Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan

I would like to thank Nazia from Orbit for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review

Publisher – Orbit

Published – Out Now

Price – £18.99 hardback £7.99 Kindle eBook

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 shining towers and aerial walkways on the fathomfolk - sirens, seawitches, kelpies and kappas - who live in the polluted waters below.

For half-siren Mira, promotion to captain of the border guard means an opportunity to help her downtrodden people. But if earning the trust and respect of her human colleagues wasn't hard enough, everything Mira has worked towards is put in jeopardy when Nami, a know-it-all water dragon and fathomfolk princess - is exiled to the city, under Mira's watch. When extremists sabotage a city festival, violence erupts, as does the clampdown on fathomfolk rights. Both Nami and Mira must decide if the cost of change is worth paying, or if Tiankawi should be left to drown.

Part of the attraction of Fantasy is all the creative races that we meet. It is hard to imagine the genre without elves or dwarves and yet creating new races raises issues in worldbuilding that need consideration. It is all too easy to see some authors have simply taken one stereotype of human history and perhaps added pointy ears. It is also very easy to assume one monoculture across an entire race when if you consider humanity we are a vast and varied species. In Eliza Chan’s fascinatingly complex debut fantasy novel Fathomfolk we get a story exploring one city where two worlds are clashing and it has some sobering reflections on our own world to consider.

Humans and the inhabitants of the seas widely known as fathomfolk once went to war with each other. Rising sea levels, pollution and a growing lack of space, power and food led to peace and an uneasy group of settlements - one of the largest is Tiankawi. There Mira an up and coming officer in the border guard tried to gain influence even though her half-siren nature also makes viewed by suspicion by both sides. Mira’s partner is the power Dragon Ambassador Kai and they’re working their work through the legislature to improve rights for Fathomfolk. But Kai’s rebellious sister is sent to join them and that sets in motion events that could end the truce and bring danger for all.

I really enjoyed this story because it’s very much avoiding a standard fantasy plot. At the heart is how Chan works hard to make us understand Tiankawi and in particular Fathomfolk. We so often in fantasy just hear one group named and all are badged the same. Instead we have a population that itself has many races in it and there is a vast catalogue of different mythical beasts to find here. On top of that are its own cultures and most importantly for this story classes of social status. It’s one of the most interesting worlds to get to know that itself finds itself confined in a human city that thanks to rising waters is partially submerged. That means all Fathomfolk are confined and thanks to devices known as Pakalot find their magical abilities contained and cannot harm humans. We are here exploring immigration and integration of cultures which a lot of fantasy has tended to avoid. Channels very hard in the first quarter of the novel setting all this up and it’s so unusual a fantasy setting that it does take time for us to take our bearings but I loved getting to know a place from the very powerful to the temporary settlements squeezed into the more polluted and dangerous areas of the city. It all starts to come together as the story progresses.

In terms of characters in this journey the two core leads are Mari and Nami. Nami is perhaps the more familiar rebel we see in fantasy who rails against injustice but not yet sure how best to do so. We meet her making a political heist and when she gets informally banished she is soon taken up with a rebellious Fathomfolk faction known as Drawbacks who are unceasingly militant and wish to use force to improve rights. There is a an intriguing angle of Nami getting taken with a charismatic leader named Firth and that her role as a dragon (one of the most powerful of the Fathomfolk races) may be more attractive. A key plotline is how far Nami is prepared to go in this direction and if she understands the consequences these actions create.

At the other end is Mari and she’s a slightly older, more cynical and repressed character. But I think of the two she’s my favourite and Chan works hard to make us understand her. Bordet guards are not usually fantasy heroes and yet Mari’s passion for justice shines through despite the many sneers and rejections those in power put in her way sometimes from her own department. There is a fascinating exploration of class and dynamics of migrant cultures. While Nami is effectively wealthy and equivalent to a princess with Mari we have a woman who comes from a poor immigrant background and is also bi-racial being half human and we are that Fathomfolk can be equally unwelcoming. For Mari the storyline is how far can Mari succeed before inevitable powerful people say enough is enough. Mari has tried hard to be the best of her two worlds but will society ever play fair? I also liked that Mari has a refreshingly adult relationship with Kai - they complement each other he is the calm poised diplomat but needs Mari’s determination to not give up.

Alongside these two characters are the rather stunning bookends of Cordelia a Fathomfolk switch who does deals for power and has a vast array of favours to give and also pay. She explored the magical bargains of the folk and also plays all sides against each other. Mirroring her in the human world is the ultra ambitious Serena working hard to get her husband into powerful positions and now working for her children. They both contrast with Nami and Mira who are focused on Woolworths whereas the other two appear far too focused on themselves. It’s an interesting dynamic as these four shift around each other with plenty of surprises in store.

It takes some time for the core storyline to evolve here. That is a consequence that while the Drawback plotline is the key catalyst for what is to follow Chan is very focused on making us understand the history and wider pressures of the city. We get to see the pain of migration guards with too much power; those who die in smuggling and there is an even bigger costs in racism balanced with a strange love of the culture. One scene is how Fathomfolk food is highly praised by the rich but only humans can afford to eat there. We also see where cultures do blend in places where housing is mixed and even certain cultural events like Boat Races where the groups can live and laugh together. Ultimately for me the storyline is less what one group will do but the wider question where are Tiankawi and its people heading towards and what becomes clear is it can either way to more integration or destruction. As the story ends on a very decisive cliffhanger with sacrifice and pain for the main characters across the board Chan neatly sets up an intriguing question of the what happens next and I’m very interested to explore the new world on offer.

Fathomfolk is a refreshingly complex fantasy story with a multilayered approach to culture, migration and how these could translate to a fantasy world. I’m very impressed and keen to see what Chan has in store for us next.