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Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea
Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea | Axie Oh
68 posts | 48 read | 55 to read
Axie Oh's The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is an enthralling feminist retelling of the classic Korean folktale "The Tale of Shim Cheong," perfect for fans of Wintersong, Uprooted, and Miyazaki's Spirited Away.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... Praise for The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea: Shim Cheong is Korea's most famous legend and one I've heard all my life, but as a feminist it has always been my least favorite. Axie's book retells the fairy tale and empowers the girl protagonist while still preserving the beloved classic tale, set in a fantastical world so unique and fascinating. I absolutely loved every word! --Ellen Oh, author of Prophecy and co-founder of We Need Diverse Books
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RavenclawPrincess913
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tpixie These are all very cool photos!! 4w
27 likes2 comments
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AroundTheBookWorld
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kristinsmoyer
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Sacrifice is a prominent theme in this book. Mina is willing to sacrifice herself in place of the intended sea bride, as the intended sea bride is in love with her brother. To protect her brother, she sacrifices herself to the sea God. This reminds me of the theme of the necessity of sacrifice/the price to be paid in order to appease the divine. I‘m curious to see how the theme of sacrifice will continue to play out in this book.

kristinsmoyer I think the sacrifices will be based more in love than in fear of the sea God, as the sea God seems more good than evil. 4mo
DanyYnad I've seen the sacrifice theme come up in a lot of YA books and it's interesting to see how they all play out and fit different sides of the theme. I'm interested in seeing how this one turns out to be! 4mo
ms.gabourel This book sounds SO interesting! I've never heard of this concept before and I really want to read it now! 4mo
1 like3 comments
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kristinsmoyer
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I thought Mina‘s love interest would be the Sea God. However, how the book is narrated makes me think she dislikes Shin but simultaneously finds him attractive…the classic love to hate trope. Or maybe Shin is secretly the Sea God? Who knows! The uncertainty is driving the plot!

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kristinsmoyer
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The red string that connects Mina to the Sea God reminds me of the string simile Mr Rochester makes to describe the connection he feels to Jane in Jane Eyre. I‘m wondering if this will end as a Beauty and the Beast sort of story where Mina will redeem the Sea God by falling in love with him.

sarabeth_donaldson I don't know much about this book, but something I'm seeing a lot through reading these books is the connection to other stories. I have seen it a lot through “Lobizona“ (“Harry Potter“, “Pride and Prejudice“, etc.). I really love the connections! 4mo
2 likes1 comment
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kristinsmoyer
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I‘m enjoying this fantasy Korean novel! Mina blames the Sea God for the world‘s tribulations, but when she meets him, she realizes he is not a malevolent creature. Rather, she learns that mankind causes its own suffering through waging war against each other, etc. From a religious/philosophical perspective, rather than blame…

kristinsmoyer God for the evil in the world, it is important to remember that mankind is responsible for its actions. It is humanity‘s poor use of agency that results in much unnecessary suffering. 4mo
colby_reads This sounds like a great novel with many lessons we could learn from it. I believe many high school and middle school age students would enjoy it, but also learn from it. 4mo
sarabeth_donaldson Ooh love the religious and philosophical ideas! This looks like one I'd like to read. I love your phrase “humanity's poor use of agency“. 4mo
2 likes3 comments
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AroundTheBookWorld
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I‘ve decided when I visit an indie bookstore for the first time I‘m going to see if they have blind date with a book and get one as a souvenir from that book shop. 📚
#TheGirlWhoFellBeneathTheSea #AxieOh #book #books #BlindDateWithABook #IndieBookstores #bookrecommendation #bookrecommendations #bookreport #bookreports #bookreview #bookreviews #bookriot #Fantasy #YoungAdult #Romance #Mythology #Fiction Retellings #YoungAdultFantasy #Audiobook 💟💟

dabbe What a lovely idea and memory of each store! 🤩🤩🤩 4mo
12 likes1 comment
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AroundTheBookWorld
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Sharpeipup
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The perfect blend of a good audiobook, a cute dog and great weather!

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 7mo
Kappadeemom Awww love💗 7mo
Sace What a cutie!🥰 7mo
36 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Balibee146
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Next up and the first print book I have turned to this year.

TheIntrovertedDodoBird Woah! That cover is stunning 🩷. 9mo
Balibee146 @TheIntrovertedDodoBird it is gorgeous.... The hardback underneath is like an antique white colour with the lettering and design from the cover in purple foil on the spine only.... It's so beautiful. 9mo
TheIntrovertedDodoBird @Balibee146 Wow! I love looking beneath the dust jacket and finding a beautiful design 🩷. It sounds stunning. I might have to read this just to gaze at the pretty cover on my bookshelf! 9mo
Kshakal That is a stunning cover! 💗 9mo
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Lunarstar27
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Mehso-so

Beautiful story didn‘t hold my interest beautiful cover!

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coffees
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Pickpick

Is it weird that even tho Spirited Away is my fav Miyazaki movie, those moments were the least I liked in this book? Lol! Bc yes, the parallels were glaring, just that this story was more #ya instead of mg. I think that's also why I dropped it initially, but after picking it up, I actually ended up really enjoying it. And yes, my fav moments were toward the end, which is where the story felt less Miyazaki and more #mythology. And the end? 💯💯

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coffees
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Here's what I'm currently reading (I'm 34% complete) and some of the books I plan to read the rest of the month :) I also have a few more on my phone's Hoopla (my brother's letting me use his card hehehe) but I don't want to spam, check them out on my IG if you want
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2RaOEEvQ49/?igsh=bHNueTJ3Y3ltMDNn

#netgalleybacklog #joyousjanuary

Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 10mo
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stimmlos
Mehso-so

didn't like the romance subplot, loved the worldbuilding

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steph_phanie
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️¾
I really enjoyed this audiobook, especially once the story developed a bit! It is not too complex, as some fantasy can be. I would have rated it a bit higher if I hadn't been able to so well predict the ending. I loved all the characters in the spirit world beneath the sea!!

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BooksNBowls
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Pickpick

“I am the maker of my own destiny.”

This book whisked me away to a beautiful, magical world full of mythology and lore. The descriptions were vivid and entrancing. The character connections were tender and wholesome. Overall, the story left me happy and hopeful. Thanks for sharing it with me, Kate!! 4.25/5

BookLove4Ever I loved this story! It had beautiful imagery. 12mo
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BooksNBowls
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My #10ForTheEnd and December forecast! I can‘t believe this year is already over. I‘ve already reached my reading goal, so I‘m ready to sit back with some mindless holiday books and enjoy the season! 🥰

KateReadsYA Loving your line up!! 12mo
33 likes1 comment
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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This is such a gorgeous book! 🩵💙🩵

#Fall
#HumbleHarvest

Eggs Enchanting 💙🩵💜 12mo
Cuilin Love the cover 😍 12mo
Pageturner1 very pretty 💗 12mo
ju.ca.no It really is😍😍 12mo
Branwen This cover is everything! 😍 12mo
71 likes5 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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Look how beautiful this cover and spine are!! 😍😍😍

#SummerSpecial
#Swim 🌊

dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 1y
Eggs Lovely 🥰 🚲 🌸 1y
69 likes2 comments
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eol
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Mehso-so

Oddly... distracting? And sort of messy. Nothing coherent happens for long stretches of time, then pivotal moments are rushed, then fizzle out without an echo, and you‘re left wondering—wait? what? how???

The pacing is really uneven.

I don‘t know, I should‘ve loved this—because Asian fairytales—yet I didn‘t. A pleasant enough read, but a pick it is not.

Overhyped :(

3/5

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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#CoverLove
#TBR
#BookMail

No idea what this is about, but it so beautiful that I didn‘t care!! 💜💙🤍💛💚💗

Bluebird Beautiful! ❤️ 2y
IndoorDame Gorgeous! 2y
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wideeyedreader
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Pickpick

Finished my final #auldlangspine book at work!! I wasn‘t sure about it at first, but by the end I was rooting so hard for Mina and Shin!
@AbigailJaneBlog your picks were great!

AbigailJaneBlog So glad this one worked better for you! I was hoping to read 7 husbands as well but I just haven't had time - I'll keep picking from your list this year for definite! 2y
wideeyedreader @AbigailJaneBlog I‘m glad too! It was such a great book, I‘m trying to get my friends to read it lol! I hope you enjoy them, I had a lot of fun reading them all last year! 2y
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amsu311
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Pickpick

I throughly enjoyed and loved this book. The best book I have read this year. Love the characters. Love the storyline. Love the visualization. There were tears. There were laughters.❤️❤️❤️

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unfortunately.ashley
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Pickpick

Korean folklore at its finest. This was a beautiful book in so many ways: the imagery, the story, the relationships, the lessons. This is a modern retelling of the Korean fable Sim Cheong. The story read like a classic fairytale I feel that everyone could enjoy. It is also a great representation of the spirit world in the Asian tradition. If you want a fun escape into a fantasy land, but a story full of heart, this is your book.

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persephone1408
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Pickpick

#lmpbc
I loved this book! At first It took me a little bit to get into but when I did...I finished it quick. @KateReadsYA its on its way back to you. I mailed it yesterday.
@Readergrrl @Endowarrior21

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persephone1408
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I got my #lmpbc book today, so I guess I will do a #firstlinefridays after all. @ShyBookOwl

behudd I really enjoyed this one! 2y
24 likes1 comment
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MrsGagnonreads2024

This is on its way to you, @persephone1408 I sent it out this morning. #LMPBC #GroupX @KateReadsYA @Readergrrl @suvata #Round15

persephone1408 Awesome! Can't wait. I'm still reading for the wolf, but I am 80% done. 2y
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peanutnine
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#ManicMonday So many great choices for #LetterG @CBee

📚 The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, The Giver, Glitterland, Good Omens, The Guncle
🖊️ Sarah Gailey, Neil Gaiman
🎬 Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day
📺 Gilmore Girls
🎤 Guster
🎶 Geronimo by Sheppard, Girl by Jukebox the Ghost, Gorgeous by Taylor Swift, Girls Chase Boys by Ingrid Michaelson, Gravity by Sara Bareilles

CBee I really need to read The Guncle! 2y
peanutnine @CBee it's a great summer read! 2y
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MrsGagnonreads2024
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Pickpick

So all I can say is WOW! This novel was a wonderful journey. I read it in three hours I truly loved the world building and character development and storyline. #LMPBC #Round15 #GroupX @KateReadsYA @Readergrrl @persephone1408

Readergrrl I really enjoyed it too!! 2y
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asterese
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Pickpick

I don't think I can praise this book enough. I devoured this from the start, unwilling to put it down and go to bed (although I did have to). I loved the main character, the setting, the story, everything about this book. The writing was beautiful all throughout.

Without a doubt, this is the author's best work yet.

⭐: 5

(Photo in the background belongs to Minha Baek)

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asterese
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Finally starting this one. Fingers crossed that this gets me out of a reading slump, and that I end up giving this 5 stars. 🥺

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MrsGagnonreads2024
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@Readergrrl the book arrived today thank you. I hoping to start it tonight. #Lmpbc #GroupX @KateReadsYA @persephone1408 @suvata

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Readergrrl
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Pickpick

What a delightful story! I enjoyed exploring the sea realm with Mina as she navigated its depths and discovered its truth as the rescuer, not just the rescued. She was a wonderful character who embodied the best characteristics of a coming-of-age novel. The writing was lyrical and sweet while still carrying a strong message of faith-in-self, honor, and family. I highly recommend for young adults middle-grade and up. 4/5⭐️ #LMPBC #GroupX #Round15

Readergrrl @Endowarrior21 I apologize for just mailing this LMPBC book out today as I had meant to do so last week. I had a student pick it up off my desk to just “read a chapter” during study hall, but she loved it so much that I lent it to her for the long weekend. She got it back to me today, still in pristine condition, and I mailed it off today. I found it to be a very quick read! 2y
DrexEdit Cool! Looking forward to this read. I also love the photo you posted. The aquarium at Dallas used to have a whole tank of these leafy sea dragons and they were my favorite creature to visit when I used to live near there. 2y
Readergrrl @DrexEdit I enjoyed finding the photo. These are such lovely creatures and matched the vibe for my imagining of the book. I hope you enjoy it. A very nice retelling of a Korean fairytale that I‘ve not familiar with so I‘m going to go read that now! 🌊🐉 (edited) 2y
KateReadsYA Awwww I'm glad your student got to join in and loved it!!! I can't wait to reread it in the future. 2y
MrsGagnonreads2024 I love the picture and can't wait to read the book. 2y
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Michaelalynn

Something crafted with so much love could never sink.

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amma-keep-reading
Pickpick

an unexpected gem of a story.

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Bookish_Gal
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Pickpick

Fate versus free will. Guess this is a retelling of Shin and the Sea God, a Korean folktale. Which itself intrigues me. I love retellings. Especially with Mina, a strong headed outspoken girl with the love desire to save her people. Loved watching her self doubt on her choice give way to her fighting her fate for what she wanted. The twist of Mask, Dai and Mike almost broke my heart. Beautiful short story, soulmate au. Young love

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LaurenMicheleOnline
Pickpick

A Gorgeous Fantasy With an Underwhelming Young Romance

Rating: 4 Stars

Full Review & Content Breakdown: https://laurenmichelelifestyle.com/2022/05/19/the-girl-who-fell-beneath-the-sea-...

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KristiAhlers
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Pickpick

If you‘re looking for a fairytale retelling, with a strong and smart and brave FMC then pick this one up. Although geared for the YA market this will entertain regardless of the age of the reader. This is truly a story about strength, love and family ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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WriterAtHeart
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this tale of a young girl who jumps into the sea to discover a spirit world beneath. It definitely gave me Spirited Away vibes and I was all for it. Reads a little more like MG than YA, but still enjoyable.

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BookLove4Ever
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Pickpick

Enchanting. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ stars. So much to say about this one - nature‘s connection to the spirit realm, the red thread of fate, making your own destiny, and lovable characters. The romance was just okay. I wanted to feel more between the two characters. Only reason it‘s not a full 5 stars for me. Otherwise it‘s such a beautiful story.

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KateReadsYA
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@Readergrrl I finished this one and I'll be sending it off to you by end of next week! When I tell you this cover tells a whole story, it is soooo beautifully written and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! ❤

peanutnine This one was so great! And I love your nails 😍 2y
KateReadsYA @peanutnine Thank you. I agree! It was soooo good. 2y
Readergrrl I can‘t wait to read it!! I‘m about halfway done with mine (For the Wolf). And, yes, your nails are 🔥🔥🔥 2y
KateReadsYA @Readergrrl I'm so ready to read that one, how are you liking it?? Thank you so much, I got some new jelly gel colors last night and a new set of acrylics so I had fun doing this manicure. 2y
49 likes4 comments
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KateReadsYA
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Really gonna miss this cabin in the California Mountains. The peacefulness I've experienced has been so good for my mental health and I got over a week long virus just before we got here so I felt super grateful for that! Also this book is very beautiful and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it! I can't wait to mail it off to my #lmpbc group when I get back :)

KristiAhlers Oh I want to read that one! I need to run down to the bookstore and get a copy! And I‘m glad you enjoyed your break. I miss my home state of California. The Sierra‘s were home. 2y
Leftcoastzen Love the look of the place.Miss Ca.! 2y
KateReadsYA @KristiAhlers Yes. Go buy it, it's really good. 😊 2y
KateReadsYA @Leftcoastzen The whole cabin is so cozy and quiet! Sure gonna miss it. 2y
58 likes4 comments
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Sydneypaige
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Pickpick

I truthfully didn‘t know anything about the original story, so this didn‘t read to me like a feminist retelling because I had no original references. However I LOVE this story and these characters. Romance, myth, dragons, ancestral legacy. The pacing is nice, the characters are lovely, and the cover is beautiful. Would recommend. I think this is my first Korean author as well!

New Kid on the Book The cover looks cool! 2y
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KateReadsYA
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Heading on Vacation tomorrow and I'll be bringing this one along. I've already started reading it and it is soooo good! 🌊⛱️☀️📖

AbigailJaneBlog Read this in one sitting earlier this year - it's fantastic! 2y
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melzen
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Pickpick

⭐️4.3
An amazing romance, plot, morally Forrest characters. As well as how beautiful not only the cover but the world building gave me an insight on how it would look like if I was a character in this story. Mina‘s journey was ups-and downs and the ending gave her an interesting conclusion to her character arc,which I enjoyed.

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melzen
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Enjoying this read so far, an old retelling of an Korean fable. Liking the plot and world building 🌊
#thegirlwhofellbeneaththesea #axieoh #juneread #thursdayreading

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behudd
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
This book was so full of love: for myth, for culture, for the power of stories, & for language. I loved this take on what you would do if you found yourself trapped in a myth, and the way the author told the story felt like listening to someone you love tell you a well-known tale. This is my first of Oh‘s work, but it won‘t be my last. Highly recommend!

melzen An intriguing story I agree, currently reading it ;) 2y
35 likes1 comment
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behudd
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The myths of my people say only a true bride of the Sea God can bring an end to his insatiable wrath.

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

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BookBelle84
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Pickpick

This book was magical and I loved the world that was created. Axie Oh books always make me happy. The only thing I found lacking was the romance, I wish that had been more developed. And the cover is absolutely gorgeous!

RaeLovesToRead Gah, those edges 😍😍😍💕💕 3y
TheBookHippie It‘s so pretty. 3y
readingnook This edition is so beautiful 😳😍 3y
See All 8 Comments
melzen The edges omg 😱 2y
melzen Is this the fairyloot version? 2y
BookBelle84 @melmes Yes it is! 2y
melzen And do I see a candle there that is inspired by the book? 2y
melzen Beautiful 🤩 2y
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Melismatic
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Pickpick

This was fab - a Korean-inspired fairytale fantasy with elements of the Little Mermaid & Cinderella, but with a heroine that‘s smart & brave. 🌸 🐉 🧜‍♂️ 👑 🎟

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