The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2022

91%

WISE Score

4.5

Amazon

Korean Spirited Away meets self-sacrifice: a girl dives into the sea to save her brother and wakes up in a gorgeous spirit realm with one job—wake the Sea God.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea

book

2022

91%

WISE Score

4.5

Amazon

Korean Spirited Away meets self-sacrifice: a girl dives into the sea to save her brother and wakes up in a gorgeous spirit realm with one job—wake the Sea God.

4.5

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the YA fantasy you hand to a teen who's aging out of middle-grade but isn't ready for hardcore romantasy with spice. It's beautiful, thoughtful, and culturally rich without being preachy or overwhelming.

The Korean mythology angle is genuinely refreshing in a sea of European-inspired fantasy, and the Spirit Realm feels like stepping into a Studio Ghibli film. The stakes are real (deadly storms, human sacrifice, a sleeping god), but the violence is minimal and the romance is sweet rather than steamy.

Some readers found it slower-paced than expected, so if your kid needs constant action, this might not land. But for atmosphere lovers, mythology nerds, or anyone who wants a complete story in one book (revolutionary!), this is a gem. It's also a great gateway into discussing cultural storytelling traditions and how myths evolve.

Bottom line: A strong, safe pick for thoughtful teens who want fantasy with heart and a heroine who doesn't wait around for destiny to find her.

Age Fit

Perfect for ages 12-18, especially teens who loved Howl's Moving Castle or want atmospheric fantasy with cultural depth. The themes of sacrifice and grief make it more appropriate for middle school and up, though mature 11-year-olds who read YA could handle it.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A self-sacrificing protagonist who risks everything to save her brother and end her people's suffering. The story centers on themes of family love, courage, and cooperation with a diverse cast of spirits and gods. Contains a slow-burn romance that's age-appropriate. One brief reference to stillbirth and grief, but handled sensitively. The emotional tone is balanced—serious stakes without being traumatic.

Imaginative

A lush, immersive Korean mythology retelling that transports readers to a vibrant Spirit Realm filled with lesser gods, demons, and mythical beasts. The world-building is rich and original, drawing on Korean folklore (the Shim Cheong tale) while creating something fresh. Comparisons to Spirited Away, Wintersong, and Uprooted signal strong imaginative appeal. The premise—waking a sleeping Sea God to end deadly storms—invites curiosity and wonder.

Safe

Rated 'Mild' by Rated Reads with minimal content concerns: one use of mild language, a character's memory of stillbirth/grief, and the inherent tension of deadly storms and sacrifice rituals. No graphic violence, gore, sexual content, or surprise traumatic elements. The stakes are high but handled in a fantasy context appropriate for teens. The slow-burn romance is clean. This is a standalone YA fantasy with predictable content boundaries.

Enriching

Introduces readers to Korean folklore and mythology in an accessible, engaging format. Explores themes of sacrifice, fate, agency, and breaking cycles of suffering. The protagonist's journey involves problem-solving, cultural immersion, and moral complexity. As a retelling, it invites comparison with source material and discussion of how stories evolve. The writing is described as immersive and well-crafted, modeling quality storytelling. Strong representation for Korean culture.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Lush, immersive world-building inspired by Korean mythology that feels fresh and magical without being overwhelming
A protagonist who acts out of love and courage rather than destiny—she literally throws herself into the ocean to save her brother
Clean, slow-burn romance that doesn't overshadow the adventure and mythological mystery
Standalone book (praise hands) with a complete story arc, no waiting for sequels
Strong cultural representation that introduces Korean folklore to Western YA audiences in an accessible way

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What to Watch For

The premise involves annual human sacrifice (girls thrown into the sea), which is central to the plot but not graphically described
One character remembers a stillbirth and witnesses grief over the lost baby—brief but emotionally heavy
Some readers on Goodreads felt 'catfished' by the gorgeous cover vs. their personal taste, so manage expectations if your teen prefers action-heavy plots
It's described as a 'cozy read'—great for atmosphere lovers, but might feel slow to kids who want constant action

Conversation Starters

"Mina sacrifices herself to save her brother—would you do the same for a sibling? What about for a friend?"
"The story is based on a Korean folktale about Shim Cheong. What other cultural myths or legends do you know that involve sacrifice?"
"The Sea God is asleep and can't protect people anymore. What do you think happened to make him fall asleep?"
"Mina has to navigate a world where she doesn't belong and time is running out. How would you handle being in a place where the rules are completely different?"

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