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Into the Sunken City
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.
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.
347 pages, Hardcover
First published January 23, 2024
51 people are currently reading
8064 people want to read
About the author
Dinesh Thiru
2 books72 followersDinesh 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. Find him at DineshThiru.com or TikTok.com/@dineshmt9.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 271 reviews
February 15, 2023
Hi - I'm Dinesh Thiru, author of INTO THE SUNKEN CITY. First of all, thank you so much for considering this book! It means the world to me, and I thought I'd share a bit more on the making and what’s inside.
Rewind to spring 2020. Pandemic! I was a stay-at-home Dad for my 4yo and 2yo. We spent every moment together, never saw anyone, and Daddy needed some escapism.
I decided to re-read TREASURE ISLAND, and wow, it delivered. I’d read it years ago, but fell for it all over: the adventure, atmosphere, voice, action, pace…
… BUT!
The book was written in the 1800s. The cast is entirely white men (except Jim's Mom). There's no love interest. And while the adventure's amazing, I didn't love the character arc. I wanted Jim to battle not just pirates but his inner demons too.
At the same time, I had an idea for an always-raining, maritime Earth (think WATERWORLD but with some land). As I studied elevation maps, I realized that my plans would put Las Vegas and the TREASURE ISLAND CASINO underwater.
A plot was born :-).
This is the 4th book I've written and the 1st to be published (from HarperCollins!). It features:
- Pirates 🏴☠️
- Diving 🤿
- Ex-boyfriend drama 🙋🏽♂️
- Trust issues 🙅🏽♀️
- Ocean horror 🦑
- The American Archipelago 🇺🇸 🌊
- Wrecking! ⚓️
- A diverse, almost-entirely-POC cast 🙌🏽 🙌🏾
- The Rigveda 📕
- João Silva 🇧🇷
- RAIN! 🌧️
- And, of course, the gold in Vegas-Drowned! 💰💰
Above all, I hope you have fun reading it. Or, in the words of Robert Louis Stevenson: "Seaward ho! Hang the treasure! It's the glory of the sea that has turned my head."
PS - Content warnings (mostly violence) are on my website: www.DineshThiru.com. More on my writing journey in this TikTok.
Rewind to spring 2020. Pandemic! I was a stay-at-home Dad for my 4yo and 2yo. We spent every moment together, never saw anyone, and Daddy needed some escapism.
I decided to re-read TREASURE ISLAND, and wow, it delivered. I’d read it years ago, but fell for it all over: the adventure, atmosphere, voice, action, pace…
… BUT!
The book was written in the 1800s. The cast is entirely white men (except Jim's Mom). There's no love interest. And while the adventure's amazing, I didn't love the character arc. I wanted Jim to battle not just pirates but his inner demons too.
At the same time, I had an idea for an always-raining, maritime Earth (think WATERWORLD but with some land). As I studied elevation maps, I realized that my plans would put Las Vegas and the TREASURE ISLAND CASINO underwater.
A plot was born :-).
This is the 4th book I've written and the 1st to be published (from HarperCollins!). It features:
- Pirates 🏴☠️
- Diving 🤿
- Ex-boyfriend drama 🙋🏽♂️
- Trust issues 🙅🏽♀️
- Ocean horror 🦑
- The American Archipelago 🇺🇸 🌊
- Wrecking! ⚓️
- A diverse, almost-entirely-POC cast 🙌🏽 🙌🏾
- The Rigveda 📕
- João Silva 🇧🇷
- RAIN! 🌧️
- And, of course, the gold in Vegas-Drowned! 💰💰
Above all, I hope you have fun reading it. Or, in the words of Robert Louis Stevenson: "Seaward ho! Hang the treasure! It's the glory of the sea that has turned my head."
PS - Content warnings (mostly violence) are on my website: www.DineshThiru.com. More on my writing journey in this TikTok.
July 17, 2025
Blog | Instagram
Rating: 3 stars
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This design is absolutely gorgeous and nicely depicts key aspects of the story. Besides, I always love seeing characters of colour on book covers, and I could not resist this one!
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟
Despite being easy to follow and incorporating vivid descriptions that smoothly brought the world and events of this story to life, I did not find the simple writing style particularly engaging. I also struggled with the constant information dumps used to deliver the world-building, though the creative and believable world was impressive.
“there are two kinds of power in this world. Authority - the power to make someone’s decisions. And money - the power to buy someone’s decisions.”
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟
A constant stream of memories and world-building information leaves the character-driven storyline with little tension and a slow pace that I struggled to find engaging. However, the regular bursts of action (underwater and topside) were entertaining, especially the final dive towards the end. The storyline also explores themes of family, grief and trust, which helped create a cute, satisfying ending.
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟
Jin Haldar is a stubborn and cynical character whose whole personality revolves around keeping her younger sister safe. While this made her character one-dimensional, the realistic relationship between the sisters and Jin's wit kept her character somewhat interesting.
“The bravest of us always admit to being scared.”
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟
A relatively small group of secondary characters pop in and out of the storyline, but only Bhili and Silva stood out to me as they had strong personalities. Both characters even seemed to drive the storyline more than Jin, and I loved their unpredictability.
Romance: 🌟🌟
I was unconvinced by this aspect of the story as the characters were mostly at odds with each other, and much of their connection is told, not shown. The romance also adds little to the storyline, especially since it is given little focus or development.
“if you don’t find the courage to trust someone… well, you’re gonna have a life that’s not even worth living.”
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Rasha Zamamiri gives a great performance that is fitting for the narrative. I only wished more vocal variety had been used to convey the emotions within the story.
Everything considered, ‘Into the Sunken City’ presents a creative world and an interesting adventure. However, the slow pace and simple execution meant that I did not find it gripping. For another fantasy adventure that takes place on the water, I recommend Dark Water Daughter by H.M. Long.
Rating: 3 stars
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This design is absolutely gorgeous and nicely depicts key aspects of the story. Besides, I always love seeing characters of colour on book covers, and I could not resist this one!
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟
Despite being easy to follow and incorporating vivid descriptions that smoothly brought the world and events of this story to life, I did not find the simple writing style particularly engaging. I also struggled with the constant information dumps used to deliver the world-building, though the creative and believable world was impressive.
“there are two kinds of power in this world. Authority - the power to make someone’s decisions. And money - the power to buy someone’s decisions.”
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟
A constant stream of memories and world-building information leaves the character-driven storyline with little tension and a slow pace that I struggled to find engaging. However, the regular bursts of action (underwater and topside) were entertaining, especially the final dive towards the end. The storyline also explores themes of family, grief and trust, which helped create a cute, satisfying ending.
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟
Jin Haldar is a stubborn and cynical character whose whole personality revolves around keeping her younger sister safe. While this made her character one-dimensional, the realistic relationship between the sisters and Jin's wit kept her character somewhat interesting.
“The bravest of us always admit to being scared.”
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟
A relatively small group of secondary characters pop in and out of the storyline, but only Bhili and Silva stood out to me as they had strong personalities. Both characters even seemed to drive the storyline more than Jin, and I loved their unpredictability.
Romance: 🌟🌟
I was unconvinced by this aspect of the story as the characters were mostly at odds with each other, and much of their connection is told, not shown. The romance also adds little to the storyline, especially since it is given little focus or development.
“if you don’t find the courage to trust someone… well, you’re gonna have a life that’s not even worth living.”
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Rasha Zamamiri gives a great performance that is fitting for the narrative. I only wished more vocal variety had been used to convey the emotions within the story.
Everything considered, ‘Into the Sunken City’ presents a creative world and an interesting adventure. However, the slow pace and simple execution meant that I did not find it gripping. For another fantasy adventure that takes place on the water, I recommend Dark Water Daughter by H.M. Long.
August 28, 2024
A great read for those that like dystopian books and books that address climate change. 3.5 Stars
Into the Sunken City is unlike any YA book that I've recently read as it delves into sci-fiction while also addressing climate change. The world of this novel is one that is similar to our own, but is completely covered due to an attempt to fix climate change. With interesting relationships, nods to to books like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Treasure Island, and impeccable character development, and the inclusion of PIRATES this isn't one that I recommend skipping over.
What Worked: The world building in this novel was AMAZING. I loved how everyone and everything on Earth was forced to evolve because of the constant rain. Not only are humans forced to take on interesting jobs and form new communities based on the changes, but there is also the development of new creatures that Thiru does a great job describing when Jin goes on dives. The relationship between Jin and her sister was handled well especially when Thiru makes attempts to describe how grief has significantly impacted Jin and how she sees both herself and her sister. I adored that readers watch they relationship grow and evolve throughout the course of the novel.
What Didn't Work: Thiru could have done without the romance in this one. It was underwhelming and didn't necessarily contribute much to the story itself. It's almost as if they would have worked better as close friends. The writing didn't always work for me either. It was inconsistent and felt choppy and stilted in some areas.
Overall, this was a solid read and surprisingly I'm hoping that we get another book that takes place in this world.
Into the Sunken City is unlike any YA book that I've recently read as it delves into sci-fiction while also addressing climate change. The world of this novel is one that is similar to our own, but is completely covered due to an attempt to fix climate change. With interesting relationships, nods to to books like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Treasure Island, and impeccable character development, and the inclusion of PIRATES this isn't one that I recommend skipping over.
What Worked: The world building in this novel was AMAZING. I loved how everyone and everything on Earth was forced to evolve because of the constant rain. Not only are humans forced to take on interesting jobs and form new communities based on the changes, but there is also the development of new creatures that Thiru does a great job describing when Jin goes on dives. The relationship between Jin and her sister was handled well especially when Thiru makes attempts to describe how grief has significantly impacted Jin and how she sees both herself and her sister. I adored that readers watch they relationship grow and evolve throughout the course of the novel.
What Didn't Work: Thiru could have done without the romance in this one. It was underwhelming and didn't necessarily contribute much to the story itself. It's almost as if they would have worked better as close friends. The writing didn't always work for me either. It was inconsistent and felt choppy and stilted in some areas.
Overall, this was a solid read and surprisingly I'm hoping that we get another book that takes place in this world.
January 19, 2023
Wow. I loved this book! I had the opportunity to read an early version, and I can't wait for the rest of the world to discover it.
The story is original, gripping, and filled with fascinating characters a reader can root for. Jin is funny and smart, and her sarcastic asides give her a unique voice on the page. Most importantly, I found her believable. Her complicated relationship with Taim rang true to me and drew me in. The world of the book is so different from our own, so the believability of Jin is going to anchor us in the world. And it works.
Speaking of the world, Thiru's world-building is so good--so vivid and detailed--this water-soaked world comes to life on the page so that you feel that you are living in it. Seriously, reading this book I half expected the pages to feel damp in my hands, the atmosphere of this drowned world is so thoroughly created.
As a final word, let me share this: as I read this book, at times I loved it so much, I wished I had written it myself, which is probably the highest compliment another writer can give a writer, but that's the truth.
Highly recommended!
The story is original, gripping, and filled with fascinating characters a reader can root for. Jin is funny and smart, and her sarcastic asides give her a unique voice on the page. Most importantly, I found her believable. Her complicated relationship with Taim rang true to me and drew me in. The world of the book is so different from our own, so the believability of Jin is going to anchor us in the world. And it works.
Speaking of the world, Thiru's world-building is so good--so vivid and detailed--this water-soaked world comes to life on the page so that you feel that you are living in it. Seriously, reading this book I half expected the pages to feel damp in my hands, the atmosphere of this drowned world is so thoroughly created.
As a final word, let me share this: as I read this book, at times I loved it so much, I wished I had written it myself, which is probably the highest compliment another writer can give a writer, but that's the truth.
Highly recommended!
February 7, 2024
YA dystopian isn't a genre I tend to gravitate to - post hunger games, I think the market is oversaturated. It's difficult to come across YA dystopians that feel really, completely fresh. But Into the Sunken City definitely manages that with this highly readable blend of dystopian, classic retelling, and climate fiction.
The story kicks off in a future world under constant cloud cover, where the rain literally never stops falling and most of the map as we know it now is underwater. Two teenage sisters are eking out a meager living as innkeepers in a small town on the Arizona coast, mourning the death of their father a few years prior, when a mysterious stranger arrives seeking refuge. Eventually, their guest tells them about an opportunity to retrieve a life changing amount of treasure from Las Vegas - which is at the bottom of the ocean.
The first quarter or so of this book takes its time ramping up and moving the characters into place, but once the plot takes off, this is an extremely fast paced, exciting story. The journey to Vegas-lost takes the band of adventurers up against sea monsters, thieves, pirates, and scariest of all, the ocean itself - intensely hostile to human life.
I really appreciated the Hindu influence and casually queer secondary characters, but beyond that I have to admit I was frequently frustrated with the cast. They’re one dimensional and often irrational, the main character particularly so - I think multiple POVs would have been great to offer some reprieve from Jin’s bitter, grief-warped perspective, which honestly becomes a bit grating.
I also do have to say, I had a LOT of unanswered questions about holes in the worldbuilding, choices characters made that didn't really make sense, and plot holes that we quickly glossed over. Like, to start with, why is mandatory conscription into the Navy such a looming threat when there's no war? What is this Navy for? Apparently people regularly drown while serving - what are they doing? Why is the Navy so bad at keeping people alive, when our characters were diy traipsing around the ocean floor? And for a fairly technologically advanced world, why haven't they built any houseboats, rafts, or floating islands to live on? Why not, I don’t know, just a simple system of covered walkways around town? The entire premise of this rain-drenched, drowning world is also hand-waved away early on, and I didn't want it to bother me but it kind of did. There is a finite amount of water that exists on our planet, constantly cycling, right? "Where is the water coming from" was a very real question I wanted the book to at least take a stab at answering, because... yeah. Where IS all this water coming from?
3.5. Altogether, this was still a quick and enjoyable read! The ending leaves the story open for more potential adventures, and if Dinesh Thiru chooses to keep writing in this world, I will be reading.
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review
The story kicks off in a future world under constant cloud cover, where the rain literally never stops falling and most of the map as we know it now is underwater. Two teenage sisters are eking out a meager living as innkeepers in a small town on the Arizona coast, mourning the death of their father a few years prior, when a mysterious stranger arrives seeking refuge. Eventually, their guest tells them about an opportunity to retrieve a life changing amount of treasure from Las Vegas - which is at the bottom of the ocean.
The first quarter or so of this book takes its time ramping up and moving the characters into place, but once the plot takes off, this is an extremely fast paced, exciting story. The journey to Vegas-lost takes the band of adventurers up against sea monsters, thieves, pirates, and scariest of all, the ocean itself - intensely hostile to human life.
I really appreciated the Hindu influence and casually queer secondary characters, but beyond that I have to admit I was frequently frustrated with the cast. They’re one dimensional and often irrational, the main character particularly so - I think multiple POVs would have been great to offer some reprieve from Jin’s bitter, grief-warped perspective, which honestly becomes a bit grating.
I also do have to say, I had a LOT of unanswered questions about holes in the worldbuilding, choices characters made that didn't really make sense, and plot holes that we quickly glossed over. Like, to start with, why is mandatory conscription into the Navy such a looming threat when there's no war? What is this Navy for? Apparently people regularly drown while serving - what are they doing? Why is the Navy so bad at keeping people alive, when our characters were diy traipsing around the ocean floor? And for a fairly technologically advanced world, why haven't they built any houseboats, rafts, or floating islands to live on? Why not, I don’t know, just a simple system of covered walkways around town? The entire premise of this rain-drenched, drowning world is also hand-waved away early on, and I didn't want it to bother me but it kind of did. There is a finite amount of water that exists on our planet, constantly cycling, right? "Where is the water coming from" was a very real question I wanted the book to at least take a stab at answering, because... yeah. Where IS all this water coming from?
3.5. Altogether, this was still a quick and enjoyable read! The ending leaves the story open for more potential adventures, and if Dinesh Thiru chooses to keep writing in this world, I will be reading.
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review
January 11, 2024
I quite liked Into the Sunken City, and the concept of a world taken over by water is very interesting. I think the author did it in a way that felt authentic, too- cities were taken over, bit by bit, as climate change led to horrific flooding. Of course, folks are clinging onto tiny scraps of land, which is where we Jin and her sister Thara. They're living in an inn, barely scraping by, since their father was lost in a diving accident. Jin never wants to dive again, but it's also not exactly easy to make a living in the world as it is.
When an opportunity presents itself, Jin has to make a choice: one last dive that could potentially secure a future for her and Thara? Or stay in the relative safety, yet abject poverty, of their current situation? I mean, based on the whole premise of the book, it's clear which she chooses, but it leads to a lot of awfulness along the way. I felt like a few of the twists were a bit predictable, and a couple were maybe done just to illustrate how bad the bad guys were? But as a whole, it was a good story. I enjoyed the characters, especially Jin trying to come to terms with having to go back into the water. I also liked the exploration of the relationships with those they encountered along the way.
It is definitely an exciting and intense story, as it's clear that diving has a lot of risks, especially in old full-blown cities, with outdated equipment and who-knows-what lurking. And, as exciting as it is, there is still plenty of time devoted to the stories and relationships and struggles of the characters. And, I couldn't help but wonder: how would I fare in such a world? I mean, I can swim, and well, but... is that enough? No, I'm going to say I'd either be killed by pirates, or would have been overconfident in my swimming abilities and gone the way of Jin's dad. But honestly, probably the pirate thing.
Bottom Line: A solid debut, with characters I cared about, in a very exciting and terrifying world.
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
When an opportunity presents itself, Jin has to make a choice: one last dive that could potentially secure a future for her and Thara? Or stay in the relative safety, yet abject poverty, of their current situation? I mean, based on the whole premise of the book, it's clear which she chooses, but it leads to a lot of awfulness along the way. I felt like a few of the twists were a bit predictable, and a couple were maybe done just to illustrate how bad the bad guys were? But as a whole, it was a good story. I enjoyed the characters, especially Jin trying to come to terms with having to go back into the water. I also liked the exploration of the relationships with those they encountered along the way.
It is definitely an exciting and intense story, as it's clear that diving has a lot of risks, especially in old full-blown cities, with outdated equipment and who-knows-what lurking. And, as exciting as it is, there is still plenty of time devoted to the stories and relationships and struggles of the characters. And, I couldn't help but wonder: how would I fare in such a world? I mean, I can swim, and well, but... is that enough? No, I'm going to say I'd either be killed by pirates, or would have been overconfident in my swimming abilities and gone the way of Jin's dad. But honestly, probably the pirate thing.
Bottom Line: A solid debut, with characters I cared about, in a very exciting and terrifying world.
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
June 21, 2024
For a book about diving in a world of never-ending rain, it's surprisingly dry.
The characters are bland, the "sea beast" makes like one appearance and dips (pun intended), I couldn't care less if they found the treasure or not, the "rain that never stops" was never really explained and of course... the "experienced" pirates are easily defeated by a single teenage girl
Giving it 2 stars only because Jin is such a strong and resourceful character. The rest is so forgettable.
The characters are bland, the "sea beast" makes like one appearance and dips (pun intended), I couldn't care less if they found the treasure or not, the "rain that never stops" was never really explained and of course... the "experienced" pirates are easily defeated by a single teenage girl
Giving it 2 stars only because Jin is such a strong and resourceful character. The rest is so forgettable.
February 23, 2025
MEH.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM || TIKTOK
That’s how this book made me feel. And honestly even sitting here writing this review after just finishing the book I don’t have a lot to say? It kind of went in one ear and out the other without ever engaging me.
The general idea and story line were interesting. I liked the underwater dystopian aspects and the diving was cool too.
What I didn’t like was the main character. I found her constantly frustrating. Every time I thought we were moving steps forward she flung herself backwards and I was exhausted by the end of it to where I just didn’t care what happens.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy Dystopian
- Language: moderate
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: moderate
BLOG || INSTAGRAM || TIKTOK
That’s how this book made me feel. And honestly even sitting here writing this review after just finishing the book I don’t have a lot to say? It kind of went in one ear and out the other without ever engaging me.
The general idea and story line were interesting. I liked the underwater dystopian aspects and the diving was cool too.
What I didn’t like was the main character. I found her constantly frustrating. Every time I thought we were moving steps forward she flung herself backwards and I was exhausted by the end of it to where I just didn’t care what happens.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy Dystopian
- Language: moderate
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: moderate
August 5, 2025
This was a fun, unique adventure! It was well written and fleshed out, held my attention consistently, and the characters felt real. I would be excited to read the sequel - if one was written. The cover doesn't do it justice though, it's not eye-catching and doesn't match the tone of the story. I can't tell you how many times I passed on reading it because of the cover.
I read this book for a prompt in The Playbookers, a Facebook group that hosts monthly team challenges.
If you love active book communities, check out LiterALLy BOOKiSh Book Club (on Facebook)! Games, giveaways, discussions, reviews, bingo, swaps, traveling books, author takeovers, and a lot more!
I read this book for a prompt in The Playbookers, a Facebook group that hosts monthly team challenges.
If you love active book communities, check out LiterALLy BOOKiSh Book Club (on Facebook)! Games, giveaways, discussions, reviews, bingo, swaps, traveling books, author takeovers, and a lot more!
March 23, 2024
Not bad but a bit disappointing.
We have a post-apocalyptic setting with a new version of the great flood, where it hasn't stopped raining for a few hundred years and the dry land is slowly sinking.
We follow a young girl, who has lost her father in a diving accident and is now taking care of the inn he used to own and her younger sister. They receive a guest at the inn who wants them to go with her on a treasure hunt and the story goes from there.
The premise seemed super interesting to me and I was very much looking forward to reading this.
What I liked:
- The representation of grief in the book spoke to me on a personal level and I think it was done quite well.
- I like the author's writing style - short sentences to the point is one of my favorite styles when it comes to action novels.
- There was quite a bit of knowledge divulged in regards to diving. It seems that the author knows his stuff when it comes to that. I like it when things are well researched.
- The atmosphere - it was gloomy and the author managed to create this sense of eternal humidity that made me feel cold even on warm nights. I liked how the circumstances people lived in were reflected in their culture and language. It made it feel more real.
What I didn't like:
- The characters and their relationships. If there's one type of person I hate to see propped up in a book, that will be the ignorant know-it-all. And in this book, we had just that in the form of Jin's little sister - Tara. A kid of 14 acting with no care and common sense somehow turns out to be right every time. Even though by all we are shown on page, she shouldn't be. I can't stand this type of nonsense. It's a nice fantasy to believe that everyone cares for you and it's good to have a positive attitude, but you also need to be acting with at least a minimal caution. And if your character acts like a dummy, but still always get on top in a non-ironic way, then I conclude that you have no idea how to write a proper arc.
Additionally, I hated the stupid love story between Jin and whats-his-name. It was so dry and unrealistic. Not to mention his actions later on and how we were supposed to interpret them at the end... there's no way in hell that makes any sense in all the world. It was stupid, I can't call it anything else.
- The execution of the plot - the whole thing was written in such a meandering way that it robbed the story of all suspense and excitement.
-The ending - It was so lukewarm and resolved close to nothing. Especially with the glass beads... Or the big dream Jin was chasing.
-The fact that this is marketed as a sci-fi. There's no science in this book whatsoever. There are a few words of speculation, which were thrown in kind of as an afterthought and that was it.
I feel somewhat lukewarm towards this story and I am giving it a low 3 ⭐️
We have a post-apocalyptic setting with a new version of the great flood, where it hasn't stopped raining for a few hundred years and the dry land is slowly sinking.
We follow a young girl, who has lost her father in a diving accident and is now taking care of the inn he used to own and her younger sister. They receive a guest at the inn who wants them to go with her on a treasure hunt and the story goes from there.
The premise seemed super interesting to me and I was very much looking forward to reading this.
What I liked:
- The representation of grief in the book spoke to me on a personal level and I think it was done quite well.
- I like the author's writing style - short sentences to the point is one of my favorite styles when it comes to action novels.
- There was quite a bit of knowledge divulged in regards to diving. It seems that the author knows his stuff when it comes to that. I like it when things are well researched.
- The atmosphere - it was gloomy and the author managed to create this sense of eternal humidity that made me feel cold even on warm nights. I liked how the circumstances people lived in were reflected in their culture and language. It made it feel more real.
What I didn't like:
- The characters and their relationships. If there's one type of person I hate to see propped up in a book, that will be the ignorant know-it-all. And in this book, we had just that in the form of Jin's little sister - Tara. A kid of 14 acting with no care and common sense somehow turns out to be right every time. Even though by all we are shown on page, she shouldn't be. I can't stand this type of nonsense. It's a nice fantasy to believe that everyone cares for you and it's good to have a positive attitude, but you also need to be acting with at least a minimal caution. And if your character acts like a dummy, but still always get on top in a non-ironic way, then I conclude that you have no idea how to write a proper arc.
Additionally, I hated the stupid love story between Jin and whats-his-name. It was so dry and unrealistic. Not to mention his actions later on and how we were supposed to interpret them at the end... there's no way in hell that makes any sense in all the world. It was stupid, I can't call it anything else.
- The execution of the plot - the whole thing was written in such a meandering way that it robbed the story of all suspense and excitement.
-The ending - It was so lukewarm and resolved close to nothing. Especially with the glass beads... Or the big dream Jin was chasing.
-The fact that this is marketed as a sci-fi. There's no science in this book whatsoever. There are a few words of speculation, which were thrown in kind of as an afterthought and that was it.
I feel somewhat lukewarm towards this story and I am giving it a low 3 ⭐️
January 15, 2024
This was the most unique concept for a story I've read in a while. Into The Sunken City is set in a post-apocalyptic world covered in clouds that cause never-ending rain. Two sisters struggle to keep their inn afloat after their father passed away while deep-sea diving, until a stranger shows up promising a haul of underwater treasure that will change their lives.
If you love the ocean and are a thrill-seeker, this book is for you. Dangerous dives, morally grey pirates, gigantic sea creatures, and underwater cities made this plot so interesting. I had an issue with the slow pacing between the 20%-40% mark where I was waiting for things to get going, but when they did, I couldn't put it down.
I loved Jin as a main character. Her clear motivations made her compelling and relatable, especially since I have a younger sister myself. I really appreciated Jin's character development and how she learned things from other characters that she then used along the adventure.
The writing is simple and easy to follow, but I wanted some more vivid descriptions of the atmosphere, especially during the diving scenes in the last few chapters. The fantasy elements were very few, so I would've loved some more exploration into why the world is the way it is now.
If you love the ocean and are a thrill-seeker, this book is for you. Dangerous dives, morally grey pirates, gigantic sea creatures, and underwater cities made this plot so interesting. I had an issue with the slow pacing between the 20%-40% mark where I was waiting for things to get going, but when they did, I couldn't put it down.
I loved Jin as a main character. Her clear motivations made her compelling and relatable, especially since I have a younger sister myself. I really appreciated Jin's character development and how she learned things from other characters that she then used along the adventure.
The writing is simple and easy to follow, but I wanted some more vivid descriptions of the atmosphere, especially during the diving scenes in the last few chapters. The fantasy elements were very few, so I would've loved some more exploration into why the world is the way it is now.
October 13, 2023
To begin, the world-building in this book was truly amazing, creating a vast and immersive setting that significantly contributes to the story's depth.
Jin, our main character, initially leads a cautious life due to her circumstances. However, an exciting opportunity arises that demands her unique skillset.
What truly shines in this book is the adventurous journey it takes us on It's reminiscent of TV shows and video games I've watched. What sets it apart is the diverse and intriguing characters.
Jin, in particular, captured my heart, and without giving away any spoilers, I must say that I enjoyed the book.
I want to express my gratitude to Dinesh Thiru and Netgallery for allowing me the opportunity to read this book. Also, the cover is gorgeous!
Jin, our main character, initially leads a cautious life due to her circumstances. However, an exciting opportunity arises that demands her unique skillset.
What truly shines in this book is the adventurous journey it takes us on It's reminiscent of TV shows and video games I've watched. What sets it apart is the diverse and intriguing characters.
Jin, in particular, captured my heart, and without giving away any spoilers, I must say that I enjoyed the book.
I want to express my gratitude to Dinesh Thiru and Netgallery for allowing me the opportunity to read this book. Also, the cover is gorgeous!
April 8, 2024
maritime ya sci-fi my beloved
January 25, 2024
tl;dr
High quality adventure story in a disturbingly plausible setting. Left me with some questions but it's nonstop action with lots of twists. Star off because 14 year old know-it-alls annoy the living daylights out of me :)
full review
I'm really glad I picked this one up! Into the Sunken City was a rollicking adventure story with pirates, treasure, and action galore.
The characters: Jin was a great heroine- strong, determined, and flawed. She's consumed with grief but does everything in her power to care for her sister. I have a hard time getting past the spoiled younger sibling trope, especially when a lot is on the line, but the family bond here is the core of the story and the motivation behind all of Jin's actions, good and bad. The tension between the sisters makes the story even more compelling. The secondary characters like Taim, Silva, and Bhili are all very distinct, with clear voices and their own motivations that you discover throughout the novel, keeping you guessing.
The setting is one that's eerily plausible, and the descriptions of this nearly-drowned world is stunning. I was immediately captured by the opening chapter, setting us up for a world that's recognizable, but only just. I wish we could have explored it more and seen more of the creatures that inhabit that underwater world, because they really added the splash (pun intended)
This is a very fast-paced book with lots of twists and turns. You're never really sure who to trust, and that kept me turning pages- I finished this in less than a day. You won't regret this one if you're a fan of clear world-building, strong characters, and lots of surprises.
High quality adventure story in a disturbingly plausible setting. Left me with some questions but it's nonstop action with lots of twists. Star off because 14 year old know-it-alls annoy the living daylights out of me :)
full review
I'm really glad I picked this one up! Into the Sunken City was a rollicking adventure story with pirates, treasure, and action galore.
The characters: Jin was a great heroine- strong, determined, and flawed. She's consumed with grief but does everything in her power to care for her sister. I have a hard time getting past the spoiled younger sibling trope, especially when a lot is on the line, but the family bond here is the core of the story and the motivation behind all of Jin's actions, good and bad. The tension between the sisters makes the story even more compelling. The secondary characters like Taim, Silva, and Bhili are all very distinct, with clear voices and their own motivations that you discover throughout the novel, keeping you guessing.
The setting is one that's eerily plausible, and the descriptions of this nearly-drowned world is stunning. I was immediately captured by the opening chapter, setting us up for a world that's recognizable, but only just. I wish we could have explored it more and seen more of the creatures that inhabit that underwater world, because they really added the splash (pun intended)
This is a very fast-paced book with lots of twists and turns. You're never really sure who to trust, and that kept me turning pages- I finished this in less than a day. You won't regret this one if you're a fan of clear world-building, strong characters, and lots of surprises.
January 10, 2024
Who doesn’t love a good heist story!?
Jin lives in a world consumed by rain and is trying to make ends meet for her and her sister in a slowly sinking city. Making money through diving and pillaging could work if she isn’t plagued by the day her father died in a diving accident. When a mysterious guest arrives to her inn with a promise of hidden gold in the sunken city of Las Vegas – how could Jin say no?
Into the Sunken City delivers an interesting world, vivid characters, and a high stakes heist. I loved the dystopian feel of the book – a slowly sinking world under constant rain. The characters are vivid and cutthroat, and I loved not knowing who to trust. I was immediately invested in what path the characters were going to take, and the world felt so rich and developed. A top tier fantasy YA pick!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Available January 23, 2024
Thank you to Dinesh Thiru, Netgalley and HarperCollins for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Jin lives in a world consumed by rain and is trying to make ends meet for her and her sister in a slowly sinking city. Making money through diving and pillaging could work if she isn’t plagued by the day her father died in a diving accident. When a mysterious guest arrives to her inn with a promise of hidden gold in the sunken city of Las Vegas – how could Jin say no?
Into the Sunken City delivers an interesting world, vivid characters, and a high stakes heist. I loved the dystopian feel of the book – a slowly sinking world under constant rain. The characters are vivid and cutthroat, and I loved not knowing who to trust. I was immediately invested in what path the characters were going to take, and the world felt so rich and developed. A top tier fantasy YA pick!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Available January 23, 2024
Thank you to Dinesh Thiru, Netgalley and HarperCollins for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 26, 2024
An action packed teen novel that explores what would happen if it never stopped raining. For Jin and Thara, it's not a hypothetical, it's the world they were raised in. They live on a small sliver of land and try to keep their father's Inn open. He died a few years back while on a dive and Jin still hasn't forgiven herself. Since then she has done nothing but sacrifice so her younger sister can get through school. When a wary traveler shows up with some real gold and a fantastic tale - Jin doesn't believe her at all, but her younger sister is easily swayed by stories of pirates and adventure. Fast paced, but meh.
April 7, 2024
DNF after three chapters. Concept is great but the writing is waaaaaaaaay to amateur, like for a 12-year-old. Stating the obvious, unrealistic dialogue and inner dialogue, etc.
I hated the MC so much after just three chapters.
I do wish the author well, though. He definitely has potential.
I hated the MC so much after just three chapters.
I do wish the author well, though. He definitely has potential.
January 2, 2024
The perfect escapist read for a reader of any age, background and mood! I loved diving into this post-apocalyptic adventure. The world-building was unique, subtle in a way that allowed immersion before the reader even realizes it's occurred. I felt instantly connected to the characters, the world they lived in, and the trials they went through. It had a bit of a Treasure Planet vibe to it, which happens to be one of my favorite animated movies, so that likely helped. The romance was very minimal, so don't go into this expecting a whole lot in that department. Honestly, the book would have been just fine without it, so this could be categorized as a science-fiction/fantasy young adult novel and leave off the romance tag entirely. Which I was a little bummed about, given that it was marketed as a romance. There is a couple in love, but this story is more about family, trauma, healing and redemption. While there isn't a large cliffhanger, there is a bit of one, so my guess is the romance will feature more prominently in the next book.
Jin Haldar lives to keep her sister safe, after their father died in a diving accident three years ago and left the running of their family inn to his surviving daughters. Dodging the Navy's efforts to recruit her requires money, and it's all she can do to continue swimming into the vast waters around them to salvage wreckage from long-lost towns and homes. When her boyfriend leaves to join the Coast Guard, Jin accepts that she can only count on herself and her sister...until a visitor to their inn changes everything. In exchange for enough money to ensure Jin and her sister can live comfortably outside the Navy's reach, she allows the guest inside. When someone comes looking for them, it sparks a chain of events that points to an even bigger prize - gold in the Treasure Island Casino in what was once Las Vegas. It requires an experienced diver, and if Jin doesn't go, her sister will take her place. Joined by a crew that eventually involves her ex-boyfriend, Jin must face her fears to keep her sister safe. Even if that means doing the one thing she swore never to do again - dive.
I loved the family dynamic in this book more than anything else - reading about the complexity of Jin's relationship with her sister was so genuine and multi-faceted. Her sister being a teenager in a post-apocalyptic world just showed how the world can change but teenagers will still be teenagers. Her sister's relationship with their guest only solidified that, where sometimes they find role models in the most unlikely of places...and with the last person the adult in the room wants them to look up to. I also really enjoyed the secondary characters, even the villains. They weren't caricatures of villains, feeling overdone or obvious. They had layers, a backstory, even as they did things that made me want to see them hurt. Jin's romance with her ex-boyfriend, Taim, was interesting, albeit not as interesting as the rest of the story. It was predictable, frustrating and full of emotion. Taim wanted to move on with his life, and he wanted Jin at his side, but he didn't realize Jin couldn't move on. Jin was still stuck in the past, struggling to manage her trauma from her father's death, and it wasn't until she was able to verbalize where she laid blame that true healing began. Honestly, that was where their relationship started to take a turn. It was painful but necessary. I really look forward to seeing how it progresses in the next book.
**I received a free copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.**
Jin Haldar lives to keep her sister safe, after their father died in a diving accident three years ago and left the running of their family inn to his surviving daughters. Dodging the Navy's efforts to recruit her requires money, and it's all she can do to continue swimming into the vast waters around them to salvage wreckage from long-lost towns and homes. When her boyfriend leaves to join the Coast Guard, Jin accepts that she can only count on herself and her sister...until a visitor to their inn changes everything. In exchange for enough money to ensure Jin and her sister can live comfortably outside the Navy's reach, she allows the guest inside. When someone comes looking for them, it sparks a chain of events that points to an even bigger prize - gold in the Treasure Island Casino in what was once Las Vegas. It requires an experienced diver, and if Jin doesn't go, her sister will take her place. Joined by a crew that eventually involves her ex-boyfriend, Jin must face her fears to keep her sister safe. Even if that means doing the one thing she swore never to do again - dive.
I loved the family dynamic in this book more than anything else - reading about the complexity of Jin's relationship with her sister was so genuine and multi-faceted. Her sister being a teenager in a post-apocalyptic world just showed how the world can change but teenagers will still be teenagers. Her sister's relationship with their guest only solidified that, where sometimes they find role models in the most unlikely of places...and with the last person the adult in the room wants them to look up to. I also really enjoyed the secondary characters, even the villains. They weren't caricatures of villains, feeling overdone or obvious. They had layers, a backstory, even as they did things that made me want to see them hurt. Jin's romance with her ex-boyfriend, Taim, was interesting, albeit not as interesting as the rest of the story. It was predictable, frustrating and full of emotion. Taim wanted to move on with his life, and he wanted Jin at his side, but he didn't realize Jin couldn't move on. Jin was still stuck in the past, struggling to manage her trauma from her father's death, and it wasn't until she was able to verbalize where she laid blame that true healing began. Honestly, that was where their relationship started to take a turn. It was painful but necessary. I really look forward to seeing how it progresses in the next book.
**I received a free copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.**
June 10, 2025
**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, blood, murder, death, death of parent, drowning, kidnapping, confinement, grief, reference to adult/minor relationship, sexual harassment
--
I’m not one who immediately jumps to pick up anything with a nautical / underwater theme but I do love it when books explore dystopian worldscapes and the one in this really intrigued me for its uniqueness. Plus the lead protagonist is a brown girl and I’m always down for more desi rep in fiction!
Into the Sunken City is a YA book that takes place on the American West Coast in a future where a weather phenomena of persistent cloud cover and rainfall called The Stitching has caused sea levels to rise and sunken much of the landmass. After losing both her parents Jin Haldar runs the family inn that they left behind and has the responsibility of her 14 years old sister Thara. When a drifter called Bhili turns up at their inn with a wrecking job that could provide enough gold to solve the girls problems Jin is hesitant to give in. Diving and wrecking – salvaging objects that have been lost to the ocean – has always been in their family’s blood but is also the reason their father is no longer with them so is a bit of a touchy subject between the two sisters. However, with Thara determined to go on this heist Jin isn’t going to let Thara go without her.
I was hooked in by the story and the characters almost immediately. It is a book packed with daring adventure and heist like shenanigans and while not being an exact retelling did sort of give me Treasure Island vibes.
The whole diving and wrecking aspect was so so interesting and Thiru did his research there alongside everything to do with maritime exploring extremely well. The future worldbuilding overall felt quite well established too.
While I enjoyed the book overall, the pacing did effect the tensions and high stakes aspect for me a little and I’ve got to say that Jin was a main character that got more and more frustrating as the story progressed. She has serious trust and attachment issues and these things alongside the theme of grief were explored through her character well. However, there were times when her internal monologue was way too repetitive to the point of tediousness.
I really liked the supporting characters though especially Bhili. Thara and Jin’s ex-boyfriend Taim weren’t as fleshed out as I would have liked but they were a really wholesome support system for Jin with all that she was going through despite her constant cynicism and stubbornness. I feel like there was the foundations of a found family trying to be put together but it didn’t entirely capture me even though there were some well written relationships a part of it.
All in all, the story has a satisfying enough ending and for its originality I’d say it’s a book worth checking out if you like YA dystopia and storylines involving heists!
Final Rating – 3.5/5 Stars
CW: violence, blood, murder, death, death of parent, drowning, kidnapping, confinement, grief, reference to adult/minor relationship, sexual harassment
--
I’m not one who immediately jumps to pick up anything with a nautical / underwater theme but I do love it when books explore dystopian worldscapes and the one in this really intrigued me for its uniqueness. Plus the lead protagonist is a brown girl and I’m always down for more desi rep in fiction!
Into the Sunken City is a YA book that takes place on the American West Coast in a future where a weather phenomena of persistent cloud cover and rainfall called The Stitching has caused sea levels to rise and sunken much of the landmass. After losing both her parents Jin Haldar runs the family inn that they left behind and has the responsibility of her 14 years old sister Thara. When a drifter called Bhili turns up at their inn with a wrecking job that could provide enough gold to solve the girls problems Jin is hesitant to give in. Diving and wrecking – salvaging objects that have been lost to the ocean – has always been in their family’s blood but is also the reason their father is no longer with them so is a bit of a touchy subject between the two sisters. However, with Thara determined to go on this heist Jin isn’t going to let Thara go without her.
I was hooked in by the story and the characters almost immediately. It is a book packed with daring adventure and heist like shenanigans and while not being an exact retelling did sort of give me Treasure Island vibes.
The whole diving and wrecking aspect was so so interesting and Thiru did his research there alongside everything to do with maritime exploring extremely well. The future worldbuilding overall felt quite well established too.
While I enjoyed the book overall, the pacing did effect the tensions and high stakes aspect for me a little and I’ve got to say that Jin was a main character that got more and more frustrating as the story progressed. She has serious trust and attachment issues and these things alongside the theme of grief were explored through her character well. However, there were times when her internal monologue was way too repetitive to the point of tediousness.
I really liked the supporting characters though especially Bhili. Thara and Jin’s ex-boyfriend Taim weren’t as fleshed out as I would have liked but they were a really wholesome support system for Jin with all that she was going through despite her constant cynicism and stubbornness. I feel like there was the foundations of a found family trying to be put together but it didn’t entirely capture me even though there were some well written relationships a part of it.
All in all, the story has a satisfying enough ending and for its originality I’d say it’s a book worth checking out if you like YA dystopia and storylines involving heists!
Final Rating – 3.5/5 Stars
March 13, 2024
A unique dystopian featuring sunken cities, a heist in Vegas, and lots of diving.
Into the Sunken City follows a diver named Jin. She learned to dive by her father and ever since his death in a diving accident, she has to take care of her younger sister, Thara. The two girls live in a sinking city in Arizona where it never stops raining. A lot of the world is underwater and it gets worse every year. Jin struggles with staying afloat and keeping her sister safe when her ex-boyfriend joins the Coast Guard and abandons her. Then, a drifter appears at their inn and offers the chance of a lifetime: gold hidden in the sunken ruins of Treasure Island in Las Vegas. Jin doesn’t want to risk her life or her sister’s, but her sister wants to go and they assemble a team. Tensions rise and threats multiply and Jin has to fight to ensure they survive the heist.
This book is so fun!! I love dystopian books and this one was so unique and a really great installment to the genre. I’ve read so many where the world is dry and desert-like, so having it being all underwater was so fun. I loved all the diving scenes! They were so tense and gripping. My favourite part of the novel was definitely the diving and the heist in Vegas.
There is a great mix of action and dangerous situations and character growth. Jin has to go through a lot in the novel, especially coming more to terms with her father’s death and letting Thara grow up. I really enjoyed the sister relationship and the transition and growth it went through. The romance was cute and a good subplot, although I was definitely more invested in the plot and sister relationship. I really enjoyed the villain/antagonist of the story and the dynamic between him and the sisters. It veered into a direction I wasn’t expecting and I really appreciated the change in the normal roles.
The heist is a huge highlight of the novel for me. It was so action-packed and tense. The ocean is a very dangerous place with creatures and such insane depths that the entire scene had me on the edge of my seat.
Overall, if you’re a fan of dystopian or love the claustrophobia and tension of books that feature diving, then you’ll love this book!
Into the Sunken City follows a diver named Jin. She learned to dive by her father and ever since his death in a diving accident, she has to take care of her younger sister, Thara. The two girls live in a sinking city in Arizona where it never stops raining. A lot of the world is underwater and it gets worse every year. Jin struggles with staying afloat and keeping her sister safe when her ex-boyfriend joins the Coast Guard and abandons her. Then, a drifter appears at their inn and offers the chance of a lifetime: gold hidden in the sunken ruins of Treasure Island in Las Vegas. Jin doesn’t want to risk her life or her sister’s, but her sister wants to go and they assemble a team. Tensions rise and threats multiply and Jin has to fight to ensure they survive the heist.
This book is so fun!! I love dystopian books and this one was so unique and a really great installment to the genre. I’ve read so many where the world is dry and desert-like, so having it being all underwater was so fun. I loved all the diving scenes! They were so tense and gripping. My favourite part of the novel was definitely the diving and the heist in Vegas.
There is a great mix of action and dangerous situations and character growth. Jin has to go through a lot in the novel, especially coming more to terms with her father’s death and letting Thara grow up. I really enjoyed the sister relationship and the transition and growth it went through. The romance was cute and a good subplot, although I was definitely more invested in the plot and sister relationship. I really enjoyed the villain/antagonist of the story and the dynamic between him and the sisters. It veered into a direction I wasn’t expecting and I really appreciated the change in the normal roles.
The heist is a huge highlight of the novel for me. It was so action-packed and tense. The ocean is a very dangerous place with creatures and such insane depths that the entire scene had me on the edge of my seat.
Overall, if you’re a fan of dystopian or love the claustrophobia and tension of books that feature diving, then you’ll love this book!
April 14, 2024
Dystopian treasure island retelling?
HECK YEAH!
This feels like a crossover of the Disney movies Treasure Planet and Atlantis, and I was here for it! (Also recommend if you loved Tanvi Berwah's books, especially Somewhere in the Deep)
We follow our MC Jin, who follows her headstrong young sister on a quest to find treasure in the now sunk city of Vegas. We meet pirates, and giant sea monsters, and one annoyingly cute ex boyfriend along the way.
I'd say the pace was good, the plot was excellent, but the characters and writing needed a little work.
I don't think the characters ages made sense. The younger sister was only 14 and pretending like she had the right to make decisions and talked like a 40 year old (I get why Jin was annoyed)
Aging everyone by just three years would solve this problem. Other than that, I did actually enjoy all the different personalities. Fleshed out enough for a quest story, but not any side plots that took away from a really fun ride.
The writing will need a little more work (why the constant brackets?!) It was like breaking the fourth wall and took me out of the story for no reason. Literally all of them could either be made with a comma or just removed. I'm sure this will improve in this authors next books to come.
All in all a really fun little book, and I'll be looking out for this author's next work!
HECK YEAH!
This feels like a crossover of the Disney movies Treasure Planet and Atlantis, and I was here for it! (Also recommend if you loved Tanvi Berwah's books, especially Somewhere in the Deep)
We follow our MC Jin, who follows her headstrong young sister on a quest to find treasure in the now sunk city of Vegas. We meet pirates, and giant sea monsters, and one annoyingly cute ex boyfriend along the way.
I'd say the pace was good, the plot was excellent, but the characters and writing needed a little work.
I don't think the characters ages made sense. The younger sister was only 14 and pretending like she had the right to make decisions and talked like a 40 year old (I get why Jin was annoyed)
Aging everyone by just three years would solve this problem. Other than that, I did actually enjoy all the different personalities. Fleshed out enough for a quest story, but not any side plots that took away from a really fun ride.
The writing will need a little more work (why the constant brackets?!) It was like breaking the fourth wall and took me out of the story for no reason. Literally all of them could either be made with a comma or just removed. I'm sure this will improve in this authors next books to come.
All in all a really fun little book, and I'll be looking out for this author's next work!
January 4, 2024
- Fantasy adventure
- Inspired by Treasure Island
- Heist
- Dystopian
- Family
- Diving
- Diverse cast
- Pirates
Into The Sunken City explores a dystopian world where the rain never stops, and most houses and land have sunk or are in the process of doing so.
Drawing from Treasure Island, which I absolutely loved when I was younger, Into The Sunken City immediately gripped me with its interesting premise of diving for treasure.
However, whilst I liked the premise and plot, the writing just wasn’t for me, leading me to struggle to read it at times as I wasn’t too immersed.
Tysm to the author and NetGalley for an arc 💗
- Inspired by Treasure Island
- Heist
- Dystopian
- Family
- Diving
- Diverse cast
- Pirates
Into The Sunken City explores a dystopian world where the rain never stops, and most houses and land have sunk or are in the process of doing so.
Drawing from Treasure Island, which I absolutely loved when I was younger, Into The Sunken City immediately gripped me with its interesting premise of diving for treasure.
However, whilst I liked the premise and plot, the writing just wasn’t for me, leading me to struggle to read it at times as I wasn’t too immersed.
Tysm to the author and NetGalley for an arc 💗
March 2, 2024
Content warnings: death of a parent (in the past), death, murder, violence, confinement, blood, gun violence, suicidal ideation, kidnapping, grief, drowning
What a cracking retelling of Treasure Island this was! Set in a dystopian future where the world is flooded and the only remaining land is the highest mountains (side note: Australia is FUCKED hahaha), I loved seeing the ways in which the remaining population has adapted to life in a flooded world.
The casino scene will definitely stand out in my mind for a long time as one of the tensest scenes I've ever read in a young adult book. All in all, I had a fantastic time reading this and I would definitely recommend it.
What a cracking retelling of Treasure Island this was! Set in a dystopian future where the world is flooded and the only remaining land is the highest mountains (side note: Australia is FUCKED hahaha), I loved seeing the ways in which the remaining population has adapted to life in a flooded world.
The casino scene will definitely stand out in my mind for a long time as one of the tensest scenes I've ever read in a young adult book. All in all, I had a fantastic time reading this and I would definitely recommend it.
February 10, 2024
3.75/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Solid, fun, YA ‘Treasure Island’ retelling with a modern speculative/climate fiction twist. I really loved the drowned world setting of this futuristic novel with old world maritime charm. Some really beautiful underwater descriptions. The clear parallels between Treasure Island and Into the Sunken City complimented both without being too predictable. I loved the representation in this story, subtle but added complexity to the characters. I do think this suffered from first book syndrome, just a little underbaked for me with some pacing issues (overall good but more and less needed in some areas), characterisation was a little muddled for the FMCs (both sisters acted both older & younger than their supposed ages), and MLI was vague and I didn’t feel their connection (read better as friends). I’m not sure I can recommend the audiobook (had some issues with their voice choices) but I did have a good time and absolutely made me re-watch some OG 90s animation, Treasure Planet.
Solid, fun, YA ‘Treasure Island’ retelling with a modern speculative/climate fiction twist. I really loved the drowned world setting of this futuristic novel with old world maritime charm. Some really beautiful underwater descriptions. The clear parallels between Treasure Island and Into the Sunken City complimented both without being too predictable. I loved the representation in this story, subtle but added complexity to the characters. I do think this suffered from first book syndrome, just a little underbaked for me with some pacing issues (overall good but more and less needed in some areas), characterisation was a little muddled for the FMCs (both sisters acted both older & younger than their supposed ages), and MLI was vague and I didn’t feel their connection (read better as friends). I’m not sure I can recommend the audiobook (had some issues with their voice choices) but I did have a good time and absolutely made me re-watch some OG 90s animation, Treasure Planet.
June 11, 2024
I saw the potential with this debut book. Personally, I felt like there were too many ideas. Jin over the course of the book got very frustrating to read from her perspective. She was so focused on being the protective big sister that she was immovable and stubborn. That can be fine, but I felt like it went on too long. The world and setting were definitely my favorite parts of the story.
February 6, 2024
3.5 rounded up to 4.
Great adventure!
Great adventure!
June 10, 2024
This was an absolute delight!! I didn't realize this was a treasure island retelling with pirates!! This was so so unique with charming characters and a very exciting and adventurous treasure-hunting plot. I had the best time with it!
Read
January 28, 2024
Trigger & Content Warnings
Panic attacks
Blood & gore depiction
Drowning
Gun violence
Panic attacks
Blood & gore depiction
Drowning
Gun violence
December 23, 2023
What I liked: Thiru's world-building is vivid and detailed that you feel like you're in this rain-soaked world, where all the world's treasures are thousands of feet below the water level and are yours for the taking if you're brave enough to face what dwells below. Jin and her sister are barely surviving in the world they are living in since their dad was killed in a diving accident and left them to run the inn by themselves. At times Jin is crippled by the thought of diving to have a chance to catch a treasure, for what if she ends up like her dad and leaves her sister all to herself. Jin struggles with trust at times, and that makes for poor choices. That ending leaves me believing we will get more from the fantastic debut author.
Final Verdict: A clever plot, fast pace, and brave and sometimes untrustworthy characters that allow you to escape into this drowned world to achieve the dream of seeing the sun, but at what cost?
Final Verdict: A clever plot, fast pace, and brave and sometimes untrustworthy characters that allow you to escape into this drowned world to achieve the dream of seeing the sun, but at what cost?
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