For generations, Mina's world has been beset by raging storms that take whole villages into the sea. Those who remain fight over the few resources that survive these storms. The people believe the sea god is angry. Every year a beautiful girl is sacrificed to the sea in the hope one of them will finally be the sea god's true bride, the girl who can stop the storms.
Many believe the beautiful Shim Cheong might be the one, but Mina's older brother is in love with her and plans to throw himself into the sea with her, even knowing he will die.
Mina decides to take Shim Cheong's place to save her brother. She isn't even sure it will work until she awakens in the Spirit Realm. This magical city is filled with spirits, ghosts, demons, and even a few minor gods. Mina soon discovers the sea god in an enchanted slumber. She must find a way to wake him in order to end the curse on her home, but her time is limited. If she stays too long in the Spirit Realm, she will become a spirit herself, unable to end the curse or return home.
She has the help of Shin, a minor god, whose fate has been bound to hers, and an assortment of other spirits and demons. Mina believes she could be the sea god's true wife and break the curse, but can she follow through if she falls in love with someone else?
Axie Oh's beautiful fairy tale of a story is dream steeped in Korean mythology. The plot is gentle and meandering, giving way to characters and descriptions, but it's a lovely ride through a dangerous and enchanted kingdom. The romance is clean enough for a middle school audience and stems from true friendship and devotion. Recommended.
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