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Skin of the Sea #1
Skin of the Sea
A way to survive.
A way to serve.
A way to save.
Simi prayed to the gods, once. Now she serves them as Mami Wata—a mermaid—collecting the souls of those who die at sea and blessing their journeys back home.
But when a living boy is thrown overboard, Simi goes against an ancient decree and does the unthinkable—she saves his life. And punishment awaits those who dare to defy the gods.
To protect the other Mami Wata, Simi must journey to the Supreme Creator to make amends. But all is not as it seems. There’s the boy she rescued, who knows more than he should. And something is shadowing Simi, something that would rather see her fail. . . .
Danger lurks at every turn, and as Simi draws closer, she must brave vengeful gods, treacherous lands, and legendary creatures. Because if she fails, she risks not only the fate of all Mami Wata, but also the world as she knows it.
A way to serve.
A way to save.
Simi prayed to the gods, once. Now she serves them as Mami Wata—a mermaid—collecting the souls of those who die at sea and blessing their journeys back home.
But when a living boy is thrown overboard, Simi goes against an ancient decree and does the unthinkable—she saves his life. And punishment awaits those who dare to defy the gods.
To protect the other Mami Wata, Simi must journey to the Supreme Creator to make amends. But all is not as it seems. There’s the boy she rescued, who knows more than he should. And something is shadowing Simi, something that would rather see her fail. . . .
Danger lurks at every turn, and as Simi draws closer, she must brave vengeful gods, treacherous lands, and legendary creatures. Because if she fails, she risks not only the fate of all Mami Wata, but also the world as she knows it.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 9, 2021
About the author
Natasha Bowen
4 books1,168 followersNatasha Bowen is a writer, a teacher, and a mother of three children. She is of Nigerian and Welsh descent and lives in Cambridge, England, where she grew up. Natasha studied English and creative writing at Bath Spa University before moving to East London, where she taught for nearly ten years. Her debut book was inspired by her passion for mermaids and African history. She is obsessed with Japanese and German stationery and spends stupid amounts on notebooks, which she then features on her secret Instagram. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, watched over carefully by Milk and Honey, her cat and dog.
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Want to read
September 28, 2021WHY YES I WOULD LIKE TO READ A BOOK ABOUT A BLACK MERMAID
THANK YOU FOR ASKING
THANK YOU FOR ASKING
June 23, 2021
During a time when representation is so important, this book really spoke to me. Mermaids are beautiful creatures and my whole life, I never thought they looked like me because I never saw a mermaid that slightly resembled me. But Natasha Bowen has created a world where mermaids look like me, my Momma, my sisters, my grandmother... they have natural kinky, curly hair and skin in every shade of brown that represents my family. "Skin of the Sea" is a beautiful book that is a blend of history, African mythology, and a fantastical world that will ensnare readers. Black history is so much more than pain and trauma. This book celebrates all the positive and uplifting aspects of African culture and history during a time of great tragedy. It showed me the resiliency of my people in the face of unspeakable pain. This book moved me and it should be shared with the world.
March 28, 2023
NOTICE: This review is long, with some words in Yoruba that looked wonky and congested on goodreads because the website doesn't support the text. You can still read a snippet of the review here, but for a better viewing experience I'd advise reading from this google doc: Louly's Review. There are also A LOT of additions that couldn't be added here due to the limited word count on goodreads.
------------------------------------------------
2-it-was-ok-stars. ⭐⭐
As a story, it was a pretty average young adult book. The characters weren't that fleshed out or likable. They felt like repeats of archetypes. The funny/comedic one, the serious one, the naive/endearing child (who’s also the team mascot), the dutiful prince, etc. I didn’t buy the romance either. It wasn’t that groundbreaking.
I don’t have much to say about the story itself. I’m mainly here to review the (mainly) Yoruba-inspired part of the story. I want to note that I’m just one Yoruba person reviewing this book and I do not speak for all. This was my experience reading this book.
WHAT I LIKED:
- I liked the use of actual Yoruba names for the characters. Many Yoruba-inspired fantasies in the West weirdly refuse to use actual Yoruba names for the characters, instead opting for names that sound vaguely ethnic or African in some way.
- Sometimes the author used diacritics when using Yoruba words. Yoruba is a tonal language, which means that some alphabets like “e” can mean two things. The inclusion made words easier to recognize or pronounce. However, the diacritics were haywire and wrong sometimes. And I do wish she’d used them for ALL Yoruba words, including the names.
- The mention of Yoruba foods like ìyàn and ẹ́gúsì, ẹ́fọ́ rìrò. Or dishes like pepper soup. Though it was all mismatched. Pepper soup was described as being eaten with rice? And eaten with ìyàn too?? And ẹ́fọ́ was just eaten by itself with no accompaniments??? Why?????
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE:
- The use of Yoruba language wasn't that good or accurate. There was a part in the first chapter that was pretty okay, probably because the author said (on Twitter) that she got help for that part. However, the rest was... not good. The diacritics were confusing. Yoruba words were put together very clunkily. The formal and informal were misplaced. It felt like the author just used google translate and called it quits.
- The story sort of (unconsciously) reinforces the western-influenced characterization of Ẹ̀ṣù being depicted as an equivalent to Satan/the Devil. Ẹ̀ṣù is way more complex than a “bad deity that does bad things just because.” In Yoruba cosmology, he is an intercessor to Ọ̀lọ̀dùmàrẹ̀, who devotees of all the other ọ̀rìṣà have to pay homage.[1] Long story short, due to mistranslations in the mid-nineteenth century (1830 - 1860), Ẹ̀ṣù was translated to the devil/Satan (in the Christian Bible) and this has unfortunately stuck. Ẹ̀ṣù is quite neutral in his dealings and though he is a trickster, he does not seek harm to anyone, ọ̀rìṣà or human.[2] In the story, Ẹ̀ṣù outwardly states that he wants to overthrow Ọ̀lọ̀dùmàrẹ̀ because… he wants power? Even though he already has power as an ọ̀rìṣà, he wants more? He’s also a bit of a narcissist.
While the book makes several attempts to depict the complexity of the deity, it ends up failing. The author says that he isn’t “evil” and “he shows respect when shown respect (rephrased)” but doesn’t deliver. The Ẹ̀ṣù in this book is malicious and narcissistic. He thinks he deserves more admiration and respect than he deserves, and doesn’t give an iota back to anyone he encounters. He looks down not only on humans but his fellow ọ̀rìṣà (who are trying to do the right thing). He kidnaps children, physically scars women, insults the downtrodden, kills people, and is all-round bad. It’s hard to see the side that supposedly “shows respect when shown respect (rephrased)” when all you see is an asshole of the greatest degree. I don’t think the author did this on purpose. For her story to work, she kinda needs Ẹ̀ṣù to be the villain, which eventually backs her into a corner. However, this is a fantasy book. You could argue that accuracy doesn’t really matter (no matter how much it would be appreciated).
- The very weird, very uncomfortable sexualization of some ọ̀rìṣà. Maybe this is just a personal thing but I don’t think readers needed the multiple descriptions of “gleaming slabs of muscles,” “sinuous movement,” “slablike muscles,” “muscles rippling,” “corded muscles,” etc. There’s also the fact that these are religious figures and thirsting over them is just… odd.
- The inclusion of non-Yoruba mythological creatures (as mentioned above). I don’t understand why the author did not just stick to Yoruba mythos. It was so uncomfortable when these creatures appeared but the people who created them weren’t included (as the main cast are mostly Yoruba descended). Their places of origins aren't acknowledged in the story itself except in the Author's Notes of the book. They also seem to be subsumed under a Yoruba identity. Because why does a Yumboe, a Wolof-Senegalese creature speak Yoruba and not Wolof? Why are the Yumboes present in Yorubaland in the first place? The same goes for the other creatures too. It felt like the author was just check-marking all the African mythos she could include. It also reinforces the idea that African cultures and their peoples are interchangeable. I review this from a Yoruba reader perspective but if an author decided to include a Yoruba mythical creature in their story but doesn’t bother to do the same for Yoruba people? I would probably be pissed.
- I do not believe for a second that this story took place in a pre-colonial Yoruba society. The author mentions things like rice, maize/corn, cassava, silk, scrolls, ink, Nganda coffee plant (or at least should not be called such?), animals (rhinoceros hornbills… really?), mahogany, fruits (citrus, pear, papaya, olive, lime, mint), and other things that should not be in 15th century Yorubaland. Not without trading or some interactions with colonizers/slavers anyway. The inclusion of these things also made me question the resolve of some characters who claimed to be against slavers. Because how do you end up farming a plant that is not native to your land without having interacted with colonizers/slavers (the people who trade it) in some way? Also, why does our main character, a Yoruba girl who has lived in a pre-colonial Yoruba society her whole life know of ink and silk and scrolls and maps and cartography? Why do the people of this pre-colonial Yorubaland follow a Gregorian seven-day calendar instead of the traditional four-day one?
WHAT I'M AMBIVALENT ABOUT:
- A distinction: Yẹ̀mọ́jà and Mami Wata are not the same. Yẹ̀mọ́jà is NOT a mermaid. That’s a colonial interpretation of the divinity. And it is not a welcomed one [timestamp: 5:50 - 7:01]. Mami Wata is not even a Yoruba concept.
- The characters only ever seem to wear "wrapper" which is odd because that's just the English word for what is an equivalent to a skirt. Where's the rest of their outfit? No other Yoruba traditional cloth is mentioned except for an àgbàdà which is worn by pirates (they kind of are, but are not), which is kinda funny because an àgbàdà is a big, heavy cloth that's not suitable for a pirate on deck.
CONCLUSION:
I’m quite glad for the rise of African-inspired books, Yoruba ones in particular. However, I wish that they were more accurate linguistically and culturally. Sadly, this is not the first Yoruba-inspired YA fantasy book I've read, in which the language and culture were thoroughly botched (looking at you Children of Blood and Bone). I also wish that pre-Colonial African religions and cultures do not only appear in fantasy books. They are very much real and still alive. And that more opportunities are given to African people that grew up and live on the continent to write their own stories too. I’m glad that more and more, Black people in the diaspora are gaining attention and notoriety for their works. I’m especially glad that Black women are at the helm of this advancement too. I’m glad that Black kids are getting to grow up with stories and tales that not only feature them but place them front and center.
[1] https://www.okayafrica.com/yoruba-esu...
[2] https://alamojayoruba.com/esu-is-not-...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2022
First Read: August 2021, Rating 4.5/5 stars
Second Read: September 2022, Rating: 4/5 stars
This is the first instalment in the Skin of the Sea series.
Simidele is one of the Mami Wata. She is a mermaid tasked with collecting the souls of those who die at sea and blessing them for their journey to Olodumare. However, memories of her time as a human haunt her and she spends as much time as possible reverting back to her four-limbed form. Perhaps that is why she is more inclined to save the drowning boy rather than waiting for his life to end? Perhaps that is why she neglects her role and sacrifices the safety of her sisters for a stranger? Perhaps that is why she will prove to be the kingdom's, both above and below, only hope.
This was such a flawless and well-crafted story. It took a few pages to orientate myself in this world, as the reader is introduced to Simidele and her watery abode with no other, prior introduction. I quickly caught up with all that was occurring and was hooked from then on.
Events moved at a fast-pace but Bowen never neglected one element when crafting this fantastical world and her setting proved as seamless a creation as her writing of it was slick. The characters that roamed there were treated with the same intricate and authentic production and I fell in love with them all. Simidele stole the show though, and proved immediately herself a feisty, fearless, and fabulous heroine I adored reading about.
The only element that did not enthral me was the quickly-budding romance that featured. Little was acted upon and the romance did in no way overshadow the plot, but I thought emotion was built too quickly to be truly believable, for me.
However, this minor negative was a very small one in the grand scheme of this wonderful debut novel. I'm hopeful that a sequel is forthcoming and Bowen has ensured a faithful reader of anything she produces in the future, with the high-calibre of all I have read here.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Natasha Bowen, and the publisher, Penguin, for this opportunity.
Second Read: September 2022, Rating: 4/5 stars
This is the first instalment in the Skin of the Sea series.
Simidele is one of the Mami Wata. She is a mermaid tasked with collecting the souls of those who die at sea and blessing them for their journey to Olodumare. However, memories of her time as a human haunt her and she spends as much time as possible reverting back to her four-limbed form. Perhaps that is why she is more inclined to save the drowning boy rather than waiting for his life to end? Perhaps that is why she neglects her role and sacrifices the safety of her sisters for a stranger? Perhaps that is why she will prove to be the kingdom's, both above and below, only hope.
This was such a flawless and well-crafted story. It took a few pages to orientate myself in this world, as the reader is introduced to Simidele and her watery abode with no other, prior introduction. I quickly caught up with all that was occurring and was hooked from then on.
Events moved at a fast-pace but Bowen never neglected one element when crafting this fantastical world and her setting proved as seamless a creation as her writing of it was slick. The characters that roamed there were treated with the same intricate and authentic production and I fell in love with them all. Simidele stole the show though, and proved immediately herself a feisty, fearless, and fabulous heroine I adored reading about.
The only element that did not enthral me was the quickly-budding romance that featured. Little was acted upon and the romance did in no way overshadow the plot, but I thought emotion was built too quickly to be truly believable, for me.
However, this minor negative was a very small one in the grand scheme of this wonderful debut novel. I'm hopeful that a sequel is forthcoming and Bowen has ensured a faithful reader of anything she produces in the future, with the high-calibre of all I have read here.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Natasha Bowen, and the publisher, Penguin, for this opportunity.
Want to read
March 1, 2022I know it's already been said, but this has to be one of the prettiest covers I've ever seen in my life. ♥
Read
March 4, 2022Source of book: NetGalley (thank you)
Relevant disclaimers: None
Please note: This review may not be reproduced or quoted, in whole or in part, without explicit consent from the author.
Edit: As a commenter was kind enough to point out I expressed myself incredibly badly when I started off this review. I don't want to remove it because, uh, I don't believe in hiding my fuck ups. Of course, the traditions and stories Skin of the Sea is working with are far older than the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale that inspired by the Disney movie white western audiences are most familiar with. I'm deeply sorry for sounding so dismissive and ignorant, and I'll be more careful moving forward*
This is a West African re-working of The Little Mermaid, set in the 1400s when the Portuguese first began taking African slaves. The heroine, Simi, is a Mami Wata—created by the Goddess, Yemoja in order to guide the lost spirits of the taken to the afterlife. In true Little Mermaid fashion, when a boy falls from a slave ship, Simi can’t let him die. But her choice to rescue him inadvertently breaks an ancient covenant between Yemoja and Olodumare, and sends her on a quest that could change the fates of gods and mortals alike.
There was a lot I really loved about this book, particularly the way the reality of the slave trade is neither denied nor allowed to dominate the narrative. While there is no flinching from the atrocities committed, Skin of the Sea spins its tale around myth, folklore and religion as a way to remind us that the story of West Africa is not and should not be solely a story of suffering and loss. I have less than zero standing to talk about the portrayal of, well, anything in this book but I will say—from my position of zero standing—I found the world vivid, well-realised and gorgeously described.
Where I struggled a bit was that the book unfurls at such a breakneck pace that I lost some nuances of characterisation, especially when it came to (extensive) supporting cast. I adored the heroine—her complex relationships with the sea, with Yemoja, and with her own fragmented past are all woven together wonderfully—and whenever she was interacting with one of the orisha those scenes positively crackled, but I wish there’d been more time for both Simi and the reader to get to know the companions who accompany her on the journey. Particularly Kolo, who is her Prince Eric, and yet I never really got as much of a sense of their connection as I tend to like in my romance arcs. It is, however, only the first book in the series so there’s plenty of time for further development.
Also with my nerd hat on, I was mildly irritated nobody remembered the first rule of dealing with a trickster god. Or, indeed, the second rule.
Ultimately, though, this is an incredibly impressive debut: a beautifully written adventure, that grapples fearlessly with loss, on both personal and cosmic scales, and still finds its way towards hope.
Relevant disclaimers: None
Please note: This review may not be reproduced or quoted, in whole or in part, without explicit consent from the author.
Edit: As a commenter was kind enough to point out I expressed myself incredibly badly when I started off this review. I don't want to remove it because, uh, I don't believe in hiding my fuck ups. Of course, the traditions and stories Skin of the Sea is working with are far older than the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale that inspired by the Disney movie white western audiences are most familiar with. I'm deeply sorry for sounding so dismissive and ignorant, and I'll be more careful moving forward*
This is a West African re-working of The Little Mermaid, set in the 1400s when the Portuguese first began taking African slaves. The heroine, Simi, is a Mami Wata—created by the Goddess, Yemoja in order to guide the lost spirits of the taken to the afterlife. In true Little Mermaid fashion, when a boy falls from a slave ship, Simi can’t let him die. But her choice to rescue him inadvertently breaks an ancient covenant between Yemoja and Olodumare, and sends her on a quest that could change the fates of gods and mortals alike.
There was a lot I really loved about this book, particularly the way the reality of the slave trade is neither denied nor allowed to dominate the narrative. While there is no flinching from the atrocities committed, Skin of the Sea spins its tale around myth, folklore and religion as a way to remind us that the story of West Africa is not and should not be solely a story of suffering and loss. I have less than zero standing to talk about the portrayal of, well, anything in this book but I will say—from my position of zero standing—I found the world vivid, well-realised and gorgeously described.
Where I struggled a bit was that the book unfurls at such a breakneck pace that I lost some nuances of characterisation, especially when it came to (extensive) supporting cast. I adored the heroine—her complex relationships with the sea, with Yemoja, and with her own fragmented past are all woven together wonderfully—and whenever she was interacting with one of the orisha those scenes positively crackled, but I wish there’d been more time for both Simi and the reader to get to know the companions who accompany her on the journey. Particularly Kolo, who is her Prince Eric, and yet I never really got as much of a sense of their connection as I tend to like in my romance arcs. It is, however, only the first book in the series so there’s plenty of time for further development.
Also with my nerd hat on, I was mildly irritated nobody remembered the first rule of dealing with a trickster god. Or, indeed, the second rule.
Ultimately, though, this is an incredibly impressive debut: a beautifully written adventure, that grapples fearlessly with loss, on both personal and cosmic scales, and still finds its way towards hope.
January 19, 2023
I picked this up off my shelf on something of a whim. I was looking for something I could pretty much dissociate to; something chill, relaxing, lowkey, so why not the YA mermaid book! I loaded this up on Libby and set out for a little nature walk and the first thing I hear is a content warning that tells me I have absolutely not picked a Turn Your Brain Off And Relax kind of book 👀 But despite the fact that this ended up being a much heavier read than I was looking for, I really enjoyed this!
There’s always something really refreshing about reading non-euro-centric fantasy and getting to learn new myths and legends from cultures I haven’t been exposed to before in media.
This book blends a dark time in West African history with mythology and the Ifá spiritual system alongside portrayals of ancient African knowledge and culture in an engaging YA story. I enjoyed all the characters, the pacing was great, and I felt like the fantasy aspect of the world was rich and well explored for a book that’s only 300 pages.
Very much enjoyed, will be checking out the sequel.
There’s always something really refreshing about reading non-euro-centric fantasy and getting to learn new myths and legends from cultures I haven’t been exposed to before in media.
This book blends a dark time in West African history with mythology and the Ifá spiritual system alongside portrayals of ancient African knowledge and culture in an engaging YA story. I enjoyed all the characters, the pacing was great, and I felt like the fantasy aspect of the world was rich and well explored for a book that’s only 300 pages.
Very much enjoyed, will be checking out the sequel.
May 13, 2022
FOUR STARS
HOLY FUCK, THAT ENDING THO!!!
!!!!!spoilers, kinda, maybe, idek. If you wan't to go into this book knowing NOTHING, don't read this review!!!!
This book had me in my fucking feels. I got this from my library on friday afternoon because I knew saturday was a free reading day. The cover and blurb pulled me in. Can I just say the prose in this book was absolutely beautiful.
Bowen has a talent, I will admit that. Maybe that's why her last name sounds like Bowie.
The names Bowie. David Bowie.
(if you don't get the reference then you're probably born in the year 2011)
I loved Simi. She was kind compassionate, and a mermaid. She gave me Cleo from H20 vibes.
"CLEORRR, NAURRRR!!!!" Srry...not sorry! Sometimes it would get annoying. The parts where she would constantly go on ten-page monologues about her past, . I was like "Girl, but you chose that." But other than that she was a truly strong character. . And Kola. OMFG guys, he had my bussy dripping.
(If you're thirteen and reading this review right now, I'm sorry)
The way he constantly flirted with Simi. I was constantly like "JUST FUCKING KISS ALREADY." Like Ms. Bowen, I know this is slow-burn, but at this point the flames been snuffed. But still, I'm glad she didn't have that insta-love shit, because I would've let the mermaids take the book's spirit to hell. I love the connections between Kola and Simi. Their lives, the way they've sacrificed so much to get to where they are. They had a strong connection, made even stronger by Bowens beautiful prose.
I'll admit, I was a tiny bit bored in the first quarter. It was just like talking I thought about skipping. But I'm glad I didn't, because it provided context/content for much later. It was like a Chekhov's gun kind of thing.
And the FUCKING W-O-R-L-D-B-U-I-L-D-I-N-G was fan-fricking-tastic. I loved the combination of slavery(i don't love slavery, just to make that clear), the 1400s world, and african cutlure. The languages and myths were so beautiful. And I know we hate him, but Esu is just really hot.
We can all admit that. But seriously, the worldbuilding immersed me into everything. Sometimes it felet like infodumping in the first half, but I think Bowen noticed that so she spread it out into little tidbits. It was so fucking beautiful, I literally can't y'all!!!
#KimiForever
Give the next book NOOOOWWWW!!!
-----------------------------------
pretty cover, check, diversity, check. Mermaids, check.
Count me tf in!
The Books Of Black History Month:
1)Ace Of Spades ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2)Raybearer Beyond ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3)Children Of Virtue and Vengeance⭐️
4)Instructions For Dancing ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5)Dread Nation ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
6)The City We Became Beyond ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
7)Charming As A Verb ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
8)Skin Of The Sea ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
9)Witches Steeped In Gold⭐️
10)Harlem Shuffle⭐️⭐️⭐️
11)This Poison Heart⭐️⭐️
12)The Fifth Season Beyond ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
HOLY FUCK, THAT ENDING THO!!!
!!!!!spoilers, kinda, maybe, idek. If you wan't to go into this book knowing NOTHING, don't read this review!!!!
This book had me in my fucking feels. I got this from my library on friday afternoon because I knew saturday was a free reading day. The cover and blurb pulled me in. Can I just say the prose in this book was absolutely beautiful.
Bowen has a talent, I will admit that. Maybe that's why her last name sounds like Bowie.
The names Bowie. David Bowie.
(if you don't get the reference then you're probably born in the year 2011)
I loved Simi. She was kind compassionate, and a mermaid. She gave me Cleo from H20 vibes.
"CLEORRR, NAURRRR!!!!" Srry...not sorry! Sometimes it would get annoying. The parts where she would constantly go on ten-page monologues about her past, . I was like "Girl, but you chose that." But other than that she was a truly strong character. . And Kola. OMFG guys, he had my bussy dripping.
(If you're thirteen and reading this review right now, I'm sorry)
The way he constantly flirted with Simi. I was constantly like "JUST FUCKING KISS ALREADY." Like Ms. Bowen, I know this is slow-burn, but at this point the flames been snuffed. But still, I'm glad she didn't have that insta-love shit, because I would've let the mermaids take the book's spirit to hell. I love the connections between Kola and Simi. Their lives, the way they've sacrificed so much to get to where they are. They had a strong connection, made even stronger by Bowens beautiful prose.
I'll admit, I was a tiny bit bored in the first quarter. It was just like talking I thought about skipping. But I'm glad I didn't, because it provided context/content for much later. It was like a Chekhov's gun kind of thing.
And the FUCKING W-O-R-L-D-B-U-I-L-D-I-N-G was fan-fricking-tastic. I loved the combination of slavery(i don't love slavery, just to make that clear), the 1400s world, and african cutlure. The languages and myths were so beautiful. And I know we hate him, but Esu is just really hot.
We can all admit that. But seriously, the worldbuilding immersed me into everything. Sometimes it felet like infodumping in the first half, but I think Bowen noticed that so she spread it out into little tidbits. It was so fucking beautiful, I literally can't y'all!!!
#KimiForever
Give the next book NOOOOWWWW!!!
-----------------------------------
pretty cover, check, diversity, check. Mermaids, check.
Count me tf in!
The Books Of Black History Month:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
11)
12)
November 19, 2021
It’s just a typical YA fantasy plot. I love the mythology woven into the story, but the rest is just too typical. The characters don’t really have much personality.
January 15, 2022
There was so much I loved about this book:
- West African culture and mythology
- the concept of Black mermaids shepherding the souls of those thrown overboard from slave ships is something I will always love
- I really liked Simidele as a character
But I just could not let go of the casting of Esu as a villain.
As I read the book, I really hoped that it would turn out to be a misunderstanding. That there would be some kind of old miscommunication between Esu and Yemoja that just needed to be solved and laid out and that would be the central plot point of the book.
But that was definitely not the case. In this book, Esu's arc as an antagonist is literally that of Satan, in that he's a deity in a pantheon that envies the power of the supreme creator and goes against his wishes by subjugating humans. Not only that, but his punishment at the end is exactly the same as well - being dragged downward to a prison deep beneath the earth. I feel like this is reinforcing the depiction of Esu as a satanic figure that came about because of colonization, and that's really counterproductive to so many decolonization efforts to sensitively and accurately portray Esu and what he actually is the deity of.
Another reason I was so uncomfortable with all of this is that Esu is the real deity of a real religion being practiced in Africa and Latin America. Esu literally has present-day real life worshippers, and I just feel that it was incredibly disrespectful to them to cast the deity they worship as a power-hungry, greedy villain. Especially when these worshippers probably already have to deal with people misunderstanding their deity and their religion in real life, and maybe even committing violence toward them because of that misunderstanding.
So yeah, all of that is pretty much why I just felt so uncomfortable as I read this book. Even though I really did love literally everything else about it.
Please take everything I say with a grain of salt as I myself am not a member of the religion that worships Esu.
For further reading from a more appropriate and knowledgeable reviewer, check out Louly's review.
🌿 Find more at my blog, Your Tita Kate! 🌿
- West African culture and mythology
- the concept of Black mermaids shepherding the souls of those thrown overboard from slave ships is something I will always love
- I really liked Simidele as a character
But I just could not let go of the casting of Esu as a villain.
As I read the book, I really hoped that it would turn out to be a misunderstanding. That there would be some kind of old miscommunication between Esu and Yemoja that just needed to be solved and laid out and that would be the central plot point of the book.
But that was definitely not the case. In this book, Esu's arc as an antagonist is literally that of Satan, in that he's a deity in a pantheon that envies the power of the supreme creator and goes against his wishes by subjugating humans. Not only that, but his punishment at the end is exactly the same as well - being dragged downward to a prison deep beneath the earth. I feel like this is reinforcing the depiction of Esu as a satanic figure that came about because of colonization, and that's really counterproductive to so many decolonization efforts to sensitively and accurately portray Esu and what he actually is the deity of.
Another reason I was so uncomfortable with all of this is that Esu is the real deity of a real religion being practiced in Africa and Latin America. Esu literally has present-day real life worshippers, and I just feel that it was incredibly disrespectful to them to cast the deity they worship as a power-hungry, greedy villain. Especially when these worshippers probably already have to deal with people misunderstanding their deity and their religion in real life, and maybe even committing violence toward them because of that misunderstanding.
So yeah, all of that is pretty much why I just felt so uncomfortable as I read this book. Even though I really did love literally everything else about it.
Please take everything I say with a grain of salt as I myself am not a member of the religion that worships Esu.
For further reading from a more appropriate and knowledgeable reviewer, check out Louly's review.
🌿 Find more at my blog, Your Tita Kate! 🌿
October 26, 2021
3 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
All that you need to do, all that you must do, is to gather any souls of those who pass in the sea, and we will say a prayer to ease them on their inevitable journey back to Olodumare. This is your purpose. Nothing more, nothing less.
Skin of the Sea is an imaginative take on the Little Mermaid fairytale weaved with lush West African mythology.
We follow Simidele who is a Mami Wata—a water spirit whose purpose is to gather the souls of those who pass in the sea to bless and help them to return to Olodumare. Simi was made into a Mami Wata taking the form of a mermaid after she departed her past mortal life. One day—Simi is swimming in the sea seeking out souls to collect but she discovers a boy who fell from a slavers ship and was drowning to his death. Instead of awaiting for his death, Simi rescues the boy—Kola—unknowingly breaking an ancient decree could mean the end of all Mami Wata.
To remedy this grave mistake, she embarks on a journey with Kola to save her kind and Kola's world.
What I appreciate about this book is the fact that it takes place at a time Africa was at its darkest age because of the slave trade, but the author did not allow it to overshadow the rich African culture because that tragedy does not take away the vibrancy of this rich culture and its mythology. As a fan of mythology, this book sparked my interest in learning more of African mythology because in the media we are exposed more to European and Chinese mythology and have little to no knowledge about African mythology.
Now, let's talk about this book:
• It had a rich fantastical setting and was quite atmospheric.
• The writing style was immersive and poetic.
• It had excellent pacing.
• I liked the characters but they felt one-dimensional to me so I struggled to connect to them.
• I felt like there was more traveling and less plot so sometimes I feel myself lost in the story.
• The ending was... just that? I was surprised and disappointed to see the acknowledgements page after flipping the page.
However, I'm very happy to see a fantasy novel starring a black mermaid as it celebrates diversity and creativity. Especially with the Little Mermaid live-action in the works and casting Halle Bailey as Ariel—there was some ridiculous outrage of having a black mermaid and even the author Natasha Bowen had a random person telling her mermaids are white not black; I am truly happy for all the little girls and every mermaid fans that can finally see themselves through beloved characters and mythological figures. Diversity and representation is always a plus.
All that you need to do, all that you must do, is to gather any souls of those who pass in the sea, and we will say a prayer to ease them on their inevitable journey back to Olodumare. This is your purpose. Nothing more, nothing less.
Skin of the Sea is an imaginative take on the Little Mermaid fairytale weaved with lush West African mythology.
We follow Simidele who is a Mami Wata—a water spirit whose purpose is to gather the souls of those who pass in the sea to bless and help them to return to Olodumare. Simi was made into a Mami Wata taking the form of a mermaid after she departed her past mortal life. One day—Simi is swimming in the sea seeking out souls to collect but she discovers a boy who fell from a slavers ship and was drowning to his death. Instead of awaiting for his death, Simi rescues the boy—Kola—unknowingly breaking an ancient decree could mean the end of all Mami Wata.
To remedy this grave mistake, she embarks on a journey with Kola to save her kind and Kola's world.
What I appreciate about this book is the fact that it takes place at a time Africa was at its darkest age because of the slave trade, but the author did not allow it to overshadow the rich African culture because that tragedy does not take away the vibrancy of this rich culture and its mythology. As a fan of mythology, this book sparked my interest in learning more of African mythology because in the media we are exposed more to European and Chinese mythology and have little to no knowledge about African mythology.
Now, let's talk about this book:
• It had a rich fantastical setting and was quite atmospheric.
• The writing style was immersive and poetic.
• It had excellent pacing.
• I liked the characters but they felt one-dimensional to me so I struggled to connect to them.
• I felt like there was more traveling and less plot so sometimes I feel myself lost in the story.
• The ending was... just that? I was surprised and disappointed to see the acknowledgements page after flipping the page.
However, I'm very happy to see a fantasy novel starring a black mermaid as it celebrates diversity and creativity. Especially with the Little Mermaid live-action in the works and casting Halle Bailey as Ariel—there was some ridiculous outrage of having a black mermaid and even the author Natasha Bowen had a random person telling her mermaids are white not black; I am truly happy for all the little girls and every mermaid fans that can finally see themselves through beloved characters and mythological figures. Diversity and representation is always a plus.
Want to read
May 15, 2021omg this looks so good!! the cover 😍
November 1, 2022
This book brought me back to my childhood and how I was obsessed with mermaids.
Honestly if you want to read about mermaids you need to read this. The magic was amazing and the small amount of romance and tension was just right.
Simi was an amazing main character and I loved how much we focused on the world bucking and how the magic works in and outside of the waters.
Her story was full of mysteries and I loved how we got more and more little hints about her past throughout the book as well as how much we were able to learn about her powers and magic.
The gods, the backstories, the tales about how people became gods and the betrayals was amazingly detailed and so interesting,
Simi goes on a giant adventure and not even going to lie, she was so strong and powerful I was rooting for her from the side lines and cheering her on. We get so many other amazing characters that all have very unique personalities and I was praying that my heart would not get broken by any of them. We had a great plot twist that I did not see coming and the ending of book one is on a cliffhanger so ui had to order book 2 right away because I cannot handle that ending right now.
The romance in this book is definitely a very small plot line which I really appreciated since we had this amazing found family plot line that made me so emotional and connect with all these different characters.
I can definitely also see the hints of the story the little mermaid which I really appreciated and I loved how the story was twisted to make a very original and unique new story. And yes, this indeed hyped me up for the upcoming new the little mermaid movie.
Honestly if you want to read about mermaids you need to read this. The magic was amazing and the small amount of romance and tension was just right.
Simi was an amazing main character and I loved how much we focused on the world bucking and how the magic works in and outside of the waters.
Her story was full of mysteries and I loved how we got more and more little hints about her past throughout the book as well as how much we were able to learn about her powers and magic.
The gods, the backstories, the tales about how people became gods and the betrayals was amazingly detailed and so interesting,
Simi goes on a giant adventure and not even going to lie, she was so strong and powerful I was rooting for her from the side lines and cheering her on. We get so many other amazing characters that all have very unique personalities and I was praying that my heart would not get broken by any of them. We had a great plot twist that I did not see coming and the ending of book one is on a cliffhanger so ui had to order book 2 right away because I cannot handle that ending right now.
The romance in this book is definitely a very small plot line which I really appreciated since we had this amazing found family plot line that made me so emotional and connect with all these different characters.
I can definitely also see the hints of the story the little mermaid which I really appreciated and I loved how the story was twisted to make a very original and unique new story. And yes, this indeed hyped me up for the upcoming new the little mermaid movie.
February 7, 2022
This is such a gorgeous book!!!! It’s almost achingly beautiful in that there is nothing quite like Simidele and her friends. Which is terrible!!!! There should be all sorts of fairy tales based on Black characters!!!! While I could go off on a long tangent, I’m not gonna. I’m going to focus on how amazing this book is.
Simi is likable from the start, her desire to be something she’s not is obviously so relatable!! I think everyone has wished they were something they could never be at some point in their lives. And yet, here she is, so beautiful with this amazing task of blessing the souls of the dead at sea and she wants what she can’t have. How heartbreaking is that?!?! Throw in Adekola and you’ve got the start of an intriguing novel.
Simi and her friends must go on a journey to save, well, basically everyone, and things just keep getting more and more interesting. The whole novel is just steeped in gorgeous culture! From the scenery to the clothes to the customs, everything is very interesting to read about. I especially loved the stories of Mother Yemoja and the mami wata. I’ll have to do some further research because that’s how curious this book makes me.
The tale itself sucks you in and doesn’t let go. Even at the end. Mainly because there’s a sneak peek into the second book, which I must read asap!!!! I think it comes out this year. Point is, it’s a cliffhanger, so watch out for that. But I would still read it all over again, knowing that I’ll have to wait for the true ending. Because that’s how good this is. The writing is just magical and solid.
I highly recommend this to YA lovers who are interested in Black culture, those who like a little romance, and those who love adventure. This is one great adventure!!! Enjoy it and please let me know what you think!!!
Simi is likable from the start, her desire to be something she’s not is obviously so relatable!! I think everyone has wished they were something they could never be at some point in their lives. And yet, here she is, so beautiful with this amazing task of blessing the souls of the dead at sea and she wants what she can’t have. How heartbreaking is that?!?! Throw in Adekola and you’ve got the start of an intriguing novel.
Simi and her friends must go on a journey to save, well, basically everyone, and things just keep getting more and more interesting. The whole novel is just steeped in gorgeous culture! From the scenery to the clothes to the customs, everything is very interesting to read about. I especially loved the stories of Mother Yemoja and the mami wata. I’ll have to do some further research because that’s how curious this book makes me.
The tale itself sucks you in and doesn’t let go. Even at the end. Mainly because there’s a sneak peek into the second book, which I must read asap!!!! I think it comes out this year. Point is, it’s a cliffhanger, so watch out for that. But I would still read it all over again, knowing that I’ll have to wait for the true ending. Because that’s how good this is. The writing is just magical and solid.
I highly recommend this to YA lovers who are interested in Black culture, those who like a little romance, and those who love adventure. This is one great adventure!!! Enjoy it and please let me know what you think!!!
December 16, 2021
Reading this book with a narrator’s voice in my ears was amazing. I enjoyed this narrator’s foreign language and unfamiliar names pronunciation. The narrator did a good job with different voices as well as panic fast read. Forbidden love! Yes please! It was so good to see Simi fighting her urge to love him when knowing she couldn’t. I can’t wait to read his views, hopefully his views will be in the sequel. I enjoyed following Simidele’s adventures. Issa was a cute character. I liked the villain. There were some good twists I didn’t see coming from the villain. The riddle Simi gave Esu to solve was good but too bad there were no answers in this book. I worried for Issa’s grandfather’s reactions to Issa’s whereabouts. I enjoyed listening to the author’s note to learn more about the story. It’s awesome knowing that it took place in the mid-1400s. This book was my first African mythology read. However, I’m not new to African books because I recently read a memoir called The Girls in the Wild Fig Tree and loved it.
This book followed Simidele, a mermaid. She’s a Mami Wata and her job was to collect souls of those who passed in the sea to be blessed (aka collect the dead). As she swam and watched a ship cruised by, she saw a dead woman in the water and quickly prayed for her. Her necklace glowed to informed her that one of her kind is nearby and sure enough Folasade arrived. She comforted Simidele on her grief for that dead woman because the woman reminded Simidele of her own mother. On Simidele’s free time, she liked to go to her Creator’s island to transform herself back into her human self so that she could relive the memories of her mom. Her memories of her human life are wiped clean when she stayed in the sea. Yemoja, Goddess of the Sea, Creator of Mami Wata, told her that what she did for the dead was an honor and she shouldn’t do anything more than pray for the dead. Later another ship went by and a guy named Adekola aka Kola, around 17, was dropped into the ocean left for dead. She swam to him and found that although there were a lot of blood around him, he was still alive. She decided quickly to save him by swimming to the Creator’s island. She busied her inspection of his wounds and he was able to witness her transformation from mermaid to human. This whole situation was against the rules for Simidele. The guy knew of her boss and asked her to summon Yemoja and have Yemoja help him to get home. Simidele feared she would be in trouble for saving Kola’s life than praised by Yemoja. Yemoja answer to a Supreme Creator called Olodumare. Her enemy is Esu, Messenger to Olodumare, who is an orisa similar rank as her. This book is a retelling of the Little Mermaid African mythology style.
Skin of the Sea was well written and narrated. The start caught my attention immediately. It’s unlike anything I have read before. Often I couldn’t put down. Simi’s job was different. It was good to meet another Mami Wata. I liked the mentioned of banana trees because I grew up near them for a short time. I enjoyed the humor. Kola sounded like a great guy. He loved his siblings. Normally I don’t like flashbacks in books unless it was delivered in a separate chapter following a timeline but in this book, it was ok. I can tell when I’m not in the present day. It was useful in this case because that’s when readers got to know more about the main character’s past. It was interesting to follow Simi solve a puzzle to cross a so-called bridge using stories she had heard growing up. The ending was bittersweet. My heart felt calm in knowing that there will be a sequel and hopefully love will be in the air! A great read and I highly recommend everyone to read this book!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.Howusefulitis.com for more details
Many thanks to Getunderlined and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
This book followed Simidele, a mermaid. She’s a Mami Wata and her job was to collect souls of those who passed in the sea to be blessed (aka collect the dead). As she swam and watched a ship cruised by, she saw a dead woman in the water and quickly prayed for her. Her necklace glowed to informed her that one of her kind is nearby and sure enough Folasade arrived. She comforted Simidele on her grief for that dead woman because the woman reminded Simidele of her own mother. On Simidele’s free time, she liked to go to her Creator’s island to transform herself back into her human self so that she could relive the memories of her mom. Her memories of her human life are wiped clean when she stayed in the sea. Yemoja, Goddess of the Sea, Creator of Mami Wata, told her that what she did for the dead was an honor and she shouldn’t do anything more than pray for the dead. Later another ship went by and a guy named Adekola aka Kola, around 17, was dropped into the ocean left for dead. She swam to him and found that although there were a lot of blood around him, he was still alive. She decided quickly to save him by swimming to the Creator’s island. She busied her inspection of his wounds and he was able to witness her transformation from mermaid to human. This whole situation was against the rules for Simidele. The guy knew of her boss and asked her to summon Yemoja and have Yemoja help him to get home. Simidele feared she would be in trouble for saving Kola’s life than praised by Yemoja. Yemoja answer to a Supreme Creator called Olodumare. Her enemy is Esu, Messenger to Olodumare, who is an orisa similar rank as her. This book is a retelling of the Little Mermaid African mythology style.
Skin of the Sea was well written and narrated. The start caught my attention immediately. It’s unlike anything I have read before. Often I couldn’t put down. Simi’s job was different. It was good to meet another Mami Wata. I liked the mentioned of banana trees because I grew up near them for a short time. I enjoyed the humor. Kola sounded like a great guy. He loved his siblings. Normally I don’t like flashbacks in books unless it was delivered in a separate chapter following a timeline but in this book, it was ok. I can tell when I’m not in the present day. It was useful in this case because that’s when readers got to know more about the main character’s past. It was interesting to follow Simi solve a puzzle to cross a so-called bridge using stories she had heard growing up. The ending was bittersweet. My heart felt calm in knowing that there will be a sequel and hopefully love will be in the air! A great read and I highly recommend everyone to read this book!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.Howusefulitis.com for more details
Many thanks to Getunderlined and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
January 10, 2022
A truly beautiful book deserving of all the hype and praise it's received. Skin of the Sea combines Yoruba culture with pieces of history from the trans-Atlantic slavery and Han's Christian Anderson's The Little Mermaid into a gorgeous historical fantasy.
We follow Simi who is a Mami Wata, on an adventure after she saves a boy named Kola who has been tossed off a slave-ship into the sea to die. Though it is forbidden, she rescues him anyway and is told her actions will have detrimental consequences for her kind. So she sets out to help Kola return to his village and find his siblings who have special abilities and get these very powerful rings they possess.
Some authors would've allowed the slave trade to dominate the narrative and instead taken this story in a different direction and I liked that while it was mentioned and greatly affected the lives of some of the characters that the white colonizers were not the main focus. This wasn't just a story about the suffering and loss West Africans felt at their hands. Instead we are thrown into a battle involving a power hungry god.
Natasha Bowen's writing style is so lyrical it's easy to get sucked in. I never found myself bored while reading. And I love that there was a works cited page at the end including all the sources she used during her research. I felt the time and love she poured into this story.
We follow Simi who is a Mami Wata, on an adventure after she saves a boy named Kola who has been tossed off a slave-ship into the sea to die. Though it is forbidden, she rescues him anyway and is told her actions will have detrimental consequences for her kind. So she sets out to help Kola return to his village and find his siblings who have special abilities and get these very powerful rings they possess.
Some authors would've allowed the slave trade to dominate the narrative and instead taken this story in a different direction and I liked that while it was mentioned and greatly affected the lives of some of the characters that the white colonizers were not the main focus. This wasn't just a story about the suffering and loss West Africans felt at their hands. Instead we are thrown into a battle involving a power hungry god.
Natasha Bowen's writing style is so lyrical it's easy to get sucked in. I never found myself bored while reading. And I love that there was a works cited page at the end including all the sources she used during her research. I felt the time and love she poured into this story.
January 26, 2022
¡Me han timado!
Este libro no ha sido lo prometido.
Me dejé cautivar por esa belleza de portada, le aposté al libro y perdí.
La historia tenía todo para ser épica: sirenas y mitología africana, y terminó siendo un cliché mal ejecutado. Una historia plana y aburrida con personajes sin matices ni carisma.
Leer este libro ha sido una tortura o tal vez, simplemente, no fue una lectura para mí.
Este libro no ha sido lo prometido.
Me dejé cautivar por esa belleza de portada, le aposté al libro y perdí.
La historia tenía todo para ser épica: sirenas y mitología africana, y terminó siendo un cliché mal ejecutado. Una historia plana y aburrida con personajes sin matices ni carisma.
Leer este libro ha sido una tortura o tal vez, simplemente, no fue una lectura para mí.
Want to read
May 25, 2021this cover has me SHOOK
October 18, 2024
This one is so hard to rate... On the one hand, it was a great fantasy, and I tried to remember that it was indeed a FANTASY novel. On the other hand, Natasha Bowen chose heavy influence from the Yoruba culture. I get it... but I think it ended up hurting the novel due to significant divergences from the cultural beliefs and depictions of the characters. My obsession with mythological beliefs about the world has hurt several books for me in the past for this exact reason.
I love the idea of using this lore. I wish it would have been better edited for cultural and linguistic content. This is complaint number one for me. The second complaint I have is Kola. At some point, it is both comical and frustrating when a single character is the only way to move the story forward. Can something happen to another character? I am unsure if there were more than 25 pages with something tragic happening to Kola for most of the book.
I DID enjoy the narrative voice and the beautiful descriptions. However, the characters seemed too removed from me as the reader. It felt like watching the story through a fishbowl without connecting to the fish.
Overall, there is a lot to enjoy and forgive in a debut/first-series novel. Natasha Bowen has immense potential for growth and storytelling in the future.
2.5-3 Stars for me.
I love the idea of using this lore. I wish it would have been better edited for cultural and linguistic content. This is complaint number one for me. The second complaint I have is Kola. At some point, it is both comical and frustrating when a single character is the only way to move the story forward. Can something happen to another character? I am unsure if there were more than 25 pages with something tragic happening to Kola for most of the book.
I DID enjoy the narrative voice and the beautiful descriptions. However, the characters seemed too removed from me as the reader. It felt like watching the story through a fishbowl without connecting to the fish.
Overall, there is a lot to enjoy and forgive in a debut/first-series novel. Natasha Bowen has immense potential for growth and storytelling in the future.
2.5-3 Stars for me.
November 7, 2021
Skin of the Sea was a difficult read as every iota of action was destroyed by the writing style. The novel was too descriptive. Too, too descriptive.
Want to read
November 3, 2021oK, BUT HEAR ME OUT. THIS BEAUTIFUL COVER AND THE SYNOPSIS? I NEED IT RIGHT NOW. I MUST READ IT INMEDIATELY!!!!
December 21, 2021
TW: blood, confinement, death, injury/injury detail, kidnapping, physical abuse, slavery, torture, violence.
I really enjoyed this, though I wish I had liked it just a bit more.
There were so many incredible things about this book, such as the seamless inclusion of West African mythology and the way the author wove in aspects of 'The Little Mermaid'. I am always on the look-out for books with mermaids, and the Mami Wata were fascinating to read about. The mythology was definitely my favorite part of the story.
With that being said, there were some things that fell flat for me.
The characters all felt extremely one-dimensional and the connections between them extremely sudden. This was a fairly short book so that might have had something to do with it, but I couldn't help feeling like I was missing something.
Similarly, when something sad or dramatic happened, it was almost done as if this was the last book in a series and I was expected to have a deep, emotional connection to characters that I knew very little about.
The plot seemed to mirror this, as I felt like very little happened for a very large portion of it (lots of travelling) and then it ended so abruptly that I was actually shocked for a moment that it was over.
Overall, I still liked this and I definitely recommend it to anyone with a love of mermaids and/or mythology.
I really enjoyed this, though I wish I had liked it just a bit more.
There were so many incredible things about this book, such as the seamless inclusion of West African mythology and the way the author wove in aspects of 'The Little Mermaid'. I am always on the look-out for books with mermaids, and the Mami Wata were fascinating to read about. The mythology was definitely my favorite part of the story.
With that being said, there were some things that fell flat for me.
The characters all felt extremely one-dimensional and the connections between them extremely sudden. This was a fairly short book so that might have had something to do with it, but I couldn't help feeling like I was missing something.
Similarly, when something sad or dramatic happened, it was almost done as if this was the last book in a series and I was expected to have a deep, emotional connection to characters that I knew very little about.
The plot seemed to mirror this, as I felt like very little happened for a very large portion of it (lots of travelling) and then it ended so abruptly that I was actually shocked for a moment that it was over.
Overall, I still liked this and I definitely recommend it to anyone with a love of mermaids and/or mythology.
July 30, 2022
All I had to read was "West African spin on The Little Mermaid" and I was in. I love seeing more POC centered stories and the author's addition of African mythology was amazing. There are several magical beings in this that I haven't heard of but would like to learn more about. I hope stories like this keep getting told and receive the recognition they deserve!
Simidele isn't a regular mermaid, she's a Mami Wata who finds the spirits of those lost at sea and guides them to the afterlife. I liked that she could turn her tail back to legs when she wanted and tried to hang on to her humanity instead of forgetting her past life. Her relationship with Kola is sweet and not a big part of the story. It was nice to focus on the journey and saving the Mami Wata from a rogue god. There's also a cute friendship with a young boy named Issa and a bit of a found family vibe.
This was a bit slow in the beginning but the second half really picked up the action. I got emotionally invested in the characters and wanted to see them all make it out safely. The ending felt abrupt and surprised me when the next page was just acknowledgments. I'm not sure if the author is planning for a sequel, but I'll keep my fingers crossed!
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. Thank you to Random House Books and NetGalley for the copy.
Simidele isn't a regular mermaid, she's a Mami Wata who finds the spirits of those lost at sea and guides them to the afterlife. I liked that she could turn her tail back to legs when she wanted and tried to hang on to her humanity instead of forgetting her past life. Her relationship with Kola is sweet and not a big part of the story. It was nice to focus on the journey and saving the Mami Wata from a rogue god. There's also a cute friendship with a young boy named Issa and a bit of a found family vibe.
This was a bit slow in the beginning but the second half really picked up the action. I got emotionally invested in the characters and wanted to see them all make it out safely. The ending felt abrupt and surprised me when the next page was just acknowledgments. I'm not sure if the author is planning for a sequel, but I'll keep my fingers crossed!
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. Thank you to Random House Books and NetGalley for the copy.
August 21, 2022
Skin of the Sea has been on my wonderful TBR for over a year. After getting the ARC for the sequel, I figured it was high time to jump into this. Honestly, I'm a little annoyed with myself for waiting so long because it was so freaking good.
In this, you will meet Simidele. She's a pretty unique mermaid and intrigued me so much. She can see spirits and helps guide them into the afterlife. Other than that, she can also switch from tail to legs pretty easily as well. This magical aspect made me wish Ariel, from the little mermaid, could do that as well but nope she went to Ursula and made a deal. Ugh.
Even though things started off a bit slowly in the beginning, the pace picks up about the halfway point. I'm just going to say it again, I'm so pumped for the sequel because I have no idea what to expect.
In this, you will meet Simidele. She's a pretty unique mermaid and intrigued me so much. She can see spirits and helps guide them into the afterlife. Other than that, she can also switch from tail to legs pretty easily as well. This magical aspect made me wish Ariel, from the little mermaid, could do that as well but nope she went to Ursula and made a deal. Ugh.
Even though things started off a bit slowly in the beginning, the pace picks up about the halfway point. I'm just going to say it again, I'm so pumped for the sequel because I have no idea what to expect.
July 5, 2023
SKIN OF THE SEA by Natasha Bowen is a breathtakingly beautiful book that immerses readers in a world unlike any other. Simi, the protagonist, is a relatable and endearing character, her longing for something unattainable resonating with readers on a deep level. Bowen's exploration of Black culture is woven seamlessly into the narrative, from the vivid descriptions of scenery to the captivating customs and folklore. The story itself is a thrilling and gripping adventure, filled with danger and suspense at every turn. The writing is enchanting and evocative, making it impossible to put the book down. Although the cliffhanger ending leaves readers eager for more, the journey is well worth the wait. SKIN OF THE SEA is a must-read for YA enthusiasts who crave a blend of romance, culture, and thrilling escapades. Prepare to be enchanted.
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November 1, 2021I was given a copy of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales when I turned seven. Books were rare around my house and I read everything I could get my hands on. Including this gift, though toward the end I started dreading each new tale, as even at seven I could see that little girls just did not come to good ends in Andersen's tales.
That put me off fairy tales for years. (I loved fantasy, a different animal.) Anyway, when scrolling for books, I saw "The Little Mermaid" and nearly passed on by, but screeched to a halt when I saw "West African Mythology". I fell in love with Senegalese music decades ago, which caused me to delve into the mythology, which is complex and vivid and wild and wonderful.
So I plumped for this book, and I'm so glad I did. First of all, there's that cover. It shimmers with that breathtaking sense that good fantasy gives you--that anything can happen, and the book itself matches that beautifully. I would say that some of the bones of the story are familiar YA tropes, but that is not a bad thing, just a thing. Further, actual young adults reading this book (and I hope they do!) might not recognize where the story is going, even if I did. (Sometimes you know a twist is coming and you look forward to it happening. This was true here.)
Simi, our mermaid, is a terrific central character, strong and compassionate. Compementing her is Kola, wild and fiery, but his arc is satisfying as experience plunges them deep into danger and mystery.
The writing is rich, assured, full of resonance with the brilliant mythology of the region, deftly dealing with some pretty rough stuff, slavery being at the top of the list. This book is definitely for the more mature teen, or younger readers who are ready to deal with less savory parts of human history.
I really hope this book will reach school libraries--back when I was teaching I would have made sure to get a copy for my free reading shelf.
Copy provided by NetGalley
That put me off fairy tales for years. (I loved fantasy, a different animal.) Anyway, when scrolling for books, I saw "The Little Mermaid" and nearly passed on by, but screeched to a halt when I saw "West African Mythology". I fell in love with Senegalese music decades ago, which caused me to delve into the mythology, which is complex and vivid and wild and wonderful.
So I plumped for this book, and I'm so glad I did. First of all, there's that cover. It shimmers with that breathtaking sense that good fantasy gives you--that anything can happen, and the book itself matches that beautifully. I would say that some of the bones of the story are familiar YA tropes, but that is not a bad thing, just a thing. Further, actual young adults reading this book (and I hope they do!) might not recognize where the story is going, even if I did. (Sometimes you know a twist is coming and you look forward to it happening. This was true here.)
Simi, our mermaid, is a terrific central character, strong and compassionate. Compementing her is Kola, wild and fiery, but his arc is satisfying as experience plunges them deep into danger and mystery.
The writing is rich, assured, full of resonance with the brilliant mythology of the region, deftly dealing with some pretty rough stuff, slavery being at the top of the list. This book is definitely for the more mature teen, or younger readers who are ready to deal with less savory parts of human history.
I really hope this book will reach school libraries--back when I was teaching I would have made sure to get a copy for my free reading shelf.
Copy provided by NetGalley
June 26, 2022
I loved - adored this book!!😍🧡
💐CONTENT NOTE: before reading, please be aware that parts of this book may triggering for some readers. Skin of the sea blends fifteenth- century history with fantasy, and there depictions of violence, enslavement, death, and suicide.
^This is from first page before first chapter.
Natasha brown weave beautiful story of west Africa mythology, history, culture. In skin of the sea. Opening us up to Mami wata mother of water. Senegalese fairies, bultungin shape-shifters, and the ninki nanak other creatures both deadly and magnificent. I found myself looking each one up just learn more about them, and would recommend it for those wanting to read this book. 🤗
Doing so I become enchanted me even more and help me better understand story and the characters as well. I couldn't help but fall in love with the characters and the story; the writing is descriptive, flows, and is straight to the point.
Ps: my heart still aches and cries at certain parts when I think of them. 😭💔 I want to know what happens in the next book already!!!! Now to become a mermaid. 🤔🧜♀️
💐CONTENT NOTE: before reading, please be aware that parts of this book may triggering for some readers. Skin of the sea blends fifteenth- century history with fantasy, and there depictions of violence, enslavement, death, and suicide.
^This is from first page before first chapter.
Natasha brown weave beautiful story of west Africa mythology, history, culture. In skin of the sea. Opening us up to Mami wata mother of water. Senegalese fairies, bultungin shape-shifters, and the ninki nanak other creatures both deadly and magnificent. I found myself looking each one up just learn more about them, and would recommend it for those wanting to read this book. 🤗
Doing so I become enchanted me even more and help me better understand story and the characters as well. I couldn't help but fall in love with the characters and the story; the writing is descriptive, flows, and is straight to the point.
Ps: my heart still aches and cries at certain parts when I think of them. 😭💔 I want to know what happens in the next book already!!!! Now to become a mermaid. 🤔🧜♀️
July 9, 2022
Posso apprezzare lo sforzo dell’autrice e le sue buone intenzioni, per il resto il libro è davvero mediocre!
La storia è confusa, piena di cose che non vengono contestualizzate, personaggi piatti e privi di qualsiasi caratterizzazione.
Che poi, se volete un libro sulle sirene, Voce del Mare non è esattamente la lettura che state cercando!
La storia è confusa, piena di cose che non vengono contestualizzate, personaggi piatti e privi di qualsiasi caratterizzazione.
Che poi, se volete un libro sulle sirene, Voce del Mare non è esattamente la lettura che state cercando!
November 23, 2021
I was set on giving this book three stars. But dang, that ending!
*Video evidence of me after this book, trying to find the second one*
*Video evidence of me after this book, trying to find the second one*
May 20, 2023
Breathtaking prose. Vibrant, devastating, ethereal. An epic quest set against the backdrop of West African mythology and history. Skin of the Sea immerses readers in a magical world of Mami Wata, powerful orisas, and legendary beasts and beings. This is a story about daring to do what is right, even at the expense of gods’ wraths.
Content Warnings: Kidnapping, Enslavement, Murder, Racism
Summary:
Set in 1400s West Africa, Skin of the Sea follows Simidele, a Mami Wata (mermaid) tasked by the orisa (goddess) Yemoja to collect and bless the souls of West Africans stolen by European slavers and discarded into the sea after death. When she one day encounters a young man thrown overboard still alive, Simi disobeys her commands and saves him.
Discovering what Simi has done, Yemoja tells her that now Simi has doomed herself, Yemoja, and all of the other Mami Wata—the orisas are forbidden from interfering in mortal affairs. There is a chance for redemption, however, if Simi pleads her case to Olodumare, the Supreme God. To summon Olodumare, Simi must seek out two magical rings and avoid the envious orisa Esu.
Fortunately, Adekola (Kola), the young man Simi rescued knows where the rings are—the man who possesses them lives near his village. Kola needs to return home urgently to ensure his family’s safety and promises to show Simi the way if she helps him. Together, the pair embark on a heroic journey where they encounter mythical figures, steadfast friends, and new danger at every turn.
Things I Loved About This Book:
• Yoruba folklore, West African mythology
• History and Trauma: Skin of the Sea calls vivid, stark attention to the atrocities of the slave trade and kidnapping of West Africans. Not in a distanced, history book way, but in a first-person, emotional, compassion-demanding way, as Simi experiences and witnesses these horrors. Though Skin of the Sea is YA fiction, the book does not sugarcoat these historical events (yet without going into extremely graphic detail). For young readers, I think this will be an important book for understanding the origins of trauma lasting today, the magnitude and horror of the violence Europeans perpetrated against Africans, and how and why this history is still extremely relevant.
But Skin of the Sea is also a fantasy story; it is a book about more than suffering. The characters get to be active heroes in their story, not just tragic victims. Their trauma, physical and emotional, does not go away, but Bowen also gives Simi and Kola rich futures and exciting adventures. They get to exist beyond.
• Story: Skin of the Sea offers a really satisfying mythical journey. I’ve seen it compared to The Little Mermaid, but it is really more Odyssey/heroic quest, with trials of wit, magical guides, and deity politics. The book is fast-paced, full of exciting twists and dangerous escapades. A thoroughly entrancing story.
• Vibrant, Sensory Descriptions: Natasha Bowen truly has a talent for writing engrossing, exquisite descriptions. The orisas, the scenery, everything -- ✨✨
• Storytelling Theme: Skin of the Sea is a story of storytellers; a novel in which storytelling is both entertaining and vital. It’s a book inspired by folklore but also that explores the theme of memory and storytelling, mythology passed between generations.
• Simi + Kola: This is the only kind of pining I like to see—we can’t be together because I will literally cease to exist if I so much as kiss you.
Conclusion: 5 stars
Worth buying/rereading: Yes. Not only is this a top tier read, but this book also has one of the most gorgeous covers I have ever seen. Not to mention, the first page of each new chapter is marked with a gorgeous, subtle watermark. Readers will love Skin of the Sea book for both its story and aesthetic.
Star Criteria:
1: Is the book engaging/enjoyable/entertaining? Yes.
2: Is the book creative? Yes.
3: Does the book offer educational value? Yes. My coworker recommended this book when planning a children’s/YA lit event spotlighting international folklore. I firmly believe that the way to get young people interested in learning about the world beyond their immediate surroundings is through captivating stories. If you are a high school educator, this could be an excellent book to introduce to your class/students, for many reasons.
4: Does the book highlight voices traditionally underrepresented in literature? Yes.
5: Does the book challenge existing literary norms and tropes? Yes.
Content Warnings: Kidnapping, Enslavement, Murder, Racism
Summary:
Set in 1400s West Africa, Skin of the Sea follows Simidele, a Mami Wata (mermaid) tasked by the orisa (goddess) Yemoja to collect and bless the souls of West Africans stolen by European slavers and discarded into the sea after death. When she one day encounters a young man thrown overboard still alive, Simi disobeys her commands and saves him.
Discovering what Simi has done, Yemoja tells her that now Simi has doomed herself, Yemoja, and all of the other Mami Wata—the orisas are forbidden from interfering in mortal affairs. There is a chance for redemption, however, if Simi pleads her case to Olodumare, the Supreme God. To summon Olodumare, Simi must seek out two magical rings and avoid the envious orisa Esu.
Fortunately, Adekola (Kola), the young man Simi rescued knows where the rings are—the man who possesses them lives near his village. Kola needs to return home urgently to ensure his family’s safety and promises to show Simi the way if she helps him. Together, the pair embark on a heroic journey where they encounter mythical figures, steadfast friends, and new danger at every turn.
Things I Loved About This Book:
• Yoruba folklore, West African mythology
• History and Trauma: Skin of the Sea calls vivid, stark attention to the atrocities of the slave trade and kidnapping of West Africans. Not in a distanced, history book way, but in a first-person, emotional, compassion-demanding way, as Simi experiences and witnesses these horrors. Though Skin of the Sea is YA fiction, the book does not sugarcoat these historical events (yet without going into extremely graphic detail). For young readers, I think this will be an important book for understanding the origins of trauma lasting today, the magnitude and horror of the violence Europeans perpetrated against Africans, and how and why this history is still extremely relevant.
But Skin of the Sea is also a fantasy story; it is a book about more than suffering. The characters get to be active heroes in their story, not just tragic victims. Their trauma, physical and emotional, does not go away, but Bowen also gives Simi and Kola rich futures and exciting adventures. They get to exist beyond.
• Story: Skin of the Sea offers a really satisfying mythical journey. I’ve seen it compared to The Little Mermaid, but it is really more Odyssey/heroic quest, with trials of wit, magical guides, and deity politics. The book is fast-paced, full of exciting twists and dangerous escapades. A thoroughly entrancing story.
• Vibrant, Sensory Descriptions: Natasha Bowen truly has a talent for writing engrossing, exquisite descriptions. The orisas, the scenery, everything -- ✨✨
• Storytelling Theme: Skin of the Sea is a story of storytellers; a novel in which storytelling is both entertaining and vital. It’s a book inspired by folklore but also that explores the theme of memory and storytelling, mythology passed between generations.
• Simi + Kola: This is the only kind of pining I like to see—we can’t be together because I will literally cease to exist if I so much as kiss you.
Conclusion: 5 stars
Worth buying/rereading: Yes. Not only is this a top tier read, but this book also has one of the most gorgeous covers I have ever seen. Not to mention, the first page of each new chapter is marked with a gorgeous, subtle watermark. Readers will love Skin of the Sea book for both its story and aesthetic.
Star Criteria:
1: Is the book engaging/enjoyable/entertaining? Yes.
2: Is the book creative? Yes.
3: Does the book offer educational value? Yes. My coworker recommended this book when planning a children’s/YA lit event spotlighting international folklore. I firmly believe that the way to get young people interested in learning about the world beyond their immediate surroundings is through captivating stories. If you are a high school educator, this could be an excellent book to introduce to your class/students, for many reasons.
4: Does the book highlight voices traditionally underrepresented in literature? Yes.
5: Does the book challenge existing literary norms and tropes? Yes.
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