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ARC book review: Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen

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Title: Skin of the Sea

Author: Natasha Bowen

Publisher: Penguin Books

Length: 303 pages

This is the proof copy and the final cover is just as stunning!

Synopsis: This is the story of many things. Of the Mami Wata – Black Mermaids who collect the souls of enslaved people who die at sea and bless their journeys home. Of Simi who wants to save lives not souls. Of a great love – a love that threaten worlds and anger Gods. Of a terrible choice and the lives that hang in the balance. This is a story that will change history. Do you want to hear more?

There is so much to love about Skin of the Sea. It’s a really impressive debut fantasy book that I really can’t find anything wrong with.

Simi, a mermaid who captures the soul of people after they’ve been thrown of the slave ships, is a fantastic character to follow. She has such depth and is really complex. In fact all the characters in this book are brilliant. I have to give a special little shout out to Issa. I’ll never forgive Natasha Bowen for what’s she did!

There’s a romance to the book that definitely isn’t the main subject of this book, but Natasha someone gives it such depth and believability that I was IN.

Skin of the Sea is immersed with African Mythology and History, that for me, takes this book to another level. It gives the book such depth and makes it really powerful. It’s also really heartbreaking. It’s a mermaid who captures the souls of black people who have been thrown off the slave ships and this really heartbreaking. Natasha manages to fit this in amongst all the fantasy and capture the brutality.

The ending. THE ENDING. The story has such a brilliant build up and it doesn’t disappoint. After I read the end, I turned the pages looking for me because I needed it. I can’t believe it was left on that cliffhanger. I need more. I NEED MORE. And it’s going to be such a long wait till book two. But as soon as I can get my hands on it I will.

Skin of the Sea is a book I think everyone should read and be prepared to be swept away. Natasha is a brilliant new talent and I can’t wait for book two.

Thank you to Michelle at Penguin Books for my copy of this book in return for an honest, unbiased review. It’s out now.

Until the next review

Jthbooks