feels vividly real.

Yet, despite its unflinching portrayal of loss, “A Wreck of Seabirds” is never bleak. It is a story of resilience, healing, and the quiet power of kindness — a reminder that even in the darkest depths, hope can still take flight.