Name: Our Bloody Pearl
ISBN: 9781721833412

D N. BRYN

After a year of voiceless captivity, a bloodthirsty siren with a paralyzed fin fights to return home while avoiding the lure of a suspiciously friendly and eccentric pirate captain. Prepare for a voyage of laughter, danger, family, and forgiveness with this #ownvoice fantasy, while your heart is stolen - if not eaten - by sirens.

Our Bloody Pearl

Jasper

There is one thing I know for certain: We were right to hate the humans.

The sea betrayed me. My sea, the one place I knew I would be home. I’ve been rejected.

The world comes alive, and I hold to every heartbeat. I live.

I refuse to let my home dash me to pieces, but neither can I run from it.

I don’t know at what point I decided I would risk everything for this stupid human with his dorky smile and his sparkling eyes. But I did. And I will.

I never imagined a human’s life would matter to me, but seeing him awake and happy makes my heart leap and my sore muscles loosen.

Besides, I know nothing about humans except which of their organs tastes best.

The current rips a pod apart; tenacious, devastating. If I fight it, will we come together? Or will it only break us further?

The ocean is not sentimental. It moves ever forward: current and wave and undertow. But it still meets itself in the backwash.

I want to know who dared touch my Dejean without his permission, so I can rip their throat out.

My heart aches for him, for what he’s gone through, and my fingers twitch, wanting desperately to do something, to make it all better. But instead I say the first thing that pops into my head. 'How am I supposed to eat this monster if he’s dead? I can’t eat bones.'

Dejean stares at me. Then he blinks. A boisterous laugh pours out of him, until he’s all but bent over against the catamaran’s steering mechanism. 'Bones are a bit tough, aren’t they?'

'If anyone else hurts you, I’ll eat them instead.' I’m very serious about this, and I want him to realize it. 'Bones and all.'

The longer I bear it, the heavier it becomes. I let go.

Thea Lizabeth

What a sweet story. Pearl is a darling who I want to see a lot more of! It's a wonderful light story of friendship and a pinch of romance. The worldbuilding was wonderfully clear and vivid. 

The only thing I would have enjoyed more is Pearl's outlook on human lives. It felt very human sometimes, but this isn't anything major. He did have a good amount of curiosity though. I loved every bit of this story.

Actual rating: 4.5

This book was absolutely fantastic! I loved it from start to finish and now just need more sirens and queer pirates in my life. Please and thank you.

It's rare to find a fantasy book that isn't swamped with world-building and yet really doesn't need it. The fantasy elements are subtle, but integral to the story (I mean, the MC is a mythical creature). And yet despite the subtly, the story is crafted in a way that you don't need more. There a sirens in the sea. Everyone knows it. Done. 

The story-line is a gorgeous mix of tragic and hopeful, with an incredible character development arc - not just for Perle, the MC; but the whole gang - as they realign what they think they understand of a world they barely interact with. It's the typical story of two worlds that normally clash needing to get along. And it is beautifully done. 

And the characters themselves - I LOVE THEM ALL. Perle is an amazing main character with a tragic backstory but also a fighting, and open-hearted, spirit. Dejean is absolutely a gem and the entire world needs more of him. Simone and Mur - AHH <3 They are the best example of opposites attract and I love them dearly for it.

This was a wonderfully crafted story and this won't be the last thing I pick up written by Bryn. If you love fantasy and LGBT+ rep this is a fantastic adult crossover for YA readers. 

Thank you to the author for reaching out to me with a copy of the book for review! This does not impact on my review and all thoughts are 100% honest.

Our Bloody Pearl

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