Another enjoyable read to my list! I rarely read fantasy fic and this one really caught my interest as it revolves on a folktale retelling which I sort of familiar with. A whimsical story of Shim Cheong yet with a twist!
Mina was taken to the Spirit Realm in replace of Shim Cheong (who is destined to be the Sea God's bride) after an unexpected incident. A whole new journey begins when the Red String of Fate in between her and the Sea God was broken turning her soul into a magpie. Throughout her journey to claim her soul back and to end the Sea God's bride curse, her fate was caught and tied with Shin; the guardian of the Sea God who is also the head of the Lotus House.
Such an intricate retelling with an engrossing universe, full with conflicts and thrills, and a peek into one's culture of belief that was build from a perspective of death, love, fate and sacrifice. I love how lyrical the prose goes which was so exquisitely written (love those slide in of other folktales). The characters were my most fav part-- reckless and brave Mina (a worth rooting heroine) and I think she did well in narrating the plot. Namgi and Kirin were such an interesting characters though I wish I can read more on their backgrounds and stories (the Imugi!), also Shin that I get a Shin hangover(?) after reading this :p
Although I admit the worldbuilding and the magic system were lacking in details or at least an explanation on why all the thieves/villains were hunting for Mina's soul (did I miss the info?), somehow those flaws did not affect much on my reading. That pinch of romance in between Shin and Mina was also fairly done to me-- a teenage girl with a huge and more important concerns and Shin who was wrapped in his past; so I don't crave much of their interactions anyway.
An expected plot twist (I knew it, Shin!) and ending (love it!), and this might be too light for a fan of fantasy fic, but I think it works well to a new or light-reader of the genre like me. Nicely paced with charming and mythical setting, unique mesmerising characters, also a fan to Spirited Away, you wouldn't want to miss this! Would go for 4.2 stars to this!
Thank you Pansing Distribution (definitelybooks) for sending me an ARC in return for my review!