As a little kid I was already obsessed with mermaids. I loved the way they swam so gracefully through the water and how their hair floated mystically around their face and hid their expression. So, I hadn’t to think twice to pick “Skin of the sea” up and when I read the recommendation from Nicola Yoon on the cover, it was a sealed deal. And I didn’t regret it.
Not only is the cover art beautiful but also the story it contains.
This book talks about the story of slavery but furthermore about African mythology, culture and history. There are black gods, goddesses, and – of course – mermaids. Simidele is one of those. More precisely, she is a Mami Wata. In the African history of black mermaids, Mami Wata (Mother of the Water) is a water spirit or deity.
Simidele was one of the girls on a slave ship. When she was thrown overboard, Yemoja, orisa of the water, made her a Mami Wata. She and six other Mami Wata have the task to gather the souls of those who pass in the sea and bless their journey back to the Supreme Creator, Olodumare.
Happening just months ago, Simidele still struggles to adjust to her new life and the memories she has of her past one. One day, a boy falls into the sea and as Simi wants to bless his journey, she realises he is still alive. Without thinking twice, Simi saves Kola from drowning in the sea. But without knowing, Simidele broke an old decree of Olodumare. Mother Yemoja now fears the death of all Mami Wata.
With the help of Kola, Simi has to get two rings from the high priest babalawo to get an audience by the Olodumare and ask for forgiveness for her kind. The journey to the babalawo is not only dangerous because of the other orisas who want to get in the possession of the rings too, but also because of the feelings Simi slowly but surely catches for Kola. Because falling in love with a human would mean for Simi to end as foam upon the sea.
Simidele was an unbelievable loveable character. A beautiful, powerful black mermaid, who fought her destiny because of her strong moral views. She won’t let this boy drown in the sea who has the eyes of her mother. And when she realises what she has done and the consequences for her sisters, she is determined to save them. Without hesitation she goes on a difficult and dangerous journey in an environment that isn’t hers anymore and which brings her pain because she isn’t used to traveling in human form anymore. I loved to accompany her although I have to admit I had some trouble with the language at the beginning of the book. At some parts of the book my English wasn’t good enough to comprehend all of the magnificent details about African history, culture and all their mystical deities. Apart from this did I love the story and am anxiously looking forward to the second book.