Who Is The Author Of 'Fathomfolk'?

I recently stumbled upon 'Fathomfolk' while browsing through fantasy releases, and the author's name stuck with me because of how unique it sounds. Eliza Chan crafted this mesmerizing underwater world, blending folklore with modern twists. Her writing has this lyrical quality that makes the oceanic setting feel alive, like you can almost hear the waves whispering secrets. Chan's background in British-Chinese culture adds layers to the storytelling, giving the merfolk and other creatures depth beyond typical sea myths. If you enjoy authors like Naomi Novik who reinvent legends, Chan's work will hook you from the first page.

Eliza Chan is the brilliant mind behind 'Fathomfolk,' and what makes her stand out is how she reimagines merfolk lore with socio-political undertones. Unlike traditional tales where sea creatures are mere curiosities, Chan’s world-building treats them as refugees navigating human prejudice—think 'District 9' meets 'The Shape of Water,' but with sharper teeth.

Her prose balances poetic descriptions with gritty realism. One chapter might detail coral palaces glowing with bioluminescence, the next a smuggler’s dock reeking of rotting fish. This duality reflects her academic roots in postcolonial studies, which seep into the narrative without feeling forced. The book’s reception highlights her knack for blending genres; it’s part fantasy, part allegory, and entirely fresh.

For readers craving more unconventional myth retellings, I’d suggest 'The Deep' by Rivers Solomon or 'The Drowning Empire' series by Andrea Stewart. Both share Chan’s talent for weaving water-based fantasies with hard-hitting themes.

Chan’s 'Fathomfolk' caught my attention after a bookstore employee recommended it as 'Pacific Rim with mermaids.' The author, Eliza Chan, has a distinct voice—playful yet precise. She doesn’t just describe tides; she makes you feel their pull through sentences that ebb and flow. What’s clever is how she subverts expectations: her merfolk aren’t singing sirens but street-smart survivors using octopus ink as smoke bombs.

Her background in theater shines in dialogue scenes, where characters banter like old sailors one moment and deliver gut-punch revelations the next. The way she handles hybrid identities—half-human, half-fathomfolk—mirrors her own multicultural upbringing, adding authenticity to the cultural clashes in the plot. If you liked the urban fantasy vibes of 'Neverwhere' but wished it was wetter, this is your next read.