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A review by myjourneywithbooks
Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Tiankawi is meant to be a safe haven for the fathomfolk (sirens, seawitches, kelpies and kappas) who are fleeing from the unrest of their underwater world but the sad reality is that in this semiflooded city, humans reign supreme and the fathomfolk are treated as less than second class. Mira, being half-siren, feels the prejudices all too well. Having worked hard to earn her place as the captain of the border guards so that she can fight for a better life for her people, she finds her task made all the more difficult by the human colleagues who still don't trust her and the extremist fathomfolk who want to take matters into their own hands. Into this mix comes Nami, a feisty water dragon, fathomfolk princess and sister of Mira's boyfriend. Having been exiled to the city as punishment for her acts of rebellion, Nami is a ripe target for the faction of fathomfolk who are willing to resort to violence to get their voices heard.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this because it felt like it might lean more towards the YA side of fantasy and, though it did have a slight YA vibe, I'm happy to report that it wasn't filled with the cringey teen angst and romance I've come to associate with that sub-genre.
Through the imaginative fantasy world she has created, the author explores themes like racism, colonisation, class discrepancies and what it's like to live in diaspora. The way both Mira and Nami have to adjust their ways of thinking serve to be somewhat thought-provoking.
As characters, I felt like Mira and Kai (especially Kai) were not as fleshed out as they could have been. Nami was easier to relate to as she was better written; she starts off as being quite endearing but towards the end, I did feel a bit frustrated with her repeated naivety. Though not the most likeable character, Cordelia was definitely the most interesting one and the best written.
The story itself was on the more simplistic side. A few twists but generally straightforward and predictable. While not being an entirely stunning piece of work, Fathomfolk was nevertheless quite good for a debut.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this because it felt like it might lean more towards the YA side of fantasy and, though it did have a slight YA vibe, I'm happy to report that it wasn't filled with the cringey teen angst and romance I've come to associate with that sub-genre.
Through the imaginative fantasy world she has created, the author explores themes like racism, colonisation, class discrepancies and what it's like to live in diaspora. The way both Mira and Nami have to adjust their ways of thinking serve to be somewhat thought-provoking.
As characters, I felt like Mira and Kai (especially Kai) were not as fleshed out as they could have been. Nami was easier to relate to as she was better written; she starts off as being quite endearing but towards the end, I did feel a bit frustrated with her repeated naivety. Though not the most likeable character, Cordelia was definitely the most interesting one and the best written.
The story itself was on the more simplistic side. A few twists but generally straightforward and predictable. While not being an entirely stunning piece of work, Fathomfolk was nevertheless quite good for a debut.