The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea

This book was SO AMAZING!! I'm a big fan of the movie 'Spirited Away' and a big fan of Axie's book so I was really excited to read this! It is safe to say I loved this book a lot. I loved all the characters - Mina, Shin, Namgi, Kirin, Mask, Dai & Miki. I really enjoyed how this book was mainly set in the spirit realm and had a deep focus on bonds, relationships and family! Speaking of relationships, Shin and Mina!!! AAAA!!! They were both so amazing and I loved them together. I will definitely recommend this book to everyone </3

I will post a longer review on my socials closer to the publishing date! Thank you so much Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC!

This book was absolutely beautiful. With nods to The Little Mermaid and Spirited Away, it was an entity unto itself as we traveled with Mina on her fantastical adventure in the spirit world on a mission to convince the Sea God to save her village from the awful storms. The references to Korean culture and mythologies are also an important representation that we need in our literature. Reading this story shows the possibilities of their own strengths, and the importance of family. I highly suggest this book to anyone and everyone! You won't regret this read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers Hodder & Stoughton for this arc.
I loved this book so much. It has become one of my favourite books that I have read this year and I cannot wait to have the final copy when it is out next year. The relationship that Mina had with her family was beautiful to read and I teared up quite a few times whilst reading this. There was not one character that I didn't like, Shin and Mina were just adorable, the writing was amazing and I could really picture everything in great detail as if I was actually there! I also loved the Korean culture and mythology that was in this book. I highly recommend this book!

Oh my gosh I adored this book. As soon as I saw the cover I knew I wanted to read it and then when I read it is a retake on a Korean legend/myth I knew I needed it even more, so I was so excited to be given the chance to read it.
I loved it, the writing was amazing, the setting was stunning and the characters were so well developed and endearing. I loved the relationships within the book also, which really brought extra depth to the emotions of the story.
I really enjoyed it and will definitely reread it over and over.

I loved The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea so much!
It was such an easy read and I couldn't put it down and finished it in a day.
Also the comparison to Spritited Away is definitely accurate as this book had quite a few scenes that reminded me of the movie.
I think the only negative about this book is that I guessed the twist from the very beginning but it didn't bother me at all as it was just written so beautifully.
Also the cover of this book is absolutely stunning!
Thank you netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received this ARC thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

"Don't chase fate, Mina. Let fate chase you"
Meet Mina, 16 year old living in a world where people fear the sea god's wrath this much, to send him a new bride every year by sacrificing a young woman, with throwing her into the sea. She's never indifferent to the poor brides, but when it happens that the one to be thrown to the sea next is her brother's beloved she takes fate into her own hands.
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"How can you save the Sea God, yet not save yourself?"
Arriving at the spirit world, Mina meets a bunch of people who at first she neither sees as friends or foes, but with time she realises each of us is less or more connected by destiny, and a string of fate.
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"And what would the sea god's bride do, once she's found him?"
"She would show him her heart."
Her story started with a simple wish to save her borther's happiness sacrificing her own, but ambition grew with passing days and befriending her new encounters she realised there is a world to save and a greater curse to break. What I truly loved about this story, is even with Mina leaving her birth family in the very beginning, she found her very own one by her selfless act. And who says one has to choose between your blood and found kindred?
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"Be angry at the goddess, Mina. But never"—she grabs my trembling shoulders—"never lose your faith in her."
Saving the world by becoming ones true love sounds simple and straightforward, but Axie Oh gave this plot so many twists and turns, I felt captivated from the beginning till the very end. Nothing is quite what it seems, and reader can unravel all the secrets following Mina on her journey.
description
"You have to believe in something to be the god of it."
If you're a fan of The Wrath and the Dawn, Beauty and the Beast or Your name please consider falling beneath the sea along Mina when the book comes out, my heart craving fantasy overflown with asian folklore and curse to be broken by love felt very content and would gladly stay in the spirit world for another adventure.

Thank you Hodderscope, Axie Oh and Netgalley for giving me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book. This beautiful book. The imagery, the language, the flow, the characters, all of it was just *chefs kiss*. I am obsessed. It had a few twists, loveable characters (here's looking at you, Mina!) and let's not forget its beautiful cover.

I'm really looking forward to getting a physical copy of this book, Oh is definitely becoming an instant buy author for me.

Thank you to Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton and the author, Axie Oh for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book follows Mina, a girl who sacrifices herself in place of her brother's beloved as the Sea God's bride. Finding herself in the spirit realm, a magical city, Mina seeks out the Sea God only to find him in an enchanted sleep. With help from people she meets in the spirit realm, Mina sets out to wake the Sea God.
This book is absolutely brilliant. What originally drew me to this book was the cover and the book did not disappoint. From page one, I was instantly drawn into the story and invested in the characters. The book doesn't wait around and jumps straight into the action, which makes for a well-paced book.
The writing style is beautiful. The author has a way of capturing wonder and intrigue and telling the reader in such a stunning way. I couldn't stop reading and ended up reading this book very quickly.
What really impresses me about Mina is that she is a well-developed, strong female lead who also has her vulnerabilities. I loved seeing the story through Mina's eyes and come to understand things as she does.
This book is stunning, heart-wrenchingly beautiful and touches on topics like grief, family and love. It made me feel every emotion and brought me close to tears.
The ending (no spoilers) is gorgeous and ties everything up perfectly.
I will be waiting to hold a physical copy of this book to admire and read it once more.

A fresh and exciting fairytale based on a Korean myth. This was deep (no pun intended) nuanced and exquisitely wrought. A charming piece of fantasy whimsy about family, duty and love. Read in two sittings.

Happy Wednesday Friends🎉❤️

Today we're going to talk about the absolute magic that is The girl who fell beneath the sea!!🌊

This was such a wonderful read! Trust me when I say the story starts with a bang and does not disappoint 😂💖

The book follows Mina our main character who sacrifices herself as the Sea Gods Bride in order to save her brothers beloved from the very same fate. (and let me tell you friends, Mina was such a delightful character to read about!!)

The writing in this book is so beautifully poetic I found myself being swept away just as Mina was.

Something that I really appreciated was the theme of family in this story, it was so intricately done weaving in such important themes of love, loss and hope.💖

I was absolutely obsessed with the descriptions of the spirit realm, the mythical creatures and the beautiful festivals, it was all so incredibly atmospheric!! 🌊

The girl who fell beneath the sea releases on 22 February 2022 (everyone mark your calenders😂❤️)

Also can we all please take a moment to appreciate this beautiful cover 😭

I am in love.

It takes a lot for me to love a book. I give out 2-starred-reviews like popcorn because I am incredibly picky, especially when it comes to YA Historical Fantasy like this. I read this ARC blind, only have read the description briefly, and have stared at the cover for 24h, because I truly didn't have any expectations. I requested this ARC solely for the cover, so I started this book with a "meh whatever". Instead of a mediocre sandwich I had expected, I got a whole feast with everything I have ever wanted.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a story about Mina Song, a sixteen-year-old girl from a small village that had been ravaged by natural catastrophes. People believed that the suffering comes from the wrath of the Sea God. Every year a beautiful girl will be thrown into the ocean as a sacrifice to the Sea God. Mina has thrown herself in the ocean to save her beloved brother's wife. As a human in the Spirit Realm, Mina is determined to save her people before it's too late.

I cannot begin to describe how stunning the writing is. I have heard good things about Axie Oh's writing, but nothing could have prepared me for this. The prose is incredibly elegant, and it embraces the dreamy side of Asian mythology/fairytales. There are a lot of Asian myths in the book, which embellish the original story even more.

I adore every single character. They are lovely individuals, with the real motives that justify their actions. I adore Shin, Namgi, and Mask. Every character has depth, and I think that's why I love the romance so much. The soulmate trope in this book killed me and there was one passage so painful (featuring an unconscious Mina and Shin - if you know you know) that I ended up crying in the train.

Overall The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea has become one of my all-time favorites. I am glad that I have discovered it because the ride was just a magnificent experience.

Big regards to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for providing me with this digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I received a copy of the book from netgalley.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea by Axie Oh foolows Mina, who's homeland has been ravaged by deadly storms, lost villages to floods and the few remaining resources are fought over in bloody wars. Her people believe this is the Sea God's doing and to appease him, they send a beautiful maiden into the sea each year to serve as his bride hoping that one day the true bride will be sent in and end their suffering. It's believed that Shim Cheong is the true bride but on the night she is to be sacrificed, Mina takes her place as Cheong is the beloved of her brother. In the spirit realm, Mina finds the Sea God in an enchanted sleep and sets out to wake him. 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…

This book was incredible, there was a big focus on family and some moments brought tears to my eyes. It explored loss, love and hope which made for a beautiful story. Mina was a great protagonist, she's determined, caring and focused on achieving her goals. There are a lot of side characters who were very sweet and I loved them all by the end. And the slow-burn romance between Mina and Shin was perfect.

The spirit realm was enchanting, I loved the descriptions of the houses, the festivals and the different mythical creatures. The plot took us on a captivating journey with many lovely moments and interactions. The twists felt natural and the action scenes were well written.

Overall, I think everyone would enjoy this, it's a beautiful book and I definitely recommend it!

Wow this story is so charming! Mina a girl who saves everyone but herself, a beautifully written tale with characters you will fall in love with and will be cheering on till the end. A tale of the sea god and the emperor, of sacrifices, young love and destiny all wrapped in a beautiful package. 5 stars you will not want to read this in one sitting!

Thank you so much, NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton, for the chance to read and review this book in exchange of an honest review.

Deadly storms have ravaged Mina's homeland and everyone believed the Sea God cursed them. To appease him each year a maiden is thrown into the sea. When her brother's beloved is chosen to be the legendary Sea God's bride and he decides to interfere, Mina is ready to do anything to save him and decides to go into the water instead of the girl.
Into the Spirit Realm, a world made of lesser gods, beasts and magic, Mina finds the Sea God in an enchanted sleep so she and a motley crew try everything to wake him and stop the storms. But a human can't stay too long into the Spirit Realm and there are those who don't want to wake the Sea God.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a feminist retelling of a classic Korean legend, brilliant and feminist. I loved reading this book! The setting is evocative and lush, the characters so brilliant and complex and I loved everything! I was captured by the story since the beginning and between gods and demons and magic it was such a windwhirl of feelings!
The girl who fell beneath the sea was one of my most anticipated reads and I was so glad to read it!

•~Book Review~•
🍃
"Your people suffer not because of any great will of the gods,but because of their own violent acts. They wage the war that burn the forests and fields. They spill the blood that pollutes the rivers and streams. To blame the gods is to blame the land itself. Look upor your reflection to find the enemy.
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The girl who fell beneath the Sea is not just a fantasy fiction that transports you to some.magival world of adventures. On thr contrary, it grounds you down with the turmoil going around in this world, compelling you to think. In thr garb of a magical fantasy, it speaks of the underlying issues and most importantly raise the questions : Has god truly abandoned us to face such hostility? Or Is it our lack of belief, love and understanding on them and on ourselves that has brought us to war, famine and such issues that plague us.
🍃
The story begins with Mina Song who jumps into the ocean, this readily sacrificing herself to calm the wrath of the sea god, who has abandoned her village every since their emperor was killed by a conqueror, whom he loved more than anything.
Every year a bride is chosen and sacrificed on the day of the unearthly storm to appease the sea god so that the land regains its glory and to put an end to their misery. Shim Cheong, the love of Mina's brother Joon was selected as the sea god's bride. Seeing their perils, Mina sacrifices herself, only to find herself intact with a red glistening ribbon attached to her wrist and connected to something or someone she doesn't know.
Where is she? What is she going to do? Can she as the sea god's bride calm the sea god down and bring back the long lost prosperity of her land?
Read the book to know more.
This book is very much recommended by me and Thank you to Axie Oh and Netgalley for the e-ARC.
🍃

" Beneath the sea, the dragon sleeps
What is he dreaming of?
Beneath the sea, the dragon sleeps
When will he wake?
On a dragon's pearl, your wish will leap.
On a dragon's pearl, your wish will leap. "

What a fantastic book! The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a wonderful journey which will keep you guessing and reading until the end.

The book follows Mina, a young girl from a village by the sea…but it isn’t a nice place to live when the storms start. Mina’s people believe that the Sea God is angry and he is punishing them by sending vicious storms so they decide to send a young maiden to the sea to marry the God and stop the storms.
This particular year it’s the turn of Shim Cheong, a girl from the same village as Mina and also the sweetheart of Mina’s brother Joon. When Mina sees Shim hesitate to jump, she knows how upset Joon will be so she jumps into the water instead. Mina gets swept down to the Spirit Realm where she finds the Sea God in a deep sleep in which he cannot wake from. Mina must try to waken him with the help of lesser Gods and the spirits that live in the realm.
But it’s never as easy as it sounds and there are those that want the Sea God to stay as he is and will do anything to keep him as he is.

I loved the story of Mina and how she is determined to save everyone but herself. A magical blend of fantasy, adventure and romance all written with a beautifully elegant touch.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars
The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea is a captivatingly lush and utterly compelling, feminist retelling of Korean legend Shim Cheong. YA fantasy fans are going to love this, it’s absolutely stunning!

For generations deadly storms have ravaged Mina’s homeland. Her people believe the Sea God who once protected their land has now cursed them with death and despair.

To appease him, each year a girl is chosen to be thrown into the sea, in hopes that one day a ‘true bride’ will be chosen and end all their suffering. But the chosen ‘bride’ is the girl Joon (mina’s brother) loves and his plan to interfere with the sacrifice is a death sentence. To save her brother Mina takes Cheong’s place.

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 help from the mysterious Shin and a motley group of demons, gods and spirits, Mina plans to wake him and finally end the storms once and for all.

This was absolutely amazing! Axie Oh’s writing is exquisite and the world building was utterly breathtaking, I loved how vividly detailed and otherworldly it felt not to mention the slowburn (and emotionally intense) romance which was utterly divine!

Mina was a remarkable protagonist: strong, compassionate, willing to sacrifice herself to save the one’s she loves—and it’s that selfless and empathetic nature that made her one of my fave characters (alongside Shin, Mask,Dai, baby Miki, Kirin and Namgi-trust me your gonna love them all.)

I did figure out the identities of a few characters about halfway through the book but, the reveal was so well crafted (I literally cried happy tears) that working it out beforehand didn’t lessen my enjoyment at all.

I’m also impressed with just how effortlessly Axie Oh has reimagined a story that heavily involves sacrifice into an empowering and heartwarming tale love and family that just I didn’t want to end.

Overall, this masterfully written retelling is full of love,perseverance, friendship and above all, hope. If you loved Studio Ghibli’s Spirited away then you’re gonna absolutely love this—it’s soo good!

Also thanks to Hodder&Stoughton and Netgalley for the e-arc.

An absolutely beautiful retelling of a Korean myth with enchanting world building and a gutsy heroine. The story builds slowly, pulling you in to the magical world of gods and monsters and introducing a cast of characters both good and evil. There's a loving family with a wise grandmother whose stories are peppered throughout the plot, deep friendship, loyalty and love. Altogether an excellent, enthralling read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with an e-ARC of this book for an honest review! All comments and thoughts are my own.

"The Sea God isn't angry, Mina. He's lost. He's waiting, in his palace far beyond this world, for someone brave enough to find him."

Has Axie Oh fast become one of my favourite authors? That would be a resounding yes! She is what I like to call a genre-chameleon, who can skip from action-packed dystopian to fluffy romance to lush fantasy seemingly effortlessly.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea is a beautiful story based on the Korean folktale Shim Cheong, the girl who jumped into the sea. But this novel turns it on it's head - what would happen if someone took Shim Cheong's place, and she never sacrificed herself to the the Sea God to stop the annual storms that plague her people? What would happen if instead of the beautiful Shim Cheong, raised to be the Sea God's bride, it is Mina who falls beneath the sea and ends up in the otherworldly land of the gods?

"In another life, you might have found a more welcome shore than this. As it is, the sea is dark and the Sea God sleeps, and the shore is too far to reach."

Not only does this book spin a wonderful new version of a cherished and beloved story, there are other familiar Korean folktales woven in as Mina's stories, which she tells throughout the book. The descriptions of the city of the gods, inhabited by hundreds of spirits, are so vivid I really felt I was there with Mina.

There will no doubt be comparisons to Spirited Away - a human girl in a city of spirits and gods, the imminent danger of her fading away, beautiful dragons and curses to break. But this is in no way a copy of that beloved film - it is it's own fantastic tale with action, friendships, love and the red string of fate.

"I was angry at the fate I'd been given. Because I realised that in order for you to have what you want, I'd have to lose the only thing I've ever wanted."

This book had a whole host of characters you can't help but love, from stoic and serious Kirin, to flirty and witty Namgi and the trio of spirits who help Mina on her journey - Mask, Dai and Miki. And then there are Lord Shin and the Sea God himself, both handsome and mysterious, and Mina finds herself strangely drawn to the two of them.

I read this book in 24 hours and I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on the physical copy when it releases - both the US and UK covers are so incredibly beautiful, it's hard to decide which I love the most!

AHHHH I LOVE IT. Man, it’s been forever since I finished a book in a day— that’s how good this book is. Highly recommend it for anyone who likes Elizabeth Lim's writing (The Blood of the Stars duology, Six Crimson Cranes duology).

The story wastes no time plunging Mina into the Spirit Realm, immediately pulling you in at a pace that never faltered throughout the whole story. I ended up racing through the book without realizing it!

The story is tight and consistent with the way it applies the idea of storytelling. Mina grew up with a storytelling grandmother, and these stories give us a richer idea of the mythologies and beliefs in Mina's world. Additionally, her grandmother influenced Mina to be a storyteller herself, and it came in handy while overcoming her obstacles.

Now for some quickfire compliments: Mina is amazing; the Studio Ghibli reference is excellent; the romance, though slow to build up (which is good!), was cute; the supporting cast is fantastic and nuanced; and the ending, while bittersweet, is satisfying.

Overall, this is a beautiful fantastical retelling of Shim Cheong that places storytelling at its core.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for providing me with the e-ARC.

A sumptuous fairy-tale world to dive into full of whimsy and heart. Perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli!

For one hundred years, deadly storms have ravaged Mina’s homeland. Each year a woman is sacrificed to appease the Sea God.
To save her bother, Mina sacrifices herself, dropping deep into the ocean and down into the Spirit Realm – a city of lesser Gods and mythical creatures. But her time is running out, in a month she will turn into a spirit herself; so she must convince the Sea God to help her people.

This is a story of hope, love and the bonds that tie people together.

I loved this book. It was so emotional, so magical to read. Mina was such a great character, and she was constantly surrounded by so many good people, and learning about their interesting or heart-breaking stories. The world was so gorgeous to see on the page. This is definitely a favourite of mine, it's so reminiscent of fairy tales, so magical and vivid; so it deserves the hype.


TW // death mentioned, injury

Thanks Netgalley and Publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
It was AMAZING and truly magical experience even though the first person narrative will always be something I don't prefer, but the book deserves the 5 star rate, even with this issue. The beginning starts a little slow, but the moment Mina meets Shin, Namgi and Kirin the gears start to turn and from there on you're more and more engrossed by the story with every single page. The spirit world is described beautifully and makes you long to be there with Mina herself. The characters are mysterious, intriguing, deep, complex and totally win your heart over the course of the story. The story involves themes like the true meaning of fate and the importance of family love and bonds. We have rich magical world filled with complex gods and mythical creatures and slow-burn, bittersweet romance. The entire book is magnificent magical experience which I recommend to everyone!

Spirited Away is my favorite Studio Ghibli film and so I was really excited to read The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea . Having been a fan of Axie Oh's writing since reading her YA contemporary earlier this year, I knew I would love this book. And I did. One of my favourite parts about this book was the worldbuilding; the way the locations in the book were described was so beautiful.

Mina was a wonderful character; brave and courageous and so full of love for her family, that I knew she would become my favourite. The development she undergoes, as she traverses across the spirit realm and faces many difficult tasks and truths, was amazing to see. Another one of my favourite things about this book was Mina's relationship with Shin; it was full of tension and angst and I loved how things turned out for them. Shin was also an amazing, complex and well-written character with a great arc in the story. Mina also had, on her side, an incredible supporting cast of characters, all of whom played a part in making this book so awesome to read.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is the perfect, short and fast paced standalone fantasy that you can finish really quickly! I highly recommend this one and I cannot wait to hold a physical copy in my hands!

Absolutely stunning , every single word that Axie oh wrote for this book was so beautiful I will be talking about it for life .
Mina is not the sea God's bride until she jumps in place of the person who is and then her fate is tied to something or rather someone she never thought of.
The girl who fell beneath the sea is a retelling of a Korean folklore, of a God that has been curse , of people who are suffering for it and only the true bride of the sea god can mend it .
Mina was a strong , lovable main character, you find yourself rooting for her from the very beginning. Lord shin is the ever so charming love interest who was totally able to swoon me over with his beautiful dialogs and heartwarming character . The found family , one bed , caring for the hurt one , enemies to lovers all the tropes worked so well with one another making it a 5 star read and one of my favorite books ever . Even the plots twists left me shook and wanting to read more .
Even though the start was a bit slow , it gains pace and doesn't let your attention wander around .
I love Axie oh's books and this one was no different, thank you so much netgalley and hodder & stoughton for providing me an arc , will review it on all my socials closer to the release date .

I was so excited to be able to access this book early and it didn’t disappoint! Huge thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book early!

Axie Oh has done it once more!

Thank you Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for giving me the opportunity to review this amazing book!
This was such an intriguing read that kept my heart beating throughout the whole book. The plot and it's premise, the characters, the relationships were all amazing! I absolutely loved it. This is certainly a great book to read and wrap my year with!
The chemistry and relationships between the characters was so sweet and cute, and the way that the romance built up along with the plot kept me hooked on. I absolutely love Mina and Shin! They are amazing, and so cute.
The plot was also well built and I loved how Axie laid it out and wrote it. The writing was very calming to me and it made me enjoy the book even more!
You should definitely read this book soon! It is amazing!!

I really loved this! This book has definite Spirited Away vibes which I LOVE. The settings and characters were unique and intriguing and from the very first page I was hooked! throughout the whole book I had to battle with whizzing through it because I just had to find out what happened next, and wanting to take my time to enjoy every little detail of the characters and the world that the author has created. I loved it and will definitely be buying a copy when it comes out, as well as recommending it in the library.

Axie Oh does it again! She creates wonderful (+ diverse) characters from scratch and makes them more human than ever. In THE GIRL WHO FELL BENEATH THE SEA, she manipulates a well-known Chinese folktale and bend the world of fantasy to her will. My favourite part of this book would be the fact that the Gods (playing love interests at least) weren't millions of years older but rather the same age. Full review to come on my blog soon!

Truly spectacularly beautiful read. It is the perfect book for fans of Spirited Away and authors like Elizabeth Lim. It was just so scenic, atmospheric, and truly swept me away to another world, which we all need right now. Stunning.

I love a retelling so when I read the synopsis for this I knew it was one I wanted to read and I am so glad I did as I loved it.

Everything about this book from the cover to the characters was brilliant. I loved following Mina's journey and getting an insight into Korean mythology. The tale was fast paced and full of emotion and I cant wait to see what the author brings us next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Have you ever read a book that has everything you love and more? That was this book for me. Based off a tale from Korean mythology, The title basically gives you the premise - the story starts off with Mina, who fell into the sea to take her sister-in-law's place as the Sea God's bride. Though I predicted all of the plot twists, especially who Miki, Dai, and Mask were and the identity of the Sea God, I think I would have been less satisfied if my predictions did not come true. This is a testament to how well-written this book is - the plot twists truly enriched the book, instead of being there just for shock value. To add, each character had their own role to play, each one being equally necessary to the flow of events, no matter how minor of a character they were.

This cinematic tale is a heart wrenching story of love, loss, and fate. There are so many layers, and each one of them tugged at my heartstrings. I appreciate how the importance of familial love was treated with equal respect to the love interest, because most YA books tend to favour chosen love over family.

My favourite character is definitely Mina, with Shin being a close second. Mina is not necessarily a brilliant warrior, or a super powerful being, but she's just a girl with a big heart. She does everything with her whole heart, going so far as to jump into the sea (and potentially drown to death) just for the sake of her brother and his wife. The stories that she told the Sea God to break his curse were also told with passion - you could feel how much she "felt" while telling him these stories, and how badly she wanted to save him. She is a great friend to everyone, putting all of her new friends beneath the sea before herself. And when she grew to love, she loved hard. She was such a light in the book amidst all the gloom, and she has become one of my favourite protagonists. Mina's superpower is definitely her generous love and tender kindness, a nice contrast to the typical YA protagonists nowadays.

Shin is the mysterious grump, the minimalistic warrior who introduces himself as a nobleman in the Sea God's court. He does everything dutifully, remaining respectful at all times. Though Shin does not reveal much through his words, the way he feels translates perfectly. He slowly begins to open up, and everything falls into place. Also, how could you not swoon reading Shin's lines towards the end? This warrior is a downright romantic, for someone who is supposed to be stone cold. All of his words went straight to my heart, and I was clutching my chest while reading the last quarter of the book. I am also a sucker for the one-year-later epilogues, and the way this one was written was just too beautiful for me to put into words, not just because of how it turned out for Mina and the Sea God, but for how it turned out for everyone. It almost got me teary-eyed!


I've quite literally just finished the book, and I can't find a substantial thing to critique. If anything, I wished for more character descriptions, but I don't think the book is any less fantastic without them. I know this is a standalone, but I wouldn't mind reading another book about Shiki and his court. He was a very intriguing side character, and I would love a glimpse into his side of the sea. I feel like there is a lot more to him than what we know!

In essence, you have slowburn, soulmates, found family, dragons, and a really interesting lore. What's not to love?

The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea is perfectly suited for the target YA audience. Definitely one of my most anticipated releases for 2022!

5 out of 5 stars!

in Book Reviews · December 19, 2021

Book Review | The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
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A while ago I heard about a story that was similar to Studio Ghibli creator Miyazaki’s Spirited Away, and really that was all I needed to be very excited about this gorgeous book, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, by Axie Oh.

Huge thank you to Kate from Hodder for providing me with a physical proof (it came in such an adorable little package) and… I fell in love with this story.

Full review below!




About the Book
Title: The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea
Series: Standalone
Author: Axie Oh
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Release Date: February 22nd 2022
Pages: 336
Source: Proof copy gifted by the publisher (this in no way affects my review which is honest and unbiased)
Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis
‘Deadly storms have ravaged Mina’s homeland for generations. Floods sweep away entire villages, while bloody wars are waged over the few remaining resources. Her people believe the Sea God, once their protector, now curses them with death and despair. In an attempt to appease him, each year a beautiful maiden is thrown into the sea to serve as the Sea God’s bride, in the hopes that one day the “true bride” will be chosen and end the suffering.

Many believe that Shim Cheong, the most beautiful girl in the village—and the beloved of Mina’s older brother Joon—may be the legendary true bride. But on the night Cheong is to be sacrificed, Joon follows Cheong out to sea, 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 seeks out the Sea God, only to find him caught in an enchanted sleep. With the help of a mysterious young man named Shin—as well as a motley crew of demons, gods and spirits—Mina sets out to wake the Sea God and bring an end to the killer 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…‘


Review
I guess I’ll start off this review by saying that if you’re after a book that will 100% have you in tears, this is a very very good choice. Happy tears at the end! And then sad tears when you realise it’s the end… I had to double check for more pages. It had a perfect ending for a standalone, I just wanted more of the beautiful story!


US Cover Illustrated by Kuri Huang
Also, this is another book where you’re very likely to be struggling between the gorgeous UK cover, as illustrated by
Karl James Mountford (featured above) and the US cover which can be found to the right. Honestly, both of them are perfect for the story. Get both if you can :’)

SO! The story. Our main character, Mina, knows that her brother Joon is unbelievably in love with Shim Cheong, and she him. But, Shim Cheong is the most beautiful girl in the village, and so she’s believed to be the girl fated to end the curse of the Sea God, which would be from being sacrificed to him to become the Sea God’s bride. Mina knows that Joon is trying to stop it from happening, and to keep both him and Shim Cheong safe she intervenes and sacrifices herself instead. (Being taken to the Sea God’s spirit realm by a DRAGON, no less.)

Once Mina is in the spirit realm, she finds that the beloved Sea God is no more than a mere boy, stuck in a very long sleep. Here is where she also meet Lord Shin… who tasks himself with protecting the Sea God, and so separates Mina’s fate from that of the Sea God’s, to keep him safe. In doing so, Mina is separated from her own spirit, which is then stolen by Shin.

Things don’t exactly go to plan… and Mina ends up with her fate tied to Shin’s. This happens within the first third of the book and everything gets so much more eventful after that (which is saying something, because even before then so much happens).

Mina has a love for stories, thanks to her Grandmother, and this results in us hearing a lot of them throughout which just add to magical elements of the story itself. At one point, she actually tells the Tale of Shim Cheong itself.

When I went to write up this review, it was actually the first time I looked into ‘The Tale of Shim Cheong‘, the Korean folktale the story is a retelling of. So… in the folktale, Shim Cheong sacrifices herself to “cure” her father’s blindness, and ends up marrying the emperor as a reward whilst her father regains his eyesight. I love how Axie turned the tale into such a beautiful story, and I really love how there’s no change to Shim Cheong’s father. I don’t know if it was intended to be that way, but to me it seems like Axie’s way of saying Shim Cheong’s father’s blindness never needed to be “cured”, and I love that.

In terms of the world-building, it is genuinely beautiful. The idea of a world under the sea with floating fish, dragons and other mythical creatures… although it sounds dangerous, it would also be gorgeous to see. Axie Oh writes it in such a way you can picture it all perfectly.

Characters, obviously Mina is a remarkable girl. She doesn’t take long to decide to sacrifice everything she has to save her brother and throughout the story she’s determined to break the Sea God’s curse and save the living people, no matter what sacrifices she has to give up along the way to achieve this. She goes through heartbreak and is hurt physically, but even still she persists throughout to help as many as she can.

Shin is one of those secret cinnamon rolls. He appears mysterious and heartless but you quickly find out that there is a lot more to him, and he’d do anything for his friends. Including Namgi and Kirin, who basically act like two brothers who squabble consistently but they are equally lovely people. Mina also meets three mysterious spirits in the world, who help her from their very first encounter, Dai, Mask and baby Miki. Every time they popped up in the story, I couldn’t help but smile. They’re forever cute and these six characters definitely end up fulfilling the ‘found family’ trope (a personal favourite).

The world may be beautiful, but it’s also deadly. And Mina finds out that there a lot who are hoping to destroy the Sea God once and for all. Her faith in the gods and goddesses is tested also, as she finds out they aren’t all she had hoped for.

Of course, the biggest comparison is that of to Spirited Away… but I will admit at times I was also reminded of Studio Ghibli’s Howl’s Moving Castle. So, basically, if you love Ghibli in general you’ll love this story. You’ll laugh, you’ll probably cry and you’ll smile a lot reading this story. It’s one that you 100% need to get your preorders in for!

there is so much comfort found within the stories of this book, each character brought so much to this story and i adored it. the story has been so beautifully thought out and created and i cherished reading it. i can’t wait for everyone to read this story!

I devoured this book. It is the kind that will keep you turning the page as the clock strikes 4am, and that’s exactly what I did.

I cannot rate this book highly enough. The world created by the author is so complex, and yet it is told to the reader so simply that you don’t have to try hard to find yourself immersed in it. Before reading this book. I had seen a small section of a review comparing the novel to spirited away, and it definitely has that feel about it.

The author is able to balance the mortal world with the otherworldliness of the sea gods kingdom, and makes you the reader feel as though we could find ourselves there one day, just beneath the waves.

The characters were written really well, I felt as though I could connect to every one of them, and Mina as the heroine is someone that you are rooting for the entire way through the book.

There are a few twists and turns, and the author doesn’t give much away. There are a few hints to some of the plot lines which are easily noticed in hindsight, once we are told the truth. But the reason I could not put this book down was that I genuinely did not know how it would turn out, how Mina would save her people, if she would be able to leave the sea. The plot is so well constructed, every tiny detail is necessary for some reason or other, that is not immediately clear.

I would recommend this book, and I will be re-reading again in the future. I would love a sequel!

I have seen some reviews of Axie Oh's 'Xoxo' (yet to read that one) and so the moment I saw the author's name, my fingers involuntarily moved to the request button. If there was any hesitation that was spirited away by that gorgeous cover (you will probably get a headache choosing the US and UK editions). Really hard to resist a mythological retelling wrapped in such a charming cover.
I can't say that the story is unique; seasoned fantasy readers might guess the plot from the very beginning. Well, it didn't really go the way I thought, except for the mystery surrounding the Sea God (spot-on on that one). What makes this such an enchanting read is the remarkable prose that pulls you into this world and the courageous girl willing to fight her fate. Away from home, she builds a new family of kindred spirits supporting every step of her way.
Shin and his companions is another unforgettable bunch providing an equal mix of hilarity and severity. Wouldn't mind seeing Namgi and Kirin again in another adventure in their own separate stories. A wonderful story about family and fighting for what you love. Five glowing stars without a doubt!

Okay, so since Spirited Away is my favorite movie of all times this was a clear must-read for me from the get-go and I am so happy it actually managed to deliver.

It's a beautifully written retelling of a classic korean tale and I was completely enchanted by it. I don't know much about korean mythology, but it felt a lot like reading one of the Ghibli movies I love.

I was immediately taken in by the adorable characters in the whimsical, imaginitive spirit realm it was set in. The story focuses on bonds between friends and family next to the sweetest love story.
It was a really quick read and easy read for me that I couldn't put down.

The ending is rather predictable, but I really didn't mind. It's an absolute feel-good story to me and I adored it so much. I will definitely buy the book when it comes out, so I can re-read in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Each year a maiden is sacrificed to the Sea God to hold back his storms for another year. This year the Sea God’s Bride is the girl that Joon loves and his sister will not let them be separated. Minna is not the prettiest girl in the village, or the most graceful, or the most talented, but she will not let this stop her taking the place of the Sea God’s Bride and jumping into the sea herself. When she arrives in the spirit realm, it is not as she expected. The Sea God is asleep and her red string of fate seems confused about which way to lead her. After a series of emotional events, Minna must end things exactly how she began: by choosing her own fate.

The red string of fate is a continuing motif throughout this book and, whilst it might seem a cheesy concept, it is beautifully done. Bringing an outdated trope to life in physical form worked to reinvent it into a powerful tool of love and sacrifice and choice. The time-old battle between love and duty was also given new life in this book as Minna approaches the issue with minimal fuss and a simplicity that highlights the true strength of her character. It is these choices that shape the book, creating a hugely inspiring overarching theme of free will.

Even the unique setting of the book works to assert free will as the river that runs through the spirit realm offers a choice and most of the characters are present only through their own choices to free themselves from the river and live a second life a spirits in this realm. From the brash and loyal Namgi to the unassuming Dai and baby Mikki, each and every character steals your heart in their own way. Minna, of course, steals the show with her generously given heart, her quiet confidence, and her unwavering determination. The characters of Shin and the Sea God are woven out of mystery and watching Minna work to unravel both their mysteries is a real treat.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a YA retelling of the Korean folktale, The Tale of Shim Cheong. It is a standalone fantasy story that follows Mina, a sixteen year old girl, who becomes the Sea God's Bride to save her brother and his loved one. This book contains a compelling story, a vivid world and wonderfully written characters. I loved seeing the character development throughout and there are so many wonderful characters within this story. This was so enjoyable to read and I definitely recommend checking this one out. I highly recommend.

I couldn't resist this book. First off, the cover is absolutely breathtaking, secondly, the characters and the storyline were so magically crafted I couldn't put it down.
I normally can predict the way a book will go based on the tropes it features but this kept tripping me up and changing my mind! I gasped, laughed and even cried at this book.
The main character had such a fantastic development, at first, I thought she was quite silly and brash but then I began to understand her.
I was really worried about how this would end as well considering it's standalone but Axie Oh did not disappoint at all. Her other work XOXO is now top of my TBR.
Highly recommend if you enjoy KDramas, Mythology, The Little Mermaid and Studio Ghibli movies.

This year is looking amazing in terms of YA fantasy. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a retelling of the Korean folk story The Tale of Shim Cheong, and is reminiscent of the anime film Spirited Away. Mina, the protagonist, takes the place of the bride being sacrificed to the sea god in order to save her brother, and finds herself on the path of attempting to undo the curse of floods and storms which have threatened her village for so long.
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I loved the worldbuilding in the story, and the writing style, which was lyrical without being distracting or slowing down the plot. What really blew me away, however, were the twists that were built up throughout regarding Shin and the various supporting characters, and how Mina's actions become entwined with them. I also loved Mina's determination, and the way the story subverted ideas around sacrifice.
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The ending, and book overall, satisfied the part of me that has always longed for a sequel to Spirited Away. It's a standalone but I found myself wishing that I could stay in the story for much longer, and the romance that developed had me melting towards the end.
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Highly recommended and definitely one of my top books of the year.

This books is just so whimsical and romantic and made my heart feel so full! The writing is truly beautiful and just made me fall completely in love with the world. I honestly can’t sing this books praises enough, it’s been a new all time favourite of mine, and I can not wait for my physical copy to arrive and to reread it straight away.

I loved Mina so much, she wasn’t afraid to be scared and just kept trying to do everything she possibly could to save her village. The romance between her and Shin was just so cute but I think my favourite relationship of this book is the one Mina has with herself.

I can not recommend this book enough and will be shooting about it for a long time. I highly recommend this book to readers who are fans of Stephanie Garber’s books, they share the same beautiful fairytale-esque vibes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Deadly storms have ravaged Mina’s homeland for generations. Floods sweep away entire villages, while bloody wars are waged over the few remaining resources. Her people believe the Sea God, once their protector, now curses them with death and despair. In an attempt to appease him, each year a beautiful maiden is thrown into the sea to serve as the Sea God’s bride, in the hopes that one day the “true bride” will be chosen and end the suffering. Many believe that Shim Cheong, the most beautiful girl in the village—and the beloved of Mina’s older brother Joon—may be the legendary true bride. But on the night Cheong is to be sacrificed, Joon follows Cheong out to sea, 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 seeks out the Sea God, only to find him caught in an enchanted sleep. With the help of a mysterious young man named Shin—as well as a motley crew of demons, gods and spirits—Mina sets out to wake the Sea God and bring an end to the killer 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…

Mina is a brilliant character. She’s fearless, willing to sacrifice herself to ensure another’s happiness, and so determined to see her goals come to fruition that she simply refuses to give up - on anything, or anyone. Her selflessness really drew me in and I remained in awe of her character throughout the book as she seemed to only flourish in her kindness. Her interactions with other characters - namely the Sea God and Shin - really brought the story to life and had me hook, line and sinker.
All other characters were also expertly crafted to bring their essence forth into the story and liven it up further. Mask, Dai and baby Miki were an absolute treat to read and the likes of Kirin and Namgi brought a smile to my face.

Oh’s writing is genius. This is the first of Oh’s works that I’ve read and you bet your tush I need more immediately. There’s something so easy about the writing that draws me in and keeps me there. The world building is flawless in my opinion and everything flowed just as it needed to. Not once did I feel bored of what I was reading, we jump straight in from the offset and we keep going until the end. The slow-burn, almost love triangle, romance was brilliant. I’m not normally a fan of a loooong slow-burn but this had me eager to see what was going to happen and who would be chosen. Well done Axie Oh for this masterpiece!

Overall, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a brilliant story full of hope and wonderment that makes you desperate for more.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you again to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advanced copy of this book. Review will be live on my blog on 21st February.

i previously had read XOXO by the same author which I enjoyed but didn't love as much as I thought I would, so I was hesitant on whether I'll love this one or not. I'm so glad that I did. Axie Oh's writing in this was just so magical and idyllic, and I loved the world she had created in this. This reads so so much like a fairy tale and it definitely has that Ghibli vibes I love so much in a fantasy book. If you previously have read and liked Elizabeth Lim's Six Crimson Cranes, this one has almost the same vibes.

I love Mina so much, and I think using her perspective to view the story was a great choice on Oh's part. It made me love her character even more by seeing her internal conflict and turmoil. I also love the friendship she struck with the women characters in this story and how they support each other, the friendship with Namgi (my softest boy I love him), the friendship with the spirits, and also of course the romance. I didn't think I was going to like this book for the romance as much so I was surprised by how much I root for them at the end, and I grew to love the love interest as well.

I will definitely read more of Axie Oh's writing in the future, especially if she makes more fantasy because oh this was good. If you like magical writing, Ghibli vibes in a book, softhearted yet fierce main character, dark brooding but turns out he's a softie love interest, I would definitely recommend this to you.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for the arc.

I feel so lucky to have received an ARC of this book and can’t wait until everyone else is able to enjoy it too. I thought the description sounded so interesting, and it didn’t disappoint at all.

There is so much to love about this book. The characterisation is strong, the world building is detailed without feeling out of control, and the writing is beautiful yet very accessible.

The story was whimsical and lovely, with a whole host of interesting characters. It’s hard to pick out my favourite characters as they were all filled with such life and had unique personalities, but I particularly loved the spirits, Mask, Dai and Miki, who Mina meets after arriving in the Sea God’s city. These three seem to know Mina, and go out of their way to help her, even when it means they must risk their own safety. That is a thread that runs throughout the story, people doing things not because they have to, but because they want to help someone else, whether that person is a family member or a friend.

In the realm of the gods Mina meets Shin, who may or may not be an ally. He is however undoubtedly connected with her, and they must work together if they’re to help the sea God, though they have different motivations for doing so. They have a complicated relationship which develops over the weeks Mina is in the city and ultimately forces Mina to make further difficult choices.

Mina must go on a journey. Partly because she is somewhere new and she has to discover the mysteries of this place, but also to understand why the Sea God sleeps and what she can do to help him which seems to be the only way she will be able to help all of the people she loves. Through Mina we discover a world where spirits walk and gods fight to hold power. In many ways, it’s a reflection of our own world.

I loved the blending of folklore and myth with new characters. I didn’t know the myth this book is based on, but it really doesn’t matter. Readers who are unfamiliar with it can still enjoy it very much and the original story is woven throughout, often appearing in clever ways.

I was a bit unsure if this book would involve a Mina, sea God, and Shin love triangle. But considering the Sea God spends much of the book asleep this wasn’t really possible and I’m very happy about that. Even though there was an opportunity for it to head that way, it was very clear that rather than being about love for two men or Gods or whoever, this was a choice Mina had to make about what she was willing to sacrifice for the love of her family. The way this potential plot was resolved really brought me to tears and I don’t think there was a better way the author could have handled it.

Perhaps I don’t have the words to express the beauty in this book. I hope that others will read it and love it as I have.

This is a story about love, family, sacrifice, self-discovery, and making the hard choices. I highly recommend.

Wow, wow, wow! This book made me want to go and jump into the sea to float down to the spirit realm so I can experience it with my own eyes as my imagination painted some amazing pictures whilst reading Oh’s incredible words.
The girl who fell beneath the sea is a retelling of a classic Korean folktale ‘The Tale of Shim Cheong,’. Storms have wreaked havoc on Mina’s homelands and the people believe that the Seagod (who was once their protector) is angry at them and to appease him a beautiful maiden is thrown into the sea to become his bride in the hope that he will left the curse he has set upon the lands. Only a true bride can lift the curse and this year Shim Cheong has been chosen to be sacrificed who happens to be Mina’s older brothers girlfriend. To protect her brother, Mina jumps into the sea instead of Cheong. In the spirit realm she enters palaces, meets new people, flights against giant snakes, meets her ancestors and much more. Can she save her world?
This book blew me away. The writing is outstanding and I instantly liked all the characters. My imagination ran wild with every description of an outfit or a forest. It sounded so beautiful even when storms raged beneath the surface.
I’m not gonna say much more other than add this to your wishlist when it’s released next month.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing this eARC.
Ohhh how should I describe my feelings? I'm completely in love with this book.
It's the story of Mina, who sacrifices herself and becomes the Sea Gods bride in order to save him from his curse. Because of her sacrifice, she lands in a world full of gods, mystical beings and the dead. With the help of Lord Shin, she wants to free the Sea God from his curse and save her homeland. But not everybody in the realm of gods wants the Sea God to return and they try to get rid of Mina.
This is a beautiful tale about family (found and bound by blood), fate, loss and friendship. I loved the slow pacing. You get time to get to know the characters.
I also loved the stories Mina retold in the book and the resurfaced memories of her family. Another thing I adored was the bond she started to form with the unlikely characters, especially with Shin. I really love his character (and Mina's).
And maybe you'll even shed a tear or two. Because this tale is just breathtaking.

The beautiful cover made me want to read this book and I’m so glad I did. Reading this felt like reading an amazing fairytale. It was incredible! I feel like I’ve never read a book like this before. The setting was incredible, and following Mina as she went on her journey was amazing. I enjoyed all of the characters and the relationships as well. I can't wait to own a physical copy of this!

Oh, what a beautiful book this was. I was captivated from the very beginning. I'd never read any of Axie Oh's work before but this one intrigued me as I love books that are steeped in mythology and this did not disappoint with all it's nods to Korean folklore.

The characters were all wonderful and I particularly liked Mina, our main protagonist. However, what really set this book apart was the wonderful setting, vivid descriptions and the beautiful spirit world that was created.

Also, I cannot wait to own a physical copy of this book as the artwork is simply stunning.

Thank you netgalley and hodder for the eArc.

I want to start by thanking Hodder & Soughton, Netgalley and Axie Oh for giving me an ARC of this title to review. I was incredibly excited as soon as I heard about this book, loving anything to do with oriental folklore and myth and being a big fan of Miyazaki’s work, especially Spirited Away which this book has been likened to. A few reviews I have seen have said the characters seem lacking but personally I didn’t feel that way at all. I admit a few secondary characters I would have liked to know more about, have them take centre stage but the book would have been too long and after all this is a retelling of a Korean myth so it couldn’t deviate too far besides I can live in hope that Oh maybe brings back a few characters in another book! A girl can dream!

So we know this is retelling of a Korean legend with a feminist twist but what exactly can you expect? Well for a start off you can expect action, intrigue, rich folklore and a touch of romance. I have to say the latter I was not sure I would enjoy but I actually became a little too invested!

We follow Mina whose homeland has been ravaged by deadly storms for generations. The people believe the Sea God, once their protector, now curses them to despair and death. Believing nothing else could work they try to appease him by sending a maiden into the sea in hopes that his ‘true bride’ will be found and chosen, and the cycle of destruction will end. So far it never has.

This year the fate falls to Shim Cheong – the most beautiful girl in the village and Mina’s brother’s beloved. Surely, she must be the legendary true bride. But on the night Cheong is due to be sacrificed, Mina’s brother follows her, despite knowing only death will await for daring to interfere. Only her brother wasn’t the only one breaking the rules and to save her brother Mina throws herself into the water in Cheong’s stead.

Finding herself in the Spirit Realm, a magical city of lesser gods and mythical beasts, Mina finds the Sea God, but he is trapped in an enchanted sleep. Determined to finally end the cycle and with a growing group of rag-tag demons, gods and spirits as well as a mysterious young man Mina sets out to wake the Sea God. But a human cannot live long in the land of the spirits and some will do anything to keep the Sea God from awakening.

Obviously since this is an ARC I won’t spoil the plot much further but I will say that for a short while I was worried for a somewhat bittersweet ending, thankfully it wasn’t fully the case and that the last chapter did really get to me. It was so beautiful and yet so simple. The perfect closure to this wonderful retelling that didn’t lose any of the strength or will of the protagonist as can sometimes be the case in tales that end somewhat happily ever after.

The characters are all memorable and as I said above while I would like a bit more flesh added to some of the secondary ones but this is only one book and you can’t expect that. The world building itself was quick but well thought out and beautifully brought to life. We are quite literally thrown into the Spirit Realm with Mina and we learn about the world along with her which was refreshing and something I really enjoyed within the book.

Mina herself was a bit of a dream protagonist particularly for a YA book. I do love YA but sometimes the protagonists can be a bit too perfect or seem to be. Mina was different. She is scared, she cries, she feels confused and concerned but through it all she remains determined. For the first time in a long time I actually ended up liking Mina within the first few pages.

All in all this book is a wonderful Fantasy, one that I will definitely re-read and recommend to my fellow YA and Fantasy lovers and those who love re-tellings of legends and myths. I can definitely see why some would liken this in it’s enchanting style to Miyazaki’s Spirited Away and I think it does actually deserve that comment but it also deserves to be seen as its own wonderful and magical tale of a girl who fell beneath the sea.

A captivating plot set in a richly detailed fantasy world with a brilliantly determined protagonist- what’s not to love!

I loved this book so much!!! From the very first page it jumps right into this magical story. The world Axie Oh created was beautiful and lush, and I couldn’t stop reading! Mina was such a great main character, even from the very beginning she shows her true colors! She was brave, selfless, loyal, smart and caring. She did everything she could to save her family and her people, even at the risk of her own life and happiness. The other characters were great as well…Shin, Namgi, Kirin, Nari, Mask, sweet Dai & Mikki will all have a special place in my heart! This story was so well written, I honestly was sad when it ended! When you come across a magical, beautiful world like this..it is often hard to leave! I would love more books to take place in this incredible world..If Axie Oh should decide to write more, I will 100% read them!

A big thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book, which was one of my most anticipated releases, not only because of this gorgeous cover but also because I was excited to read this Korean fairytale that sounds and indeed IS magical.

I have to say that I adored ALL of the characters and realised how well written they all are(this doesn’t happen often in books I’ve read). The main character was very relatable and I loved following her journey and the decisions she made. She has clearly gone through a lot and cares about her family and her people and I loved how she tried to do her best no matter what. Shin, Namgi and Kirin were also very likeable and I found myself simping over every single one of them the whole time. In addition other side characters such as the Mask and other members of the MC’s family were a nice insertion to the story.

The world and the ‘magic system’ was incredible, and I loved the author’s writing and descriptions of the place or specific scenes that made the reading experience magical. As a standalone, the book was fast paced, with every chapter ending in a cliffhanger and making me want to read more ( I literally finished the book in two sittings). I didn’t exactly guess the plot twist but I had some similar ideas and so it was still enjoyable.

Finally there is a bit of romance in this book, which was the cutest and most adorable thing and it also made me cry. The whole ending itself was emotional, but Mina’s and Shin’s story made everything even more touching and beautiful. I would recommend this book for everyone as it is a very quick read but at the same time magical and emotional. This book also reminded me of the “Six Crimson Cranes”, so if you liked that book I believe that you will love this one too.

A massive thank you to Netgalley for breaking my heart by providing me with an advanced copy of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh!

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is the story of a girl who's country is plagued by constant storms and weather anomalies, all of which are attributed to an irate Sea God. The people believe that the only way to appease this god is by sacrificing a girl each year to be the bride to this god. They believe that once the one true bride is sacrificed these storms will stop.

The story starts off with the main character, Mina, trying to find and follow her brother on one of these sacrificial nights. A few things don't go as planned and Mina ends up in the ocean and is taken as the intended bride. But when she wakes up in the spirit realm things are very different than what was believed. Although she was not the one that was meant to be sacrificed she still thinks she might have a way of fixing things for the human world - to bring back order.

This book was devoured in two days (it would have been one sitting if I did not have to work as well!). I've always loved Korean culture, but this book was the biggest warm embrace of a YA fantasy book that exists. If you love historical K-dramas, Ghibli or books like Julie Kagawa's Shadow of the Fox, then this is definitely the book for you. The characters are amazing and the small truths that are revealed in the last half are so heartwarming and heart wrenching at the same time that I am not lying when I say I cried my eyes out.

I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for their next Asian inspired fantasy read. It truly is a masterpiece!

This story and author blew me away with a magical world and a mani character who won my heart. A refreshing read with great world building, fairytales and cultural ties.

A human girl living in a world of the spirits , imugi, gods and dragons. Such an interesting tangled world. I had to keep reading to find out what happens to the MC Mina. The story as it plays out is full of intrigue, twists and turns.

Giant forests, gods, priestesses and the red string of fate. Mina is working to appease the sea god and save her people.

A beautiful book with lessons on life, family, love and faith.

I’d recommend this to people who enjoy a more fairytale style of story. A beautiful heartfelt message intertwined through the sorry of family and fate. Excited to read more form this author.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughten for sharing with me the e-ARC.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh is a beautifully written novel with characters that are impossible not to fall in love with. I was hooked from the very first chapter and not only because of the fast-paced action but also Axie Oh's exquisite writing that made for a wonderfully whimsical reading experience. I loved this book so much that I immediately started reading XOXO which is another one of her novels.

Wow! A fantastical, young adult read to stir the imagination and captivate your mind. This was so cinematic I’ll be surprised if it’s not a film in the next couple of years.
I absolutely loved it and fell in love with the mysterious world.
This is oddly enough the second book I’ve read this year in which young women are thrown into the sea (The Seawomen) but while both amazing the two are completely different.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my feedback.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea was an absolutely magical read. On the surface (pardon the pun), it is a story about a brave girl who takes the place of her brother's beloved in sacrificing herself to appease an ancient Sea God. But this novel delved into so much more than this.

It is a story about (found) family and faith. The protagonist, Mina, is a very strong character and her unwavering faith in being able to change things around her and her belief that she is able to forge her own destiny brought me to tears a few times during this read.

We are thrown into the action right in the first chapter, where Mina is already jumping into the ocean. And from there on, the story's pace doesn't let up. What Axie Oh has crafted in a really masterful way is a tale that is both lyrical and yet moving at a break-neck-speed.

The prose is lush and beautiful, especially when describing food and nature (sky fish?! hell yeah!). But the writing is concise as well and never strays too much from the red ribbon that is woven through the story.

A standout in this novel were all the likable and diverse side characters. I came to care for all of them, but especially the chaos trio that is Mask, Dai and Miki.

All in all I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves Hayao Miyazaki films and/or Sarah J. Maas-esque YA fantasy.. Did I already mention that this book also has an epic romance going for it as well? Because it absolutely does.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea kept me up reading well into the night because I did not want to put it down

And side note: the cover is so stunning! I can't wait to add this to my physical shelves when it is released.

(Thank you to NetGalley, Axie Oh and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with an eARC for this book in exchange for my honest feedback. All opinions in this review are my own.)

Feminist retelling of the Korean myth of Shim Cheong? YES PLEASE.

Mina’s home has been devastated by deadly storms for years and the town believes that it’s down to the Sea God having cursed them, so now every year a girl is chosen to be thrown into the sea with high hopes of being his true bride that will end the years of suffering and devastation. When the next girl is chosen is happens to be Mina’s brother’s girlfriend and he plans to interrupt the ceremony so that he doesn’t lose her, in order to save her brother and his lover, Mina sacrifices herself and takes her place as the chosen bride. After being taken to the spirit realm Mina discovers that the Sea God is actually trapped in an enchanted sleep and cannot be woken up. Mina enlists the help from a group of gods, spirits and demons to wake up the Sea God and put an end to the deadly storms.

So will Mina be able to wake the Sea God and put a stop to the storms still cursing her home? You’ll have to read this wonderful book to find that out for yourself! Trust me, you won’t regret picking this book up. I loved every second of this beautiful book, Axie Oh really has such a stunning way with words and the story just flew off the page and into my mind the second I started reading. I fell in love with Mina very quickly, she’s such a sweet, strong, compassionate heroine. I mean she sacrificed herself to save her brother’s lover (and him from doing anything stupid), so beautifully selfless. This story is full of friendship, love, compassion and strong powerful characters who will melt your heart into a gooey mess.

I love this book, I can’t wait to re-read it when my hardback is here. Thank you so so much to @readeatretreat @hodderscape for sending me a copy.

We really enjoyed this book. It is good to find a story about a strong female lead. An adaptation of an old folk tale but beautifully and sensitively done. Good moral tale, a delight with a feel good vibe.

Real rating: 4.5 stars

Inspired by the classic Korean folktale “The Tale of Shim Cheong", Axie Oh's The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is an exciting and enticing story about a girl who sacrifices herself to be the Sea God's bride in order to protect her family and save her people. Axie Oh's brilliant, gorgeous writing style deftly weaves into this story the importance of stories, love, and belief. It will keep you glued to the pages from the very beginning and it won't disappoint!

I found Mina to be a fantastic main character, not only strong and selfless but also almost entirely unpredictable which made this book even more exciting. Although we only glimpse a bit from the secondary characters, like Namgi and Kirin, I loved their little interactions and would have loved to see more from them! The romance subplot felt a bit rushed, but it was a love born of a sense of duty and companionship between these characters and it was lovely!

Overall, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a fantastic book and I recommend it with all my heart.

I have a soft spot for anything that reads like a fairy tale, so I absolutely loved this. And I also cried by eyes out because it is beautifully written.

Every year for the last 100 years, a girl has been sacrificed to the sea in order to appease the Sea God and stop the deadly storms that have been ravaging the land for a century. This year is Shim Cheong's turn to be sacrificed, but Mina takes her place and is swept away to the realm of spirits. There, she finds the Sea God in an enchanted sleep and, in her quest to wake him and save her people, she finds unexpected allies in spirits, beasts of myth and even gods.

This story is about fate and about creating your own; it's about myth and legend; it's about family bonds and making family out of friends. It's just beautiful in every way.

The only thing I missed was seeing more of Mina and the rest of the crew forming those found family bonds. We just sort of skipped to them being close instead of the actual development of relationships. I understand part of the reason is because it's a stand-alone and the space is limited, but I still wanted more of the enemies to lovers, i think i misjudged you and might actually like you now instead of going from 0 to 100 in a few chapters.

If you love mythology retellings and Miyazaki’s Spirited Away, you might want to give this book a try. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a retelling of the Korean Folklore, The Tale of Shim Cheong. The story follows Mina, whose village has been ravaged by deadly storms and wars waged over years. Her people believe that their protector, the Sea God, has cursed them and believe that in order to appease him, they have to sacrifice a beautiful maiden each year in hopes that one of them will be his true bride and end their suffering. The story then follows Mina on her journey in the Spirit Realm after she sacrifices herself to save her brother and his beloved. The twist is that as a human, she is vulnerable and cannot live long in the land of spirits… can she lift the curse before her time is up and can she fight against those who wants to prevent the Sea God from awakening?

This is an enthralling, well-paced read and I loved how folklore stories were being weaved in to enhance the storytelling. Mina is a strong, compassionate protagonist who is protective of her family and the people around her. Shin had a great arc and I thought at how his story was well fleshed out and that it was not what I was expecting at all (must be all the Kdramas I’ve been watching). The side characters were also well developed and they always had me smiling. For those who love the Fated Mates and Found Family trope, this book will definitely warm your heart. If you love Kdramas, it gives me The Legend Of The Blue Sea mixed with The Bride Of Habaek vibes but with a completely different storyline.

This book will be released on 22 February and the covers are extremely gorgeous. I struggled picking between the 2 but I’ve ordered the US version.

A huge thank you to @axieoh , @hodderscape and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for an honest review.

The girl who fell beneath the sea was one of my most anticipated releases for 2022, and I can tell you that it did not disappoint at all.
The story itself is beautiful, well-paced, well-written and keeps you thoroughly captivated throughout. I loved how Mina, the main character, was not only strong but selfless.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with an eARC of this amazing beautiful story.

I loved the writing style of XOXO by Axie Oh so when i heard about this book i knew i would love to read it!!

Lets just say it did not dissapoint at all. I love Feminist retellings and i'm also learning korean currently so this whole book was so interesting to me.

This story was full of friendship, love, compassion and strong powerful characters that melted my heart. I loved this book and i plan to re read it once its released!

Beneath the sea, the dragon sleeps
What is he dreaming of?

Beneath the sea, the dragon sleeps
When will he wake?

On a dragons pearl, your wish will leap
On a dragons pearl, your wish will leap


5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A beautiful and captivating story of love and family , and how much we are willing to sacrifice for those we love the most.

"Nothing extraordinary is ever done out of reason or logic, but because it is the only way for your soul to breath"


Have you ever had a book suprise you completely?
Have you gone into a book expecting one thing , only to find something so different than you thought you would get? Well this book was that for me 🤷‍♀️ . The cover caught my eye because it is just beautiful, and the blurb sounded interesting enough to make me want to read it!
But what I didn't expect was to be absolutely mesmerised by this beautiful and exquisite story.

Axie Oh's writing is nothing short of perfection, from the very beginning her words consumed me and her attention to every detail made the story come alive, to say I am blown away is an understatement!
Such an amazing world that you can't help but get lost in and characters that will steal your heart over and over again, I never wanted it to end.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea has just secured its place on my all time favourites list and I highly recommend everyone to read this.

"Wait for me, where the land meets the sea" 💖

This book was so magical and beautifully written. I fell completely in love with the world and the descriptions really helped it come to life. Loved Shin and of course our main character who was determined that she could always do the right thing, even if she was told otherwise or that it wouldn't work.

A very beautiful storey, woven with proverbs and poetry and conveying a tale... not only from the past, but also relevant to our time.

A storey of a strong will combined with a fiery heart. Not for your own benefit, but for the benefit of others. Knowing that taking a course to help others will deprive you of your personal joy, but nevertheless doing it anyhow.

And recognising that doing what's right can sometimes be the same as following your heart.

Do not miss this fable-like interpretation on a Korean myth, which is sure to resonate deeply with readers!

THIS WAS SO BEAUTIFUL, magical, wonderful and I loved this so much! Please pick this up immediately ❤️Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC!

FIRST 5 star read of the year!
Just how amazing is this book! When I started this The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, I didn't expect to fall in love with it so irrevocably, for this book to tangle itself into the threads of my soul, and for it to leave me so comfortably loved at the end of it. There are lots of books that own my heart, but very few that rest in my soul and Axie Oh's book is the first one that didn't tear me apart to claim its place but it seeped through my skin, into my bones and into everything that I am.

After that proclamation of my undying love for The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, you must be curious about what it is about. It's about familial love so intense that not sacrificing for them leaves a void in you, about gods whose hearts are broken, boys who want to be more than what they are told to be, family who'll watch over you, prayers that are answered and prayers that are not. Above all, it's about a girl who was willing to risk it all for a chance to save her family.

Axie Oh writes like that was all she was born to do. Her writing is suggestive instead of persuasive, letting your imagination fill in the gaps, and Axie Oh really trusts her readers. The novel had the quality of a dreamy fairytale that became folklore. Imagine falling through the sea with Swift's Invisible String playing in the background, with your brother fading as you disappear beneath the surface. I felt that I was there with our protagonist, Mina, every step of the way. This book is a portal to the spirit realm and I won't hear anyone say otherwise.

The characters were incredible! I would die for Kirin and Namgi right now. And the romance that could be in a K Drama! It's SO WELL DONE. All the yearning, heartbreak, pain, and longing looks that made me sing 'the invisible string, tying you to meeeeeeeeeeeeee'. I normally hate the soulmate trope but I hadn't read this book then.

Please preorder this absolute stunner of a novel if you haven't already!

Thank you Netgalley and Hoddder books for the earc in exchange for an honest review.

I am not familiar with the original story of Shim Cheong, but if it is anything like this book, it must be beautiful. I really liked the characters and enjoyed the world building (if that’s what you call it in case of a myth?) very much.

As far as I have understood it, in the original myth Shim Cheong is offered to the Sea God as a bride - but in this retelling, Mina sacrifices herself as her brother Joon is in love with Cheong. In the Spirit Realm, Mina finds the Sea God asleep, and the ribbon that ties their souls together is separated. Being able to live in the Spirit Realm among the gods and spirits for only a short amount of time, Mina and her new-found friends - including one mysterious lord - need to quickly find a way to wake the Sea God and bring peace to both realms. But not everyone is on their side…

I absolutely loved the premise of the story, and I think my favourite part about the book is all the different kinds of love it explores. It starts right off with Mina sacrificing herself for her brother’s happiness, and later putting the fate of her people before her own even as she falls in love with Shin. She worships the gods and is kind to the Sea God despite the suffering he causes in the mortal world. And then there is also the friendship between Shin and his friends, and the love between the seemingly mismatched group of spirits that become Mina’s friends.

Because I enjoyed that aspect of the story so much, I was a bit disappointed by how quick especially the romance was developed. I would have so loved to get to know the characters more.

However, the book is quite fast-paced as Mina is running out of time fighting of those Spirit Realm dwellers that do not want the Sea God to awake. It was a very quick read and I didn’t see some of the plot twists coming.

Another thing that I loved about the book was the descriptive writing style and the imagery. The city in the Spirit Realm came alive on the pages and I felt extremely immersed into the story. It was just so beautiful! I only wish I had got more of that. I felt like sometimes I was missing some background information (mostly on Korean mythology itself, which is my own fault I guess) and I would have liked for the pacing to be a little bit slower so that I could have stayed in the story a little longer. But that’s also kind of a good thing, right?

To sum things up, I really enjoyed this book a lot and would love to read any of the author’s other works in the future.

4.5/5 stars.

A kind thank you to the publisher for the e-ARC.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is the lovely fairytale/folklore-like world I'd love to live in. A feminist retelling of the classic Korean folktale "The Tale of Shim Cheong", The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a magical book that took my breath away.

I usually don't like books that read like fairytales, but oh my, how much I adored The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea.

Mina is a girl who loves her family deeply, so much that she puts herself at risk in order to secure her brother's happiness. She's clever and resourceful, and she never loses the essence of who she is even the most dire of situations. Axie Oh's characterization is the epitome of perfection. This was the first book I read from her, and her writing blew me away. The way she conveyed Mina's core and heart, Mina's mind really was masterful. I think that Mina is that ideal main character who does the right thing for the right reasons but is not a mindlessly righteous person, either. I loved that balance in her. And her worldview was like a fresh cooling breeze on a sunny day, especially considering how big of a contrast it was to the world--above and beneath the sea.

The characters were so full of life--and broodiness in some cases. Not to give away any spoilers, but this book is so lovely, so mesmerizing that it's really hard to put into words. The characters were like beacons of light in the world beneath the sea, and they were all inherently good but with their own problems and traumas. Different personalities but connected to each other in a way that makes the phrase "ensemble cast" sound mediocre in comparison.

Lord Shin, oh my, how I'd love to meet you and give you a big hug.
Namgi, you were the soul of the book that pulled all my heartstrings. You also need a hug. In fact, you need many hugs.
Kirin, I love how loyal you are, but please, take it easy a little.

The worldbuilding was magical. It was masterfully told, never confusing, never overwhelming, just immersing us into its magic. It was captivating and enthralling. I felt like I was there, together with those beautiful characters.

The plot twists were nice and well done, and even though I had an inkling about something, I wasn't sure where the author was going to take us, and I found myself wondering and getting even more enthralled by the possibilities.

One thing that surprised me was how beautifully and emotionally the author weaved in the messages she wanted to convey. The power of believing in someone, of loving your family, of fighting for a better world, of being a girl in a world that is not easy to be a girl in, the power of transcending from what people think you are and what they expect of you, the power of finding your own rhythm in life; these themes were all there, and they really resonated with me.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is so beautiful that I don't know how to fully describe and convey that beauty. Enthralling. Captivating. Magical. Lovely. Beautiful. Mind-blowing. Are those words enough? I don't know, but they are definitely accurate.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is an unforgettable story of what it means to be a woman fighting for her happiness, for her family, for her world, and of what it is that makes a home your home.

This will be a slightly more scattered than normal review, as I'm having trouble being coherant over all the squeeing in my head right now.

- I hadn't heard the Spirited Away comparisons before I started
- but I started thinking them almost straight away
- (I thought I was really clever and had spotted some amazing insight)
- (but no literally everyone on goodreads had seen it too)
- none of this is complaining that movie is AMAZING
- Shin is literally Haku
- look at those amazing covers
- I can't decide which is better
- I think it's whichever one I happen to be looking at at any given time
- things did move a little fast towards the end
- also not a complaint, just a noticing
- also I cried like five times, so there's that
- I didn't, but should have, guessed who Mask, Dai and Miki were
- I love this version of the afterlife
- can I go there eventually please?
- The Spirited Away vibes are strongest in the first half
- found family is best family and Shin's found family are best found family
- The Sea God was great in an unexpected way
- descriptions are amazing, when can we see this on screen?
- I want more of this world please
- I started reading this before bed, planning to read enough to get a taste
- yeah that didn't work so good
- bed was slightly delayed that night
- it's quite a quick read
- but so detailed
- I love it and want more
- Gotta go watch Spirited Away now
- If you haven't seen it you should
- but read the book first, don't delay
- here is my very favourite quote which I picked with great difficulty because there were so many options: Nothing extraordinary is ever done out of reason or logic, but because it’s the only way for your soul to breathe.
- Also I really want to read the original folktale now
- I don't know enough Eastern mythology really, I should correct that
- Read this book
- I really think you'll like it.

This book was everything I wanted it to be when I saw it. A magical retelling of a Korean folklore that throws you (hah) into the spirit realm under the sea. There's romance, found-family, and generally a storyline that just carries you away from page one.

Its a book about family, loyalty, falling in love, and growing up. I loved every second and I didn't want it to finish, and I loved Mina from the start. It's one of those books where I have so much to say but can't without giving something away, and I don't want to spoil a second of it.

I'll be posting my review on Instagram closer to the publication date!

Oh my gosh what an exciting read! Honestly just looked at the cover, read the title and thought yep, I’m gonna love that, that book is completely for me

And it was woo! I loved it. I will say it took me a wee bit to get into it, I wasn’t 100% on what was going on at the start but honestly just give it time and you will love it too!

Mina is such an interesting character and you can see her almost grow up and learn. And there was plenty of emotion as always with me lol, but I did cry a few times - but not really sad tears, just emotional?

And I basically couldn’t guess anything that was going to happen! I was super surprised by a big a couple of big reveals and looking back I feel so stupid as it all makes so much sense!

There’s also a wee bit of romance in there teehee, I of course would’ve happily taken more romance but I can’t have everything. And I was completely shipping two other characters and it just didn’t happen. Or did it and we just don’t get to find out but can assume?? Oh well still fabulous

I had no expectations of what this would be going in and it’s so different and such an incredible story that’s been brilliantly written! Definitely one to pick up!

I absolutely loved this book. Full of gods and goddesses. Fantasy and magic. It deals with loss, but in a beautiful way. One of the better YA novels I have read of late.

“Nothing extraordinary is ever done out of reason or logic, but because it’s the only way for your soul to breathe.”

I’m going to preface this by saying this book is slow. It’s a good slow, a slow I loved, but if you’re in the mood for a fast read, this isn’t it.
It was probably a 4* read for the first 3/4, and the last 1/4 made it a 5* for me.
I loved the Mira, Shin and co., their development, their relationships, the journeys that they go on to discover who they are, and what they want.
I adored the occasional reminders of where the story took place - I’d forget that they were beneath the sea, and then Axie Oh would throw in a detail like Mina laying on her back and seeing a whale pass overhead and I would remember how fantastical it was all over again.
The way all the strands came together at the end was very satisfying, and really made the book for me. I would definitely recommend, if you’re someone who enjoys a book with a slower pace.

I do feel it needs a TW for child loss, although I also feel it was handled in a loving and sensitive way - the idea that their ancestors are watching over them, and that the love that is felt for them travels with them when they pass.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, in a strange way, reminded me of Six Crimson Cranes. Those two books are very different plot-wise and by writing styles, but what sort of really clicked for me was the voice of the protagonist.

Both of the protagonist in the stories are very young, around 15 or 16, and they carry a sort of hopeful, naive world view. They still have their rose coloured glasses on, but they are also sk determined and resilient and I adored it.

"Be angry at the goddess, Mina. But never"- she grabs my trembling shoulders- "never lose your faith in her."

There were many things that I loved about this book- the writing especially.
It was so beautiful and whimsical and made me want to appreciate every sentence.

"And what would the sea god's bride once she's found him?" "She would show him her heart."

Another great thing was the world, which was so vibrant and so gorgeous and so well-done. I could easily see it in my head. It was also so rich with lore, stories, gods, goddesses and ancient magic.

Truly captivating, a most unique world than I had ever read about. If you have read any book inspired by mythology then you would find it even more interesting!

"You have to believe in something to be the God of it."

I enjoyed it all the more because it's inspired by Chinese mythology, and I had never read like that before. I'm so glad that these stories are being brought to the forefront now.

The lore is rich and and story eloquent in the way that it slowly unfolds. There are lots of little a folk tales and stories from the Chinese culture sprinkled in the book and they are a delight.

"Don't chase fate, Mina. Let fate chase you."

The protagonist, Mina, is someone so strong and intrinsically good and kind hearted; and even though I love morally grey characters I admired her strength and goodness so much. She is the kind of person who keeps everyone together and is brave. But most importantly, she will do anything to makes things right. To save her brother and his life. To save her people from the crisis they are in.

Then there is our another main character, who's a grumpy and mysterious Gid named Shin who is supposed to protect the Sea God, and is a very important side character. Through some unexpected turn of events, he gets roles into helping Mina on her quest. And true to the grumpy+sunshine trope, even though he is very moody and rigid and a little reluctant, he is a sweetheart.

We follow much of the story alongside him and Mina and their other mystical creature friends, Kirin and Namgi.

All of them just a very entertaining and heart-warming bunch as they do everything they can to help Mina on her mission to revive the Sea God and help her land.

"Only you could change your mind from a compliment to an insult halfway through."

But of course things are not gonna be that easy. There are strange accidents that happen, a few meetings with Goddesses that go wrong and only one month to put things back in order, something that hasn't been managed since generations, because after that Mina might be stuck in the Spirit Realm forever.

The place is a little on the slower slide, although not boring in anyway, personally. It also ends in the most satisfying way, with just right plot twists and emotions.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axis Oh is a beautiful retelling of the Korean folktale “The Tale of Shim Cheong” and was an absolutely perfect choice for a book that will provide you with joy, tears and an utterly gorgeous Studio Ghibli-esque narrative. This is the story of Mina, the girl who threw herself into the sea instead of the intended Shim Cheong. Shim Cheong was believed to be the “true bride” of the Sea God, used in an attempt to stop suffering via sacrifice, but was also the beloved partner of Joon, Mina’s brother. When Mina throws herself into the sea instead, she is whisked away to the Spirit Realm filled with gods and spirits. A human cannot last long here and there are many obstacles for Mina to overcome as she learns the truth of these sacrifices and tries to wake the Sea God.

This novel is genuinely spectacular. The way that Axie Oh has expanded upon the Korean legend and shown Mina to be an amazing protagonist that is easily accessible and filled with passion, caring for family and her people, is truly unique. Mina really goes on a journey and the way that Axie Oh easily describes the trial of self-discovery against fate lured me right in. Other characters were described elegantly and were simply recognisable and different from others. These characters were really the crux of the story and Axie Oh juggled many characters really well.

The world-building was also strong here. We are thrown into a world of spirits and demons but also a fantastical place that has political assassinations and wishes masquerading as paper boats. I was interested in the Spirit Realm enough with each description but it went on to show that it is not much unlike our own world. The blend of myth and folklore was brought to us with a sense of enjoyable and clever familiarity that showed it is possible to portray a story built on love, hope and family that is so brilliantly wrapped up at the end but deserves another read through to truly appreciate.

Axie Oh kept me interested and invested right until the very end. With each revelation and choice that was made I was keen to turn the page and find out what happened next. This was a truly heart-warming novel that expressed beauty through hard choices. This has been one of my favourites of the year so far.

I didn’t really think much about the book, when I was first approved for it. Honestly, it was when I followed the author on twitter and she seemed kinda cool that I was like, ok, let’s start this. How bad can it be?

The book made me tear up.

The main character Mina knows how to tell stories, and she has to tell them in order to try and revive the Sea God, and save her village. Of course, we have the mysterious Shin who protects the Sea God in his slumber, but apparently has no soul. We have the goddess of motherhood who needs bribes to answer prayers, we have the goddess of the moon who seems to want to kill Mina for a reason I still don’t understand. We also have these really interesting spirits who seem to be helping her for absolutely no reason but the banter.

“What if someone told you your fate was to climb up the highest waterfall and jump off ? Or to hurt the person you love most in the world? Or worse, to hurt the person who loves you most in the world? Fate is a tricky thing. It’s not for you, or me, or even the gods, to question what it is . . . or is not.”

And then as Mina puts the pieces of the hundred-year-old mystery together, you basically want to cry. I mean the story of Dai and Miki, when Dai is hurt, and who they all are really are to Mina is insanely sweet and perfect. The way things change between her and Shin especially after the visit to the goddess of motherhood is really nicely done.

“It was the boat that carried her. She would have fallen into the River of Souls if it weren’t for that cradle. Something crafted with so much love could never sink.”

I’d never heard of the folktale ‘The Tale of Shim Cheong,’ before this, but honestly one doesn’t need to in order to love this book. And if you aren’t a fan or haven’t watched spirited away and the other things they mention in the blurb, you really don’t have to. The book is beautiful and lyrical and sucks you in.

“That there is no place you can go so far away from forgiveness. Not from someone who loves you.”

This book was an easy five stars for me. What an incredible story with such beautiful, lyrical writing. Axie Oh has written a novel following a young girl, determined to do anything to protect her family which totally captures your heart.
I was hooked right from the beginning, with the opening chapters completely drawing you down and under in the Spirit Realm. Not only was the protagonist an easy character to like, the other characters we meet along the way all brought something special to the story line. There has to be a special shout out to Mask, Dai and Miki though - these three were adorable and brave and I just loved them.

I found the story fascinating, meeting the various Gods and Goddesses, and the way it highlights belief as a strength. Not only that though, but fate. Whilst fate exists, what I took from this story is that it can be interpreted many ways.

I cannot find a fault with this book personally. I loved every minute of this story.

‘Only you could change your mind from a compliment to an insult halfway through’

BEAUTIFUL

MAGICAL

ELEGANT

CAPTIVATING

ETHEREAL

HEARTWARMING

Honestly my heart is just so wonderfully full from this book. As someone who’s a huge spirited away fan the first half of this book made me so incredibly giddy the world and the spirits was just so utterly magical and I never thought I would enter that world anew again and it was so wonderful. The second half of the book is filled with Dragons and Gods and mythology that was so captivating and beautiful I instantly knew this book was going to be my absolute favourite.

The unique Gods and the funny heartwarming characters really fill this book and make it so captivating how could I not read it all in one sitting. Ahhh I’m just it was so damn good and I want to re read it again instantly. I can’t wait to see what more the author brings us 😍

Pre-order this beautiful book NOW!
I was sent an ARC copy by hodderscape and I can't be more thankful because my life feels full after this book!

Plot;
This book revolves around Mina. When her brothers' girlfriend is to be sent to the sea as a bride for the sea god, mina intervenes with fate and jumps in herself. Thrown into an underworld of gods and lost souls, Mina must find a way to wake the sea god and destroy the curse before she is trapped in the underworld forever.

Characters;
The characters of this book had me sobbing on at least two occasions. Mina has some beautiful character development, each character you meet feels dimensional and real with realistic responses to the situations they are put in. I fell in love with each and every character and I am heartbroken they aren't real

World building;
This world was lush. I felt like I was there, the night I read the first chunk I dreamt of it! The world Axie throws you into is so well described, so beautifully put together you're dragged away with the words and put there yourself.

General thoughts;
This book is fast becoming a favourite and putting all else on my shelves to shame. I have two copies on the way, I adore this book and the beautiful twist on the tale of Shim Cheong it spun. This book is a fond memory already, and I love each and every character with my whole heart and I can't thank Axie for publishing this beautiful story enough.

IG; Icedpinecones

I will start by admitting that while I am not particularly interested in the fantasy genre anymore, I was captivated by both the cover art and the entire concept of this novel.
I am aware that it was compared to Miyazaki's "Spirited Away" which I never had the pleasure to watch, but in my personal opinion, Oh created such an interesting and beautifully original world.
One of my favourite details were the unbelievably fascinating stories interwoven throughout the novel, which enriched the mythology and narration to the point that I could picture an animated movie based on it.
Mina was a courageous narrator and main character, albeit too flawless at times. I appreciated how resilient and loving she was, and all the relationships she forms throughout the book do resound incredibly genuine.
I do hope this release will make waves and that perhaps we can one day see a beautiful adaptation of it.

I requested The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea as I loved the cover. This is something that I rarely do but it was so beautiful I just had to take a chance and read the novel.

The novel itself is as beautiful as the cover. Its spiritual taking in many of the Eastern religious philosophies, its steeped in legends with mortals dedication to appeasing their Gods to make their life easier. With a lovely love story with a very feisty couple.

I cried, laughed and applauded Mina the heroine, Shin and my favourite Mask, Dai and Mikki on their adventures.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for this wonderful fairy tale that for me will be one of the go to books for 2022.

Just edited to say that I have changed this to a five star review as I cried at the end and the novel and characters are still with me after finishing.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the e-ARC of The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea by Axie Oh in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Publication date: February 22nd 2022

This story pulls you in from the very start with Mina sacrificing herself to become the Sea God's Bride both for the love she has for her brother and her homeland, which is being ravaged by deadly storms. However, when she reaches the Sea God’s kingdom all is not what it seemed from land.

This book definitely pulls you in to a world of myth, legend and most definitely all the vibes of Spirited Away! The world building is beautiful, complete and the whole story is told beautifully with absolutely no lecturing.

The characters are beautifully described and the little trio who come to Mina’s aid are truly loveable and Shin is just perfect. Meanwhile Namgi just holds a special place in my heart…what can I say? I have an obsession and it’s pretty truly fulfilled in this absolute delight of a story.

Normally I would write so much more, but so would just gush and give away the whole plot! This book is beautifully written, whimsical, adorable and an absolute delight. It does have lessons told throughout it, but they are told within charming stories and never forced.

If you are looking for a book that will fill and brighten your heart and soul, puck this book up!

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton to give me this beautiful ARC book because I love it so much!

Actual rating 4.5 ⭐!

We met Mina who sacrificing her life to save her brother and also her village to become the Sea God bride. Even tough, in that year Mina wasn't the girl suppose to be sacrificed. In the Sea God city, Mina met the Sea God, who just a boy, and he sleep. He didn't do anything and just sleep in his throne. Until she found by Shin, Namgi and Kirin who stolen her voice. Now, she must wander in spirit realm to find her voice and also find a way to save her village.

From the moment I read this book I already falling in love! This book is so good even from the first chapter! I love the world building and world explanation from the author. It so beautiful and I can really see what kind of world in this book. And I also love all the characters here! All of them are so kind and brave. It's beautiful to see the relation ship between Mina and all other spirit here, but of course my favorite are Mina and Shin! They have a beautiful relationship! My favorite character is Mina! Mina is not a strong girl, but she brave and really care the other person. I really love her character here.

The conflict is also super good! Complex and there's a twist! I didn't know it would be turn out like that! This book really have a complete story from family, friendship and love! You can find it all here in this book! I really recommend this book to all of you!

This book is a fairytale! It's full of love, hope, family and fantasy.
Unlike any book I've read before, and a book I feel like I need to read again!

5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you @netgalley and @hodderstoughton for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: February 22nd 2022

Mina sacrifices herself to become the Sea God's Bride in the hopes of stopping the deadly storms that ravage her homeland. But everything under water is not as it seems. 🤔

This book was so beautiful! 😍
I love it so much. It even made me tear up a couple of times, just because of the beautiful and emotional moments. 😢

The atmosphere described in the book, together with the extraordinary cover, immersed me completely. 😊
I felt like I was walking through the streets and palaces that were described.

The events and people that surround Mina also piqued my interest. 😃
I wanted to know what had happened to everyone and what occurred to make this curse happen. 🧐
I would love to read more about these people, just their day-to-day lives. 😄

This book reminded me of Strange the Dreamer for some reason, but I cannot explain exactly why... 😅

Everybody: Read this book! 💙💙

(Link to Instagram to follow on February 7th.)

A really beautifully written book, with writing that transports you completely to a world reminiscent of a studio Ghibli film while also standing on it's own 2 feet exploring the beautiful spirit realm! It was fantastic to read a book with a mythology that isn't as explored as say; Greek or Nordic, and because of this it felt very fresh and interesting! Loved the main character, she was brilliantly relatable and level-headed (which isn't often found in a young adult protagonist).

Can't wait to recommend this to people at the shop!

Y'all I've not had a taste of lush, brilliant and intricate fantasy like this one in a long while. A huge thanks to publisher & netgalley for providing me with an arc :)

Moving on, let me tell you why you should read this book, and I assume you will, YOU WILL RIGHT??

FIVE Solid reasons to read The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea by Axie Oh. I'll pin the plot in the comments.

1. A girl who decides her own fate & can take decisions for herself, badass female lead, love that.
2. A high fantasy book I'd call it. Since the details, myths & lores, made it hard to stop reading, it felt like I was entranced by the story. I wanted more and more.
3. The characters other than the main leads. Kirin? Adorable tsundere, I bet. And Namgi? Loml I love him, how big of a cinnamon roll he is? Axie I love you for giving me these characters but I might dislike you tiny bit for not giving me enough of them
4. The pace and the story building. I still cannot believe how the author managed to explore the whole story with back story, myths & legends, everything in a single book. Like now you know how perfectly it is paced. And for me, who personally loves grandmother's stories, this was an absolute delight.
5. Lord Shin of Lotus House :) I'm not elaborating, you'll know what I mean when you read it. So go ahead read it when it releases.

“I cry a lot, I think. I have weak eyes.” My brother wraps his arms around me. “Or a strong heart.”
•
If I had to describe this book with a word, it would be: melancholic. The story is truly fascinating and Mina reminded me of the protagonist of She who became the sun.

She may be neither the most beautiful girl in her village, nor the chosen one, but she refuses to be a passive observer of her life and keep seeing her family suffer. She decides to take the destiny in her hands and sacrifice herself in order to save her world.

She ends up in the Spirit realm where she meets Shin. He reminds me a bit of Wrath from KOTW, he is so composed and imperturbable, yet so tender when it comes to her, it’s really a pleasure seeing them growing into each other’s.

The story is masterfully written and it really gives you the idea of being into a legend, I personally love this kind of writing.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea is one of the best books I've read in my life. I'm a complete fan. Oh is a phenomenal author and she's done a fantastic job with this story.

There is so much I love about this book but what I love most is the discussion of faith in this. I loved how the author explored faith and belief in Gods, how it brought so much hope to humans, and what happened when that belief was challenged. The arc was handled very sensitively and written beautifully, presenting a multi-dimensional view to the whole thing. I loved it.

The main character, Mina, is so freaking badass and I am in complete awe of her. The way she's so protective about the people she loves, hee determination and fearlessness in protecting those people, her love for stories, her faith in God... It all summed to make a beautiful character who I will love forever.

Shin was an amazing love interest and I adored him so much. He came off as rude and cold at the start but quickly made a place in my heart with how much he cared about his friends. As the story progressed, more of his layers were peeled to make him a great character that makes you want to root for them.

The romance was absolutely sensational. I loved reading all scenes that Mina and Shin had together and was really invested in their fate as a couple given the situation in which they met. I loved the slow burn and the pining. It was just beautiful.

The seemingly perfect blend of folktales and mythology in the story made it so much richer and added to the world building beautifully. Though we didn't see much of the side characters, they were all really special and I hope to see them in spin-offs. They all have great potential and it would be shame to have it wasted.

I will definitely be recommending this to everyone. I'm so in love with it!

this book was so magical!! i fell in love with the world and people almost instantly!

this book was inspired by Korean mythology and i just adored they way it was told and how magical (the perfect word to describe this book) everything was. i loved the characters so much, the friendship aspect in this book was so strong. Mina, the main protagonists, was just incredible and i loved her from the minute i met her. Her story telling skills were amazing and she just kept surprising me constantly.

TL;DR
I am in love. This emotional and heartfelt retelling is everything you want in a standalone fantasy book.

THE JUICE
As a kid, I was convinced I was a mermaid in a past-life. If anyone was trying to find 7-year-old-Jen, you’d just need to look in the deep end of the swimming pool where I’d be dolphin kicking underwater and living out my underwater fantasy life.

So when you plonk this book in front of me, I didn’t stand a fucking chance. Here’s what you’re in for:

✨ A Sea God causing a bit of mayhem
✨ Yearly sacrifices of girls to said Sea God
✨ An underwater world full of magical things including yet more gods and mythical beasts
✨ One bad-ass powerhouse called Mina who I’d love to be pals with pronto

Every year, a small village makes a sacrifice to the Sea God in order to avoid natural catastrophes which he is quite clearly in control of. Most people would presume that might involve giving the water lad some crops or a nice bracelet except you’d be very, very wrong.

In this world, they sacrifice 16-year old girls instead. Every year they scoot around local villages to find the most beautiful girl they can, fully kit her out as a bride and then yeet her into the sea in the hopes she might (emphasise on MIGHT) be his one true love and break the curse.

Mina (your main bestie) isn’t the bride, so technically she could have just gone about living her life, HOWEVER her brother’s girlfriend, Shim Cheong, was. Refusing to live in that timeline, she flung herself into the ocean before creating a self-sacrifice moment that rivals that time Spock repaired the Warp Drive.

Now in the spirit realm, Mina needs to figure out a way to wake the Sea God by gathering up a chaotic crew of demons, spirits and gods in a world completely unknown to her in an attempt to figure out what the hell is going on with him.


THE TAKE
Asian retellings. BEAUTIFUL bloody cover. The words Spirited Away whispered into my ear.

Combine those three things and I didn’t stand a chance. I knew I was going to sell my soul to these characters before I even turned the page and I am now a husk of a woman begging for more books by Axie Oh.

This book comes with a bit of everything, From a hint of action with a sprinkling of romance, right down to emotional family moments that will have tears creeping up on you when you least expect it. Whilst the twists weren’t exactly full of ‘OMG WHAT JUST HAPPENED’ moments, it didn’t take away from the story at all.

It’s so insanely hard not to give away everything through pure excitement of this world.
I love it. And you will as well.

This book is marketed as perfect for fans of 'Spirited Away' and I have to completely agree. The book follows Mina who ends up transported to the spirit world, trying to navigate her way through it and honestly, it's rare for a book to have a large cast and for me to pretty much like everyone (who we're supposed to, at least)! Even the side-characters, who don't spend much time on page, get enough development for me to care about them. Honestly, I'd love a novella about the god of death and his wife.

This is a fast paced story and even though it took me a while to get through the first half, I devoured the last half in one morning.

Thanks to netgalley and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

𝙱𝚕𝚞𝚛𝚋°•
➳ For generations, deadly storms have ravaged Mina's homeland. Her people believe that the Sea God, who was once their protector, has cursed them with death and despair. To appease him, a maiden is thrown into the sea every year in the hopes that one day the 'true bride' will be chosen and the suffering will end.
•
➳ Many people believe Shim Cheong, Mina's brother's beloved, is the legendary true bride. But, on the night Cheong is sacrificed, Mina's brother follows her, despite knowing that interfering is a death sentence. Mina jumps into the water in place of Cheong in order to save her brother.
•
➳ She is whisked away to a magical city of lesser gods and mythical beasts, where she discovers the Sea God, who is trapped in an enchanted sleep. Mina sets out to awaken him and put an end to the storms once and for all, with the help of a mysterious young man and a motley crew of demons, gods, and spirits.
•
➳ But she doesn't have much time: a human can't live in the land of the spirits for very long. And there are those who will go to any length to prevent the Sea God from waking...
•
•°𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠°•
➳ Ohmygod! I'm madly in love with this book! I freaking love it! The cover?? AH, BEJEEZUS! *Chef's kiss 💋
•
➳ I can't even begin to describe how beautiful the writing is. Nothing could have prepared me for Axie Oh's writing, but nothing could have prepared me for this. The style of writing is exquisite, and it embraces the dreamy side of Asian mythology. The 2nd half of the book is filled with Dragons, Gods, and mythology that is both captivating and beautiful. I knew right away that this was going to be my favourite book.
•
➳ I adore every characters & The unique Gods and the funny beautiful & touching characters really fill this book and make it so captivating that I couldn't put it down. The soulmate trope in this book killed me, I don't wanna give away everything but trust me it's the best! Ahhh, it was just so damn good, and I want to read it again right now.
•
➳ Overall, The ending made me completely fall in love with the entire thing.
•
•°𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐°•
•➳ 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕/5

this book is a wonderfully written fantasy with beautiful characters and excellent world building. the story is fast paced and gets moving right away, and it set in a world that feels so real and accessible even though you’re not familiar with it without feeling like an information overload. i loved Mina’s character and the way her character arc kept you guessing, even if the big twists were a little bit predictable. i also loved the mix of themes of found family, platonic love and romance. all of this book worked together so well, and creates such a magical and heartfelt story.

This is such a fantastic read – I found it to have quite a folky/old school/mythy feel to it, at first it may feel like any generic YA fantasy romance but as the story unfolds it’s apparent , I loved the fact the author kind of fooled me to start with abc then says oh no, this is something a lot more special. The characters are very well-developed and continue to as the story progresses and more is revealed the more you learn about their backstories. I loved the fact it focuses on family as equally as the romance and it is such
a lovely and emotional read. Highly recommended

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I loved this straight off 5 stars this should be treated as a classic folk tale beautifully written loved every minute of it, Also drawn to the cover. Will recommend this to friends

What an astonishing beautiful book, vivid and powerful, dreamlike and magical. Simply wonderful.

The book begins with Mina's sacrifice, to save her brother's love she jumps into the sea to become the Bride of the Sea God, but once she enters the spirit world, nothing is as it seems.

I absolutely understand the comparisons to Spirited Away, but there's more to this book than just that comparison. Through Mina's eyes the spirit world comes alive, and the depth the author gives to the world and the characters really helps to draw the reader into the world and make it seem real. Like a myth or a legend that began in reality.

I dove through the twists and turns of the story, falling in love with the characters and desperate to reach the end. A truly magical read.

Screaming, crying, throwing up right now. That was so beautiful! Gorgeous gorgeous girls read The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea. This isn't even released yet but I wanna gatekeep it so bad. I'm never getting over Axie Oh's fascinating storyweaving about the Water God and its bride. The perfect flow of the story felt as if I was watching Tangled, the one Disney movie I enjoyed so much, blended, of course, with Spirited Away. It's as if I'm transported into summer, doing nothing on a slow afternoon but watch Studio Ghilbi movies with my favorite cold drink. May I add that I also adored Mina so much! She's my girl for real! She's brimming with confidence and is decisive with her choices.. yea, that's my girl right there! I would also like to point out that I didn't particularly liked the concept of the red string of fate but I actually did love it in here? Idk, but it's probably because the red string isn't inseverable, It can be made and cut to their own will, which depicts that the people don't let what was tied to them to be their fate. It was a good symbolism. My 2nd book which I rated 5 stars for this year, and I hope isn't my last!

Thank you so much to Hodder & Stoughton (my bestie fr) for providing me an arc of this book in exchange of an honest review!

Mina lives in a land under a curse, beset by deadly storms and brutal conflict. Once a year a young woman is cast into the sea to appease the Sea God, in the hope that she will be chosen as his true bride and end the curse. Shim Cheong is the most beautiful girl in the village, and it has long been acknowledged that she will be the Sea God’s sacrifice. In order to protect Cheong and save her brother from a broken heart, Mina casts herself into the sea in her place, even though she is not sure she will be accepted as a suitable replacement.

Mina finds herself in a Spirit Realm ruled by gods and mythical creatures but the Sea God, her only hope for her people’s salvation, is in an enchanted sleep. Mina must work out how to break the curse with the help of a boy called Shin who has been tasked with protecting the Sea God. But Mina’s fate is a complex and tangled string, and her heart seems to be pulling her in a different direction.

‘The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea’ is based on a classic Korean legend, and the author beautifully melds dreamlike prose with a cleverly plotted story—updated to reflect a more contemporary feminist message. The Spirit Realm itself is surreal and slightly bewildering—I’m not sure I followed all of the complex mythology of the place, but the resolution was suitably satisfying. This story is also a romance, but Mina is no swooning damsel, and I loved the way that she defies fate and creates her own destiny.

‘The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea’ swept me away to another world—an enchanting and lyrical tale, perfect for fans of ‘Midnight in Everwood’.

A wonderful magical story about hope, family, love, grief and destiny. Join Mina on her enchanted journey in the spirit realm. You won't regret it!

I got this arc inexchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free e-arc in exchange for an honest review. I finished this book a week before I could even get my thoughts together enough to write this review because I loved it so, so much.

I'm not sure I have ever read a book with a more accurate comp title than this. Spirited Away is THE perfect comp title and everything this comp promises, the book delivers. And then some.

Even the Howl's Moving Castle book doesn't deliver Ghibli vibes as well as this book does. So if you're here for the Ghibli stuff and the Spirited Away-ness of it all, STAY. This book is IT.

I am absolutely obsessed with how beautifully Korean mythology was woven into this book. Even people will little to no knowledge of Korean mythology (like myself) will have no trouble with this aspect of the book and will likely very much enjoy it (as I did).

I want more than anything for Ghibli to pick up this book and turn it into a movie because it deserves no less. It would be so beautiful and I would be as obsessed with it as I am this book.

Axie Oh knocked it out of the park again. And I will likely never shut up about how much I love this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the early copy!

I wasn’t expecting to love this book, as based on the blurb, it wasn’t really my thing. Boy was I wrong!

The characters were so amazing and charismatic, they pulled you in from the start. You will be rooting for them to all get their happy ending.

The way this book was structured was perfect - not too slow, not too rushed, you got all the relevant information at the right time.

The way the author took an old legend and twisted it in a way that makes you believe this may have been what happened originally, but the wrong person received the credit for it, is truly magical. This is what talented writing looks like.

I didn’t see some of the twists coming, which was a nice change and I was truly surprised at times. I loved every minute of reading this book.

I cannot wait to have a wonderful special edition of this book - as long as Fairyloot doesn’t make it a hideous shade of purple.

I really enjoyed this feel-good mythological adventure, it’s got a whole lot of heart, several surprises, lots of peril and some romance too. It’s a book about finding yourself, a book about the ties we make to each other, and a book about finding a home. Read this for found family, beautiful imagery, spellbinding mythology and a captivating plot.

Such a beautiful book cover and a gorgeous read! The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea was such a fun and enjoyable read, definitely holds up to its Spirited Away pitch!
I loved the characters, and their relationships and the world that Oh has built! Mina was a perfect main character, and I was rooting for her from the beginning! and the ending was *chefs kiss*!

The award for prettiest book cover of 2022 is definitely going to The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea. But it's going to be competing for my favourite fantasy book of the year too. I adored this novel and didn't want it to end.

Every year, a girl is sacrificed to the sea to appease the angry god beneath its waves. This year's bride is Shim Cheong, the girl Mina's brother is in love with. Unable to bare her brother's grief - or risk him doing something foolish to save her - Mina offers herself to the waves instead. Can she be the bride to finally end the curse on her kingdom and restore the gods' goodwill to humanity? Or does the red ribbon of fate have other plans for her?

The world building and mythology are superb. I loved the Sea God's kingdom, the court politics, the beasts. Everything about this novel was exquisitely done.

There was also a great cast of characters. Mina was a strong protagonist who was always willing to fight for what she believed to be right and put others above herself. I loved the spirits (who gave me Spirited Away vibes!) Mask, Dai and Miki, and Shin and his friends.

But at the heart of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a romance I was completely swept up in. It's just perfect and ticks all the boxes for what I want from a fantasy romance. There were also plenty of clever plot twists that kept me guessing and turning the page until late at night.

I think I have a new favourite book.

Mina's home has suffered for many years. Once a year, the people sacrifice one girl to be the bride of the sea god and ease the life-threatening storms and floods for another year.

This genre-bending story was spectacular. I quite literally have almost no words to explain how much I loved it.

I'm so, so sad it's over but really looking forward to more from Axie Oh❤️

The Girl who fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh is a retelling of a traditional Korean fairytale. It follows the story of Mina whose homeland is in peril from deadly storms, war and grief. They pray to the Sea God to help them and to stop the damage and pain that is happening to their land, but he does not answer.

Every year the people sacrifice a beautiful young woman in hope she will be the Sea God’s true bride and an end will come to the devastation he is causing. When Shim Cheong is chosen to be sacrificed, Mina’s brother is heart broken and so Mina takes her place.

You are then transported to the spirit realm which is full of dragons, serpents, demons, thief’s, assassins, mystery and a Sea God who appears cursed. Mina has one month to change the fate of her homeland.

I absolutely loved this story, the writing was whimsical and the spirit realm was both beautiful and frightening. The story is full of grief, strength and is just completely heart warming. It is one I will return to again and again.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC.

Mina's country is ravaged by storms and her people send a young bride each year in attempts to appease the Sea God. Mina saves her brother by falling into the sea in the place of his love who was chosen to be sacrificed. She finds herself in the Spirit Realm and discovers that the Sea God is in an enchanted sleep. She makes it her mission to break the curse and stop the storms.

Full of soft lyrical power, the narrative feels like a fairy tale colored by myths and creatures of East Asian culture. It starts by putting us right into the action, showing us Mina's sacrifice. The worldbuilding is exceptional, steeped in intrigue and wonder, presenting descriptions that have you 'floating' in the colorful, vibrant dreamland that is the Spirit Realm.

The POV is so personal and in touch with the protagonist's emotions, a protagonist that is relatable, that you will like and admire from introduction. The evolution of the character comes from all she goes through and an unlikely alliance which I accepted with glee and a smirk. An incredible thought-out plot, there is the curse but also the hunger for power, machinations, conspiracy and betrayal. We are also gifted with loyalty, duty, the desire to do what is right.

Except for the main goal of waking the Sea God, there is no way to predict the direction of the story and that makes it even more exciting. The action is described in a heart-pounding, straightforward manner. Full of beautiful, intelligent sentences philosophizing on life and characters you will grow to adore like Shin who is honorable, fierce and brave, and the trio of Mask, Dai & Miki who I think represent her conscience and her reasoning.

It deals with the existence of soulmates and in extension the existence of a soul. Also with faith, hope and the power of love.

This story played a wonderful melody with my heartstrings, was undeniably entertaining, and had revelations that will make you smile with your soul and bring tears to your eyes (I admit I was bawling). I got so immersed in the world I forgot I was reading! Axie Oh is a master storyteller and I thank her so much for this book.

<b> Do you know how much I love you... Even I don't know </b>

This book is almost unbearably perfect. It's beautiful in concept and execution and I feel lucky that I've read it. I will definitely be returning one day.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea by Axie Oh is a standalone YA fantasy that chronicles the story of a girl who would do anything for her family and those she loves and believes in, even if it means jumping into the sea, into a world of unknown, with an immense task that might just cost her her life. More than that, this books highlights what it means to be a family, a friend, a sibling, a god, and to face a destiny that is not your choosing.

My first reaction while reading the book was amazement at how beautifully written it is. It's not just the book cover guys, the magic's literally in the words. Axie Oh definitely makes it to my priority authors to read from from now on.

Plot-wise, I love how unpredictable it was at the start of the novel, it's really like navigating a new world, until you've familiarized yourself with the characters and the plot, and that's when the plot twists start to drop. It has anime vibes too, I swear! I can imagine the scenes animated vividly while reading. Someone adapt this book already, please!

Apart from those, I also like the discussion of the relationship between gods and humans, especially with how the Mina's character has grown. Sometimes it hits you hard when something you've always believed in turns out the other way around, but the important thing is, you should keep believeing in what is good.

Finally, the romance. Oh, I died. The lines that were said? Deserves an award. Countless times have I screamed in shock in agony due to those.

Final verdict: 5 of 5 stars. I definitely had a few issues with the pacing at some point, but I freaking enjoyed it, so it's a 5 for me.

I recieved an early reviewer copy of the book from the publisher through Netgalley, nevertheless, it doesn't affect my review and all thoughts are my own.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea by Axie Oh comes out February 22, from Hodder & Stoughton!

Beautiful, a poetic tale filled with myths coming alive, true love, loyalty, and sacrifice.
I got so invested in this world and the characters that I read it in one sitting, the story flowed easily, and the pacing felt just right. Plus, Axie Oh did a wonderful job in describing the settings/location, the Spirit Realm felt mystical and real, I really fell into this world as much as Mina did.
Mina is a wonderful heroine, she's written as not the most beautiful, strong, or wisest but she is by far the most loveable and relatable - her loyalty and love to her family shines through and fuels her bravery and strength. The other characters are wonderful compliments to Mina and help her with the journey but I felt we could have been given more depth into their lives and motivations.

I enjoyed how this book managed to avoid a lot of cliches, mainly with Mina, and how although she wasn't the "chosen one" she chose herself for the sake of her family. I didn't mind the ending it felt peaceful and well rounded. Purely selfishly I felt there were times within the book things could have been explored more (romance building with love interests, depth into side characters, more explanation into the gods/myths) but I can't fault how easily this book sucked me into this tale. A really wonderful read that deserves all the hype for its publication.

Plus the cover is stunning, I'll definitely be trying to get a physical copy upon publication.

The Girl Who fell beneath the sea was one of my most anticipated reads ever since seeing the gorgeous cover and reading the intriguing synopsis and also that it was compared to having Spirited Away vibes. It delivered really well and I loved it so here are 5 reasons you should pick it up as your next read:

Atmospheric and Magical Setting

This book was compared to having Spirited Away vibes and as a Ghibli fan I was definitely excited to read it and I’m so glad it delivered on this part. The setting of the human world and the underwater Spirit Realm world are stunning, written beautifully in a way which will instantly transport you to the world.

You know how in movies we see specks of gold in the air in and around magic? Reading this book gives you that feeling. The world building is amazing and all the different realms are described so well too. This was my favourite part of the book. The covers for this book are so gorgeous and the inside of the book exactly matches the vibes of the cover.

Fascinating Characters

This book had multiple characters and all of them had their part to play in the plot, even if it’s a small part it somehow tied together in the end for all of them. The main character is Mina, who jumps in to the river instead of Shim Cheong as the Sea God’s bride, as Shim is her brother Joon’s beloved and she wanted to save them. So right from the start we see her braveness and love for her family. I loved reading about Mina and her character was splendidly written.

Mina then meets Shin, Namgi and Kirin who her navigate the underwater realm. Namgi becomes fast friends with Mina though Kirin is a little reserved. Shin takes some time to weave himself in the hearts of readers and Mina but he’s definitely one of my favourites. The next trio is Dai, Mask and Miki who always appear when Mina needs help and Mina trusts them easily and their characters remain intriguing till the end. The Sea God’s character is mysterious and will keep you wondering.

There are gods, demons and spirits in the book and you’ll have to read the book to find out more but as I said earlier that every character plays an integral part, however small and ties in really well with the plot and it really impressed me at how well it was done.

An Intriguing Plot to keep you hooked

The story is inspired by Korean mythology and the author does a wonderful job of weaving this part with the story and the world. The plot starts with Mina’s homeland which is ravaged by deadly storms and wars and they think that the Sea God , who was once their protector has cursed them, In order to appease him, every year a maiden is thrown in the sea to serve as the Sea God’s bride. This time Shim Cheong is chosen but she loves Joon, Mina’s brother, and when Joon tries to follow her, Mina jumps in the sea to save them.

Mina is then swept in the world of Spirit Realm where, through the Red String of Fate, she finds the Sea God in an enchanted sleep and in trying to figure out how to wake him and save the village she crosses path with Shin, Namgi and Kirrin. The plot is intriguing and though at times predictable it only makes it more enjoyable as you read how it all unfolds. There are politics and betrayals and curses and it adds that perfect mix to make the story more alluring.

Beautiful Writing

The writing is really beautiful and it matches really well with the vibes of the character and the world. I always try to notice this in books of whether the writing matches the voice and vibes of the world and this book does exactly that. It makes the magical part of the world also shine through its writing and thus making it an overall gorgeous read. The pacing is also pretty good and it flows really well as you read.

Themes of love, family, friendship and loyalty

The Girl who fell beneath the sea focuses on family and loyalty not just from Mina’s side but also her family. We see the soft and delicate love blossoming for Mina, her friendships, old and new and how they help her throughout the book. The world of gods and spirits and curses is all written so well. All these themes are dealt with really well and it’s the kind of book which leaves you happy at having read it.

Overall, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea was a magical, lush and atmospheric YA fantasy inspired by Korean mythology with Spirited Away vibes. It has beautiful writing and intriguing characters and I highly recommend this book especially for Ghibli fans and fans of soft, magical fantasy!

Axie Oh is my new favorite author. I absolutely devoured this book - it was cute, sweet, powerful, comforting and badass.
A fairytale story that I didn't know I needed in my life.

I loved the world Axie Oh has built in this and the ah-mazing characters.
I did not want this book to end!!!

I am drawn to books that are myth retelling, so I was interested in reading this book which is based on the Korean folktale, The Tale of Shim Cheong, although the beautiful cover initially led me to read the blurb.

The author has a beautiful, lyrical writing style, which fits perfectly with a myth-inspired theme. The book is a story of love, family, destiny, forgiveness, sacrifice and grief. It takes a little while to get going, but it is worth persevering with, because it is a fantastic book.

The characters are so well crafted, I became completely wrapped up in their lives and they remained in my heart and mind when the book ended. Mina is a true hero and I loved her. The Gods, dragons and spirits were fabulous, I mean this book just has everything a character driven reader could want, as well as everything a plot driven reader could want, because there is myth, adventure and romance.

The settings are beautiful and I was quite literally swept away.

Have just pre-ordered the hardback with the stunningly beautiful cover.

Than k you to the author, Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for an ARC in return for a honest review.

While Mina fell into the sea, I fell in love with everything from the settings to the characters to the writing. Only a true bride of the Sea God can end his wrath that has flooded villages and caused internal uproars in Mina’s homeland. A girl is brought to the sea to be sacrificed every year the storm begins. Mina, herself, has seen multiple brides jumping into the waters but the storm never truly calmed.

This year, Shim Cheong is the chosen bride. Knowing that Joon would lose the woman of his heart, Mina sacrificed herself as tribute instead. Without hesitating, she jumped into the sea. In this world, the Red String of Fate is what ties a destined couple together, and hers was linked to the Sea God, a boy-god asleep on his throne the first time they met. One of her goals while at the Spirit Realm is to end the sacrificial rite once and for all. However, time is limited as humans cannot survive for more than a month there.

The Spirit Realm is home to many mythical creatures, gods, and spirits. Mina’s self-made destiny tied her together with a young man called Shin, and his friends, Namgi and Kirin. Out of the two sidekicks, Namgi is cheerful and lively and Kirin’s demeanor is cold and uncaring. Slowly though, readers find out that behind their respective dispositions, Namgi worries quite a bit and Kirin just needs time to warm up to others. I don’t know if I’m reading too much into it but can I please have something between Namgi and Kirin.. in a romantic way? I mean, it’s already canon in my mind with how they’re total opposites, and the things that they say about each other just gave me an inkling.

As Mina attempts to calm the storms, Mina meets a trio: Mask, a grandmother; Dai, a little boy; and Miki, a tiny baby. They helped Mina multiple times throughout the book without hesitation or questions. It made their motives a little bit suspicious because Mina did just reach the Spirit Realm before they appeared to her aid. That chapter when everything was revealed triggered instant tears.

Adjusting to her new world was tough for Mina but her love for family and her determination to do right by them supported her will to succeed. When she started to meet more gods, Mina’s faith in them started to waver. Gods were supposed to protect humans but in fact, they were actively refusing to answer any prayers by humans. I think Mina’s compassion towards the spirits and the gods made her an extremely likable character. She doesn’t judge others and continuously believed in the good of people even when the situation is contrary.

If you think the romance is about the Sea God and Mina, think again. Unknowingly, Shin and Mina started to fall for one another. Shin got over his apprehension about humans and realized that Mina truly feels for both humans and gods. Shin saw Mina’s genuine desire in saving the humans from the wrath of the Sea God and to prevent any more sacrificed girls.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a solid read. I can’t praise the writing enough. Axie Oh kept me engrossed in the world and invested in the characters’ futures. There was no escaping from the vivid imagery. I’m sure there is more of the world to be explored. Putting this out in the universe to manifest: Can I have a series? A standalone isn’t enough for me. I have no complaints. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea was one of my most anticipated releases of 2022 and it didn’t disappoint.

If stories have a meaning, then this story is saying that to do nothing, however reckless an action may seem, can leave you with a lifetime of regrets. This book is based on a Korean legend which seems to have elements of Sleeping Beauty, and Beauty and the Beast, although in this case the worlds above and below the sea are in danger.
We first meet the protagonist Mina as she runs to the shore to try and protect her brother Joon, who is himself trying to protect his beloved Shim Cheong, who has been chosen to be the bride of the Sea God. She is the latest of many brides who have been given to the Sea God to try and appease him, so the storms and misfortunes will end in Mina’s homeland. Mina becomes the bride in Shim Cheong’s place and falls into the Spirit World beneath the sea. Whether she can bring the Sea God back to himself and perhaps find love for herself is the crux of the story.
There are many things to like in this book, it celebrates love in many forms, it gives character and motivation to previous brides, the descriptions of both worlds are vivid, and I even liked the changing wave motifs that act as section headers.
Many readers will work out the mysteries of the book before they are revealed. But that is not such a drawback in a legend as it might be in a thriller, since there is an expectation in legends which is satisfying when fulfilled. And I also think the legend format makes Young Adult books very readable for adults, who might not otherwise be interested in teenagers.
I found this a lovely satisfying read which I’ll revisit in the future.

I had a copy of this book early through NetGalley.

I am quite a new reader to this type of fantasy. This, in fact, was only my second read and I absolutely loved it. I read to escape and this certainly allows that pure escapism. A world of myths, legends and song where the sea god cursed the lands. Every year they sacrifice a girl to be the sea gods bride. Shim Cheong was meant to be this years sacrifice but Mina saw the love her brother Joon gave her and jumped into the sea and sacrificed herself. A truly magical story that had me hooked from start to finish.

Every year a bride is sacrificed to the Sea God to appease his wrath from blighting the land of Mina’s village. When the next Sea God bride to be chosen is none other than the love of Mina’s brother’s life, Mina offers herself as an alternate sacrifice, to spare the young lovers from being heartbroken. Mina is then taken by the sea god’s dragon deep beneath the sea to the Spirit Realm, to fulfil her purpose as the sacrificial bride. Or so she thought…
It turns out the wrath of the Sea God is outwith his control until he is freed from a curse by his soulmate, which is a mighty challenge, seeing as all of the past brides and now Mina, are kept far away from him. But Mina is determined to save her village, her family and the boy she dreams of.

I was completely swept up and away with this book - I read it in one sitting! I was besotted with the characters and the world Axie Oh created. I should say I found the entirety of the plot predictable (with no knowledge of the myths being retold) but it didn’t detract from how much I adored this. Moreover, I would say it reads on the younger end of the YA scale. But what an enchanting read this is. Undeniably, Oh has written a mesmerising book full of love, family, friendship and self-worth, captured through a beautiful fairytale narrative that felt truly whimsical.

I really liked Mina; her determination to define her own fate was inspiring. Through Mina and her title as sea bride, we explore the idea of changing one’s fate and taking control of their own life. Truly, Mina’s love for her family and her bravery left me in awe. And following Mina every step of the way is the Head of House Lotus, Shin, who is the person responsible for keeping the Sea God safe from his enemies. I have no shame in saying I fell in love with him from the moment he started talking with Mina. He was so perceptive and sneakily clever, and as the story goes on, a complete soft boy who I desperately wanted to smother in hugs.

The side characters delivered great personality. There’s Namgi and Kirin, who are Shin’s sidekicks, who reminded me of the dynamic of Rhysand/Cassian/Azriel from the ACOTAR world. Namgi is the comforting and sassy to Kirin’s standoffish yet caring persona. Then there’s the mysterious and cheeky spirits, Mask and Dai, who don’t hesitate to help Mina on her mission to save everyone.

All in all, this was a delightful read that provided great escapism. If you’ve read Six Crimson Cranes (which if you haven’t, you definitely should!), then this will be right up your alley. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a very loving story, in more ways than romance, and left me feeling joyous and with a big smile on my face.

Thank you kindly to Hodder & Stoughton for an e-ARC in exchange for this honest review.

P.s. what a BEAUTIFUL cover!!

Magical, colourful, and cute. This book has it all!
As we follow Mina through her travel, we discover an underworld full of colours and lovable companions. This book also covers some deeper thoughts, such as loosing loved ones, saying goodbye or making the right choices.
One tiny thing I would add though: the world building is not super deep, as it is standalone and not a serie. I didn’t have an issue with it, but some might wish for some extra pages.
An absolute delight! Would recommend to anyone in need of a bit of magic.

*Thanks to NetGalley and HodderBooks for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.*

“Beneath the sea, the dragon sleeps …”

4.75 Stars

Synopsis: When Mina sacrifices herself in place of her brother’s beloved, Shim Cheong, to be the Sea God’s Bride she is swept into the Spirit Realm. Determined to break the Sea God’s curse and save her family and her people, Mina must fight against those who want the Sea God to stay sleeping. But Mina is human, and the world of Spirits is no place for her.

The Girl Who Fell Benneath The Sea, by Axie Oh, is a beautiful beautiful book. Inspired by Korean mythlogy/tales, this is a gorgeous tale of fate, love and loyalty and I was truly and completely swept away.

Oh’s witing is gorgeous. From start to finish the book is intensely vivid with stunning descriptions that paint incredibly evocative settings. And yet, even with all of the beautful descrptions the prose still flows easily and is incredibly light and engaging. The prose perfectly draws you in and lets you read with ease while building intricate settings and scenes. Not only does the prose have depth, but the pacing is also perfect for the story. The book is relatively short and yet packed with so much emotion, and action, and stories all of which are perfectly balanced so that the book’s pacing feels perfectly balanced. This is only solidified by the dialogue throughout the story, with a careful balance of heartfelt conversations as well as wit, humour and sarcasm, everything in Oh’s prose works cohesively and beautifully.

The story is told from Mina’s point of view, she is the main character and quite the driving force in the story. I loved Mina’s perspective, being a human swept into the Spirit Realm we only have her human knowledge of Spirits and the Gods/Goddesses, so it was incredibly fun and interesting to watch her and learn with her in the Spirit Realm. Her perspective worked well to maintain mystery throughout the book and made the twists and turns enjoyable, shocking and emotional – I also really loved getting to know all the other characters with her! Mina’s perspective worked perfectly with the plot and the pacing, giving us just enough information at just the right times. I also really enjoyed her memories and stories, especially her stories passed down to her from her Grandmother – the familial aspect of the story was strong and beautifully incorporated, the stories and Mina’s perspective really gave you the heart of this book. Both the prose and POV really make you connect with this story because you can feel the love, the heart, beneath it – the book is infused with it.

So the plot! I LOVE mythology, So when I saw this had mythological inspirations I had to investigate. The plot has influences from Korean Mythology, namely the Sea God and the tale of Shim Cheong, however, this story is entirely its own with the focus being on Mina, a girl who choses to take Shim Cheong’s place. Mina is 16 and takes Cheong’s place to protect her brother from losing the one he loves, but also for her own goals too. When Mina follows the Red String of Fate to the Sea God she comes to realise there is more to the Sea God’s curse than her and her people believed, and that some in the Spirit Realm do not want to see him wake.

I absolutely loved the plot. It felt traditional and unique all in one. I loved Mina trying to figure out how to wake the Sea God, her working with Shin, meeting Namgi and Kirin, and other Spirits too like Mask, Dai and Miki! While Mina has assumed the role of the Sea God’s Bride, she has to tackle more than if this is truly her fate. As Mina fights for her own soul and the Sea God, she unravels the truth of the Sea God’s curse, but not without the threat of assassins, vengeful Gods and the truth about her own fate. From the start I was engaged with this story and everything about it. I loved the mystery, the idea of fate, the puzzle and the twists and turns the story takes. But mostly I loved how the story deals with love, fate, loyalty and family. From choosing your fate to having your fate choose you, to the stories that are fiction but reveal bittersweet truths, to the love of family but also of friends and romantic love – the themes woven into the story are strong and heartwarming.

SLIGHT SPOILER:: I was worried actually about the emergence of a love triangle in this book (because I am not a fan) and yet Oh actually sidesteps this trope in a way I found compelling and emotional – I really liked how it was narrowly avoided and yet the dynamic was powerful and worked well to explore what it truly means to love, and that love is more than just romantic .::SPOILER END!

Ok So I just really loved the plot, the story, the mythology. And I really loved Mina’s little stories that were told thoughout as well. There is a lot of depth to this story that while magical and beautiful on the surface, it holds so much more beneath it.

Characters. Let’s talk about this stunning cast of characters. Mina, the MC, is fantastic. She is stubborn, headstrong and determined but soft and full of love and hope. Every decision she makes is one born out of a desire to help her family but also to follow her own heart. I loved Mina’s character a lot, from her warmth to her stories to her love for others but also for her cleverness, her wit and sarcasm. She is a great heroine for this story. All of the other characters are equally well developed too – from Shin who get’s off to a rocky start with Mina, but has a void in his own heart and mind. Shin is sharp and to the point but has a vulnerability to him that was sweet. then we have Namgi and Kiring, who were fantastic additions from their bickering to their polar opposite personalities, and I loved their dynamic with Mina too. Then we have Mask, Dai and Miki, a trio of Spirits that you can’t help but love. Their mischief but seemingly good intentions makes you warm to them quickly.

Then you have the Sea God, sleeping from a curse and yet a character we come to connect with. The Sea God is a character that is complex and intriguing in a unique way that i’ll leave for you to find out youself! But we also get to learn more about other Gods/Goddesses too which add so much more to the world too! All of the characters are well written and you can’t help but connect with all of them over the course of the book.

Overall, The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea, by Axie Oh, is a beautiful and captivating story of Gods, loss, love, family and fate I would highly recommend this to fantasy lovers who enjoy a beautiful story full of heart.

*I received an eARC via #Netgalley from Hodder & Stoughton in exchange for an honest review -Thank you!!*

4.5 stars

Mina is not a Sea God’s bride. She would be the first to say so, although her community would be quick to echo this sentiment. She is unexceptional in most ways – she is not strong like Wol or talented like Hyeri. And yet, when her brother’s betrothed, Shim Cheong, stands at the prow of the boat, reluctant but duty-bound to sacrifice herself to the Sea God in hopes it will quell the storms that have devastated their village for a hundred years, it is Mina instead who valiantly dives into the water, choosing death to save the life of another.

Mina does not die, however, for she awakens in the land of spirits, where the storied gods are real – among them, the dormant Sea God, with whom she finds herself soul-bound and tethered by the Red String of Fate. Given the opportunity, Mina resolves to discover the truth behind the curse that plagues their village with deadly, periodic floods, although she soon learns that she must do so and restore her soul within thirty days, otherwise she will remain a spirit forever.

Although I can’t say why, this book was a slow start for me, taking me several days to slog through the first hundred pages until I was hooked in and devoured the rest of the story in half a day. Once I was into it, I started to really root for Mina and loved seeing her grow alongside other companions in her journey. I enjoyed the dynamics between characters, especially those who start off as standoffish and warm up little by little. The characters are so strongly developed from when we first meet them that it’s hard to believe the story takes place within a month.

I didn’t mind that the adversities weren’t extreme or that there weren’t many “risks” taken with this story - in the same way you can’t fault Alice in Wonderland or Spirited Away for lacking any real grit, Oh’s novel was thoroughly enjoyable and inventive while still being skillfully nuanced, leaving me overall with a feeling of joy and fulfillment with the story’s direction.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea was the first young adult novel I’ve read in a really long time and I appreciate that it didn’t fall into any of the tropes that caused me to put the genre on pause. It was also one of those books that I didn’t think I was going to love as much until coming to the ending, which wrapped things up so beautifully and really made me appreciate all the little details that clicked into place.

All in all, this book was a lovely escape that will comfort the reader like a warm hug.

Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for this charming read!

“Some might even call it a sacrifice- maybe that’s what people believed when I jumped into the sea in place of Shim Cheong. But I think it might be the other way round. I think it would be a terrible sacrifice to do nothing.”

Annually a ‘Sea Bride’, chosen for their beauty, wisdom and so forth, is sacrificed to the Sea God to appease him and calm the storms that have raged every year for the last one hundred years. With them sinks the hope that this will be the final year of the storms, that this will be the girl that will break the curse that demands a bride and brings destruction. Mina is not that chosen bride. Yet, when her brother's beloved is chosen, Mina knows what she has to do. However, arriving in the Spirit Realm, a bustling city of Gods, mythical beasts, demons and ancestors, she finds her betrothed in an enchanted sleep and both assassins and loyal servants out to use or kill Mina for their own motivations. Now Mina is on the clock to wake the Sea God before time runs out for those in the city of spirits and those on land and humans don’t last long where spirits dwell.

This feminist retelling of the Korean folktale, ‘The Tale of Shim Cheong’, is reminiscent of both Six Crimson Cranes (though this is a standalone) and the cultural classic Spirited Away. The setting is full of wonder and magic, with dramatic landscapes above land full of sky’s bursting with storms, budding rice fields, cliffs and mountains all nestling a small village on the cusp of the sea. Whilst below the surface lies a colourful city where anything is possible, rivers of the dead alongside forests hiding the future, city streets brimming with shops of wonder alongside dumpling vendors. Axie beautifully describes it all.

I loved the way Axie digs further and explores the idea of gods and worship and the relationship they share, how one influences the other. Even in the little details, using the city and setting to add symbolism, history and literary devices. Where the conversations take place have just as much meaning at points as the conversations themselves. It all shows such attention to forethought.

"You claim the gods should love and care for humans. I disagree. I don't think love can be bought or earned or even prayed for. It must be freely given."

Perhaps it is because the book is based on an actual folktale or because it seems aimed slightly at the younger side of young adult, but for the most part, I guessed the plot twists and ending but Axie’s writing, descriptions and characters all kept me riveted. My eyes still misted at certain reveals, and it still gave a level of satisfaction to be correct whilst remaining heart-warming. Love is explored in so many different facets; friendship, familial, romance, through worship and the list goes on. I also feel like it introduces us to the characters in a more intimate way I haven’t read before from Axie and so we get to know them better. It just made my heart burst.

It’s not epic fantasy or high literature, its generation worn and softly handled from family to family, embellished or altered slightly here and there and presented in Axie’s brilliant feminist penmanship because it’s a folktale with a beating heart of learned lessons, family, sacrifice and, and yes, I’ll say it again, love. So if you’re looking for an easy to read standalone with vibrancy and heart, look no further.

wow what a great book. I fell in love with the beautiful cover and the blurb sounded very promising. Absolutely appropriate for this great plot. Axie Oh has a wonderful writing style. It is easy to read, exciting and full of emotions. I couldn’t put the book down and I finished it in two days. The plot was well thought out and I love the Asian mythology touch. Such a fulfilling read. When reading, it never gets boring and you’re rooting for Mina the whole time. So far, it was one of my favorite reads this year

The characters are well developed and I was able to follow the plot well. The behavior was also easy to understand. It was exciting, fast paced and had an absolut fulfilling ending.

The girl who fell beneath the sea was an absolute joy to read! I absolutely loved the characters and their development throughout the book!! I also loved the style of writing! It was very whimsical and magical and it captured me straight away! I’ll definitely be recommending this book!! Absolutely brilliant!!
Axie Oh is fast becoming one of my favourite authors!

Exquisite! Axie walks you through the art gallery of her version of the Korean Legend, Shim Cheong.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Net Galley for the eARC.

Books like this make me so content and make my heart feel so full.

This is a beautifully written, enchanting story of Mina, who jumps into the sea to sacrifice herself for her brother and his girlfriend, the girl who is to be the Sea God's bride. Mina is fully prepared to take her place because she loves her brother, and this leads to her ending up in the Spirit Realm.

The story is full of legends and mythical creatures, wonderful characters, a well thought through plot and enjoyable action.

I struggled to get into this initially as it felt a bit childish and slow, but it picked up eventually and the last 60% or so had me entirely consumed.

I also found it a little predictable, but there were still some surprises and a wonderful happy ending.

Simply put, this is a delightful tale of sacrifice, adventure and love.

Every year a girl is sent to the sea in the hope that she will be the true bride of the Sea god and finally the storms and flood will come at rest. This year it was Shim Cheong’s turn, but seeing the hesitation in her Mina decided to jump instead.

The world building was just absolutely dream-like and heavenly and I absolutely loved it cause it reminded me of Studio Ghibli’s Spirited away (yes this is a sign you should read it. The realm is filled with spirits, gods, mythical creatures and even demons. The book is inspired by Korean legends and folktales like The Tale of Shim Cheong.

Also, it’s a book i finished in less than 12 hours, hence *screams cause amazing book*. The writing was perfect for me, not too hard to understand yet making you go in deep dives of emotional thoughts. The pace was good and the book started right off with engaging scenes so you never felt that the book was slow.

Now the spirit realm is definitely not suited for mortals but our amazingly brave Mina survived and fought to save her village.
Mina was just so incredible, from the start of the book she is headstrong and bold, even if she was in a strange place from her stories she held her ground.
Shin was well, dramatic, charming and mysterious and you just can’t help be intrigued by him and then just *falls in love with him*. Even though at first I didn’t like him much because of his certain actions but it’s okay I forgive him.
Even though the romance at certain times feels very rushed but the chemistry was just so amazing. (cause i literally fell reading a cute scene so believe me).
The book also had some amazing side characters that I can’t wait for everyone to read about.
Especially Namgi and Kirin because they just jsvnjkasjdbvjsa are perfection.

Now the best part of the book, the ending. IT HAS A HAPPY ENDING SO NOW MY HEART HAS COMPLETELY HEALED. Thank you so much Axie for giving them such a beautiful ending.

Thank you netgalley and hodder & stoughton for providing me an arc

This is the kind of book that crawls its way into your heart with no hope of ever leaving - I ADORED IT! From the whimsical setting, engaging plot, whimsical writing to the characters bound to steal your heart and the swoon-worthy and angst-filled romance, I loved every single moment of it. There is a special place in my heart for heroines that are tired and angry at their prospects (or lack thereof) and willing to risk it all, and that's just Mina is. I cannot recommend this enough!

Stunning retelling. It really grabbed me and took me into the mythological world of gods, dragons and spirits. Axie Oh created such a heartwarming, sometimes, shattering tale that reminded me so much of the stories and films I loved as a kid. There’s romance, danger, family throughout. It’s a mesmerising read and I recommend it to all. Thank you to the publisher for the chance to review this magical ARC.

“Nothing extraordinary is ever done out of reason or logic, but because it’s the only way for your soul to breathe.”

This story was lovely! Korean mythology, a brave girl who wants to save her family and the world she knows and loves, spirits, wishes and… a dragon!

I usually dislike whenever a book is written in the present tense and with a first person narrator, but this novel was so incredibly well developed that I enjoyed every single sentence. It took me so little to read and I’d love to read even more about Mina and her story!

Mina's land has been cursed with bad weather for generations. To try and appease the Sea God, they sacrifice a beautiful maiden to his lands once every year in the hope one will become his true bride and end the storms plaguing their lands. This year, Shim Cheong, the most beautiful girl in the village has been chosen as the sacrifice, but she also happens to be Mina's brothers beloved. In an attempt to save her brothers heart, Mina throws herself into the water in Cheong's stead. She finds herself in the spirit land, where the Sea God is under a curse, one she is determined to break. The one thing Mina doesn't have is time, with only a month in the Spirit realm until she becomes one herself, Mina has to rely on her strange group of helpers, the most mysterious of which is Shin, the boy whose job is to protect the Sea God at all costs. But there are those who would see the Sea God stay as he is, and Mina will soon have to choose between her heart and the lives of the people she loves.

I think it's safe to say I absolutely adored this book, and a large reason for that were the stand out characters that Oh creates. Mina is so unbelievably headstrong and determined, she never falters in her belief of the Gods, even when faced with their true selves in the spirit lands. She knows she isn't the prettiest, or the most graceful, but her determination will serve her better than either of those when it comes to her task. She goes on both an emotional and spiritual journey throughout this book and I just couldn't help but relate to her ensuring her grief became my grief, her love became my love. She wants nothing more than to free the Sea God and save the lives of her family and, even when that task puts her at odds with her own happiness, she never wavers in her resolve to see things though.

The side characters in this story are all amazingly developed and I fell in love with every single one. Though Mina spends the majority of the book in the Spirit Realm we learn about her family through stories and memories, making it easy for us to understand why she loves them so much, and why she would risk her life to save her brothers heart. But my favourite characters were those that lived in the Spirit Realm. Some spirits, some mythological creatures and others Gods, they all have a pivotal part to play in Mina's story. I especially loved how the author used certain characters identities as a plot device later in the book, one that had me an emotional wreck. Whether they are friend, or foe they all make an impact of some sort on the story and I loved meeting every single one of them.

I'm sure by now you all know how much I love mythology and The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea has it in heaps. Based around Korean mythology and loosely based on the Tale of Shim Ch'ŏng, Oh effortlessly drags us into her spirit world filled with all sorts of mythological beings. I especially loved seeing the politics between all the different Gods and houses that rule in the Spirit Realm. Oh really shows us that 'higher beings' aren't all that different from us mortals with their political machinations and grudges that can last centuries. Thanks to Oh's descriptive and lush writing style the story moves at break neck pace, but as we as the reader never feel rushed, rather we are transported to the spirit realm, slowly watching the story unfold.

Belief plays a large part in this story and some of my favourite scenes were when Mina's belief in the God's was tested. It would have been incredibly easy for her to enter this spirit world, see how the Gods live while her world is dying above them, and become jaded and despondent. But Mina doesn't get sad, she gets angry. Her belief, her determination that the Gods truly do love humans and want them to live happy and long lives is one of the main factors in saving the world above, and I loved seeing her never waver, even in the face of cruel and indifferent God's. She believed, she trusted that the stories her grandmother told her was true, and without that she wouldn't have survived, let alone break the curse.

The romance in this book was quite strange. Not in a bad way, but our two main characters manage to fall in love with minimal interaction and, while with some other authors, this would have instantly put me off, Oh manages to make it seem less like insta love, and more like two people who are fated to be finally finding each other. A lot of authors, when writing a stand alone, tend to make the romance a large part of the plot, but with The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, It's a slow progression. They have very few scenes where we get to see them in any kind of intimate setting, and I'm not talking about sex, but rather the little intimacies of relationships, the glances and touches. It could easily be described as an enemies to lovers romance, because they do not start off on the best of terms, but Oh writes it as if they were fated together, and it's so beautiful getting what little glimpses into their relationship we can and seeing it progress.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is one of the most beautiful and effortless stand-alone's I've read in a long time. Oh manages to weave a trilogy worth of story into one book without it seeming rushed, or like we have missed anything. I loved everything from the setting, the mythology and the characters, and can see Oh becoming a new favourite author of mine.

I’m a fickle girl and I have to confess the cover for The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea is what immediately drew me into this sorry, it’s beautiful, exciting and charming - and a perfect reflection for this story.

The story starts with Mina hiding on a boat as the latest girl is sent to be sacrificed to the Sea God. Floods and war ravaged Mina’s homeland and the only way to appease the Sea God is to give him a bride - the most beautiful girl - who must jump into the sea and be taken down as an offering. This year however the bride is Shim Cheong, the great love of Mina’s brother and she can’t bear to see them parted - instead Mina sacrifices herself and enters the Spirit Realm, a magical city of gods and creatures to try stop this cycle repeating.

The real heart of this book is the world building, it’s stunning and coloured so vividly in your head and is woven so seamlessly with myths and culture and fairytales. You’re taken somewhere special with this one, the perfect book for an escape. There is such a diverse range of characters, each with their own story. I’ll admit Mina took a little while to grow on me, she’s brave and defiant but initially comes across quite reckless, but then everything just clicked and I loved her :) Shin though I loved from the start and I adored going on his journey with him.
The writing is also really easy to follow and dive into (no pun), you really can just cuddle up and get lost in these pages. This has love and adventure but also covers the themes of family, sacrifice, honour and ancestry, all in this beautiful fairytale.

Thank you NetGalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review, I adored this.

“The Sea God isn’t angry, Mina. He’s lost. He’s waiting, in his palace far beyond this world, for someone brave enough to find him”.

I was charmed from the very first page. The first evening I read 70 pages non-stop - which for me is a big and very rare deal!
I fell beyond the sea with Mina into the extraordinary, mesmerising world of Korean mythology. Every turn of events was so fresh and unexpected, the characters - enigmatic and irresistible!
Shin, Namgi and Kirin stole my heart, I want to read about their adventures and everyday-interactions all the time!
Mina and her brother have the most heartfelt relationship. And I was also so touched by the story of Dai and Miki.
I was so glad to unravel their secrets during the course of the book, very gradually and still having more surprises to come.

I have never read a book on Korean mythology before, and Axie Oh made me fall in love with it. I am now hungry for such stories!
There’s so much I want to say about The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea, and it’s only the good things.
How it’s sweet, and vivid, and wise all at the same time.
Special awe is reserved for the team behind the cover - I cannot name any other book where outside and inside represent each other so perfectly! The art and design are remarkable and magical!

Reading this book was a pure joy. I am both glad and saddened to have finished it, it was such a beautiful experience.
I hope the Goddess of Moon and Memory will let me keep all the precious details about this story.

Thank you so much to the publishers and NetGalley for letting me fall in love with Mina's story!

Oh my god. This book!!!! I don’t know how but I feel like my heart is broken but also ready to burst.

The cover is astonishingly beautiful and it perfectly mirrors what’s inside. Every sentence takes your breath away, it’s lyrical but not to the point of annoyance or causing misunderstanding. I loved it!

If I had to say anything I didn’t like, I did guess one of the bigger plot twists which was actually quite exciting! And I think it could have been longer, because I could spend weeks in that book and not get tired.

Without a doubt it’s going to be one of my favourite reads of 2022!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for this gifted e-ARC! You rock <3

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh is a phenomenal book. It is in a league of it's own but is also an ideal read for fans of The Bear and the Nightingale and City of Brass.

For as long as anyone can remember the people of Mina's village have been plagued by deadly storms. Local legend has it that the storms are caused by the wrath of the Sea God. In order to appease him a maiden is sacrificed every year to be his bride.

When the love of her brother's life is due to be sacrificed Mina offers herself instead. Mina wants to end the curse once and for all but with Gods and Demons set against her how will she fair?

"The myths of my people say only a true bride of the Sea God can bring an end to his insatiable wrath. When the otherworldly storms rise from the East sea, lightning breaking the sky and water ripping up the shore, a bride is chosen and given to the Sea God.

Or sacrificed, depending on the measure of your faith."

Mina is a strong female protagonist but she is also vulnerable at times and this made her more three dimensional and less like part of yet another trope. She has fears and weaknesses but she is able to overcome them.

"There's a warmth in my chest that nothing and no one can take from me. This is the strength I call upon now, because even if I am afraid, I know I've chosen this.

I am the maker of my own destiny."

I love the way the author explores the different myths and legends and weaves in such intricate details to make the story come alive.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is an exquisitely detaied and beautifully written book and I cannot recommend it enough.

This book is beautiful both on the outside and in the inside! It is woven with magic and spirits and gods and goddesses and curses, along with love, friendship and familial love. The world building is utterly marvelous, when you read it, you feel like you yourself are in the Spirit Realm!

What I loved the most was the different relationships and deep love and affection shown in the book - the one between Mina and her grandmother (familial love), Mina and Namgi (Friendship) and between Shin and Mina (love for each other).

A must read if you like adventures, magical world, a strong protagonist, familial love and found family.

It goes without saying that this is one of my favourite reads ever!