Full on highly entertaining. A clever plot, fast pace and brave and sordid characters make this debut a quick escape-of-a-read. It’s a whirlwind of taking chances, deep rooted stubbornness, and tested loyalties, in a cloudy world of dangerous decisions, grief + fear, promises and submerged cities … but also hope, love and the fluid nature and emotional depths of water, spirit and faith.

Is it possible to put this book down? I wouldn’t know. The action never slows down as the stakes continue to build in this epic adventure of a dystopian future world where the rain never stops and the world as we know it is drowned under the water. Add pirates, a heist, dangerous dives, and romance, and you’ve got gold. Literary and literal – the kind hidden in Vegas Drowned. Jin and her sister, Thara, inherited an inn for their father and 2 diving suits that they use to dive for treasures in the water that covers the former cities of Earth. After their father dies in an accident, diving has changed for Jin and so has her relationship with her boyfriend, Taim. When Taim reveals that he is leaving to join the Coast Guard, Jin assumes that their relationship is over. But when a suspicious pirate shows up at the inn and charms her way into Thara’s imagination, Taim returns to help the sister with a heist that may be the salvation that they are looking for, or the curse that sinks them all. I picked this up during the sort of torrential rain storm that are becoming more frequent and this book’s dystopian climate themes paired with Indian mythology left me spellbound. Although it may be inspired by Treasure Island, the complex character relationships and hints of a larger conspiracy make this a satisfying reboot of a classic.

The voice is great, the story flows well and it jumps right into the action. It should go over well with audiences. I stopped at the end of chapter 1 (5%), but definitely can see this doing well with the target audience. Easy three stars, probably fours, and five for the right readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC.

“Into the Sunken City” is a sensational debut by Dinesh Thiru. This is a tale of grief, loyalty and adventure, all wrapped up in page after page of dazzling scenery. Woven within this storyline is also an ode to the sea, one that celebrates both the warring wonder and inherent danger of something as unpredictable and untamable as diving the waters of the deep. I’m eagerly awaiting Thiru’s sequel.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*