"The Drowned Cities" is a young adult novel by Paolo Bacigalupi set in a future America ravaged by climate change and war. The story follows two main characters, Mahlia and Mouse, who navigate a world filled with violence and survival as they seek refuge from warring factions in a flooded landscape. The novel explores themes of resilience, loyalty, and the impact of environmental destruction. It features genetically engineered creatures and highlights the struggles of youth in a dystopian society, emphasizing the consequences of human actions on the planet and the fight for a better future.