Fathomfolk is the first book in the Drowned world series. While the world building was great in this book, I struggled to connect with any of the characters. I would still recommend checking this out if the synopsis interests you.

I loved the storyline as well as the characters in this novel. The plot was structured in a great way and the cover art is fantastic too. I would certainly recommend this book to my friends.

Overall, "Fathomfolk" is an absolute gem of a collection. Eliza Chan's masterful storytelling and poetic prowess make this a must-read for any lover of folklore and fantasy. I cannot recommend it enough and eagerly await more of her work in the future. Five stars without a doubt!

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Fathomfolk piqued my interest when I saw the blurb saying that fans of Jade City and The Bone Shards' Daughter will love this because I really enjoyed those two series (and loved loved loved Jade City so I had high expectations for Fathomfolk as it was being compared to that).

Let me list out the things that I liked. I liked the setting of Fathomfolk as someone who enjoys urban fantasy. I love the integration of the fantasy aspects into the city setting and how I think a lot of the setting is a representative of the current world we're living in. I think if we're comparing it to Jade City, the only similarity between this book and her is the urban fantasy feels of it all but it ends there.

However, there's just a lot of things I struggled with while reading this book. Fathomfolk is told in several POV, and the author made it easy of how these characters are all connected to each other by telling it in the beginning. Still, I wasn't attached to any of the characters and also even when I already got up to the 60% mark, I still had little clue of their motivations and how the different aspects of the story will converge together. I was just really confused on what's happening and the fact that I didn't really care for the characters made me struggle to keep reading. I also thought the characters were a bit flat and the romances had almost-to-none chemistry (the last quarter with Kai and Mira was good but that's it. I appreciate the social status differences though), especially Nami and Firth like I'm not sure I'm supposed to be rooting for them? They have no chemistry and I didn't see any development AT ALL besides Firth asking Nami to trust him over and over again and Nami getting weak everytime Firth is around. I also think this book suffers from uneven pacing too, and only the last quarter saved this book for me as I was ready to DNF.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit UK for approving me of an ARC. This review will be posted on Goodreads 2 weeks before release date.

This is a beautiful and unique story set against the backdrop of sea creatures and a semi-submerged city. The narrative deftly addresses familiar themes of racial discrimination and social inequality while emphasizing the importance and beauty of connection, community, and unity.

Around the 60% mark, I found myself deciding between a 3 and a 3.5-star rating. However, the latter 40% of the book proved to be a game-changer, compelling me to elevate my rating to a solid 4 stars.

While I acknowledge some areas that could be refined, particularly in the author's expression, which occasionally felt a tad awkward, and the world building which at times felt hard to follow and imagine, it is noteworthy that these aspects improved significantly as the narrative unfolded. Considering this is a debut novel, the author's commendable work is evident, and her skills show noticeable growth throughout the book.

Connecting with the main characters posed a challenge initially, but as the author's writing gained confidence and clarity, I found myself more engaged. I also think I just grew accustomed to the three POVs in the book, Mira, Cordelia and Nami as I continued to read. The inclusion of indicators for character at the start of chapters, especially in the initial three chapters, might have eased readers into the narrative and added more clarity.

HOWEVER, the final 40% of the novel left a lasting impact on me, as the unfolding events were both rich and impactful. Despite the rapid succession of developments, there was no sense of rushed storytelling. It was during this segment that I realized my unexpected attachment to the characters which pushed my rating to 4 stars.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

I have to dnf this book now at 28%. It just doesn't grab me, and I don't really know what's going on, as it just can't keep my interest.

I did like the writing, and the premise of the book still sounds good, so I might try and pick the book back up later.

What a story! From page 1 I was drawn into this fantastical yet so familiar world and cared for the characters. Everything was so unique yet so familiar when you draw parallels to our world. I absolutely loved it and ignored my family to finish this.

3.5*

This was such a treat! I have to admit that at first I wasn't sure if this book was for me due to fact that the world that Chan created seemed quite complicated, but after reading ~10% of the book, I started to really enjoy it.

There are 3 main characters, who provide their POV during the story: Mira, half-siren, who was recently promoted to captain of the border guard, Nami, water-dragon who wants to be help others and, because of that, has a tendency to get herself in trouble and Cordelia, a sea witch, who makes deals with fathomfolk to ensure that she gets exactly what she wants. All three women have quite distinct perspectives and each of them works in her own way, which makes the story more captivating and intriguing. I'd say that I've enjoyed reading from Cordelia's perspective the least and usually wanted to get through her chapters faster, however I understand why it was necessary, because it revealed a few plot points that otherwise would have probably stayed a mystery. As for other two, I liked them equally, but I prefered Mira's love interest. It seemed that Nami might have two love interests, but the main one... yeah, not my cup of tea. Fingers crossed, that in the second book author will change her trajectory in this particular case.

Probably my favourite part was world building. I think that Chan did a great job with introducing the reader to the city of Tiankawi and all the different fathomfolk that lives there. I didn't feel overwhelmed with information and, at least for me, it was quite easy to imagine how everything would look like. I thought that the world that was portrayed in Fathomfolk, was very rich, colourful and the rules made sense, which, unfortunately, is not always the case when it comes to fantasy books.

As for the plot, I didn't see any major issues. I thought everything was executed quite smoothly and the pacing was good, without dragging too much. One event usually followed another, which ensured that the reader would be captivated enough to continue with the book and would want to find out what happened next. It wasn't perfect, but for me it was fun delving into this universe and because of that any minor issues I might have with this, felt irrelevant.

To summarise, I would say that this a solid debut and a great introduction to this new series. I'm truly excited to pick up the sequel when it comes out.

Thank you to Little Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions! As per publisher's request, my full review will be posted on Goodreads on the 15th of February, 2024.

First of all what a beautiful cover which instantly drew me in.

Great world building And I loved the water folk in all their different shapes and sizes.
Of all the characters I liked MIra the most the other I struggled a bit with connecting to.

Overall great writing from the author, just a bit difficult to enjoy when you only enjoy one POV.

Overall I think if you don't mind a slower paced book with fantastic world building and political aspects to the story you will enjoy this book.

This was a highly anticipated read which left me with mixed feelings. While the book promised an intriguing blend of "Jade City meets The Little Mermaid," it fell short in certain areas, leaving room for improvement in the second book.
One of the book's strengths lies in its worldbuilding. The city of Tiankawi, deeply rooted in Eastern Asian culture, provides a rich backdrop for the unfolding narrative. The incorporation of Asian delicacies added a layer of authenticity and made the setting come alive. However, the frequent mentions of street food hawkers became somewhat tiresome and repetitive, detracting from the overall experience.
The storyline deals with heavy themes, including the xenophobic tensions between Fathomfolk and regular humans, set against the backdrop of a decade-long civil war. The exploration of these complex societal issues adds depth to the narrative, making it politically charged and thought-provoking.

The narrative is told through the perspectives of three main characters: Mira, Nami, and Serena. Unfortunately, connecting with any of these characters proved to be a challenge. Their behaviors often felt inconsistent, and the lack of detailed history and development left them feeling underwhelming.
Romance plays a minor role in the plot, with two distinct arcs. One romance evolves from an already established relationship, offering a glimpse into the challenges of a mid-relationship struggle with social status. On the other hand, the second romance plot feels rushed and lacks believability, with the characters succumbing to insta-love. The abruptness of this connection, coupled with the disregard for evident red flags, left this romance plot very frustrating to read.
Despite its flaws, Fathomfolk remains a fascinating and politically charged read. The potential for a more immersive experience is evident, particularly in the development of characters. As the first book in a series, there is hope that the issues identified will be addressed and expanded upon in the sequel.

Thank you, NetGalley and Orbit Books and Little, Brown Book Group UK for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was so excited when I received the ARC but it was not what I expected. I don’t know what bore me exactly. I’m not sure if it’s the world itself or the writing or Kai and Mira making out in chapter one.

I gave up halfway because life is too short to force yourself to consume so-called entertainment that isn't entertaining.

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for this ARC.

Very good fantasy tale - engaging and original.

This story takes place in either a post-apocalyptic earth or a made-up fantasy world in which the population is divided between humans and fathomfolk, fish-related people, some of which are shape-shifters, who are treated as second-class citizens and with disdain on the whole. The man characters are mainly fathomfolk trying to make the best of their situation although some are out to cause a bit of mayhem and improve their lot anyway they can. It's a well-told story with plenty of characterisation and includes some likeable characters. It's only the beginning of a series and I would probably continue with it - certainly to find out where it goes next. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This review is up on Goodreads and will go live at the first link below on 19 February:

Fathomfolk is the first book in what is to be the Drowned World duology. While it certainly leaves the door wide open for the next instalment, I did have a sense of closure at the end, which is very important to me when I’m reading a series. I don’t like major cliffhangers at the end and then having to wait another year to find out what happens next, so I was happy that wasn’t the case with Fathomfolk.

I won’t lie, Fathomfolk had me at the cover, it was cover love at first sight. But as I read the blurb, I became even more eager to get my grubby hands on it: I have been thoroughly enjoying Asian mythology inspired fantasy in recent years, I’m a fan of Elizabeth Lim’s novels, and the series referenced in the blurb are some of my favourite fantasy series ever. Add a water dragon and a sea witch and I’m more than sold!

While Fathomfolk certainly had all the elements to become my new favourite fantasy novel, I never quite got there. It took me a while to get into the story, I’m not really sure why. Maybe because at first, I didn’t get the feeling of escaping reality that I usually get from fantasy? The fathomfolk, the magical beings, are being discriminated against by humans, and it was all very racist and harrowing, and it just felt like it hit too close to home to offer that escape from reality I expect from fantasy. I think it didn’t quite fit my reading mood. Although, it must be said: kudos to Eliza Chan for making me feel so deeply for her characters.

That final quarter or so, though, that was everything I signed up for. A great build-up to a rather epic and dramatic endgame, it was fantastic!

I found Fathomfolk more thought-provoking and a lot grittier than other novels in its genre. The world-building is fantastic and it hosts an amazing array of mythological waterbeings, from sirens to kelpies and kappas, and everything in between, including the most fabulous sea witch, who does seem to have a bit of a heart every once in a while (well, physically, she has three, but emotionally, …), but don’t tell anyone or she’ll break your bones.

It took me a while to fall under its spell, but in the end I fell hard for Fathomfolk, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

Fathomfolk is out in digital formats and audio on 27 February and in hardcover on the 29th, with the paperback to follow next year.

Massive thanks to Orbit and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

I would like to thank the publisher for approving my request to read this book!
DNF @ 29%
Initially, I loved the sound of this book and was so excited to read it. The world-building is extremely heavy, and I do like in depth world-building, but there just wasn’t any plot alongside it. I found it very boring and was unable to persevere.

There were also just too many characters introduced too quickly, I really struggled to understand who was who, if they were folk or human and whose POV was being referred to.

Unfortunately, this book was just too slow for me, if the plot got going earlier, then I may have continued reading, but I got to chapter 17, and nothing had really happened at all.

First of all I would like to thank netgalley & the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

TW: violence, drug use, injuries, death, violent protests & sabotage

The world and magic system felt really unique, but undeveloped. The first 200 pages felt boring, it took a while for the story to pick up. It had a wide range of magical, ethereal sea creatures though, which I really liked. (I'm a sucker for such) On the other hand, what I did not like were some of the characters. The main character seemed flat, boring, and did not really poses any "unique" characteristics that would drawn me to them. As for action, it was okay. I was not feeling it that much. But it might have been, perhaps, because I did not care about the characters.

In the end, it ended up being the perfect pretty cover with a not so great content. It just didn't work for me. But it might be just what YOU are looking for!

This review will be published on Goodreads on 15th January.

REVIEW -

What was I expecting from this story? A well-built world of merpeople and a modern fantasy setting, an enjoyable and interesting read. What did I get? A complex and political tale of prejudice, revolution and classism that often times made me sit back and take a breath before continuing.

The world of Fathomfolk was cleverly and engagingly build, one that I enjoyed seeing on the page because it felt immersive. As our main narrator, Nami was intriguing and complex, a hot-headed female main character who has rightly been compared to Korra from the Avatar series. I found that other main narrative, Mira, was such a great perspective flip compared to Nami’s hot-headedness. It grounded the story on two sides of a political battle, one slipping further into revolution and violence, one trying desperately to wage ideological and passive war against a rhetoric of hate and prejudice. This was very much a story that made you sit back and realise that the villains are maybe right, which I LOVE.

Characters
Nami was a great main character, taking us through an introduction to the world of Fathomfolk as she arrives there herself, banished by her mother for an act of rebellion which lands herself and her friends in hot water. We are introduced to a world where Fathomfolk are oppressed, relentlessly so, because of their nature. Nami’s outrage and naivety keeps you engaged, even if you’re just yelling at her to make smarter decisions, to avoid certain people, and to stay off the path that eventually leads her to commit large-scale horrid acts of violence - even if she doesn’t have a choice. She’s bold and young and predisposed to rash action, and hers is an angry, outraged narrative of confusion, a younger sibling fighting to find her own path and I enjoyed her even if I didn’t agree her the whole time - that’s what makes a good character. We witness injustice and the riotous feeling that helplessness can instill through Nami and that’s a great lens for this story.

Alternatively, Mira was another great lens, one who was so brilliantly written. Through her, we see the complex challenges that comes with “escaping” from one class system to another, and the intense system of oppression that governs Tiankawi, being “othered”, and the rage that comes with injustice. But she tries to play to the system, keep to the rules, stick to the guidelines she’s given even if they’re unjust, and her narrative is one of deep inner conflict. I loved Mira, I would personally have loved a bigger weight given to her chapters, to see more of how she navigates this world - but I loved her, and my heart broke for her many times.

My only complaint character-wise is that a romance between Nami and another character felt too insta-love for me. My intuition tells me this is partly down to influence on one side, which will come into play or to light in the second book, but I found that I didn’t believe the chemistry between the two characters. I’m hoping this is deliberate, as the other character dynamics were wonderful!

Serena was also a brilliant character and I adored her desperation and savagery, the complex webs she weaves as the story progresses, and her skill at manipulation. There is a barely restrained snarl to her tone, one which you can feel through the narrative itself, at how she loves and loathes her position in the society and her double life makes hers a really interesting and exciting narrative.

I can’t talk about Kai. I can’t. I love him too much to be unbiased about him and I’m not over his character storyline. This water dragon made me
SOB.

Pacing/Plot

I loved that each character, even if they were a side character or main perspective was cleverly interwoven into the complex plot that’s laid out in Fathomfolk.

I’ll admit that it felt a little sluggish at the start, but with a complex world to introduce the reader to there’s often going to be periods of adjusting to something relatively high fantasy. But the urban setting really grounded the world, and made it fresh and exciting to read - bonus that the food descriptions sounded SO good each time.

One of my only complaints is that there felt to be a LOT of weight added to the fate of an overarching entity that we were only really introduced to as a reality a few minutes (as the reader… reads) before their fate seals catastrophe for Tiankawi. Considering that there is an act of INJUSTICE against my favourite character as a result of this, and it weaves bigger plot points for book 2, I felt that I was supposed to be torn up about this entity’s date and the consequences of violence against them even though I’d only just discovered they existed very recently. Giving this angle more time to build significance would have made me more invested in the way that this plot point required me to be, for the consequences it has for the city, and for the characters we’ve been following this entire time.

It’s hard to critique this without spoiling, but it felt a little like we’d been thrust into the discovery of something major only for it to die three seconds after this and have life-altering consequences for main characters.

However, aside from that this was a lush and quick read! I throughly enjoyed each moment, and can’t wait for book two!!

What's not to love? Sea witches, water dragons and kelpies in the underwater city of Tiankawi. Devoured this in one sitting.

What a FANTASTIC debut filled with everything I love about the sea world!

Absolutely in love with the world of Fathomfolk! It is a magical half underwater world, with extremely well created elements. It has a lot to do with environmental issues as well!
Fathomfolks (any magical creature living underwater, imagine mermaids, sirens, sea witches, kelpies etc) do bargains and merge with humans: so it is FULL of political schemes, betrayals, new found alliances.

What I really loved beside the rich and imaginary world building and Asian lore was that most of the relationships were already established and we got to know these bonds as the novel progressed.

Ahhhh love loveed it!! I think it is best to read knowing the bare minimum so all the twists are going to hit you hard!

Thank you so much Orbitbooks UK, the author and Netgalley for the free earc! All opinion is my own.

I loved this book.

First the world and magic system. It feels really unique to have such a wide range of magical creatures.

Then the characters are all so interesting and dynamic. They have very believable motivations and stories.

The ending was perfect. Just the right amount of resolving things but also setting up for the series.
I'm excited to read more of this author

This was a surprising novel that incorporates intense themes of racism, segregation and classism amongst a vividly painted backdrop of a semi-submerged city and love against all adding just that amount of joy. Mira is a half-siren who has been promoted to the captain of the border guard and is dating Kai, the dragon ambassador to Tiankawi, a match most find difficult to understand. Nami, his sister is exiled from their home for her attempt to disrupt the status quo and joins Kai. She is drawn to a group that wants to change everything about Tiankawi but soon learns that all is not as it seems.

I enjoyed Mira and Nami's journeys of self-discovery and loved how Kai would support them to be what they needed to be. Cordelia was fascinating character, using her abilities to such a great extent that you are never quite sure what her true feelings are - the perfect villain, or is she?

Eliza weaves a heartbreaking tale of what people doing what they have to, to save the people they love while challenging a way of life that most are willing to accept without question. I absolutely loved the Southeast Asian references that made me smile when I read about paratha and puri. I did struggle slightly with the pacing of the book but this picked up as you become more invested in the story.

And look at that cover! It's stunning! That should be enough to have you read this :)