First published 2022
Sai works as an assistant to Mangkon's most famous mapmaker. At twelve years old, she presents herself as a proper young lady from good family. The truth tells a different story. Her father makes his living as a conman, and in a kingdom where ancestry determines social rank, this secret could destroy her future. When an expedition forms to map the southern seas, Sai sees her chance and joins the crew. She quickly discovers that other passengers carry their own hidden truths. The ship may be sailing toward the legendary Sunderlands, a realm filled with dragons, treasure, and deadly perils. Sai must decide what price she will pay to achieve her dreams. The journey forces her to confront questions of identity and honor while navigating both literal and figurative uncharted waters in this Thai-inspired fantasy world.
Genres: historical-fiction, adventure, fantasy, young-adult
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Mangkon, Sunderlands
Period: 21st-century
369 pages · Kindle Edition · Candlewick Press