Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Jan 2024
368 pages
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Speculative, Alt. History
Publication Information
Perfect for fans of Fable and House of Salt and Sorrows, this spectacular YA fantasy adventure debut is like nothing else, featuring a unique twist on Treasure Island, a magnetic second chance romance, and a thrilling heist where the reward is great—but the risks are even greater.
In the slowly sinking city of Coconino, Arizona, the days are long, the money is tight, and the rain never stops.
For Jin Haldar, this life is nothing new—ever since her father died in a diving accident, she's barely made ends meet for her and her younger sister, Thara.
Enter Bhili: a drifter who offers Jin and Thara the score of a lifetime—a massive stash of gold hidden in the sunken ruins of Las Vegas.
Jin knows it's too dangerous. She stopped diving after her father's accident. But when her sister decides to go, Jin's left with only one choice: to go with her.
A ragtag crew is assembled—including Jin's annoyingly hot ex-boyfriend. From there, a high-stakes heist ensues that's beyond even Jin's wildest fears. Crumbling ruins, sea beasts, corsairs, and a mysterious figure named João Silva all lie in wait. To survive, Jin will have to do what she promised herself she'd never do again: dive.
"This futuristic adventure features nonstop thrills and action and an unpredictable, compelling, twist-filled plot... A riveting fantasy adventure debut that pulls readers into the deep" —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"The cinematic story line, electric prose, and creative and lived-in worldbuilding make Thiru's debut a thrilling adventure on the high seas, a striking portrayal of trauma and hope in dystopian times, and a thoroughly compelling read." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Steal-your-breath adventure meets a uniquely forlorn futuristic world and a cast of characters so memorable you just might find yourself speaking with a sailor's brogue. Add in the most clever nods to Treasure Island, and this is the retelling I didn't know I was craving!" —Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles
"A high-stakes, deep-diving adventure with twists that will keep you turning the pages to the very last! This retelling charts a course into new, exciting waters." —Natalie C. Parker, award-winning author of the Seafire series
"Into the Sunken City is the definition of swashbuckling—a gripping underwater adventure set in a fantastically full-bodied world of storms, sea, and cephalopods. Sisters Jin and Thara are the heart of this story, and their relationship—in Jin's words—makes the whole spirit glow." —Nina Varela, author of Crier's War
This information about Into the Sunken City was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Dinesh Thiru is a writer and stay-at-home dad currently living in Barcelona. He grew up in North Carolina, married his college sweetheart from the University of Pennsylvania, and spent over a decade in San Francisco. Dinesh is half-Indian, half-white. He loves the ocean. He used to have other interests, but he swapped them for kids. Those kids are seven, four, and a dog. You can find him at dineshthiru.com.
The House on Biscayne Bay
by Chanel Cleeton
As death stalks a gothic mansion in Miami, the lives of two women intertwine as the past and present collide.
The Flower Sisters
by Michelle Collins Anderson
From the new Fannie Flagg of the Ozarks, a richly-woven story of family, forgiveness, and reinvention.
The Funeral Cryer by Wenyan Lu
Debut novelist Wenyan Lu brings us this witty yet profound story about one woman's midlife reawakening in contemporary rural China.
Your guide toexceptional books
BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
