It's 1933, and Jane lives in Awenasa, an all-Black town that's a haven for the former slaves and others who have been run out of mixed-race towns across the south. But now there's a dam being constructed that will drown the town in a new lake if everyone doesn't sell up (at a low price, of course) and move out quickly. Jane is willing to do whatever she can to save the town, and that salvation may come in the form of a man with magical powers...who also looks exactly like a dead man from Jane's past. But he says there are ancient gods that can help save the town, so Jane must get past her fears to help her friends and neighbors.
In the author's note at the end of this book, the author says she was inspired to write the book based on the stories of the Black "drowned towns" across the South. Multiple towns like Awenasa were wiped out by dams and lakes, displacing people from the property they had fought hard to acquire and cultivate. I love the way that Penelope weaves together these elements of the past with African creation myths and a full fantasy world. The book's a bit slow at the beginning, but is well worth the read. Highly recommended!
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