Drift

Tenjat joins a dangerous defense to protect his island home from the monsters who threaten it in this fresh YA fantasy inspired by Mayan and Indian folklore.There's no place for love on the shores of Hell.Tenjat lives on the shores of Hell, an ocean filled with ravenous naga monsters. His island, a massive Turtle, is slowed by the people living on its back. Tenjat is poor as poor gets: poor enough, even, to condescend to the shame of marriage, so his children can help support him one day.But Tenjat has a plan to avoid this fate. He will join the Handlers, those who defend and rule the island. Handlers never marry, and they can even provide for an additional family member. Against his sister's wishes, Tenjat joins the Handlers. And just in time: the Handlers are ramping up for a dangerous battle against the naga monsters, and they need every fighter they can get.As the naga battle approaches, Tenjat's training intensifies, but a long-hidden family secret-not to mention his own growing feelings for Avi-put his plans in jeopardy, and might threaten the very survival of his island.

Sarah Beth Durst, the author of Vessel and Fire & Heist

"A fantastic adventure set in a stunning, original world, Drift is the kind of book that draws you in so completely that you'll believe you are living on an island on the back of a turtle, fighting off water spirits, and claiming your own magical treasures. Some of the best worldbuilding I've ever read."

Kirkus Reviews

"Readers will find watching Hutchins' unusual magical rules bring about startling consequences for family and political structure utterly fascinating. Totally fresh."

and on human flesh when possible. . . . Drift offers an action-packed adventure."

"Hutchins's debut novel pays homage to the Mayan cosmos. Swimming turtles host floating islands, and in the surrounding water, ruthless naga sea monsters nibble at the roots of each island's great tree

About the Author

M.K. Hutchins has had short fiction appear in Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show and Daily Science Fiction. She studied archaeology at BYU, which gave her the opportunity to compile histories from Maya glyphs, excavate in Belize, and work as a faunal analyst. She blogs about books, board games, and fiction-inspired recipes at mkhutchins.com. Drift is her debut novel.

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