Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen

Skin of the Sea (Skin of the Sea, #1)

by Natasha Bowen

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The must-read 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.

Reviewed by Quirky Cat on

4 of 5 stars

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Skin of the Sea is the first in Natasha Bowen's series of the same name. And let me just say, if you love mermaids and fantasy tales, then this is absolutely a book/series that you don't want to miss out on! Plus, let's be honest here: that cover is drop-dead gorgeous.

Long ago, Simi was human, but that was before the unthinkable happened. Now she serves the gods as a Mami Wata, otherwise known as a mermaid. She shepherd's souls lost to the oceans, bringing them to her god to be blessed and sent home.

Yet Simi could never let go of her human memories – unable to let go of her human life. So when she sees a man fall into the water – still alive – she can't bring herself to watch him drown. Instead, she saves him and sets off a chain of events that she was not prepared for.

“His quest for power is insidious and constant. From stealing the loved ones of kings and queens to using other orisas for their powers in the hopes of gaining more himself.”

Wow. I've read mermaid tales before, but nothing like Skin of the Sea. This was a beautiful story with so much depth, history, and power. I legitimately can't wait to see what the sequel brings because I am blown away.

This retelling of mermaids (and The Little Mermaid in specific) takes black history into account, creating something that feels thoroughly real. It's a heavier take, but it is also stronger for it.
My one complaint about this story would be the pacing. Simi's story moves so quickly, pulling readers from one adventure/danger to the next, that we're not given much time to appreciate her or any side characters. Not as much as we should, at any rate.

I adored many points about this read, including the orishas, history, and the hints of the threats to come. Honestly, it has been a couple of weeks since I read Skin of the Sea (I'm behind on reviewing), and it is STILL stuck in my head. So go read it! And then join me in the wait for the release of Soul of the Deep (Sep. 27).

Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 27 April, 2022: Finished reading
  • 27 April, 2022: Reviewed