ramblingmads

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

Synopsis (from Amazon):

“One must be careful practising deception. The easiest to deceive will always be one’s self.”

The skilled thieves of the Takers Guild plot to overthrow the kingdoms of Baelon, but when their plans are thwarted by a prescient woman and her brooding daughter, they must turn to the League of Assassins for assistance.

Meanwhile, retired royal guard Rolft Aerns returns to the palace of King Axil with an old score to settle. When they all cross paths–and swords–in the dark shadows of Fostead’s south end, nothing is as it seems and the murder count rises quickly.

The long fingers of the Guild reach everywhere, and one overly ambitious thief is all it takes to spark a chain of events that will haunt the world of Baelon for many years to come.

Six Moons, Seven Gods is book one in The Legends of Baelon.

Amazon Goodreads

Award-winning author Robert A. Walker grew up in Northwestern Massachusetts. After graduating college, he packed his scant belongings in a car with rusted-out floorboards and headed west. He’s lived in California ever since, and now resides along the Pacific Ocean with his wife and dogs. When not fabricating stories, he can be found roaming local tennis courts or
working on a never-ending list of DIY house projects.

Website

Praise:
“A fascinatingly detailed and murder-fueled adventure in a violent fantasy setting.” — Kirkus Reviews

“In Robert A. Walker’s Six Moons, Seven Gods, loyalty and treachery entwine, friendships are tested, and dangerous secrets are held close to the heart… a brilliant, compelling narrative that hooks the reader from start to finish.” — Literary Titan 5-star Review

“…an exceptionally rewarding fantasy. There are twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat, unable to stop reading.” — Ronél Steyn for Readers’ Favorite, 5 stars

SIX MOONS, SEVEN GODS EXCERPT

Sibil sat on a bed in a servant’s quarters, her head spinning. Had it not been for previous visits to the palace with Princess Lewen, she would not have known where she was. The steward had escorted her briskly to the room some time ago, leaving her to entertain herself.
There seemed no end to the mystery surrounding her mother. Supposed premonitions of death had been unnerving enough, but now… an audience with the king? At his request! It was surreal, and Sibil’s wildest conjectures did not begin to explain it.
Her attempt to seize control of her own life seemed waylaid once again. She was imagining herself a bit of flotsam from a shipwreck, at the mercy of the ocean’s currents, when the steward returned, shutting the door angrily behind himself.
“Where is my mother?” she asked as he approached.
“With the king.” Without warning, the steward sat so close to her their thighs touched.
“I should like to see her.” Sibil started to rise.
“In due time.” The steward caught her arm and pulled her back to the bed.
“What are you doing?”
“If your mother were more forthcoming, you would not be so inconvenienced.”
“How do you mean?” Sibil’s eyes darted toward the door.
“The woman’s hiding something. Perhaps you’d like to tell me what that is.”
“My mother has nothing to hide from the king!”
“I could be convinced of that, I suppose.” The steward loosened his hold and placed a palm against Sibil’s cheek. “There are many ways for you to prove your loyalty to the throne.” His hand brushed her breast as he withdrew it. “Are you prepared to do so?” Before Sibil could respond, he leaned in, his lips seeking hers.
Sibil pushed him away, struggling to stand. “How dare you!”
“Need I remind you where you are?” The steward rose, positioning himself between her and the door. “Or who you’re talking to?”
“I mean no disrespect, m’lord, but if you  —“
“Take off your blouse.”
“What?!”
“Like mother, like daughter. Take off your blouse and let us see what you are hiding there.”
“I’ll do no such thing,” said Sibil breathlessly. “And if you lay another hand on me—“
The steward grasped her sleeve. Sibil twisted violently away, her blouse ripping at the shoulder seam.
The steward grinned. “You see? One way or the other!” He started to laugh, sobering quickly at the sight of the dagger Sibil produced. “Put that away before you hurt yourself.”
“Take me to my mother!” Sibil waved the dagger at him.
“Did I not warn you about making demands?” The steward lashed out, recoiling as Sibil’s blade pricked his arm. He swore loudly as he inspected the spot of crimson staining his white blouse.
“You’ll not soon forget what I’m going to do to you.”
“Touch me and I’ll kill you!” Sibil lurched past the steward and onto the bed, clambering quickly over it, but he intercepted her before she could reach the door. He kicked a stool separating them
toward her. Sibil grabbed it and flung it back at him. The stool sailed past the steward’s head and crashed against the door.
“Make all the noise you want,” the steward said. “No one cares!”

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What advice would you give budding writers?

Three pieces of advice: first, writing’s a journey. Don’t look too far ahead. Focus on your passion and the here and now. Write, write, write, and enjoy the travelling, one step at a time.

Had I known early on what it would take to be published, and all the work involved in getting one’s book into the hands of readers, I might never have finished my first novel, let alone started it. I was so naïve to think that–you know–if you write something worthwhile, someone’s going to
want to publish it and people will then read it. Simple, right? The truth, of course, is so much more complex and challenging, regardless of whether you are trying to secure the representation of a traditional publishing firm, or you have decided to self-publish. Unless your intended audience is limited to friends and family, finishing your novel (quite the accomplishment in and of itself) is only half the battle. So my advice is to take it slowly and enjoy the journey—don’t peek too soon or too closely behind the publishing world’s thick curtain lest that cause you to turn back. Tackled one issue at a time, none of it as overwhelming or
intimidating as the big picture first appears; there’s lots of support out there, and if you persevere, all those little challenges just make reaching your destination that much more rewarding. Carry on!

My second piece of advice is to listen to your heart while you are writing. Mine will generally tell me when I’m on the right track, and when I’ve gotten lost. The characters and scenes that I have been most engaged with during the creative process typically turn out to be those the
reader also finds most entertaining. So now, when I find myself slogging through some piece that I don’t find particularly exciting or enjoyable to write, I ask myself: why is that? Am I asking the reader to suffer with me? Is there not something I can do to the storyline or character to
make writing this more entertaining?

Lastly, I strongly suggest that you read your work aloud and slowly, either to yourself or to an interested listener. You’ll be surprised at the number of errors and opportunities that expose themselves. This advice was given me by my father, a professional editor by trade, and I have
benefited from it ever since.

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My thoughts: This was a complex and layered fantasy, with some fascinating characters and dastardly villains. The Takers Guild wants to change the monarchs of two countries, but their assassins have all failed so far, thanks to the strange visions of one woman. Her daughter was the late princess’ friend and the king brings both women into the castle to keep them safe, but also in the hope that any future visions will keep him safe. 

The King’s soldiers search for a killer or killers in the capital, the body count is rising and it turns out that a familiar face may have some hand in it. A secret promise to the princess and queen has kept a former guardsman on his path, one none of his former colleagues were aware of.

As all of the different storylines and characters are brought together, revenge will be served, things will change, criminals will be charged and the war might just be averted.

Clever and enjoyable, this sets up what will hopefully be a fascinating and interesting series.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog, but all opinions remain my own.

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