Tideborn is the second and final book in the South Asian inspired fantasy duology Drowned World, written by Eliza Chan, published by Orbit Books. It's not a secret that I absolutely loved Fathomfolk, so I was quite hyped with this novel; I can say that Chan not only has fulfilled all the expectations, but took all the things that I loved in the first book and brought them to a new whole level to deliver an excellent story about motherhood, cultural assimilation, sacrifice, grief, but also hope.

After Kai's sacrifice, people from Tiankawi have been irrevocably changed; every citizen can breathe underwater. However, the scars from years of oppression are still there, and Mira will have to navigate the dangerous waters of Tiankawian politics, while trying to discover a conspiracy that threatens to irremediably divide the people and stop their try to rebuild a new city after the tsunami. But there's a bigger threat towards Tiankawi, as the Sand Titan is on the way to destroy the city, and Nami will have to undertake a dangerous voyage in order to stop it, while her own mother has come to Tiankawi with the excuse of Kai's funeral, starting a new wave of instability.

But not only the big stories are in motion, as we have several smaller character arcs that are equally engulfing, with Cordelia's one shining over all. Not only we have an excellent story about the pain of motherhood and how she's trying to fight for her daughter, but also how she finally uses her influence for good and to develop a remedy that can help with the gillrot.
By itself, Mira's intent to reconcile Tiankawian inhabitants after the transformation is difficult enough to be almost impossible, but if you throw grief for Kai's loss and the pressure to stop the conspiracy that is trying to get over Tiankawi, you have a herculean task. We have a glimpse of that idealist that wants to change the system for the better from inside the system, and even in the worse moments, she will try her best for the place she belongs to.
In comparison, while Nami's task can be more daunting at the start, it becomes more a journey of discovery, of understanding the rest of the world while having to survive the dangers thrown by the sea; we have a wiser character in comparison with the explosive princess that came to Tiankawi months ago.

Tideborn expands the world that we already meet at Fathomfolk, showing more from the lands far from the city, and giving us a glimpse of the bigger forces that govern the nature. Talking about that, Chan uses the opportunity to analyse cultural integration and the problems that appear following it; while it can show a dark perspective at moments, there's always a hope message under the surface; I've been absolutely touched by how it depicts the pain and fear that is also attached to something as wonderful as motherhood, through two characters as different as Cordelia and Jiang-Li.

Tideborn puts the cherry on the top of what is an excellent fantasy duology, inspired by South Asian culture and that bravely tackles over difficult themes with a well-fleshed cast of characters. Eliza Chan is a voice to continue reading in the future, and for me, one of my favourite authors to read.