Christina Soontornvat
Candlewick, 2022
359 pages
Grades 4-8
Fantasy/Adventure
Sai is an apprentice to the best mapmaker in Mangkon. Her father is a poor criminal and she has a shady past. Posing as a young woman of privilege, Sai is determined to elevate her social status in her very status-conscious society. An opportunity to map the world beyond by traveling on an ocean expedition seems like the perfect ticket to advancement. Sai's boss is along and determined to maintain the captain's course, yet the crew is restless to take some chances. A contest is announced by the queen with a large monetary prize to the ship who charts the mythological Sunderlands, a place of dragons and treasure. Sai is faced with a dilemma: stay loyal to her mentor and play it safe or take a chance with a new upstart, possibly obtaining her wildest dreams, yet risking her very safety and betraying the man who gave her the skills to be there in the first place. New friends and fellow conspirators are made, lies are told, and loyalties are questioned as Sai takes on a new adventure and spreads her wings.
Eclectic Newbery honor author, Soontornvat, returns to the world of ancient fantasy infused with Thai mythology, as a young girl strives to rise up and out of her desperate station in life. The story is firmly set in this mythological fantasy world where social status if everything. Sai is willing to risk her very safety to escape the poverty of her childhood, including deceiving those who have helped her along the way. Readers will question what they would do under these circumstances as Sai is faced with several difficult decisions. The plot moves along quickly and the action and danger never flag. A few big plot twists will keep readers on the edge of their seats and move them through till the end. I felt that the last bit of the book was rushed and sewed up too neatly, but young readers will not mind. They appreciate nice neat endings and will be happy that the book ended without having to wait for a sequel. Being more adventure than fantasy, readers looking for magic will be disappointed, but there are fantastical elements. This new story will satisfy smart kids looking for their next great escape.
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