Scattered survivors live in coastal villages, struggling to grow crops on ever-shrinking patches of unpoisoned land, relying on desalination for uncontaminated water, and braving seas infested with huge monsters to catch fish. In this harsh world, where community is the only way to survive, Sunny defies the laws of her people and sneaks out at night to rescue a young monster who has emerged from the sea and is trapped in a snare. Terrified of one another, the duo form an unexpected connection that allows them to see beyond the fear and loathing they’ve been taught to feel for one another. But in a dying world full of secrets, can either of them afford to trust an enemy?

This book is a thoughtful exploration of trust, misunderstanding and the capacity for communities to abandon empathy to ensure their survival. It has an intriguing mix of bleakness and hope, with characters that open up your heart and have you rooting for solutions to their impossible problems. This book will appeal to mature upper KS2 and KS3 readers and would be a great addition to a year 6 book corner or a KS3 library.