From the desk of Gwendalyn Anderson

This is a non spoiler review, because you as reader need to read this book. Also, I feel sometimes I have in the past gave away to much of the plot line. This has diminished the pleasure for would be readers.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Please make sure to read TW.

Content Warning:

Violence, enslavement, death, suicide, abuse, sexual harassment, severe injuries.


I went into this blind, I chose not to read the synopsis or really glanced to hard at the cover. I didn’t want to be influenced by either!

Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen is beautiful compelling story. We follow Simidele {Simi} who vaguely remembers the girl she once was. Now she is Mami Wata, is a mermaid, tasked by orisa Mother, Yemoja to collect and lead the souls of the dead West Africans people who have been thrown over from slave ships. In a series of events she does the unthinkable and has to to seek atonement for her rash actions.

A richly immersive fantasy tale that explores the West Africans who were enslaved by the Portuguese. Steeped in WA mythology and folklore, set around the mid fifteen century. When slavers set about capturing unsuspecting West Africans for common commodities. The narration is seamless and poetic. The author pulls no punches, and some might have trouble reading it. For me it was a perfect example historical fantasy. A book that so many readers will find drawn to be able to relate with the books representation.

A book that is infused with so much suffering, but also with friendships and ultimately hope and curage. Chocked full of mystical creatures and deities. The pace was brisk along with nonstop action. Bowen does an incredible job giving the reader background to Simi’s character and I was never confused. A bold and courageous protagonist that all can root for.

If you read just one YA Fantasy make it this one! You will not be disappointed!

This isn’t a perfect book, but Natasha Bowen manages to tell an exciting, emotional story partly inspired by The Little Mermaid that really drew me in. I loved learning about West African history, culture, mythology, and religion, and I appreciated the author’s note at the beginning and her suggestions for further reading included at the end.

Simidele is a loving, courageous, resourceful heroine who is easy to root for. Kola annoyed me a little when he was first introduced, but as we get to know him, he quickly becomes likable. I enjoyed seeing Simi and Kola slowly learn to trust and rely upon each other. All of the characters were interesting.

The plot was exciting, with plenty of twists. Some of the potential surprises were a bit too predictable to me, but perhaps they will work better for the intended young adult audience. My other issue with the book is that it incorporates dreams and flashbacks that were sometimes jarring or confusing to follow. I would have liked to see a little more editing to smooth out those transitions.

The ending is abrupt, so I will be looking forward to the sequel and learning more about what happens to these characters. I would love to read more stories set in this world so rich with West African gods, spirits, fairies, and fantastic beasts.

Thanks to Random House Books for Young Readers for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley, which I volunteered to review.

I loved that this book took an untraditional route in representation. Representation that isn't just skin color but also included African mythology and celebrated black culture. Though that topic is hard I think the author did a fantastic job with it. I liked the writing, which was beautiful and the fantasy world that Bowen created. I didn't love the characters as much as I would have liked too though and I found the beginning was a slow while the ending left a lot to be desired. I know its a series but I just didn't love the way it ended.

4.5 stars Mystery, mythical, lyrically written with bits of history, it was magical. The setting for the story was Africa, with some of its customs, myths and some of the horrendous history around the slave trade. The characters where both human and mythical, tied to each other in this world.
The Main Character Simidele is of the Mami Wata, mermaids who guide drowned souls to their maker. She is newly made, and struggles with what’s left of her time before memories and her new being. When she finds a body thrown from a ship she takes it to deliver to the gods when he opens his eyes. This one is alive, what is she to do ? She can’t kill him, right ? So it begins, there are alway consequences. She had her feet in both worlds and it’s not allowed or safe.
This was such a fish read. I loved the history, the mythology and the honest interactions between the characters. I could believe in them, they acted as one would in that situation, no unrealistic relationships or responses, just honest feelings and doubts. Oh that ending, sigh. It’s so seldom to find a book with vintage African myths and they are fascinating. The culture is so rich I hope I read more authors cover this country in the future.
Thank you to the publishers for gifting m this book for an honest review

This incredible book cover draws you in immediately. West African mythology is brought to life in this story about a mermaid whose sole job is to save the souls of humans who perish and are thrown into the sea. When Simi sees a person thrown overboard, she thinks she is saving another lost soul but finds out instead that the boy thrown over is still alive. Going against her vows to only save the souls of those that die, Simi saves the boy. This act results in her having to make a journey to the Supreme Creator to ask for forgiveness or endanger the other mermaids. The journey is long and dangerous and Simi meets many people along the way. This is a unique telling that is seldom written about and would be a great story to those who enjoy mythology and/or a great adventure. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing my an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 STARS

The Mami Wata exist to bless the souls of those who die at sea.

Created by the orisa Yemoja, the Mami Wata are her answer to the invasion of white men who aim to steal and sell her beloved mortal children. The seven Mami Wata take to the seas as mermaids to collect the souls of those who die in the ocean, and return to Yemoja's island to complete the final blessing, returning those souls to the Supreme Creator.

But Simidele does more than just rescue lost souls. Surprising everyone, including herself, she saves a boy's life as he tumbles overboard, and in doing so, jeopardizes the existence of the Mami Wata. With an ancient degree broken, she must join forces with the boy she saved and set up to beg forgiveness from the Supreme Creator before it is too late. There are other forces at work, though, ones that will do anything to see all of humanity suffer, and before long, Simi finds herself fighting for the whole of the world.

The orisas may be powerful beings, but Simi has the power of the sea to trust in. Perhaps that can make all the difference.


"When you peel back the skin of the sea, you never know what you will find."

Easily the best part of Skin of the Sea is the delicate dance between wonder and danger. Unlike the other Mami Wata, who no longer remember their human lives, Simi clings to hers, always struggling to push away some of the fog surrounding the life she once led. She has a natural curiosity that couples well with her dedication to the world around her, and it ultimately turns her into a character with great compassion for her world and all the people and creatures in it.

Even when faced with dire threats, like powerful opposing orisas, river monsters, or looming famine, Simi's first actions are to protect those around her, guard them from harm. Is it any surprise, then, that I loved her dearly? Guardian characters will always hold a special place in my heart, and Simi especially so. When the situation calls for it, she acts as a warrior guardian, ready to draw a blade and fight, but in moments of peace, she is more of a custodial guardian, taking care to preserve and protect her surroundings.

Her connections to the world around her are so strong, and make every conversation about family, friendship, and a wider world swirled into one under the Supreme Creator's power that much more resonant.


But Skin of the Sea dives back to the ocean with a messy sort of splash in the end.

Unfortunately, this emphasis on connection is also why I gave the book 3.5 stars. It had been on track for 4.5, but the ending jarred me clear out of focus, and felt deeply at odds with the themes of unity and connection that Skin of the Sea so heavily relies on to build its base. After stressing how important it is to communicate clearly, to trust one another, to connect with your environment, the final scenes rip all that away.

On the one hand, it serves as a display of Simi's devotion to doing right by the world. She makes a choice no one should have to make, and stands by it even though it brings little happiness after all her hard work. And on the other hand, it ruthlessly takes an axe to multiple characters the reader comes to love, and severs any lingering connections that might remain. Frankly, it feels a lot like the final chapter should have some kind of epilogue, some degree of follow-up that shows what impact Simi's choices have on the world. Without that, it falls into a cliffhanger with no resolution in sight, and Simi's dedication to Yemoja, the Mami Wata, and all of her newfound friends rings suddenly hollow.


If you want YA mermaids and a story brimming with reverence, with wonder, Skin of the Sea is for you.

Though I find fault with the ending, the rest of Skin of the Sea is a delight. It provides a fresh spin on mermaids coupled with loving tribute to the cultures of West Africa, and it does so with an unexpected grace. The sea hides many dangers and keeps many secrets, but in this case, it also brings lost souls home, cradles them gently until they pass. Powerful as it can be, it is also compassionate, delicate.

And, I am sure, it is more brilliant than my words can explain. If anything about Skin of the Sea remotely interests you, I recommend you give it a try. While I'm not certain my review can do it full justice, reading it for yourself absolutely will. 🌊 



CW: violence (including gun violence), slavery, suicide, graphic injury, animal death, gore, loss of a loved one

[This review will go live on Hail & Well Read at 12pm EST on 11/12/21.]

A West African retelling of The Little Mermaid with Mami Wata as the protagnist? YES PLEASE!

Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen is a debut novel that takes place in the 1400s when Africans were being forcibly taken and sold into slavery. This wonderful novel tells the story of Simidele, a girl who was recreated into Mami Wata by the Goddess, Yemoja. When Simi saves a boy from drowning she discovers that she broke an agreement that all Mami Wata must adhere to. Now she must go on an epic adventure to save herself, her fellow Mami Wata, and Yemoja. However, she quickly realizes that there is much more at stake then what she initially thought.

While the beginning of the novel is a little slow, it picks up quickly, and certainly keeps you on your toes. It was one of those novels that I got lost in while reading, and it truly transports you to another world.

I really enjoyed the way that Simi’s memories from her life as a human come back to her throughout the story. She struggles with feeling torn between life as a human and her reality of being Mami Wata. While I’m sure some readers will disagree with me here, I truly loved the ending of the book! This novel is the first in a duology, and I thought the ending was the perfect mixture of closure and leaving the reader hanging.

All of the characters were really likeable, but I particularly loved many of the supporting characters. The way Yemoja was depicted was really interesting because she is clearly a deity, and embodies everything that encompasses, but at the same time, she is really relatable and compassionate. This is definitely different than the way I’ve seen her and other orisas depicted in other books, and I really enjoyed this difference.

Also, Yinka and Issa are absolutely PERFECT! While they aren’t necessarily main characters, they are so well-developed and you can’t help but to adore them. Issa is so innocent and pure, while Yinka initially seems to be the opposite, but these two characters really stuck out to me.

Overall, I am extremely impressed by Natasha Bowen. Skin of the Sea sets the bar really high as far as debut novels go. I hope the second book is just as riveting!

What an ending, what an entertaining first book!

Since I first heard about this book, I knew I wanted to read it. The cover was stunning, and I was 100% sold when I heard it was about a Black mermaid.

I truly enjoyed this book for so many reasons. The first being the writing. I feel like Natasha Bowen has these lines in this book that truly hit your soul and have you basking in their beauty.

I also really enjoyed Simi's interactions with all the different dieties and how they all were an integral part to the story.

The plot twist in this really had me sitting there shocked and one thing I do have to say about this author is that she is not afraid to hurt characters. They all took a brutal beating in this book and there were some deaths that I'm still reeling over.

I think one of the main things that hindered my enjoyment of this book was the fact that I just could not connect with our main character Simi. I loved the little flashbacks into her past that we were getting, but unfortunately she still felt two dimensional to me. I do think there is potential for more character development on her part in a future book.

I also wasn't a huge fan of how quickly the romance budded between Simi and another chacter and I wish we would have spent more time with Simi in the sea as a mermaid, along with her mermaid family.

Other than that, I had such a good time with this book and am looking forward to book 2 since the ending was left at a cliffhanger, and such a GOOD one at that!

A huge thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for send me this arc in exchange for an honest review

Beautiful imagery and a wonderful collection of folk tales bring this book to life. Having different culture represented is a great way to honor and teach.

All I had to read was "West African spin on The Little Mermaid" and I was in. I love seeing more POC centered stories and the author's addition of African mythology was amazing. There are several magical beings in this that I haven't heard of but would like to learn more about. I hope stories like this keep getting told and receive the recognition they deserve!

Simidele isn't a regular mermaid, she's a Mami Wata who finds the spirits of those lost at sea and guides them to the afterlife. I liked that she could turn her tail back to legs when she wanted and tried to hang on to her humanity instead of forgetting her past life. Her relationship with Kola is sweet and not a big part of the story. It was nice to focus on the journey and saving the Mami Wata from a rogue god. There's also a cute friendship with a young boy named Issa and a bit of a found family vibe.

This was a bit slow in the beginning but the second half really picked up the action. I got emotionally invested in the characters and wanted to see them all make it out safely. The ending felt abrupt and surprised me when the next page was just acknowledgments. I'm not sure if the author is planning for a sequel, but I'll keep my fingers crossed!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. Thank you to Random House Books and NetGalley for the copy

Contrary to my obvious obsession with Beauty & The Beast, it wasn’t always my favorite fairytale. Once upon a time (when I was around 6-7 years old), I was obsessed with The Little Mermaid…I loved everything about mermaids & was in love with the ocean despite never swimming a day in my life kind you.

When I read the description for Skin of the Sea by @natasha_bowen_ I was immediately taken back to that moment in time when I was obsessed with mermaids. I can’t thank Random House Children’s enough for sending an early galley of this book that I’ve been devouring from the moment I started it.

This book was unlike any other mermaid fantasy book I’ve read before and it was such a thrill from beginning to end & not only that but the ending will for sure leave you begging for more!

This was such a well written book and I truly had a hard time finding flaws. It took me a moment to orient myself to the world (which is true of many fantasy books) but once I did, I was hooked. My only draw back would be that the romance seemed to develop quickly and felt very “Instant lovey” which I don’t particularly enjoy. Although this was a small element of the book. I also just enjoyed seeing more diverse representation in the fantasy genre. 4.5/5 read

Read if you like: mermaid stories and West African folklore.
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This book was very immersive. Simi is a mermaid who's job is to help souls cross over when they drown/are thrown overboard. But when a living boy is tossed into the sea, Simi ignites the wrath of the Gods by saving him. This brings Simi on an adventure to appease the Gods and save a village.
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I loved the mermaid theme and the aspects of West African folklore. Really enjoyed the story.
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CW: death of a loved one, kidnapping and imprisonment.

This was so good it had me hooked from jump. It was action-packed and exciting. This is a fantasy inspired by west African mythology. Basically it’s Simidele’s job to collect souls of those who have died at sea, allowing them a peaceful journey, until she saves a boy upsetting the balance and decree put in place. Together they must journey to fix the problem. I thought Bowen did such an amazing job with world-building since going in I didn’t know much about this myth. It definitely makes me want to research and learn more about Mami Wata. Although this is a childrens book make sure to check triggers which I think can be found at the beginning of the book.

*Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this ARC! This is my honest opinion:)*

The comp titles for this book intrigued me. Children of Blood and Bone has magnificent world-building, and who doesn’t like The Little Mermaid? Any mermaid who takes on the gods sounded like someone I wanted to meet.

Once a human, Simi is now a Mami Wata (mermaid) whose responsibility is to collect the souls of those claimed by the sea and bless their journeys back home. When the body of a teen boy is thrown overboard, she’s shocked to discover he’s still alive, and instead chooses to save him. Her act of mercy puts the lives of all Mami Wata in danger, and to save them she must find the Supreme Creator and seek forgiveness. Although Simi appreciates the importance and significance of her duties, she also misses aspects of her human life, which she can’t entirely remember. When her journey begins on land (her tail transforms into legs), memories and flashbacks from her human life become more prominent, and she’s reminded of what she lost.

Simi is feisty and courageous, two qualities desperately needed to take on Esu, messenger to their Creator. He’s power hungry and a threat to both the Mami Wata and Kola’s village. Esu is described as a trickster, which immediately made me think of Loki from Marvel Comics. They they certainly share some similar qualities, and not the admirable ones.

It’s clear from nearly the moment they meet that Simi and Kola have feelings for each other, but I wasn’t feeling the chemistry between them. It comes across as very “insta-love”, and until somewhere around the middle of the book, very little is known about Kola. Revealing his backstory earlier would have distinguished him as more than just the guy Simi saved and a traveling companion.

This is an outstanding debut filled with lush descriptions, immersive world-building, and fascinating African mythology. It doesn’t shy away from the horrors of the slave trade during that time period, but also doesn’t go into extensive detail. The ending leaves a strong possibility for a sequel, but I haven’t seen anything on Goodreads to suggest one is coming. If that’s the case, I’d be disappointed with the way things wrapped up – keeping my fingers crossed!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Books for Young Readers for an advanced reader's copy to review! First let me say all the wonderfully great things about this book. I know everyone is talking about it already but that cover! So gorgeous and it draws you right into the book. The story is beautiful. This felt like I was reading a lyrical myth that was also rooted in history. Because of the way the story was narrated in past tense, I did have trouble connecting with the characters. However, this is a solid debut and I would recommend it to readers who love mermaids, mythology, and are looking for a stand alone novel.

i can really see bowen’s passions for the book’s two main subjects—african mythology and the little mermaid tale—shine so brightly in the book. because of that passion, the book ripples and shimmer with love in the highs and lows of simi’s tale, overall encapsulating something very unique that i hope to see again.

📖Sunmary: Blessed by Yemoja, Simi travels the sea to bless the lost souls on their journey home to Olodumare. What happens when she saves a life instead, a boy by the name of Kola? Tasked with praying for forgiveness by the Supreme Creator for breaking an ancient decree, Simi must travel with the boy she saved to find the rings that will allow her to summon Olodumare. But Esu, the messenger God, wants the rings for himself. How will Simi and Kola find the rings before Esu and save not only themselves, but those they love as well?
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✨Rating & Review✨: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don’t know about y’all, but I’ve always been called to the sea. The cover is what really caught my attention at first, then for me to find out it’s about mermaids and the Orishas of Yoruba? SIGN ME ALL THE WAY UP! I’m a big fan of Kola. This man risked his life again and again to make sure his siblings were safe. This is the sibling energy I need in all books!! On top of that, we have Simi the beautiful Mami Wata saving the lost souls stolen from their homes? Ugh. Just take all my money. I’m a little upset that we don’t have a conclusion to some of the characters’ stories; what happens to Yinka and Bem?! I’m hoping for a sequel because I have MANY questions that deserve answers. Thank you @netgalley and @natasha_bowen_ for giving me this opportunity to read and review this book. It was an absolute joy.

3.5 stars

This is the mermaid book the world needs. I absolutely love that this focuses on African mythology and a time period in history that is often overlooked. The blend between fantasy and historical details is well done and provides a great background for the characters and plot.

The mythology aspects and fantasy elements make this story stand out. It reminds me a little of Percy Jackson meets Children of Blood and Bone but better than it sounds. So many aspects and details in the writing brough this story to life in such fascinating ways.

My only two complaints are that it takes a while for the characters to get from point to point and the ending. This book focuses heavily on the journey aspect, and the destination and end result are not as important as I anticipated. It follows along a typical fantasy quest storyline,which makes it come across a bit formulaic at times. As for the ending, it is very abrupt and startling. I thought I missed something and had to go back and reread the last chapter to make sure. I can’t tell whether the abrupt ending points toward a potential sequel or if it’s supposed to leave you jarred. Either way, I’m not sure I like how it ended. I wanted something more.

Overall, though, I’d definitely recommend this book!

Series Info/Source: 1st book in the Skin of the Sea duology. I got a copy of this book through NetGalley to review.

Thoughts: This was very well done and I enjoyed it a ton. It is a retelling of The Little Mermaid fairy tale but also pulls from African mythology. The story focuses on Simi who is a Mami Wata (an ocean mermaid) who pulls souls from drowning victims and brings them to Yemoja (goddess of the sea).

Unfortunately, for Simi one of the bodies she finds isn't dead and she saves the boy, Kola, instead of bringing his soul to Yemoja. This breaks the treaty that Yemoja has with the Supreme Creator, Olodumare. As a result Simi must go on a quest to make things right again between the gods.

At its heart this is mainly a fantasy adventure. It was beautifully written with exotic locations, battles between gods, a quest for magical objects and a lot of adventuring. The characters are well done and engaging, the writing is absolutely stunning. The settings really come alive and you can really picture what these characters are going through.

In addition to all of that I really loved learning about all of this African mythology. I love mythology but African mythology isn't in fantasy literature as much as it should be.

My Summary (5/5): Overall I really loved this. It is a beautifully written fantasy adventure that pulls both from the classic Little Mermaid fairy tale and the African mythology about Yemoja. It was an engaging read and I can’t wait to read the second book in this duology when it comes out. I would recommend it to those who enjoy adventure fantasy, mythology, or fairy tale retellings.