Skin of the Sea is a beautifully written retelling of The Little Mermaid. Natasha Bowen has created a story that feels original and has masterfully woven in West African Mythology into it. Simidele is one of the Mami Wata and has very little recollection of her past life. When she saves a boy from the sea she must now make amends.

The book starts action packed and for the most part it continues that way. I do feel that there could have been a bit more worldbuilding as the readers are immediately thrown into this world and we learn more about it slowly as the book progresses. The romance between Simidele and Kola lacked a bit of chemistry and I am not sure if I am completely sold on the relationship. This book is definitely not focused on the romance but I would have liked to see a little more development on that front.

The ending did feel a bit rushed but I was left wanting more! Overall, I enjoyed this story and am looking forward to the next book.

Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen is a Yoruba and Nigerian inspired fantasy novel featuring Simidele, a Mami Wata, a member of a 'mermaid' like group of beings blessed by the goddess Yemoja to help guide lost souls at sea cast away or unalived from the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade. It mixes many contemporary and original features of fantasy, and the story starts when she saves a life, Adekola, an action forbidden by her people.

The story itself starts off strong with gorgeous imagery. I could feel the goddess Yemoja in front of me, the language is rich for all senses, this was an absolute feast. @bookpapi on Tiktok said, "The best way to learn history is through fiction", and I am inclined to agree. There is some darker themes focusing on death, abuse, and real historical atrocities committed by the white man, or oyinbo, against the African tribes featured in this book. There is a great mix of real historical accuracy and fantasy that makes research a starting point for anyone interested in learning more.

As for the story, I don't want to spoil the journey, but a rich cast of orishas, mythical creatures and beings and side characters with rich, compelling personalities bring together an old trope of the Hero's journey as they follow along in order to progress the plot. I found myself sobbing during this book at the end, from how beautifully it was wrapped up as well as all the emotions I felt. This was a difficult read in that it is very emotional and for a black or African person of color, this book may have some themes that may be difficult. However, I would recommend this book for anyone of any race who enjoys rich, detailed fantasy or wants to come out of their comfort zone. I cannot possibly give this book enough stars. Bonus points, there is a glossary of recommendations from the author in the back of the book on history books and books on the Trans Antlatic slave trade and African/black history I would recommend checking out if you like to deep dive as I do. Simidele and her beautiful soul will be sitting on my heart and mind for years to come.

This was a beautiful book. I would consider it high fantasy. The world building was absolutely stunning, it gave me a lot of shadow and bone vibes mixed with a little mermaid vibes. Beautifully written book!

What an impressive and gorgeous fantasy debut!

Simidele is Mami Wata, who collects the souls of those who die at sea. On one such task, she saves Kola after knowing he isn't dead yet without thinking of the repurcussions. This marks Simi and Kola's journey to fight against dangerous creatures in search of things important to them and to save everyone. Simi also shows us her human memories that haunts her, this was well crafted taking us to and fro linking everything. Issa, there is always a side character that you will love so much. Little Issa has my heart.

Omg I had my doubt but still getting it confirmed, the feeling was one that took everything away from me. I was left paused uncovering the turn of events. Goosebumps!! I liked all the characters, they showed courage, faith, love and determination.

The cover is beautiful. This book is absolutely well written with detailed world building giving us insights on African Mythology which I enjoyed reading. It is inspiring and enthralling read. The author shows us how we shouldn't hide ourselves and feel ashamed of our nature, I loved how this was portrayed. The only issue I had was the sudden ending, it felt as if something is amiss. I can't wait for th next. Overall this is a richly captivating read that I recommend.

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Skin of the Sea

Author: Natasha Brown

Book Series: Skin of the Sea Book 1

Rating: 4/5

Diversity: Black MC and side characters

Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, mythology

Publication Date: November 9, 2021

Genre: YA Fantasy

Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, enslavement, death, suicide TW)

Explanation of CWs: There is violence and gore in this book. The book talks a lot about Black people being enslaved and shows the act. There is lots of death and the main character’s role centers around death. There is a suicide attempt shown.

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Pages: 336

Synopsis: 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 does the unthinkable--she saves his life, going against an ancient decree. And punishment awaits those who dare to defy it.

To protect the other Mami Wata, Simi must journey to the Supreme Creator to make amends. But something is amiss. 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 doesn't, then she risks not only the fate of all Mami Wata, but also the world as she knows it.

Review: I really liked this book overall. The book is very lyrical and so well written. It’s the type of book you can get lost in, as it has amazing world building and character development. The book is also full of culture and mythology and history and they all blend together in this beautiful work. I also love that the author put a content warning at the beginning of the book.

However, I did feel like the book was slow paced and that there was a lot of time spent going to places in the book rather than actions at the places. The book has a lot of travel and travel sequences and if you’re here for the journey of a story, then this is a great book for you. However, if you’re looking for the action, this one is a little lacking. I also sometimes had issues following along to what was going on because the words were too poetic that I felt drowned by them.

Verdict: It’s a great book, just a little not for me.

This perfectly crafted mermaid retelling based on West African mythology had me hooked from the very first page. Readers follow Simidele, Simi to those in the book, a Mami Wata (a mermaid who has been blessed and is tasked with retrieving the souls from those who die at sea). But Simi has a past that readers are able to see flashbacks of, which add a hint of mystery as to how the Mami Wata’s are chosen and the stories that revolve around them.

The world-building is absolutely stunning, from being cast into the depths of the dark sea or travelling the land of the walking. Everything about this book was immersive, not to mention the allusive gods and the absolutely terrifying creatures that they encounter…but I’m getting ahead of myself here.

The characters are wonderfully fleshed out, even from the most minor, they were described perfectly that I felt as though I stood in the village with them. Of course, Simi stole the show with her courage and feistiness, but also her internal struggle of choosing the do the right thing versus what she is expected to do.

My only *minor* negative is that I wish there was a glossary, so I knew how to properly pronounce some of the names of the people as well as the creatures that they had encountered. While I did have to Google a few of them, I don’t think it took away from the book but added to the mythology.

Oh, and let’s not forget the ending! Let’s just say that when I finished the last chapter, I truly thought there was going to be more because a whole lot happened and BAM cliffhanger 😭 I’m so excited to see where the second book will take this adventure!

Side Note: in case you missed it, this cover the just drop-dead stunning 🤩 It is even prettier in person and is currently sitting pretty on my shelves 😉

I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. Special thanks to Random House Children's for providing an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars!

Wowow, what a STUNNING debut! This was an engaging, well-paced and action-packed adventure that takes us journeying across oceans and lands to villages and a mystical island that houses a power-hungry and corrupt god and his terrifying beastly guardians. I loved the writing, the unique mythical and historical elements, the straightforward plot, and the characters! Ah, so much love 🥰 Even though parts of the open ending did have me grumbling a fair bit cos it felt so abrupt, I’m hoping that maybe that means there’s gonna be another book or… something? Heh… It wasn’t enough to greatly impact my overall enjoyment of the story though!

What I liked:
- The writing was wonderful! I wouldn’t call it purple but the author does write beautifully descriptive sentences! It was so easy to clearly picture everything and I felt so immersed in this world! I know this kind of expressive writing isn’t for everyone, I didn’t feel like it slowed down the pace at all. In fact, I thought the story was very well-paced! Sometimes following characters on journeys from point to point can be draining and frankly, boring but I never once felt that way here. The author provides a good balance between introspective moments, mixed with memory flashbacks to fill in Simi’s history that adds to fleshing out her character, dialogue and plenty of action as the story progresses. Everything flowed so well!
- The awesome combination of African mythology and history worked wonderfully. The author's note briefly mentions the history of the setting and I can say I've not read a combination like this before. Bowen does a seamless job incorporating the fantastical elements with the manifestation of deities and other mythical beings/creatures (Mami Wata, fairies, unicorns, river monsters, and shape-shifters), alongside the history of the slave trade. The scenes of slavery were hard to read and I couldn't manage it without my anger shooting to the surface, but the way the story is presented had me 100% engaged the whole way through. The African mythology was incredible as well and I want to read more about these deities and creatures!
- The main characters were easy to root for. As a Mami Wata, Simi struggles to leave the land and her memories behind. The sea calls to her but she also feels lost having to let go of who she was before she was remade. She was a well fleshed out character whose history we learned about through flashbacks/dreams of her days as a human, and the more we learned the more I really felt for her. She’s resilient, always willing to do what’s right, and has a big heart. I loved her character! Kola was interesting: he’s loyal, stubborn, also has a big heart and would do anything for his family. However, I had a harder time connecting to him and wish he was a bit more developed!
- The side characters: Bem, Yinka and my precious fairy boy, Issa were some of my favourites! Bem and Yinka are Kola’s friends/guards from home and I loved both of them and wished that we got more time with them! And then there's Issa! A sweetheart who stole MY heart and ugh, I loved him so much! Such a wholesome little man. 😭 It's not exactly the 'found family' trope but together they were a really great group of friends and they made the journey more entertaining!

What I was on the fence about:
- The romance was a little too 'insta' for me. Thankfully it didn’t overshadow the plot but I just never really felt that Simi and Kola's attraction was developed well enough. That said, it didn't particularly annoy me or anything, I just wish that I felt differently about their love!
- This is personal preference but I’m just not a fan of open endings! This ending was also very abrupt and I really didn’t think the author would do us like that but she did (lol)! Maybe that means there’s gonna be more?! Here’s to hoping! 😉

Overall, this is the Little Mermaid retelling I never knew I needed in my life and I’m sure you do too! I’d definitely recommend checking it out if you like: mermaids, African mythology, well developed main characters and wonderful sidekicks, all combined in an absolutely stunning package! 😍

Simi from the start is different from her mermaid sisters, as she recalls her past as a human in flashes, and isn't able to let it be. This drives the story forward, as she saves a human instead of merely waiting for him to drown and take his soul. Because it's not what her role is meant to be, she must beg forgiveness from the Creator and avoid his messenger, who is seeking to gain more power.

I've always been fascinated with mythology, and this incorporates orisas, other spiritual and mythological creatures, and the Little Mermaid framework that most people are aware of. Simi is drawn to Kola and is focused on her drive to find the rings that will allow her to speak to the Creator Olodumare and beg forgiveness. The rings are tied to Kola's need to return home, and ultimately the safety of the world and the people living in it. You really feel her desperation and the care she has for the Mami Wata, Kola, his family, and the mortals trying to survive, as well as for life in general. Esu's menace is a palpable thing, heightening the dread as they all move to find the rings before he does.

It's later in the book when Simi says the line that names the novel: "When you peel back the skin of the sea, you never know what you will find." This is certainly true of the characters, especially Simi, and the drives of the orisas and even the histories that the people and the supernatural know. The journey is treacherous, and losses along the way are rapid and heartbreaking when they come. Honestly, I was surprised by the ending even though I probably shouldn't have been. Simi does what she says she will, and honors tradition and duty as much as her own heart. She comes into herself as a mami wata, and from the start shows a willingness to sacrifice and endure in order to get the job done. She's a strong young woman, and I enjoyed her journey in this novel.

🧜🏾‍♀️Skin of the Sea Review🧜🏾‍♀️

“A way to survive. A way to serve. A way to save.”

Simidele serves the gods as Mami Wata - a mermaid collecting the souls of those who die at sea and blessing their journeys back home. Until a living boy is thrown overboard and Simidele makes the choice to save him, leading to dire consequences she was not expecting. To protect the Mami Wata, she must find the Supreme Creator to make amends. On a harrowing journey she meets new people, but are they there to help her or harm her? And how will she grapple with the memories she has of her life before becoming Mami Wata? With the fate of her community in her hands, Simidele risks it all to protect them and make things right.

This is the first true mermaid book that I’ve read, and I definitely enjoyed this a lot more than I expected. Simidele is a strong main character and I really felt for her and the conflicts she was dealing with. I thought her relationship with Kola developed nicely and I really enjoyed the side characters that were introduced along the way. The pacing of the story was pretty good and I think the shorter length of the book helped to keep the story moving along at a decent pace. The twists that were revealed near the end I genuinely didn’t see coming and I am anxious to see how Simidele’s journey continues in the second book. It left just enough questions unanswered to keep me invested in these characters. Overall, a really strong debut novel.
🌟🌟🌟🌟/🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

**I received an e-arc of this book through NetGalley!**

Kola a boy thrown overboard, is saved by Simi a mermaid. However Simi is a Mami Wata her job is to help lead people into the afterlife not saving them. A taboo that effects them both. What makes this book unique other than the typical mermaid trope is the back drop of this story. The Transtlantic Slave trade, robbing Africa of millions of people from their homeland. This book offers a fictional lens of a real tragedy. This is buy worthy for my bookshelf. 4/5 stars.

I came to Skin of the Sea for mermaids and ended up staying for Simi. Because not only is she a mermaid, but she's grappling with a conflict between her present and her past. Unlike the other mermaids ferrying the souls, Simi is determined to try to figure out her past. She finds it impossible to deny this pull to her past. And throughout it all, I wondered if we can ever truly move on, be in the moment, without knowing where we came from.

Thematically, I was entranced with this question. As Skin of the Sea progresses, Bowen opens up Simi's world with new experiences, but also with more of her memories. As readers, we're able to witness Simi's quest to fix her mistakes, but also to get to know who she is. She grows as a character in front of our eyes. And her impulsive choice ends up revealing more about herself than she ever thought. Apart from my fascination with this theme and Simi, I loved the adventure in Skin of the Sea.

Skin of the Sea is the story of Simi, a Mami Wata or mermaid. Her job is to transport the souls of those who die at sea. She upsets the balance of things when she finds a living boy, Kola, tossed overboard and decides to save his life instead of letting him die. After that she embarks on a journey to set things right, but that journey has more in store for her than she initially anticipated.

From the blurb I thought this would be like a mermaid tale, but it's more like a mythical journey. There was a lot of travel time in this book, and thus a lot of downtime. I liked Simi and Kola as characters, but the story was oftentimes slow, and disappointingly Simi spends very little time as a mermaid. I learned that this is a planned duology, but the ending was so abrupt. Whether or not there are more books coming, I need my stories wrapped up.

I will say this is hands down one of the most beautiful covers of the year. It's so unbelievably gorgeous and it's what first drew me to the book. I'm happy to see a Black mermaid on the cover of a book, and I know many girls will be too.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

A powerful retelling of The Little Mermaid, Skin of the Sea reimagines the classic tale in West Africa during the early days of the Atlantic slave trade, where Simidele is one of the Mami Wata who guides departed souls to the afterlife. One day, she saves a drowning boy, without knowing that the consequences of her actions would extend far beyond herself.

This book hits. Like, it hits you right in the gut. It's a deeply emotional book about identity and culture, where people are taken from their homes and stripped of their humanity. Simidele spends the book trying to remember who she was before she became a Mami Wata, even though it hurts her, and tries to reconnect to her roots. The book explores what the reality of living as an African person during the slave trade would have looked like, from the politics between tribes that white people exploited to the ways people fought back to protect their own.

All the while, Bowen creates a rich fantasy landscape with gods and magical creatures. I loved learning about these gods and their myths, as West African mythology is something that we don't see enough of in western fantasy. I enjoyed her lush, colorful writing and the stories woven into each page.

The weakest point for me would have been the other characters aside from Simi. They're all very standard, likeable but not particularly memorable. I wasn't entirely invested in Simi and Kola's romance, and Yinka and Bem were alright. I think there's room for a lot of growth for all of the characters in the second book, but they were underwhelming for me in this one.

Overall, this was an impressive, immersive fantasy novel that retells the story of The Little Mermaid with a lot of heart and grief. I really enjoyed this one, and I look forward to the sequel!

Thank you to TBR & Beyond Tours, the publisher, and Netgalley for providing me a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“You are you, Simidele. Nothing has changed that and nothing will. You haven’t lost yourself. You’re right here. And I see you.”

My goodness, what a beautiful book. Both inside and out! This is one of those moments when the gorgeousness of the cover absolutely matches what’s contained inside.

In Skin of the Sea, we’re following the story of a Mami Wata, a creature of the sea, named Simidele. But Simi was not always a Mami Wata. At one point, she was just a young girl, living with her family and enjoying life. That life was stolen from her when she was taken and sold as part of the transatlantic slave trade. Simi escaped the boat taking her across the ocean and became something more when she was changed by Yemoja, the orisa of the seas. Now her job is to collect the souls of her people that are tossed into the sea so that they may be blessed by Yemoja. But when she finds a boy alive in the ocean and decides to save him, everything changes.

This is such a powerful story filled with magic, tragedy, but, most of all, hope. I was completely wrapped up in Simi’s story from page one until the end. It was filled with beautiful folktales that were so evocative, I could see them playing out in my head. Natasha Bowen certainly has a way of weaving a story that pulls you in and captures your imagination. The world-building is vivid and lush, painting a world that is firmly rooted in the lore of our own and has a spark of magic that makes it come to life. If you want to get lost in a story, to escape into a beautifully constructed tale, you can’t go wrong with this book.

“The memories that come back to me are not always the type I want. Some I will gladly let the sea take.”

With the vividness of this story, though, comes a rather vivid look at how the transatlantic slave trade destroyed lives. This story focuses on the fantastic, but bits of the real and raw pain that came from people being stolen from their homes and crammed into unlivable conditions as they were sailed to the New World are a very potent part of this story. It’s hard to look at, hard to read, but it only adds to how much this story will get under your skin. I like that the author didn’t shy away from the hard topics, that she didn’t tone it down or make it more palatable. I will say that, especially in the beginning of this story, there may be parts that are tough to read, so please check trigger warnings. That being said, they add to the story, are well-handled, and, in my opinion, important.

“A wave of melancholy tugs at me, but I refuse to be sucked under. I knew this, I tell myself. Being here, with Kola, remembering what my life was like before, changes nothing. I am not the same, but I won’t let it stop me from doing what I need to.”

My favorite part of this story has to be our main character, Simidele. She is such an incredible character that shows such growth and strength throughout the book. She’s smart and fiercely protective. She’s gentle and kind. She doesn’t trust easily but, when she does, she trusts fully. She’s a lot of complex bits and a pieces rolled into a character that jumps off the page. She’s so real and nuanced that I found it easy to become engrossed in her story. And the other characters, though they don’t shine quite as bright as Simi, are all equally well-crafted. I’ve made no secret that I tend to love character driven stories and this one certainly didn’t let me down!

That’s not to say that there was no plot, of course! Though there were moments where the plot seemed to drag a teensy bit, this is still a story that is so engaging that you’ll find yourself flying through the pages. This is not a story that is filled with action, though it certainly has it’s moments of intensity, but it’s a story that sinks into your mind and stirs your curiosity. It keeps you yearning for more, even as you turn the last page. All in all, I’m kind of stunned that this is a debut and I can’t wait to read more from this author!

“Yet you were willing to sacrifice yourself?”
“It’s what you’re doing right now. What I’m doing again. For the good of the ones I care about, I would risk myself over and over.”

Final thoughts: This is a powerful, beautifully wrought debut that had me completely in it’s thrall. It’s a tale inspired by West African culture and folktales that pulls you into its world and does not let go. This book immediately captured my imagination and its characters captured my heart. The world-building is incredible, the imagery is lush, and I absolutely flew through the story. There were some small moments where the plot dragged a bit for me, but I still loved the story and it was certainly punctuated with plenty of nail-biting action. This is a story that has dark beginnings and touches on hard subjects, but it is ultimately a story of hope, of Black Girl Magic, and of what love can do. If you enjoy fantasy stories that delve into real history, have compelling characters, and make you want to believe in magic, then I think you would enjoy Skin of the Sea!

DNF @45%. The writing is beautiful and evocative, however, I just could not connect to Simi as a character and that made it hard for me to be invested in anything she was going through. I would definitely consider reading something else from Natasha Brown in the future. Thank you to Random House Children’s and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Simi serves the gods as a mermaid. She follows those who are stolen from their homeland and brought to the sea, catching them as they fall from the boats to the murky waters below. She helps their souls move from the human world to the afterlife. Simi has a duty to help these souls on their journey, as she herself was given a second chance at life as a mermaid to complete this task. Nevertheless, she has memories of her human life. She wonders what happened to the family that she has faint memories of. Then, she makes a choice. One of the people thrown overboard is a teen boy who is still alive. Simi saves him, going against an ancient decree that demands that she only protect their souls and not interfere with the cycle of life and death. In order to protect herself and the others who serve as Mami Wata, she has to go on a journey to make amends with the Supreme Creator.


This book had a slow start steeped in the trauma of the time of the transatlantic slave trade. Mami Wata’s job was to watch over those who had been taken to their homeland and who were being tortured on their journey to become slaves in a foreign land. Most of the people didn’t know why they had been taken, but they were all suffering on these long journeys on these hellish ships. Mami Wata made sure that their souls found their way home if they died on the way, but was not allowed to interfere to save people from these ships. By saving Kola, Simi did the one thing she was never allowed to do. She never really fit into her role as Mami Wata. She dreamt of the past too much and wasn’t satisfied simply protecting souls, she wanted to save people. I really enjoyed her character and only wish we had more of a chance to learn about her life before she became a Mami Wata mermaid. This story is not your typical happy mermaid tale. It is definitely a dark fantasy journey rooted in the pain of villages and a people torn apart by cruel and greedy outsiders. It was a tough read at times, but it does show the beauty of West African mythology through the pain.

I loved the relationship between Kola and Simi. Both were dedicated to helping people, and both were very strong-headed. They were able to lean on one another a lot throughout their difficult journey. I’m not really sure what the resolution to Kola finding out about Simi being a mermaid was, but it didn’t seem to be a main issue in the story. The issue wasn’t him finding out about her, it was her saving him from dying. They have a lot of chemistry as partner characters. I want to see more of Kola and Simi, and I hope to be able to enjoy the next book in this duology.

The side characters in this book were just amazing. I loved them even more than I loved the main characters at times. Unfortunately, I cannot get into them very much or I will be spoiling parts of the story. All I can say is that I fell in absolute love and hope to see more of them in the next part of this story.

The two things that tripped me up in this book were the slow start and the ending. The slow start had me struggling to really connect with the story and with the characters. Once the real conflict of the book was revealed, I felt far more connected to Kola and Simi and their journey. I would say that the switch happened between the 40 and 50% mark. This is where I really went from just reading the book to flying through the pages, barely able to read fast enough to see what would happen next. The ending tripped me up again as it was abrupt and it disappointed me BEFORE I knew that this was a duology. Now that I know another book is coming, I have more to look forward to with these characters and don’t feel that same sense of disappointment.

I would recommend this book to those interested in African mythology and fantasy.

I received a copy of this book and this is my voluntary review

A debut fantasy novel inspired in West African Mythology this novel features Simidele-a mermaid tasked with blessing souls who die at sea to ease their journey. She rescues a boy at sea breaking an ancient rule she did not know existed. She and Kola must set out on a dangerous and uncertain quest to beg forgiveness. Along the way they are assisted by friends, old and new, as they journey through rough lands and mythical creatures to fulfill their quest. This was a fast paced story but told with such detail and descriptive imagery I was truly in awe.

I loved this book and am hopeful for a sequel as I would love to spend more time in this fictional world.

Highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for feedback.

Ok so it took me a while to get to this book and while I don't normally read mermaid books, this one was decent. I enjoyed the little mermaid hits and while I sometimes enjoy insta-love, this wasn't one of those times. I would have loved to see more of a trial between the mains. But overall 4⭐

Okay, anyone who knows me knows I don't do a lot of mermaid books. They aren't me. However, this was billed as The Little Mermaid with West African influence and I was curious.

The book had a bit of a slow start for me. I just can't with insta-love and I'll be honest and tell you that our handsome boy never really rose above just a pretty boy for me.

However, I adored the African influences and, yes, kind of got a kick out of our Little Mermaid references. In addition, the author made me tear up with one character.

It ended up being a good book and I'm glad I got the chance to read it. Would definitely love to see more takes on the old stories with a non-Western influence!

*ARC via Publisher

I love fairy tales.  So when I saw that a new book was coming out that featured African mermaids, I was like "YES!", something new and cool to read.  This book brought al of that and more. Skin of the Sea is a gripping, beautiful, magical book.  Bowen recreates the story of the little mermaid using African, primarily Yoruba (West African) mythology, and historical fact.  This the story of Simidele, a Mami Wata (mermaid) who is having trouble letting go of her mortal life, even to the extent of endangering her own existence. You see, Simi saved a young human male, Kola,  that had been thrown overboard a slave ship. Spurred on by her own memories of being a slave on a similar ship, Simi cannot let the human die from drowning and thus saves his life. But, breaking the biggest taboo of her kind has consequences. She must now complete a quest in order to make amends for her transgression.  Joined by Kola, Simi sets off on an adventure that will change who she is and help her discover her place in  the world.

Even though this story could easily be classified as a retelling of The Little Mermaid (not the Disney version), there is nothing derivative about this tale.  Bowen cleverly uses Yoruban mythology as the framework for her story. We are introduced to the Mami Wata's, the Orishas (elemental gods) and Olodumare, the Supreme Creator. The West African mythological framework is amazing.  It injects freshness into a tale that has been retold hundreds of time.  By also setting the story during the Atlantic Slave Trade period, Bowen is able to weave the history of the West African slave trade into her story in  a thoughtful and natural way.  The characters are so real and vibrant, especially Simi. You felt her grief at the loss of her family, friends and mortal life.  But you also feel her sense of freedom and belonging that she has when under the sea.  The only minor nitpick I have is the budding romance between Simi and Kola.  It felt intrusive at times and slightly distracting from the main story arc. Other than that, the book was excellent.

I really hope that Skin of the Sea is just the first in many more books from Bowen that continue to explore this amazing world she has created.  Run, do not walk, run to the bookstore or Amazon and get this book. You will not be sorry.