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neronina's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, War, Death, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
nuin_giliath's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide, Death of parent, War, and Miscarriage
missindyrose's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Suicide
Moderate: Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Violence
azrah786's review against another edition
4.25
**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, injury, death, child death, grief, suicide/suicide ideation, discussion of miscarriage, child death
--
A fairytale-esque reimagining of the Korean classic - The Tale of Shim Cheong, that is just as magical as the books cover.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea tells the story of Mina, who out of love for her brother throws herself into the sea in place of his beloved, Shim Cheong – the girl chosen to be the next sacrificed bride to the Sea God as a means to stop the storms that lay waste to their homeland.
Mina awakens in the Spirit World to find that the Sea God, whom she is now soul-bound to through the Red String of Fate, is actually trapped in an enchanted sleep.
Determined to get to bottom of the curse on her people and to free them from it, Mina with the help of some ancestral spirits, demons and lesser gods sets out to awaken him. However, human souls can only survive in the Spirit World for a limited period so she has time running against her, as well as those who do not want the Sea God to awaken.
Axie Oh's atmospheric writing sinks you straight in to this beautiful story about fate, love and sacrifice.
The fast pacing did make some parts of the story feel a little rushed and I did catch on to some of the twists however, none of that tampered my enjoyment. I was more bothered by the fact that the book wasn’t longer because it’s the type of story that you don’t want to end.
The worldbuilding is an absolute dream - the underwater Spirit World has major Studio Ghibli vibes but the addition of the pantheon of Korean deities and mythology – which is all beautifully woven in to the overarching storyline - makes it all its own!
Mina's selflessness and determination make her an inspiring protagonist that you can’t help but root for and I really loved her compassion for her family and those close to her.
There are great moments of action and adventure, a wonderful group of supporting characters that you won't want to say goodbye to by the end and the central romance is the perfect balance of sweet and angst-ridden it'll have you tied up in its strings too!
Final Rating – 4.25/5 Stars
CW: violence, injury, death, child death, grief, suicide/suicide ideation, discussion of miscarriage, child death
--
A fairytale-esque reimagining of the Korean classic - The Tale of Shim Cheong, that is just as magical as the books cover.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea tells the story of Mina, who out of love for her brother throws herself into the sea in place of his beloved, Shim Cheong – the girl chosen to be the next sacrificed bride to the Sea God as a means to stop the storms that lay waste to their homeland.
Mina awakens in the Spirit World to find that the Sea God, whom she is now soul-bound to through the Red String of Fate, is actually trapped in an enchanted sleep.
Determined to get to bottom of the curse on her people and to free them from it, Mina with the help of some ancestral spirits, demons and lesser gods sets out to awaken him. However, human souls can only survive in the Spirit World for a limited period so she has time running against her, as well as those who do not want the Sea God to awaken.
Axie Oh's atmospheric writing sinks you straight in to this beautiful story about fate, love and sacrifice.
The fast pacing did make some parts of the story feel a little rushed and I did catch on to some of the twists however, none of that tampered my enjoyment. I was more bothered by the fact that the book wasn’t longer because it’s the type of story that you don’t want to end.
The worldbuilding is an absolute dream - the underwater Spirit World has major Studio Ghibli vibes but the addition of the pantheon of Korean deities and mythology – which is all beautifully woven in to the overarching storyline - makes it all its own!
Mina's selflessness and determination make her an inspiring protagonist that you can’t help but root for and I really loved her compassion for her family and those close to her.
There are great moments of action and adventure, a wonderful group of supporting characters that you won't want to say goodbye to by the end and the central romance is the perfect balance of sweet and angst-ridden it'll have you tied up in its strings too!
Final Rating – 4.25/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Child death, Grief, Death, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Miscarriage
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