The Girl who Fell Beneath the Sea is a book that immediately intrigued me because of the gorgeous cover, and then the synopsis truly dragged me in. Mina lives in a small village by the sea where every year, for the last one hundred years, they’ve sacrificed a bride to the Sea God in the hopes of quelling the storms that have plagued the country since the death of the Emperor. This year the sacrifice is supposed to be Shim Cheong, the beloved of Mina’s brother Joon. When he sneaks on the boat to save Cheong, Mina follows, and seeing the love between Joon and Cheong as they glance at each other just before she is supposed to be sacrificed compels Mina to jump into the sea in Cheong’s place. What follows is a story of love and family, finding the truth, and learning how to survive when it feels like all hope has been lost.
It took me longer than I’d like to admit to read this book, but it was truly worth it. Even though many elements were predictable, it was so wonderfully executed that I couldn’t wait to see how the reveals would occur. And the romance that’s woven in! It’s so sweet, and a great example of choosing your own fate. I also really loved the friendships and the various connections made. The way family influences Mina’s ability to keep hope alive, and the way her hope has the power to impact so many lives.
This was all around such a fantastic story, even as I found several elements predictable. If you’re a fan of retellings and reimaginings, plus the power of choice and family, I highly encourage picking this book up!
