Publishers Weekly
01/08/2024
Chan’s ambitious fantasy debut invites readers to a half-submerged city where war is brewing between sea dwellers, or fathomfolk, and humans. When rebellious Nami disobeys her mother, the water dragon matriarch, she is exiled to the troubled border city of Tiankawi, where her brother, Ambassador Kai of Yonakuni, resides with his partner, half-siren Mira, who serves as the first fathomfolk captain of the border guard. Humans have been polluting the water around the city, forcing fathomfolk to live on land, where they are met with discrimination and meager prospects. While Mira tries within her limited capacity to help the folk, others have less honorable intentions. They include the sea witch Cordelia, who seeks to profit from the unrest. Though Nami has long harbored ideas of a fathomfolk revolution, it isn’t until she’s exposed to the rebel group known as the Drawbacks that she realizes the steep price her people must pay for equality. Chan’s world can be challenging to navigate at first, but once situated, readers will enjoy exploring the intricate details of Tiankawi and its history through the perspectives of three wonderfully complex female protagonists. Fans of mythic fantasy will find plenty to savor. Agent: Alexander Cochran, C&W Agency. (Feb.)
From the Publisher
"A thrilling, incisive fantasy of diaspora and dragons, Fathomfolk is an unmissable debut. If you're hungry for a beautiful Southeast Asian influenced fantasy with razor-sharp edges, this book is for you."—Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne
"Prepare to be engulfed. Chan has superbly created a world as real and complex as our own, where oppression has no easy solutions and there is no success without sacrifice. Fast-paced action combined with true social depth make this an unforgettable, must-read fantasy."—Shelley Parker-Chan, author of She Who Became the Sun
"A vivid, textured tale of migration, prejudice and change. Wonderful and breathtaking." —Aliette de Bodard, author of The Red Scholar's Wake
"A richly envisioned world and finely crafted tale, Fathomfolk is a luxurious and thrilling story full of political intrigue, heart-wrenching characters and edge-of-your seat tension. A glittering and magical novel from a glorious new voice in fantasy." —Bea Fitzgerald, author of Girl, Goddess, Queen
"Fathomfolk bursts with complex relationships, original world building, and timeless questions. With the confidence and command of a seasoned master, Chan weaves a riveting tale which seized me from the first word and did not let go until the end. A triumph of imagination, birthed from the mind of one who loves stories and knows how to tell them well." —Tobi Ogundiran, author of In the Shadow of the Fall
"From the glittering city heights to the criminal underbelly on the seafloor, the world of Fathomfolk feels deeply plausible and satisfyingly complex. If you want scheming sirens and snarky sea dragons then this is the book for you."—Thomas D. Lee, author of Perilous Times
"Fathomfolk is a compelling tale about cultures colliding, set against a city backdrop that feels familiar yet fresh. Eliza Chan deftly and compassionately writes about the depths we'll plunge to, to change our world."
—G. V. Anderson, World Fantasy Award winner
"Life is better down with the fathomfolk. I was dazzled by this novel, which has as many turns as the tide, and hope to see much more of this world and this author."—Sarah Rees Brennan, author of Long Live Evil
"Eliza Chan's Fathomfolk has all the feels––furious, bittersweet and heart wrenching. Gripping to the last page, the story stayed with me long after I finished the book."—A. Y. Chao, author of Shanghai Immortal
"Gloriously imagined and full of heart."—Claire North, author of Ithaca
"With complex, daring characters and layered storytelling, Chan's heartfelt and nuanced exploration of diaspora survival will resonate deeply with readers."—June C.L. Tan, author of Jade Fire Gold
"Readers will enjoy exploring the intricate details of Tiankawi and its history through the perspectives of three wonderfully complex female protagonists. Fans of mythic fantasy will find plenty to savor."—Publishers Weekly
"Chan floats beautifully between multiple point-of-view characters, and also between different facets of Tiankawi life, from the poor to the privileged. From Nami’s well-meaning immaturity to Mira’s complicated feelings about her dual identity, all the characters have fully realized perspectives and goals that clash with each other in both clever political plots and exciting action scenes. The first installment in what will hopefully be a long series of undersea adventures."—Kirkus
"A promising debut."—Locus
"Chan’s storytelling immerses readers in a richly atmospheric setting ... both entertaining and thought-provoking ... The book caters to fantasy enthusiasts who appreciate strong world building and themes of change and resilience. Fathomfolk stands as a captivating and impactful read, showcasing Chan’s prowess as one of fantasy’s exciting new voices."—Booklist
"A nuanced, powerful and complex parable, one that raises questions that linger far after the novel reaches its conclusion."
—BookPage (starred)
"Enchantingly unique and vibrant ... The way that Chan draws her folk inspiration from so many mythologies truly makes Tiankawi feel lived in." —Paste Magazine
Library Journal
01/19/2024
DEBUT Tiankawi is a city partially submerged in flood waters. It presents itself as a safe haven for humanity, guarding the elite from the sea creatures, or Fathomfolk, who live in the waters below. The folk who do mingle with humans face relentless prejudice, living in poverty and plagued with gill-rot from the polluted waters. Tiankawi's gilded facade is just that, however. As revolutionaries begin to push back against the social injustices, fed up with concealing their gills and shifting their bodies to resemble humans, they begin breaking into the ranks of Tiankawian society, some in secret and some legitimately—and the glittering guise begins to crumble. Chan beautifully crafts a fantasy that hits close to home as it delves into topics like environmental crises and extremist groups. This is a unique read, deftly blending Chinese and British folklore and mythology and pulling readers into a singular world. VERDICT Chan offers readers a gorgeous first novel in the "Drowned World" series, chock full of political intrigue, complex family relationships and secrets, hot romance, water dragons, sea witches, sirens, kelpies, and more. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy Fonda Lee's "Green Bone Saga."—Amira Walker
MAY 2024 - AudioFile
Emily Woo Zeller invites listeners to the bustling semi-submerged city of Tiankawi. Mira, a border guard captain, has been working toward reform her entire career when Nami, an anti-human activist, is exiled to Tiankawi. Meanwhile, Cordelia, a sea witch, will stop at nothing to increase her family's power. Now she's ready to collect on her deal with a Siren to exchange her song for protection from the polluted waters. When riots and natural disasters strike, Nami and Mira must decide where they stand. Zeller expertly narrates the rapidly changing points of view, providing careful pronunciations of foreign and fictional words. Excelling at her portrayals of Mira and Nami, Zeller performs with a deliberate cadence and emotionality. Borrowing from myths and fairy tales, FATHOMFOLK is a richly decorated, politically charged novel. C.R. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2024-01-05
Chan’s debut submerges readers in a fantasy world where all manner of mythical water creatures live among humans.
The partially flooded city of Tiankawi is supposedly a symbol of how well humanity and fathomfolk can coexist. The fathomfolk—beings inspired by mythical water creatures from mermaids to kappas to kelpies—are able to take human form and live either on land or underwater. But prejudice and discrimination from the richer, more powerful humans keep them in poverty, swimming in polluted waters while humans live in luxury high above the sea. Mira, half-human and half-siren, is the first fathomfolk promoted to the rank of captain in the border guard and hopes to bring about change from within the system. Her partner, Kai, a water dragon from one of the few privileged fathomfolk families, is united with Mira to fight for reforms in Tiankawi’s human-controlled government. When Kai’s little sister, Nami, is sent to stay with them, she rejects their methods as slow and ineffectual. Nami is young and naïve, too passionate to play by the rules. She falls in with a group of fathomfolk radicals, enchanted by their energy and promise to enact real change. But when the annual Tiankawi boat race is mysteriously sabotaged and humans are drowned, tensions rise and the government cracks down even further on fathomfolk rights. When Nami’s extremist friends reveal even more dramatic plans, she and Mira have to find a way to unite humans and fathomfolk before the whole city falls apart. Chan floats beautifully between multiple point-of-view characters, and also between different facets of Tiankawi life, from the poor to the privileged. From Nami’s well-meaning immaturity to Mira’s complicated feelings about her dual identity, all the characters have fully realized perspectives and goals that clash with each other in both clever political plots and exciting action scenes.
The first installment in what will hopefully be a long series of undersea adventures.
