I wanted to like this book so much. It has all the right topics in the mix for a young adult fantasy book. There are race discussions, family responsibilities as well as a twist on the usual fairy tale names and purposes. I do not know if I was just the wrong age group for this book (but I do read books for several different age groups in any given year, so I am not sure how strongly I stand by that point), but I was finding it hard to finish the book.
It is not a large volume, and I decided to read it all the way through before making up my mind.
It starts off in an interesting fashion, Fola is troubled by her elder brother's health and is struggling to figure out a way to work on her own dreams instead of that of her parents. During an evening out with her friend, she ends up on a train with strange people heading to Folkshore, a magical hidden part of London.
Once there, she is a wanted person, and a lot of things seem to be going wrong in town. Her arrival galvanizes into action, and in a few days, everyone is working on ways to get to the root of the problem and stop more people from vanishing.
I could not get into the mood required to appreciate the action, but maybe if the blurb and the concept feel intriguing, I would recommend giving this book a shot.
It is definitely a different take on the fantasy twists.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

"Finding Folkshore" is a captivating story that will appeal to readers who enjoy young adult fantasy novels. The book is a coming-of-age tale that offers a unique blend of magic, adventure, and self-discovery. It is a story about finding one's place in the world and the importance of staying true to oneself.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, and no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

A unique story full of diverse characters and a really captivating setting. An enjoyable read that I would highly recommend.

Finding Folkshore is a heartfelt exploration of the sorrow of gentrification and the importance of giving a voice to those most affected. Rachel Faturoti's voice is full of attitude and humour, her characters are distinct, and Folkshore is more than evocative enough to make you wish it were real.

The book follows the story of Fola, a girl who after getting up to a bit of mischief finds herself stuck in Folkshore--a hidden part of London that is feeling the full weight of gentrification. Except none of that is her problem as if she doesn't get back she'll be late for her brother's important surgery. But as Fola seeks a way out, she gets more involved with the local community. Until she realises her only way out of Folkshore is to confront the nefarious forces at play.

Fola is a character who is easy to adore. She has a strong will, and yet she cares a lot about what others think. This internal struggle to be true to herself, and act responsibly are portrayed with sensitivity and nuance. The other characters in the book, including the hilarious Bran, the defiant Rap, the assertive Red, the gentle Pascal, and the enigmatic Prince to name more than a few all have multitudes. The secondary characters are a real highlight. Not only are they engaging as individuals, it's clear to see how their interactions with one another further enrichen their personalities.

Finding Folkshore explores themes of gentrification, hope, and the power of having a voice. Faturoti's portrayal of Fola finding the voice of a community is a great reminder that even when things seem hopeless, there is always a way forward.

Overall, I cannot recommend Finding Folkshore to anyone looking for a fun and emotionally resonant read. The book is beautifully written, and its message about the importance of preserving & uplifting community is one that will stay with readers long after they finish the final page.

I very much enjoyed Faturoti's teen debut even if it did feel slighly repetitive in places. Folkshore had elements that felt a lot like Once Upon a Time and Narnia which is a brilliant combination. I liked the diverse cast of characters that Faturoti created and the different motivations each of them had.

In Finding Folkshore, Faturoti handled heavier topics such as corrupt police, the negative outcomes of regenerarion schemes and the impact displacement can have on diverse communities in a way that was both powerful and straightforward for younger readers to understand.

What I liked most about Finding Folkshore was the element of mystery running the whole way through and the seamless way that everything came together by the end. Folkshore had such an interesting history and backstory that Faturoti slowly revealed throughout the novel.

Overall this book has so much merit and I definitely recommend it!

At the end of the Victoria line do not alight in Brixton, but stay on for an adventure in Folkshore.

Teenager Fola makes sure to never cross the invisible lines set by her family and by herself. Never ever. She's too scared to disappoint the people around her. Yet this one time she dares to break free and first visits an exhibition at the British Library, while she's supposed to be with her classmates at the theatre, then she takes the Victoria line and enters Folkshore.

Now Fola is scared for totally different reasons. One being that she won't be able to leave this magical place ever again. What will her parents say? Her mother is certainly going to skin her alive while chastising Fola's foolishness in Yoruba. .

This is a YA story that's playing with fairy tale and folklore characters in a refreshingly diverse way.