A Song Below Water is an urban fantasy set in Portland, Oregon. Rather than a vastly different fantasy world, Morrow sets us in a parallel reality, identical to ours, aside from the mythological creatures that have seamlessly integrated into human society. The majority of these mythological beings live happily alongside the humans, but the siren is still decidedly other. Perceived as a threat against free will, sirens are feared and ostracized, and must keep their identity secret for their own safety. Tavia is a siren, and only a handful of humans are entrusted with that knowledge. Tavia's closest ally is her best friend, Effie, a human who plays a mermaid at the Ren Faire.
But when a young woman is murdered, the suspect's lawyer speculates that the victim had secretly been a siren. And the world at large becomes more preoccupied with that detail than the murder...
Then, when a notable internet celebrity publicly announces she's a siren, Tavia's world turns upside down.
As they struggle to navigate an increasingly dangerous world, the novel alternates between Tavia and Effie's perspectives. It can be difficult to write multiple perspectives well, and as a reader, my preference is always to have a single narrator. So this is something to take into account if you have a very strong preference. But both characters are well written and endearing, with individual struggles and a strong bond between them.
Morrow also integrates many mythical creatures into her story, often describing their personality or how well humans respond to them. For example, gargoyles are rare and other, but a gargoyle sighting is considered good luck. But she often utilizes more obscure creatures, so don't be afraid to take a break and google them.
Bethany C. Morrow's novel uses the lens of urban fantasy to explore racism in the modern world. As Tavia tiptoes through life, desperate to not be seen as dangerous or different, it's no coincidence that she (like all sirens) is a Black American.
When this book, addressing modern racism and police brutality, was scheduled to be published on June 2nd, 2020, Morrow couldn't have known it would line up perfectly with current events. But her novel is accidentally more relevant than intended. It's an excellent resource for teens looking for representation in YA, and the use of urban fantasy elements will attract audiences that might otherwise not be interested in this read.