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calamitywindpetal's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Slavery, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Death
Moderate: Racism
vercopaanir's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I felt like this book started off slow, although that could totally have been a lack of interest because it didn’t have the same vibes as the book I finished prior. But once it got going, it was really good. I loved the story, learning about West African mythology, and the characters. Simi is an amazing MC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Colonisation, Genocide, Kidnapping, Racism, Slavery, and Suicide attempt
The book takes place in the mid-1400s, so there is talk about White Europeans kidnapping and buying West Africans during the early slave trade. These are important catalysts for the events of the book and mentioned throughout, but the book is not about enslavement. The author gives a clear content note in the beginning for those concerned, as well.abbythebookreviewer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Skin of The Sea was an interesting read, a dark yet refreshing take on a mermaid plot. I found some of the prose to be repetitive, but still, it was well-written. This story is plot driven which leads a bit to be desired of the characters but I found them to be likable. The historical portion of the story was by far the most intriguing, the intertwining of African culture was a refreshing break from the more Westernized novels. The pacing of the story was a bit off in places, I found myself skimming at parts because the scenes held little to no purpose to the main plot, while I can appreciate a history lesson it felt forced in some areas. It's a quick read, with several points of high tension that left me on the edge of my seat. Overall, I would recommend this to young adult readers and lovers of historical fantasy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Slavery, Torture, War, Violence, Blood, Physical abuse, and Racism
paigeinabook's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Deportation, Child death, Death, Dysphoria, Forced institutionalization, Adult/minor relationship, Cultural appropriation, Murder, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Medical content, Trafficking, Body shaming, Colonisation, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racism, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Xenophobia
kaiyakaiyo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
I need book 2. today. Holy moly
Loved this: black people doing black things and yes it does involve incredibly traumatic slave ship experience, but it doesn’t feel like one of those “let’s zoom in on black pain” sort of takes. It’s more like what magic & belief existed at that time, and how was it impacted by the slave trade? Magic coexists with history well in this, which I really liked.
Ultimately I just loved this, despite the ending causing me to do a literal double take when I realized that I’d reached the last page 😭
I need book 2. today. Holy moly
Loved this: black people doing black things and yes it does involve incredibly traumatic slave ship experience, but it doesn’t feel like one of those “let’s zoom in on black pain” sort of takes. It’s more like what magic & belief existed at that time, and how was it impacted by the slave trade? Magic coexists with history well in this, which I really liked.
Ultimately I just loved this, despite the ending causing me to do a literal double take when I realized that I’d reached the last page 😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and Murder
Moderate: Violence and Blood
Minor: Rape
saphfics's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Slavery
Minor: Racism and Torture
featherz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Skin of the sea is a adventurous and magical story, filled with mermaids, gods and mythical creatures. It also touches on some heavy themes like racism and the slave trade.
I really enjoyed the worldbuilding in this book, and I liked how west african mythology was incorporated into it! I found the orisas and all the takes and legends that were told about them really interesting.
However, there were also some things I disliked about this book. I found the characters quite boring, and I couldn't get properly invested in the plot. Therefore, the book kind off put me in a reading slump for a while. It picked up at the end though, so I think I'll most likely read the second book!
I really enjoyed the worldbuilding in this book, and I liked how west african mythology was incorporated into it! I found the orisas and all the takes and legends that were told about them really interesting.
However, there were also some things I disliked about this book. I found the characters quite boring, and I couldn't get properly invested in the plot. Therefore, the book kind off put me in a reading slump for a while. It picked up at the end though, so I think I'll most likely read the second book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery, Violence, and Racism
raquelraquel's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Author is incredible at vivid descriptions that put you into the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Racism, Grief, Physical abuse, and Slavery
This book takes place at the beginning of the slave trade, and this is a major contributor to the plot.mattiedancer's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Writing: 4.25⭐️/5
The novel started off a bit rough, but it quickly cleaned up into some very clean and clear prose. She handles complex plot points with precision and foreshadows the progression clearly enough that you’re not caught off guard, even if you are still surprised.
Characters: 4.75⭐️/5
The characters were well-described and felt mostly realistic. At all times they felt complex without being overwhelming. I particularly loved her method of humanizing the gods without stripping them of their powers. They felt real, raw, and dangerous, even as they talked to humans. The antagonist, too, is a formidable opponent who, at all moments, felt dangerous and unhinged.
Plot: 5⭐️/5
The novel is described as “The Little Mermaid” inspired by West African mythology. While I think this is a great description of the opening section of the novel, I do think it sells the rest of the novel a bit short actually. The depth this plot goes to, blending the seriousness of real-life events with the levity of this magical world, is wonderful to read and an addicting page-turner.
Post-Reading Rating: 4.5⭐️/5
Slight cliff-hanger. There is a sequel, so maybe have that on hand if you like the first half of the novel.
Who Should Read This?
- Fans of The Little Mermaid
- Fantasy readers
- Young adult readers 14+
- Fans of mythology-inspired stories
Final Rating: 4.25⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Colonisation, Slavery, Classism, and Death
Moderate: Violence
librarybookscene's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Trafficking, Torture, Physical abuse, Colonisation, Body horror, Kidnapping, Gore, Slavery, and Racism