Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for an eARC in exchange for an honest review! I was also gifted a finished copy from Orbit.

3.5 stars!

In Tiankawi, humans and fathomfolk (sirens, seawitches, kelpies, kappas, etc) live alongside each other, albeit rather uneasily. The world feels rather pan-Asian, though there are also some Western creatures/elements blended within. The story follows three women: Mira, a half siren; Nami, a dragon forced to live in Tiankawi with her older brother who befriends a group of radicals; and Cordelia, a seawitch who has some interesting plans for the political climate of the city.

I really enjoyed the setting/world building in Fathomfolk; it is, to me, easily the strongest part of the book. I really liked seeing Tiankawi and the way Chan imagined the half-submerged city, and I hope to see more of it in the second book. The writing was fine, at parts I quite liked it and at parts I felt sort of whatever about it—there are times where it’s a little more windowpane-y than I’d prefer, but honestly I was carried through this book by vibes a lot of the time. There’s a fair amount of neat ideas here, though at times they were explored in a way that was a bit heavy handed or clumsy, but I thought it was interesting nonetheless. And while I personally wasn’t overly attached to any of the characters, I thought it was fun to see them struggle with the hands they were dealt.

Still, this definitely suffers from being a bit heavy handed with its themes and an overall lack of subtlety. There are plenty of times that this definitely feels like a debut, and I think this is especially apparent in Nami’s character. I’m curious to see how Nami will grow and change in the next book, but her story definitely felt like a coming of age story. I liked all of the POV characters but mostly in the way I wasn’t overly annoyed by them, and I was just here, vibing. I’m quite curious as to how the author will handle things in the second book, since there are some aspects I’m still a little unclear about, like how I feel about how the revolutionaries were handled. I’m absolutely not a plot-driven reader by any means, and I did think this meandered for quite a bit, so if you’re in need of a strong plot, this might be more of a challenge. The last… 20% or so of the book reads very quickly and I am personally interested in seeing how the repercussions of the end get dealt with.

I had fun, but I definitely tempered my expectations and this is very much a debut novel. I might’ve been running on vibes alone, but sometimes that’s perfectly fine.

Diving into "Fathomfolk" by Eliza Chan, I had high hopes for an aquatic adventure. However, my excitement quickly waned upon encountering the jarring choice of character name "Dan" – a name that felt oddly out of place in the fantastical underwater world painted by Chan. It was an immediate immersion breaker that even on page one seemed out of place.

To make matters worse, Nami fell flat for me. Her actions and decisions throughout the story left me frustrated, and I found myself unable to connect with her as a protagonist. It was disheartening to see such potential for depth in the political landscape of the story overshadowed by Nami's foolishness.

On a brighter note, Mira emerged as a beacon of interest in an otherwise lackluster cast of characters. Her level-headedness and practicality made her relatable, but unfortunately, the focus remained disproportionately fixated on Nami's journey.

One aspect of the book that held promise was the vivid aquatic settings described in the early chapters. The political landscape hinted at rich world-building possibilities beneath the waves, and I would have like to see more from that perspective.

In conclusion, I think this book just wasn't for me. I enjoyed some parts, but I found it was unable to recover from the slow Nami dominant first third.

Thank you to NetGalley, Eliza Chan, and Orbit for the opportunity to read this book early.

I had the privilege of reading this novel for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I rate this book 4.25 stars out of 5.

Eliza Chan’s debut, “Fathomfolk” is the first novel in her “Drowned Worlds” series. While reading this book, I found unique and complex characters, each contributing to the narrative in their unique ways. The world is steeped in Asian mythology, an aspect of the novel I truly loved, albeit unfamiliar with.

The book presented an intriguing exploration of world politics. They’re not one-dimensional, but rather, are presented from multiple points of view. This allows for a more rounded understanding of the world that Eliza Chan has created, adding depth and realism to the narrative. Yes, you read that correctly. Eliza Chan managed to make fantastical characters feel like real people!

Perhaps the book could have used a few tweaks to edit it a bit further, but the writing style still stood out to me and I appreciated the unique voice that carried the story. There’s a compelling message woven throughout the story and it was delivered with good pacing, keeping me engaged from beginning to end.

I was so captivated by the story that I had a hard time putting it down, to the extent that I didn’t want to finish the book because I didn't want to leave the world Eliza Chan created! It left such an impact on me that I have pre-ordered my physical copy and plan to re-read and annotate it. And I’m eagerly waiting to read more in this series.

Congratulations, Eliza Chan!! You have a new fan!!!

This debut novel was absolutely incredible. I saw some other early reviewers mention that it is slightly confusing at the beginning and my response to that is to keep reading! This is the first book in a trilogy so Chan is setting up a whole world and introducing multiple characters which means there’s a lot to keep track of but as you continue reading, everything falls into place. Chan also has her characters address real world issues throughout the novel in a truly poignant way. I am very much looking forward to reading book two and anything else Chan releases in the future.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I greatly enjoyed the worldbuilding that Eliza created. The real world elements meshed extremely well with the mythology and folklore. I was frequently able to truly visualize the elements of the city. One of the things that carried through the entire book was the historic influences of diaspora communities and liberation movements that have arisen due to prejudices, oppression and racism.

It took me a little while to truly get into the story. The initial pacing and characterization was a little slow. Eventually though as the world and the true plot starting to be revealed I found it was much easier to get caught in the story. At times, there was a bit too much focus on the happenings of the city rather than using that time to deepen the primary characters and their interactions. I did really appreciate that each character was written to show all of the different ways to approach the issues within Tiankawi.

Like I have seen some other reviews mention, I would suggest not going into this as a mythological retelling but as a political work with mythological elements. Overall, I enjoyed Fathomfolk and am looking forward to the next one.

2.5 stars--DNF'd a quarter through.

I had such high hopes for this novel, not just for its multiple POVs (which I adore), but because I haven't read a synopsis for a story promising a plot that felt so unique and fresh in so long. But a quarter of the way in, I had very little understanding of the plot as a whole, what was driving the characters (except for Mira, whose goals are very clear), and where the novel was headed.

Let me be clear, I understand why Fathomfolk was written--to take a mirror to our own world and reveal the injustices, racial discrimination, and class warfare through the lens of East Asian influenced mythology. These stories are more essential now more than ever. And I truly gave it my all before setting it aside.

I enjoy when I start a novel and it feels like I've hit the ground running, and that I will quickly learn about the world we're in within the first few chapters, like a mystery unfolding. In Fathomfolk, however, it felt as though I'd missed the entire first book, and that this was the second, where I should already know the who, the what, and the why. By chapter seven I still had no concrete idea of place and no emotional connection to the characters outside a shared dislike, distrust, and complicated relationship to those in power. I often had to go back a few pages to make sure I hadn't missed anything essential, as more and more new information was revealed without any moment to try and fit together what pieces of the puzzle I'd been given. I felt like I could never catch my breath--and not in a good way.

Unfortunately, the novel was also inundated with so much mythos that each new creature described seemed to be thrown in for the sake of being included rather than allowing them to hold metaphorical weight on their own. While I don't mind looking up things I don't know, I ended up having to do that almost every page to make sure that I was envisioning the creatures and characters correctly.

I also found myself very confused by setting. I think the world of Fathomfolk has such high potential, but its execution felt blurry and insubstantial, like I was looking at an island through the mist. There was a lack of grounding in place, and it felt like the characters moved through each setting to get to the next plot point rather than moving through an actual world with a strong history and structure.

Finally, and probably my biggest gripe, was that there was so much telling and not enough showing. Paragraphs of explanation of the world, politics, history and culture were scattered and presented oddly in the middle of conversations, so much so I would forget was was happening between characters by the time we got back to their dialogue, which often felt flat and surface level.

In my opinion, Fathomfolk could have used a few more revisions. The plot needed to be sharpened and honed. The worldbuilding needed to feel more visceral and grounded. And the characters needed to feel more relatable despite their political motivations and past experiences. I really wanted to love this book, and maybe I will revisit one day. Regardless of my feelings, I think Eliza Chan has the potential to be a really strong voice considering the unique and powerful concept of Fathomfolk. I just wish it was better crafted overall.

Thank you to Orbit Books via NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.

Thank you Orbit Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book. All opinions are my own.

An action packed fantasy highlighting Asian folklore and all things water magic. For fans of mermaid tales, sea witch stories and Asian folklore.

I’ll be honest, in the beginning I was not sure if this book was going to be for me. While I know Little Mermaid is loosely based on folklore, certain characters in Fathomfolk, and their actions, mirror characters in the Disney movie to a fault in my opinion, essentially cheapening the character development for me. Additionally, I noticed a conglomeration of Asian folklore and references from several Asian countries which was confusing to me. Not necessarily off putting but obvious enough for someone with limited exposure to Asian folklore to pick up on.

That being said, about half way through this book the political unrest escalates and the plot explodes into a flurry of action packed fighting, plotting and backstabbing. And the ending, pure fantasy brain candy and not at all what I was expecting.

For a debut novel I am impressed with the world building and character development. Despite the strong Little Mermaid vibes and melding of different Asian cultures/folklore, I did find the magic system and the variety and diversity of the folk characters to be unique and well developed. I can’t wait to see what Book 2 in the Drowned World Series brings.

I enjoyed the premise of the book. It was slow in the beginning, and there was a lot of world building. It picked up halfway through the book and I was very invested. The characters were diverse, and I think they had great depth and character to them. It was hard to imagine what some of the creatures look like, not sure if the physical copy will have descriptions or pictures of them but that would be helpful. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

The cover drew me in. Afterblossom's work of art are stunning. It captures a fantastical twist that enhances any piece of work attached to it. A story about sea folk had me intrigued. I have a love for the sea and all sea life so it was not a hardship requesting this book, especially hearing that it had an asian twist to it.

This story is structured in three POV, switching between Nami, Cordelia, and Mira. Each woman is different in stature, class, species, and role in life. Name is a dragon, a princess even. Mira is a half-siren, who was born in Tiankawi, knows the prejudice and flaws of the city. Her righteous and dedication to justice elevated her in rank and now she is a captain. She also is in a relationship with Kai, Nami's brother. And then we have Cordelia, a octopus shifter - skilled in medicine and potions. But Cordelia also has a hidden agenda and life.
Three woman. Three different directions in life. All trying to find a better way and life for the Fathomfolk.

The style of writing of this book was structured very technical. Gives the feel of urban fantasy. Much of the story for me felt dry. The actions and direction of the writing was chaotic. I could not grasp the motive or direction of the story as I read. It was hard to read because it wasn't very interesting - the politics. There was quite a few parts that were unnecessary scenes.

I would say Cordelia is the most interesting character in this book. I rather much of the book be about her because she was a dynamic character. Her actions and motives all had an undertone morally grey character.

The sacrifice at the end felt unresolved. I honestly don't think Nami and Mira had any positive character growth. If any Nami still ticks me off.

As gorgeous as the cover of this book was, the story did not live up to it

Fathomfolk missed the mark for me.

For a novel hinging on political intrigue, certain political sentiments were not handled very delicately. There are a lot of parallels to modern-day issues, particularly xenophobia, class, and the tension between immigrants seeking better lives and their exploitation for political gain. The ending was especially off-putting, and I’m not sure what message the author was trying to impress on readers.

I expected three POVs from three characters from three disparate social stratum to contain more nuance, but they mostly fell flat. I enjoyed Mira’s perspective the most—I didn’t understand Cordelia/Serena’s motivations, and Nami’s immaturity irked me. Her character felt very YA, as did the general plot.

The worldbuilding did intrigue me, though it came across as undeveloped. It drew from various East and Southeast Asian cultures, which, as other reviewers have elaborated on, perpetuates the stereotype that they are monolithic. From my perspective, I enjoyed the modern architecture of Tiankawi as well as the combination of sea-dwelling creatures, even if I had a difficult time accepting their coexistence.

Fathomfolk may have been more successful as a strictly YA novel; as it is now, I think it spreads itself too thin and obfuscates its own messaging.

I hate giving reviews that aren't great. It took me a minute to get into this one. I put it down and picked it up a few times. It took me longer to grasp what was happening. And even longer to care about the characters. As a result, the book seemed to drag on. I wanted to really enjoy this one but I just could not get into it like I wanted. *sigh*

I really wanted to love this. I only made it 4% in before moving on to another book though. I can’t quite put my finger on it but it’s lacking something. I personally don’t like the fact the FMC already has a partner and probably wouldn’t like it if they broke up OR if they stayed together. I know, weird. I will pick this up again and I’m desperate for the Illumicrate special edition. But there’s just something already missing in the first couple chapters. I’m a mood reader so don’t take any of what I’m saying to heart LOL I’ll probably love it the next time I pick it up.

this book super cutesy and such cute Asian mythology. it reminded me a lot of ' the girl who fell beneath the sea' which I loved. sadly the book took a while for me to get into and I had a hard time adjusting to the writing, nonetheless I think this is an extremely strong debut novel and im excited to read more of her books in the future!!!

I got a beautiful ARC of this book and I absolutely love the cover and the idea of this underwater magical world mixed with the human world. However I didn't really fall in love with the characters. They're all a bit unlikable but not in a fun way. The way the physical descriptions come in of the different players are a bit confusing. I think there's a little too much plot and characters introduced all at once to make the different social spheres and species and the significance of their interactions difficult to track or feel invested in.

Blog post goes live March 12th
Imgur link goes to Instagram graphic scheduled for February 25th
Will be discussed in February Reads pt 2

**TL;DR**: Full of promising themes and a beautiful world, however cold and distant characters truly killed the story.

My very short pitch for Fathomfolk would be Babel, but make it wet and a touch whimsical? This follows three primary points of view as political tensions come to a head between the Fathomfolk and the humans. We see this entirely through the Fathomfolk lens, as different levels of political alignment fight to either tip the scales into war or find a compromise.

Our three leads are Mira, Nami, and Cordelia. Mira is the first of her kind, a half siren police officer who is dating the Fathomfolk ambassador to the humans. Nami is the sister of that ambassador, and also young and beyond impetuous. Cordelia is probably the most interesting, attempting to play all sides for her own gain. She fills many roles and I’m not going to talk on her much, as much of her story is spoilery. The thing about these characters is that we are so disconnected from all of them there is little to no emotional impact when things happen within the story. We aren’t shown much, traumatic moments are either shown in stark detail or we’re teased an event that never happened. Because of this it’s either very jarring (no emotional stakes till suddenly there are dead bodies on a ship), or very lackluster (oh no, I saw that coming a mile away). Besides that I had huge problems with Nami who is nothing but a young teenage girl stereotype and is written to be too stupid to live. She is a plot device to show us the more pasion driven side of things and it was, just not great. Mira starts interesting but quickly becomes cold and uninteresting.

This should be a fast paced and tension filled story. And it is at times. I loved where Eliza Chan was trying to go with this, some of the conversations she started to make. However the style of writing, which kept us farther than arms length and at times couldn’t decide if it wanted to be whimsical or serious, really stopped it from speaking it’s truths.

Give it a shot if you’re SUPER interested in the world and setting, otherwise it might be a skip.

3 out of 5

I wanted to like this book so much, I love Asian inspired fantasies but I just couldn't get into this one. I don't know if it's because I didn't connect with the characters or that I just found it to be slow and dragging but I ended up dnf a little under half way through. That being said what I read wasn't bad it just wasn't for me.

Thank you NetGalley for the early review copy. I really LOVED this book. It was a fantastic start to a series. There has been such a recent bubbling in the industry of east-asian inspired fantasy books, but what I loved is that it didn't feel like a repeat of recent works, but such a standout story filled with such diverse, dynamic characters. I will be keeping an eye out for Ms. Chan's upcoming books and continuation of the series!!

Let me start by saying that I love folklore and all the folklore in this book is amazing!!!

The world has changed from what it once was, earth is no longer as it used to be. Everything is under water now and people have had to build above the best they can on floating boats and rafts. They have built mechanics to get them across the skies to other buildings, they have even begun to make buildings with crops growing up the sides.
Things though are unquiet, the humans and the fathomfolk still do not get along. Mira a half siren is the captain of the chinth not that many show her the respect that she has worked so hard her whole life to desesrve. Kai is the ambassador for the Fathomfolk he is also a waterdragon one of the few of his kind.
Fathomfolk that come to this place are not trusted and so they cannot use their waterweaving powers a mesh bracelet is placed on their wrist restricing their powers.
Nami is Kai's little sister who still lives below but tends to be recklass. Caught commiting treason she is sent above by her mohter exiled unless she can find information about how they are able to continue runnning Tiankawi, for their home below is dieing.

Tiankawi has been disrupted by a group called the drawbacks led by Lynette and Firth. The drawbacks believe that the fathomfolk deserve their freedom from the humans and should not be kept subdued as they are. How far though are they willing to go to achieve what they want?

You will disappear into a world full of Sirens, Sea Witches, Naga, Kelpies, Kappas and so many others. I truly love this book so much. I cannot wait for the sequel.

Thank you to #Netgalley for the chance to read #Fathomfolk by #ElizaChan

I wanted to love this book, but it honestly fell flat to me. This book was described as being perfect for fans of Jade City and The Bone Shard Daughter, but this book felt nothing like those two. The writing was choppy and the dialogue was stifled and awkward. There was so much info dumping that I never felt like I got a full grasp of the world. I thought the characters were one dimensional. There was a lot going on, but at the same time I felt like nothing happened. Chapters would abruptly end and things would be half fleshed out.

Idk…..this was really disappointing and I won’t be finishing the series.

Thanks for NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

I really wanted to love this one but the writing and execution just didn’t work for me. I thought I was getting an adult fantasy novel but the writing felt very young adult. Although the story seemed interesting I couldn’t connect to the characters and found the world building to be very confusing.