Book Review for Our Bloody Pearl by D. N. Bryn

Author: D. N. Bryn
Title: Our Bloody Pearl
Publisher: Bryn Books
Date Published: 26th July 2018
Genre: Fantasy
Comment-

I received this book to read and review as part of the 2021 BBNYA competition and the BBNYA tours organised by the TWR Tour team. I was not tortured into leaving a review by a bloodthirsty pirate with issues.

BBNYA is a yearly competition where Book Bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors. If you are an author and wish to learn more about the BBNYA competition, you can visit the official website www.bbnya.com or twitter @bbnya_official. 

The sign-ups will soon be open for the 2022 BBNYA competition, be it for authors to enter their books, or for bloggers wanting to be part of the new panel, so keep your eyes peeled!!

Buying Links:

Amazon UK : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bloody-Pearl-These-Treacherous-Tides-ebook/dp/B07DVK9VWT

Amazon US : https://www.amazon.com/Bloody-Pearl-These-Treacherous-Tides-ebook/dp/B07DVK9VWT 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40612896-our-bloody-pearl

Synopsis

The ocean is uncontrollable and dangerous. But to the sirens who swim the warm island waters, it’s a home more than worth protecting from the humans and their steam-propelled ships. Between their hypnotic voices and the strength of their powerful tails, sirens have little to fear.

That is, until the ruthless pirate captain, Kian, creates a device to cancel out their songs.

Perle was the first siren captured, and while all since have either been sold or killed, Kian still keeps them prisoner. Though their song is muted and their tail paralyzed, Perle’s hope for escape rekindles as another pirating vessel seizes Kian’s ship. This new captain seems different, with his brilliant smile and his promises that Kian will never again be Perle’s master. But he’s still a human, and a captor in his own way. The compassion he and his rag-tag human family show can’t be sincere… or can it?

Soon it becomes clear that Kian will hunt Perle relentlessly, taking down any siren in her path. As the tides turn, Perle must decide whether to run from Kian forever, or ride the forming wave into battle, hoping their newfound human companions will fight with them.

This adult fantasy novel featuring an nonbinary disabled protagonist is a voyage of laughter and danger where friendships and love abound and sirens are sure to steal—or eat—your heart.  

Trigger warnings: mild gore due to carnivorous sirens and sensations of drowning.

Review

I was given this to read for the BBNYA last year and I really enjoyed it.

This is a very different take on the usual mermaid/siren story in that Perle isn’t a woman- or a man. They just are and they interpret the world around them in a  different way than others.

I’ve never read a nonbinary protagonist before and, to start, my brain kept looking for the pronouns but it was so naturally written that it became second nature to understand ‘they’ instead of looking for ‘he/she’.

Perle was a wonderful character. They were full of wonder at the human world but also distrust and rightly so.

Having to read of the torture done to Perle was quite difficult, especially given that the torture ended up with them being permanently damaged.

I liked the slow brewing, asexual relationship that came about and the delicate way it was handled considering that the participants were two different species. It could have been uncomfortable or even voyeuristic but ended up as sweet and honest.

The world-building was excellent and even side characters had their own unique personalities. I was very pleased that Our Bloody Pearl rated as high as it did in the BBNYA.

Completely deserved.

About the Author

D.N. Bryn began writing short stories in middle school and has yet to stop. They received their bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from UCSD, and enjoy a day job involving respiratory disease research. They bring their love for animals, science, and mythology into all their writing, and are passionate about creating inclusive worlds where a diverse array of characters can go on grand adventures without being hindered by social misconceptions based on their appearance, sexuality, or gender.