A Song Below Water (A Song Below Water, #1)
by Bethany C. Morrow
This was just fantastic, would recommend.
One of the things that worked better for me than other fantasy that I've read recently was the commitment to a coherent alternate history, including an alternate history of activism and the Civil Rights movement. A lot of fantasy/urban fantasy relies on "this hasn't affected the timeline because it's secret," or just isn't very interested in thinking through what would be different.
The other thing A Song Below Water gets right is fantasy activism that intersects with antiracism in smart and illuminating ways but doesn't attempt to replace racism with fantasy racism. That is way, way too rare.
The writing isn't extraordinary, but it's on par with other popular YA, and the plot more than made up for it. The only time it took me out of the story was when I had to double-check whether it was Effie or Tavia speaking, because their voices weren't distinct enough to carry the alternating-chapters concept.
I don't have a lot of other thoughts on this. It was well crafted; lots of feelings; if you like YA and/or fantasy and/or urban fantasy you should check this out.