𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚𝙨: A, Mythology, Romance, Fantasy, Romantasy, Portal Fantasy, Retellings
𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: ⭐️
This book captivated me. Told in present tense, this Korean folklore retelling is light & ethereal, like a dream. I was whisked away into a spirit world that felt very much like Studio Ghibli’s “Spirited Away”.
Mina is a strong-willed young woman who asks questions we all have: where are the gods? Why do they let suffering happen? Why won’t they help us in our time of need?
From the fish & whales in the sky above to legendary beasts traversing realms, competing houses of lords & gods, dangerous assassins & demons, & a river of souls, @axieoh masterfully created an enchanting & haunting tale.
Themes: faith, destiny, death, love, found family
Love dreamlike stories or portal fantasies? This is a must-read book.
Goodeads synposis
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…
Author: Robyn Storm
