Fathomfolk

January 8, 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.

January 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

Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2024
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 na�ve, 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.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

February 9, 2024
Chan's debut invites readers into the mesmerizing world of Tiankawi, a semi-submerged city that harbors tensions between humans above and the diverse fathomfolk below. As the first fathomfolk military captain, Mira, a half-siren, navigates themes of integration and sacrifice; Chan's storytelling immerses readers in a richly atmospheric setting. The story intertwines aspects of revolution, magic, and politics as it tracks the journey of a water dragon and a half-siren joining forces to disrupt prevailing power structures and advocate for equality. Chan's writing is both entertaining and thought-provoking, presenting a unique perspective on societal issues. The book caters to fantasy enthusiasts who appreciate strong world building and explores the challenges faced by fathomfolk, echoing 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. For those seeking a modern fantasy novel that seamlessly blends mythology with contemporary themes, Fathomfolk offers an engaging and absorbing experience in the depths of Tiankawi.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.