I was initially drawn to "The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea" because of its comparison to "Spirited Away," a beloved Ghibli film. With its vibrant mythology and storytelling, beautifully enchanting spirit world, and heartwarming romance, this book certainly parallels "Spirited Away," but is its own perfectly unique tale. Mina, the main character in “Girl,” is an independent, strong-willed, and selfless teenager who will do anything to protect the ones she loves. I deeply value a book with a strong female character and Mina delivers on that. The sub-characters in this book are just as charming, each with their own unique personalities and backstories. “Girl” also delivers some surprising twists throughout Mina’s journey, which I might have seen coming if I wasn’t so deeply engrossed in the story Axie Oh had created. 

This book absolutely charmed me. I was invested in this incredible world and characters, feeling joy, sadness, heartbreak, and love right alongside them. I would absolutely recommend this book if you like "Spirited Away," the found family trope, East-Asian folklore, and/or slow-burn romance.

(Note: I was provided an advanced copy of "The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea" by the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.)