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The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2022)Deadly storms have ravaged Mina’s homeland for generations. Floods sweep away entire villages, while bloody wars are waged over the few remaining resources. Her people believe the Sea God, once their protector, now curses them with death and despair. In an attempt to appease him, each year a beautiful maiden is thrown into the sea to serve as the Sea God’s bride, in the hopes that one day the “true bride” will be chosen and end the suffering.
Many believe that Shim Cheong, the most beautiful girl in the village—and the beloved of Mina’s older brother Joon—may be the legendary true bride. But on the night Cheong is to be sacrificed, Joon follows Cheong out to sea, even knowing that to interfere is a death sentence. To save her brother, Mina throws herself into the water in Cheong’s stead.
Swept away to the Spirit Realm, a magical city of lesser gods and mythical beasts, Mina seeks out the Sea God, only to find him caught in an enchanted sleep. With the help of a mysterious young man named Shin—as well as a motley crew of demons, gods and spirits—Mina sets out to wake the Sea God and bring an end to the killer storms once and for all.
But she doesn’t have much time: A human cannot live long in the land of the spirits. And there are those who would do anything to keep the Sea God from waking…
Many believe that Shim Cheong, the most beautiful girl in the village—and the beloved of Mina’s older brother Joon—may be the legendary true bride. But on the night Cheong is to be sacrificed, Joon follows Cheong out to sea, even knowing that to interfere is a death sentence. To save her brother, Mina throws herself into the water in Cheong’s stead.
Swept away to the Spirit Realm, a magical city of lesser gods and mythical beasts, Mina seeks out the Sea God, only to find him caught in an enchanted sleep. With the help of a mysterious young man named Shin—as well as a motley crew of demons, gods and spirits—Mina sets out to wake the Sea God and bring an end to the killer storms once and for all.
But she doesn’t have much time: A human cannot live long in the land of the spirits. And there are those who would do anything to keep the Sea God from waking…
325 pages, Hardcover
First published February 22, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 14,284 reviews
February 13, 2022
oh, wow. this is AOs best book to date.
the sheer beauty of it all - the gorgeous mythology, vibrant spirit world, and tender connections create one powerful story.
i think if you have seen ‘spirited away,’ this story will be very familiar to you. it helped me predict some things, but that didnt make me love this any less. it just transported me into a world i already know and love and helped me become acquainted with a different version of it.
AO has successfully created an imaginative story of her own - one full of spirit, loyalty, a little bit of mischief, bravery, and love. this is a book i can see myself rereading time and time again.
a heartfelt thanks to macmillan/feiwel & friends for the ARC!
↠ 5 stars
the sheer beauty of it all - the gorgeous mythology, vibrant spirit world, and tender connections create one powerful story.
i think if you have seen ‘spirited away,’ this story will be very familiar to you. it helped me predict some things, but that didnt make me love this any less. it just transported me into a world i already know and love and helped me become acquainted with a different version of it.
AO has successfully created an imaginative story of her own - one full of spirit, loyalty, a little bit of mischief, bravery, and love. this is a book i can see myself rereading time and time again.
a heartfelt thanks to macmillan/feiwel & friends for the ARC!
↠ 5 stars
Want to read
June 1, 2022excuse me... did you say Spirited Away??
me about to drag everyone to read this book with me:
sign me up for this gorgeous cover
//
Jan 10, 2022 update: preorder with all the exclusive and personalized swag has been secured 😌✨ (order from Writer’s Block, Axie Oh’s local indie, if you for sure want to get all the exclusive goodies too!)
me about to drag everyone to read this book with me:
sign me up for this gorgeous cover
//
Jan 10, 2022 update: preorder with all the exclusive and personalized swag has been secured 😌✨ (order from Writer’s Block, Axie Oh’s local indie, if you for sure want to get all the exclusive goodies too!)
March 27, 2022
THIS BOOK MADE ME CRY AND NOT EVEN OUT OF SADNESS BUT OUT OF HOW MUCH LOVE IT MADE ME FEEL
January 29, 2022
A tale brimming with love. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea will whisk you away on an entrancing journey through the most magical realm. Axie Oh’s characters own my whole heart.
December 14, 2023
"I was angry, but not at you. I was angry at the fate I'd been given. Because I realized that for you to have what you want, I'd have to lose the only thing I'd ever wanted"
I dare to bet that by the end of the story, Shin will have massive back pain for how much he carried this whole book! I need the police to launch a full federal investigation into the grip Axie Oh has on me by introducing Shin, considering how he wasn't given much limelight. Added that this is also a single POV — but Shin surely had me on a clutch. All the only reasons why I rated higher than it should be.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea was told to be inspired by a Korean myth and Ghibli's Spirited Away. And being the big fan that I am of Ghibli, of course I wouldn't want to miss this. Undeniably, this book did offer us a very interesting premise. The concept is fluid where the characters are pushed out of comfortable homes to go make new lives elsewhere in the world. I love the settings and vibe as it is often whimsical, nostalgic, and full of wonder about the world. It fits my preferences.
Alas, I do feel like Axie Oh too had a lot in mind on what or how this should be but does not know when to execute them. I have a lot of questions throughout the book but the part when it was revealed does not help me a bit in getting them answered. The writing was confusing and very layman, to a point, it does feel like reading a MG book. It was very amateur at most — from the heroine, the villain, the romance to the worldbuilding. Though, it's a great place to start an outlet for creativity and a decent crucible to craft better stories; given this is only one of the two works of her so far.
Nevertheless, I still have to list what of this book that does not seem to work out.
1) Our protagonist, Mina.
We’ve all read a novel where the protagonist starts seemingly completely normal until they’re suddenly thrust into a new world and discover that only they have the power to fix the universe. Mina is no less the same, the ever so virtuous girl who doesn't feel pretty and to an extent, can be overbearing.
There are a plethora of other tropes in YA fiction and just because it was overdone, does not mean authors should steer clear of it because when it was done well — it can be good. Just... not Mina. Sometimes I wonder why Axie Oh didn't just stick with Sim Cheong as the Sea Bride just like the myth since the story seems to revolve quite a lot around Sim Cheong. Taking into consideration that she's a supporting character that is barely significant. It just doesn't add up. Though, I understand if she's trying to remodel and offer a different alternative from the original piece. Axie Oh just had a poor way to portray it.
2) The world-building .
This book has the potential to be amazing but there were too many details that were left out. Worlds are systems but most of the time, I had no idea what the Lords and Goddesses were supposed to serve nor were they given a delineation to their existence. What's the Spirit Realm in profundity or the motives of the villains? Like, why does the House of Crane and Tiger wants to kill Shin and had the Imugi do that? Why do they even have ill intentions towards Sea God? You can’t just pigeonhole people into being evil. Heritage or class isn’t what makes someone “bad” or the “villain” — it’s their motives and thoughts that do. So when Axie just writes them as evil because they’re associated with someone that is, I feel like she's not giving justice to her characters.
I also don't truly understand why Shin and Mina were bounded in the first place despite the revelation in the end. Everything is tied but at the same time, they are not. How can the Goddess of Moon and Memory takes place of the Goddess of Motherhood and Children just because Mina said she had it in her to be kind? What happened to the real Goddess of Motherhood and Children? No longer a goddess? Or mayhaps Axie Oh just forgot of her total existence, I bet.
Why does Shin suddenly forget Mina when spirits don't forget when they turned one? Why did the Sea God lose his memories when he offered his soul to the Emperor? Who made them forget? No, listen, the list is just neverending which only concludes that this book has such poor worldbuilding. The short pages probably didn't help too, because it does feel rushed.
3) The writing style
Not gonna lie. This book pretty much checks all the boxes of what sticks as an amateur. The conversation was so calculated and unnatural. I bet if it's a real-life conversation, it's just gonna be crickets because it was so awkward 💀 The way it continues does not have the string that should tell it was a linkage to a previous conversation. Things happen without a logical reason (this is a retold myth, it shouldn't be logical! I know, but at least try to connect the dot and make it more believable).
4) Romance
It's no news that I love Shin; but do I enjoy the romance? Fairly so. There wasn't enough build-up between Shin and Mina. They didn't start on a good foot until they were bounded. And later, they fell in love... like are they really in love? Or the prospect of them being soulmates is what makes them fall in love. We never know. I don't feel the connection.
As for the age gap? Yeah, I kinda get that this is fantasy and we have lots of romance with such big age gap but considering that Mina is a 16 years old is kind of... off-putting. Still and all, I stand with my viewpoint that Shin hard carried the book! He's swoon-worthy when he's whipped. Like, we love a man who is whipped, even when thing is incoherent 😭
Now, look at that. I did go to the extreme with the rant. I mean, I can be forceful sometimes just to make a point. It's not like this book is not good, it is enjoyable! The secondary characters are lovable too (Namgi, Kirin, Nari, Mask, Dai — I'm looking at you!!) It was just a bummer that it did not carry through as it should have.
In spite of that, if you're looking for a story full of love, found family tropes, East-Asian folklore stories, and slow-burn romances, this review should not deter you from starting it!
December 27, 2022
In a Nutshell: Minority opinion alert! This wasn’t my cup of tea. Sorry to the fans. But this was a disappointing mess of a book for me.
Story:
Where the book worked for me:
👌 The cover is outstanding. One of the main reasons I requested this book, other than the high praise it has been getting.
👌 The author is a Korean-American, so it is an #OwnVoices story in a way. She does justice to the traditional aspects of the myth.
👌 There is a fair bit of debate on Gods versus humans and the duties and responsibilities of each. I enjoyed this aspect of the plot.
👌 There are some really interesting secondary characters in the book.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
👎Lots of things seemed rushed, and paradoxically, lots of other things seemed dragged out. The pacing is so uneven that I didn’t get into a clear reading rhythm almost till the final quarter.
👎There is a lot of back and forth in the timeline at the start. After a while, I was irritated with the constant mulling over past events while in between a scene in the present. Thankfully, this is mainly in the initial 10% or so.
👎There’s hardly any character development. You get to see what the characters do but you don’t get to KNOW most of the characters. It felt very tough to connect with any of them because there’s just a surface-level exploration of their thoughts and actions.
👎I found the world building quite average. While some parts of the spirit world were outstanding – especially the river of souls, most of it left me feeling like I was gazing at a regular human world with spirits & other creatures instead of people.
👎The story becomes more and more convoluted as it progresses. Hardly anything makes sense and the plot development goes more in the “fit in the jigsaw pieces as and when you see them” approach. Too many coincidences, too many conveniences, hardly any complications or conflicts, some unexplained plot points.
👎There is the mandatory romantic arc but it is quite underdeveloped and rushed.
👎This is supposed to be a feminist retelling of a Korean myth. But the original myth also has a woman taking matters in her own hands, and this book too has the same, though admittedly, at a greater scale. Simply having a one strong lead woman doesn’t make a story feminist when most of her actions are still within the dictates of patriarchy. Mina is a good character but the plot isn’t a one-man show…oops, sorry…one-woman show; there are many strong male characters who have a major role to play in the proceedings. And most of the other female characters are stereotypical. Nope, this is not feminist enough to be called “feminist”.
Basically, the overall writing seemed very amateurish to me. I would have let this go if it were a debut author, but that’s not the case here. The only excuse could be that this is written for the YA age group. Could it be that I missed out on something because I am not in the target age range for this book (though I did enjoy another YA fantasy just a few weeks back… Huh!) or was it simply a case of bad book timing? Not sure. All I know is, I found this overhyped. But as I said, this is a minority opinion. Quite a few readers have enjoyed this story. So do read other reviews before you make up your mind.
My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Story:
Mina’s village is ravaged by severe storms since decades. To appease the Sea God, a pretty young girl is thrown in to the sea to serve as his “bride” so that someday, he will choose the right bride and be appeased, thereby ending the calamities. This year, it’s the turn of Shim Cheong, the most beautiful girl in the village to be the Sea God’s bride. However, Cheong is in love with Joon, Mina’s beloved older brother. To keep the two lovers united, Mina makes a last minute sacrifice and throws herself into the sea.
Swept away to the Spirit realm by an underwater dragon, Mina is stunned to see that the Sea God is in an enchanted sleep. All she has for company is three strange young men – Shin, Namgi and Kirin – and a few spirits. But whom can she trust and who is out to get her? Will she able to serve her purpose and save her village?
The story is written in the first person perspective of Mina.
Where the book worked for me:
👌 The cover is outstanding. One of the main reasons I requested this book, other than the high praise it has been getting.
👌 The author is a Korean-American, so it is an #OwnVoices story in a way. She does justice to the traditional aspects of the myth.
👌 There is a fair bit of debate on Gods versus humans and the duties and responsibilities of each. I enjoyed this aspect of the plot.
👌 There are some really interesting secondary characters in the book.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
👎Lots of things seemed rushed, and paradoxically, lots of other things seemed dragged out. The pacing is so uneven that I didn’t get into a clear reading rhythm almost till the final quarter.
👎There is a lot of back and forth in the timeline at the start. After a while, I was irritated with the constant mulling over past events while in between a scene in the present. Thankfully, this is mainly in the initial 10% or so.
👎There’s hardly any character development. You get to see what the characters do but you don’t get to KNOW most of the characters. It felt very tough to connect with any of them because there’s just a surface-level exploration of their thoughts and actions.
👎I found the world building quite average. While some parts of the spirit world were outstanding – especially the river of souls, most of it left me feeling like I was gazing at a regular human world with spirits & other creatures instead of people.
👎The story becomes more and more convoluted as it progresses. Hardly anything makes sense and the plot development goes more in the “fit in the jigsaw pieces as and when you see them” approach. Too many coincidences, too many conveniences, hardly any complications or conflicts, some unexplained plot points.
👎There is the mandatory romantic arc but it is quite underdeveloped and rushed.
👎This is supposed to be a feminist retelling of a Korean myth. But the original myth also has a woman taking matters in her own hands, and this book too has the same, though admittedly, at a greater scale. Simply having a one strong lead woman doesn’t make a story feminist when most of her actions are still within the dictates of patriarchy. Mina is a good character but the plot isn’t a one-man show…oops, sorry…one-woman show; there are many strong male characters who have a major role to play in the proceedings. And most of the other female characters are stereotypical. Nope, this is not feminist enough to be called “feminist”.
Basically, the overall writing seemed very amateurish to me. I would have let this go if it were a debut author, but that’s not the case here. The only excuse could be that this is written for the YA age group. Could it be that I missed out on something because I am not in the target age range for this book (though I did enjoy another YA fantasy just a few weeks back… Huh!) or was it simply a case of bad book timing? Not sure. All I know is, I found this overhyped. But as I said, this is a minority opinion. Quite a few readers have enjoyed this story. So do read other reviews before you make up your mind.
My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
November 27, 2022
"The Spirit Realm is a vast and magical place, but the greatest of all its wonders is the Sea God's city. Some say the Sea God is a very old man. Some say he's a man in his prime, tall as a tree with a beard as black as slate. And others believe he might even be a dragon himself, made of wind and water. But whatever form the Sea God takes, the gods and spirits of the realm obey him, for he is the god of gods, and ruler of them all."
Have you ever read a book that you loved so much and you wanted to live in forever and you need sequels because you're never ready to say goodbye to these characters? Because same. 😭 The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a gorgeously written fantasy full of lively atmosphere and creative world building. The author creates such a lush setting that it feels as if you're reading the work of a decades seasoned writer, but with the talent that makes such writing accessible to fantasy readers of all levels. The book opens with a bang, and I was pleasantly surprised that Oh wastes no time getting things moving; basically all of the synopsis happens within the first chapter, which was a pleasant surprise!
Once our main character volunteers to be that year's Sea God bride, Mina enters the Spirit Realm and discovers the red string of fate, which is believed to connect a person to their destiny. We meet quite a few characters in the first 20% of the book, but it doesn't feel confusing; in fact, this form of storytelling was the perfect blend of world building without info dumping, as the author alternates between Mina discovering things as she progresses in the Spirit Realm and flashbacks to conversations with her grandmother in her hometown.
There's a bit of a mystery going forward, as we discover the Sea God is not in the state expected, and Mina joins a group of 3 men who she knows little about in trying to free the Sea God from a curse. Can she trust them? She really has no choice, as she only has one month before she will lose her soul forever and be detained in the Spirit Realm with no chance of returning to humanity if she doesn't.
"You claim the gods should love and care for humans. I disagree. I don't think love can be bought or earned or even prayed for. It must be freely given."
There's a bit of action and adventure, a bit of love, both romantic and platonic, and strong themes of found family that totally turned my heart to mush. Most of the big twists, I'll admit I did see coming, but it only added to my love of the story, more of a cheerful confirmation than anything feeling spoiled or let down. This story was 100% the escape I needed while reading, and I found myself lost within the pages of this story and the creative world that the author brought forward. It's been awhile since I've felt so engrossed in books that have made me not only continue thinking of them long after I finish reading them, but also immediately wanting to reread them once I turned the last page, and somehow I've found two such books this month!
If you're looking for a YA fantasy with mature writing, ease of readability, and a page length that won't keep you tied up for months or years (definitely no door stop here!), you need this gorgeous book in your life.
Have you ever read a book that you loved so much and you wanted to live in forever and you need sequels because you're never ready to say goodbye to these characters? Because same. 😭 The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a gorgeously written fantasy full of lively atmosphere and creative world building. The author creates such a lush setting that it feels as if you're reading the work of a decades seasoned writer, but with the talent that makes such writing accessible to fantasy readers of all levels. The book opens with a bang, and I was pleasantly surprised that Oh wastes no time getting things moving; basically all of the synopsis happens within the first chapter, which was a pleasant surprise!
Once our main character volunteers to be that year's Sea God bride, Mina enters the Spirit Realm and discovers the red string of fate, which is believed to connect a person to their destiny. We meet quite a few characters in the first 20% of the book, but it doesn't feel confusing; in fact, this form of storytelling was the perfect blend of world building without info dumping, as the author alternates between Mina discovering things as she progresses in the Spirit Realm and flashbacks to conversations with her grandmother in her hometown.
There's a bit of a mystery going forward, as we discover the Sea God is not in the state expected, and Mina joins a group of 3 men who she knows little about in trying to free the Sea God from a curse. Can she trust them? She really has no choice, as she only has one month before she will lose her soul forever and be detained in the Spirit Realm with no chance of returning to humanity if she doesn't.
"You claim the gods should love and care for humans. I disagree. I don't think love can be bought or earned or even prayed for. It must be freely given."
There's a bit of action and adventure, a bit of love, both romantic and platonic, and strong themes of found family that totally turned my heart to mush. Most of the big twists, I'll admit I did see coming, but it only added to my love of the story, more of a cheerful confirmation than anything feeling spoiled or let down. This story was 100% the escape I needed while reading, and I found myself lost within the pages of this story and the creative world that the author brought forward. It's been awhile since I've felt so engrossed in books that have made me not only continue thinking of them long after I finish reading them, but also immediately wanting to reread them once I turned the last page, and somehow I've found two such books this month!
If you're looking for a YA fantasy with mature writing, ease of readability, and a page length that won't keep you tied up for months or years (definitely no door stop here!), you need this gorgeous book in your life.
September 20, 2024
Deadly storms have ravaged Mina's homeland for generations. The people believe the Sea God has cursed them. Therefore, every year, a young girl is thrown into the sea in an effort to appease him.
It is believed that these girls will serve as the Sea God's wife until the next girl is sacrificed. Eventually one of the girls will be chosen as his true bride and the curse will end.
Mina's older brother, Joon's beloved, Shim Cheong, is the most beautiful girl in the village. Unfortunately, because of her beauty, Shim Cheong is set to be sacrificed. Joon will be heartbroken. Mina cannot let that happen.
So, on the fated night, Mina takes Shim Cheong's place by throwing herself into the sea.
Guided by a majestic and slightly frightening dragon through the water, Mina enters the spirit world, where things are not quite as she expected.
The Sea God isn't maniacally twirling his mustache, plotting evil deeds to unleash upon her village. He's actually trapped in an enchanted sleep.
If she has any hope of ending the curse, Mina needs him awake. How else is he to choose her as his true bride?
Along with some new friends, including a mysterious boy named Shin, Mina sets out on a mission to try to discover the secret to waking him up. Time is not on her side, however, as humans can only survive in the Spirit realm for a short period of time. The pressure is on.
I had a great experience with this audiobook. The narrator did an incredible job bringing such a dreamy narrative to life. I was transported.
You might even say I was spirited away...
I have since discovered that this is actually a retelling of the classic Korean folktale, The Tale of Shim Cheong. I would love to get my hands on that now.
This was absolutely enchanting and I would be very interested to see how closely it connects to the original source material.
The entire story is so beautiful, so epic, so lyrical and so freaking amazing. I just can't even express all the feels. I am clearly over the moon for this one.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Dreamscape Media, for providing me a copy of the audiobook to read and review. You better believe I will be snatching this up on release day!!!
It is believed that these girls will serve as the Sea God's wife until the next girl is sacrificed. Eventually one of the girls will be chosen as his true bride and the curse will end.
Mina's older brother, Joon's beloved, Shim Cheong, is the most beautiful girl in the village. Unfortunately, because of her beauty, Shim Cheong is set to be sacrificed. Joon will be heartbroken. Mina cannot let that happen.
So, on the fated night, Mina takes Shim Cheong's place by throwing herself into the sea.
Guided by a majestic and slightly frightening dragon through the water, Mina enters the spirit world, where things are not quite as she expected.
The Sea God isn't maniacally twirling his mustache, plotting evil deeds to unleash upon her village. He's actually trapped in an enchanted sleep.
If she has any hope of ending the curse, Mina needs him awake. How else is he to choose her as his true bride?
Along with some new friends, including a mysterious boy named Shin, Mina sets out on a mission to try to discover the secret to waking him up. Time is not on her side, however, as humans can only survive in the Spirit realm for a short period of time. The pressure is on.
I had a great experience with this audiobook. The narrator did an incredible job bringing such a dreamy narrative to life. I was transported.
You might even say I was spirited away...
I have since discovered that this is actually a retelling of the classic Korean folktale, The Tale of Shim Cheong. I would love to get my hands on that now.
This was absolutely enchanting and I would be very interested to see how closely it connects to the original source material.
The entire story is so beautiful, so epic, so lyrical and so freaking amazing. I just can't even express all the feels. I am clearly over the moon for this one.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Dreamscape Media, for providing me a copy of the audiobook to read and review. You better believe I will be snatching this up on release day!!!
March 6, 2024
‘Sometimes, only through a story can a truth be heard.’
They say to never judge a book by it’s cover but, for real, look at this book cover. I figured if the cover of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh could enchant me so much I’d think about it for days, surely the book would do the same when I finally picked it up. Luckily for me, I was right. Loosely based on the Korean tale The Tale of Shim Ch'ŏng (심청전) and bursting with Miyazaki vibes, Axie Oh spins a delightful tale of 16 year old Mina’s adventures in the spirit realm when she sacrifices herself to be the bride of the Sea God in place of her brother’s lover who had been chosen to be the 100th and, hopefully, final bride. While a bit uneven at times, this is a heartwarming tale about family (blood and chosen), hope, loyalty, fate and the power of storytelling, wrapped in a lush fantasy realm that delivers.
‘Nothing extraordinary is ever done out of reason or logic, but because it’s the only way for your soul to breathe.’
This book has frequently been compared to the film Spirited Away, which is an apt comparison with many overlapping themes and similar world full of power struggles and characters who are not what they appear to be, and although there are times that they did feel a bit overly similar it still makes for an enjoyable experience. The heroine, Mina, is a witty and strong-willed lead and she certainly won my heart with her determination in the face of a pretty extreme situation. Upon arriving in the spirit realm, she has one month to complete her goals or she loses her mortality and each step along the way tends to unveil more questions than answers. The book takes off right out of the gate, launching us directly into the action and allows the backstory and character building to occur during the action or in quiet moments of reflection, which I found really kept the story moving and unfolding in a productive way though it does tend to read as a bit jumpy at times.
The characters are pretty great, if only a bit cliched. This book has tons of sass too, which I am here for and gives an overall wry charm to the book that pulls it through the clunkier moments that tend to rely on telling more than showing. While this is very plot driven, with a whole barrage of twists and turns that keep you on your toes, the real heart of the novel are the characters and the bonds they form. ‘Sometimes you don't find family in your own blood, but elsewhere,’ and this book does well to show Mina’s dedication to her family as well as the companions she meets along the way. It is a pretty well-populated fantasy realm with everything from souls who chose to not pass on, other Sea God brides, fox demons, assassins, minor gods and more. Axie Oh does an excellent job at creating a nuanced and complex spirit realm political climate that pits many of the gods against each other.
Much of the story involves Mina realizing the gods are much different than she expected. The human world is in turmoil, with her people thwarted by deadly storms and they hope the gods will hear their prayers and bring about peace. The gods, however, don’t really give a shit and don’t see why they should. Prayers are not only unanswered but unread. Lord Shin explains as such, annoyed by her belief she can petition the gods with prayer:
This early twist in the role of gods to the mortal world is quite fascinating and sets Mina on a more difficult path when she realizes Shin thinks the gods should be protected from her and the humans rather than serve her needs. I all leads to a valuable lesson, however, that ‘love can't be bought or earned or even prayed for. It must be freely given.’
‘There are many pathways destiny can take.’
Perhaps the best aspect of this novel is the focus on Mina having agency in her world. There is a great look at fate versus free will, literalized into Mina’s quest by a red ribbon connecting her to her destiny. In an early twist, the ribbon changes to whom it is connected, shocking even the cold, calculating Lord Shin. This is a lovely theme, particularly in a YA novel to remind readers that they have agency in their lives and that they can fight for the futures they deserve and need. It is also a good lesson to be true to yourself like Mina, ‘the girl who, by saving herself, saves the world.’ This ties back to Shin’s belief that humans need to understand their fates are their own and that relying on prayer will yield no results when they could learn to better interact, communicate and create a world that benefits all.
It is a lesson we can all take to heart, to remember we have agency in the greater scheme of the world and to take action.
‘Stories are both an escape from the truths of the world and the only way to see them clearly.’
While I wonder if this book would have worked better with some reworking to make it a middle-grade novel (it practically is already), this was still an enjoyable foray into fantasy. The book truly reads like stepping into a myth with Oh’s immersive and imaginate world. This is a sweet and well written adventure, a fun look at Korean mythology, and an empowering novel.
3.5/5
‘And never was it for anyone's sake but my own. I couldn't endure in a world where I did nothing, where I let those I love suffer and be hurt.’
They say to never judge a book by it’s cover but, for real, look at this book cover. I figured if the cover of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh could enchant me so much I’d think about it for days, surely the book would do the same when I finally picked it up. Luckily for me, I was right. Loosely based on the Korean tale The Tale of Shim Ch'ŏng (심청전) and bursting with Miyazaki vibes, Axie Oh spins a delightful tale of 16 year old Mina’s adventures in the spirit realm when she sacrifices herself to be the bride of the Sea God in place of her brother’s lover who had been chosen to be the 100th and, hopefully, final bride. While a bit uneven at times, this is a heartwarming tale about family (blood and chosen), hope, loyalty, fate and the power of storytelling, wrapped in a lush fantasy realm that delivers.
‘Nothing extraordinary is ever done out of reason or logic, but because it’s the only way for your soul to breathe.’
This book has frequently been compared to the film Spirited Away, which is an apt comparison with many overlapping themes and similar world full of power struggles and characters who are not what they appear to be, and although there are times that they did feel a bit overly similar it still makes for an enjoyable experience. The heroine, Mina, is a witty and strong-willed lead and she certainly won my heart with her determination in the face of a pretty extreme situation. Upon arriving in the spirit realm, she has one month to complete her goals or she loses her mortality and each step along the way tends to unveil more questions than answers. The book takes off right out of the gate, launching us directly into the action and allows the backstory and character building to occur during the action or in quiet moments of reflection, which I found really kept the story moving and unfolding in a productive way though it does tend to read as a bit jumpy at times.
The characters are pretty great, if only a bit cliched. This book has tons of sass too, which I am here for and gives an overall wry charm to the book that pulls it through the clunkier moments that tend to rely on telling more than showing. While this is very plot driven, with a whole barrage of twists and turns that keep you on your toes, the real heart of the novel are the characters and the bonds they form. ‘Sometimes you don't find family in your own blood, but elsewhere,’ and this book does well to show Mina’s dedication to her family as well as the companions she meets along the way. It is a pretty well-populated fantasy realm with everything from souls who chose to not pass on, other Sea God brides, fox demons, assassins, minor gods and more. Axie Oh does an excellent job at creating a nuanced and complex spirit realm political climate that pits many of the gods against each other.
Much of the story involves Mina realizing the gods are much different than she expected. The human world is in turmoil, with her people thwarted by deadly storms and they hope the gods will hear their prayers and bring about peace. The gods, however, don’t really give a shit and don’t see why they should. Prayers are not only unanswered but unread. Lord Shin explains as such, annoyed by her belief she can petition the gods with prayer:
‘That's just like a human to think the world revolves around you, to think the rivers are for you, the sky, the sea is for you. You are just one of many parts of the world, and in my opinion, the one that blights them all.’
This early twist in the role of gods to the mortal world is quite fascinating and sets Mina on a more difficult path when she realizes Shin thinks the gods should be protected from her and the humans rather than serve her needs. I all leads to a valuable lesson, however, that ‘love can't be bought or earned or even prayed for. It must be freely given.’
‘There are many pathways destiny can take.’
Perhaps the best aspect of this novel is the focus on Mina having agency in her world. There is a great look at fate versus free will, literalized into Mina’s quest by a red ribbon connecting her to her destiny. In an early twist, the ribbon changes to whom it is connected, shocking even the cold, calculating Lord Shin. This is a lovely theme, particularly in a YA novel to remind readers that they have agency in their lives and that they can fight for the futures they deserve and need. It is also a good lesson to be true to yourself like Mina, ‘the girl who, by saving herself, saves the world.’ This ties back to Shin’s belief that humans need to understand their fates are their own and that relying on prayer will yield no results when they could learn to better interact, communicate and create a world that benefits all.
’Your people suffer not because of any great will of the gods, but because of their own violent acts. They wage the wars that burn the forests and fields. They spill the blood that pollutes the rivers and streams. To blame the gods is to blame the land itself. Look upon your reflection to find your enemy.’
It is a lesson we can all take to heart, to remember we have agency in the greater scheme of the world and to take action.
‘Stories are both an escape from the truths of the world and the only way to see them clearly.’
While I wonder if this book would have worked better with some reworking to make it a middle-grade novel (it practically is already), this was still an enjoyable foray into fantasy. The book truly reads like stepping into a myth with Oh’s immersive and imaginate world. This is a sweet and well written adventure, a fun look at Korean mythology, and an empowering novel.
3.5/5
‘And never was it for anyone's sake but my own. I couldn't endure in a world where I did nothing, where I let those I love suffer and be hurt.’
August 20, 2023
I am in love.
It takes a lot for me to love a book. I give out 2-starred-reviews like popcorn because I am incredibly picky, especially when it comes to YA Historical Fantasy like this. I read this ARC blind, only have read the description briefly, and have stared at the cover for 24h, because I truly didn't have any expectations. I requested this ARC solely for the cover, so I started this book with a "meh whatever". Instead of a mediocre sandwich I had expected, I got a whole feast with everything I have ever wanted.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a story about Mina Song, a sixteen-year-old girl from a small village that had been ravaged by natural catastrophes. People believed that the suffering comes from the wrath of the Sea God. Every year a beautiful girl will be thrown into the ocean as a sacrifice to the Sea God. Mina has thrown herself in the ocean to save her beloved brother's wife. As a human in the Spirit Realm, Mina is determined to save her people before it's too late.
I cannot begin to describe how stunning the writing is. I have heard good things about Axie Oh's writing, but nothing could have prepared me for this. The prose is incredibly elegant, and it embraces the dreamy side of Asian mythology/fairytales. There are a lot of Asian myths in the book, which embellish the original story even more.
I adore every single character. They are lovely individuals, with the real motives that justify their actions. I adore Shin, Namgi, and Mask. Every character has depth, and I think that's why I love the romance so much. The soulmate trope in this book killed me and there was one passage so painful (featuring an unconscious Mina and Shin - if you know you know) that I ended up crying in the train.
Overall The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea has become one of my all-time favorites. I am glad that I have discovered it because the ride was just a magnificent experience.
Big regards to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for providing me with this digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
It takes a lot for me to love a book. I give out 2-starred-reviews like popcorn because I am incredibly picky, especially when it comes to YA Historical Fantasy like this. I read this ARC blind, only have read the description briefly, and have stared at the cover for 24h, because I truly didn't have any expectations. I requested this ARC solely for the cover, so I started this book with a "meh whatever". Instead of a mediocre sandwich I had expected, I got a whole feast with everything I have ever wanted.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a story about Mina Song, a sixteen-year-old girl from a small village that had been ravaged by natural catastrophes. People believed that the suffering comes from the wrath of the Sea God. Every year a beautiful girl will be thrown into the ocean as a sacrifice to the Sea God. Mina has thrown herself in the ocean to save her beloved brother's wife. As a human in the Spirit Realm, Mina is determined to save her people before it's too late.
I cannot begin to describe how stunning the writing is. I have heard good things about Axie Oh's writing, but nothing could have prepared me for this. The prose is incredibly elegant, and it embraces the dreamy side of Asian mythology/fairytales. There are a lot of Asian myths in the book, which embellish the original story even more.
I adore every single character. They are lovely individuals, with the real motives that justify their actions. I adore Shin, Namgi, and Mask. Every character has depth, and I think that's why I love the romance so much. The soulmate trope in this book killed me and there was one passage so painful (featuring an unconscious Mina and Shin - if you know you know) that I ended up crying in the train.
Overall The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea has become one of my all-time favorites. I am glad that I have discovered it because the ride was just a magnificent experience.
Big regards to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for providing me with this digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Shelved as 'maybe'
April 13, 2021yet another pretty book cover with pretty Asian girl I am gay for to add to the collection!
November 29, 2022
Now a Goodreads Choice Nominee in YA Fantasy!!
Glad to have finished 2021 strong with The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea as my final read of the year! (completed on Dec 29th, review written….some days after)
Mina did not plan on become the Sea God’s latest bride, only wishing to save her brother Joon from the storm’s wrath. But Joon followed the beautiful Shim Cheong out to sea when it was decided she would be sacrificed, and so Mina went after him. Then it all happens in a moment—Cheong hesitates, Joon steps out in front of her and Mina makes the decision to throw herself into the sea instead. But instead of being swallowed up and drowned by the thrashing waters, Mina is whisked away to the Spirit Realm, where the Sea God resides.
She follows the Red String of Fate, a tie between Mina and her newly betrothed, through the empty town until she reaches the palace gates. Upon entry Mina finds the Sea God is not the all-powerful being she was expecting, and can’t imagine a life as his bride. Then with the flash of a blade, Mina’s fate is altered once more. And if she wants to save the human world, Mina will have to work together with a mysterious god named Shin, some rogue spirits who seem to know her already and an assortment of other inhabitants of the Spirit Realm.
I’m going to start with what I’m sure is the burning question of anyone thinking of reading this book: ‘Is it actually just like Spirited Away?!??’ Yes and no, but I can definitely see where the comparison comes from. Obviously there’s the journey of a mortal girl into the Spirit Realm, as well as . And I think both stories carry a certain level of high-stakes whimsy where everything around the protagonist is magical and interesting, but also potentially deadly and often fairly menacing.
But apart from obvious plot differences, I think the tone of the two don’t entirely match up. The first half of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea resembles it more because Mina is in a unfamiliar place, exploring and unsure of what the rules of her new environment are. She’s meeting strange people and you’re not quite sure whether they’re harmless or malevolent. The second half is more a traditional folklore, where the heroine must solve a problem in order to save the people she cares about.
What I appreciated about The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea was the blending of myth from The Tale of Shim Ch'ŏng with original characters and storylines. It’s a retelling that realigns the focus onto characters that would normally exist in the periphery, but still feels exciting for readers who are not familiar with the source material. The book starts quickly, moves at an exciting, even pace and eventually comes to a fulfilling end that pays homage to the referenced mythology. Though not exactly Spirited Away, I could see this making a compelling anime in its own right.
*Thanks to Fierce Reads for an advance review copy!
**For more book talk & reviews, follow me on Instagram at @elle_mentbooks!
Glad to have finished 2021 strong with The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea as my final read of the year! (completed on Dec 29th, review written….some days after)
Mina did not plan on become the Sea God’s latest bride, only wishing to save her brother Joon from the storm’s wrath. But Joon followed the beautiful Shim Cheong out to sea when it was decided she would be sacrificed, and so Mina went after him. Then it all happens in a moment—Cheong hesitates, Joon steps out in front of her and Mina makes the decision to throw herself into the sea instead. But instead of being swallowed up and drowned by the thrashing waters, Mina is whisked away to the Spirit Realm, where the Sea God resides.
She follows the Red String of Fate, a tie between Mina and her newly betrothed, through the empty town until she reaches the palace gates. Upon entry Mina finds the Sea God is not the all-powerful being she was expecting, and can’t imagine a life as his bride. Then with the flash of a blade, Mina’s fate is altered once more. And if she wants to save the human world, Mina will have to work together with a mysterious god named Shin, some rogue spirits who seem to know her already and an assortment of other inhabitants of the Spirit Realm.
I’m going to start with what I’m sure is the burning question of anyone thinking of reading this book: ‘Is it actually just like Spirited Away?!??’ Yes and no, but I can definitely see where the comparison comes from. Obviously there’s the journey of a mortal girl into the Spirit Realm, as well as . And I think both stories carry a certain level of high-stakes whimsy where everything around the protagonist is magical and interesting, but also potentially deadly and often fairly menacing.
But apart from obvious plot differences, I think the tone of the two don’t entirely match up. The first half of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea resembles it more because Mina is in a unfamiliar place, exploring and unsure of what the rules of her new environment are. She’s meeting strange people and you’re not quite sure whether they’re harmless or malevolent. The second half is more a traditional folklore, where the heroine must solve a problem in order to save the people she cares about.
What I appreciated about The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea was the blending of myth from The Tale of Shim Ch'ŏng with original characters and storylines. It’s a retelling that realigns the focus onto characters that would normally exist in the periphery, but still feels exciting for readers who are not familiar with the source material. The book starts quickly, moves at an exciting, even pace and eventually comes to a fulfilling end that pays homage to the referenced mythology. Though not exactly Spirited Away, I could see this making a compelling anime in its own right.
*Thanks to Fierce Reads for an advance review copy!
**For more book talk & reviews, follow me on Instagram at @elle_mentbooks!
March 31, 2022
Beautiful Fairyloot edition! Click on link to see it and the goodies!
BLOG: https://melissa413readsalot.blogspot....
4.5 Stars
This cover is so damn beautiful!
Also, SPIRITED AWAY is one of my favorite movies and this reminds me nothing of the movie, (spirits & river Gods but not like the movie at all) but it’s good on its own 😉
Hodderscape
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
BLOG: https://melissa413readsalot.blogspot....
4.5 Stars
This cover is so damn beautiful!
Also, SPIRITED AWAY is one of my favorite movies and this reminds me nothing of the movie, (spirits & river Gods but not like the movie at all) but it’s good on its own 😉
Hodderscape
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
July 19, 2024
🪻 ┆︎𓏲⋆. 4 stars – no spoilers : ౨ৎ ˚
𓂃 : 𓈒 ⤹ ⠀i'm out of my slump (finally) but this book wasn't enough to pull me out of it so i reached page 100 and then read what happened during the rest of the book in someone else's review :(
・it was good but i guess the right book, but the wrong time? not sure but the writing was giving ann liang so i'm sad it was the wrong time. i also really wanted to give a try at axie oh but maybe i'll read her xoxo series instead <3 plus, i felt like the ending was kind of predictable ... ⠀ ⤸ 𓈒 : 𓂃
— buddy read with iris, noorj, lila, ri and saffiyah <333
𓂃 : 𓈒 ⤹ ⠀i'm out of my slump (finally) but this book wasn't enough to pull me out of it so i reached page 100 and then read what happened during the rest of the book in someone else's review :(
・it was good but i guess the right book, but the wrong time? not sure but the writing was giving ann liang so i'm sad it was the wrong time. i also really wanted to give a try at axie oh but maybe i'll read her xoxo series instead <3 plus, i felt like the ending was kind of predictable ... ⠀ ⤸ 𓈒 : 𓂃
— buddy read with iris, noorj, lila, ri and saffiyah <333
Read
August 7, 2022🦪🐳 Sad ⭐ Sea Star 🦈🌊
Adventure in Sea God's City✔️ Be His Bride ✔️ Am I Excited ?✔️✔️
A girl names Mina sacrifices herself to be the Sea God's bride and has the Red String of Fate ties with the Sea God.
Idk.. there might be ten thousand or million manhwas in Korea. But Perhaps, the Red String might tied me with this fate? or these stories. Thanks to My big sister who's vivid fan of this series. She's just like grand mother in these 2 stories who enthuse to tell theheroine me her favorite K-comics. "She's the bride of Habaek, Pang! has the same face with blah. blah blah..."
YES! My Friends.. Ever since I finished CHAPTER 1, the first thing that came to my mind is the Korean Manhwa "Bride of the Water God" by Mi-Kyung Yun. Even I keep reading on and on, it's still there and never been less.
🦪🐋 See my reading status below which I updated almost every idea, speech, and plot twist. Same story that even I read more and more, I can predict what's gonna happened! SAME Details that make this book super predictable! I'm ok if based on their world-building (but with new plot), or some inspiration. Little vibes are also cute. Not same, Same, SAME that make the whole book bloody boring 🐟🐟 🌊..
Sad, Shim Cheong retelling can created to be Very Romantic Fantasy Romance that.. even reader like me might wish to replace the heroine to be Sea God's Bride as I want to replace Soah to be Hot as Hell H's bride who I had crush on with.
'Big Thanks to my sister who encourage and recommend me her favorite manhwa series names in Thai translated version as "เจ้าสาวของฮาแบ็ค" I borrow this picture from Thai website, btw.'
I'm here, emotionally writing this review to tell everyone that please read "Bride of the Water God" first before dive into this book, and prove by yourself. Pls! meet Mui, Habaek, Soah and their beautiful romance, first.
** As much as I want to promote this Asian Myth novel, I want the whole world to know that Manhwa as well.
Adventure in Sea God's City✔️ Be His Bride ✔️ Am I Excited ?✔️✔️
A girl names Mina sacrifices herself to be the Sea God's bride and has the Red String of Fate ties with the Sea God.
Idk.. there might be ten thousand or million manhwas in Korea. But Perhaps, the Red String might tied me with this fate? or these stories. Thanks to My big sister who's vivid fan of this series. She's just like grand mother in these 2 stories who enthuse to tell the
YES! My Friends.. Ever since I finished CHAPTER 1, the first thing that came to my mind is the Korean Manhwa "Bride of the Water God" by Mi-Kyung Yun. Even I keep reading on and on, it's still there and never been less.
🦪🐋 See my reading status below which I updated almost every idea, speech, and plot twist. Same story that even I read more and more, I can predict what's gonna happened! SAME Details that make this book super predictable! I'm ok if based on their world-building (but with new plot), or some inspiration. Little vibes are also cute. Not same, Same, SAME that make the whole book bloody boring 🐟🐟 🌊..
Sad, Shim Cheong retelling can created to be Very Romantic Fantasy Romance that.. even reader like me might wish to replace the heroine to be Sea God's Bride as I want to replace Soah to be Hot as Hell H's bride who I had crush on with.
'Big Thanks to my sister who encourage and recommend me her favorite manhwa series names in Thai translated version as "เจ้าสาวของฮาแบ็ค" I borrow this picture from Thai website, btw.'
I'm here, emotionally writing this review to tell everyone that please read "Bride of the Water God" first before dive into this book, and prove by yourself. Pls! meet Mui, Habaek, Soah and their beautiful romance, first.
** As much as I want to promote this Asian Myth novel, I want the whole world to know that Manhwa as well.
April 16, 2022
This reminded me a lot of Spirited Away with a dash of YA romance. Fun, magical read with a cast of lovable characters.
February 18, 2023
While I loved the world building and setting of this retelling of Korean Legend. I felt like the writing style didn't do the story justice. I feel like the nature of the story would have benefitted from a more descriptive and flowery writing style.
If you enjoyed this book I do think you would also really enjoy God of Jade & Shadow by Silvia Moreno Garcia.
If you enjoyed this book I do think you would also really enjoy God of Jade & Shadow by Silvia Moreno Garcia.
Want to read
April 20, 2021this is a book inspired by spirited away and korean mythology, AND has a gorgeous cover?! everything i could possibly need!
August 1, 2023
2.5⭐️ it feels like i have to get high to enjoy this book
February 15, 2024
“Nothing extraordinary is ever done out of reason or logic, but because it’s the only way for your soul to breathe.”
This book was a perfect enchanting and whimsical escape. This gave me major studio ghibli vibes and spirited away vibes! The girl who fell beneath the sea is a feminist retelling of a Korean folk tale “The Tale of Shim Cheong”.
The story started when Mina sacrificed herself in place of Shim Cheong the chosen bride for the Sea God to help her villagers who are tortured for over a century because of Sea God's wrath. She then swept away into the Spirit Realm of gods and mythical beats and dragons with the only motive to break Sea God's curse.
This is one of best fantasy standalone I have ever read and the pacing was fast which only made me read more and more. The imagery is wonderful and an enchanting experience with the beautiful and exquisite world building which is easy to understand.
I also loved reading about different houses in their magical world of fog and storms and how the gods worked and dealt in their world, what happens after death, about the red string of fate, the beauty and mysteries of their world and the way Mina breaks the curse. I also loved the found family trope in this and how they all teased and protected each other. Everything was just perfect.
The romance between Shin and Mina was sweet and beautiful and there were times I was absolutely swooning because Shin and Mina were so endearing. Their first meet was a catastrophic disaster with Shin stealing the most important thing from her. They went from hating each other and fated soulmates to loving and choosing each other. The way they both cared for each other was so precious and I wish we got more of them in this book because it was not enough.
➸ Mina: The girl who's kind, selfless and incredibly fierce and loved her family and her people enough to sacrifice herself to the raging storm as a Sea God's bride. Her determination made me realise that you can do anything as long as you believe in yourself and her courage to see through the hard times and to truly appreciate the good times in your life. I loved how she was so down to earth with all her mythical stories that her grandmother taught her.
➸ Shin: The grumpy assassin who's loyal, kind and giving and is always ready to protect Sea God with his life. He's just amazing even though he's grumpy and cold most of the times. I loved how he helped Mina even though he never believed in Gods or curse. The way he protected her and opened up to her about his feelings was beatiful.
➸ Kirin: I NEED his book! Even with his usual "You don't wanna mess with me" personality he can be sweet and caring when he wants to.
➸ Namgi: He is funny and caring and loves his brothers—Shin and Kirin with all his life. He's so precious!
➸ Dai & Miki: The cutest duo! I hate kids but Miki is the most adorable kid and the way Dai protected her everytime and loved her was so endearing.
➸ Mask: I liked her and the way she and Dai and Miki guided Mina to her journey while also helping her to break the curse.
The ending was a bit rushed in my opinion. The plot twist was shocking and I never expected that! And I also want Shiki the death god and Hyeri's book! Their little crumbs in this book everything and I NEED their book!
Overall, this book was a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone who just wants a fast paced fantasy standalone!
——————————
Buddy reading this with bestie Rae 🤭💗
This book was a perfect enchanting and whimsical escape. This gave me major studio ghibli vibes and spirited away vibes! The girl who fell beneath the sea is a feminist retelling of a Korean folk tale “The Tale of Shim Cheong”.
“I am the maker of my own destiny.”
The story started when Mina sacrificed herself in place of Shim Cheong the chosen bride for the Sea God to help her villagers who are tortured for over a century because of Sea God's wrath. She then swept away into the Spirit Realm of gods and mythical beats and dragons with the only motive to break Sea God's curse.
“Then there are the girls like my sister, who want to be the Sea God’s bride because it hurts too much to be themselves.”
This is one of best fantasy standalone I have ever read and the pacing was fast which only made me read more and more. The imagery is wonderful and an enchanting experience with the beautiful and exquisite world building which is easy to understand.
“I wonder if it happens in a day, for your fate to change. Or if it takes longer for your life to be stolen from you.”
I also loved reading about different houses in their magical world of fog and storms and how the gods worked and dealt in their world, what happens after death, about the red string of fate, the beauty and mysteries of their world and the way Mina breaks the curse. I also loved the found family trope in this and how they all teased and protected each other. Everything was just perfect.
“Sometimes you don’t find family in your own blood, but elsewhere.”
The romance between Shin and Mina was sweet and beautiful and there were times I was absolutely swooning because Shin and Mina were so endearing. Their first meet was a catastrophic disaster with Shin stealing the most important thing from her. They went from hating each other and fated soulmates to loving and choosing each other. The way they both cared for each other was so precious and I wish we got more of them in this book because it was not enough.
“I was angry, but not at you. I was angry at the fate I’d been given. Because I realized that in order for you to have what you want, I’d have to lose the only thing I’ve ever wanted.”
➸ Mina: The girl who's kind, selfless and incredibly fierce and loved her family and her people enough to sacrifice herself to the raging storm as a Sea God's bride. Her determination made me realise that you can do anything as long as you believe in yourself and her courage to see through the hard times and to truly appreciate the good times in your life. I loved how she was so down to earth with all her mythical stories that her grandmother taught her.
➸ Shin: The grumpy assassin who's loyal, kind and giving and is always ready to protect Sea God with his life. He's just amazing even though he's grumpy and cold most of the times. I loved how he helped Mina even though he never believed in Gods or curse. The way he protected her and opened up to her about his feelings was beatiful.
➸ Kirin: I NEED his book! Even with his usual "You don't wanna mess with me" personality he can be sweet and caring when he wants to.
➸ Namgi: He is funny and caring and loves his brothers—Shin and Kirin with all his life. He's so precious!
➸ Dai & Miki: The cutest duo! I hate kids but Miki is the most adorable kid and the way Dai protected her everytime and loved her was so endearing.
“Do you know how much I love you, Miki?” Dai whispers softly. “Even I don’t know. My love for you is endless. Deep and endless, like the sea.”
➸ Mask: I liked her and the way she and Dai and Miki guided Mina to her journey while also helping her to break the curse.
The ending was a bit rushed in my opinion. The plot twist was shocking and I never expected that! And I also want Shiki the death god and Hyeri's book! Their little crumbs in this book everything and I NEED their book!
Overall, this book was a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone who just wants a fast paced fantasy standalone!
——————————
Buddy reading this with bestie Rae 🤭💗
November 21, 2022
For the life of me, I don't know what happened to my review for this book, it simply disappeared and I only noticed today... I know I posted one!
Anyway, I don't recall what I said in my now disappeared longer review, but suffice to say I adored this book very much. The plot reminds me a bit of the "Bride of the Water God" manga, but with more emotion and less wandering around. Would recommend this!
Anyway, I don't recall what I said in my now disappeared longer review, but suffice to say I adored this book very much. The plot reminds me a bit of the "Bride of the Water God" manga, but with more emotion and less wandering around. Would recommend this!
June 22, 2022
Star Rating: —> 5 Stars
🌟⭐️🌟⭐️🌟
I generously received an ARC of this book from the author/ publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Oh My (Sea) God, this was just... absolutely everything I could've asked for. If you follow my reviews, you know how much I love world mythologies, especially East Asian folklore/mythologies.... and this retelling based on Korean Mythology was just absolute PERFECTION.
I mean, I shamelessly cried my eyes out at the end, which is 100% due to the effect of this AMAZING book! The visual imagery in this novel is otherworldly, literally—it is a sort of portal fantasy (PORTAL FANTASY! Another absolute FAVORITE genre of mine! Woo! I TOLD you this novel was perfection, and I freakin' meant it! Haha), and is so full of the whimsical, the fantastical, & is just so heartwarming, its like a freaking literary hug!
If you like Spirited Away or other Studio Ghibli films, you will LOVE this! Anime fans? TRY THIS ONE!
This novel, at its core, is about the heart in many intricate ways—and it certainly forever spirited a piece of MY heart away. ♥️
It also is just such a beautiful (well, everything, but I digress) dedication to storytelling—an absolute work of art in every way, shape, & form.
The world building? IMAGINATIVE & EXTRAORDINARY!
Character development? WONDERFUL & COMPLEX!
(Ahhh & there's a Kirin!!! One of my top 3 FAVORITE East Asian mythology creatures! Another being water dragons which I mean duh! *sigh* this novel has my heart, stilllllll)
Axie Oh has done it again folks! Though this is definitely my favorite novel i've read by her so far! *sighs dreamily*
I highly, highly recommend.
Many thanks to the author, Macmillan, & NetGalley for the ARC.
______________
OMGGGGGG 2022 PLS THESE FREAKING COVERS & blurbs for such a wonderful diverse selection of asian folklore/mythology inspired 2022 releases!!! 😍😍😍 i'm in heaven. CAN. NOT. WAIT! (For the contemporaries and such as well!!!)
🌟⭐️🌟⭐️🌟
I generously received an ARC of this book from the author/ publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Oh My (Sea) God, this was just... absolutely everything I could've asked for. If you follow my reviews, you know how much I love world mythologies, especially East Asian folklore/mythologies.... and this retelling based on Korean Mythology was just absolute PERFECTION.
I mean, I shamelessly cried my eyes out at the end, which is 100% due to the effect of this AMAZING book! The visual imagery in this novel is otherworldly, literally—it is a sort of portal fantasy (PORTAL FANTASY! Another absolute FAVORITE genre of mine! Woo! I TOLD you this novel was perfection, and I freakin' meant it! Haha), and is so full of the whimsical, the fantastical, & is just so heartwarming, its like a freaking literary hug!
If you like Spirited Away or other Studio Ghibli films, you will LOVE this! Anime fans? TRY THIS ONE!
This novel, at its core, is about the heart in many intricate ways—and it certainly forever spirited a piece of MY heart away. ♥️
It also is just such a beautiful (well, everything, but I digress) dedication to storytelling—an absolute work of art in every way, shape, & form.
The world building? IMAGINATIVE & EXTRAORDINARY!
Character development? WONDERFUL & COMPLEX!
(Ahhh & there's a Kirin!!! One of my top 3 FAVORITE East Asian mythology creatures! Another being water dragons which I mean duh! *sigh* this novel has my heart, stilllllll)
Axie Oh has done it again folks! Though this is definitely my favorite novel i've read by her so far! *sighs dreamily*
I highly, highly recommend.
Many thanks to the author, Macmillan, & NetGalley for the ARC.
______________
OMGGGGGG 2022 PLS THESE FREAKING COVERS & blurbs for such a wonderful diverse selection of asian folklore/mythology inspired 2022 releases!!! 😍😍😍 i'm in heaven. CAN. NOT. WAIT! (For the contemporaries and such as well!!!)
February 19, 2022
Wow. I have so many thoughts about this book, and most (all?) of them are negative. I have to try to break it down coherently so I don't go on an endless rant. I'm definitely going to come back and edit this review later, but I had to get my thoughts down quickly!
I'll start by saying I was very excited about this book. The cover was beautiful, the premise very interesting, and it already had some great reviews. But I quickly realised I had been catfished.
So the book started off really, really badly. From the first page I was unimpressed, but I wanted to give the whole book a chance. (And somehow, despite wanting to DNF the entire time, I pressed on to the end.) Basically, we start immediately with Mina sacrificing herself for her brother and his girlfriend. But we don't KNOW any of these characters, or the world they're in, or the stakes, or the who what when where why and how. So because we just jump into this big moment that was supposed to be impactful, it was just like... okay??? This was a rare case where a book started too late instead of too early.
I thought, after getting deeper into the book, I would be able to forgive this, but no. The rest is exactly the same. The plot (if there was one hidden away in there) was such a mess. So much happened, and none of it had any impact. Everything was incredibly fast-paced, and sometimes melodramatic, and honestly I didn't really understand what was going on or the purpose of any of it most of the time.
Because the characters were also so flat (after the first chapter giving us nothing, we are NEVER given anything), I just didn't care about all these random plot points. Most of the characters blurred together, their personalities and values changing to suit the story where convenient. Some of the side characters, like Nimgi, Kirin and Mask, were interesting, but not given enough time to shine.
Instead, it's all about Mina and Shin, two characters who never reached their potential. Mina was brave... That's all we really know. And very childish. Shin was a miserable, brooding type who we're supposed to grow to love, but I only felt confused by. The romance between the two never had any impact on me - and although it took them a long time to like each other, it was still very insta-lovey.
And the writing... I don't know how to put this nicely. It was like the author was trying to do a blend of middle-grade and fantasy-flowery styles. I actually didn't realise this WASN'T middle-grade until partway in, where Mina mentions she's 16. This was absolutely jarring, because her voice and her actions reflect those of an 11-13 year old. So I realised at that point that the writing was just BAD, with some flowery imagery thrown in to mask the amateurishness.
Onto the worldbuilding... it was messy. Nothing was ever clear. It seemed like there were some interesting ideas and concepts in there, but it was too confusing to really enjoy. I couldn't really picture it. We were given the promise of an exciting spirit world, when really it was just a normal city with some fantasy elements -- the gods, spirits, demons, etc. were basically just humans.
Overall, this story was very hard to read and I didn't have any emotional connection to it. It read like a first draft written by a teenager, not the exciting feminist retelling that was promised. With a lot of heavy editing, I can see how this book would have been really great (there were some fantastic ideas hidden in there!), but unfortunately it lacked... everything.
I'd only recommend it if you really like mythology retellings, but otherwise, give this one a miss!
(Thank you to Hatchette Australia for ending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.)
I'll start by saying I was very excited about this book. The cover was beautiful, the premise very interesting, and it already had some great reviews. But I quickly realised I had been catfished.
So the book started off really, really badly. From the first page I was unimpressed, but I wanted to give the whole book a chance. (And somehow, despite wanting to DNF the entire time, I pressed on to the end.) Basically, we start immediately with Mina sacrificing herself for her brother and his girlfriend. But we don't KNOW any of these characters, or the world they're in, or the stakes, or the who what when where why and how. So because we just jump into this big moment that was supposed to be impactful, it was just like... okay??? This was a rare case where a book started too late instead of too early.
I thought, after getting deeper into the book, I would be able to forgive this, but no. The rest is exactly the same. The plot (if there was one hidden away in there) was such a mess. So much happened, and none of it had any impact. Everything was incredibly fast-paced, and sometimes melodramatic, and honestly I didn't really understand what was going on or the purpose of any of it most of the time.
Because the characters were also so flat (after the first chapter giving us nothing, we are NEVER given anything), I just didn't care about all these random plot points. Most of the characters blurred together, their personalities and values changing to suit the story where convenient. Some of the side characters, like Nimgi, Kirin and Mask, were interesting, but not given enough time to shine.
Instead, it's all about Mina and Shin, two characters who never reached their potential. Mina was brave... That's all we really know. And very childish. Shin was a miserable, brooding type who we're supposed to grow to love, but I only felt confused by. The romance between the two never had any impact on me - and although it took them a long time to like each other, it was still very insta-lovey.
And the writing... I don't know how to put this nicely. It was like the author was trying to do a blend of middle-grade and fantasy-flowery styles. I actually didn't realise this WASN'T middle-grade until partway in, where Mina mentions she's 16. This was absolutely jarring, because her voice and her actions reflect those of an 11-13 year old. So I realised at that point that the writing was just BAD, with some flowery imagery thrown in to mask the amateurishness.
Onto the worldbuilding... it was messy. Nothing was ever clear. It seemed like there were some interesting ideas and concepts in there, but it was too confusing to really enjoy. I couldn't really picture it. We were given the promise of an exciting spirit world, when really it was just a normal city with some fantasy elements -- the gods, spirits, demons, etc. were basically just humans.
Overall, this story was very hard to read and I didn't have any emotional connection to it. It read like a first draft written by a teenager, not the exciting feminist retelling that was promised. With a lot of heavy editing, I can see how this book would have been really great (there were some fantastic ideas hidden in there!), but unfortunately it lacked... everything.
I'd only recommend it if you really like mythology retellings, but otherwise, give this one a miss!
(Thank you to Hatchette Australia for ending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.)
March 12, 2024
3.90 ☆!! 🌸
🎧 now playing - invisible string [literally]
➳ and isn't it just so pretty to think, all along there was some, invisible string, tying you to me?
this was SO close to being a solid 4 stars, but no rounding so! BUT, i will say, this has to be my favorite 3-star-read of the year, so far! i have a great things to say on this, with only a few flaws :) so, idk if axie oh's other books will be able to top this one for me 🤭
mind you - this is a DEBUT, stand-alone novel, like, hello?! im impressed, this book brought some raw emotions outta me. though this book took me longer, i had a great time! so here are some thoughts...
𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 🪷
↠ the plot: this plot was so fun!! nothing like i've experience in a while. brimming with fate, love mythology, anticipation,& more! - i was hooked, just get past the first 5 chapters then the rest flows like water. also, i think this was based off a korean folktale! so this was done so well. thank you, axie oh!!!
↠ the pacing: like i said earlier, it flows super easy! and this was also a standalone, so it feels complete. i just felt the ending was a BIT rushed, like i wanted an epilouge, but its okay 😭 i also didn't feel super connected to the love interest, BUT i still fully recommend this whole book. a great palette cleanser, and a new genre to also get into! JUST LOOK AT THAT COVER.
↠ overall experience: love, love, love! i miss some of the characters already 🥲 thing was, that i got sick in the middle while reading this.. i had like 100 more pages, then just stopped, for like 10 days 🫢 but being able to finally finish was 🤌 so please go read this if you havent already, and may this be your first axie oh book!! i hope she comes out with more like this in the future 🫶
𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 🪷
↠ mina: our fmc!! and a great one at that. i adore her. her personality, wits, reasons, just UGHDVFD. she really taught me something about family, and wow is she patient!! i could never with 2 years. but i hope shes doing great, and being the awesome person that she is 🥹
↠ shin: wow, hes been thru a lot. i love his character!! i just wish i could connect with him more, yk? but him + mina are perfect already so its okay ❤🩹
honorable mentions
↠ mask, miki, dai, shim cheong: i love mask so much. MIKI AND DAI? cutest people ever, i teared up when i found out about all of them, ifykyk. favs fr 🥹 and shim cheong?! fav sister-in-law. i understand her, im glad her, joon, mina, they're all ok. SO YES FAV SIDE CHARACTERS RIGHT HERE
↠ namgi, kirin: could NOT forge them either, i loved namgi's character, i def got some laughs out. i also liked kirin towards the end!! we needed his personality too. i hope they're doing well now too 😂
𝗾𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 🪷 [oh, she has a WAY with words]
↳“Nothing extraordinary is ever done out of reason or logic, but because it’s the only way for your soul to breathe.”
↳“Sometimes you don't find family in your own blood, but elsewhere.” SO TRUE.
↳“That there is no place you can go so far away from forgiveness. Not from someone who loves you.”
↳“We will always love you, because you are ours. You are our sea, and our storms and our sunlight breaking out over a new day. You are our hope. We've been waiting for you for such a long time. Come back to us. Please come back.” oh wow 😭
i would add so much more, but yk haha.
[overall this was great! i 100% recommend trying this out, if you want an easy, fun tale. with some great lessons. i also love looking at the cover knowing things now. those lotus flowers 🤭 i hope you enjoy when u try this out tho!! i hope you all are well, ILOVEYOU more then youd know. ok mwah see you around <3 ]
🎧 now playing - this love & willow
THIS LOVE FITS SO WELL SADJASJC
୨୧・・・・୨୧
preview!
GORGEOUS COVER WHAT? i want all the editions right. now. first axie oh book!! very excited <3 💐
“Stories are both an escape from the truths of the world and the only way to see them clearly.”
🎧 now playing - invisible string [literally]
➳ and isn't it just so pretty to think, all along there was some, invisible string, tying you to me?
this was SO close to being a solid 4 stars, but no rounding so! BUT, i will say, this has to be my favorite 3-star-read of the year, so far! i have a great things to say on this, with only a few flaws :) so, idk if axie oh's other books will be able to top this one for me 🤭
mind you - this is a DEBUT, stand-alone novel, like, hello?! im impressed, this book brought some raw emotions outta me. though this book took me longer, i had a great time! so here are some thoughts...
𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 🪷
↠ the plot: this plot was so fun!! nothing like i've experience in a while. brimming with fate, love mythology, anticipation,& more! - i was hooked, just get past the first 5 chapters then the rest flows like water. also, i think this was based off a korean folktale! so this was done so well. thank you, axie oh!!!
↠ the pacing: like i said earlier, it flows super easy! and this was also a standalone, so it feels complete. i just felt the ending was a BIT rushed, like i wanted an epilouge, but its okay 😭 i also didn't feel super connected to the love interest, BUT i still fully recommend this whole book. a great palette cleanser, and a new genre to also get into! JUST LOOK AT THAT COVER.
↠ overall experience: love, love, love! i miss some of the characters already 🥲 thing was, that i got sick in the middle while reading this.. i had like 100 more pages, then just stopped, for like 10 days 🫢 but being able to finally finish was 🤌 so please go read this if you havent already, and may this be your first axie oh book!! i hope she comes out with more like this in the future 🫶
𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 🪷
↠ mina: our fmc!! and a great one at that. i adore her. her personality, wits, reasons, just UGHDVFD. she really taught me something about family, and wow is she patient!! i could never with 2 years. but i hope shes doing great, and being the awesome person that she is 🥹
↠ shin: wow, hes been thru a lot. i love his character!! i just wish i could connect with him more, yk? but him + mina are perfect already so its okay ❤🩹
honorable mentions
↠ mask, miki, dai, shim cheong: i love mask so much. MIKI AND DAI? cutest people ever, i teared up when i found out about all of them, ifykyk. favs fr 🥹 and shim cheong?! fav sister-in-law. i understand her, im glad her, joon, mina, they're all ok. SO YES FAV SIDE CHARACTERS RIGHT HERE
↠ namgi, kirin: could NOT forge them either, i loved namgi's character, i def got some laughs out. i also liked kirin towards the end!! we needed his personality too. i hope they're doing well now too 😂
𝗾𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 🪷 [oh, she has a WAY with words]
↳“Nothing extraordinary is ever done out of reason or logic, but because it’s the only way for your soul to breathe.”
↳“Sometimes you don't find family in your own blood, but elsewhere.” SO TRUE.
↳“That there is no place you can go so far away from forgiveness. Not from someone who loves you.”
↳“We will always love you, because you are ours. You are our sea, and our storms and our sunlight breaking out over a new day. You are our hope. We've been waiting for you for such a long time. Come back to us. Please come back.” oh wow 😭
i would add so much more, but yk haha.
[overall this was great! i 100% recommend trying this out, if you want an easy, fun tale. with some great lessons. i also love looking at the cover knowing things now. those lotus flowers 🤭 i hope you enjoy when u try this out tho!! i hope you all are well, ILOVEYOU more then youd know. ok mwah see you around <3 ]
🎧 now playing - this love & willow
THIS LOVE FITS SO WELL SADJASJC
୨୧・・・・୨୧
preview!
GORGEOUS COVER WHAT? i want all the editions right. now. first axie oh book!! very excited <3 💐
December 28, 2022
This felt like reading a Miyazaki movie 😌
Shelved as 'fantasy-wishlist'
April 11, 2021*BURSTS INTO THE FEIWEL AND FRIENDS OFFICE*
Me: Did someone say SPIRITED AWAY?!
Me: Did someone say SPIRITED AWAY?!
May 3, 2023
5/5⭐️
This story was truly and genuinely so so beautiful! It wasn’t even sad but I had tears in my eyes because of amazingly it was written! It just gave off all the right messages, vibes and energy!! A real masterpiece if you ask me.
The true meaning behind this story made my heart warm up so fast. It was so touching and I just love how this story was built up upon. The execution of it was just immaculate and it was just overall so freaking gorgeous!!
Especially the writing style.
I don’t know what it is that I love about it so much but it just truly spoke to me and I couldn’t bring myself from wanting to stop reading. The book is just worth reading because of the writing style!! While of course the plot, characters and everything else is also amazing, the writing just hits different. I just really can’t explain it but it does!!
The characters were also so nicely written in a kind of way that you can’t help but like them! They were al different, fun and unique!! I love how they all played a significant role to the plot at some point and had such a big impact on our FMC Mina!
Now Mina is an absolute angel!! She only wants the best for people and is so selfless and strong minded.. ugh I truly adore her!! I just admire how she would give up her own happiness for the sake of others and fight for what is right. She really reminds me of Nanami from Kamisama Kiss for those exact reasons, which made me adore and love her even more!!
This whole book in general really reminded me of the anime Kamisama Kiss with a hint of Ghibli movie vibes which I absolutely loved!! The vibes and energy this book gave off were in general everything! It was just so magical and whimsical and the creatures, magic system and setting were so fun and beautiful to imagine in my head!! It was just so fantastic!
The sub-plot of romance also really swept me of my feet. While it wasn’t the main plot of the story it was still so beautifully included in the plot and I just adore Shin and Mina so much. They were literally perfect for one another and true soulmates and it had my heart fluttering and beating out of my chest! It was just a nice add on to the story and made it so much more meaningful!!!
Overall, this book is so so so gorgeous! I highly recommend this to anyone who loves the daughter of the moon goddess, ghibli movies and kamisama kiss!! It is just so comforting and cozy, yet adventurous and magical at the same time and a perfect spring time read if you ask me!
This story was truly and genuinely so so beautiful! It wasn’t even sad but I had tears in my eyes because of amazingly it was written! It just gave off all the right messages, vibes and energy!! A real masterpiece if you ask me.
The true meaning behind this story made my heart warm up so fast. It was so touching and I just love how this story was built up upon. The execution of it was just immaculate and it was just overall so freaking gorgeous!!
Especially the writing style.
I don’t know what it is that I love about it so much but it just truly spoke to me and I couldn’t bring myself from wanting to stop reading. The book is just worth reading because of the writing style!! While of course the plot, characters and everything else is also amazing, the writing just hits different. I just really can’t explain it but it does!!
The characters were also so nicely written in a kind of way that you can’t help but like them! They were al different, fun and unique!! I love how they all played a significant role to the plot at some point and had such a big impact on our FMC Mina!
Now Mina is an absolute angel!! She only wants the best for people and is so selfless and strong minded.. ugh I truly adore her!! I just admire how she would give up her own happiness for the sake of others and fight for what is right. She really reminds me of Nanami from Kamisama Kiss for those exact reasons, which made me adore and love her even more!!
This whole book in general really reminded me of the anime Kamisama Kiss with a hint of Ghibli movie vibes which I absolutely loved!! The vibes and energy this book gave off were in general everything! It was just so magical and whimsical and the creatures, magic system and setting were so fun and beautiful to imagine in my head!! It was just so fantastic!
The sub-plot of romance also really swept me of my feet. While it wasn’t the main plot of the story it was still so beautifully included in the plot and I just adore Shin and Mina so much. They were literally perfect for one another and true soulmates and it had my heart fluttering and beating out of my chest! It was just a nice add on to the story and made it so much more meaningful!!!
Overall, this book is so so so gorgeous! I highly recommend this to anyone who loves the daughter of the moon goddess, ghibli movies and kamisama kiss!! It is just so comforting and cozy, yet adventurous and magical at the same time and a perfect spring time read if you ask me!
February 17, 2022
read this review on my blog!
"Don’t chase fate, Mina. Let fate chase you.”
The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea immediately found its way to my tbr when I came to know it’s comped to Spirited Away. Every year a bride is sacrificed to the sea in hopes of appeasing the Sea God and seeking reprive from the wild storms. This year, Mina throws herself overboard to save her brother Joon’s love, Shim Cheong. What follows is Mina’s quest to save the Sea God, unravel mysteries and face gods.
retelling of The Tale of Shim Ch’ŏng
Staying true to the original folktale, The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea set the basic plot around Shim Cheong who is to be sacrificed to the sea god being the most beautiful girl in the village. But in this story, Joon, Mina’s older brother is in love with Shim Cheong and to save him from the agony, Mina sacrifices herself instead. I love how it tells the tale from the POV of a surrounding character, adding original storylines characters and as an alernative perspective to the folktale.
utterly transportive
Once Mina sacrifices herself to the sea, along with her we readers too are transported to the enchanting spirit world underwater with fun markets, festivals and intriguing people. The parallels to Spirited Away are not missed here- adventures in the spirit realm, meeting friends, dragons and creatures, high stake consequences looming overhead. Oh’s writing made it so simple to feel immersed into Mina’s journey, establishing her as a capable character, determined but compassionate. The descriptions are beautiful, easy to visualise and a blend of emotions, action and humour, as if I was exploring the spirit world with Mina.
fun, loving characters
Every character managed to snag my attention! First of course is Mina, brave and sympathetic, who drives the novel and would do anything for the ones she loves but also strives to choose her own fate. The side characters and their developing relationship with Mina was a delight, each with interesting backstories and charming personalities. Particularly Mask, Dai and Miki but also the fun to follow dynamic of the trio, Shin, Kirrin and Namgi. Lowkey ship Kirrin and Namgi, my sunshine x grumpy characters.
themes of love, fate and family
Romantic, platonic, familial; Oh created plently of relationship dynamics. While I would’ve loved to see more of Mina and Shin, their romance is heartfelt. With the Red String of Fate connecting them, things were bound to get interesting. Ultimately The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea is about Mina finding herself following a fate she didn’t ask for and forging her own path despite the odds.
Found family being my favourite trope, it was a delight to read about Mina finding her people even in the unfamiliar world, and one twist to this that made me very emotional. Mina’s love for her own family is shown through her sacrifice and her constant remembrance of her grandmother’s stories.
escapist fantasy vibes
I adore The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea for immediately whisking me away into an enchanting fantasy world, vivid and emotionally deep with an interesting take on the myth. Ocassionally, I found the pacing to be off but overall Axie Oh wove a luscious tale of love and courage, incredibly lively and warm.
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan for the ARC!
"Don’t chase fate, Mina. Let fate chase you.”
The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea immediately found its way to my tbr when I came to know it’s comped to Spirited Away. Every year a bride is sacrificed to the sea in hopes of appeasing the Sea God and seeking reprive from the wild storms. This year, Mina throws herself overboard to save her brother Joon’s love, Shim Cheong. What follows is Mina’s quest to save the Sea God, unravel mysteries and face gods.
retelling of The Tale of Shim Ch’ŏng
Staying true to the original folktale, The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea set the basic plot around Shim Cheong who is to be sacrificed to the sea god being the most beautiful girl in the village. But in this story, Joon, Mina’s older brother is in love with Shim Cheong and to save him from the agony, Mina sacrifices herself instead. I love how it tells the tale from the POV of a surrounding character, adding original storylines characters and as an alernative perspective to the folktale.
utterly transportive
Once Mina sacrifices herself to the sea, along with her we readers too are transported to the enchanting spirit world underwater with fun markets, festivals and intriguing people. The parallels to Spirited Away are not missed here- adventures in the spirit realm, meeting friends, dragons and creatures, high stake consequences looming overhead. Oh’s writing made it so simple to feel immersed into Mina’s journey, establishing her as a capable character, determined but compassionate. The descriptions are beautiful, easy to visualise and a blend of emotions, action and humour, as if I was exploring the spirit world with Mina.
fun, loving characters
Every character managed to snag my attention! First of course is Mina, brave and sympathetic, who drives the novel and would do anything for the ones she loves but also strives to choose her own fate. The side characters and their developing relationship with Mina was a delight, each with interesting backstories and charming personalities. Particularly Mask, Dai and Miki but also the fun to follow dynamic of the trio, Shin, Kirrin and Namgi. Lowkey ship Kirrin and Namgi, my sunshine x grumpy characters.
themes of love, fate and family
Romantic, platonic, familial; Oh created plently of relationship dynamics. While I would’ve loved to see more of Mina and Shin, their romance is heartfelt. With the Red String of Fate connecting them, things were bound to get interesting. Ultimately The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea is about Mina finding herself following a fate she didn’t ask for and forging her own path despite the odds.
Found family being my favourite trope, it was a delight to read about Mina finding her people even in the unfamiliar world, and one twist to this that made me very emotional. Mina’s love for her own family is shown through her sacrifice and her constant remembrance of her grandmother’s stories.
escapist fantasy vibes
I adore The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea for immediately whisking me away into an enchanting fantasy world, vivid and emotionally deep with an interesting take on the myth. Ocassionally, I found the pacing to be off but overall Axie Oh wove a luscious tale of love and courage, incredibly lively and warm.
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan for the ARC!
October 1, 2023
☆ چهار ستارهی طلایی با اسپارکهای طلاییتر ☆
بسی خیلی خوشحالم که فانتزیهای آسیای شرقی داره چاپ میشه ^^
اگه دنبال یه فانتزی کیوت و ساده میگردید که پر از افسانه و ماجرا باشه، پیشنهاد میکنم حتما این کتاب رو تو لیستتون بذارید چون قلبتون رو لمس میکنه ♡
داستان پیچیدگی خاصی نداره اما فضاسازی جذابی داره که خیلیییی وایب "شهر اشباح" رو میده و شخصیتپردازی خوبی هم داره که باعث دلنشین شدن کتاب میشه. از خوندنش لذت بردم، از سادگی و افسانههاش بیشتر لذت بردم، همیشه که آدم نباید کتابای سنگین بخونه :دی از طرفی یه جوریه که فرقی نمیکنه چند سالتون باشه اینقدر گوگولیه که میشه توش غرق شید و لذت ببرید و حالتون رو خوب کنه.
حقیقتا اینقدررر از این کتاب توی پیجم (bookophill) گفتم که دیگه نمیدونم اینجا چی بنویسم!
اگر دوست داشتید یه سر بزنید به پیجم و هایلایت "عروس دریا" رو چک کنید. ♡
"دختری که در اعماق دریا افتاد" اولین فانتزی نشر مجازیه که هم انتخاب کتابش با من بوده و هم انتخاب مترجم، برای همین یه جور خاصی تو قلبم جا داره. ☆
بسی خیلی خوشحالم که فانتزیهای آسیای شرقی داره چاپ میشه ^^
اگه دنبال یه فانتزی کیوت و ساده میگردید که پر از افسانه و ماجرا باشه، پیشنهاد میکنم حتما این کتاب رو تو لیستتون بذارید چون قلبتون رو لمس میکنه ♡
داستان پیچیدگی خاصی نداره اما فضاسازی جذابی داره که خیلیییی وایب "شهر اشباح" رو میده و شخصیتپردازی خوبی هم داره که باعث دلنشین شدن کتاب میشه. از خوندنش لذت بردم، از سادگی و افسانههاش بیشتر لذت بردم، همیشه که آدم نباید کتابای سنگین بخونه :دی از طرفی یه جوریه که فرقی نمیکنه چند سالتون باشه اینقدر گوگولیه که میشه توش غرق شید و لذت ببرید و حالتون رو خوب کنه.
حقیقتا اینقدررر از این کتاب توی پیجم (bookophill) گفتم که دیگه نمیدونم اینجا چی بنویسم!
اگر دوست داشتید یه سر بزنید به پیجم و هایلایت "عروس دریا" رو چک کنید. ♡
"دختری که در اعماق دریا افتاد" اولین فانتزی نشر مجازیه که هم انتخاب کتابش با من بوده و هم انتخاب مترجم، برای همین یه جور خاصی تو قلبم جا داره. ☆
March 29, 2024
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The YA genre seems saturated by heroines who are (allegedly) neither beautiful nor intelligent but they are spunky and clumsy and bursting with goodness. Well, I have had my fill of these girls.
Wholesome, vanilla, inoffensive, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a relatively enjoyable YA read that tone-wise will definitely appeal to younger audiences (with very few alterations this could easily have been a middle-grade book). As usual, I was sold by the comparison, which in this case happens to be one of my all-time favorite films, Spirited Away. While The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea does present readers with some vivid descriptions of the Spirit Realm, the characters and world-building were not as nuanced as Miyazaki’s ones. Also, I couldn’t help but compare (unfavourably) this to other fairy-tale-esque YA books such as Daughter of the Forest and Six Crimson Cranes, or xianxia cdramas.
Anyway, the story is fairly plot-driven as we follow our ‘spunky’ heroine trying to put an end to the curse afflicting the Sea God, a god who once protected humans but for generations has been destroying her homeland by causing deadly storms. To appease him every year a beautiful maiden is thrown into the sea and becomes his bride. This year it will be someone from Mina’s village, the lovely Shim Cheong who happens to be the object of affection of Mina’s brother, Joon. Seeing how much they love each other Mina hijacks the ceremony and sacrifices herself instead. Once in the Spirit Realm, she discovers that the Sea God has been asleep for years and that only his ‘true bride’ can put an end to his curse. We don’t learn much about what happened to the previous brides, with the exception of one, and she doesn’t really get much page time. It would have been nice to know what these other brides got up to in the Spirit Realm but alas the plot is very much focused on Mina who is determined to save her people from future heartaches. She’s somewhat aided by the ‘mysterious’ Shin, and his two sidekicks, the funny one and the surly one. They do come into contact with other gods and spirits but these scenes are short-lived and rather rushed. Mina makes a few heedless choices because she just can’t bear not to do what’s right (le sigh), and she eventually develops feelings for someone.
Mina manages to make people help her left and right because her goodness is just that motivating. Eventually, we learn more about the Sea God and the identities of Mina’s newfound allies.
It would have been nice to have Mina think about her family more. She mostly thought of her grandmother when the plot needed it and it felt a bit unrealistic that she would so easily get over them. I was also tired of the narrative telling us that Mina was not beautiful or intelligent when it is quite obvious that she is the most special girl in the whole bloody book. The love interest was a bit bland and his sidekicks were rather cliched. The Sea God’s curse and the events that led to it were somewhat anticlimactic. The story tries to have Mina bring these gods and spirits to their senses by reminding them that there are humans who pray for them and need their help, but her arguments were so simplistic that it made it hard for me to believe that her words/actions would be so ‘touching’ to others. The ending could have easily been shorter as it came across as prolonged for no reason whatsoever. While there were certain elements that I liked and I did not find this to be an unpleasant story, well, it felt very mid. I guess I could see this book working for readers who enjoyed Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Gods of Jade and Shadow.
Sadly, I was rather disappointed by The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, as I was looking for richer storytelling, a more developed cast of characters and world-building, and a less predictable plot. Overall this was an easy if forgettable read and I’m not sure whether I would read more by this author.
The YA genre seems saturated by heroines who are (allegedly) neither beautiful nor intelligent but they are spunky and clumsy and bursting with goodness. Well, I have had my fill of these girls.
Wholesome, vanilla, inoffensive, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a relatively enjoyable YA read that tone-wise will definitely appeal to younger audiences (with very few alterations this could easily have been a middle-grade book). As usual, I was sold by the comparison, which in this case happens to be one of my all-time favorite films, Spirited Away. While The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea does present readers with some vivid descriptions of the Spirit Realm, the characters and world-building were not as nuanced as Miyazaki’s ones. Also, I couldn’t help but compare (unfavourably) this to other fairy-tale-esque YA books such as Daughter of the Forest and Six Crimson Cranes, or xianxia cdramas.
Anyway, the story is fairly plot-driven as we follow our ‘spunky’ heroine trying to put an end to the curse afflicting the Sea God, a god who once protected humans but for generations has been destroying her homeland by causing deadly storms. To appease him every year a beautiful maiden is thrown into the sea and becomes his bride. This year it will be someone from Mina’s village, the lovely Shim Cheong who happens to be the object of affection of Mina’s brother, Joon. Seeing how much they love each other Mina hijacks the ceremony and sacrifices herself instead. Once in the Spirit Realm, she discovers that the Sea God has been asleep for years and that only his ‘true bride’ can put an end to his curse. We don’t learn much about what happened to the previous brides, with the exception of one, and she doesn’t really get much page time. It would have been nice to know what these other brides got up to in the Spirit Realm but alas the plot is very much focused on Mina who is determined to save her people from future heartaches. She’s somewhat aided by the ‘mysterious’ Shin, and his two sidekicks, the funny one and the surly one. They do come into contact with other gods and spirits but these scenes are short-lived and rather rushed. Mina makes a few heedless choices because she just can’t bear not to do what’s right (le sigh), and she eventually develops feelings for someone.
Mina manages to make people help her left and right because her goodness is just that motivating. Eventually, we learn more about the Sea God and the identities of Mina’s newfound allies.
It would have been nice to have Mina think about her family more. She mostly thought of her grandmother when the plot needed it and it felt a bit unrealistic that she would so easily get over them. I was also tired of the narrative telling us that Mina was not beautiful or intelligent when it is quite obvious that she is the most special girl in the whole bloody book. The love interest was a bit bland and his sidekicks were rather cliched. The Sea God’s curse and the events that led to it were somewhat anticlimactic. The story tries to have Mina bring these gods and spirits to their senses by reminding them that there are humans who pray for them and need their help, but her arguments were so simplistic that it made it hard for me to believe that her words/actions would be so ‘touching’ to others. The ending could have easily been shorter as it came across as prolonged for no reason whatsoever. While there were certain elements that I liked and I did not find this to be an unpleasant story, well, it felt very mid. I guess I could see this book working for readers who enjoyed Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Gods of Jade and Shadow.
Sadly, I was rather disappointed by The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, as I was looking for richer storytelling, a more developed cast of characters and world-building, and a less predictable plot. Overall this was an easy if forgettable read and I’m not sure whether I would read more by this author.
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