The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea: the New York Times bestselling magical fantasy

By Author / Illustrator

Axie Oh

Genre

Myths & Legends

Age range(s)

14+

Publisher

Hodder & Stoughton

ISBN

9781529391732

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

23-02-2023

Synopsis

A New York Times Bestseller! Don't chase fate. Let fate chase you. 'Clever, creative, and exquisitely written' Stephanie Garber.

For generations, deadly storms have ravaged Mina's homeland. Her people believe the Sea God, once their protector, now curses them with death and despair. To appease him, each year a maiden is thrown into the sea, in the hopes that one day the 'true bride' will be chosen and end the suffering. Many believe Shim Cheong - Mina's brother's beloved - to be the legendary true bride. But on the night Cheong is sacrificed, Mina's brother follows her, 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 finds the Sea God, trapped in an enchanted sleep. With the help of a mysterious young man and a motley crew of demons, gods and spirits, Mina sets out to wake him and bring an end to the 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 . . .

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a magical feminist retelling of a classic Korean legend, perfect for fans of Uprooted and Miyazaki's Spirited Away. 'A beautiful, mesmerizing retelling' Elizabeth Lim, New York Times bestselling author of Six Crimson Cranes. 'A true jewel of a story' Janella Angeles, bestselling author of Where Dreams Descend.

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Reviews

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a beautiful and enchanting re-telling of a Korean legend and I enjoyed every word of it, as I'm such a romantic at heart... Due to the Storm God's continued anger, the people in Mina's village sacrifice a young girl each year in the hope that he will take her as his bride and bring peace upon the land. This year her brother's betrothed is chosen; this will break his heart. Mina decides that she will sacrifice herself to take away his pain. She throws herself into the sea and wakes up in the Spirit Realm. She comes face to face with the Storm God, to find that he is in an enchanted sleep. How can she save her people now? Who can she trust in this magical world to help her wake the Storm God, before she herself loses her soul and becomes a spirit?

This mesmerising book is totally suitable for 12+ readers who enjoy myths and legends from different cultures. The world building within its pages will have many readers fully immersed in this magical land. This is a book that would also work for intervention groups and book clubs as there are many opportunities for discussion. Pick up a copy and let the mythical dragon take you on an enchanting journey of fate, love and sacrifice.

336 pages / Ages 12+ / Reviewed by Linda Brown, school librarian