Skin of the Sea cover art

Skin of the Sea

Preview

Get 30 days of Premium Plus free

$14.95/mo. after 30-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Try for $0.00
More purchase options
Buy Now for $32.05

Buy Now for $32.05

About this listen

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The must-read Black mermaid fantasy series that #1 NYT bestselling author Nicola Yoon calls “epic and original,” in which one mermaid takes on the gods themselves. Perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and anyone who can't wait for the live-action The Little Mermaid.

“Riveting.” —NPR
“Evocative.” —Entertainment Weekly
“Remarkable.” —Buzzfeed


A way to survive.
A way to serve.
A way to save.

Simi prayed to the gods, once. Now she serves them as Mami Wata—a mermaid—collecting the souls of those who die at sea and blessing their journeys back home.

But when a living boy is thrown overboard, Simi goes against an ancient decree and does the unthinkable—she saves his life. And punishment awaits those who dare to defy the gods.

To protect the other Mami Wata, Simi must journey to the Supreme Creator to make amends. But all is not as it seems. There's the boy she rescued, who knows more than he should. And something is shadowing Simi, something that would rather see her fail . . .

Danger lurks at every turn, and as Simi draws closer, she must brave vengeful gods, treacherous lands, and legendary creatures. Because if she fails, she risks not only the fate of all Mami Wata, but also the world as she knows it.
Difficult Situations Fantasy Fiction Literature & Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Discrimination Merfolk
All stars
Most Relevant
This book left me wanting more. The writing was descriptive and soulful. This will be a movie someday.

Good thing there's a sequel!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This book is amazing! It’s a slow start but once you get into it, it’s impossible to put down!!

Loved it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Love the story and the history lesson within. Have a listen you will not be disappointed.

Black Mermaids Do Exist

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

SKIN OF THE SEA is a fresh and welcome take on the story of original Little Mermaid fairytale, and one that I deeply enjoyed. It combines folklore with magic and is helmed by a strong young woman looking to protect those around her.

After rescuing a young man from the sea, breaking an age old pact with the gods, a mermaid named Simi must travel to the most powerful being of all to make amends.

Simi is a brilliant character, one who is selfless and compassionate, yet strong and even curious about who she is. I truly enjoyed her journey as she travelled with Kolo, the boy she saved and who has his own secrets.

The story is perfect for anyone who enjoys learning about orishas and the culture surrounding them. It’s told beautifully and succinctly, which made me feel like I was learning something at the same time I was enjoying a well written book.

SKIN OF THE SEA is filled with adventure, action and magic, and I felt constantly engaged. While Simi and Kolo did have plenty of chemistry, I found their romance to be a little rushed in some places.

This is a gorgeous book that is well written, fresh, and definitely underrated. Perfect for fans of The Little Mermaid and can be read as a standalone, if desired. Though personally, I am looking forward to the next book!

Beautiful story about culture and sacrifice

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I love the twining of folklore and history. I went down several delightful rabbit holes researching creatures and characters. Beautifully narrated too. I was always annoyed when I had to charge my ear buds 😅

Loved it

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews