Published by Dreamscape Media Genres: Fantasy, Retelling, Romance, young adult
Format: ARC, Audiobook
First off, let’s just take a minute to admire this beautiful cover!
“nothing extraordinary is ever done out of reason or logic but because it’s the only way for your soul to breathe”
Initially this book gave me The Ghost Bride vibes. But let me be clear, this book stands on its own.
Mina’s homeland has been ravaged by horrific storms for generations. People in her village believe they are being punished by the Sea God. Trying to appease him, every year a beautiful maiden is thrown into the Sea to be his wife.
Shim Cheong is the most beautiful girl in the village. She is also the true love of Mina’s brother, Joon. When it is time for Shim Cheong to be thrown into the sea, Mina throws herself into the water instead.
“Wait for me where the land meets the Sea”
Swept away into the spirit world, she encounters many things and many beings. But the most interesting is the Sea God who is in an enchanted sleep. What to do? Mina encounters a young man named Shin as well as demons, goddesses, and spirits. Mina knows that she must do whatever it takes to wake the Sea God.
Sounds like a fairy-tale set-in fantasy land, right? Well, it is in a way. This book is inspired by Korean folklore/mythology. I am not the biggest fantasy reader, but I’ll be honest, the cover drew me in. This book is quite the journey from land to the sea and has many characters, but it is easy to keep track of them.
I didn’t think that I would enjoy this book as much as I did. Again, not a big fantasy reader, but there was something about the vivid descriptions and atmospheric feel of this book. I could imagine things playing out and what characters looked like. The writing is quite beautiful and lyrical at times.
I enjoyed Mina as a character and her inner strength and courage. I loved the themes of family, choosing your own fate, destiny, sacrifice, choices, and love.
In the mood to be spirited away? Pick up this book and be absorbed into the world building, lyrical and beautiful book.
#TheGirlWhoFellBeneaththeSea#NetGalley
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.