I was initially drawn into this book as the concept really interested me. Whilst the story did remain interesting throughout, it didn't grab me and take hold in the way I had hoped and it did take me a while to get through as I wasn't eager to jump back in.

They say don’t judge a book by its cover and the cover for Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan is a beautiful piece of art and the book inside is a strong debut which leaves me wanting to explore the world further.
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.

One of the things I enjoyed about Fathomfolk was the feeling we were reading the myths and legends of a place that never was and I liked that vibe, the world building is great and it feels realized and believable, though it took me a bit to get my head round how the world works. There is a beautiful visual tone to the book and whilst reading it got me imagining how it could look on screen and whilst I’m sure it would look great , for now I like the fact it’s how I want it to look in my head.
Great fantasy works best by taking issues that are contemporary and wrapping them in the setting to showcase how universal many issues are and this does that well, in the same way I’ve felt Juno Dawson’s books have. Cultural identity runs through the book and helps define the characters and having those familiar arguments and thoughts on the page help to realise the fantasy world with one we can recognise.
As always I won’t give too much away but the characterisation is also good and it creates a good window into the world. The plot moves along and has its share of twists and turns that help you to understand the characters, and they grow as the plot does.
I would certainly recommend this if you enjoy modern folk tales and fantasy books, it took me a little while to, pardon the pun, become submerged in the world but when I did I didn’t come up for air until it was finished – recommended and looking forward to more set in this world!

A good debut book!

I really liked Kai and thought him and Mira were really sweet. The other characters seemed harder to connect with, although I did find Nami quite interesting too!

For the majority of Fathomfolk it’s a very slow pace, it took me a while to get into the story and the world we were transported to. Although it did pick up in the second half, where I think I enjoyed it the most.

I really loved the world building, it was my favourite part of the book for definite! I felt like the author succeeded in making it feel really impressive. Some more detailed descriptions of the creatures would have been amazing though, I could imagine them easily, but as if without my glasses on.

I really enjoyed Chan’s writing style, the plot was interesting and I will be reading the sequel. I hope that book two will be even better!

I enjoyed the concept for this novel, and its expansive worldbuilding, but it felt just slightly off the mark. Chapters were short and felt quick to get though, but due to that I couldn't latch onto the story. The changes of perspectives between characters is an interesting concept, but it just came across as confusing.

Unfortunately I didn't like this one and couldn't get into it at all. The characters felt one dimensional and a little flimsy and the plot didn't work for me at all. The concept was very cool but the book as a whole wasn't for me.

I really enjoyed this. I found the start to be a little bit slow but it really picked up a few chapters in. I loved reading about all the different characters and how their lives were in a world where fathomfolk and humans lived together. Mira began as my favourite character but I also really liked Nami by the end, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the different types of fathomfolk and their abilities. I loved this book and can’t wait for more by this author, especially if it’s part of this universe!

Unfortunately, I gave up reading this book and I regret it. I didn't find the characters deep enough and I wasn't carried away by th plot.
Sadly it's a DNF :(
Too YA for me

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

As a reader, I was initially drawn to the enchanting premise of "Fathomfolk" and the promise of a richly imagined underwater world. Chan's prose is evocative, painting a vivid picture of life beneath the sea. However, I found myself struggling to connect with the characters on a deeper level, as their motivations and personalities felt somewhat underdeveloped.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its imaginative world-building, with Chan crafting a detailed and immersive underwater realm. The inclusion of various mythical creatures adds depth to the setting, creating a sense of wonder and enchantment. Additionally, the novel's exploration of themes such as cultural identity and political commentary offers thought-provoking moments.

However, the execution of the book fell short of its premise and the promise the world-building showed. I normally like stories told from the perspectives of different characters, such as in Leigh Bardugo’s “Six of Crows”, because it adds a sense of dynamism and lets you see the same world from different, normally interesting perspectives, but this didn’t seem to happen in “Fathomfolk”. I didn’t connect with the characters, which left me feeling disengaged from the story overall and uninvested in the outcome. I was also a little frustrated by the lack of development of some of the characters.

In comparison to other fantasy novels with similar themes, such as “Song of Silver, Flame Like Night” or Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse novels, "Fathomfolk" may not reach the same level of depth and complexity. While it offers glimpses of a fascinating underwater world, the novel struggles to fully capitalise on its potential, leaving readers wanting more. I struggled to finish this novel, and though I persevered, I didn't feel that the ending provided any sort of reward for continuing with the novel.

"Fathomfolk" may appeal to readers who are drawn to lush, imaginative settings and enjoy stories featuring mythical creatures. Eliza Chan's "Fathomfolk" immerses readers in a visually stunning underwater world filled with mythical creatures and intrigue. While the novel boasts an enchanting premise and lush descriptions, its shortcomings in terms of pacing and character development result in a 3-star rating. It offers moments of wonder and imagination but falls short of fully realising its potential as a captivating fantasy tale.

I've been attempting to read this one for about two months, so I will finally call it quits and DNF. It feels unfair to rate it poorly given I didn't finish, but not finishing it a rating in itself. A cool concept, but just didn't work for me on many levels.

I loved the concept of this book, but found it a little difficult to relate to the characters. I felt the book dived straight into the middle of a scene without any background or world-building, and found it a roller coaster trying to keep up with names, characters and relationships.

Sadly this book was not for me and I DNF around the 44% mark.

I think the premises of the book and what the author is trying to achieve is interesting and different but maybe just not the best executed. There was a bit too much going on and information dropped and I found it quite a slog to get up to the point that I did. I appreciate that I received an ARC so the final version maybe more edited and easily digestible, as the version I read pacing and prose were all just a little off.

I definitely think regardless, this will certainly appeal to many! It just missed the mark a little for me personally.

Thanks as always for the ARC and opportunity to read ahead of publication.

*DNF - Chapter 14 - 24%*

This book seemed to have the potential for great worldbuilding. But in my opinion, I just didn't feel that it was brought to life that well.

The story follows multiple characters, which would sometimes change mid-chapter. I found myself struggling to connect with characters or differentiate who was who. Which was a shame because the Synopsis and cover really intrigued me.

I found the storytelling to be quite jumbled, which made me lose interest. So I am DNF'ing for now, unfortunately.

A really interesting concept with fun, likeable characters. Unfortunately there often felt like there was just too much happening and it was difficult to entirely keep up with everything.
The world building was interesting and vibrant which I enjoyed.
Overall, the story had really great bones but felt a little like the author was overreaching. Will definitely look forward to more from this author.

DNF @60%

I have read quite a bit chunk of this book so I think I am in a good position to review the book.

The world in itself is quite compelling and some of the themes in the book is quite on par with what is going on in the world right now. But, the story just failed to click with me. I don't know if it's boring or what but I have been trying to read this from the last two months and it just isn't engaging me enough. For a minute, it did pick up at around 50% or so but that fizzled out real quick.

I am at a point in my life that I absolutely cannot waste my time on a book that isn't engaging me so after much consideration, I an DNFing this for good.

I have mixed feelings about this book.
The world building is very rich and the premise interesting.
At the same time, there were a lot of characters and I got a bit confused at the beginning, especially as the book was slow paced and I was struggling to understand what was going on.
As I carried on reading, the pace got better and I enjoyed the plot more, as well as the psychological depiction of characters like Nami, Kai and Mira.
However the resolution left me disappointed.

I want to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book for sending me a copy of this boom in exchange for a fair review.

FATHOMFOLK immerses readers in a rich tapestry of family dynamics, cultural exploration, and the strength of women. The sinking city setting, where the narrative unfolds, completely captivated me, offering a unique and enchanting backdrop despite the turmoil within. There's a certain allure reminiscent of Ghibli movies, heightening the book's atmospheric charm.

The title, Fathomfolk, aptly describes the inhabitants with watery characteristics—sirens, sea dragons, mermaids, and more—adding to the book's allure. Mira, a half-siren, grapples with her identity amidst two worlds, offering a grounded perspective despite occasional slow pacing in her chapters.

Nami, a rebellious teenage seadragon, shines with her compelling storyline, while Cordelia, a second-generation sea witch, adds an intriguing layer of mystery. Despite occasional pacing issues, the depth of the story and its characters make it a worthwhile read.

Overall, FATHOMFOLK offers a captivating journey through a halfway-underwater city, filled with secrets and surprises. Perfect for spring or summer reading, this book promises an unforgettable exploration of a world where nothing is as it seems.

First of all let's admire how beautiful the cover art. 🤩 Take place at cosmopolitan water city of Tiankawi. The worldbuilding is so unique and lush with gorgeous details. There is two type of citizen. One normal humans and held the power. The second one are people of the sea such as mermaids, sirens, kappa and dragon sea. This Folk people capable of taken human form or at least half of it and try to blend into society.

The plot is interesting and show very different conflicts between society. The vibes inspire mostly by diverse of Asian setting and cultures, but also absorbing from different mythology such as Kelpie or Disney's villain Ursula. I am not sure about multiple third POV at here when their voices seem similar for me. The conflicts mostly about social issue and political intrigues. The pace is slower than my favourite. There is soft magic at here make the story feel modern like urban legend or fushion fantasy.

It is promising debut fantasy with so much more to dive from the fantastic world.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit Publisher from Little Brown Books UK for providing copy of this ebook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Expecting Publication : 29 February 2024

First, let's address the elephant in the room. These days I feel like a lot of us check the ratings of books before reading them, and it was the reason I was scared to dive (pun intended..) into this one. And I feel like I can understand the poor ratings in the sense that this book is kind of a mix of YA and adult and it might be hard to satisfy the readers of just one of these age groups.

I feel like the characters were not that original and very YA feeling, and I was often quite frustrated with their decisions. The worldbuilding, however, felt pretty adult to me- it had quite a lot of details and in a sense, it felt like its own character. And that was the reason I've ultimately rated this book 4⭐. I've kind of shifted my focus to the world as my main character and tried to flow (yup, that's another pun) with the story, not really thinking too deep about whether character's actions were compelling to me. Because of my anxiety, I really have a poor memory when it comes to the plot of books, but I remember the vibe quite well, and here I feel like the vibe was really strong and atmospheric.

I think fans of The Drowning Empire by Andrea Stewart might like this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the early access to this book.

I was really excited to read this, as it sounded like something that would be right up my street - but unfortunately I didn't get along with this book.

I don't usually enjoy multiple POV books, so maybe that was part of the issue, but I just couldn't get invested in the world or the characters.

I might give it another go a few years down the line, but for now, it's just not for me.

FATHOMFOLK is an atmospheric read about family, culture and strong women. The sinking city, where the main events took place completely sucked me in as I was reading. It was unique, and despite many horrible things happening I couldn’t help but fall in love with it.
This book gave Ghibli movie vibes at its height.

The title, Fathomfolk references the people who are not human, but rather have some kind of *watery* characteristics (for example sirens, sea-dragons, mermaids, kappas and so on). I really like this name, so what primarily made me want to pick up this book besides the gorgeous cover was the title.

Mira is a half-siren, struggling to find her place in the city, stuck between two worlds, one of the fathomfolk and the other of humans. She’s probably the most levelheaded character out of the three main ones, and while I enjoyed her chapters sometimes they were boring.

Nami is probably my favorite out of the three of them. Her chapters were always interesting. She’s a rebellious teenage seadragon who was sent to her brother’s city as punishment — but she has a secret mission to fulfill.

Cordelia, a second generation sea-witch was always shrouded in mystery. For a while you can’t quite figure out where her loyalties lie, but it was great to read about her powers.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story, even if I sometimes found the pacing too slow or weird. I highly recommend it to everyone who wants a spring/summer read about a halfway-underwater city and its tenants, where nothing is as it seems.

Got an e-arc from netgalley in exchange for an honest review