Skin of the Sea is an imaginative retelling of The Little Mermaid that ultimately blends history, West African mythology and fantasy into an exciting, well crafted and fast paced novel.
The rich setting is immersive and beautiful. The cultural customs and West African mythical creatures adds such depth to this story! Many such creatures were new to me and I enjoyed that readers were exposed to such a variety.
Bowen’s excellent writing style and pacing is absolutely flawless and it’s hard to believe this is her debut novel. Bowen touches upon a dark and terrifying piece of African history that is full of slavery and death.
Simi is a fantastic heroine. She is fearless, strong and compassionate. She always tries to do what’s right even in the face of hardship and uncertainty. Kola complements her character well and is loyal and determined.
I am also intrigued by the gods (Orisa) they interact with. Yemoja, Sanjo, Oya and Esu are such individual characters and I hope we will read more of their stories.
Overall the relationships between the characters are well built and engaging.
Skin of the Sea is unlike any other. The diversity and mythical aspects of this book create a powerful story I urge everyone to read.
