A YA Fantasy about a Black mermaid; I was not asking for it but I’m glad Natasha Bowen thought to write it. This is a fast-paced, cinematic Little Mermaid retelling with rich descriptions of the sea and African mythology woven throughout.
Natasha Bowen is of Nigerian and Welsh descent and lives in England. I say this to say, she deals with prejudice and oppression of African people in a way that doesn’t victimize them even in their survival. With the stories I have been reading by Black American authors lately, it is disappointing how obsessed we are with race and the heavy-handed way WE Americans tend to force it into stories.
Bowen uses African mythology from the mid 1400s. There is a narrative with enslaved African people [influenced by the Portuguese who brought Africans to Europe and colonized islands] and violence around the slave trade but it is not explicit. The forbidden love storyline was great.
Fractals (repeated patterns) in hairstyles is used in a clever way. Bowen did her research. I had never heard of this but I appreciate learning while being entertained. The author’s note about fractals and how it was used by Africans is interesting as well.
I like that the flashback scenes are separated in another font. I read the physical book so I’m not sure how it looks in the ebook. I will say some words were repetitive and the African riddles, I just skipped over. For that reason, this might be one of those that is best as an audiobook read.
From the beginning, you learn that Simi [who was once a human and can revert back to one] is a mermaid who collects souls then prays to the gods for them to have a safe journey back home. She is told adamantly not to do anything else.
Then Simi comes across what she thinks is a soul but it turns out the boy, Kola is semi-conscious. Instead of leaving him alone she helps him convalesce before sending him back to the mainland.
It turns out this boy knows too much. This mistake might cost them both.
This is a great YA fantasy and age appropriate. The twist was original and unexpected. The ending makes me think the second book will explore the forbidden romance more. I’m so glad this is a duology. Can’t wait for the next book!
Junkie 4 A Story 