Set in the post-apocalyptic underwater London, The Light at the Bottom of the World follows the story of Leyla McQueen, a sixteen-year-old British/Afghan Muslim racer who is seeking for the truth about her father, who was falsely charged by the government. With the belief that her father was innocent, she joins an annual marathon event to win the first place and trade her winning for the freedom of her father. Unfortunately, with the continuous attacks from genetically modified humans, corrupted government, political intrigue, and only a little to almost no clue about the truth, Leyla must risk everything if she wants to reunite with her beloved father again.
The first impression that came into my mind when I started reading this book is Shah’s eloquence and grace for building, describing, and developing this daunting futuristic London after the world was hit by an asteroid. So, we might as well start the review from that aspect. I wouldn’t be the one to criticise much about the writing in this book. It was cinematic and incredibly vivid. Although I was having difficulty to understanding a few things, especially all about the technical bits from the buildings that people used as their home, to the subs that they used to transport underwater, I’d say that it’s a personal issue of mine due to the case of unfamiliarity. Other than that, I was having an exceptional time exploring the underwater London and its long-gone monumental buildings with exciting creatures swimming in between it.
Shah captured the perfect balance of portraying the vast ocean as something that — of course, mesmerising — but also frightening. I personally share a common phobia with Leyla, the fear of the deep, unknown water. The terror of not knowing what’s lurking inside the ocean will always make me anxious. But, lucky me to be living on land and not so lucky Leyla to be living exactly within her own fear.
Now, moving on to the characters and their quest in this story. Leyla was definitely a young, naive teen, yet it was the reason why I’d find her characterisation as highly relatable. She was your typical stubborn heroine who loved too much, and for that, she’s willing to risk just about everything for her love. In this case, her falsely charged father. She was also incredibly brave for her age, although some might perceived her courageous acts as being careless. But, I’d say that it wasn’t the correct term for her case. Can you imagine living deep underwater, when you’re not supposed to as a human, as a sixteen-year-old girl who lost her father for a vague reason that not even the minister can answer it for you? I’d for sure lose my mind.
The other things that I enjoyed from this book come from various aspects, from the fun fact that Leyla had a pet named Jojo, a goofy white fur ball who’s too cute to be living in the deep, dark ocean; the mysterious Ari a.k.a Leyla’s companion during her quest of finding the truth; and to Leyla’s freshly installed housemaid/navigator in the form of holographic Oscar Wilde which seems to be even more confident than me!
The Light at the Bottom of the World is a story of hope and twisted truths with the addition of swoon-worthy slow burn romance. If you’re craving for an original underwater dystopian universe with corrupted politics, then you don’t want to miss this terrific debut.
The Light at the Bottom of the World is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
Hope had abandoned them to the wrath of all the waters.
At the end of the twenty-first century, the world has changed dramatically, but life continues one thousand feet below the ocean’s surface. In Great Britain, sea creatures swim among the ruins of Big Ben and the Tower of London, and citizens waver between fear and hope; fear of what lurks in the abyss, and hope that humanity will soon discover a way to reclaim the Earth.
Meanwhile, sixteen-year-old Leyla McQueen has her own problems to deal with. Her father’s been arrested, accused of taking advantage of victims of the Seasickness-a debilitating malaise that consumes people,often claiming their lives. But Leyla knows he’s innocent, and all she’s interested in is getting him back so that their lives can return to normal.
When she’s picked to race in the action-packed London Submersible Marathon, Leyla gets the chance to secure his freedom; the Prime Minister promises the champion whatever their heart desires. The race takes an unexpected turn, though, and presents her with an opportunity she never wanted: Leyla must venture outside of London for the first time in her life, to find and rescue her father herself.
Now, she’ll have to brave the unfathomable waters and defy a corrupt government determined to keep its secrets, all the while dealing with a secretive, hotheaded companion she never asked for in the first place. If she fails, or falls prey to her own fears, she risks capture–and her father might be lost forever.
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