The Light at the Bottom of the World by London Shah

Shah’s strong debut, first in a planned duology, is vividly described and emotionally rich. Despite Leyla’s insistence that she doesn’t need any help, the waters are filled with enemies, including the genetically engineered Anthropoids who prey upon humans, and the authorities who want to prevent Leyla and Ari from discovering the truths hidden in the dark depths of a drowned world. When that hope doesn’t pay off, she sets out into the treacherous ocean to find him herself, accompanied by Ari, a mysterious young man sent by her grandfather to protect her. British-Afghan Leyla McQueen, 16, a champion submersible racer, hopes to free her father (jailed for “aiding and abetting citizen suicides” among sufferers of an underwater malaise called “the seasickness”) by winning the prestigious London Submersible Marathon. And her father might be lost forever.In this thrilling postapocalyptic tale set in 2099, after civilization was forced underwater by global flooding, a young Muslim woman searches for her unjustly imprisoned father amid the remnants of Great Britain. As she discovers a world drowning in lies, how much longer can Leyla hold out hope for the truth? If she fails or falls prey to her own fears, she risks capture - or worse. Now, she'll have to brave the waters and defy a corrupt government determined to keep its secrets, all the while dealing with a secretive, hotheaded companion she never asked for. 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. When she's picked to race in the London Submersible Marathon, Leyla gets the chance to secure his freedom: The Prime Minister promises the champion whatever their heart desires. But Leyla knows he's innocent, and all she's interested in is getting him back so that their lives can return to normal.

Her father's been arrested, accused of taking advantage of victims of the Seasickness - a malaise that consumes people, often claiming their lives. Meanwhile, 16-year-old Leyla McQueen has her own problems to deal with.

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 planet.

At the end of the 21st century, the world has changed dramatically, but life continues 1,000 feet below the ocean's surface.

The Light at the Bottom of the World by London Shah