Revolution is brewing in the semi-submerged city of Tiankawi, between humans and the fathomfolk who live in its waters. This gloriously imaginative debut fantasy, inspired by East Asian mythology and ocean folk tales, is a novel of magic, rebellion and change.
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.
About the Author
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
My thoughts: I rarely comment on book covers, because what’s inside is the important but this is a gorgeous cover. I really love it.
What’s inside is a clever, thought provoking, enjoyable story about colonialism, sacrifice, striving to build a better world and love.
In Tiankawi, a South Asian and South East Asian inspired world, humans and fathomfolk – beings who can live both underwater and on land, with hybrid bodies of sea creatures like mermaids, manatees, octopus, kelpie, seal, siren, try to survive alongside each other.
There’s a constant struggle between the ruling human class and the fathomfolk, living in shanty towns, many refugees from destroyed cities and towns further afield, or from civil war. The border guards, captained by half-siren Mira attempt to keep order, and protect the citizenry from arrest by the human city guard.
A group of fathomfolk, the Drawbacks, are agitating for reform, but the violent methods they deploy leave destruction of life and homes that threaten the fragile peace.
A manipulative seawitch plays both sides, using her skills at shape-shifting to keep her place in human society, while making bargains with the fathomfolk.
Kai, a sea dragon and the only folk on the council attempts to balance things more fairly, but he’s struggling to get humans onside. It’s all a powder keg primed to explode.
A rip roaring adventure follows both on the fragile city and in its depths, as both humans and folk struggle to belong and be part of this complex and conflicted world. The characters are well drawn and their internal lives reflect the turmoil around them, their struggles and the secrets they’re all keeping.
The first in what I can only imagine will be a gripping and intelligent series, it’s so far one of the best books I’ve read this year.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own
ramblingmads 