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l_and_l's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
sierracook14's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
becandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
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.
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.
elliemaiblogs's review against another edition
5.0
Where do I even begin with this book? I could sit here all day and tell you all the things I loved about Our Bloody Pearl, but I will do my best, to sum up, everything in this review!
This book is nothing like I’ve ever read before, I wish I could forget everything that happened and read it with a fresh set of eyes all over again. I envy anyone who hasn’t yet read this yet and gets to experience it for the very first time. So, I haven’t really read anything about pirates and sailing the seas too much, but Our Bloody Pearl has unlocked a new love of mine. I am now obsessed with this action-packed book with murderous Sirens and Pirates who hate each other, treacherous seas that must be a nightmare to sail and romance that is genuinely the cutest. It is truly a one of a kind book and you are definitely in for a treat when reading this book.
I was completely absorbed by this story as soon as started reading it. Writing this review now is just making me want to read it all over again and I probably will. Just like the pirates in the book, I too fell for the songs of the Sirens but luckily I escaped unscathed apart from this world being engraved in my mind, I can’t say the same about them though.
I loved how much detail went into this book and not just the fascinating yet deadly seas, alluring Siren Pods and bloody action that keeps you on your toes but the way gender and sexuality are expressed. This isn’t just done through Pearl’s gender-neutral character, but also through other LGBTQ characters that you can’t help but adore and admire throughout.
Pearle and Dejean’s journey into becoming friends and maybe a bit more (wink wink) was an absolute delight to read about. Their sweet made-up sign language was so interesting to me and it always warmed my heart when they used it. I loved all the characters in this book, it’s really hard not to.
Overall, Our Bloody Pearl is an absolute gem of a book that will have you hooked from page one. There are plenty of diverse characters to get to know and love, a great balance of gory action and sweet romance, as well as a fascinating world that is sure to lure you in.
Rating: 5/5
This book is nothing like I’ve ever read before, I wish I could forget everything that happened and read it with a fresh set of eyes all over again. I envy anyone who hasn’t yet read this yet and gets to experience it for the very first time. So, I haven’t really read anything about pirates and sailing the seas too much, but Our Bloody Pearl has unlocked a new love of mine. I am now obsessed with this action-packed book with murderous Sirens and Pirates who hate each other, treacherous seas that must be a nightmare to sail and romance that is genuinely the cutest. It is truly a one of a kind book and you are definitely in for a treat when reading this book.
I was completely absorbed by this story as soon as started reading it. Writing this review now is just making me want to read it all over again and I probably will. Just like the pirates in the book, I too fell for the songs of the Sirens but luckily I escaped unscathed apart from this world being engraved in my mind, I can’t say the same about them though.
I loved how much detail went into this book and not just the fascinating yet deadly seas, alluring Siren Pods and bloody action that keeps you on your toes but the way gender and sexuality are expressed. This isn’t just done through Pearl’s gender-neutral character, but also through other LGBTQ characters that you can’t help but adore and admire throughout.
Pearle and Dejean’s journey into becoming friends and maybe a bit more (wink wink) was an absolute delight to read about. Their sweet made-up sign language was so interesting to me and it always warmed my heart when they used it. I loved all the characters in this book, it’s really hard not to.
Overall, Our Bloody Pearl is an absolute gem of a book that will have you hooked from page one. There are plenty of diverse characters to get to know and love, a great balance of gory action and sweet romance, as well as a fascinating world that is sure to lure you in.
Rating: 5/5
schwesel's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
storyorc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A good book for healing and atonement. I appreciate the author's willingness to make those sins significant even if they did chicken out from having Perle be the siren who killed Kian and Dejean's parents in the end. The world is thoughtfully crafted. So glad the author committed to sirens that eat like animals rather than palatable ones! Characters have nuance too, though I would like to see that pushed further; the line between who we're intended to root for and not is still pretty clear. It was a little slow for my taste but there is value in showing that healing is not a one-and-done revelation. Particularly gratifying to see multiple disabilities treated as adjustments rather than one's world shrinking. Oh, and queernorm is always nice.
Sick opening line too.
Sick opening line too.
tayanapier's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A queer disabled lead pirate story full of more queer pirates and sirens. I loved this! The story sucks you in straight away. The writhing is fantastic and makes you feel like you’re really in the head of a siren. Also the descriptions of the ocean were soooo good! The world building is a lot of fun, with a historical steampunk esc feeling.
But the best thing of this story is the characters. The author does a wonderful job of creating full arcs for these characters (even side characters) in under 300 pages. The found family in this is chefs kiss, plus the ace relationship of the two main characters (enemies to lovers) is so sweet and tender. There is also a lot of sweet talks about gender and sexuality between the characters as they try and understand each other.
Would highly recommend this series.
But the best thing of this story is the characters. The author does a wonderful job of creating full arcs for these characters (even side characters) in under 300 pages. The found family in this is chefs kiss, plus the ace relationship of the two main characters (enemies to lovers) is so sweet and tender. There is also a lot of sweet talks about gender and sexuality between the characters as they try and understand each other.
Would highly recommend this series.
xeni's review against another edition
3.0
I'm kind of "meh" about this book. I liked the premise a lot. I liked how the sirens are nonbinary (unless it's time to reproduce) and how their biology is mentioned as other to humans, but never focused on.
I like our main character - Perle - a lot too. She's smart and tenacious and willing to do anything for loyalty. Dejean, their main human interest, is also intriguing, if superficial. Perle is also disabled (prolonged captivity in one position caused her spinal damage and she can no longer use her tail, along with other injuries that heal along the way).
Because Perle doesn't speak the way humans do, most of their communication is limited to sign language. The book takes a lot of liberties with this (conveying rather complex ideas with vague "and I signed it to him" statements), but even that I didn't mind too much.
What I minded the most was the utterly banal and boring plot. It's very straight forward, exactly what you expect. Any mystery is cleared up by the end of the story. It's a bit too simple for my tastes. While not badly written, the writing itself is serviceable and does it's job well.
I think this would be a good book to recommend to a younger audience, as I think that's when I would have appreciated it the most.
I like our main character - Perle - a lot too. She's smart and tenacious and willing to do anything for loyalty. Dejean, their main human interest, is also intriguing, if superficial. Perle is also disabled (prolonged captivity in one position caused her spinal damage and she can no longer use her tail, along with other injuries that heal along the way).
Because Perle doesn't speak the way humans do, most of their communication is limited to sign language. The book takes a lot of liberties with this (conveying rather complex ideas with vague "and I signed it to him" statements), but even that I didn't mind too much.
What I minded the most was the utterly banal and boring plot. It's very straight forward, exactly what you expect. Any mystery is cleared up by the end of the story. It's a bit too simple for my tastes. While not badly written, the writing itself is serviceable and does it's job well.
I think this would be a good book to recommend to a younger audience, as I think that's when I would have appreciated it the most.
leer_amor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
I enjoyed the premise but I just couldnt really get into this. There were parts where the story didnt make sense. In the fighting scenes I could never tell who was on a boat vs in the water. I didnt really connect with the characters and the romance fell flat a little for me. I wouldve liked a deeper look into Dejean’s past as well as Perle’s life with their former pod.
For a debut novel it isnt horrible. The world building could use a little work but there’s room for growth and the building blocks are there.
For a debut novel it isnt horrible. The world building could use a little work but there’s room for growth and the building blocks are there.
aehmyers's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Disability and Ace rep.