Reviews

Soul of the Deep by Natasha Bowen

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nika_7490's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

ruthiek's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

3.75

quinzelle's review against another edition

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adventurous tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

The book was...fine. I preferred the first book and honestly, I think the first book would have been great as a standalone. Book 2 felt really rushed. There wasn't a lot of character development and the book is very plot heavy. The inclusion of West African mythos again is very very cool. Yinka and her bultungin pack were fucking amazing and I wish we'd had more moments between Simi and Yinka. Also weren't Bem and Yinka married??? And yet they didn't interact really at all in book 2 which I thought was odd. Overall, the book is fine if a little rushed in parts. The plot twist was predictable (especially given the same plot twist was used in Book 1 where the gravitas was a little more). I think if the book had been longer and there'd been more development, especially with Simi's time in the Land of the Dead and her relationship with Olokun, and developing her relationship with Esu when they're finally out of the Land of the Dead, would have given the book the extra bump it needed. Overall, a solid 3.75.

Content Warnings

_uglysweater_'s review against another edition

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Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

impalingheaven's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful 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? Yes

3.0

Not quite as sweeping as the first book, but a nice follow up and conclusion to Mermaids and Orisa. The first 2/3 is slow and a lot of recapping feels like with not a lot more added to the story. The last 1/3 really picked up and was satisfying.

grace_muriithi's review against another edition

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4.0

I preferred the first book more than this sequel, but it did a great job tying up the loose ends from the first book. I felt as though the part with Kola being an orisha was slightly the author trying to put the two in their "happily ever after", but I wasn't too mad about that. This book did a great job noting how the tribes were pitted against each other because of the influence of the white man, which also took place historically today. I love a good fantasy novel, so this was enjoyable to me!

mj_86's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional tense 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? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

freadomlibrary's review

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3.0

I received an e-ARC of this book from Random House Books for Young Readers, through TBR and Beyond Tours and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Trigger warnings: violence, death, kidnapping, mentions of slavery

SOUL OF THE DEEP is the second (and final?) book in the Skin of the Sea series. It follows Simidele, a mermaid charged with gathering and releasing the souls of the dead in the sea called a Mami Wata, as she tries to restore the natural order of her world.

I read both of the books in this series back to back so they’re kind of one big story in my head haha. However, I think I enjoyed this one a little more! The plot of this book in particular was really interesting; I loved how it both rounded out and expanded the world and relationships. I really enjoyed how the mythology is part of every facet of the story. I didn’t connect to the characters as much as I expected, but I really liked the friendships portrayed in this book. Would recommend if you enjoy retellings, mermaids and African mythology!

tamararex's review against another edition

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4.0

I missed these characters so much - this was such a lovely follow up to Skin of the Sea. Natasha Bowen always leaves me wanting more in the best way. It felt like Simi really grew in this book in relation to herself and how she sees and interacts with the world.

brandis_book_bureau's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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