Past, present, and future collide in E.J. Swift’s ‘The Coral Bones’, as three women battle against ecological disaster in three different eras. Here is a powerful elegy to the disappearing world of Australia’s unique and fascinating ecosystem, a novel of intertwining stories for the climate change era – and a vision of a more hopeful future. Three women: divided by time, connected by the ocean. Marine biologist Hana Ishikawa is racing against time to save the coralof the Great Barrier Reef, but struggles to fight for a future in a worldwhere so much has already been lost. Seventeen-year-old Judith Holliman escapes the monotony ofSydney Town during the nineteenth century, when her naval captain father lets her accompanyhim on a voyage, unaware of the wonders and dangers she willsoon encounter. Telma Velasco is hunting for a miracle in a world ravaged by globalheating: a leafy seadragon, longbelieved extinct, has been sighted. But as Telma investigates,she finds hope in unexpected places. Past, presentand future collide in this powerful elegy toa disappearing world – and vision of a more hopeful future.