So, I’m pretty sure that I am not alone in being one of the people who was immediately drawn to this book by the unbelievably spectacular cover art for the American edition of the novel. The cover artist is Kuri Huang (@kuri_huang), and she deserves so much credit for managing somehow to make a cover that was so visually interesting to anyone who looks at it, whether or not they know the story, but somehow also becomes infinitely more interesting to look at once you’ve read the story. All of the imagery incorporated in the cover is tone perfect for the story. It has that loving feel for the material that is almost only ever seen in fan art created by someone who truly loves and cares for the source. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve read books where the covers are a poor fit for their contents, or even contain details that don’t work with the story. This cover contains none of those flaws. It may be my new gold standard for perfect cover art. It is certainly the first time I’ve ever felt compelled to ramble on about a book cover for an entire paragraph before I even get into the meat of my book review.

One of my favorite genres will always be retellings of fairy tales, folk tales and legends. <i>The Girl who Fell Beneath the Sea</i> is loosely based on a Korean legend called <i>The Tale of Shim Cheong</i> The book is full of stunning imagery and references to Korean mythology. The atmospheric spirit world is rendered in vivid detail, and is a relatively slow paced read, one that meanders through the importance of memory, love and family more often than it actively moves the plot forward (Mina must save the sea god! But how?!)

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Ross Escoda, who did a lovely job. Audiobooks have been great companions for me over the past few months while I was remodeling my new home. When we reached the section about Miki’s arrival into the spirit world, I found myself straight up sobbing while I was painting my bedroom. I could just hear, just feel, just *know* how deeply everyone in her family loved her. It is a moment that will stay with me for a while.

I would gladly give other books by Axie Oh (@axieoh) a try.

This book was possibly the most anticipated read of 2022 for me! I loved the story and how it came together. While I know Spirited Away is not Korean, I saw a lot of similarities with Girl and Spirited. It was beyond magical and I'm so glad it came through and I didn't let myself hype myself up to much for it!

Axie Oh is definitely a must read author and I will preorder all of her books !

Rosa Escoda is a <chef's kiss> fantastic narrator and I'm so glad to have had the chance to listen to something she has done. I only have a handful of narrators that I will put on my auto buy since they read it and Rosa Escoda has been placed on it.

“Nothing extraordinary is ever done out of reason or logic, but because it’s the only way for your soul to breathe.”

Axie Oh's 'The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea' is a gripping young adult fantasy novel that will sweep you out with the waves and return you to shore utterly changed.

While I don't think this is a perfect book (I will never not cringe at the trope of an all-powerful ageless man falling in love with a teenage girl who is alone and vulnerable), it was an enjoyable read that made me sob a few more times than I'm proud to admit.

With themes of family, duty, sacrifice, resilience, and coming into one's own, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a heartwarming read with an ancient fairytale quality, while still managing to feel fresh and new.

The narration of the audiobook was lovely and only added to my enjoyment of this story,

With intricate world-building, palpable atmosphere, vivid prose, and several standout characters, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to teens and adults alike!

“Stories are both an escape from the truths of the world and the only way to see them clearly.”


Trigger/Content Warnings: blood, grief, death of a parent, death of an infant, murder, war, natural disasters

Genre: Young Adult Mythology/Fantasy
Rating: 4/5

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, Axie Oh, and Rosa Esconda (audio narrator) for the opportunity to read and listen to The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea in exchange for an honest review.

The narrator of this audiobook, Rosa Esconda, really adds flavor to how the main character, Mina, is portrayed. It is quite fitting to the character's simple background and calm disposition.

Everyone in Mina's village believes Cheong, the most beutiful girl, will be the year's chosen to send to the sea as a sacrifice to the Sea God to abate the terrible storms. Mina's older brother, Joon, happens to love Cheong and follows when the village sacrifices her. Mina cannot lose her brother, so she too follows them both into the sea. It is a death sentence to interfere with the sacrifice to the Sea God, but Mina will do whatever she must to save her brother.

From her dive to follow her brother, Mina is taken to the Spirit Realm, a place of mythical beasts and lesster gods (many of which are of Asianic origins and add an exquisite aspect of culture to the novel), Mina seeks out the Sea God. Who else would know where Cheong and Joon are, when the sacrifice was meant for the Sea God in the first place? When Mina finds him in some enchanted sleep, she seeks the help of Shin to wake the Sea God to save her brother. 

Mina's time is limited to wake the Sea God, save her brother, and end the stoms that ravage her village, as a human cannot last long in the spirit realm before they die.

I thoroughly enjoyed the audio rendition of this book. The narrator is flavorful and fun to listen to. I enjoyed the romance aspect of this novel; it was expected, though the way it rolled out was different and more interesting than anticipated. I really like how this book rings with mythological culture related to some known Asian folktales, and this version really resonated with its own voice. This is an excellent young adult book for lovers of Asian history and folklore, mythology, and romance.

I really wanted to love this book but I had some issues with it, that being the pacing and romance. At times this book felt extremely introductory. The Girl Who Feel Beneath the Sea feels almost like a prologue, setting the bases and the conflict. Don’t get me wrong, it was beautifully done, but sometimes it felt slow and like not so much was happening.
Full review to come on YouTube

4.5/5

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is my favorite read thus far of 2022. Author Axie Oh crafts a beautiful story in a world that is reminiscent of the film Spirited Away. Her characters come to life through her descriptive writing and emotional imagery. Filled with bravery, loyalty, and humor, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a tale that transcends time and is one that would captivate any reader. I cannot even fault the slight predictability of the storyline, because of how it was it was so beautifully delivered. This book felt like home and I loved every second of it.

Thank you netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for an earc in exchange for an honest review!

The story was very enjoyable, made even more so by an engaging narrator with a soft British accent. Rather than taking me out of the story, it immersed me in the mystery. I enjoyed following the journey, and loved the fantasy/fairytale element as well as the sacrifice to go beneath the sea.

I look forward to more books by this author.

📖Book Review📖
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
My Rating:🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

I started this book way back in February when I was sitting on the bleachers in one of my daughter’s swim meet. I could not concentrate and can’t get past the dragon and giant waves of the sea swallowing Mina’s whole being and brought her down deep to be Sea God’s bride. I thought it was too much of a fantasy for me to enjoy.

Fast forward to couple of weeks ago, I got positive with Covid after dodging the virus for the last two years despite being in healthcare and all. I was quarantined and have nothing else to do but trying to breath to save my life and of course pick a book. I gave The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea a second try and oh my world what a journey!

I breeze through this for 3 and a half hours. Literally in one sitting and by that I meant, in the recliner, with blankets over me, inhaler by my side, gatorade within reach and Vicks for good measure! This book feels like… um, the best comfort that reading can offer. Its so sweet and warm and soft and all the while magical and lovely and oh so dearly.

It is a YA romance about the Spirit Realm where the Sea God is believed to cause the storms that whisk Mina’s village. According to legend, the storms will only stop when the Sea God will find his true bride breaking the curse. Every year, humans will offer a village girl to become Sea God’s bride in hopes of saving their crops and land and their world in general from the devastating storms. Will Mina succeed in breaking the curse?

I was so engrossed in this book, it was fun, and gentle and adorable from first page to last. Korean Myth and fairytale was written at its finest. I had tears at some parts! I was not even sad for the story but was in fact overwhelmed with how this gave me all the feels!

Special thank you to DreamScape Media and Fiewel Friends both via Netgalley for the advance readers copy in exchange for my honest review. I really enjoyed it, even with the feisty dragon!
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4.5. This was such a great story. I was engrossed from the very beginning and loved learning more about the underworld as the story went on. Highly recommend to people who enjoy stories with folktale weaved in. At times I think I could have enjoyed if the story got a bit darker, which would have probably brought this to a 5 (but that's just my preference for dark stories). Otherwise, this story was great and I am excited to see what else this author does.

It pains me to say so but I could not get into The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh. It could be due to the fact that I just binged Daughter of the Moon Goddess but I didn't particularly like any of the characters, especially Mina and was generally uninterested in the story. That being said, it does not surprise me at all that others have loved it. The cover is just gorgeous and I so badly wanted to love it.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the audio-arc.

Beautifully written and masterfully told. Novels that intertwine family, love, loyalties and enchanting lore seem to always capture my heart. This was no different.

The characters mold the plot into the deeper depths that it is. Mina is a strong and easily relatable character. Her drive to protect those she loves, her people and release the Sea God propelled the narrative onto a path I did not expect. I don't want to mention the other characters however. Each one seems to tie somethimg truly special to the story. Revealing them feels like revealing secrets.

I have not seen Spirited Away and I'm kinda glad I haven't yet. For me, this was refreshingly new, stunning in its world building and magic and wholly captivating. The tone of the novel does change as Mina grows, but not in a bad way.

The audiobook from Dreamscape Media is read by Rosa Escoda. I absolutely love when narrators have the ability to change voice influxes to keep characters separate and Escoda did not hold back. When I say this novel touches your heart, I'm not kidding. Escoda brings a wonderful level of emotion and feeling into her words that equally fits the scenes.

I did find myself a few times needing to rewind or reread. There is a mixture of slowly paced and a feeling of rushed depending on where you are in the plot. The slower paced spots I was rereading due to zoning out no matter the format. I don't want that to hold anyone back though. This is such an exquisite novel. I cannot thank Feiwel & Friends and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to fall in love with a new author and novel. All thoughts are my own. True ratimg 4.5/5

Lovely, just lovely. The mythology and descriptions in this book are sumptuous. You really feel completely immersed in the story. Mina is strong and heroic protagonist and her somewhat motley crew of guides and helpers in the Spirit Realm are just as wonderful. The narration is spot on and if that is your preferred medium you will not be disappointed. I almost immediately wanted to start the book over when I finished. I highly recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ALC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this audiobook! I thought it was a beautiful written (and narrated!) fantasy story. It was truly unique to the different new fantasy releases. I feel that a lot of the same stories are being told, and this fantasy tale was one-of-a-kind and refreshing. I greatly enjoyed the thorough world building and adventures that were had. I can’t wait for more from this author!

thank you to netgalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review!

THIS ! BOOK ! Homestly I had such a good time, it was straightforward and fun. All the characters were so lovable and i enjoyed it a lot.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a beautiful retelling full of magic, family, and a healthy dose of Korean mythology. Mina sacrifices herself to the Sea God in the hopes of sparing her brother’s lover this fate, and discovers that unless the Sea God is freed of his curse, both the human and spirit worlds will be destroyed.

A retelling of the Korean classic The Tale of Sim Cheong, Girl is lush with beautiful writing and fantastical magic. The author has compared it to Spirited Away and I have to agree. Mina finds herself in the spirit world, a land full of dragons and gods and the souls of those who have departed. It’s a real treat to sink into the world that Oh builds, but I wish that we’d seen more of it.

I got a little teary with the themes of family, not gonna lie. That always gets me. The overall mystery is fun to follow, but the relationships (the romantic ones especially) felt a bit too shallow for me to get invested. I wanted more of Shiki and Hyeri, you can’t tease me with a death god/mortal bride romance like this. As immaculate as the vibes were, there were so many things teased and explored just a little bit without fully committing that I was underwhelmed. I wasn’t sold on the central romance, even if I liked the characters individually.

Overall a gorgeous story that was good, but could’ve been great with more focus on character richness and time to sink into the world.

Mina takes the place of her brother’s beloved as the Sea gods' bride journeying under the sea.

It was rich in detail and culture but unfortunately it didn’t keep my attention. My mind would drift off while listening to the audio and then I’d have to rewind or be lost. There were a lot of flashbacks and dreams that would have been distinct through italic words in the physical book but the audio you kind of have to guess. With all of that I wouldn’t recommend the audio for this one. However, I would recommend the physical book. It was a slower paced read but I think I would have enjoyed it if I had read the book instead of listened.

As a thank you to netgalley and dreamscape audio I write this review.Based on the Korean folktale “The Tale of Shim Cheong” Axie Oh blends together a tapestry of fantasy and legend to give us her latest novel “The Girl who fell beneath the sea” narrated by Rosa Escoda this audiobooks run time was at eight hours and fifty minutes. In this novel do we follow a young woman named Mina, whose love for her family emerges boldly as her brother is chosen to be sacrificed to appease the Sea God. The people of her town believe he has disserted them and has befallen a series of floods and storms on their land due to his rage. As the people in this land try to come back into his good graces yearly rituals are created to appease him by offering him a bride and sacrifice. In this action do they believe one day a “true” bride will be sent who will appease him and end their suffering.Her homeland has been belittled due to the onslaught of war and with little to no resources chooses to throw herself in the sea instead. What follows is Mina’s entry into the Spirit Realm, and the many choices to be had in learning to protect her heart, saving her people and realizing her destiny. The narration by Rosa Escoda was clear, assessable, and added to my listening experience. I listened to this audiobook during my commute and enjoyed every moment of it. The audiobook is one I recommend while reading the book for I feel it will enhance your experience. Overall I gave this a four out of five stars on goodreads.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher Dreamscape media for providing me with an ARC of the audiobook.

I adored this book. I gave it five stars. The writing style was lovely and such a joy to listen to. The characters were beautifully written that I couldn’t dream of choosing a favourite. The plot was easy to follow and very intriguing. I was teasing up at some parts.

I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

I loved this audiobook! It was so magical and a beautiful retelling of the Korean tale of Shim Cheong!
Thank you dreamscape for this ARC!

2.5 stars

A pretty weak story line as it is dragged and the characters are not so interesting. I found myself loosing interest all the time making it very hard to follow the plot.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for allowing me to read this book.