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)

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * The must-read Black mermaid fantasy series that #1 NYT bestselling author Nicola Yoon calls "epic and original," in which one mermaid takes on the gods themselves. Perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and anyone who can't wait for the live-action The Little Mermaid. "Riveting." -NPR "Evocative." -Entertainment Weekly "Remarkable." -Buzzfeed A way to survive. A way to serve. A way to save. Simi prayed to the gods, once. Now she serves them as Mami Wata-a mermaid-collecting the souls of those who die at sea and blessing their journeys back home. But when a living boy is thrown overboard, Simi goes against an ancient decree and does the unthinkable-she saves his life. And punishment awaits those who dare to defy the gods. To protect the other Mami Wata, Simi must journey to the Supreme Creator to make amends. But all is not as it seems. There's the boy she rescued, who knows more than he should. And something is shadowing Simi, something that would rather see her fail . . . Danger lurks at every turn, and as Simi draws closer, she must brave vengeful gods, treacherous lands, and legendary creatures. Because if she fails, she risks not only the fate of all Mami Wata, but also the world as she knows it.

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 - a NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER: '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)

The stunning sequel to New York Times bestseller Skin of the Sea, in which the world must pay the price for one mermaid's choice, and a dark force reverberates across realms. Perfect for anyone eagerly anticipating the live-action The Little Mermaid. One life. One choice. One sacrifice. To save those closest to her, Simi traded away everything: her freedom, her family, and the boy she loves. Now she is sworn to serve a new god, watching over the Land of the Dead at the bottom of the ocean. But when signs of demons begin to appear, it's clear there are deeper consequences of Simi's trade. These demons spell the world's ruin . . . and because of Simi, they now have a way into the human realm. With the fate of the world at stake, Simi must break her promise and team up with a scheming trickster of a god. And if they succeed, perhaps Simi can also unbreak her heart along the way, and find herself again. "Epic and original . . . Simi's story will stay with me for a long time." -Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Instructions for Dancing

Imagine the typical American farmer. Many people visualize sun-roughened skin, faded overalls, and calloused hands-hands that are usually white. While there's no doubt the growing trend of organic farming and homesteading is changing how the farmer is portrayed in mainstream media, farmers of color are still largely left out of the picture. The Color of Food seeks to rectify this. By recognizing the critical issues that lie at the intersection of race and food, this stunning collection of portraits and stories challenges the status quo of agrarian identity. Author, photographer, and biracial farmer Natasha Bowens's quest to explore her own roots in the soil leads her to unearth a larger story, weaving together the seemingly forgotten history of agriculture for people of color, the issues they face today, and the culture and resilience they bring to food and farming. The Color of Food teaches us that the food and farm movement is about more than buying local and protecting our soil. It is about preserving culture and community, digging deeply into the places we've overlooked, and honoring those who have come before us. Blending storytelling, photography, oral history, and unique insight, these pages remind us that true food sovereignty means a place at the table for everyone. Natasha Bowens is an author, farmer, and creator of the multimedia project The Color of Food. Her advocacy focuses on food sovereignty and social issues.