The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea

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Book Review:


 


For 100 years, Mina’s seaside village has been wracked by violent storms. Crops are ruined, property is damaged, and lives are lost. Even the most fervent prayers for protection seem fruitless, so the villagers have taken to throwing one carefully selected, beautiful girl into the sea each year as an offering – the Sea God’s bride. Legend has it that one of these girls will find a way to appease the deity and end the storms, but hope is dwindling.

This story chronicles Mina’s desperate attempt to save the ones she loves. Circumventing custom, she throws herself into the ocean as the first voluntary sacrifice. There at the bottom of the sea, she enters a spirit world where everything seems strange, and anything could happen.

Personally, I found this retelling of an ancient Korean folk tale quite engaging. Part dreamland, part action/adventure, part romance – it has plenty to keep young readers turning its pages. In particular, I enjoyed getting acquainted with the elements of a folklore I had never encountered before.

Recommendation: a great choice for teens looking for a new twist on the standard fantasy novel.

 

Mr. Wedel


Author – Axie Oh

Publishing – Feiwal and Friends, New York, 2022

Genre – Fantasy

Pages - 325

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