📕 Title: Tideborn
✏️ Author: Eliza Chan
📖 Genre: Fantasy
⭐ Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ Book Two in the Drowned World Duology

BOOK BLURB
 
A tsunami and a dragon’s wish have wrought changes upon the city of Tiankawi that have never been seen before. But shared experiences have not healed the rift between the city’s fathomfolk and human citizens, and scars from years of oppression still remain.
 
Mira, a half-siren and activist, fights politicians and her own people to rebuild her city, and to uncover a deadly conspiracy. And Nami, the dragon princess, undertakes a daring ocean voyage alongside friend and foe, in order to convince a mythical Titan not to destroy Tiankawi for its crimes.

REVIEW

Tideborn begins several weeks after the events of Fathomfolk, the aftermath amplifying social and political unrest in the community.

The writing is lovely and the world building is as strong as the first book. Tideborn further illustrates the diversity of the Fathomfolk, featuring different cultures and traditions, and continues to focus on themes of prejudice and racism. Mira, who is biracial, faces prejudice from Fathomfolk as well as racism from Tiankawians.

The exploration of complex political and social issues presents much to consider, with morally gray characters whose beliefs evolve throughout the story. Well meaning characters make decisions that harm people, anger is misguided, and there are often situations where there isn’t a “right” decision. There is a spectrum of views, from Fathomfolk radicals ready to destroy the entire city to Tiankawians supremacists who intend to enslave Fathomfolk.

The believable growth and arcs of these characters is fantastic, and I loved how well developed they are. I grew to really love Nami and even gained a better understanding of Cordelia, who I despised in the prior book. And while I am adamant that this is NOT romantasy, there is a beautiful slow burn romance subplot that made me tear up.

I always appreciate a sequel that includes a recap of the previous book, so bonus points for including such a great summary to refresh my memory! This was a fantastic sequel.