The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh

 The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea Book Review

Rating: 4.75/5

Thank you to everyone who voted for December’s book! The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh won the majority vote. 

Alongside Six Crimson Cranes and The Red Palace, this book has been one of my favorite reads. It is beautifully written, and as I read it, I became fully immersed in the descriptive and vibrant spirit world. My favorite character was Mina as she was a strong, driven, and intelligent female lead while being kind and compassionate. Romance is a significant part of this story and discusses the topic of fated lovers. The romance between Shin and Mina is pretty predictable as it follows the enemy-to-lovers trope, but their chemistry is adorable. I also loved the side characters, especially Dai, Mask, Namgi, and Kirin, and their lore was very interesting. 

The novel is based on Korean folklore, specifically the story of Shim Cheong, 심청. While the story incorporates some of the ideas from the Korean tale, Shim Cheong is not the main character in this book, differing from the original plot. The book is very well thought out with twists and turns that keep you invested throughout it. The only thing that kept this from being a 5/5 rating was that I thought the ending was rushed and a faster pace compared to the first half of the book. I loved Shin and Mina, but I felt like their love was a little underdeveloped. However, these minor details don’t take away from my love for this book, and I’m definitely going to reread it. Although, nothing beats the feeling after reading a book you love for the first time. It’s a great read if you are interested in Asian mythology, romance, and action! 

For generations, there have been deadly storms in Mina’s homeland and it is believed that the Sea God has cursed the people. Every year, a beautiful skilled girl is sacrificed to the Sea God as a bride, in hopes of bringing peace and ending the storms. However, when Mina’s brother’s beloved Shim Cheong is set to become the next bride, Mina sacrifices herself and jumps into the sea. In the spirit realm, Mina is determined to save her homeland, and with the help of newly made friends, she begins her quest. However, some people don’t want her to succeed and are willing to do anything to stop her. 

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