A review by vercopaanir
Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen

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.

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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.