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Skin of the Sea

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Skin of the Sea

By: Natasha Bowen
Narrated by: Yetide Badaki
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

This is the story of a great love - a love that will threaten worlds and anger Gods.

This is a story that will change history.

Simidele is one of the Mami Wata, mermaids duty-bound to collect the souls of those who die at sea and bless their journeys back home to the Supreme Creator.

But when a living boy is thrown overboard a slave ship, Simi saves his life, going against an ancient decree and bringing terrible danger to the mami wata.

Now Simi must journey to the Supreme Creator to make amends - a journey of vengeful gods, treacherous lands and legendary creatures. If she fails, she risks not just the fate of all Mami Wata, but also the world as she knows it.

An epic love story infused with West African mythology. For fans of The Gilded Ones, Children of Blood and Bone and Circe, this book is a powerful new imagining of one of history's darkest stories, told through the eyes of a bold and unforgettable heroine.

©2021 Natasha Bowen (P)2021 Penguin Audio Fiction Historical Fiction Literature & Fiction Romance Science Fiction & Fantasy Fantasy Africa Merfolk
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I loved this book from the starr to the end. It's Yoruba mythology mixed with the darkest part of time of African history by goddess Yemoja and her actions bring hope in such a dreary time. You are sad, you afe angry, you are hopeful, you root for the hero and heroine trying to defy all odds and outsmart a trickster god hell bend on getting something they have.
The fairies are my beloved. I loved them all through and will forever remember Essa/Issa.
The world bulding is so beautiful, well explored and it draws you in and keeps you rooted until the last page. I loved every minute of it except that bridge to the island battle, it was too much for mt delicate heart.
But I can't wait for the next book.
Yetide Badaki narrated it so well and all characters were individual.

Loved this story from start to end.

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I really enjoyed learning about African history and myth in this book.
I found some of the secondary characters harder to follow.
I want to see this as a film: I feel like it could be fantastical adventure film. Hollywood, take note!

Love the integration of African history, myth, religion and fiction

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This story was beautiful and enchanting. A wonderful look into a mythology and culture I didn't know much about. I adored the main character. 😍
But the story also touched on some difficult subjects and the author handled it brilliantly.
Should be a must read for any YA bookshelf.

Beautiful but also impactful story

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.