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A review by simonlorden
Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan
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