Review by Booklist Review
Chan expands the glittering, tumultuous world of Tiankawi in the spellbinding sequel to Fathomfolk (2024). After the events of the first book, the city's citizens--both human and fathomfolk--find themselves fundamentally altered, now able to breathe underwater. Yet this shared trait cannot erase the deep divides and scars of their turbulent past. Mira, the tireless siren activist, grapples with a city still reeling from a tsunami and a shocking transformation while uncovering a conspiracy that threatens its fragile peace. At the same time, dragon princess Nami ventures into uncharted waters to confront a mythical titan whose wrath could obliterate Tiankawi. The calculating Cordelia, meanwhile, navigates her own schemes, balancing vengeance and survival, with the stakes higher than ever. Chan's prose brims with tension, richly imagined political intrigue, and characters grappling with guilt, duty, and impossible choices. The blend of mythic grandeur and modern social commentary remains gripping, with stakes that crescendo into breathtaking set pieces. Fans of intricate world building and morally complex narratives will find this series installment utterly unmissable.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Chan dials up the political mayhem in her second Drowned World fantasy (after Fathomfolk). Following Kai's sacrifice at the end of book one, Mira has become Minister of Fathomfolk, the leader of the assorted merfolk living in the half-submerged city-state of Tiankawi. The land-dwellers, meanwhile, struggle to adjust to life with their newfound gills, many becoming even more vehemently prejudiced against Fathomfolk. Mira must quell this growing sentiment before it threatens her people's place in the city, even as she grieves for Kai. Meanwhile, the shape-shifter Cordelia continues to scheme even after her husband discovers her true identity and banishes her, and the sand god beneath Tiankawi remains enraged over the death of its partner. It's up to Kai's sister, Nami, to stop the god from seeking revenge. There's a pulse-pounding tension in the plotlines of all three heroines, as well as between the townspeople and the Fathomfolk as they work to protect and rebuild their home. Though the story can be dense, readers will be captivated by Tiankawi's atmospheric, postapocalyptic universe. This keeps the series going strong. (Mar.)
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