Into the Sunken City

Into the Sunken City
By Dinesh Thiru
HarperTeen, 2024. 347 pages. Young Adult Fiction

This YA fantasy adventure features 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. Five hundred years in the future, in a slowly sinking city in coastal Arizona, the days are long, the money is tight, and the rain never stops. For eighteen-year-old Jin, this 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 a mysterious stranger claiming to know of a massive stash of gold hidden in the Treasure Island Casino in the sunken ruins of Las Vegas. Jin knows it's too dangerous, but 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, pirates, and a mysterious figure named Silva all lie in wait. To survive, Jin will have to do what she promised herself she'd never do again: dive.

I was drawn to this novel by the cover art and the promise of Las Vegas being turned into a Lost City of Atlantis fantasy. I really connected with Jin's character; as the eldest daughter, she desperately wants to protect her family, but also wants to break away and live her own life. The storyline feels cinematic, the writing is fast-paced and clever, and the excitement on the high seas does not disappoint!  

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Thieves' Gambit
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LKA