Today’s review is about TIDEBORN by Eliza Chan. It’s the final book in the Drowned World duology and begins about when FATHOMFOLK ended. There are spoilers for the first book in this review of TIDEBORN.
Author: Eliza Chan
Series: Drowned World #2
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Orbit
Publish Date: March 25, 2025
Print Length: 384
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Tideborn Synopsis
Synopsis
A dragon queen, a vengeful sea witch, and a mythical titan converge on the underwater city of Tiankawi in the sequel to the international bestselling epic fantasy Fathomfolk.
A tsunami and a dragon’s wish have wrought changes upon the city of Tiankawi that have never been seen before. But shared experiences have not healed the rift between the city’s fathomfolk and human citizens, and scars from years of oppression still remain.
Mira, a half-siren and activist, fights politicians and her own people to rebuild her city, and to uncover a deadly conspiracy. And Nami, the dragon princess, undertakes a daring ocean voyage alongside friend and foe, in order to convince a mythical Titan not to destroy Tiankawi for its crimes…
Tideborn Review
I received a free, finished copy of this book from the publisher. My review is my own and reflects my honest opinion about this book.
TIDEBORN begins right where FATHOMFOLK left off. The author provides at the beginning an excellent recap of the first book to bring the reader up to speed. After Kai’s sacrifice, all humans in Tiankawi have gills, but many are not happy about it. Mira and the rest of the leadership deal with the fallout of this transformation. The titan carrying the city on its back is dead and so Nami embarks with a crew to find its mate and head off a god’s retribution.
TIDEBORN is a decent conclusion to the Drowned World duology. Chan includes themes that continue in the same vein of those in FATHOMFOLK. One such theme is that of cultural identity and what it means to be folk. This becomes more acute now that humans have gills. However, gills do not necessarily make one folk, as expounded by the folk who sneer at the Lakelanders (humans who have a sort of fetish for folk culture) who try to integrate into their culture. On the flip side, Gede, Cordelia’s son, also experiences rejection from folk culture because he grew up thinking he was human even though he is ethnically folk.
Another theme focuses on exploitation of the vulnerable, specifically when it comes to unsavory jobs. Naturally, this revolves around Cordelia, who takes no side except her own. However, it comes to light that not even the folk who live outside the city are immune to such decisions that impact the diaspora.
The points of view in TIDEBORN are mainly those of Mira and Nami with a few from Cordelia. Thus, the reader sees both Mira and Nami evolve in their leadership style. Mira once staunchly tried to do everything by the book. But she realizes that she has to make some morally grey decisions that hopefully pay off in the end for the city. And Nami, previously lost and looking for guidance in anyone, including the wrong people, slowly becomes more confident and learns to lead.
While all these themes and character growth are great, I more preferred the first book over this one. The plot didn’t grab me as much even though it’s undoubtedly important to save Tiankawi. The author didn’t really delve into Mira’s loss of Kai, which seems like a lost opportunity to add some emotional depth. And although Nami eventually realizes she trusted the wrong person, that evolution was soft. TIDEBORN in general seemed a little less focused. Chan alludes to this in her Author’s Note that the second book was difficult to write. There are aso a lot of incomplete sentences that just hang there that took me out of the reading flow. For such high stakes (saving Tiankawi), the roll out of the events felt largely low key.
However, I still recommend TIDEBORN so long as one goes in with adjusted expectations.
Rating: 3.5
Content warnings: death, death of a parent, blood, sexual harassment
Reading format: Paperback
I was a little wary of the first book after seeing some mixed reviews, so I didn’t start this series. Congrats on finishing the duology, though, even if this wasn’t completely successful!
Thanks, I’m glad I finished it, but wish I felt it had as much political pizazz as the first book!
Sorry to hear this second book lost focus. I find that seems to be a struggle with a lot of second books.
Which is a shame because I really liked the first book! Contrary to my own opinions, the average review for book 1 is relatively low (but I loved it) and on goodreads book 2 has a higher review. I guess I’m the odd one out!
That’s always extra disappointing when you love book one and then the second book lets you down. 🙁
Great review. I have been on the fence about the first book and wanted to wait to see how the second book faired. I’m sorry it didn’t work out better for you.
Thanks! And sorry if this dissuaded you from checking it out!
No, this is good! I was on the fence and my TBR is insane as it is. Lol
I’m glad that you enjoyed this in the main. I agree that the first book was a lot more compelling.
Glad I’m not the only one who thought so!
Agree it lost focus, especially with the storyline in the city. It was very weird that I kept feeling compelled to write there weren’t high enough stakes even though it’s literally the fate of the city on the line…perhaps because I just didn’t feel enough personal connection to those stakes?
Yea, I didn’t feel like those stakes were emphasized enough. Obviously we don’t want the city to be destroyed by the god, but sell those stakes to me more! It was just like a slow-moving freight train kind of plot.