Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen
A Review By: SQ
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The must-hear Black mermaid fantasy series that #1 NYT bestselling author Nicola Yoon calls “epic and original,” in which one mermaid takes on the gods themselves. Perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and anyone who can't wait for the live-action The Little Mermaid.
“Riveting.”—NPR
“Evocative.”—Entertainment Weekly
“Remarkable.”—Buzzfeed
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.
Review Notes:
Audio Book Publication Year: 2021
An installment in a Series? Yes
Narrator (s): Yetide Badaki
The intricacies of this story were incredibly researched and applied. Everything from maps braided into hair, to the introduction and encounters with the Orishas had me riveted. I needed to know what happened next.
Simi and Kola. You must keep in mind that she is Mami Wata and he is… human. Even so, you find yourself in love with them. The book is set at the beginning of chattel slavery. The narrator brought so much emotion and passion to the words that the book came alive! I have no idea how I was driving and still on the edge of my seat! I devoured the interactions with each Orisha and felt the respect that each one was treated with. When I say that a plot twist is afoot? A plot twist is afoot! The story left me wanting to know what’s next, so be prepared for that.
There is nothing that I dislike about this book or the narration of it!
Reading Recommendation? Yes!
Rating: NORTH STAR RATING
Content Warnings? Human or animal loss, Physical abuse/violence
