Fathomfolk

Name: Fathomfolk
Brand: Hachette Audio
Availability: InStock
Author: Eliza Chan
ISBN: 9781668638026

Author: Eliza Chan

Series: Drowned World #1

Narrator: Emily Woo Zeller

Unabridged: 14 hr 52 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Orbit

Published: 02/27/2024

Categories: Fiction, Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Dragons, Urban

Synopsis

From one of fantasy’s most exciting new voices Eliza Chan comes a modern, myth-inflected story of revolution and magic set against the glittering, semi-submerged city of Tiankawi.

Welcome to Tiankawi – shining pearl of human civilization and a safe haven for those fleeing civil unrest. Or at least, that’s how it first appears.

But in the semi-flooded city, humans are, quite literally, on top: peering down from skyscrapers and aerial walkways on the fathomfolk — sirens, seawitches, kelpies and kappas—who live in the polluted waters below. And the fathomfolk are tired of it. When a water-dragon and a half siren join forces, the path to equality is filled with violence, secrets, and political intrigue. And they both must decide if the cost of change is worth it, or if Tiankawi should be left to drown.

About Eliza Chan

Eliza Chan is a Scottish-born Chinese-diaspora author who 'writes about East Asian mythology, British folklore and reclaiming the dragon lady, but preferably all three at once.' Eliza's work has been published in The Dark, Podcastle, Fantasy Magazine and The Best of British Fantasy, and her non-fiction has appeared on Tor.com. She lives in the North of England with her partner and young child. Fathomfolk is her first novel. @elizawchan

Reviews

Goodreads review by Mai on April 02, 2025

I want to stop requesting Asian fantasies, because they keep disappointing me left and right. But I can't, because I must support all API authors. Therein lies my conundrum. Two stars for effort, but I don't have a lot of nice things to say. Of the three POVs, I hated Mira's the least, because at lea......more

Goodreads review by Paige (semi-hiatus) on February 29, 2024

Finished just in time! happy release day for the UK 🥳 ★ 2.5 stars The Plot This is a political adult fantasy set in the semi-submerged city of Tiankaw. The story focuses on half-siren Mira, her partner Kai, who is a water dragon, his sister Nami, an aristocratic water dragon and Cordelia, a second-......more

Goodreads review by Zana on April 05, 2024

Buddy read with Mai! Big yikes. This is such a poorly thought-out political novel. The rhetoric concerning the ending feels dangerous and insensitive, which is why I can't bring myself to give this anything higher than 2 stars. Maybe it was unintentional on the part of the author, and maybe I'm reading......more

Goodreads review by Booksblabbering || Cait❣️ on January 10, 2024

Tiankawi is an affluent above water city where fathomfolk and humankind live side by side, supposedly representing affluence, unity, peace, and prosperity. However, Tiankawi may be above the waves, but it's not the flawless paradise they pretend it is. Mira (half-siren) was the first fathomfolk in the......more

Goodreads review by Sara on March 01, 2024

Fathomfolk is a uniquely imagined fantasy novel, full of political intrigue and social commentary. The story happens in Tiankwani, a drowning city where humans and fanthomfolk live in a post-war environment. To aggravate the already existent tension between species, Humans have polluted the oceans (......more

Quotes

"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