The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea is a beautiful debut novel enriched with mythology and fantasy. I got like serious deja vu and Daughter of the Moon Goddess vibes while reading this book which was hilarious and I enjoyed it so much. Like any good fantasy novel, it teaches the importance of family and made me wish I was in a fantasy world with magical beings and yummy food. Excuse me while I acquire my bubble tea and let’s get this review started!

The story opens up with introducing the world where storms rage and in order to appease the Sea God in hopes the storms will calm, one bride must be sacrificed to him every year. Except this year, Mina takes the place of Shim Cheong, the original bride and her older brother’s lover, in hopes of saving her brother. In doing so, she enters the Spirit Realm and finds out that things are a lot more messier down there than up in her world. She’s given a month to find out how to fix the curse of the Sea God or her soul is to remain trapped in the Spirit Realm.

This book has been gettin a reputation of being similar to Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away which was definitely interesting to read since I adore all of Studio Ghibli’s films. The first half of the book where Mina is wandering the unfamiliar Spirit Realm is somewhat similar to Chihiro wandering around so I can see the connection. But the two go on seperate paths later on, though still end amazingly. I do think it would be interesting if Mina and Chihiro met considering they both went through an interesting time in a world filled with spirits. Now that’s a crossover I would definitely check out.

I absolutely adore all the characters in the book and Namgi is 101% my favorite. I need fictional characters to be real I swear. I honestly felt so bad for the Emperor cause the poor dude kept getting rejected by Mina cause her heart belongs to Shin so now I feel justified in saying that he needs a partner ASAP. Mask, Dai, and Miki just melted my heart and I freaked out at the end of the book. Hyeri and Shinki are like couple goals, and I loved every moment that was spent with them in the book. Shim Cheong and Mina’s brother Joon were also couple goals and what is it with this book and adorable couples making me feel single. Ahem. Anyway. Kirin is a little stone faced and cold which was like a bit exasperating but his chemistry with Namgi was adorable and I need a second book starring the two of them please and thank you.

In the end, this book just emphasizes the importance of family and I honestly want to give everyone in the book a hug because of how much emotion was just piling up towards the end. Like if you were going to write something that sweet at least prepare some tissues. I would absolutely recommend this book and I hope that if you did pick this up, you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. Axie Oh, you really did an incredible job in writing this novel and I could not have enjoyed it more.

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