Skin of the Sea

An epic love story infused with West African mythology. For fans of The Gilded Ones, Children of Blood and Bone, and Circe, this book is a powerful new imagining of a devastating time in history, told through the eyes of a bold and unforgettable heroine. 
 
This is the story of a great love - a love that will threaten worlds and anger Gods. 
 
This is a story that will change history. 
 
Simidele is one of the Mami Wata, mermaids duty-bound to collect the souls of those who die at sea and bless their journeys back home to the Supreme Creator. 
 
But when a living boy is thrown overboard a slave ship, Simi saves his life, going against an ancient decree and bringing terrible danger to the mami wata. 
 
Now Simi must journey to the Supreme Creator to make amends - a journey of vengeful gods, treacherous lands and legendary creatures. If she fails, she risks not just the fate of all Mami Wata, but also the world as she knows it. 
 
 
"A compelling, moving YA fairytale, richly woven with west African mythology" - The Guardian 
 
"One of the most epic and original fantasies Ive read in a long time. Natasha Bowen has crafted a world full of heart and imagination" - Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Instructions for Dancing 
 
"The most engrossing, thought-provoking, beautiful novel...knocks your socks off and leaves you wanting more" - Namina Forna, New York Times bestselling author of The Gilded Ones 
 
"A triumph of storytelling" - Kalynn Bayron, bestselling author of Cinderella is Dead 
 
'This poignant supernatural romance stands out for its sensuous prose' Financial Times 
 
'Fantastical creatures and vengeful gods form a vivid backdrop to this rich and original story of one girl's journey to find herself' Observer (YA Books of Month)

One of the most epic and original fantasies I've read in a long time. Natasha Bowen has crafted a world full of heart and imagination.

Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Instructions for Dancing

The most engrossing, thought-provoking, beautiful novel...knocks your socks off and leaves you wanting more.

Namina Forna, New York Times bestselling author of The Gilded Ones

Bursting with innovative inspiration...A divine debut that explores the glories of West African myth, religion, and history

A compelling, moving YA fairytale, richly woven with west African mythology

Kalynn Bayron, bestselling author of Cinderella is Dead

A dazzling debut . . . Bowen relays a story as lushly described as it is cinematic, centering a brave headstrong protagonist coming into her own power in an age of change

'Fantastical creatures and vengeful gods form a vivid backdrop to this rich and original story of one girl's journey to find herself' Observer (YA Books of Month)

Natasha Bowen is a writer, a teacher, and a mother of three children. She is of Nigerian and Welsh descent and lives in Cambridge, England, where she grew up. Natasha studied English and creative writing at Bath Spa University before moving to East London, where she taught for nearly ten years. Her debut book was inspired by her passion for mermaids and African history. She is obsessed with Japanese and German stationery and spends stupid amounts on notebooks, which she then features on her secret Instagram. When she's not writing, she's reading, watched over carefully by Milk and Honey, her cat and dog.

This is the story of a great love - a love that will threaten worlds and anger Gods. 
 
This is a story that will change history. 
 
Simidele is one of the Mami Wata, mermaids duty-bound to collect the souls of those who die at sea and bless their journeys back home to the Supreme Creator. 
 
But when a living boy is thrown overboard a slave ship, Simi saves his life, going against an ancient decree and bringing terrible danger to the mami wata. 
 
Now Simi must journey to the Supreme Creator to make amends - a journey of vengeful gods, treacherous lands and legendary creatures. If she fails, she risks not just the fate of all Mami Wata, but also the world as she knows it. 
 
An epic love story infused with West African mythology. For fans of The Gilded Ones, Children of Blood and Bone and Circe, this book is a powerful new imagining of a devastating time in history, told through the eyes of a bold and unforgettable heroine.

Call of the Dragon 1

Brought to you by Penguin. 
 
The people are calling . . . 
And the gods will answer. 
 
Moremi has only ever known of two dragon gods watching over the prosperous Kingdom of Kwa. It is thanks to the great dragons that an unspeakable evil is kept at bay. But when someone tries to claim the gods’ power for their own, the process goes dreadfully wrong and the world’s darkest shadows are released. 
 
Overnight, Kwa’s ancient tales of monsters become all too real. After realising a strange affinity for both God's Moremi is now Kwa’s only hope for restoring their full strength. 
 
But will Jagun, the mysterious prince, let her anywhere near the gods? And how does her childhood friend, Nox, feel about it all? In any case, if Moremi fails her quest, then she risks the earth caving in and the sky crumbling down. . . . 
 
© Natasha Bowen 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Herbalist Moremi is the teenage daughter of the principal priestess to Yida, the dragon goddess, in an engrossing fantasy series opener from Bowen (Soul of the Deep), which expertly demonstrates the burden of being a chosen one. Intricate worldbuilding expands on popular fantasy tropes while crafting exhilarating new twists on common myths about the creation of humankind in this gripping tale of first love, divided loyalties, and loss narrated in doubting yet courageous Moremi’s sincere first-person POV.

A richly imagined epic story that blends African mythology with high-stakes fantasy. Bowen’s worldbuilding is vivid and expansive, filled with lush landscapes, divine beasts, and folklore that thrums with power. Moremi’s struggles among loyalty, love, and destiny make her a compelling heroine, grounding the sweeping scale with emotional resonance. 
 
While lore-heavy passages can momentarily slow the pace, the blend of mythic grandeur, high stakes, and heartfelt character work keeps the narrative engaging. VERDICT A vivid, powerful fantasy brimming with dragons, betrayal, and destiny. A must-purchase for collections serving teens who enjoy Tomi Adeyemi, Sabaa Tahir, and Christopher Paolini.

Natasha Bowen is a New York Times bestselling author, a teacher, and a mother of three children. She is of Nigerian and Welsh descent and lives in Cambridge, England, where she grew up. Natasha studied English and creative writing at Bath Spa University before moving to East London, where she taught for nearly ten years. She is obsessed with Japanese and German stationery and spends stupid amounts on notebooks, which she then features on her secret Instagram. When she's not writing, she's reading, watched over carefully by Milk and Honey, her cat and dog.

The people are calling . . . 
And the gods will answer. 
 
Moremi has only ever known of two dragon gods watching over the prosperous Kingdom of Kwa. It is thanks to the great dragons that an unspeakable evil is kept at bay. But when someone tries to claim the gods’ power for their own, the process goes dreadfully wrong and the world’s darkest shadows are released. 
 
Overnight, Kwa’s ancient tales of monsters become all too real. After realising a strange affinity for both God's Moremi is now Kwa’s only hope for restoring their full strength. 
 
But will Jagun, the mysterious prince, let her anywhere near the gods? And how does her childhood friend, Nox, feel about it all? In any case, if Moremi fails her quest, then she risks the earth caving in and the sky crumbling down. . . .

Natasha Bowen

For fans of The Gilded Ones, Children of Blood and Bone, and Circe, this is the breathtaking follow-up to SKIN OF THE SEA - an epic love story infused with West African mythology and a powerful new imagining of a devastating time in history, told through the eyes of a bold and unforgettable heroine. 
 
One life. One choice. One sacrifice. 
 
To save those closest to her, Simi sacrificed everything - her freedom, her life as mami wata, and the boy she loves. 
 
Now she serves a new god, watching over the Land of the Dead at the bottom of the ocean. But the tide of change is coming and when Simi discovers demons have entered the human realm bent on destruction, she must break her vow and return to the world above the water. 
 
The fate of the world lies in her hands. 
 
Praise for SKIN OF THE SEA: 
 
'Epic and original . . . Simi's story will stay with me for a long time' Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything 
 
'The most engrossing, thought-provoking, beautiful novel . . . knocks your socks off and leaves you wanting more' Namina Forna, New York Times bestselling author of The Gilded Ones 
 
 'A triumph of storytelling' Kalynn Bayron, bestselling author of Cinderella is Dead 
 
 'This poignant supernatural romance stands out for its sensuous prose' Financial Times 
 
 'Fantastical creatures and vengeful gods form a vivid backdrop to this rich and original story of one girl's journey to find herself' Observer (YA Books of Month)

Soul of the Deep

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