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Finding Folkshore
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- GenresFantasy
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 6, 2023
1 person is currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Faturoti
8 books29 followersRachel Faturoti is a British-Nigerian YA and children’s fiction writer, editor, and poet with a passion for broadening the scope of authentic Black representation in YA and children’s fiction. She believes it’s important for readers to see themselves represented well in stories.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 28, 2021
I read an early unedited proof of this book, and while there will be a few tweaks to the final version, the version I read was a great read. It has strong echoes of the TV series Once Upon a Time (which I adored) but with added twists and layers, and a far more diverse cast than our traditional fairy tales usually include. I'm very much looking forward to reading the final copy when it's released.
June 11, 2023
Finally picked this book up because I went to Brixton recently and it felt fitting :)
A hopeful story about community and fighting gentrification that weaves fairytale elements into the narrative. Fola was a hilarious narrator! I loved her quips and her wit, and her relationships with her family and the residents of Folkshore were everything.
A hopeful story about community and fighting gentrification that weaves fairytale elements into the narrative. Fola was a hilarious narrator! I loved her quips and her wit, and her relationships with her family and the residents of Folkshore were everything.
April 18, 2023
When I read the synopsis for this book I just knew I had to read it, it’s right up my street! Fantasy in London is everything for me.
My favourite characters had to be Fola, Red & Cindy 🫶🏼 I loved seeing similarities between the characters and myself/people I know.
The underlying message of fighting gentrification where you come from is 🤌🏼
I did want/expect more from the ending, I thought it felt quite rushed and we could’ve got some more depth which is why it didn’t get a 5.
My favourite characters had to be Fola, Red & Cindy 🫶🏼 I loved seeing similarities between the characters and myself/people I know.
The underlying message of fighting gentrification where you come from is 🤌🏼
I did want/expect more from the ending, I thought it felt quite rushed and we could’ve got some more depth which is why it didn’t get a 5.
June 9, 2025
great YA story about the environment, gentrification, whistleblowers, south london and stressed nigerian mothers... if this was a mid 2010's cbbc show it would definitely be on par with the sparticle mystery, if anyone remembers that
March 31, 2023
Firstly thank you to the publisher for sending me a proof copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book had me intrigued right from the start and as soon as Fola arrived in Folkshore I was hooked. This is definitely a must read for fans of disney & once upon a time, there are so many easter eggs hidden inside this story 👀
A joy to read❤️
This book had me intrigued right from the start and as soon as Fola arrived in Folkshore I was hooked. This is definitely a must read for fans of disney & once upon a time, there are so many easter eggs hidden inside this story 👀
A joy to read❤️
April 16, 2023
TW// Police brutality
16 year old Fola Oduwole is overwhelmed and scared. She's plagued with worries about disappointing her family for dreaming of working behind the camera instead of reaching for more esteemed and approved jobs they desire for her. She's also grappling with the fear for her brother, whose battling cancer, and with his surgery coming up, he could end up paralysed or worse, she's absolutely inundated with fears, so the last thing she needs it to accidentally hop on a train to Folkshore, a fairy-tale place, filled with talking animals, hidden within the depths of London. However, with her only way back destroyed by a storm, Fola has to navigate this new world, with her new fairy-tale friends, unearthing the Assembly's sinister plans whilst trying to get home and be there when her brother wakes up from his surgery, and avoiding the wrath of her mother.
It's clear how much pressure Fola carries on her shoulders day to day, desperately not wanting to let her parents down, after being accepted into a prestigious private school, on her merit and good grades. Her dream of making films is really constant for Fola, finding something blissful and right being behind the camera, but with her older brother battling cancer, and her parents expectations of her following a career of their approved and respected jobs, she already feels like her life is set out for her. With the added strain of knowing how difficult it was for her mother and father to emigrate over to the UK from Nigeria and getting to where they are now, and giving their children everything they can, just increases the guilt and pressure Fola carries day to day.
Fola is curious, intelligent and level-headed even when faced with a new world. She quickly becomes enamoured and attached to these wonderful and approachable people, and as her love for these warm and welcoming people grows, and she creates closer bonds, the more difficult it is to abandon them, as the Government's conspiracy's become exposed, and members of the community begin to disappear. As Fola slowly gains the groups trust, they begin to work in tandem to uncover the Assembly's depraved and treacherous plots and secrets.
I really enjoyed going along on this adventure with the Rapunzel, Bran, Ty, Red, Prince Charming, Westley, Cinderella and Pascal. This group of fairy-tale misfits was so fun and utterly entrancing. I adored seeing their individual personalities shining through, and the value of each of them, each bringing something uniquely and powerfully different to the dynamics, aiding them in this tense and high stakes task of preventing the gentrification of Folkshore, and uncovering the sinister plots of the Assembly.
Overall, this was just a really creative, whimsical, and imaginative premise, with thrilling elements peppered throughout to keep you on edge. It explores some really important themes including, gentrification and police brutality, written so powerfully but in a way that's easy to digest. I honestly loved this book, it was so fast-paced and hard to put down, with a refreshingly diverse perspective on the fairy-tale characters we're brought up with. A wonderful and adventurous escape from reality, that was so picturesque and vividly written, that still packed an emotional punch.
16 year old Fola Oduwole is overwhelmed and scared. She's plagued with worries about disappointing her family for dreaming of working behind the camera instead of reaching for more esteemed and approved jobs they desire for her. She's also grappling with the fear for her brother, whose battling cancer, and with his surgery coming up, he could end up paralysed or worse, she's absolutely inundated with fears, so the last thing she needs it to accidentally hop on a train to Folkshore, a fairy-tale place, filled with talking animals, hidden within the depths of London. However, with her only way back destroyed by a storm, Fola has to navigate this new world, with her new fairy-tale friends, unearthing the Assembly's sinister plans whilst trying to get home and be there when her brother wakes up from his surgery, and avoiding the wrath of her mother.
It's clear how much pressure Fola carries on her shoulders day to day, desperately not wanting to let her parents down, after being accepted into a prestigious private school, on her merit and good grades. Her dream of making films is really constant for Fola, finding something blissful and right being behind the camera, but with her older brother battling cancer, and her parents expectations of her following a career of their approved and respected jobs, she already feels like her life is set out for her. With the added strain of knowing how difficult it was for her mother and father to emigrate over to the UK from Nigeria and getting to where they are now, and giving their children everything they can, just increases the guilt and pressure Fola carries day to day.
Fola is curious, intelligent and level-headed even when faced with a new world. She quickly becomes enamoured and attached to these wonderful and approachable people, and as her love for these warm and welcoming people grows, and she creates closer bonds, the more difficult it is to abandon them, as the Government's conspiracy's become exposed, and members of the community begin to disappear. As Fola slowly gains the groups trust, they begin to work in tandem to uncover the Assembly's depraved and treacherous plots and secrets.
I really enjoyed going along on this adventure with the Rapunzel, Bran, Ty, Red, Prince Charming, Westley, Cinderella and Pascal. This group of fairy-tale misfits was so fun and utterly entrancing. I adored seeing their individual personalities shining through, and the value of each of them, each bringing something uniquely and powerfully different to the dynamics, aiding them in this tense and high stakes task of preventing the gentrification of Folkshore, and uncovering the sinister plots of the Assembly.
Overall, this was just a really creative, whimsical, and imaginative premise, with thrilling elements peppered throughout to keep you on edge. It explores some really important themes including, gentrification and police brutality, written so powerfully but in a way that's easy to digest. I honestly loved this book, it was so fast-paced and hard to put down, with a refreshingly diverse perspective on the fairy-tale characters we're brought up with. A wonderful and adventurous escape from reality, that was so picturesque and vividly written, that still packed an emotional punch.
March 25, 2023
Finding Folkshore is a heartfelt exploration of the sorrow of gentrification and the importance of giving a voice to those most affected. Rachel Faturoti's voice is full of attitude and humour, her characters are distinct, and Folkshore is more than evocative enough to make you wish it were real.
The book follows the story of Fola, a girl who after getting up to a bit of mischief finds herself stuck in Folkshore--a hidden part of London that is feeling the full weight of gentrification. Except none of that is her problem as if she doesn't get back she'll be late for her brother's important surgery. But as Fola seeks a way out, she gets more involved with the local community. Until she realises her only way out of Folkshore is to confront the nefarious forces at play.
Fola is a character who is easy to adore. She has a strong will, and yet she cares a lot about what others think. This internal struggle to be true to herself, and act responsibly are portrayed with sensitivity and nuance. The other characters in the book, including the hilarious Bran, the defiant Rap, the assertive Red, the gentle Pascal, and the enigmatic Prince to name more than a few all have multitudes. The secondary characters are a real highlight. Not only are they engaging as individuals, it's clear to see how their interactions with one another further enrichen their personalities.
Finding Folkshore explores themes of gentrification, hope, and the power of having a voice. Faturoti's portrayal of Fola finding the voice of a community is a great reminder that even when things seem hopeless, there is always a way forward.
Overall, I cannot recommend Finding Folkshore to anyone looking for a fun and emotionally resonant read. The book is beautifully written, and its message about the importance of preserving & uplifting community is one that will stay with readers long after they finish the final page.
The book follows the story of Fola, a girl who after getting up to a bit of mischief finds herself stuck in Folkshore--a hidden part of London that is feeling the full weight of gentrification. Except none of that is her problem as if she doesn't get back she'll be late for her brother's important surgery. But as Fola seeks a way out, she gets more involved with the local community. Until she realises her only way out of Folkshore is to confront the nefarious forces at play.
Fola is a character who is easy to adore. She has a strong will, and yet she cares a lot about what others think. This internal struggle to be true to herself, and act responsibly are portrayed with sensitivity and nuance. The other characters in the book, including the hilarious Bran, the defiant Rap, the assertive Red, the gentle Pascal, and the enigmatic Prince to name more than a few all have multitudes. The secondary characters are a real highlight. Not only are they engaging as individuals, it's clear to see how their interactions with one another further enrichen their personalities.
Finding Folkshore explores themes of gentrification, hope, and the power of having a voice. Faturoti's portrayal of Fola finding the voice of a community is a great reminder that even when things seem hopeless, there is always a way forward.
Overall, I cannot recommend Finding Folkshore to anyone looking for a fun and emotionally resonant read. The book is beautifully written, and its message about the importance of preserving & uplifting community is one that will stay with readers long after they finish the final page.
April 12, 2023
Fola has a difficult life, hiding what she really wants to be, worried for her brothers surgery, trying to excel at school and please her parents. But when she sneaks off to a night tour with her friend, she ends up following some strange kids and getting the train to another world hidden in London. Shortly after arriving she gets trapped by a storm that damages the station and the only way home.
There are fairytale creatures and characters in this other world, and something is trying to hurt and get rid of them. The Assembly rules everything, what happens daily to the redevelopment of Folkshore, but no one is happy about it and people are going missing. Fola finds out what is really happening and with the help of the friends she’s made, they work together to stop it all.
This is a book about overcoming your fears, working as a community and family, pulling together when times get tough. Fola learns a lot in her time in Folkshore, and we learn along with her. I enjoyed the writing style, and the references to the different cultures portrayed within the different areas of the book. I’d like to read more about Folkshore, maybe a spin off of a different character, or further adventures that Fola has there.
A great book that once again I binged instead of sticking to the schedule.
There are fairytale creatures and characters in this other world, and something is trying to hurt and get rid of them. The Assembly rules everything, what happens daily to the redevelopment of Folkshore, but no one is happy about it and people are going missing. Fola finds out what is really happening and with the help of the friends she’s made, they work together to stop it all.
This is a book about overcoming your fears, working as a community and family, pulling together when times get tough. Fola learns a lot in her time in Folkshore, and we learn along with her. I enjoyed the writing style, and the references to the different cultures portrayed within the different areas of the book. I’d like to read more about Folkshore, maybe a spin off of a different character, or further adventures that Fola has there.
A great book that once again I binged instead of sticking to the schedule.
March 8, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Jacaranda books for sending me an e-arc to read and review.
I very much enjoyed Faturoti's teen debut even if it did feel slighly repetitive in places. Folkshore had elements that felt a lot like Once Upon a Time and Narnia which is a brilliant combination. I liked the diverse cast of characters that Faturoti created and the different motivations each of them had.
In Finding Folkshore, Faturoti handled heavier topics such as corrupt police, the negative outcomes of regenerarion schemes and the impact displacement can have on diverse communities in a way that was both powerful and straightforward for younger readers to understand.
What I liked most about Finding Folkshore was the element of mystery running the whole way through and the seamless way that everything came together by the end. Folkshore had such an interesting history and backstory that Faturoti slowly revealed throughout the novel.
Overall this book has so much merit and I definitely recommend it!
I very much enjoyed Faturoti's teen debut even if it did feel slighly repetitive in places. Folkshore had elements that felt a lot like Once Upon a Time and Narnia which is a brilliant combination. I liked the diverse cast of characters that Faturoti created and the different motivations each of them had.
In Finding Folkshore, Faturoti handled heavier topics such as corrupt police, the negative outcomes of regenerarion schemes and the impact displacement can have on diverse communities in a way that was both powerful and straightforward for younger readers to understand.
What I liked most about Finding Folkshore was the element of mystery running the whole way through and the seamless way that everything came together by the end. Folkshore had such an interesting history and backstory that Faturoti slowly revealed throughout the novel.
Overall this book has so much merit and I definitely recommend it!
April 12, 2023
First off massive thanks to Tandem Collective UK and Rachel Faturoti for my first ever Tandem readalong - it was a great one! I loved this book, it had a lovely, wholesome feel to it despite the tension and darker scenes in the book. It was a wonderful bundle of diverse characters, an action packed plot and a world I fell in love with! It's great as a stand alone but if another future novel came out, whether it was returning to Folkshore or a new novel by Rachel Faturoti, I would pick it up with no hesitation! Highly recommend if you're looking for a fab fantasy read which is easy to follow and get lost in.
June 20, 2023
I do love a 'secret London' story (Neverwhere, Rivers of London), so it was great to find a YA take on the hidden city idea.
Fola is an A-grade scholarship student, studying subjects that will get her into medical school and please her Nigerian family. But Fola has a secret – she'd much rather study photography and film. Her GCSE Media Studies teacher invites her to enter a short film competition, but she knows her parents wouldn't understand.
On her way home on the tube, Fola finds herself travelling beyond the end of the line. The Victoria Line train continues past Brixton, and she finds herself in Folkshore – a hidden part of London filled with fairytale characters, talking animals, and magic. But as an outsider, she's not allowed in Folkshore, and she can't access the train again to take her home. The police are looking for her, and she must rely on the kindness of strangers to survive.
Something is wrong in Folkshore. Residents are disappearing, shops and buildings are being mysteriously remodelled, and the magic is fading. Fola finds herself working with her new friends to find out what is happening to their home, and looking for a way to return to hers. Can her unique skills help save Folkshore? And can Fola return to her family?
Finding Folkshore is a fun read. There's a large cast of colourful characters, from Fola's exuberant Nigerian family to the magical residents of Folkshore. Following Fola into the hidden city means that we discover the existence of Folkshore as she does, and uncover the corruption alongside her and her new friends. She brings a sense of wonder to the story, and a need to understand where she is, and what is happening to the magic. Her adventure also gives her the chance to reassess what is important to her, what she really needs to worry about, and what she wants to do – if she can ever return home.
The book is a blend of 'finding yourself' YA, magical realism, and the excitement of the hidden city. I was cheering at the end!
Fola is an A-grade scholarship student, studying subjects that will get her into medical school and please her Nigerian family. But Fola has a secret – she'd much rather study photography and film. Her GCSE Media Studies teacher invites her to enter a short film competition, but she knows her parents wouldn't understand.
On her way home on the tube, Fola finds herself travelling beyond the end of the line. The Victoria Line train continues past Brixton, and she finds herself in Folkshore – a hidden part of London filled with fairytale characters, talking animals, and magic. But as an outsider, she's not allowed in Folkshore, and she can't access the train again to take her home. The police are looking for her, and she must rely on the kindness of strangers to survive.
Something is wrong in Folkshore. Residents are disappearing, shops and buildings are being mysteriously remodelled, and the magic is fading. Fola finds herself working with her new friends to find out what is happening to their home, and looking for a way to return to hers. Can her unique skills help save Folkshore? And can Fola return to her family?
Finding Folkshore is a fun read. There's a large cast of colourful characters, from Fola's exuberant Nigerian family to the magical residents of Folkshore. Following Fola into the hidden city means that we discover the existence of Folkshore as she does, and uncover the corruption alongside her and her new friends. She brings a sense of wonder to the story, and a need to understand where she is, and what is happening to the magic. Her adventure also gives her the chance to reassess what is important to her, what she really needs to worry about, and what she wants to do – if she can ever return home.
The book is a blend of 'finding yourself' YA, magical realism, and the excitement of the hidden city. I was cheering at the end!
July 14, 2023
I wanted to like this book so much. It has all the right topics in the mix for a young adult fantasy book. There are race discussions, family responsibilities as well as a twist on the usual fairy tale names and purposes. I do not know if I was just the wrong age group for this book (but I do read books for several different age groups in any given year, so I am not sure how strongly I stand by that point), but I was finding it hard to finish the book.
It is not a large volume, and I decided to read it all the way through before making up my mind.
It starts off in an interesting fashion, Fola is troubled by her elder brother's health and is struggling to figure out a way to work on her own dreams instead of that of her parents. During an evening out with her friend, she ends up on a train with strange people heading to Folkshore, a magical hidden part of London.
Once there, she is a wanted person, and a lot of things seem to be going wrong in town. Her arrival galvanizes into action, and in a few days, everyone is working on ways to get to the root of the problem and stop more people from vanishing.
I could not get into the mood required to appreciate the action, but maybe if the blurb and the concept feel intriguing, I would recommend giving this book a shot.
It is definitely a different take on the fantasy twists.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
It is not a large volume, and I decided to read it all the way through before making up my mind.
It starts off in an interesting fashion, Fola is troubled by her elder brother's health and is struggling to figure out a way to work on her own dreams instead of that of her parents. During an evening out with her friend, she ends up on a train with strange people heading to Folkshore, a magical hidden part of London.
Once there, she is a wanted person, and a lot of things seem to be going wrong in town. Her arrival galvanizes into action, and in a few days, everyone is working on ways to get to the root of the problem and stop more people from vanishing.
I could not get into the mood required to appreciate the action, but maybe if the blurb and the concept feel intriguing, I would recommend giving this book a shot.
It is definitely a different take on the fantasy twists.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
October 26, 2023
This is the story of 16 y.o. Fola, a second generation immigrant genius math student who, suddenly finding herself in the mystical Folkshore land, befriends a group of Rebels who are trying to bring the current government down.
There’s a bunch of interesting themes that are discussed in the pages. The pressure that second generation children have from their parents to perform well in life, the unsettling feeling of having sick family members, the importance on the sense of community, police brutality, government exploitation of small business, and the list goes on.
How did the author pack all of this action, plus giving a consistent plot and good character development in less than 300 pages? Well, they did not.
The book is about 90% dialogues with very few descriptions. Personally, not my style. The plot was weak and inconsistent and at times … well at times it made very little sense.
Very good immagination on the author’s part and the story has tons of potential, but personally would not recommend the book.
There’s a bunch of interesting themes that are discussed in the pages. The pressure that second generation children have from their parents to perform well in life, the unsettling feeling of having sick family members, the importance on the sense of community, police brutality, government exploitation of small business, and the list goes on.
How did the author pack all of this action, plus giving a consistent plot and good character development in less than 300 pages? Well, they did not.
The book is about 90% dialogues with very few descriptions. Personally, not my style. The plot was weak and inconsistent and at times … well at times it made very little sense.
Very good immagination on the author’s part and the story has tons of potential, but personally would not recommend the book.
February 28, 2023
At the end of the Victoria line do not alight in Brixton, but stay on for an adventure in Folkshore.
Teenager Fola makes sure to never cross the invisible lines set by her family and by herself. Never ever. She's too scared to disappoint the people around her. Yet this one time she dares to break free and first visits an exhibition at the British Library, while she's supposed to be with her classmates at the theatre, then she takes the Victoria line and enters Folkshore.
Now Fola is scared for totally different reasons. One being that she won't be able to leave this magical place ever again. What will her parents say? Her mother is certainly going to skin her alive while chastising Fola's foolishness in Yoruba. .
This is a YA story that's playing with fairy tale and folklore characters in a refreshingly diverse way.
Teenager Fola makes sure to never cross the invisible lines set by her family and by herself. Never ever. She's too scared to disappoint the people around her. Yet this one time she dares to break free and first visits an exhibition at the British Library, while she's supposed to be with her classmates at the theatre, then she takes the Victoria line and enters Folkshore.
Now Fola is scared for totally different reasons. One being that she won't be able to leave this magical place ever again. What will her parents say? Her mother is certainly going to skin her alive while chastising Fola's foolishness in Yoruba. .
This is a YA story that's playing with fairy tale and folklore characters in a refreshingly diverse way.
May 4, 2023
A Teen Fiction novel that follows Fola Oduwole.
A young girl who is scared of many things, disappointing her parents, not being able to follow her dreams, and mostly she is scared for her brother who is facing surgery to battle cancer where there is a risk he may be paralysed.
One night, Fola follows a group of teenagers on to a train, which transports her to an unknown area of London.
Folkshore
When Fola arrives in this unusual town with its illuminous trees and talking animals that dress like humans, Fola knows she is far from home.
She soon discovers that her fairytale friends are under threat by the Assembly, so when characters start disappearing, it's time to dig a little deeper to find out the truth of what's happening in Folksore.
It's a story of...
👍🏻 Strength
🙏 Friendship
🌟 Community
👣 Discovery
🧚🏽♂️ Fairytale
It's a great little fantasy novel for teens!
A young girl who is scared of many things, disappointing her parents, not being able to follow her dreams, and mostly she is scared for her brother who is facing surgery to battle cancer where there is a risk he may be paralysed.
One night, Fola follows a group of teenagers on to a train, which transports her to an unknown area of London.
Folkshore
When Fola arrives in this unusual town with its illuminous trees and talking animals that dress like humans, Fola knows she is far from home.
She soon discovers that her fairytale friends are under threat by the Assembly, so when characters start disappearing, it's time to dig a little deeper to find out the truth of what's happening in Folksore.
It's a story of...
👍🏻 Strength
🙏 Friendship
🌟 Community
👣 Discovery
🧚🏽♂️ Fairytale
It's a great little fantasy novel for teens!
November 3, 2024
A cute book. A bit here there and everywhere. However, I feel like it could’ve have been more than what it is. Slightly rushed towards the end, but overall a pleasant experience. Loved the mixture of human and anthropomorphic animals elements!
May 10, 2023
3.5 stars
October 29, 2024
Finished it for the sake of finishing. Felt like quite a boring book. Didn't always understand what was happening. Love the cover art though.
April 19, 2023
This was a fun and intriguing read that had me reading ahead of schedule! I really liked the diverse range of characters and Fola was a brilliant protagonist!
Finding Folkshore is a story about fighting for what's right, working as a community and facing your fears. I really recommend this one if you're a fan of the show Once Upon a Time!
Finding Folkshore is a story about fighting for what's right, working as a community and facing your fears. I really recommend this one if you're a fan of the show Once Upon a Time!
May 15, 2023
i had such a fun time reading this as a tandem readalong so thank you so much for sending me a copy!
i really enjoyed the story telling, world building, and the characters! the book has great writing and it’s fast paced! i loved the world of Folkshore and exploring it alongside Fola. it’s got great mystery as we follow Fola trying to unravel the truth whilst trying to find a way home. the plot twists were so unexpected! it’s also got a great diverse cast.
it’s perfect if you love disney and once upon a time
i really enjoyed the story telling, world building, and the characters! the book has great writing and it’s fast paced! i loved the world of Folkshore and exploring it alongside Fola. it’s got great mystery as we follow Fola trying to unravel the truth whilst trying to find a way home. the plot twists were so unexpected! it’s also got a great diverse cast.
it’s perfect if you love disney and once upon a time
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews