3.5 stars rounded to 4 stars.

Cover:
This cover is so pleasing, it literally pulls my eyes in and paints this beautiful illustration of this enchanting book. The colours are stunning and it just screams 'Pick me up and read me!' Again, I have the Illumicrate physical copy of this book, the colourway on that is also lovely.

Writing:
Its written in a third person POV and you feel like you are looking in, that disassociated me a little on this occasion. The world building was rich but the detail wasn't always there. It has a slower pace than I would have liked, but it escalated rapidly and that wasn't necessarily to the books favour in my opinion. I wouldn't have nestled it within Adult fiction. It needed to be more polished, but as a debut, not bad.

Plot:
This is a political fantasy, the agendas heavily control the freedoms. We see many mythical creatures as we read, but the unique abilities were not the focus or overly detailed, that was a shame. There is alot going on as the plot unfolds, I personally enjoyed this.

Characters:
I really liked Mira, but I felt as the story unfolded she became less of a character that I wanted to root for.

Romance & Relationships:
This was much more about relationship building, there is no heavy romance here, if it was intended on being romance then it was misplaced and reads as a little bit of 'gaslighting'. If it's the Romance that you are looking for you've picked up the wrong book. There was no hiding behind each other in the relationships that were built, each character stood as their own and were not held up by another as such.

Audio & Narration:
Paced well, the different POV's were easy to differentiate between. Emily Woo Zeller is another narrator that I've listened to before, I think the audio helped me enjoy the book more where others perhaps haven't.

DNF at 15%

This book just isn’t for me! I really love the blurb & the idea but the style isn’t my favourite & I found the pacing a bit off, unfortunately I just couldn’t get into it despite trying several times!

DNF

I wanted to love this one. The concept appealed to me so much, and having the Asian mythology was appealing. However I made it to around 15% and I just wasn't enjoying it.
The switching POVs didn't work for me, especially being in third person. I found myself struggling to connect to whose perspective I was in, which made it hard to enjoy.
I considered pushing through, but then read through some other reviews, and it seemed like a lot of people ended up not loving this one, so ultimately I decided to DNF at 15%.

I would definitely consider picking something else up from this author in future though, as the world building and concept was great.

I'm a bit disappointed as I felt this book didn't really live up to the hype surrounding it.

From the description and the cover I thought I would love it however I really struggled to get through it.

There was so much in it that it felt overwhelming at times and it meant that some of the aspects lacked depth and were skipped over.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for providing me with this arc

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC!

I ended up DNF'ing this book, because it was just...boring? The cover is beautiful and the plot sounded promising, but I was just left confused with what I did read.

The world building was...fine. It's mainly Asian inspired, so it felt like if you slammed Singapore, Jakarta, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Tokyo and Seoul together then you'd have Tiankawi. Which sounds cool in theory, but I feel like each of those cities has its own vibe and culture, so trying to put them all together just didn't work for me. It probably works for others, but I kept wanting to have one or two aspects shine the most.

This isn't helped with the fathomfolk, who are the water dwellers and seem to have a billion different types that extend well outside the realm of Asian mythology (why are there selkies and kelpies and sirens when there are plenty of fantastic Asian sea mythology creatures to choose from?). There's also all the tension between humans and fathomfolk - entirely caused by humans, which has meant that a lot of the fathomfolk aren't able to live in their native lands and so have to live with the humans.

If that sounds familiar, then most of what I read will. There's activism and social commentary on refugees (the humans don't like the fathomfolk, despite causing the issues), the different cultures and unwillingness to allow the fathomfolk to integrate themselves fully. Mai, one of the POV's, is the first fathomfolk to join the military but as only a half-siren, she's stuck between two worlds and not fully accepted by either. Again, a real life problem experienced by many across the world.

There are other POV's in this as well, but I just wasn't clicking with the characters and decided to just let it go. I'm sure there are people for whom this is amazing and will thoroughly enjoy it, but it unfortunately wasn't for me.

Dnf at 10-20%. This has a very interesting premise and I thought the world building was really good but couldnt finish it, something about it just pull me through. Apologies for not submitting a proper review.

Unfortunately could not connect with this book and DNFed at about 30%
I liked the concept of the book and the social commentary.

2.75 stars

I honestly I would love Fathomfolk so I requested it; I mean there are sirens and the setting, the fictional world seemed interesting. I was really excited about the dystopian-esque setting--a semi-submerged city and they all live above water, where creatures live. And the world-building is basically the only good thing in this book. It was really rich and colorful, reminded me of Hongkong and a bit of Singapore. But overall, the SEA and East Asian influence is obvious.

But overall, it didn't deliver.

Firstly, it started slow, which is fine. This is first in the series, and exposition is very much expected. However, halfway through, the narrative seemed all over the place for me. Like the plot is just giving stuff just to finish story. The narrative is not as thought out as I preferred. I did like the social commentaries.

Told in 3 POVs, I came to know each main character well. However, that doesn't mean I like them. Mira is fine. She's headstrong and I love her efforts to be captain of the guards. But I didn't like how snobbish and Nami... I don't Nami seems pretty naïve or just plain stupid.

Anyway, overall, I hope I can give this more stars.

I tried a few times to read this book and, although clearly a lot of hard work and research has been put into it, I felt unable to connect to the story. It feels like this needed another round of editing, particularly the pace. This was unfortunately a DNF for me, though I hope in future to try again.

The premise of this book is really captivating and sounds like it would be a 5 star read. Sadly, it just seemed to fall very flat. The first few chapters were really interesting, you are learning about the characters and the politics but after about 100 pages it just really slowed down. It felt like the stakes were low even though it felt like a high stakes fantasy and I just felt a little disappointed. I would read from this author again but sadly this book wasn't my favourite.

*Fathomfolk* is a politically charged adult fantasy set in the semi-submerged city of Tiankawi. The narrative centers on a diverse cast of characters, including Mira, a half-siren and the first female captain of the border guard; Kai, her water dragon partner and ambassador to Tiankawi; Nami, Kai's aristocratic yet impulsive sister; and Cordelia, a cunning second-generation sea-witch. The novel explores the escalating tensions between humans and Fathomfolk, who seek better lives in human cities despite restrictive political agendas.

Mira is tasked with easing these tensions and promoting reform, a challenging feat given her status as a half-siren. Nami, exiled for failing to obtain a dragon pearl, joins an anti-human extremist group, intensifying the conflict. Cordelia, a master manipulator, navigates political intrigue to ensure her survival and influence.

*Fathomfolk* is narrated in third person, with alternating perspectives that span land and sea. While this multi-POV approach offers diverse insights, it sometimes disrupts the narrative flow and complicates character connection. The frequent perspective shifts within chapters can be confusing, making it hard to discern the current focus and setting.

Despite these challenges, the novel's commentary on social issues such as privilege, poverty, political exploitation, and social hierarchy is compelling. These themes are woven into the fabric of the fantasy world, influencing character decisions and driving the plot forward.

Mira, as the central character, stands out with her determination to forge her own path despite societal scrutiny. Her relationship with Kai adds depth to her character, highlighting her struggle to maintain independence. In contrast, Nami's naive extremism and Cordelia's manipulative tactics feel less engaging, though they serve to heighten the story's political tension.

The world-building in *Fathomfolk* is rich and imaginative, drawing from various mythologies to create a vibrant, albeit sometimes overwhelming, fantasy landscape. The inclusion of mythical creatures like sirens, sea-witches, kelpies, and water dragons adds intrigue, but their abilities could benefit from more detailed exploration.

The pacing is uneven, starting slow to establish the complex world before accelerating in a way that feels rushed and underdeveloped. Marketed as adult fantasy, the novel's tone and execution lean more towards YA, with a sprinkle of romance that may leave some readers wanting more.

The novel's conclusion, which some might find dangerous and insensitive, undermines the social commentary and important issues raised throughout the story. This problematic ending, coupled with uneven character development, detracts from the overall impact of the narrative.

*Fathomfolk* by Eliza Chan is a debut fantasy novel that shines in its world-building and thematic exploration but falters in execution. The complex narrative structure and multiple POVs can be disorienting, and the pacing issues may frustrate readers seeking a more cohesive and engaging story. However, for those interested in a fantasy novel that tackles real-world social issues within a unique and immersive setting, *Fathomfolk* offers a thought-provoking read.

Despite its flaws, *Fathomfolk* is a notable contribution to the fantasy genre, reflecting on diaspora communities and xenophobia through a fantastical lens. With further refinement and development, Eliza Chan's future works have the potential to offer even more compelling and impactful storytelling.

The description sounded amazing and I knew I wanted to read this one asap and I'm happy to say that the story itself did not disappoint! The world in particular is so unique and I felt so immersed, the dual settings were so creative. There is some great romance, political intrigue and unique magic in this one!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
4 stars book from me. Loved the plot and the storytelling in Fathomfolk and relatable, likable characters,. Loved every single second reading it.

Fathomfolk is definitely a book that divides: difficult to appreciate in its entirety, it is clearly rich in research, sensitivity, current themes and a lot of attention to detail. Too bad that not necessarily the combination of these elements makes a fantasy novel such as to be appreciated by the masses. In this case I am the masses.

The story alternates between three different points of view, which I appreciated and found that they gave a good rhythm to the narration, and all three were more or less equally interesting (which is not a given); the construction of the world inspired by an oriental culture, where civilization is divided between the submerged people and humans, with consequent discrimination, racism and social inequality, and is extremely rich in details: you can not spend a few pages without a new revelation being given regarding the world, in an info dumping and extremely diluted and at times suffocating, to the detriment of a plot that is politically very complex, but whose plot remains banal if compared to the entire construction of the novel. Eliza Chan is clearly a very interesting, capable and talented writer but in this case it wasn’t fully enough to make the novel noteworthy. I’m still curious to read her other works in the future, while I reserve the right to think about it a bit for the sequel to Fathomfolk.

Eliza Chan's Fathomfolk offers a unique blend of fantasy and political intrigue, set in a world where humans and mythical creatures coexist. While the novel's premise is promising, with its Asian-inspired setting and exploration of societal integration, the execution leaves something to be desired.

The story follows Mira, a half-siren navigating the complexities of being the first fathomfolk in the military, as she becomes entangled in a web of political and magical conflict. While the world-building is well-crafted, the romance feels rushed and the plot occasionally falls into predictable territory.

Despite its flaws, Fathomfolk offers a captivating dive into a world of magic and political unrest. The novel's exploration of themes such as class, privilege, and the consequences of political involvement adds depth to the story. However, the pacing can be uneven, with a slow start followed by a rushed conclusion.

Ultimately, Fathomfolk is a mixed bag. While it offers a unique and imaginative setting, it falls short in terms of character development and pacing. Readers who enjoy fantasy with a strong political undercurrent may find it worthwhile, but those seeking a more character-driven story may be left wanting.

I went back and forth on how I felt about this book but ultimately I wanted more.

I didn't really connect with any of the characters, and some of the characters were juvenile, naive and messy (I'm looking at you Mira and Navi). I was very interested in learning about the two different worlds, the depths below with the seafolk and the humans above but I feel like we got so little exploration of the world itself.

Ultimately I wish the characters had been developed just a bit more.

Was so surprised and delighted to get to read this via NetGalley. A friend was raving about it and it didn’t disappoint. It wasn’t just an Asian myth retelling / fantasy book, but also an exploration of racial tensions and asylum seekers. Brilliant!

I've tried to come back to this a few times but I've found myself stuck by the pacing while being interested in the world and characters. Sadly, this didn't work on the whole for me.

I really tried but couldn't get into this - it sat on my kindle for months and sadly was a DNF for me

This was a disappointing read. I don’t really have many nice things to say about the book. The only thing that made me get through the book were the super short chapters if I am being honest.

There were three POVs and honestly, I did not enjoy any of them. I guess Nami was supposed to be the main character (?) and I really really hated her. She was such a stupid brat. At one point in the story her friend called her a „pampered toddler“ and that honestly fits quite well. Cordelia was such a snob and Mira was fine I guess. The chapters did not indicate whose POV we are going to follow next and it always took me a moment (honestly until the name was mentioned) to realize whose POV it is. I did not care about any of the characters.

One of the characters is a DRAGON and it was still lame. The setup for the whole „fathomfolk“ being water-beings was really cool but executed in a terrible way. Nobody was interesting and I do not feel like it added anything to the story.
Nothing really for described in a good way and I was not really able to picture anything or anyone. Therefore, the world building also was not really there.

What also was not there? A plot.
Really. The whole book had no goal we were working towards. I kept waiting for the setup for the actual story but it did not come. Just some random scenes that were cut in awkward ways. This also made conversations super weird. Also there were those random time jumps. A character does something and in the next sentence it says that „in the next 2 weeks blablabla happened“ - and this happened SO MANY TIMES!

I will not continue the series.