Welcome to Litsy!

When I saw this was a retelling of The Little Mermaid with an African folklore twist, I knew this would be an exciting read. I found this YA fantasy to be full of adventure, suspense, and mythos, I recommend for anyone who enjoy diverse fantasy reads.

I circle the ship with the sharks, slipping between dark waves. The water is layered with cold currents, sea creatures, and a ship that slices through it with cargo holds full of stolen people. I swim underneath the swells, away from the gaze of men and just out of the reach of jaws.
Waiting.
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I close my eyes as Kola‘s fingers graze the small of my back, and then I let myself tip forward into a dive. As I soar through the salt-filled air, I let the rest of my tears fall, and when I opened my eyes, it is to a cold sea, washing them away.
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Simi is Mami Wata, a mermaid who serves one of the goddesses of the sea and her mission is to save the souls of those who die on the slave ships. When she breaks the rules and rescues a living boy, it tosses her more into the world of the divine and makes her the target of the messenger of the gods.
Beautiful tale utilizing African mythology and interesting characters. Cannot wait for the sequel.

This was an interesting retelling. It was beautifully written. I can‘t wait to see what happens in the next book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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#BookScavengerHunt prompt -skin 15 pts
#HauntedShelf #FreightClub team @Jadams89

1,580 pts (current) + 15 pts (current) = 1,595 pts

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.
#SkinOfTheSea #SoulOfTheDeep #NatashaBowen #book #books #bookdesign #bookdeal #Fantasy #YoungAdult #Mythology #Mermaids #Fiction #Retellings #Romance #HistoricalFiction 🤍

We get to see the world through a mermaid‘s eyes. Loved the infusion of African mythology as Simi sees the start of the slave trade as Portuguese ships sail through the waters on their way to Europe and colonized islands. She breaks the rules by saving a live human who knows more than he should. Their adventures on land take them on a quest where they learn about themselves, each other, and the world around them.

“What is done is done. We cannot change the past, only learn from it. What happens next is up to you.”

As stated in Natasha Bowen‘s author notes, “African mythology is integral to this story”. The Mami Wata, aka Black Mermaids, bless the souls of the enslaved whose bodies are thrown to the sea. But that‘s just the beginning of this adventure. I highly recommend the audiobook, narrated by Yetide Badaki, for hearing this story, highlighting some of Africa‘s mythical creatures.

Scholastic book fair haul…under $20!

This author takes African myths and the beginning of the slave trade and starts a quite interesting and compelling story. The main narrator is a mermaid.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

This was a quick read for me and I enjoyed the book a lot. The book was so fascinating that I couldn't put it down. I rated this book a 3 out of 5 stars. This is the thirteenth book completed for #RushAThon readathon hosted by @Andrew65

#SeriesLove2023 @TheSpineView @Andrew65

Books that involve folklore from other countries intrigue me and make my inner fairytale loving child excited.

This book uses African folklore/mythology and the tragedy of the slave trade to deliver an amazing Little Mermaid retelling. 💚 It has adventure, heartbreak, romance, and a heroine who will stop at nothing to make things right.

I hope the sequel lives up to this one.

Based upon or playing off African mythology, this is a story of heroism and as with most stories of heroes, it may not end as we want. Simi broke a rule in saving a life rather than blessing the soul back to the supreme being. She must now attain forgiveness. This sets her and her saved on many dangerous adventures.

Simi was an awesome character: she was easy to relate to and feel for. Unfortunately other characters were less developed.

I really loved how this was based on African mythology, it was really fascinating!

I didn't find the plot being that unique: it was quite usual, only setting and mythology spicing it. The basic storyline was an average.

I loved how this wasn't overdramatic, this was somehow really beautiful.

#SeriesLove23 #Pantone2023

2/5⭐ I loved exploring West and Central African mythology in a Little Mermaid retelling, but the narrative was slow and dry for me, the characters one-dimensional.

I had high hopes for this one but it‘s pretty much a YA version of River Solomon‘s The Deep and I thought that was just ok. I don‘t really have a desire to read it again so I‘m moving on.

Loving it 😍

Currently reading this one, filled with new-to-me African mythology.

I actually like this book, but it a little heavier than I want to read right now. I am half way through it and there is so many historical elements. The way the Orisha folklore is woven through the book is beautiful. I believe the beginning of the book has pieces of the TransAtlantic slave trade. Also, the introduction of African folklore based mermaids is great. People forget the idea of “mermaids” can be seen in every culture. #bipoc #mermaids

Update: These two watching me like hawks lol 😂 they went from nurses to security - making sure Everyone knows when I need to move or sleeping. Being hit by a car and having to be laid up makes them want to cuddle up but I can‘t because my legs are on fire. No broken bones but serious pain /bruising/ limited movement. I am reading a little bit but I am mostly tired. Send good vibes and prayers. I can‘t catch a break. 🤦🏾‍♀️

Meet one of nurses - Bruiser— keeps checking on me — he is normally bratty but since I can barely move and sleep a lot he is constantly checking to see if I need anything

Starting a new book! This is the last book for my February reads!! I am excited about this book. It has been on my list for a while. So let‘s see how it goes. My book light & reading buddy🖤 #gryffindor #bipoc #woc #fantasy #bhm #booklight

It was a great month for reading! Can‘t choose a favorite- they were all amazing! Top were physical books, bottom were audiobooks.

I‘m glad for the weekend, I cleared my plans and am hoping to catch up.

My current audio I tagged: Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen
On kindle: ‘Twas the Knight before Christmas by Hermoine Moon
In Print: The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks (Young Readers Edition) by Jeanne Theoharris
Beneath the Moon by Yoshi Yoshitani (still slowly reading these stories)

Hoping to get to: House of Hades and the Scattering

@Andrew65 #weekendreading

My second book of the year, and a good one! A take on The Little Mermaid but with African folklore, and it‘s during the onset of the slave trade. Mama wati are mermaids that salvage the souls of those killed at sea, but a big problem arises when Simi saves a living man thrown overboard.
I would say 4/5 stars only because I guessed a “twist” at the end and I thought the last chapter so abrupt! I was placated with a sneak peek of the next book.

I was mesmerized by this retelling of The Little Mermaid. Only, it is not just a retelling, but it is filled with African history and mythology, where one can learn about the African culture, knowledge, and history, as well as the transatlantic slave trade, the If‘a spiritual system, and rich mythology. 🌊🪨🌊 read the rest of my review HERE: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4230339727

The audio of this was just fabulous. Mermaid Simi saves an alive boy, instead of shepherding souls and so they must go on a journey to appeal for atonement.

Me beginning of the day: I have to get everything back on the train with me and I just got a new Kobo for XMas so I have to show restraint
Me end of the day and 2 bookstores later: ☝️

I am posting one book per day from my to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new - don‘t judge me I have a lot of books.
Join the fun if you want. This is day 350.
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#tbrpile
#bookstagram

Library hold just came in for the latest It‘s Lit book club selection. I am in LOVE with this cover! Hope the story is as good as the cover!

#Blitsy BlackLitsy

I liked this book but did not love it, and I'm still processing why. Excellent world-building and use of African history, spirituality, and mythology, but I never felt invested in the characters or their bonds with each other, except Kola and his twin siblings. More time could have been spent fleshing everyone out, I think. #yafantasy

I did some Christmas shopping on small business Saturday. Snagged 2 copies of this one at my favorite indie bookstore. One is for my daughter and the other is for an aunt. I just love this cover. I'll likely buy one for myself after the holiday because it sounds like an amazing story.

Refreshing original take on the little mermaid. African mermaids and their stores connected with the water in early 1400‘s. This is a dark story, close to Andersons original, yet nicely different. Did keep me engaged. It‘s one of those, you have to read it for yourselves books. I‘m not quite sure how I feel about it when done. Ending left me hanging a bit, more confused than anything. So much felt unresolved, but I guess that‘s part of the point

Take the Little Mermaid and set it in 15th century in the waters off the West African coast. Excellent re-imagining of the classic fairy tale with lots of interesting info about West African culture and myths plus facts about the slave trade. Simi is a mermaid who used to be human. She saves a young man but has now endangered her own people and the world is at risk too! https://cannonballread.com/2021/11/skin-of-the-sea-elcicco/

African mermaids! Who can say no to that??? One of the podcasts I listen to happened to be doing orisha stories so perfect timing; I got the traditional fable of the gods and then the new twist here. This was fairly fast paced and didn‘t bog the reader down with more info that we needed. While I enjoyed the mostly fast pace of it all, I did feel that the romance could have been done a bit better; it‘s either too fast or not fast enough.

The cover art of this one is sooo beautiful! And it sounds interesting too. This'll come out in November.