Daughters of the Wreckage: A gripping dual-timeline historical novel inspired by the true story of the Batavia shipwreck and the women who survived it

by Stefanie Koens

"An immersive and engrossing mystery." --Tania Blanchard, bestselling author

"A masterfully crafted dual timeline." --Tea Cooper, USA TODAY bestselling author

Two women. One shipwreck. And four centuries of secrets.

Shortly before Christmas in 2018, Tess McCarthy, after years as a hard-working English teacher who never did anything out of the ordinary, flies to Western Australia's remote Abrolhos Islands. She is in search of answers--both to the infamous Batavia shipwreck and her personal family crises.

In 1628, Saskia, an orphaned young Dutchwoman, boards Batavia with relatives, bound for a new and potentially dangerous life in the East Indies--only for her world to first collide with Aris Jansz, the ship's taciturn under surgeon.

Tess, Saskia, and Aris--their lives linked by secrets that span generations--carry the baggage of past losses and the uncertainty of their futures. And, in the most unlikely circumstances, they may find qualities that echo through faith, acceptance, and love.

A woman searching for answers in her own life finds them--and much more--in the wreckage and haunting stories of the Batavia shipwreck.

Previously published in Australia as Daughters of Batavia.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Audiobook, Fiction

Audible Audio

Expected publication September 15, 2026

Reviews

[Emily]

(I received a complimentary copy of this title from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.)

I have mixed feelings about this book.

On one hand, I love learning about a historical event that I knew NOTHING about: the shipwreck of Batavia and the subsequent mutiny that followed.

On the other hand, this historical event had many very gruesome elements which were unpleasant to read about in story-form. Though I do appreciate the author’s being faithful to communicate the horrors that these people endured, I think that some details could have been omitted or described in less detail. I realize this is completely my personal preference!

I think I would’ve enjoyed this story more if I’d connected more to the characters. This story is told in two different timelines and with three POV’s. Aris’s POV was my favorite and then Saskia’s. I cared much more about these two characters than I did Tess, the MC of the modern timeline. I just did not feel at all invested in her story and didn’t find her to be very likable, unfortunately. I cared a lot more about Aris and Saskia and felt invested in their survival. My one wish is that we’d have gotten to know them better together. I felt like a lot of the book focused on what was happening around the MC’s, and I felt like I didn’t get enough about the MC’s themselves. I felt like I never really truly got to know them, just what happened to them.

This book does have Christian faith elements in it and I appreciated that. I loved the reference to many psalms and hymns that Saskia clung to in terrifying times.

I want to make sure that readers know that this book should come with a lengthy list of content warnings. There’s a lot of SA, a lot of violence, and a lot of death in this story, much of which is described on page.

I enjoyed elements of this book and was invested enough to finish it. I would recommend this title, but only to certain people depending on their reading tastes.

[Tammy O · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting story from the history of Australia and The Netherlands. I knew nothing about the wreck of Batavia in the 1600s. The author warned about the horrors to come in Tess’s chapters and I almost stopped reading. But I was invested in Saskia, Aris and Lucretia’s stories and kept reading. Aside from the violence of the mutineers after the Batavia wrecked on the reef, I liked the story. I really liked Saskia, Aris, Lucretia and even the aunt. I liked a couple of the women that Saskia befriended in the lowest quarters of the ship. One of the women turned out to be part of a mystery at the end, that still has me questioning. Tess was not very likable—I don’t think she was supposed to be, though. She was in a rough place of grief.

Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.

[Colleen Maclennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of the Batavia shipwreck and the fate of the survivors was interesting although gruesome. The cast of characters abroad the ship were quite the variety and contributed to the historical significance of this fated journey. The modern part of the book with Tess searching for her connection to a passenger on this ship was less engaging .

[Adam‘’s book reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughters of the Wreckage combines historical fiction with a contemporary archaeological mystery centered around the 1629 Batavia shipwreck. The novel moves between the events surrounding the voyage and the survivors’ experiences after the wreck, along with a present-day investigation into the remains and stories left behind.

The historical storyline was the strongest part of the book for me. The author created an immersive setting through descriptions of ship life, social hierarchy, medical practices, and survival after the wreck. I especially enjoyed the use of multiple historical perspectives. Seeing events through both a passenger and the under surgeon gave a broader view of the voyage and made the historical sections more engaging.

I also appreciated how the archaeological investigation connected the modern storyline to the historical events. The research and historical details were well incorporated and helped bring the world of the novel to life. The medical elements and exploration of daily life aboard the ship were particularly interesting additions.

The present-day storyline was not as engaging for me as the historical sections. While it helped connect the archaeology to the events of the past, I found myself more invested in the historical characters and their experiences.

Overall, Daughters of the Wreckage is a well-researched and immersive historical novel. The strong historical setting, multiple viewpoints, and exploration of a fascinating real-world event make it a worthwhile read for fans of historical fiction and dual-timeline stories.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing an advance copy.

[Joseandbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.

I picked this up not knowing much about the Batavia shipwreck, and now I want to read everything I can about it. That’s always a sign that a historical fiction novel did its job.

The historical timeline was easily my favorite. It was tense, emotional, and sometimes difficult to read because of everything the characters endured. While I liked the present-day storyline, I found myself much more invested whenever the story shifted back to the past.

The audiobook was well done, and the full cast helped make the dual timelines easy to follow. Each narrator brought something different to the story, which made the emotional moments hit even harder.

The pacing was a little slow in the beginning, but once the story found its rhythm, I was hooked. If you enjoy historical fiction with real-life inspiration and emotional depth, this one is worth checking out.

[Nat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and producer for this early listening copy. I’m a fan of historical fiction, particularly when I can learn about things I didn’t know about. I had never heard of the Batavia prior to this book. If you are also unfamiliar with the story of the Batavia please check trigger warnings as it was quite brutal.
I enjoyed the characters on the boat much more than the modern characters. I honestly think I would have enjoyed this book more without the Tess component. The narration was very well done with each POV having their own narrator. My one issue was that some of the dialogue held over the phone was hard to understand. I get that it was intended to give a more theatrical experience but through my headphones it wasn’t clear.

[Danae Mckain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

When I saw the description for this story I was intrigued because it's not a topic that I had ever heard anything about. The split timeline going back and forth was interesting but at times the present day investigation was a little boring for me. I also felt like the relationship between the main character and her love interest was meh.

I did enjoy the backstory and learning about the ship and the characters during that time period. It was a horrible time and awful things happened, but I loved how the story ended in the end.

[Denisa Šejdová · Rating 5 out of 5]

There might appear some spoilers.

An enchanting story with enthralling storytelling.
And to consider it was a debut novel?! How is this even possible? Absolutely amazing.

The story is told in two timelines:
In the present we follow Tess, a teacher writing an article about a historical boat wreckage and the brutal mutiny that followed. Her late father had started researching the incident before he passed away, so finishing it serves as a tribute to his memory. Along the way, she works through her grief, reconciles with her stepmother and falls in love.
The past (early 1600s) is set aboard the soon-to-be-wrecked ship and during the following mutiny. It’s told through dual points of view - Saskia (a young girl) and Aris (a young boy, surgeon), who are falling in love amidst the chaotic events.

I loved how the dual timelines connected. Tess would mention a historical occurrence or artifact in the present, and the very next historical chapter would reveal the backstory of that exact moment or item. It allowed us to slowly uncover secrets from the past, even though, as Evan the archaeologist points out: “The dead guard their secrets jealously”. For example we learned how a said item happened to be in one’s possession, how these bodies came to be buried next to each other, how they died, who is this mysterious Tabitha and how the love story between our young couple evolved.

At first these time jumps scared me, I’m not usually a fan of dual timelines, but once I realised how the storytelling is gonna work, I was very excited. Though to be said, I had a hard time getting into it - the main problem however being that when I asked for the ARC, I was in a mood for such a read, but when I obtained it, I had already started reading something else and the mood was gone. And for this type of read I really need to be in the mood for it, I can’t push it.

I learned so much real history from this book, especially regarding Dutch maritime past, such as the former names of today's Jakarta - Batavia, the shipwreck itself and the following events that took place near western Australian coast. Sadly, because of them, the first European structures built in Australia were actually fortifications.

I also discovered a new geographical location: the Abrolhos Islands.
“It’s a contraction of a Portuguese phrase: abri vossos olhos.”
I love the symbolism behind this name and how it echoes through both storylines. As the pilot notes at the beginning: “It’s a message, a warning”.
In the present it’s a call for Tess to learn more about the catastrophe and about her origin, to process her grief and to embrace new love with her guide Drew.
In the past it’s a literal warning to watch out for shallow waters and dangerous men.

The book also sparks an interesting debate on whether archaeological digs disturb the peace of the dead. I found myself agreeing with Catrina:
“The greatest responsibility facing anyone is the investigation of another human being’s death.”
“But you’re not a detective,” I challenged her.
“True,” she said. “No detective cares about these dead folks now. What happened to them isn’t considered a crime anymore, it’s just history.”

These next two quotes sum up the spirit of the story so beautifully:
“Villains are usually more interesting, I think—but you find all sorts of characters in the Batavia saga. Heroes and victims and leaders and followers, and they weren’t all soldiers and sailors. There were merchants and surgeons and a minister. Tradesmen too. Some men had their families with them, so there were women and children aboard— even a couple of newborn babies.”

“My mind wandered back to the Beacon Island skeletons. Four hundred years ago, they hadn’t been bones, but men and women filled with hopes, happiness, frustration, and fears. When they’d boarded Batavia, I doubted they’d imagined that eight months later they would be shipwrecked, or victims of a mutiny, lying under three feet of sand on a deserted island miles from the Great Southland.”

I must copy some other outstanding lines that I’d like to remember when I come back to this review in the future:

“That history had felt distant, a preserved past. Now, here—it felt alive.”

“Red and gold bands brightened the pale morning sky. God’s got the paints out, I thought.”

“I wondered if Aris had realized how this act would alter the course of his life. What he would’ve thought if he knew it would eventuate in my birthplace being the country he knew as the Great Southland. And would lead me back, hundreds of years later, to West Wallabi Island, the place that had ensured his survival.”

“The silver case and the woman’s pendant were proof of that connection, tying us all together. An intricate web spun by the long-ago shipwreck, whose threads I had felt tugging at me from the moment I had discovered Dad’s unfinished article.”

And some historical fun facts I don't want to forget:
- surname origins: nearly every person in the Netherlands at that time had the surname Jansz, derived from Jan, the equivalent of John, the sz comes from an abbreviation of szoon meaning ‘son of’, which means that our main character’s mother’s surname Johnson comes from Janszoon, aka Janzs as in Aris Janzs, the young surgeon.
- jumping cats: the castaways originally referred to kangaroos as jumping cats

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Note to self, an article about the events to refresh my memory when i’ll need it: https://www.lideazeme.cz/clanek/lidea...

[Elige Ghattas · Rating 5 out of 5]

‎"And I found out that one's wants make a powerful master."
‎
‎But what if who we want will never be here?
‎
‎Grief is a powerful pain, but what we miss is that we can grieve life while living people we've never met, even versions of ourselves.
‎
‎This book was powerful not only through the rebirth of history, giving Batavia another life in another frame, but in its exploration of grief. We see all the characters experience different types of it, and some bond over their shared pains.
‎
‎We see Tess, once a teacher, now in her own choice to be her father's daughter continuing a history article, the last piece of a life she'll never have again. Through mud cakes, tears, laughs, and cries, Tess's life was never the same. Saskia, in a way, was the same. It was time repeating itself. Both of these incredible women were strong, kind, and most importantly resilient. Each in their own version: Tess up and left to continue finding meaning in life; Saskia kept moving forward without losing who she was. Through the wreckage of Batavia or the life they knew, they kept moving; perfectly? Never. But as humans. The events in reaction were one way we see them connect through the ages.
‎
‎But this book wasn't solely about grief. It carried a great amount of it, yes, but it was also about love, change, and most importantly: hope.
‎
‎Master Franz and Aunt Margareta were not only authority figures but, in a way, a bridge of continuity offering a shaky hand in a fragile world. They both protected Aris and Saskia, maybe not perfectly, but they did their best.
‎
‎We see the horror of Batavia's reality the gruesome facts and crimes that have turned into simple history in our time. But that wasn't the only asset that made me genuinely love this novel. The representation of God specifically as an anchor rather than an upper hand to control, or a miracle in the making, were among the elements that shaped the reader's experience.
‎
‎The plot unraveling of their survival and the character growth were intricately woven. I especially liked the duality of POV from Tess, Saskia, and Aris. The author managed to weave the past into the present in a way that foreshadow the future as it unravels.
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‎Saskia was a powerful young woman. She remained a surgeon's daughter whose heart beats for helping people thrive, because everyone deserves a chance. Her story wasn't just with Aris. In fact, I admire that we never get to know. It's like history chose to give them privacy from prying eyes due to their sacred love. But we see her grow and learn not only to survive death but to speak up. The moment she met all her friends was her choice to engage, to help, to see and connect even with her aunt's direction and warnings of danger, she didn't cut ties. Maybe Aunt Margareta didn't mean to protect her only from physical harm and monstrous thoughts and actions. On some level, I would like to believe she tried to protect her heart too, even from herself.
‎
‎Drew and Aris were different in so many ways, but what joined them both was patience, love, and care to provide. Aris maybe was at first just a surgeon's apprentice, but at the end he came out of Batavia a master, a survivor, but most importantly a man of God. We see the importance and value of God's word and wisdom. God was never supposed to be a cure for problems, but a constant in the midst of change and unpredictability, and through it all Aris might have questioned it, but deep down he believed in it just as much he believed that he couldn't be the one to take a life away when he worked to giving it.
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‎It was genuinely a book you can never stop talking about, and honestly it deserves every thought. The more you think about any element or any event, a million new appreciations come to mind. It's a book for those who admire the past, live the moment, and create their own future. The elements of this book are wholeheartedly unique from the pendant and tulip to the Forgotten S. And not forgetting to mention the ethical question about the morality of disturbing the dead in hopes of finding consent. As Katherine said, they still deserve to be heard, because even if time made their suffering history, it remains a crime and their voices deserve to be heard.
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‎I would personally really encourage you to read it, not only for the representation of women and Batavia or even the plot, but because in some way it created new questions in my mind. It truly carries you on a shaft through multiple horrifying facts and crimes, but gives you hope and makes you realize how many strong people exist not only in crazy circumstances, but in everyday life.
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I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

‎Happy reading ◉‿◉
‎
‎

[Reads_by_mere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to begin...

Saskia, Aris and Tess tell the story of the famous Batavia wreckage off the coast of Western Australia in 1629. Through the eyes of three different (fictional) eyes, we get a glimpse at this real historical event. This book features a dial timeline that spans across 389 years.
I found that the timeline shifts were not hard to follow, and constantly shifting back and forth through time when key things happened actually aided in making the moments even more impactful.

I thoroughly enjoyed this well researched and enchanting story about a real life moment in history. Though we will never know exactly what happened with the passengers of the wreckage and subsequent mutany on shore, we begin to piece together the events through archeology and can use educative thinking to begin to imagine what those passengers may have been thinking, feeling and experiencing.

Saskia and Aris felt like very well fleshed out characters. They had thoughts, motives and rational behind every move that they made and I so enjoyed learning about their lives and experiences in the 17th century. Saskia grows so much within the story from a young girl who had already experienced far more than her fair share of emotional hardship in her young life to a girl that will never be a girl again after the events of the book. Though we never find out what happened to Saskia and Aris after they were rescued, Koens provided is with some wonderful promises of what might have happened to them that keeps you thinking of this story for weeks.

Koens' writing style flowed well and the story kept me gripped from start to finish. The narrators did a truly wonderful job with the story and I highly admire that the Author/production company chose an all Australian cast for the audiobook narration, since the book is set in Australia and the author is also Australian.

The way that Koens wrote about stress, grief and loss was moving and empathetic to the reader. Tess's father died of a heart attack 6 months prior to the opening scene of the book and so you really get a sense of how she was feeling based off of her internal thoughts about her past, and her life. I can see how other readers thought that Tess was difficult to like, however I can see how the grief of losing the only blood she ever really had had shaped her thoughts and feelings through the events of the book.

I loved the feeling of mystery and suspense through the first half/most of the book. It kept you hooked for more.

On a very serious note, I really admire the way that Koens handled the topic of sexual assult and violence within the novel. By alluding to without ever explicitly stating that it happened, she maintained the victim's dignity as much as possible whist also protecting readers in a respectful way. Also on the topic of violence, I noticed other readers talking about there being too much explicit violence in the story, however, I do not feel that way. This is a FICTIONALISED story based on a REAL historical event. That real event was brutal beyond imagination, so this portrayal was the right amount of detail for the actual history of the event, in my humble opinion.

If you are sensitive to violence in novels, this book may not be for you, but, if you appreciate accurate and well researched historical fiction, than this book as absolutely for you.

Thank you to Netgalley for my audiobook edition of this novel.

[Elizabeth Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A tragic history of Batavia shipwreck turned into a beautiful adaptation in this book.
We’re following multiple characters across different timelines. Tess, our main character in present time, just figured out her connection to one of the people on board the Batavia and she travelled to the Abrolhos to figure out more about the events and the people of the Batavia. We also get the POV of a passenger called Saskia and an under surgeon called Aris. We follow them as they navigate life at sea aboard the Batavia, leading up to the crash and the gruesome aftermath of it all.

Many praises to the author for capturing a piece of history, staying true with it, and delivering it in a vivid and hopeful story. There are many violent details and a lot of death written in this book, but it helped me understand the terror they must have gone through in the original massacre. I absolutely loved reading the historical part of the book, mainly Aris’ POV. Saskia’s chapters I also enjoyed reading but sometimes they feel slow. Regardless, I was rooting for them the whole length of the book and I’m satisfied at where the author ended their story. I appreciated the Christian and Bible references in it too.

This story also dealt with the grief of our main character Tess and frankly I don’t connect with her story. It was interesting at first when we see her arriving at Abrolhos Islands and meet the archeologists, trying to uncover what’s left of her connection with the survivor of Batavia. That was probably the most exciting part, every time we get to see the archeologists. I don’t really care about her other life experiences and her budding romance. I think the story could do without focusing so much on her grief and love life.

All in all, I think this book deserves a read. I myself was born and raised in Jakarta (previously known as Batavia), the destination of the Batavia ship in the story. I’ve been taught about the colonialism and VOC in school and it was nice to learn more about this shipwreck I never knew existed in Australia. I’m amazed at how the different parts of the world is connected through history and I have to thank this novel for reminding me of it. Definitely give this story a try, I think many people would enjoy it.

Thank you Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing the e-ARC for this book.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daughters of the Wreckage, by Stefanie Koens is a historic fiction novel told in dual storylines. The firsts is told from the perspective of Saskia, a 17-year old orphan traveling with her aunt and cousin to a life in the West Indies, and to a lesser extent Aris, the ship surgeon's apprentice, who were passengers and survivors of the Batavia shipwreck in the 17th century. The other, set in 2019, is told through the lens of Tess, a grief-stricken young woman, who is trying to finish her father's research into family genealogy as a way to stay connected to him. Saskia and Tess are women who are trying to find their footing amidst the wreckage of their lives.

The Batavia set sail from Amsterdam, heading to the West Indies and the historical facts related to the aftermath of the wreck are gruesome. The author warns the reader about the horrific details of the savagery faced by, and committed by, those who survived the Batavia shipwreck. I imagine that for historic accuracy, it was necessary to describe these over and over. There were parts that seemed to exist simply to make sure the reader understands the deprivation, danger, and degradation the survivors faced. I would have preferred more attention on Saskia and Aris. Their courage and resilience was compelling and I wanted to know more.

Tess, as a character, was less interesting, as was her storyline, although some of the details about archaeological digs were interesting, presenting two sides of the argument regarding the unearthing of what may have been considered sacred relics. The relationship between Tess and Drew seemed to come out of nowhere and didn't ring true for me. The novel is heavily steeped in Christian ideology, which seemed out of place amidst all the gory details of rapes, massacres, etc.

The audiobook narration was great. The narrators' use of accents and the author's written dialogue added a wonderful sense of being immersed in the book's setting. I appreciate receiving an audio ARC of Daughters of the Wreckage from Thomas Nelson Audiobooks (a division of HarperCollins) and NetGalley. All opinions expressed here are my own.

[Joleen Turns Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC and the ALC.

I didn’t know much about the Batavia shipwreck before picking up Daughters of the Wreckage, and I love when historical fiction sends me down a rabbit hole afterward because suddenly I NEED to know what was real.

The story follows a dual timeline with Tess in 2018 and Saskia in 1628 aboard the Batavia. The historical timeline was definitely the stronger of the two for me, especially once the shipwreck and aftermath came into play. The survival, violence, grief, power struggles, and absolute chaos of what these people endured made Saskia’s story incredibly compelling.

I also liked how the two timelines eventually connected instead of feeling like completely separate stories. Both women are dealing with grief and loss in very different ways, and I thought that parallel worked really well.

My biggest struggle was the pacing. It took me a little while to fully get invested, and there were moments where the larger cast in the historical timeline made it harder to keep everyone straight. I also found myself wanting to get back to Saskia whenever we switched to the modern timeline.

Overall, this was heartbreaking, tense, and incredibly interesting historical fiction that made me immediately want to learn more about the real Batavia wreck.

AUDIOBOOK THOUGHTS
Kristy Best, Jessica Spies, and Angus McGruther did such a great job bringing this story to life. I especially appreciated having multiple narrators for a dual-timeline story because it gave each perspective its own distinct voice and made moving between the past and present much easier to follow.

The emotional delivery really worked for me, especially during the historical timeline as the tension and desperation continued to build. The narrators captured the grief, fear, and intensity without making the performances feel overdone, and the character differentiation helped with such a large cast. I also thought the pacing of the narration complemented the slower, more character-driven parts of the story really well.

This is definitely one where I think the audiobook added to the experience and made the historical setting feel even more immersive.

[Julianne Harkleroad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Gripping and intense, Daughters of the Wreckage gives its characters and readers meaning to hold onto when life completely falls apart. Almost impossible to put down, this book will become your best friend this fall. Based on the real life 1628 shipwreck and mutiny aboard Batavia, Koens' research and faith shines though this gritty, hope-filled historical fiction. Readers are left speechless at the depravity of man, but encouraged that resilience and faith can withstand even the most horrid of trials.

Each of the three points of view brought a different element to the tale: Saskia brought the everyman humanity, Aris fulfilled the higher educated, crew member responsibility, and Tess brings a modern eye to the drama. I loved the intensity and detailed accounting of the passengers in the 1628 timeline. Their fight for survival had my anxiety through the roof as I read faster and faster, hoping they could endure such earth-shattering loss and attacks. Tess brought much needed relief to calm the stress, tension, ticking clock pressure, and offered a break from the violent happenings. Her chapters were a much appreciated break to reset and keep this novel categorized as historical fiction instead of thriller.

Daughters of the Wreckage pulls readers in, making them beg for answers and hope amidst terrifying horrors, both natural and human induced. It begs readers to answer for themselves: where would you pull from if you were in such circumstances? Your own mettle? Another's love? Faith? Readers will love Saskia and Aris' humanity as they find inner resolve and fortitude to withstand when help isn't coming, resources dwindle, fighting among the survivors has already started, and life as they know it is over.

Troupes: Multiple POVs, dual timelines, quest for answers, violence, heartbreak, survival, faith, love, loss, big reveal
Spice: 1/5 🌶️
Gore: 3/5 🩸
Language: 1/5 👀
Triggers: extreme suffering, violence, sexual assault, and death

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and Zondervan Audio and NetGalley for this ARC!

[Haddy • haddyreadsbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC thanks to NetGalley & Thomas Nelson Fiction.

Here’s my review ⬇️

I love historical fiction, and I always try to read as much of it as I can.

I do feel a bit bad because I wasn’t able to finish this ARC before it expired, but what I read was more than enough to convince me that this is a book I definitely want to return to and finish.

The story is told across two timelines, and I really enjoyed how the past slowly brought us closer to the present. One of the biggest reasons this book stood out to me is because the FMC in the present timeline is on a discovery journey; she’s trying to understand her family’s past and make sense of her lineage, especially because there’s trauma tied to her mother’s side of the family. With both her parents gone, it felt like she was searching for answers that could help her understand herself better.

I loved the theme because I think we all get to a point in life where we start asking: what made me who I am? what parts of my past shaped my present? And I liked seeing that reflected through her journey.

There’s also a mystery surrounding a box and a pendant connected to her family history, and it led me into the Batavia shipwreck, which (from what I know) is based on a real historical event.

One thing I found especially chilling is how the book shows that there’s such a thin line between sanity and insanity, and between good and evil, especially when people are pushed into survival mode. The shipwreck survivors thought the worst was over, but what came after was even more brutal.

I also really liked the writing. It was easy to follow, engaging, and never boring. The characters pulled me in, and I especially wanted to know more about Saskia, Lucretia, and Tess.

Overall, based on what I read, I think this is a solid historical fiction with depth and a really compelling mystery. I’m definitely going to pick it up again (when it’s published) so I can finish it properly.

[Amanda Hess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone captivated by historical fiction, fascinated by maritime history, or inspired by powerful stories of resilience. Daughters of the Wreckage is a rerelease of Stephanie Koens’s award-winning debut novel, Daughters of Batavia, which was originally published in Australia. The story unfolds across two timelines: in 2018, as Tess journeys to the Abrolhos Islands off the coast of Western Australia to research the infamous 1629 Batavia shipwreck, and in 1629, following Saskia and Aris as they endure the disaster firsthand. The three different perspectives recount the harrowing historical events surrounding the shipwreck and its tragic aftermath filled with mutiny, murder, and mayhem. Woven throughout the story are themes of resilience and personal recovery after tragic loss, alongside the hope that tomorrow brings better days. From a historian’s perspective- the story is masterfully researched and rich with detail, offering curious readers opportunities for further research. Koens provides a thorough Author’s Note at the end of the book detailing her source material and research institutions.

Although the story was captivating, much of the 1629 action occurs “off screen,” which kept the reader at a safe distance when dealing with themes of sexual assault and murder. However, that distance weakened the interpersonal storylines, leaving them less impactful. That said, a surprise revealed at the end of the book had me immediately flipping back and rereading scenes with a shifted perception.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the hours it inspired me to spend further reading about the Batavia shipwreck and its fascinating history.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction, Stefanie Koens, and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
#DaughtersoftheWreckage #NetGalley

[Shirley Weidner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughters of the Wreckage-A Novel by Stefanie Koens
Review by Shirley W. 3-15-26

There are 400 years of mysteries and questions that link two women. Tess McCarthy, an English teacher in present time, goes to western Australia’s Abrolhos Islands, after her father passes. Tess saw his paperwork on his desk about her mother’s ancestor who died in the shipwreck of the Batavia in 1628. His name is Aris Jansz and Tess is curious.

In 1628, Saskia, an orphaned young Dutchwoman, boards the ship Batavia with relatives-aunt Margareta, her uncle & cousin. The ship is filled with various levels of sailors, soldiers, and travelers. Such a long journey involves various friendships, classes of travelers, rivalry, and long days and nights of boredom on the sailing ship. Saskia and her cousin enjoy exploring the ship. They meet Aris Jansz, an under surgeon to Franz, the master surgeon, who are both on the journey. A blooming friendship is happening between Aris and Saskia.

Unfortunately, the ship is blown onto the shallow reefs at night. Much chaos and fear occurs as people are separated, drown and find a lifeboat to slowly take them to the reef. Not much food or shelter is available. Different factions cause distress and mutiny.

Tess decided to investigate the scientists that work on the reef looking for answers about the survivors. Artifacts are found that give partial answers.

Author, Stefanie Koens’ historic and well documented story unfolds giving each woman equal time explaining how the events might have happened. A very interesting and eye-opening attempts to survive.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel based on facts. I received a complimentary copy of this book.
Thank you, Thomas Nelson for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Patti · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
No pirates but mutiny, madness, and the struggle to survive none the less.

Dual Timeline, Triple POVs (Saskia, Aris, Tess):

1628-1629 follows Saskia (17 year old orphaned Dutch woman), Aris (under-surgeon on the Batavia), Lucretia (wealthy woman traveling in the upper class quarters), Jeronimus (Chief mutineer).

2018 follows Tess (English teacher grieving her father's death), Professor McCarthy (Tess's late father), and Drew (local tour guide).

Saskia boards the ship with her aunt and cousin to join her uncle. When the Batavia strikes a reef, the quest for survival begins. Saskia never lost sight of her strong will and willingness to help others.

Tess travels to Abrolhos Island to finish the historical research her father started on the Batavia. She is also searching to discover who she is.

I was more interested in Saskia and Aris's stories than Tess's. Possibly because of their fight for survival under unimaginable circumstances was more riveting. Tess's modern day grief is handled well, however it could not compete with the high stakes survival story of Saskia and Aris. This affected the overall pacing for me.

Favorite Quote: "Don't let anyone see your soul unless you're prepared to lose it"
ALC, not yet published, quote subject to change.

Favorite Character: Lucretia. Saskia helped her in her time of need. Although she was of a higher social status, their friendship removed the boundaries.

Facts vs Fiction: Batavia Shipwreck, The Reign of Terror, Lucretia, Aris are all based on facts.
Saskia, The Romance, Tess are all fictional.

Check trigger warnings. Vi0lɇncɇ, Phƴsicɐl Abusɇ, and MŪrdɇr are historical facts.

Not yet published. Expected 9-15-2026
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio for the free ALC in exchange for my honest review.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughters of the Wreckage meets all the goals I have for historical fiction - teach me something new, include lots of information without slowing the story down, entertain me and provide a book worthy of discussion. I knew nothing about the Dutch East Indies Company, let alone the 1629 shipwreck of the Batavia or how several of the men assumed command and massacred many of the survivors and took the women as sexual slaves. As if it’s not obvious from the previous sentence, this is not a book for the faint of heart.
Unfortunately, the author insisted on using the standard two timeline plot device. I didn’t care one iota about Tess, the present day English teacher doing research into the Batavia to honor her father. Her section, which included the excavation of Seals’ Island, was a means to impart additional information and these segments felt like nothing more. Flip side, I was totally engrossed in the historical storylines, told from the perspectives of Aris, the ship’s under surgeon, and Saskia, a passenger. Both these characters felt well developed, as were several secondary characters like Lucretia, Laurentia and Master Frans. Koens does an excellent job of placing the reader into the earlier time period, both before and after the wreck. You get a real feel for the religious overtones that affected everyone’s life, the hierarchy of a ship and the medical practices of the time. You also get an excellent idea of how everything played out on the islands.
Koens doesn’t try to create a reason for the massacres. Cornelis went to the gallows demanding Justice.
And I appreciated that the audiobook included the Author’s Notes. I will never understand why all audiobooks don’t automatically include them. The book has a cast of narrators and each did a great job.
I was really lucky to have this as both an audiobook and an e-book. My thanks to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction and Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio for an advance copy of this book.

[Bethany Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, and Thomas Fiction Audio for providing an early audiobook edition of “The Daughters of the Wreckage” by Stefanie Koens, read by Kristy Best, Jessica Spies, and Angus McGruther in exchange for an honest review. The narrators did a good job narrating the story, and I do enjoy when an author uses different narrators for different characters' points of view; it helps to know whose part of the story you are listening to by the change in voice.
The characters were well developed; however, two women had very similar names, and I kept getting the two confused. The storyline was interesting as it told of the shipwreck of the Batavia, a ship bound for the East Indies in 1628. Although many perished, some survived, and this is the story of their ordeal. The story moved a little slowly for me, too much time on the romantic interest in the present and some of what the characters were thinking, rather than letting the storytelling lead the reader to their feelings.

The book goes back and forth between 1628 and 2018, with Saskia and Aris telling the story of the shipwreck and survival on the islands surrounding the shipwreck and Tess writing an article in 2018 about what happened in 1628. The back and forth added to the story, as there was information that Tess just could not have found out in 2018 from archaeological finds, and there were things that the archaeologists found that Saskia and Aris were unaware of.

At the end, the author briefly let you know what was real and what she made up to tell the story. It amazes me with historical fiction how the authors can weave such compelling narratives around a historical event and make it an interesting story that you learn from as well as get entertainment from. I do enjoy it when the author lets you know what was real and what was fiction.

[Kav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gritty and gut wrenching. An emotional roller coaster of a read that highlights a particularly brutal piece of maritime history off the coast of Australia. The author does an incredible job of bringing those 1628 events to life through a combination of fictional characters and actual historical figures.

In this dual timeline novel we follow three characters, Saskia and Aris in the 1600s and 2ist century Tess who is honouring the memory of her recently deceased father by finishing up a historical paper he was writing about the shipwreck of the Batavia.

And oh my, is that history riveting…but not for the faint of heart. So this is your mature content warning which includes graphic scenes of violence. I had the opportunity to listen to the audio narration of ‘Daughters of the Wreckage’ (more about that later) and I had to stop listening periodically and read a rom/com or a light cozy mystery to lighten my mood before continuing the audio book.

Koens’ writing is lyrical, her descriptions not only painting a picture in my mind, but filling me up with emotions. I definitely felt my way through this book, particularly through the historical timeline. Honestly, Tess’s struggles seemed so paltry when compared to what her ancestors endured, so I definitely connected with the 1600 era characters and events more.

I enjoyed the three POV storytelling, particularly with the distinctive voices of three narrators to bring these characters to life. Kristy Best, Jessica Spies and Angus McGruther gave amazing performances. In fact, given the number of foreign names, accents, etc, the narration really compliments Koens’ compelling storytelling.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

https://kavsbestreads.ca/2026/08/06/d...

[Donna Satterlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dual timeline story based on the story of the actual wreckage in 1629 of the Dutch East India Company ship, Batavia, on the islands off Western Australia.

The main character of the 1629 story, was Saskia a young woman that was traveling with her aunt and 11 year old cousin, Tobias on the maiden voyage of the Batavia to join her uncle who, as an employee of the Dutch East India Company has already arrived at their new home. The story is told in the third person (1629) and first person (current).

The current day character is Tess a young woman who has recently loss her father. Upon his sudden death she discovers he was working on a paper involving the wreck of the Batavia and had discovered a family link with the ship's young apprentice doctor, Aria. Tess decides she is going to finish his paper and goes to the archeological site via a charter boat captained by a handsome, interesting young man named Drew to learn more.

Although there is quite a bit of death as result of mutiny of some of the men and is very depressing at times. I really enjoyed the way the author would bring up something discovered at the current day site wondering the story behind it. Then it would go back to the actual wreckage and fill in the blanks of what happened.

All this said, I found the book very good and enjoyed the strong females, portrayed during the actual wreckage. I did find the current main character, Tess, a little one-sided although know the story was primarily a tale of fiction based on the actual event in 1629.

There was one twist at the very end of the book that I wished had of been answered. I will follow and hope someone else has thoughts as to what it meant.

[Elizabeth Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daughter of the Wreckage was as intriguing as it was devastating. Based around the true events of the wreck of the Dutch ship Batavia off the coast of Australia in the 1600s, this story introduced me to a piece of history I had never read or even heard about before.

Told through dual timelines and three perspectives, we follow Tess in the present day as she sets out to finish an article her late father had been working on, one with ties to their own ancestry. In the 1600s, we are taken aboard the Batavia, where the pieces of the past slowly begin to connect with Tess’s story.

I loved being in both timelines! The archaeological side was especially fascinating, and I was constantly trying to piece together how everything connected. The way Tess’s story came together with the women aboard the ship was exceptionally well done.

The pacing was masterfully done. The beginning was steady and kept me engaged, but once I hit around 50%, I could not put it down.

The writing was incredibly atmospheric. You can almost feel the sway of the ship and taste the salt in the air. Though devastating and heavy at times, there were still moments that made me laugh and made my heart happy. I loved the strong elements of finding love and holding onto faith, and these were characters I genuinely cared about and rooted for.

I listened to the audiobook and thought the narration was fantastic. The narrator added another layer to an already immersive story.

I appreciate the opportunity to have read this ARC. I enjoyed it so much that I’ll be purchasing a trophy copy for my shelf and am happy to support Stefanie Koens as an author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio for the opportunity to listen to this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dual timeline novel that digs into the history of the 1628 tragedy of the Batavia mutiny and wreck.

A slow-moving novel, that started to pick up at the halfway point. The story follows Saskia, Aris, and then Tess in the present day. Tess is an English teacher who takes time off after the death of her father to finish his last work. She spends time on the dig site and draws close to one of her guides, Drew. Saskia is travelling with her aunt and cousin for Batavia to meet up with her uncle, while Aris is the talent young under surgeon aboard the ship.

This was a slow and difficult read for me, there wasn't much character interaction between Saskia and Aris until quite a ways into the book. The modern-day thread following Tess didn't really catch my attention, as it was pretty slow moving and I wasn't sold on the romance between Tess and Drew. It was nice getting to know the characters, and I liked the gritty realistic nature of the recounting of the event and faith journey. The second half of the book was quite gruesome, and sad, while things were not happening explicitly on page, it was talked about and we had an idea of what was happening and the horrors being faced.

In the end, it was interesting to learn about a historical even that I had known very little about prior to reading this book, and it inspired me to look into it more on my own. I appreciated Saskia's faith and her friendship with Lucretia. But it was a hard read. Sad. Tragic. Horrible. Slow in the first half of the book and in Tess's parts of the story. This was just not a book that fit my personal tastes, and that happens sometimes.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Fawn Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dual timeline of a modern day Australian woman, Tess, and her Dutch ancestors, Saskia and Aris, who experienced a shipwreck and one of the bloodiest mutinies in history in 1628. Based on the true story of a Dutch East India Company ship!

This story captivated me. It's part maritime archaeological mystery as Tess researches how her family heirlooms are connected to her ancestors who survived the shipwreck. In the historical timeline, it's a frightening adventure travelling from Amsterdam to the Dutch East Indies.

Each of the 3 POVs felt rich, and the way they wove together was brilliant. The parallels between Saskia and Tess were touching as they both deal with the loss of their parents. The historical events were brutal, but I think it was mitigated by having the modern timeline to talk about it from a historical perspective, so not every gruesome detail is a lived experience. There is a romance in each timeline. At times it felt obligatory, but I think overall it complemented the story as a subplot. It's part of the themes of hope and moving past grief. 

I loved that the reader knows the significance of a certain object uncovered by the maritime archaeology team, even if the characters don't. That reveal at the end was satisfying. 

If you enjoyed The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner or The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton I think you'd definitely enjoy this! It's such a unique story at the confluence of Dutch, Australian, and Indonesian history that I knew nothing about. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio, and Stefanie Koens for the audio ARC. All opinions are my own. 

[Amber (Her Home and Hearts) Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A woman searching for answers in her own life finds them--and much more--in the wreckage and haunting stories of the Batavia shipwreck."

🌊My Thoughts:
Two women. One shipwreck. And four centuries of secrets.... Wow - this book is amazing! I was immersed in this story from the first chapter. There’s intrigue throughout, though I wasn’t completely surprised by how everything resolved in the end. And I thoroughly enjoyed both the modern (Tess) and historical (Saskia) points of view. The story of the Batavia shipwreck and mutiny is absolutely horrifying - sensitive readers, be warned (I’ll say more in the content notes). Tess has a great deal to process after recently losing her father, and this research trip becomes the turning point that helps her begin to move forward.
Saskia's historical account was at times painfully heartbreaking to read. 💔 I believe the darkest chapters of history must be remembered so they are never repeated, and I approve of this story being shared.
4/5⭐️ I enjoyed and recommend this book!

🌊Read If You Like:
•Dual timelines
•Haunting historical accounts
•Lesser known history
•Moving on after loss
•Unexpected love
•New beginnings
•Forced proximity tropes
•Archeology and genealogy
•Secret identities

⚠️Content Notes:
This is a tale of shipwreck and mutiny, expect tales of horror. (I did not think anything was overtly graphic.)
Examples:
Death by drowning.
Rape, forced prostitution.
Murder of all ages, including infants.
Starvation.
Fleeing and hiding from mutineers.
Hanging. Cutting off body parts for punishment. (Some gross details here.)
Suicide.
Mass graves.


Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Rae Franco-Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This read takes you back and forth from 2018 then back again to about 1628. In 1628, Amsterdam, Saskia will board a ship with her Aunt and and cousin. You see, she lives with them as her mother passed away. The ship's name is "Batavia", traveling to islands where her Uncle is now living, a dangerous place. Truly the voyage is rough as her Aunt has gotten sick, but she wants to be with her husband. So she must make many trips down to the surgeon's office. A place where she can get the herb Ginger for her aunt's nausea. She meets a surgeon named Aris who later shows an interest in her.

Now we go to the time of 2018 and Tess McCarthy is in search of her family ties to the Batavia. But she quits her teaching job to persue this adventure right before Christmastime. She flies to Australia to get to the Albrohos Islands. There she is in touch with a man who will take her by boat, to the islands that interest her. She meets with archaeologist there who know the history she is seeking. She has a personal item of which belonged to a relative of this time. Her father was writing a paper on this time, seeking out her mother's relatives history of this shipwreck. She wants to complete the paper in memory of her father.

Then going back and forth to the time to learn of the peoples who were on this ship. The wreckage and the history she is seeking is more than she expected. It is interesting this era of the 1628's and how the people lived. Then coming back to the time of 2018 to see what the archaeologist find on these islands.

I enjoy books of history. I am grateful for the opportunity that NetGalley has given to read prior to publishing.

[Jeanette Durkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than 5 stars for this incredible book! I was captivated by the very first paragraph. This dual timeline story follows two women: Saskia in 1628 and Tess in modern time. The imagery in this book is spectacular! The author uses such descriptive words that bring every setting to life. "The ocean unrolled to the horizon, a dark blue carpet scattered with flecks of sunlight."

Tess is an amazing character! She's searching for information on a long lost relative but in reality she's searching for closure. Saskia is extraordinary! She refuses to be put in a box. Her adventurous nature sometimes gets her into trouble. She's also very compassionate, stubborn and a survivor. Aris is my favorite! He takes his work as an under surgeon seriously. He seems gruff but he has a heart of gold. His life intertwines with both women. He's a relative of Tess's and a significant person in Saskia's life.

There are some disturbing issues in the book. S**ual assault, a shipwreck and horrifying murders. These issues are essential to the story as most of them are facts relating to the atrocities that happened to the passengers aboard the Batavia.The author offers some hope to counter the despair. Many of the characters trust in God and there are quotes from hymns and scripture.

This is the first book that I've read by this author, but it won't be the last! I was provided a complimentary ARC copy of the book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Ioana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Daughters of the Wreckage by Stefanie Koens genuinely surprised me. I had little knowledge of the Batavia before picking this up, and I found myself pausing between chapters to search the history.

The dual timeline works well here. The historical chapters, following Saskia and Aris, are where the novel truly comes alive for me. Saskia is the kind of character you root for instinctively — a surgeon's daughter with an unshakeable desire to help people, even when everything around her is crumbling. Aris grows quietly and steadily throughout, and by the end he feels like a man genuinely forged by his circumstances rather than just described by them. Their story is brutal, but it's told with real empathy and humanity.

Tess, the modern-day narrator, offers a lighter perspective that I appreciated as a reprieve from the historical horrors. Her storyline is more introspective and slower-paced.

What struck me most across both timelines was the exploration of grief — not just the obvious kind, but the quieter grief of lives interrupted, paths not taken, and selves left behind.

Overall, this is a book I'd genuinely recommend, especially to anyone who loves historical fiction with emotional depth. It shines light on a piece of history that deserves to be remembered, and it does so through characters who feel real enough to stay with you well after the last page.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for allowing me the ARC to review.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this new and fascinating dual timeline historical fiction novel, readers follow English teacher Tess McCarthy as she heads to the Abrolhos Islands off the west coast of Australia in December 2019 to search for answers about the Batavia shipwreck and her own personal crises (her father’s death and her connection to the shipwreck). Nearly four hundred years earlier, orphaned Dutchwoman Saskia boarded the Batavia with relatives in 1628 to start a new life in the East Indies, but while on board, Saskia collided with the grumpy under-surgeon, Aris Jansz. Linked by secrets spanning generations, the three protagonists must shoulder their own burdens of past losses and uncertain futures on these fact-finding missions. Detailed and immersive, readers will love seeing the Batavia crisis unfold over multiple perspectives, and the building tension really ups the stakes for readers and Saskia and Aris onboard. The characters really bring the book to life, and Koens balances the flashbacks and present day periods really well, highlighting the characters’ depth of personality. The historical details really bring this period of exploration and settlement to life, and historical fiction fans will be totally immersed in this character-centric and detailed novel about a seventeen-century Dutch shipwreck from Stefanie Koens.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the advance copy.