New Qian

New Qian is the overarching backdrop of the novel. This fictional setting is where Noria and her family and community reside. In this realm, water is regulated and rationed by the Scandinavian government. In Noria's New Qian reality, therefore, water is revered and sacred.

Over the course of the novel, New Qian's government begins to limit its people's freedoms more and more. Frequent military visits to Noria's village compromise her sense of safety and freedom.

Village

The village where Noria and family and friends reside is located in New Qian. This village is also a part of the Scandinavian Union, which has been taken over by the new regime. In the village, Noria's life is defined by her apprenticeship with her father, her relationships with her parents, and her friendship with Sanja. At the novel's start, the village feels like a safe and stable community. However, the...