Skin of the Sea, Soul of the Deep

Hola Merfolk!

Skin of the Sea and Soul of the Deep by Natasha Bowen are two of my favorite mermaid books when it comes to world building. The author went as far as trying Nigerian food, studying the Ifá spiritual system, having the Yoruba language translated, and researching the African slave trade and African mermaid folklore. She got her community excited about her books before they became materialized. Her students, co-workers, and others helped her with the research. What a great way to create buzz and launch a book!

The mix of history and mythology in Skin of the Sea xcreates a world set during the African slave trade with an orisha which Bowen spells as orisa. An orisha is a deity or spirit that represents an element of nature. The main character, Simi, who is a mermaid or Mami Wata, collects the souls of humans who die at sea and returns them to the gods. She saves Kola who is thrown overboard from a slave ship. Simi and Kola both have a mission that they help each other with. There is a sweet and innocent romance that blooms between the two. Parents don’t have to worry about if the book goes too far with the physicality. The book is more of an action-adventure.

In Soul of the Deep the action ramps up. I enjoyed the monster scene, but I did get a little overwhelmed by the violence. Maybe with the bloody war scene the violence was too much for me. Again, the West African setting made the story standout. Simi and Kola continue their sweet romance with Simi’s individuality intact.

Skin of the Sea and Soul of the Deep are written for teenagers in mind, but I enjoyed them. I definitely felt like a mermaid reading them.

Make Waves!

Oceans of Love,

Melissa Ceseña