Quotes
'A masterfully crafted dual timeline that seamlessly weaves past and present into a rich tapestry, bringing four centuries of secrets vividly to life.' Tea Cooper, USA TODAY bestselling author
'Evocative and compelling! An immersive and engrossing mystery. This wonderful debut by Stefanie Koens kept me enthralled to the last page. A beautiful synergy between the present and the past, between history and a richly drawn portrayal of the personal stories of those who perished and those who survived the famous shipwreck of the Batavia. Heartbreaking and heartwarming.' Tania Blanchard, bestselling author
'Koens's exhilarating novel quite swept me away with its gripping historical settings aboard ship . . . Using even, well-executed plot tension and a straightforward narrative style, Koens leads us to the inevitable sickening end of this true tale, thoroughly convincing in its speculation about the progression of events, character arcs and survival on various islands in the chain . . . Recommended for the calamitous history it exposes and the sheer strength of will exhibited by the survivors.' Historical Novel Society
'The ill-fated 1628 voyage of the Batavia links two women across centuries in this resonant debut from Koens . . . Saskia's story is textured and suspenseful, and it's inspiring to watch both heroines work to overcome their losses and build a hopeful future. Fans of Laura Frantz and Gabrielle Meyer will want to dive in.' Publishers Weekly