The girl who fell beneath the sea by Axie Oh

Years of devastating storms have ravaged Mina's homeland, with her people believing that the Sea God who was once their protector has instead cursed them, even abandoned them. In order to appease him, each year a young maiden is selected to be thrown into the sea as an offering. They hope the Sea God will select his true bride and end the suffering. The next maiden to be selected is Shim Cheong, but she is in love with Mina's brother, Joon. The night of the sacrifice, Mina follows her brother, who has followed Shim Cheong, which is forbidden by the rules of the sacrifice. To save her brother, and Shim Cheong, Mina throws herself into the water in her place. Swept away to the Spirit Realm, a city full of lesser gods and mythical beasts, Mina finds the Sea God trapped in an enchanted sleep. 

This wonderfully written story is a feminist retelling of a classic Korean legend, and has been written descriptively and full of relatable characters. Told from Mina's perspective, following her journey to find a way to break the enchantment on the Sea God, as well as to recover her soul and determine her own fate, Mina proves to be a relatable and endearing character. The book moves seamlessly, moving between action, intrigue, twists and romance. The city beneath the sea has been envisioned clearly and readers will be able to picture themselves there, moving between the streets, Houses and the palace. Containing plenty of traditional practices for honouring ones elders, this novel demonstrates certain aspects of Korean philosophy in different ways. Perfect for fans of the Manga series 'The Water Dragon's Bride' by Rei Toma and for fans of the popular anime 'Spirited Away'.

Themes: Fantasy, Mythology, Relationships, Sacrifice, Fate, Legends, Family, Romance.

Melanie Pages