Skin of the Sea
Skin of the Sea, Book 1
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $32.05
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Yetide Badaki
-
Written by:
-
Natasha Bowen
About this listen
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The must-hear 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.
©2021 Natasha Bowen (P)2021 Listening LibraryYou may also enjoy...
-
Cinderella Is Dead
- Written by: Kalynn Bayron
- Narrated by: Bahni Turpin
- Length: 10 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Girls team up to overthrow the kingdom in this unique and powerful retelling of Cinderella from a stunning new voice that’s perfect for fans of A Curse So Dark and Lonely. It’s 200 years after Cinderella found her prince, but the fairy tale is over. Teen girls are now required to appear at the Annual Ball, where the men of the kingdom select wives based on a girl’s display of finery. If a suitable match is not found, the girls not chosen are never heard from again.
-
-
Amazing however not for the faint hearted
- By Anonymous User on 2023-11-29
Written by: Kalynn Bayron
-
Blood Like Magic
- Written by: Liselle Sambury
- Narrated by: Joniece Abbott-Pratt
- Length: 16 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A rich, dark urban fantasy debut following a teen witch who is given a horrifying task: sacrificing her first love to save her family’s magic. The problem is, she’s never been in love - she’ll have to find the perfect guy before she can kill him.
-
-
Audible’s version is superb!
- By Yoga-class.ca on 2023-06-02
Written by: Liselle Sambury
-
The Gilded Ones
- Deathless, Book 1
- Written by: Namina Forna
- Narrated by: Shayna Small
- Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs. But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity–and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death.
-
-
Not What You Expect At All... in a Good Way
- By Anonymous User on 2024-04-20
Written by: Namina Forna
-
Raybearer
- Written by: Jordan Ifueko
- Narrated by: Joniece Abbott-Pratt
- Length: 13 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What if you’ve sworn to protect the one you were born to destroy? Tarisai has always longed for the warmth of a family. She was raised in isolation by a mysterious, often absent mother known only as the Lady. The Lady sends her to the capital of the global empire of Aritsar to compete with other children to be chosen as one of the crown prince’s Council of Eleven. If she’s picked, she’ll be joined with the other council members through the Ray, a bond deeper than blood. That closeness is irresistible to Tarisai. But the Lady has other ideas....
-
-
enjoyed
- By Amazon Customer on 2021-09-10
Written by: Jordan Ifueko
-
The Deep
- Written by: Rivers Solomon, Daveed Diggs, William Hutson, and others
- Narrated by: Daveed Diggs
- Length: 4 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Yetu holds the memories for her people - water-dwelling descendants of pregnant African slave women thrown overboard by slave owners - who live idyllic lives in the deep. Their past, too traumatic to be remembered regularly, is forgotten by everyone, save one - the historian. This demanding role has been bestowed on Yetu. Yetu remembers for everyone, and the memories, painful and wonderful, traumatic and terrible and miraculous, are destroying her. And so, she flees to the surface, escaping the memories, the expectations, and the responsibilities.
-
-
QUEER it’s so lovely and affirming, fav of 2023
- By Tyne on 2023-12-29
Written by: Rivers Solomon, and others
-
House of Hollow
- Written by: Krystal Sutherland
- Narrated by: Eleanor Bennett
- Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Iris Hollow and her two older sisters are unquestionably strange. Ever since they disappeared on a suburban street in Scotland as children only to return a month a later with no memory of what happened to them, odd, eerie occurrences seem to follow in their wake. And they're changing. First, their dark hair turned white. Then, their blue eyes slowly turned black. They have insatiable appetites yet never gain weight. People find them disturbingly intoxicating, unbearably beautiful, and inexplicably dangerous.
-
-
Clearly.. different
- By Amazon Customer on 2021-09-04
Written by: Krystal Sutherland
-
Cinderella Is Dead
- Written by: Kalynn Bayron
- Narrated by: Bahni Turpin
- Length: 10 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Girls team up to overthrow the kingdom in this unique and powerful retelling of Cinderella from a stunning new voice that’s perfect for fans of A Curse So Dark and Lonely. It’s 200 years after Cinderella found her prince, but the fairy tale is over. Teen girls are now required to appear at the Annual Ball, where the men of the kingdom select wives based on a girl’s display of finery. If a suitable match is not found, the girls not chosen are never heard from again.
-
-
Amazing however not for the faint hearted
- By Anonymous User on 2023-11-29
Written by: Kalynn Bayron
-
Blood Like Magic
- Written by: Liselle Sambury
- Narrated by: Joniece Abbott-Pratt
- Length: 16 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A rich, dark urban fantasy debut following a teen witch who is given a horrifying task: sacrificing her first love to save her family’s magic. The problem is, she’s never been in love - she’ll have to find the perfect guy before she can kill him.
-
-
Audible’s version is superb!
- By Yoga-class.ca on 2023-06-02
Written by: Liselle Sambury
-
The Gilded Ones
- Deathless, Book 1
- Written by: Namina Forna
- Narrated by: Shayna Small
- Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs. But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity–and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death.
-
-
Not What You Expect At All... in a Good Way
- By Anonymous User on 2024-04-20
Written by: Namina Forna
-
Raybearer
- Written by: Jordan Ifueko
- Narrated by: Joniece Abbott-Pratt
- Length: 13 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What if you’ve sworn to protect the one you were born to destroy? Tarisai has always longed for the warmth of a family. She was raised in isolation by a mysterious, often absent mother known only as the Lady. The Lady sends her to the capital of the global empire of Aritsar to compete with other children to be chosen as one of the crown prince’s Council of Eleven. If she’s picked, she’ll be joined with the other council members through the Ray, a bond deeper than blood. That closeness is irresistible to Tarisai. But the Lady has other ideas....
-
-
enjoyed
- By Amazon Customer on 2021-09-10
Written by: Jordan Ifueko
-
The Deep
- Written by: Rivers Solomon, Daveed Diggs, William Hutson, and others
- Narrated by: Daveed Diggs
- Length: 4 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Yetu holds the memories for her people - water-dwelling descendants of pregnant African slave women thrown overboard by slave owners - who live idyllic lives in the deep. Their past, too traumatic to be remembered regularly, is forgotten by everyone, save one - the historian. This demanding role has been bestowed on Yetu. Yetu remembers for everyone, and the memories, painful and wonderful, traumatic and terrible and miraculous, are destroying her. And so, she flees to the surface, escaping the memories, the expectations, and the responsibilities.
-
-
QUEER it’s so lovely and affirming, fav of 2023
- By Tyne on 2023-12-29
Written by: Rivers Solomon, and others
-
House of Hollow
- Written by: Krystal Sutherland
- Narrated by: Eleanor Bennett
- Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Iris Hollow and her two older sisters are unquestionably strange. Ever since they disappeared on a suburban street in Scotland as children only to return a month a later with no memory of what happened to them, odd, eerie occurrences seem to follow in their wake. And they're changing. First, their dark hair turned white. Then, their blue eyes slowly turned black. They have insatiable appetites yet never gain weight. People find them disturbingly intoxicating, unbearably beautiful, and inexplicably dangerous.
-
-
Clearly.. different
- By Amazon Customer on 2021-09-04
Written by: Krystal Sutherland
-
A Song Below Water
- A Novel
- Written by: Bethany C. Morrow
- Narrated by: Andrea Lang, Jennifer Haralson
- Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Tavia is already at odds with the world, forced to keep her siren identity under wraps in a society that wants to keep her kind under lock and key. Nevermind she's also stuck in Portland, Oregon, a city with only a handful of black folk and even fewer of those with magical powers. At least she has her bestie Effie by her side as they tackle high school drama, family secrets, and unrequited crushes.
-
-
Holds a Tune and my attention
- By James on 2020-08-12
Written by: Bethany C. Morrow
-
This Poison Heart
- Written by: Kalynn Bayron
- Narrated by: Jordan Cobb
- Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Briseis has a gift: she can grow plants from tiny seeds to rich blooms with a single touch. When Briseis’ aunt dies and wills her a dilapidated estate in rural New York, Bri and her parents decide to leave Brooklyn behind for the summer. Hopefully there, surrounded by plants and flowers, Bri will finally learn to control her gift. But their new home is sinister in ways they could never have imagined - it comes with a specific set of instructions, an old-school apothecary and a walled garden filled with the deadliest botanicals in the world.
-
-
Black Girl Magic
- By Anonymous User on 2024-09-08
Written by: Kalynn Bayron
-
Children of Blood and Bone
- Written by: Tomi Adeyemi
- Narrated by: Bahni Turpin
- Length: 17 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls. But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope. Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.
-
-
Narration was disappointing
- By Miss W on 2018-03-10
Written by: Tomi Adeyemi
-
The Stardust Thief
- Written by: Chelsea Abdullah
- Narrated by: Nikki Massoud, Sean Rohani, Rasha Zamamiri
- Length: 15 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Loulie al-Nazari is the Midnight Merchant: a criminal who, with the help of her jinn bodyguard, hunts and sells illegal magic. When she saves the life of a cowardly prince, she draws the attention of his powerful father, the sultan, who blackmails her into finding an ancient lamp that has the power to revive the barren land—at the cost of sacrificing all jinn.
-
-
Good Start to an Interesting Series
- By Library of Selin on 2024-11-18
Written by: Chelsea Abdullah
-
Akata Witch
- Akata Witch Series, Book 1
- Written by: Nnedi Okorafor
- Narrated by: Yetide Badaki
- Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Twelve-year-old Sunny lives in Nigeria, but she was born American. Her features are African, but she has albinism. She's a terrific athlete but can't go out into the sun to play soccer. There seems to be no place where she fits in. And then she discovers something amazing - she is a "free agent" with latent mystical power.
-
-
I couldn't stop listening
- By Samantha on 2022-08-08
Written by: Nnedi Okorafor
-
Daughters of Nri
- Written by: Reni K. Amayo
- Narrated by: Weruche Opia
- Length: 11 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A gruesome war results in the old gods' departure from earth. The only remnants of their existence lie in two girls. Twins, separated at birth. Goddesses who grow up believing that they are human. Daughters of Nri explores their epic journey of self-discovery as they embark on a path back to one another. Strong-willed Naala grows up seeking adventure in her quiet and small village. While the more reserved Sinai resides in the cold and political palace of Nri.
-
-
Amazingly beautiful
- By Novalla on 2021-05-21
Written by: Reni K. Amayo
What the critics say
Instant New York Times Bestseller
NPR Best Book of the Year
PopSugar Best New Book–November 2021
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
Children’s Africana Book Awards–2022 Honor Book for Older Readers
Top 10 YALSA Amazing Audiobook for Young Adults
"Bowen has built an impressive mythology to buttress her fairy tale, and it's a pleasure to discover this world through Simi's eyes."—The New York Times
"Riveting . . . I'm sure that Simi has many ardent fans to await her further adventures."—NPR
“Skin of the Sea is one of the most epic and original fantasies I've read. . . . Simi's story will stay with me for a long time to come.”—Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Instructions for Dancing
What listeners say about Skin of the Sea
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- DiaRose
- 2022-09-19
Black Mermaids Do Exist
Love the story and the history lesson within. Have a listen you will not be disappointed.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amy Braun
- 2023-07-12
Beautiful story about culture and sacrifice
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!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jeanette M.
- 2023-08-06
Loved it
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 😅
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jusbookshelf82
- 2022-08-16
Loved it!
This book is amazing! It’s a slow start but once you get into it, it’s impossible to put down!!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- NN
- 2022-12-24
Good thing there's a sequel!
This book left me wanting more. The writing was descriptive and soulful. This will be a movie someday.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nicole
- 2022-08-04
magical story
A unique and very special mermaid tale that I thoroughly enjoyed. Yetide Badaki narrated it so well and gave the story life.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Julia Gagnon
- 2023-09-20
loved jt
it was really good, loved the narrator and story, it was really well written!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!