*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Title: Fathomfolk
Author: Eliza Chan
Publisher: Orbit
Publication Date: February 27, 2025
ISBN: 9780316564922
Synopsis:
Welcome to Tiankawi – shining pearl of human civilization and a safe haven for those fleeing civil unrest. Or at least, that’s how it first appears. But in the semi-flooded city, humans are, quite literally, on top: peering down from shining towers and aerial walkways on the fathomfolk – sirens, seawitches, kelpies and kappas – who live in the polluted waters below. For half-siren Mira, promotion to captain of the border guard means an opportunity to help her downtrodden people. But if earning the trust and respect of her human colleagues wasn’t hard enough, everything Mira has worked towards is put in jeopardy when Nami, a know-it-all water dragon and fathomfolk princess – is exiled to the city, under Mira’s watch. When extremists sabotage a city festival, violence erupts, as does the clampdown on fathomfolk rights. Both Nami and Mira must decide if the cost of change is worth paying, or if Tiankawi should be left to drown.
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Fathomfolk is easily one of the most interesting fantasy novels I’ve read in the past year. A departure from the romantasy genre, where I’ve been entrenched for months, Chan instead hones in on her world-building, lore, and political intrigue that make this book a standout in the market today. Chan’s writing is a breath of fresh air in this masterfully told story of dragons and deadly conflicts . It follows three primary characters: Mira, captain of the guard; Nami, the sister of Mira’s partner Kai, who is a new arrival in the city of Tiankawi; and Cordelia, a sea witch.
From these perspectives we hear three very different fathomfolk voices. The fathomfolk are a people who are oppressed in the city of Tiankawi. They are stripped of their rights to speak for themselves and protect themselves. They are used by the humans for their magic in order to fuel the city’s power source. They are underrepresented in all areas of social and political influence. In their own ways, the three characters fight against, or seek to use, the system to move forward in whichever way they believe will be the most successful. Each route is flawed, and often actions are marred by personal gain, or by inherent personal bias. Each character is flawed, but also has hope at redemption as the story progresses.
I’ve now made my way on to Tideborn, the second book in this series, and it’s even more beautiful so far. Be warned though, it is a dense read. There is a lot of information about how the government operates, the ins and outs of the political system, and detailed societal norms that carry innate nuance. It makes the story all the more appealing as it builds a detailed world with discrimination and retaliation that often hits close to home. The world that Mira and Nami seek to improve is not so different from our own.
Overall, this is one of the most interesting books I’ve had the pleasure to read, and I can’t wait to come to you with the second review as well.
Happy reading!
Worn Pages and Ink 