Content levels
Hero archetypes
Heroine archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Synopsis
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The must-read Black mermaid fantasy series that #1 NYT bestselling author Nicola Yoon calls “epic and original,” in which one mermaid takes on the gods themselves. Perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and anyone who can't wait for the live-action The Little Mermaid. “Riveting.” —NPR “Evocative.” —Entertainment Weekly “Remarkable.” —Buzzfeed A way to survive. A way to serve. A way to save. Simi prayed to the gods, once. Now she serves them as Mami Wata—a mermaid—collecting the souls of those who die at sea and blessing their journeys back home. But when a living boy is thrown overboard, Simi does the unthinkable—she saves his life, going against an ancient decree. And punishment awaits those who dare to defy it. To protect the other Mami Wata, Simi must journey to the Supreme Creator to make amends. But all is not as it seems. There's the boy she rescued, who knows more than he should. And something is shadowing Simi, something that would rather see her fail. . . . Danger lurks at every turn, and as Simi draws closer, she must brave vengeful gods, treacherous lands, and legendary creatures. Because if she doesn't, then she risks not only the fate of all Mami Wata, but also the world as she knows it.
Is Skin of the Sea appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 13 and up.
This West African mythology-inspired fantasy features a mermaid protagonist who defies divine law to save a life, facing dangerous quests and vengeful gods. Contains moderate peril, deaths at sea, and references to the transatlantic slave trade context.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, no sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include slavery, death, and drowning.
Who'll love this
Teens will love this unique mermaid fantasy rooted in African mythology with a brave heroine who risks everything to challenge the gods.