The Vanishing Deep by Astrid Scholte

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 3, 2020
Genres: Young Adult Fantasy
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Book Review

The Vanishing Deep follows Tempe, a seventeen-year-old girl, living on the water. After the Great Waves destroyed her planet, land is a commodity only available to the extremely wealthy. Tempe spends her days diving for treasures to fund the resurrection of her sister Elysea on the infamous island, Palindromena. For an exorbitant fee, the dead can be resurrected for only 24 hours, giving the living a chance to say their goodbyes. Tempe wants answers from Elysea, namely what happened the day she died. But when Elysea is resurrected, she has other plans, and the two escape Palindromena and set out on an epic adventure to find answers of their own.

The Vanishing Deep introduced thought-provoking questions about climate change, capitalism, and the value of human life wrapped up into a gripping tale of two sisters. I was fascinated by the idea of life on the water and the island of Palindromena. Scholte does an excellent job of world-building, creating likable characters, and an intricate storyline.

I didn’t want this book to end! It’s told in alternating first-person perspectives: Tempe, the tenacious diver who just wants answers about her family, and Lor, Palindromena employee and resident, responsible for resurrecting Elysea. Both were fantastic characters!

If you are a fan of YA Fantasy and adventure stories, this one is for you!

Thank you to BookishFirst and Penguin Teen for my review copy! All opinions are my own.