In "Skin of the Sea" by Natasha Bowen, the story begins with a young girl named Simi, who is a mermaid created from the souls of enslaved Africans lost at sea. In Chapter 1, Simi shares her life among her sisters in the ocean, her connection to their shared history, and the pain of their tragic past. As the chapter unfolds, Simi wrestles with her longing to help the souls that continue to suffer and her duty to remain hidden from the humans above.
By Chapter 2, Simi's world is turned upside down when she encounters a shipwreck and discovers a human boy named Kola, who is struggling to survive. Faced with a choice, she saves him, which leads to unforeseen consequences for both her and the souls she protects. This act of kindness sets the stage for the challenges Simi will face as she navigates her identity and the complexities of her world.
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