Wow what a great first book by this author

I absolutely love treasure island and this is a fantastic re-imagining of that story

Would highly recommend and will be adding this author to my auto buy list

really fun sunken city f/sf work! i loved the characters, and he definitely achieved what he set out to do. thanks for the arc. 4.5

Firstly, i would like to thank harper360ya and Netgalley for allowing me to read an e-arc of this book for an honest review. The following are all my own personal opinions.

The book is a YA fantasy that takes place in a sinking city of Coconino, Arizona where the rain never stops. It follows Jin Haldar who must make ends meet for her and her younger sister Thara. Jin and her sister are thrust into an adventure where they must survive all kinds of challenges including fighting sea beasts. You can expect heists, second chance romance and a unique twist on treasure island.

When i read the synopsis, i was intrigued by the concept of this story but i found that it dragged a lot and only got intetesting halfway through the book. I do want to say that the action was interesting to read but, unfortunately, that's all i was able to enjoy which is a shame because there was so much potential. The writing, also, felt very messy to me and i couldn't find myself growing a connection to any of the characters or even the storyline. The characters' thoughts were all over the place. You could say it was, almost, like a whiplash of emotions. I felt like we spent the majority of the time in the past and hearing about her dad than we did of the characters in the present.

I do believe there is an audience out there for this book. It just wasn't my kind of thing. I do want to say that the writer did great for a debut book and i know there will be a lot of people out there who love this book.

A Treasure Island reimagining set in the wastelands of an almost dystopian Arizona is one of the most compelling stories I have read in recent years! Loved it.

This book was so interesting and so good!! It's set in a dismal future where climate change has led to water levels that gave increased by hundreds of feet, and a world that is consistently under cloud cover (aka no direct sunlight) and the MC is an underwater diver (she can dive upto like 3000 feet??!! 😭) who retrieves valuables, treasure etc. from sunken property.
💫 A quest to retrieve underwater treasure!!
💫 Sister reconnection (particularly after the elder one has become a sort of parent to the younger one after the death of their parents)
💫 A second chance romance (or is it??)
💫 Hopeful ending, BUT WILL THERE BE A BOOK 2?


TWs - death of parent and subsequent grief, death underwater, murder, violence, kidnapping

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

Wow! What a heart pounding and unique read. While I haven’t read the original Treasure Island, this book reminded me so much of my favorite Disney movie, Treasure Planet! Except instead of space it’s deep sea diving. The idea of an underwater Earth was fascinating (and maybe a little scary) and I wanted to explore it more. It took me a while to warm up to some of the main characters, but that didn’t stop me from whipping through this is two sitting. If you love dystopian and adventure, then this is the book for you.

Thank you to Harper 360 YA & NetGalley for the eARC of Into the Sunken City in exchange for an honest review.

Set in the future after a mysterious, endless rainfall leaves the world in an apocalyptic condition, where the majority of the world is underwater.
Jin, a young innkeeper and guardian, to her younger sister, had to step up and leave school after their father perished from a diving exhibition. But Jin's whole world is flipped upside down when a kooky stranger turns up at their Inn asking for lodging in exchange for gold that was a part of a massive treasure trove. In which the stranger invites Jin on an adventure to recover the rest of the treasure. Will Jin overcome her trauma and face the brutalities that she is about to face?

Oh wow! What such a great concept! This story is based on the infamous story 'Treasure Island', I loved how the author took it and made it into their own!
I was pulled in straight away and found myself struggling to put it down. This book is jam packed with adventure, banter and a bunch of great characters. I was really invested and the writing style and world building was done so well!

I think this is a great debut novel and I look forward to reading more of the author's future works.

Dinesh Thiru debuts as a master of a heart-stopping scene. Into the Sunken City opens with you jumping into the water in a free dive with the main character, Jin, a smart, tough teenage girl looking out for the survival of her sister and family's Inn after losing her father in a diving accident. We are dropped into America as a post-apocalyptic archipelago, with most of the US as we know it today underwater with constant grey, clouded skies. What is left of American is once-had-been mountaintops, now islands, and high seas in between. The Coast Guard requires conscription unless you can pay a tax to avoid it. Jin scavenges to find treasures to be able to avoid conscription and stay home to help her younger sister, Thara, who helps her run the Inn with the help from her delicious and inventive cooking. Her love, Taim, is relatively happy to go join the Coast Guard and serve what's left of the country and protect the remaining land, and mostly seas from other bands of groups and pirates.

The Inn receives a paying customer, Bhili, could she be Jin’s saving grace? Bhili has a suspicious past and a colorful personality, is she the answer they need to bring everyone together and finally find solace, or is she just here to bring trouble? She will take these characters on a journey and set up everything that comes after.

There is no doubt that Thiru has developed a thrilling setting and ride. I enjoyed the glittering world of the dives and imaging America as an Archipelago as he creates it. I do think it lacked a little in the craft of keeping the plot and characterization tight and focused for the length of the novel. The characters are well drawn in the beginning, and I fell in love with them, but I lost the thread of them and the focus of the plot as we continued through the middle. It does come back around in the end, and I once again was taken by suffocating suspense towards the end. I did read this as an ARC from NetGalley so these issues may be tightened up by the release of the novel. I look forward to what's next for this author.

This book is perfect for those who love post-apocalyptic and adventure stories set in a future America, The Little Mermaid, or One Piece, but would prefer a tough young lady as the main character of any of those instead (even if Jin is a little more stressed by the relationships in her life).

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this early to be able to suggest it to library customers upon its release!

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.
I loved this roller coaster of a ride. Thiru's writing made you feel like you were with Jin and Thara in this story. It is full of action and adventure, twists and turns, friendship and family. Will be purchasing this one for our high school library.

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!

I had a great time reading this one! I’ll admit, my knowledge of Treasure Island doesn’t go beyond Muppet Treasure Island, but I thought it was a pretty great twist on the story! The pacing was pretty steady which was great. My interest was always kept. The world building was fantastic. I felt completely enveloped in it once point where I’d look up from reading and be surprised I wasn’t on a ship! I absolutely loved Jin as our MC. She was fierce from the beginning, but I loved how she eventually let go of her anger and fear. I also loved Bhili, Thara, Taim, Saanvi and Silva. Everyone was written so vividly and with so much complexity. It was a very adventurous book and it absolutely had me turning pages to see what would happen next! Also I loved how the ending is definitely open enough for another book (please please please!) I’m hoping this isn’t the last we see of this world and characters!
CW: gun violence, death of a parent

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Teen for an advanced digital reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5 rounded up to 5/5.

Dinesh Thiru's "Into the Sunken City" submerges readers into a unique and enthralling tale set in the slowly sinking city of Coconino, Arizona. The protagonist, Jin Haldar, navigates a world where days are endless, finances are strained, and rain is perpetual. Yet, it is within this atmospheric backdrop that Thiru crafts a compelling narrative of family, adventure, and redemption.

Jin's life takes a dramatic turn when a mysterious drifter named Bhili presents her and her younger sister, Thara, with an irresistible opportunity—a treasure hidden within the sunken ruins of Las Vegas. Reluctantly, Jin finds herself drawn back into the dangerous world of diving, a path she had abandoned after her father's tragic accident. The ensuing high-stakes heist weaves a tale filled with crumbling ruins, sea beasts, corsairs, and the enigmatic figure of João Silva.

Thiru's storytelling prowess shines through with an original and gripping plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The world-building is nothing short of spectacular, vividly portraying the sunken landscapes and instilling a sense of both wonder and peril. The author seamlessly integrates elements of fantasy, adventure, and drama, creating a narrative that transcends genre boundaries.

One of the standout features is the well-crafted characters. Jin Haldar is a believable and relatable protagonist, grappling with her past trauma and the responsibilities thrust upon her. The sibling dynamic between Jin and Thara is portrayed with authenticity, adding depth to the story. The lesson that role models can emerge from unexpected places is a recurring theme, adding layers to the character development.

While marketed as a romance, the romantic element in the story is minimal, which might disappoint readers seeking a prominent love story. However, the strength of "Into the Sunken City" lies in its multifaceted exploration of family bonds, trauma, healing, and redemption.

The supporting cast is equally noteworthy, with secondary characters possessing layers, backstories, and motivations that contribute to the story's richness. Thiru skillfully intertwines these characters, creating a tapestry of relationships that adds emotional weight to the narrative.

In conclusion, "Into the Sunken City" stands out as a favorite read, offering a refreshing take on adventure, fantasy, and family dynamics. Dinesh Thiru's masterful storytelling and well-rounded characters make this novel a must-read for those seeking a captivating and immersive literary experience.

The very beginning of this story seemed a bit unsure of itself. but once the story got going, the author and characters really hit their stride. I liked the way the sibling relationship developed, and the pirate/heist plot was so enjoyable and fun. I don't often read books with pirates, but when I do they always turn out to be great books. Overall, I loved the setting and the characters--the worldbuilding was so lush that the story was really vibrant and came to life so well. Overall, I really loved this and I can't wait to read more from this author!

There were a couple spots in the first half where I thought that the dialogue was kind of awkward. During the first half, I also felt like I was just waiting for bigger things to happen. The second half was much more enjoyable for me. I loved the sibling dynamic, and I also really enjoyed the portrayal of what happens to a sibling dynamic when one sibling has to take on the role of provider.

Into the Sunken City was an absolute phenomenal read. I loved the pirate vibes amidst the heist storyline and the strong bond between Jin and her sister Thara. There was treasure and moody weather and sea beasts. I loved the diving parts and the trauma that Jin had to go through to get back into diving. The characters were also a perfect crew for this story and all added immensely to my enjoyment. The world building was so descriptive I felt like I was in the story myself.

Into the Sunken City is set in a future where climate change has resulted in majority of the world being under water. We follow Jina after the tragic death of her father during a dive to recover items from the world that was. While dealing with grief and PTSD, Jina is also responsible for the care of her 14-year-old sister, running the inn her father owned, and to top it off she's of age to be conscripted. Enter the Pretty One, a woman who arrives just when Jina thinks all is lost and offers good coin to stay in Jina's inn. Jina is initially wary but concedes because the money can pay her conscription tax and allow her to stay with her sister. Jina and her sister, Thara, settle in to life with the Pretty One until one night a violent corsair arrives and demands to see the Pretty One. Jina is then swept up on a tense and emotional quest to retrieve sunken treasure that can change her and her sister's life.

Dinesh Thiru has written a fast paced and exciting retelling of Treasure Island. All of the characters are dynamic and three dimensional, each with their own personal goals and desires. While Jina herself grated on me at times (I wanted to just shake her on occasion), I understood her and the expression of her grief and PTSD was raw and real. The Pretty One (I refuse to reveal her name because I really enjoyed how it was revealed in the book) was such a good reincarnation of her character inspiration. Silva was a strong villain, written in such a way that he could be both feared and cared for. Thara was such a force, honestly my favorite character of the bunch. Taim was honestly one of the best YA love interests that I have read in a long time, he cared for Jina a way that wasn't overbearing or patronizing. He encouraged her growth in a kind and thoughtful way that fit the maturity young adults in this world would have to exhibit.

The worldbuilding that Thiru has done is truly robust. Everything felt cohesive from the language used, to the cultures, and military presence. Often times when authors use swears that are based in their fantasy world it can feel awkward or forced but in this case, swamping or rusting for example, felt so fitting to the world that we were in. The setting made sense and the characters acted accordingly within it.

I just really enjoyed everything in this book, the pacing the dialogue, the characters, the theme and the ending. This was honestly a banger of a debut from Thiru and I look forward to reading the finished work and anything else he publishes.

- 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 💗

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.

Thank you to netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperTeen for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion. This book was so damn good. From the very beginning you are pulled into this amazing world and you are immersed until the end.

Into the Sunken City is a fast paced thriller with diverse characters set in a dystopian future. The idea of having everything underwater makes for a titillating idea, where kids are diving to find treasure and pirates and the Coast Guard clash. This was a fun and quick read, and while I wish some aspects of the characters and worldbuilding were fleshed out a bit more, it was a good time! Definitely curious to see what else Dinesh writes in the future.