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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Sequels are often disappointing, but not here! Beautiful beautiful storytelling with African history, mythology, and culture woven in every page. One of favorite series I’ve read in a long time.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The sequel to Skin of the Sea by Nigerian-Welsh author Natasha Bowen dives deeper into West African mythology and spirituality as the stakes rise for Simidele and her allies.
The end of Skin of the Sea was not a happy ending, but a satisfactory one. Now, months later, we see cracks forming in Simi's original plan. Not everything has gone the way it should, and much more than Simi's loved ones are at risk as a result.
Soul of the Deep introduces many new orisas, mythological creatures, and story elements. We see the lingering questions from book one answered while new, more troubling questions arise.
This book was as beautifully written and unique as its predecessor. I did feel like the story escalated with new concepts that hadn't been introduced at all until they became relevant, and sometimes that felt like these new dangers or important figures abruptly came out of nowhere. The story also didn't completely hold my interest the way Skin of the Sea did, taking me longer to finish. There were a few scenes where the location/positioning of the characters was confusing and hard to follow. The ending was unexpected, in ways that worked but also a few ways that felt off to me.
This duology is not one to rush through, and the second book had its minor issues. But overall this is a gorgeous, unique fairy tale with lovely writing and original concepts. I would definitely recommend these books to anyone who loves mermaids or is looking to diversify their 2024 shelves.
The end of Skin of the Sea was not a happy ending, but a satisfactory one. Now, months later, we see cracks forming in Simi's original plan. Not everything has gone the way it should, and much more than Simi's loved ones are at risk as a result.
Soul of the Deep introduces many new orisas, mythological creatures, and story elements. We see the lingering questions from book one answered while new, more troubling questions arise.
This book was as beautifully written and unique as its predecessor. I did feel like the story escalated with new concepts that hadn't been introduced at all until they became relevant, and sometimes that felt like these new dangers or important figures abruptly came out of nowhere. The story also didn't completely hold my interest the way Skin of the Sea did, taking me longer to finish. There were a few scenes where the location/positioning of the characters was confusing and hard to follow. The ending was unexpected, in ways that worked but also a few ways that felt off to me.
This duology is not one to rush through, and the second book had its minor issues. But overall this is a gorgeous, unique fairy tale with lovely writing and original concepts. I would definitely recommend these books to anyone who loves mermaids or is looking to diversify their 2024 shelves.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It felt as if the author used the ajogun (demons) as an excuse for how people acted when they acted in bad ways.
It was either because they had been enslaved by bad people or because the ajogun supported them. It felt like a cheap way to show that evil is easy to find, and not complicated.
It felt like things worked out too well, which I know has to do with the genre, but it still bothered me.
It was either because they had been enslaved by bad people or because the ajogun supported them. It felt like a cheap way to show that evil is easy to find, and not complicated.
It felt like things worked out too well, which I know has to do with the genre, but it still bothered me.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
this was a solid 5⭐ up until i got to the last 20%
the plot twist was a little disappointing as i'd already guessed ara would betray simi. i already had my suspicions even before she said all those fishy comments about simi asking the ajogun for help so she could be with kola. it was something that sort of pulled at my gut(?) when esu observed ara for a little too long when they were in oko. i even predicted that ara resented simi for being taken by the tapa.
nevertheless i only docked 0.25⭐ since i liked how it ended. however, i would not be opposed to reading about simi meeting her parents again and also hearing about what happened to the yumboes. poor issa ☹️
nevertheless i only docked 0.25⭐ since i liked how it ended. however, i would not be opposed to reading about simi meeting her parents again and also hearing about what happened to the yumboes. poor issa ☹️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, War, Injury/Injury detail
4/5
Many of the things I liked about the first book remained untouched in this book, which I appreciated greatly. I would say the lore and mythos behind the story was my favorite part because of how much I learned.
The sequel appeared on the angstier side and there was back-and-forth yearning between the main character and her love interest. That dragged on slowly with little progress. Conversely, the pacing of the events of EVERYTHING ELSE sped by too fast, thus giving me the whiplash effect.
|| SPOILERS ||
However, what definitely lowered the rating was the ending. After all the back and forth between Kola and Simi, all the talk of star-crossed lovers, and especially after the measures taken by the other characters to then allow Simi to be with Kola... tell me why I was let down by Simi choosing not to be in a relationship with Kola. There's a "maybe one-day" factor and she chooses herself, but it then translated to me feeling like the drama around her choice wasted page space.
Many of the things I liked about the first book remained untouched in this book, which I appreciated greatly. I would say the lore and mythos behind the story was my favorite part because of how much I learned.
The sequel appeared on the angstier side and there was back-and-forth yearning between the main character and her love interest. That dragged on slowly with little progress. Conversely, the pacing of the events of EVERYTHING ELSE sped by too fast, thus giving me the whiplash effect.
|| SPOILERS ||
However, what definitely lowered the rating was the ending. After all the back and forth between Kola and Simi, all the talk of star-crossed lovers, and especially after the measures taken by the other characters to then allow Simi to be with Kola... tell me why I was let down by Simi choosing not to be in a relationship with Kola. There's a "maybe one-day" factor and she chooses herself, but it then translated to me feeling like the drama around her choice wasted page space.
“I am Simidele and I choose to follow no one.
I choose to be me.
I choose to go home.”
This sequel was so good! Once I started reading it, I was completely immersed in the adventure again and enjoyed every step of the way. Simi’s journey and her hope to be who she really wants and her love for Kola really got me in all the feels! Beautiful and whimsical! It was great diving back into this world! <3
I choose to be me.
I choose to go home.”
This sequel was so good! Once I started reading it, I was completely immersed in the adventure again and enjoyed every step of the way. Simi’s journey and her hope to be who she really wants and her love for Kola really got me in all the feels! Beautiful and whimsical! It was great diving back into this world! <3
Excellent finish to a wonderful duology. Any literary issue I had in book 1 was resolved in book 2.
I loved that this was a direct consequence to Simi & Friends' actions in the previous book. I understand why others see it as a retcon, but ripple effects are very real. If you, of COURSE there will be repercussions of that action.
I enjoyed the proper introductions to some characters that we only heard about in passing in the first book. Having another Mami Wata join the group early on allowed Simi to reflect on how she felt when her journey began in Skin of the Sea. This deep understanding was beautiful to read, and Bowen's writing only made it better.
I'm definitely going to be on the lookout for more from this author!
I loved that this was a direct consequence to Simi & Friends' actions in the previous book. I understand why others see it as a retcon, but ripple effects are very real. If you
Spoiler
seal away an orisaI enjoyed the proper introductions to some characters that we only heard about in passing in the first book. Having another Mami Wata join the group early on allowed Simi to reflect on how she felt when her journey began in Skin of the Sea. This deep understanding was beautiful to read, and Bowen's writing only made it better.
I'm definitely going to be on the lookout for more from this author!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes