Plot Summary
Beneath the Gilded Surface
In the underwater city of Tau, luxury and power are reserved for the Originals—immortal humans who rule with cold detachment. Alexia, a genetically engineered guard, serves Harlow, one of the oldest and most capricious Originals. Her life is a cycle of obedience, violence, and emotional suppression, enforced by regular injections. The city's beauty is a thin veneer over a system built on exploitation: cloned "reborns" are harvested for body parts, and the guards are disposable tools. Alexia's sense of self is fragile, her thoughts clouded by drugs, but a faint unrest stirs within her. The city's glass walls keep the sea at bay, but inside, the true monsters are human, and Alexia is both their creation and their captive.
The Depthstrider's Prophecy
Far from Tau, Fortis, a powerful undine known as a depthstrider, waits with his son Aulax. Fortis is driven by a prophecy: his wife foresaw his death as the catalyst for a new era. He believes the sea itself guides him, and that his sacrifice will end the cycle of violence between humans and the People of Water. Fortis's people's history is one of reverence for the sea and its gods, but also of loss and vengeance. Fortis's mission is both personal and mythic, his destiny entwined with the fate of the city and the woman he has yet to meet.
Manufactured Obedience
Alexia's daily life is a haze of servitude and chemical control. She is sent to the reborn center, where rows of cloned bodies—spares for the Originals—float in stasis. The sight unsettles her, stirring forbidden empathy. Doctor Barker, one of the few humans who treats her with a hint of kindness, warns her: guards who think for themselves are "decommissioned." Alexia's sense of self is fragile, her memories fragmented by years of conditioning. Yet, a voice inside her grows louder, questioning the morality of her existence and the city's practices. The machinery of Tau is efficient, but cracks are forming in its foundation.
The Captive and the Guard
Fortis is brought into Tau as a specimen, feigning unconsciousness while he observes his captors. Alexia, assigned to oversee his containment, is both fascinated and repulsed by the undine's alien beauty and power. Their first encounter is charged with mutual suspicion and a strange, electric intimacy. Fortis senses Alexia's difference from the other humans—her strength, her pain, her buried will. When he seizes the opportunity to escape, he takes a reborn as a hostage, forcing Alexia into a desperate pursuit. The boundaries between captor and captive, monster and human, begin to blur.
Escape into the Abyss
Alexia pursues Fortis into the open sea, donning an exoskeleton to survive the crushing depths. The hunt is brutal and primal; Fortis is at home in the abyss, while Alexia is outmatched. Their battle is a dance of violence and understanding, each testing the other's limits. Fortis taunts her, recognizing her as a worthy adversary. Alexia's rage and shame at her failure are compounded by the realization that she is more alive in this struggle than she has ever been. The sea is both a grave and a crucible, stripping away the lies she has been told about herself.
The Hunt and the Bargain
Trapped at the bottom of the ocean, Alexia is forced to rely on Fortis for survival. He withholds food and power, bargaining for information about Tau. Their conversations are fraught with mistrust, but also with a growing recognition of each other's suffering. Fortis sees the scars of Alexia's conditioning; Alexia glimpses the depth of Fortis's loss and his people's rage. The abyss becomes a place of transformation, where old loyalties are questioned and new possibilities emerge. The line between enemy and companion grows thin.
Fractures in the Mind
Deprived of her medication, Alexia's emotions return in a torrent. She is haunted by memories of her creation, her training, and the countless acts of violence she has committed. Fortis, too, is forced to confront the pain of his past and the weight of his prophecy. Their connection deepens as they share their wounds, both physical and psychological. The sea, once a place of terror, becomes a space for honesty and vulnerability. Together, they begin to imagine a future not dictated by the cruelty of their makers.
The Sea's Liminal Voice
Fortis seeks guidance from the sea's ancient powers, encountering the spirit of his dead wife and a mysterious god imprisoned in the abyss. The sea's message is clear: the time for change is now, and Alexia is the key. Meanwhile, Alexia is tested by the undine's ability to see into her memories and future. She resists, but cannot deny the truth: she is more than her programming, and her choices matter. The sea's voice is both a comfort and a command, urging them toward a destiny neither fully understands.
Memory as Weapon
Fortis uses his power to delve into Alexia's mind, witnessing her trauma and the horrors of Tau. The experience is invasive, but also a form of communion. Alexia fights back, asserting her agency even as she is laid bare. Their relationship becomes a crucible for trust, desire, and the possibility of love. The boundaries between self and other, human and undine, are dissolved in the shared darkness of the abyss. Together, they forge a bond that is both a weapon and a promise.
The City of Sins
Alexia returns to Tau, armed with new knowledge and a burning need for justice. She discovers the truth about the Originals: their immortality is built on the suffering of others, and their power is maintained through lies and violence. In a hidden museum, she sees the evidence of their crimes—the manipulation of weather, the destruction of the world above, the creation of a society built on exploitation. The revelation is shattering, but also liberating. Alexia chooses to betray her makers, setting in motion the city's downfall.
The Depthstriders' Judgment
Fortis brings Alexia to the heart of the depthstriders' domain, seeking their support in the coming war. The ancient seer Mitera looks into Alexia's future and sees only death—specifically, Fortis's death at her hands. The depthstriders are divided: some thirst for vengeance, others for peace. Alexia and Fortis must convince them that a new alliance is possible, even as the prophecy hangs over them. The decision to fight is fraught with fear and hope, and the cost will be measured in blood.
The Price of Betrayal
The plan to destroy Tau requires Alexia to return as a traitor, pretending to be loyal while opening the city's defenses from within. Fortis allows himself to be captured, knowing his death is the key to the prophecy. Alexia must kill a version of herself—her own clone—to maintain her cover. The act is both literal and symbolic: she sheds her old self, embracing the pain and freedom of choice. The city's walls are breached, and the final reckoning begins.
The Fall of Tau
The attack on Tau is swift and brutal. Alexia, wounded but relentless, opens the gates for the undines and their allies. The city's defenders are overwhelmed; the Originals retreat to their last stronghold. In a moment of poetic justice, Alexia drowns them, ending their centuries of rule. The city is left in ruins, its future uncertain but finally free from the tyranny of immortality. The survivors must reckon with the cost of victory and the challenge of building something new.
The End of Immortality
With the Originals dead, the fate of the reborns and genetically enhanced children becomes the new moral test. Alexia and her allies choose compassion: the clones are given a chance at real lives, the children are freed from the cycle of exploitation. The city's resources are shared with the other underwater settlements, and a new order begins to take shape. The old gods are silent, but the future is open.
The Reborn and the Reckoning
Alexia is gravely wounded in the final battle, but survives with the help of Doctor Barker and Fortis. Together, they confront the trauma of their histories and the challenge of forgiveness. The survivors of Tau must learn to live with the consequences of their actions, and to build a society not on fear and control, but on trust and mutual aid. The reborns, once tools, are now people with agency and hope.
The God in the Deep
As the dust settles, the depthstriders and their allies are visited by the voice of the ancient god in the abyss. The god's vision is of a future where humans and the People of Water live together, their children bridging the divide. The old order is gone, but new dangers and possibilities emerge. The god demands reparations for the wounds inflicted on the sea, and the survivors must reckon with the cost of their victory.
A Future Unwritten
Alexia and Fortis, finally free from prophecy and programming, choose each other. Their love is a testament to the possibility of change, even in a world built on cruelty. Together, they guide the reborns to new homes, and look toward a future where the mistakes of the past are not forgotten, but transformed. The sea is vast, the future uncertain, but for the first time, both human and undine are free to write their own story.
Characters
Alexia
Alexia is a genetically modified guard, created to serve the immortal Originals in the underwater city of Tau. Her life is defined by violence, emotional suppression, and a desperate need for approval. Conditioned from birth to obey, she is haunted by memories of her creation and the countless acts of brutality she has committed. Her relationship with Harlow is both maternal and abusive, a twisted bond of dependence and resentment. Over the course of the story, Alexia awakens to her own agency, questioning the morality of her existence and the system that made her. Her journey is one of painful self-discovery, as she learns to trust, to love, and ultimately to betray the world that created her. Her connection with Fortis is transformative, offering her a glimpse of freedom and the possibility of a life beyond obedience.
Fortis
Fortis is a depthstrider, a powerful undine whose life is shaped by prophecy and loss. Haunted by the vision of his own death, he believes his sacrifice will bring about a new era for his people. Fortis is both a father and a leader, torn between his duty to the sea and his love for his son, Aulax. His relationship with Alexia is complex: she is both his enemy and his salvation, the key to fulfilling his destiny. Fortis's ability to see into memories and the future makes him both a guide and a threat, and his struggle is to reconcile his role as a weapon with his longing for connection. Through Alexia, he learns to question fate and to choose life, even in the face of death.
Harlow
Harlow is one of the oldest Originals, a woman whose beauty and power mask a deep insecurity and cruelty. She is both Alexia's creator and her tormentor, demanding absolute loyalty while offering only conditional affection. Harlow's obsession with control extends to her own body, maintained through reborns and genetic manipulation. Her relationship with Alexia is a study in toxic dependence, as she both praises and punishes her guard. Harlow's ultimate fate is a testament to the dangers of unchecked power and the illusion of immortality.
Aulax
Aulax is Fortis's son, a young depthstrider caught between tradition and change. He is both a warrior and a thinker, questioning the old ways even as he honors them. Aulax's relationship with his father is marked by love, frustration, and a desire for a future not defined by sacrifice. He is more open to the possibility of peace with humans, and his friendship with Alexia and the other allies is a sign of hope for a new era. Aulax's growth mirrors the story's central theme: the struggle to break free from the past and to imagine something better.
Doctor Barker
Doctor Barker is one of the few humans in Tau who treats Alexia with a measure of kindness. He is a scientist caught in a system he cannot change, but he does what he can to protect those under his care. Barker's relationship with Alexia is one of cautious trust; he warns her of the dangers of thinking for herself, but also helps her when she begins to break free. In the end, he becomes a key ally, helping to save both Alexia and Fortis. Barker represents the possibility of redemption, even for those complicit in evil.
Mitera
Mitera is the matriarch of the depthstriders, a being of immense power and authority. She is both revered and feared, her visions shaping the destiny of her people. Mitera's judgment of Alexia is harsh, seeing only the threat she poses. Her refusal to help is rooted in a deep fear of change and a belief in the inevitability of fate. Mitera's role is that of the gatekeeper, the one who must be convinced that a new alliance is possible. Her eventual acquiescence is a sign that even the oldest traditions can be challenged.
Mira
Mira is a human engineer and leader of the resistance against Tau. She is practical, resourceful, and fiercely protective of her people. Mira's relationship with Alexia is initially wary, but grows into mutual respect as they work together to bring down the city. Mira is instrumental in integrating the survivors and rebuilding after the fall of Tau. Her character embodies the possibility of cooperation and the importance of practical action in the face of overwhelming odds.
Arges
Arges is one of Fortis's kin, a depthstrider who has learned to work with humans. He is less bound by tradition than Mitera, and more willing to see the value in alliance. Arges's relationship with Mira is a model for the new world they are trying to build: one based on trust, respect, and shared purpose. He is a steadying presence, helping to mediate between the different factions and to keep the focus on the greater good.
Maketes
Maketes is a depthstrider who embodies the rage and pain of his people. He is a fierce fighter, but also capable of loyalty and compassion. Maketes's role in the final assault on Tau is crucial, and his willingness to follow Alexia's lead is a sign of the shifting balance of power. He represents the possibility of transformation, even for those most wounded by the past.
The God in the Deep
The god imprisoned in the abyss is both a symbol and a catalyst. His awakening marks the end of the old order and the beginning of something new. He demands reparations for the wounds inflicted on the sea, and his vision is of a future where humans and the People of Water are united. The god's presence is both a warning and a promise: the past cannot be undone, but the future is still unwritten.
Plot Devices
Prophecy and Predestination
The narrative is structured around prophecy: Fortis's death is foretold, and every character's actions are shaped by their belief in destiny. This device creates tension between agency and inevitability, as characters struggle to break free from the roles assigned to them. The prophecy is both a source of hope and a curse, driving the plot toward its climax. The eventual subversion of fate—Alexia's refusal to kill Fortis—serves as a powerful statement about the possibility of change.
Memory and Mind Control
The use of drugs, genetic conditioning, and psychic invasion makes memory a central plot device. Alexia's struggle to reclaim her memories and emotions is mirrored by Fortis's ability to see into the minds of others. The battle for control—over one's own mind, and over the narrative of history—is a recurring motif. The story uses flashbacks, visions, and psychic encounters to reveal character and to foreshadow future events.
Duality and Mirroring
The story is built on pairs: Alexia and Fortis, human and undine, creator and creation, prophecy and choice. The mirroring of characters (especially Alexia and her clone) highlights the theme of identity and the possibility of transformation. The relationship between Alexia and Fortis is both a romance and a metaphor for reconciliation between warring peoples.
Revolution and Rebirth
The fall of Tau is both an ending and a beginning. The story uses the imagery of rebirth—clones, children, new gods—to suggest that the future is always being remade. The destruction of the old order is necessary, but not sufficient; what matters is what comes after. The final chapters focus on the challenge of building a new society, and the moral choices that entails.
The Sea as Character
The sea is not just a setting, but an active force in the story. It is both a god and a judge, demanding reparations for the wounds inflicted by humans. The sea's voice is heard in prophecy, in visions, and in the awakening of the god in the deep. The story uses the sea as a symbol of both danger and possibility, a space where old boundaries are dissolved and new futures are born.
Analysis
Emma Hamm's Call of the Fathoms is a searing meditation on power, trauma, and the possibility of transformation. At its core, the novel interrogates the systems—biological, social, and psychological—that keep individuals and societies trapped in cycles of violence and exploitation. Through the intertwined journeys of Alexia and Fortis, Hamm explores the cost of obedience and the courage required to break free from the stories we are told about ourselves. The underwater setting is both literal and metaphorical: a world of beauty and terror, where the past is never truly buried and the future is always uncertain. The novel's use of prophecy and memory as plot devices foregrounds the tension between fate and agency, suggesting that true freedom comes not from denying the past, but from choosing to write a new story. The fall of Tau is both a revolution and a reckoning, a moment when the oppressed seize the power to define their own lives. Yet, Hamm is clear-eyed about the cost: healing is slow, and the wounds of history do not close easily. The novel's final vision—of humans and undines building a new world together, under the watchful gaze of an ancient god—offers hope, but not certainty. In the end, Call of the Fathoms is a call to courage: to face the darkness within and without, to choose love over fear, and to believe that even in the deepest abyss, a new future can be born.
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