Lost Ark Dreaming

by Suyi Davies Okungbowa

Off the coast of West Africa, decades after the dangerous rise of the Atlantic Ocean, the region’s survivors live inside five partially submerged, kilometers-high towers originally created as a playground for the wealthy. Now the towers’ most affluent rule from their lofty perch at the top while the rest are crammed into the dark, fetid floors below sea level.

There are also those who were left for dead in the Atlantic, only to be reawakened by an ancient power, and who seek vengeance on those who offered them up to the waves.

Three lives within the towers are pulled to the fore of this conflict: Yekini, an earnest, mid-level rookie analyst; Tuoyo, an undersea mechanic mourning a tremendous loss; and Ngozi, an egotistical bureaucrat from the highest levels of governance. They will need to work together if there is to be any hope of a future that is worth living - for everyone.

• ISBN10: 1250890756
• ISBN13: 9781250890757
• Publish Date: 17 June 2024
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Tor Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 192
• Language: English
• URL: http://melia.co.uk/page/detail/?k=9781250890757

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

Book Summary:

Humanity had plenty of warning before the world’s oceans began to rise. Now, what remains of humanity lives below the depths in massive towers. The wealthier you are, the higher up you get to live within the tower. You can guess the rest.

That would be enough, but naturally, there’s more, for there’s something in these deep waters that poses a threat. Most people choose not to believe in these oceanic beings. Somehow, Yekini has found herself face-to-face with the proof.

My Review:

What I wouldn’t give for more of this story. Lost Ark Dreaming immediately captured my attention - and my imagination. Here, we have a dystopian world where people have taken to the seas, but not in the way you might expect.

It made for a compelling setting, and the story has barely begun. There was something familiar about this narrative, but I think that had more to do with the familiar plights portrayed within the pages.

There are plenty of plights as Suyi Davies Okungbowa tackles trauma, classism, immigration, and dystopian elements all in this single story. In truth, I wish we had more time to explore all of these.

Then there are the characters. We have three primary perspectives, and I quickly came to love two. The third one took a little while to grow on me, but that shows the strength of the storytelling style here.

I am 100% adding Suyi Davies Okungbowa to my list of authors to keep an eye on!

Highlights:
Post-Apocalyptic
Science Fiction
Ocean Based Dystopian

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