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caseythereader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Blood, Alcohol, Classism, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction
simonlorden's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I received an ARC through NetGalley; my review is voluntary and honest.
Fathomfolk is the story of racism and class differences in a half-submerged city, humans against the fathomfolk, various sea-dwelling races like kappa, selkies, sirens and water dragons.
Mira is the captain of the border guard, the first Fathomfolk to reach this title, and yet still below the human military. Her partner, Kai, is Fathomfolk royalty turned Ambassador, who has never personally known the poverty and discrimination Mira and her mother experienced. Kai's sister Nami gets exiled to the city and gets involved with radical elements after facing the treatment of her people in Tiankawi.
And then there's Cordelia, the seawitch, who is mostly just out for herself. She was not my favourite.
For a fantasy story, Fathomfolk is a too-real story of racism, refugees and the different ways to struggle for equality. The characters are relatable and well-developed, and the city comes alive in the descriptions. I admit I wasn't the fan of the ending and the resolution, but it was still a good read, and there's definitely a set-up for a sequel.
CW: racism, blood, a lot of dead bodies and such
Fathomfolk is the story of racism and class differences in a half-submerged city, humans against the fathomfolk, various sea-dwelling races like kappa, selkies, sirens and water dragons.
Mira is the captain of the border guard, the first Fathomfolk to reach this title, and yet still below the human military. Her partner, Kai, is Fathomfolk royalty turned Ambassador, who has never personally known the poverty and discrimination Mira and her mother experienced. Kai's sister Nami gets exiled to the city and gets involved with radical elements after facing the treatment of her people in Tiankawi.
And then there's Cordelia, the seawitch, who is mostly just out for herself. She was not my favourite.
For a fantasy story, Fathomfolk is a too-real story of racism, refugees and the different ways to struggle for equality. The characters are relatable and well-developed, and the city comes alive in the descriptions. I admit I wasn't the fan of the ending and the resolution, but it was still a good read, and there's definitely a set-up for a sequel.
CW: racism, blood, a lot of dead bodies and such
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
sumrose11's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow! Eliza Chan’s debut novel gripped me from the first page. An intelligent, honest look at immigrations, class, race, and what connects and separates us from each other and from our humanity, in the form of enchanting and mythological story telling.
Fathomfolk tells the story of a community living if the half-submerged city of Tiankawi, where humans and fathomfolk (read: various mythological creatures) live and work. The humans are in power while fathomfolk navigate surviving among the polluted waters and various restrictions enacted ontheir kind- including wearing specially crafted bracelets which harm them if they so much as THINK about harming a human. Through multiple perspectives, readers are carried through the fight for equality, for the right to exist in safety, and are reminded that there is more than one way to fight a war.
+ From the start, this story flowed for me. Some books are that way- I just vibe with the authors style from the beginning.
+ Chan and her characters made me FEEL. I was irritated when characters made careless decisions, enraged by betrayal, frustrated when characters could not see through what I felt were dubious charms. Similarly, I smiled at tender moments and even teared up once or twice. A story that makes me feel is a story I want to read.
+ The characters were very believable. Nami, having been previously quite privileges and sheltered, is young and naive so while her choices are infuriating at times, they befit her character. Similarly, Mira, Kai, Serena, and Cordelia (iykyk!) make choices equally based on their own believable backgrounds, motivations, and experiences.
+ There was a well developed political system and beautiful work building.
+ There are romances and relationships, but they are not central to the plot.
+ beautiful set up for the sequels that I can’t wait to read!
I will say this may not be your quick&easy beginner fantasy read if shorter, simpler, generally happy-feel-good novels are usually your speed. This has all the earmarks of a first fantasy novel on a duology or series- ie, it moves slower in the beginning and readers take in a lot of information as an intricate world and magic system is being crafted. Additionally, we are privy to much of the political system and it is important to the plot, so those who don’t enjoy being part of the worlds politics may grow bored or wary while the action is set up. Frequent readers of adult fantasy likely won’t struggle with this, imo.
Overall very well done and highly recommended by this reader. Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Or it for the opportunity!
Fathomfolk tells the story of a community living if the half-submerged city of Tiankawi, where humans and fathomfolk (read: various mythological creatures) live and work. The humans are in power while fathomfolk navigate surviving among the polluted waters and various restrictions enacted ontheir kind- including wearing specially crafted bracelets which harm them if they so much as THINK about harming a human. Through multiple perspectives, readers are carried through the fight for equality, for the right to exist in safety, and are reminded that there is more than one way to fight a war.
+ From the start, this story flowed for me. Some books are that way- I just vibe with the authors style from the beginning.
+ Chan and her characters made me FEEL. I was irritated when characters made careless decisions, enraged by betrayal, frustrated when characters could not see through what I felt were dubious charms. Similarly, I smiled at tender moments and even teared up once or twice. A story that makes me feel is a story I want to read.
+ The characters were very believable. Nami, having been previously quite privileges and sheltered, is young and naive so while her choices are infuriating at times, they befit her character. Similarly, Mira, Kai, Serena, and Cordelia (iykyk!) make choices equally based on their own believable backgrounds, motivations, and experiences.
+ There was a well developed political system and beautiful work building.
+ There are romances and relationships, but they are not central to the plot.
+ beautiful set up for the sequels that I can’t wait to read!
I will say this may not be your quick&easy beginner fantasy read if shorter, simpler, generally happy-feel-good novels are usually your speed. This has all the earmarks of a first fantasy novel on a duology or series- ie, it moves slower in the beginning and readers take in a lot of information as an intricate world and magic system is being crafted. Additionally, we are privy to much of the political system and it is important to the plot, so those who don’t enjoy being part of the worlds politics may grow bored or wary while the action is set up. Frequent readers of adult fantasy likely won’t struggle with this, imo.
Overall very well done and highly recommended by this reader. Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Or it for the opportunity!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Racism, Murder, Drug abuse, and Death of parent
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