the drowned cities

Bacigalupi, Paolo

In a dystopian future America where violence, terror, and grief touch everyone, young refugees Mahlia and Mouse have managed to leave behind the war-torn lands of the Drowned Cities by escaping into the jungle outskirts. But when they discover a wounded half-man--a bioengineered war beast named Tool--who is being hunted by a vengeful band, their fragile existence quickly collapses. One is taken prisoner by merciless soldier boys, and the other is faced with an impossible decision: Risk everything to save a friend, or flee to a place where freedom might finally be possible.

a human/animal hybrid, bred for war, has broken free of his captors.

the daughter of a Chinese peacekeeper and a Drowned Cities woman, became a despised outcast when the Chinese withdrew and her father left. She escaped into the jungle, putting her own survival ahead of any altruistic thoughts for others, but lost her hand to one bloodthirsty faction in the process. Marked by her Chinese features, she's a lightning rod for fantastical hatred

the peace loving physician for a quiet village on the outskirts of the Drowned Cities.

Dr. Mahfouz has trained Mahlia to be his physician's assistant even though she has only one hand

Dr. Mahfouz sends Mahlia and Mouse out to scavenge food one day, and they are overpowered by Tool who has been wounded by soldiers of the United Patriot Front (UPF) in his attempt to escape his captivity. Tool holds Mouse hostage and forces Mahlia to bring medicine or he will kill Mouse.

When Mahlia returns to her home, she learns that the UPF has come to the village looking for Tool. She orchestrates a violent escape for herself and for Dr. Mahfouz. They return to Tool where Mahlia betrays the doctor in order to entice Tool to lead them to a safe haven up north. Mahlia's actions cause her village to be burned, her neighbors to be enslaved by the UPF and the doctor to be killed.

Mahlia friend who family was lost in random slaughter

The majority of the book takes place outside of the Drowned Cities, and yet the Cities are referenced constantly