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!

3.5 stars

i always enjoy eliza chan's book <3 this is definitely a fun book for all fantasy lovers, especially those who enjoy a good asian fantasy book (after all, aren't those the best types?)

Tiankawi is a semi-submerged city, home to humans and fathomfolk (sirens, seawitches, kelpies, and kappas).

It is a beacon of hope and a safe haven to those fleeing civil unrest... or at least it appears to be. In reality, Tiankawi is a divided city.

Whilst humans live towering over the water with their airy dwellings and walkways, the fathomfolk dwell in the submerged parts of the city in deep, polluted waters.

With rebellion and change hurtling toward them with tsunami-like force, can our main characters afford the true cost of freedom and the price of equality? Or should Tiankawi just be left to drown?


Fathomfolk is a fantastic piece of writing on so many levels. The rich world-building that reels you in and the stunning prose that keeps you within the ebb and flow of this tale.

I enjoyed the reading experience and the journey I was taken on.

As with all folk-like tales, the backdrop and messages are profound in Fathomfolk:
- The representation of a displaced minority living in the crumbling shadows of those who believe themselves superior.
- The reality of the limited rights of the fathomfolk and how they are withdrawn the moment human power is questioned.
- The steep price to be paid for equal rights and the cost of change brought to an unbending society is more than most wish to pay.

So why does Fathomfolk have so many low ratings... I hear you ask.

The end of Fathomfolk is bittersweet, but readers should note that it is the first book in a series, and the story continues in Tideborn.

For those with the privilege of living freely among a dominant governing people, the lives and choices made by Mira, Nami, Cordelia, etc., may not resonate or even be recognisable to you.

It is not always easy to see the lessons in folktales from different peoples, but this isn't to say there isn't something for everyone to learn from reading them.

I urge you to read more East Asian works and those by the many talented diaspora writers out in the world.


*I received an advance reader copy for free, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review*

Mythology & folklore story about underwater life sea creatures of water dragons, sirens & sea witches. Think it needed more editions so you can follow the characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK, Orbit for this eCopy to review

Fathomfolk is set in the semi-submerged city of Tiankawi, captivating me with its unique blend of myth and modernity. The world Chan created, teeming with sirens, sea witches, kelpies, and kappas, drew me in with its rich, imaginative detail.

The story follows Mira, a half-siren and the newly appointed captain of the border guard. Her life takes a turn when Nami, a water dragon and fathomfolk royalty, is exiled to the city. As tensions rise between humans and fathomfolk, an annual boat race becomes the focal point of sabotage and escalating violence, leading to a crackdown on fathomfolk rights.

One of the book's strengths lies in its world-building. Chan’s descriptions of Tiankawi and its inhabitants are vivid and immersive, making it easy to picture the semi-submerged city and its diverse creatures. The mythological elements are well-integrated into the story, giving it a distinctive style.

However, while the setting and premise are intriguing, the execution falls short in some areas. The pacing felt uneven, the characters, while compelling, lacked depth and emotional development, making it hard to fully connect with them.

Fathomfolk is an enjoyable read for those interested in folklore and fantasy. It offers a fresh take on mythical creatures and presents an imaginative world worth exploring.

✩★★★★✩/5.

Wow, Fathomfolk completely swept me away! This book takes you into a future where mythical sea folk (the Fathomfolk) and humans live in a tense, uneasy coexistence in the polluted city-state of Tiankawi. It’s a dazzling mix of mythology, political intrigue, and incredible world-building.

The three main characters—Nami, Mira, and Cordelia—each bring something unique to the story. Nami, the fierce yet vulnerable sea dragon, stole my heart. Mira, a half-siren navigating her identity, felt so relatable. And Cordelia, the morally grey sea witch? She’s cunning, complex, and somehow impossible not to root for.

I’ll admit, this is a slow burn at first, but it’s worth it. The first half focuses on building the world and characters, and by the halfway point, I couldn’t put it down. There’s a plot twist that had me gasping—it was that good!

That said, I do wish there had been a map. Keeping track of the underwater havens and topside districts got a bit confusing. And the ending? It leaned hard into setting up the sequel, leaving me craving just a little more closure.

But the vivid imagery made up for it. The descriptions of Tiankawi’s street markets were so immersive—I could almost smell the street food and feel the fabrics under my hands. And this quote? It’s still living rent-free in my mind:

"Then Kai had come and built a shelter around her. To him it was unremarkable to be dry and warm and loved."

If you love atmospheric stories with complex characters, a sprinkle of mythology, and a hint of political drama, Fathomfolk is a must-read!! I can’t wait to see what the sequel has in store!

Thank you Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the ARC

#Fathomfolk #NetGalley

Fathomfolk presents an intriguing premise but ultimately fails to live up to its potential. The novel hints at a rich and immersive world, yet struggles significantly with world-building, leaving key elements underexplored and underdeveloped. The story’s setting often feels shallow, lacking the depth needed to make it fully believable or engaging.

Despite the promise of a unique premise, the narrative feels uneven, and the characters never fully come to life in the way they should. The pacing is inconsistent, and rather than drawing readers into the world, the novel often leaves them feeling detached. With a more refined approach to world-building and character development, Fathomfolk could have been much more compelling. As it stands, it’s an underwhelming read that ultimately falls short of its potential.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me at about 40% . I have rated it 3 stars however since it is well written, with good prose and imagery. It simply was not to my tastes, however I am certain there is an audience for this story who will enjoy it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own and I am leaving a review voluntarily.

Description:
Tiankawi is a city populated by both humans and fathomfolk - the latter of which are mythological water peoples (sirens, merpeople, kelpies etc.) who are afforded very little in the way of respect, and forced to live in polluted waters whilst the humans live above ground. We mainly follow Mira, a guard captain promoted despite her fathomfolk status, and Nami, the troublemaking sister of a respected fathomfolk water dragon family.

Liked:
The world is interesting, and the politics explored in the novel are believable and frequently infuriating. Mira is a very sympathetic character. I definitely got caught up in the relationships and the wider stakes at play here and found myself close to tears on a few occasions, for a variety of reasons. There's something deeply resonant here.

Disliked:
Having said that, a part of me is surprised I was able to get that invested, because the storytelling frequently gets in its own way. It's hard to put a finger on it, but this book feels very intrinsically *messy*; it's not wonderful at painting a picture of what's actually going on. On multiple occasions the scene-setting is so sparse that although you know that something meaningful or action-packed is going down, it's hard to know what exactly the stakes are, what the problem is etc. The reveal of information also feels a bit slapdash - it would be really helpful to have a little more world-building and establishing of some key facts (particularly about the different types of fathomfolk and what their 'powers' are in this world), before that information becomes key to the plot. Still very enjoyable, but sometimes a fair bit of work. Nami was a very frustrating character to follow, although she felt realistic enough. I did not buy Firth's appeal in the least.

Would recommend. Messy but very appealing.

Fathomfolk is a book that really grew on me. At first, it was all shiny worldbuilding and intriguing characters, but the pacing took its time to settle, which left me a bit impatient early on. That said, once the plot picks up (and trust me, it does), I couldn’t put it down. By the time I finished, I was fully invested in the underwater world of Tiankawi and the struggles of its fascinating cast of characters.

The setting is the star here—a semi-submerged city divided between humans in their gleaming towers and the fathomfolk, like sirens and sea witches, who are stuck living in polluted waters below. It’s vibrant, gritty, and full of tension. I loved Mira, the half-siren border guard trying to prove herself in a system stacked against her. Nami, the exiled water dragon, is a bit of a wildcard, and their dynamic together is layered with conflict and grudging respect. Cordelia, the scheming sea witch, is deliciously complex, and Serena adds her own quiet strength.

What stands out most is how the book tackles heavy social issues—prejudice, power dynamics, and systemic oppression—while weaving them into the fantasy. Sometimes it feels like those themes take over a bit too much, slowing the plot to a crawl, but the emotional payoff and the depth they add to the characters are worth it.

The ending hit me hard. It was intense and bittersweet, with some real emotional punches. My only gripe is that it felt a little rushed—after such a slow build-up, the climax could’ve used a bit more breathing room.

Overall, this is a beautifully written, thought-provoking debut. It’s a bit heavier on politics and backstory than action, so it might not be for everyone, but if you love rich worldbuilding, nuanced characters, and fantasy that feels relevant to the real world, give Fathomfolk a try. I’m already looking forward to the sequel!

If I could give half stars I would give this 3.5 but it was too good for 3.
The first 60 or so pages of Fathomfolk had me hooked, and then nothing really happened for another 100 pages. The rest though, was action packed, full on and the ending had me in tears.
I love the four main characters, Mira, Nami, Serena and Cordelia. They each have such an interesting backstory and characteristics. I really enjoyed the different types of character, from kappas to kelpies.
Kai has my whole heart and it’s the best character in the whole book.
Towards the end felt a bit rushed, and the events seemed to come out of nowhere. Despite this, I’d recommend it as I really enjoyed the world building and writing style.

Big thanks to netgalley for allowing me access to this e-arc copy of Fathomfolk. To start off with, I really enjoyed this book, I found it slow to start but that’s expected with fantasy novels, but as things started to fall into place, the pace quickened a bit and I started enjoying the plot and characters a bit more! I loved the writing style and I think it flowed well throughout the book! I highly recommend Fathomfolk to anyone who is looking for a good fantasy read!

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

Fathomfolk was ultimately a disappointing read, but not because I thought it was bad. Rather, it just didn't live up to the expectations and high anticipation I felt going in after reading the blurb. Overall, it was a decent read; rife with potential. The worldbuilding that is the city of Tiankawi and the fantastical marine beings known as fathomfolk is lush, rich, and easily the best parts of the book. If this was a book of short stories detailing the lives of fathomfolk and their cultures, I would lap it up. Rather, we follow three POVs that are clearly meant to mirror specific real-life struggles and identities.

To start, one should go into Fathomfolk bracing for depictions of prejudice that are meant to be fist-biting, screaming-into-your-pillow, downright gut-wrenching. Chan does not shy away from this. I will commend her for not softening the realities that this was based on that at least.

Of the three protagonists, Mira, the half-siren half-human, interested me the most due to the way her struggles were meant to reflect those of real-life biracial people. She is regularly forced into one of two checkboxes; seen as too human for the fathomfolk and too fishy for the humans. Her role is that of one who's trying to fix a broken system from within; a futile attempt given that a rigged system is incapable of change that way. Mira and her water dragon partner Kai also represent the stigma an interracial couple (or in this case , interspecies couple who is also separated by another layer of class) may face. Upon reflection, part of my enjoyment of Mira's chapters over the other two was simply because the latter made such painful reads.

Cordelia is a sea witch capable of glamoring herself to look like an ordinary human woman. She mirrors BIPOC who are able to pass and assimilate only by concealing her fathomfolk heritage. Admittedly, it is fascinating to read of her manipulations to rise the social ladder... until she shows how little she cares for her own kind. An entirely self-serving character, she has no qualms of using and hurting innocent fathomfolk, who are as marginalized as she would be if her sea witch identity was exposed. Her one sympathetic trait—that she loves her young daughter—offers little recompense for such a despicable character I had to push through reading.

But that doesn't come close to my least favorite read: Nami, the water dragon youth radicalized to join a group of seemingly righteous revolutionaries. It wasn't even by virtue of her character, but because of the deeply problematic and manipulative relationship she has with Firth, one of said revolutionaries. His tactics of drawing her to his side are emotionally abusive and gaslighty, and he also doesn't hesitate to physically harm her to prove his point. It aggravates me every time the story puts them on the same page.

With how Fathomfolk painstakingly builds up rising social tensions and political unrest bubbling over, I felt that the story's "resolution" to bring about a new era of peace—albeit temporarily—felt like a cop out. The sacrifice that led to it did not feel like it was worth it.

This is a really good debut novel. Yes parts feel underedited, which I think seems to be a common criticism, however, that can be overlooked when there is such a deep, beautiful story to read. I think the pacing of this book is really good, and whilst parts are slower than others, you never lose momentum when reading Fathomfolk. I’m in awe, as pacing can be one of the most difficult parts of writing a novel, so to make it flow so well in a debut, is really impressive.
I really liked that this book had 3 POVs to follow; all entirely unique, with different backgrounds and perspectives on live. All three characters were delightful to read about, which again, is a very rare opinion from me - usually a character or two drags. Mira, a half-siren, who wants to change the system from within by going through the ranks in the military. Nami, a water dragon, from a rich family, entangled with anti-human extremists. Cordelia, a sea-witch married to a politician, using tensions between species for her own means. This was definitely a multi-POV novel done correctly.
It’s a brilliantly written fantasy novel with so many real life social issues woven together, and some amazing world building.
I think this is a very elegantly written tale of prejudice and intolerance, mixed with such a fun world to explore with love and joy. I cannot wait for the next book in this series

There were a lot of POVs in this book, and while they are useful, it was a little overwhelming - so knocked off a star for that. I did enjoy this otherwise, it just was a struggle to get into with trying to keep up with whos who and whos pov i was reading

This is truly one of the more vibrant stories I've had the chance to read lately. I will say, I found myself slumping through this, struggling to get through the book, but I would definitely agree that this story has a lot of potential. I enjoyed the characters, the worldbuilding is strong in this one, but one of the things I found myself struggling a bit with, which made reading this a little slower than I expected, was that it partially felt as an essay on our society nowadays, barely disguised as a fantasy story. It has a lot of politics, a lot of backstory, and also a lot of details pertaining to how the characters were raised.

While I do of course understand that it is important to the characters and their backstory, it doesn't always drive the plot forward as much, and while I understand as well that it is sometimes necessary, I found that the story sometimes really slumps and even stagnates a little bit. I understand it is important that we know x character grew up a certain way, but I also do not need it to be thrown back into the mix every time, or to know every single thought a character might have about a subject. So I would warn those of you that love plot based stories and aren't too keen on those types of stories that this might not be for you!

Otherwise, the story is a solid 3,5/5 for me. It felt a bit like an essay at times but I grew to like the characters and am quite curious to see what happens in the next instalment!

Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan
3.5 Stars

Let me just say, I think this book would of easily been a 5 star, if it wasn’t Third Person. I think First person would have made it so much more interesting. First person gives a deeper connection to characters, and this just didn’t.

The whole premise of this book would have been absolutely brilliant. The war between people of sea and people of land. The Humans Vs the Fathomfolk, literally everything about it screams I should of absolutely loved it. But it fell short. The Third Person POV didn’t help, at all and I think it would be so much better as First Person.

However, the world building was absolutely mind blowing. The descriptive writing from Chan is breathtaking and I am here for it. It was the plot and the descriptions that made this book 3 stars for me. I absolutely loved the plot, with the mix of politics, hierarchy and fantasy. But those are the only things I can rate positively. The rest just wasn’t there for me.

Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan is such a good book. I rated it 5 stars. So so good. I loved every single second of it and I couldn't be more grateful to have read this book.

In this world, there are humans and fathomfolk—beings who live underwater. With the oceans polluted, many fathomfolk are seeking better lives for themselves and their families in the human city of Tiankawi. However, humans often see their gills as a sign of being "too different," with many expressing their prejudice in cruel ways. Since fathomfolk include powerful beings like sirens and dragons, they are often forced to wear devices that harm them if they even consider threatening a human, further cementing the imbalance between the two groups. The ending of this story completely caught me off guard, and I can’t wait to explore more of this world and read more from Eliza Chan!

Unfortunately, this book lost me with the world building and the writing.
It took me a whole while to understand what the (main) plot of the book is.
I kept drifting off while reading which resulted in me switching to a "more skimming than actually reading" situation.
A lot of the time I couldn't really tell if the characters are under water or on land, until there was this random "object floating next to their head" hint.

However, what I really liked was how political and social issues were translated into a sea creatures-human setting and how it all played & worked out.
I also loved how all the characters were connected with each other, in one way or another.

Cordelia, a sea witch, was giving Ursula-vibes and I am here for it. Anything else was really more like "meeh".

I wish I would have loved it more. This book might a potential reread candidate for some time in the future.
But for now, I will not be continuing this series.