Title:

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea

Author:

Axie Oh

Category:

Fantasy / Science Fiction

Rating:

Date Reviewed:

April 20, 2025

he title of this book, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, is misleading. The heroine, Mina, did not fall beneath the sea - she jumped into the ocean to sacrifice herself as the next bride to the Sea God, in hopes of appeasing his wrath. A giant sea dragon carries her down to a mysterious magical kingdom beneath the waves, where there is light, and everyone can breathe. The Sea God's city is full of spirits and gods. Humans can only survive for thirty days here before they lose their souls and become spirits too.

The story begins with Mina seeing her brother, Joon, and the beautiful love-of-his-life, Shim Cheong - heading out on a ship on the storming ocean. It is time for the annual sacrifice of another Sea Bride to calm the storms. Each year, when the storms begin, the most desirable woman in the kingdom is taken out to sea and pitched overboard. Mina boards the boat with Joon and Shim Cheong. When the time comes for Shim Cheong to be tossed to the great Sea Dragon that arises out of the waves, Mina sees the heartbreaking anguish between Joon and Shim Cheong as they are about to parted. So Mina jumps up on the prow of the boat and announces to the Sea Dragon: "Take me instead!" And the Sea Dragon does take her.

Taken to the Sea God's palace, Mina is astonished to discover an empty court - there is no one in the throne room, only the Sea God fast asleep on his throne. The Sea God is not angry with the humans on shore, he sleeps an enchanted slumber, ignoring his duties. Mina is struck at how young the Sea God appears to be, barely older than herself (Mina is sixteen).

Three powerful spirits confront Mina in the throne room - Shin, Kirin and Namgi. Although these beings appear to be human, Mina will learn that not everything or everyone is what they first appear to be. There are power struggles in the kingdom while the Sea God slumbers. Shin captures Mina soul in the form of a magpie and carries it away. He tells her that in thirty days humans will perish in the undersea kingdom and become spirits themselves. But Mina cannot reply, losing her soul also means losing her voice.

Though Mina is just a mortal human, her status as the Sea Bride makes her a target for malevolent demons and gods.Fortunately, she finds allies in form of a woman who always hides her face behind a carved wooden Grandmother mask. Aiding Mask is a young spirit who seems much wiser than his young appearance would indicate - this Dai. Mask and Dai are caring for a young toddler spirit called Miki.

The story has a fairy-tale feel to it. There is magic and monsters. Mina confronts various gods and demons. There are some magic sequences that feel like dreams.

Mina has a strong sense of right and wrong, and is determined to awaken the Sea God so that the storms will stop ravaging the human lands. Mina's personality makes her a likeable character and easy to cheer for. And, like all good fairy tales, the book has a happy ending.