Reviews

Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan

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angelreadsfantasy's review

challenging reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I was really looking forward to this book; with the complicated world, reflecting our own.
However it was very difficult getting into this book; the worldbuilding was okay-isch, my major issue was that a lot of the problems were talked about, and not necessarily shown in the story itself (some moments were shown, mostly in Mira's story). Also there were three perspectives, which made it difficult to see the multiple layers of the characters; Mira was the only character I really liked, and her relationship with Kai, and Kai as a side character were always something to look forward to. Everytime Nami's pov came, it really felt like a teenager (this is the point, since Nami is one :P), but she is very new to the city world and therefore her decision making is much influenced by side characters, which is understandable, but for me a downside to the character. And the last perspective, cordelia, was my least favorite; I could nog figure out her underlying motives, and she seemed very one-sided. Her part of the story was okay, but I think she could also be a side character.

It is nog a stand-alone, which I did not know till the end. I am wondering how the world continues to grow. The ending

where the humans survived by growing gills and therefore making them all fathomfolk??

was questionable.

I am wondering how in the sequel issues as racism and the system being against the fathomfolk and having to build up the city will be tackled

anna4's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional tense medium-paced

Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.0

Unfortunately, this book lost me with the world building and the writing.

It took me a whole while to understand what the plot of the book is.

I kept drifting off while reading which resulted in me switching to a "more skimming than actually reading" situation.

janiceinwonderland's review against another edition

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three perspectives just felt like too much to me, and once it switched on me in the middle of a chapter, i was done.

it’s too bad too bc i had enjoyed mira and kai as characters so far, and the world building is very interesting. i just couldn’t do it. maybe ill pick it up again if curiosity gets the best of me.