Quest of the Drowned Lands is the second book in the Legendary Allies series for middle grade readers by Linda Trinh. Due out 22nd Sept 2026 from Annick Press, it's 172 pages and will be available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats.
Set in a fantasy world inspired by Vietnamese folklore and culture, young hero Riverwise Cam is still trying to figure out their place in the world as one of a group of generational heroes who protect their world with legendary animal allies. There are themes of insecurity, isolation, cultural differences, jealousy, destructive competition, and strength through cooperation. Representation is important and this series is fun to read and shows the differences in the characters' lives and background as a strength and not a detraction.
Without being strident, there are some nice inclusive and supportive themes in the book. Cam is gender neutral, reflected by the pronoun "they/them/their", and it's normal and accepted (which it should be). There's a fair bit of non-judgemental open and honest discussion about mental health and struggles.
The book is enhanced throughout by incidental illustrations beautifully rendered by illustrator Quynh Anh Nguyen. Although quite simple stylistically, they're full of small details and colorful movement.
Four stars. It would be a great choice for public or school library acquisition, for home and classroom use.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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