First Look at Author Natasha Bowen’s Mermaid Sequel Soul of the Deep

Fans of Natasha Bowen’s 2021 fantasy Skin of the Sea—and anybody who enjoys tales about mermaids and West African folklore—will probably be thrilled to listen to sequel Soul of the Deep is arriving this fall. io9 interviewed the Nigerian-Welsh writer over e-mail to be taught in regards to the anticipated launch; we’ve additionally bought a primary have a look at its beautiful cowl.

First, right here’s a abstract of Soul of the Deep. Main character Simidele is again—and dealing with some moderately intense new challenges.

One life.

One alternative.

One sacrifice.

To save these closest to her, Simi traded away every thing: her freedom, her household, and the boy she loves. Now she is sworn to serve a brand new god, watching over the Land of the Dead on the backside of the ocean.

But when indicators of demons start to seem, it’s clear there are deeper penalties of Simi’s commerce. These demons spell the world’s break . . . and due to Simi, they now have a means into the human realm.

With the destiny of the world at stake, Simi should break her promise and group up with a scheming trickster of a god. And in the event that they succeed, maybe Simi also can unbreak her coronary heart alongside the way in which, and discover herself once more.

Next up is the duvet; the artwork is impressed by the work of Jeff Manning, with photos used beneath license from Shutterstock.com.

And lastly, right here’s our chat with Bowen!

Cheryl Eddy, io9: Skin of the Sea was your debut novel and it grew to become a best-seller. What has that have been like for you?

Natasha Bowen: It has been fantastic and surreal. To have my debut be so nicely obtained has been a literal dream. It’s been wonderful to listen to that my story has had such an impression on individuals.

io9: For individuals studying this interview who won’t have learn Skin of the Sea but, are you able to give us a short abstract of that ebook and its world and characters?

Bowen: Skin of the Sea is a narrative of magic, mermaids, and braveness. We observe Simidele, a younger lady who has been remade as Mami Wata, a mermaid, with the duty of gathering the souls of those that cross within the sea in an effort to bless their journey house. When she saves a boy thrown overboard, she breaks an historical decree. To save different Mami Wata and herself, Simi should journey to make amends and search forgiveness from the Supreme Creator.

io9: Simi, the primary character of Skin of the Sea, will return for Soul of the Deep. How has her character developed for the reason that first ebook, and what would be the fundamental conflicts, challenges, and opposing forces she’ll face within the sequel?

Bowen: Simidele discovered herself in Skin of the Sea. Being in a position to reclaim her reminiscences has given her the ability of who she is. She’s stronger now in some ways, however has stayed true to her love and safety of these she cares about. Simi’s sacrifice on the finish of ebook one colours the sequel. In Soul of the Deep, she faces decisions that take a look at her loyalty and her emotions.

io9: Who is depicted on the duvet of the ebook? Can you set the scene for the duvet illustration?

Bowen: Simidele is featured on Soul of the Deep, however differently than Skin of the Sea. I believe this cowl reveals the depth of her persona and hints on the story to return.

io9: Skin of the Sea drew on West African mythology to assist inform its story. Will we be seeing extra of that affect within the sequel?

Bowen: Definitely! We see extra myths, non secular beliefs, and customs already launched in Skin of the Sea, in addition to different creatures that I’m excited for readers to find. I received’t say an excessive amount of, however in Soul of the Deep we have now West African variations of different creatures which have lengthy held locations in each our desires and nightmares.

io9: What are a few of your favourite themes or parts you’ve drawn from that particular mythology, and why do you suppose it really works so nicely in a YA fantasy realm?

Bowen: The themes of transformation and spirituality work very nicely within the YA fantasy realm. I believe that is due to the interval of change that all of us undergo as younger adults and at the same time as adults. We’re all altering, evolving as individuals, and so this theme of transition and discovering the actual us, is common.

io9: Why do you suppose mermaids have such a permanent fascination for us, from folklore to popular culture?

Bowen: The seas and oceans cover a lot, and I believe that we are sometimes drawn to the unknown. Our imaginations can run wild with what’s beneath the water. I believe we deal with mermaids as a result of they are us. Or not less than a model of us. In essence we see ourselves in them, our humanity however combined with magical parts. Who wouldn’t need to escape beneath the ocean and expertise a complete new world?

io9: Did you at all times know that you just’d be writing a sequel to Skin of the Sea? Will there be extra books to observe after Soul of the Deep?

Bowen: I at all times knew that Simidele’s world could be multiple ebook. It’s too massive and too wealthy to simply be a single story. Working on Soul of the Deep was like coming house to me, and I believe that there’s nonetheless a lot to be explored. I’d like to publish a ebook about Yinka and probably one other about yumboes.

Natasha Bowen’s Soul of the Deep will probably be launched September 27; you may pre-order a duplicate here.

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