February 1, 2023
Gr 9 Up-In Skin of the Sea, Simi saved a human boy and broke the rules laid down by the gods. She gave up her freedom to pay the price and now watches over the Land of the Dead. When she learns that her bargain isn't being upheld, that the trickster god Esu is free and demons are crossing over, she must break her word and venture back to the world above to set things right. Bowen's lush fantasy is steeped in West African mythos, and this installment expands upon the worldbuilding with new villains and deeper characterizations. The writing is cinematic and suspenseful, though readers might throw up their hands at the open ending. VERDICT Interesting and inventive, this installment is worth purchasing for libraries that own the series opener.
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Starred review from July 1, 2022
To save the world from a vengeful god, Simidele gave up her freedom as Mami Wata to serve the orisa Olokun. She didn't count on Olokun's not following through on their deal to catch and then release Esu, the trickster god who tried to take over the world; Olokun's actions bring forward an ocean of problems for everyone, including those Simi tried to save. Without Esu working to bind them, the demon warlord ajogun are tearing at the barrier that blocks them from wreaking havoc. It's not enough that the orisa must fight the inhumanity of chattel slavery, but now the mermaids Yemoja created to return stolen souls to their creator must leave the water to stop the fighting among kingdoms determined to control or resist the ajogun. To do this, Simi must reunite with people she hoped never to see again: With their return to her life comes the possibility of redemption and love. In this series in which West African gods, goddesses, and mystical creatures fight, thrive, trick, transform, and love, Bowen emphasizes the power of found family and collective organizing. The beginning seamlessly integrates readers into the cast members' struggles, each of them sitting at different intersections of status and magical abilities. By introducing new conflicts among the kingdoms instead of solely focusing on slave traders as antagonists, Bowen tugs at the histories we know and the ones we must fabulate to fill in the spaces. A deeply satisfying dive into magic and mystery. (Fantasy. 14-18)
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