Fifteen-year-old Kate literally gets swept up in a flood of biblical proportions in Tan's strange, twisty Alice in Wonderland-like tale. Kate lives under the strict guidance of her wealthy grandmother and a reverence for God, which Kate wrestles with at the start of the novel. On a visit to Chicago to see her best friend, Gus, the waters inexplicably swell and flood the city. The world as Kate knows it disappears as she is somehow transported beyond its borders to alternate realms, both beautiful and frightening. Here, she encounters celestial spheres, mysterious forests, and strange beasts.

Meanwhile, Claude is Kate's friend and love interest. He, too, is transported into these realms as he inadvertently goes in search of her. He is aided by his two busts with sorcery powers, Aphros and Bythos. Claude and Kate's adventures parallel one another until a fateful confrontation with Tan's terrifying, cigar-smoking villain, Queen Evrisx, who speaks with "absolutely no inhibitions." Kate faces seemingly insurmountable struggles and ultimately embraces God for her survival.

Tan's debut young adult fairy tale is a slim, quick, and easy read. She infuses her narrative heavily with biblical themes and seamlessly blends the real and fantastical. While she equally centers on Kate and Claude, it is Kate that we relate to most. She is vulnerable, alone, and bewildered in this peculiar land. But while Kate finds strength in her faith, Tan explores issues of greed and power and the belief in the good of humanity to fight against evil. The story overall is both simple yet ambitious in design and asks questions of the reader without detracting from its engagement. It also boasts a colorfully painted cover that is synonymous with Tan's alternate world and invites the reader into this intriguing read.

A 2020 Eric Hoffer Book Award Category Finalist

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