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Loading... The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Seaby Axie Oh
  
None No current Talk conversations about this book.  jethplain | Dec 17, 2024 |    ) chelssicle | Nov 14, 2024 | Ycats64 | Nov 12, 2024 | I love the beautifully-described setting, the whimsical side-characters (Mask and Dai and Miki), and especially the details of Asian culture that infuse the story with a distinctively Korean flavor, adding so much to the mystical lore of the Sea God’s bride. Mina is a worthy main character, pragmatic and courageous, fiercely loyal and loving. The author has said that this is the story of her heart, and that the story is about many things, foremost of which is Family. Indeed, the deeper themes go far beyond the usual YA fantasy fare, touching on: - the malleability of Fate, - the need to be true to ourselves (“Nothing extraordinary is ever done out of reason or logic, but because it’s the only way for your soul to breathe.”), - the power of Love, and - the power of Story. (“Stories are both an escape from the truths of the world and the only way to see them clearly.”) This last quote resonates deeply with me. A nitpick - I couldn’t understand how a personal loss of memory could cause a collective memory loss. Even so, this is, hands down, the best YA fantasy I’ve read in years. So glad I picked it up on a recommendation. ( ) CassiaHall | Oct 28, 2024 | Story: Mina’s village is ravaged by severe storms since decades. To appease the Sea God, a pretty young girl is thrown in to the sea to serve as his “bride” so that someday, he will choose the right bride and be appeased, thereby ending the calamities. This year, it’s the turn of Shim Cheong, the most beautiful girl in the village to be the Sea God’s bride. However, Cheong is in love with Joon, Mina’s beloved older brother. To keep the two lovers united, Mina makes a last minute sacrifice and throws herself into the sea. Where the book worked for me: (  ) RoshReviews | Jul 30, 2024 | no reviews | add a review
AwardsDistinctionsNotable Lists
Fantasy.
Folklore.
Historical Fiction.
Young Adult Fiction.
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... No library descriptions found. |
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 Google Books — Loading...GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)813.6Literature American literature in English American fiction in English 2000-LC ClassificationRatingAverage: (4.08)
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Wikipedia in English
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I could not put this down, I adore Mina so much, such a spirited and kind individual! I didn't give it 5 stars because there were a few things that weren't explained but you can use your imagination to fill those out! XD
I recommend this to those who enjoy myths and are a fan of Studio Ghibli (