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A review by dawn_chen
Our Bloody Pearl by D.N. Bryn
5.0
THIS BOOK. DID SOMETHING TO ME. I DON'T THINK I HAVE WORDS FOR IT. IT'S JUST. PERFECT???
I couldn't believe this is only about 200 pages??? So MANY things had happened throughout this novel and not at ONE point it feels like it's sluggish or boring. It had a believable and all-rounded worldbuilding, developed all the characters and flashed out their personalities and character arcs fully, created chemistry and dynamics between characters (especially Dejean and Perle), gave me at least four fucking heart attack, and MANAGED TO PORTRAY THE SPECIES CONFLICT BETWEEN SIRENS AND HUMANS BETTER THAN ANY BOOK I'VE EVER READ.
HOW??? JUST??? FUCKING HOW??? I FEEL MORE FOR THIS BOOK THAN MOST 400+ PAGES BOOKS I'VE EVER READ??? LIKE THIS IS VERY LIKELY MY FAVORITE BOOK OF 2020??? HOW IS THIS SO UNDERRATED??? HOWWWWW???
This story is very much about hurt and comfort, healing from a past abusive relationship, as well as the cycle of hatred and trauma and abuse.
It created a believable species of sirens that are bloody and brutal yet so very sympathetic, especially the main character Perle is so utterly inhuman (swear their "wTF is this weird concept that's called gender" and their general misunderstanding of human words and concept is fucking hilarious), yet so filled with humanity (vulnerable, loyal and willing to forgive the past). The walking talking cinnamon roll that is Dejean (probably the sweetest and softest pirate captain in human history). Their relationship progress so organically, from Perle's mistrust due to past human abuse to them bonding over ACTUAL SUPPORTIVE INTERACTIONS. Also Dejean's asexual too, I think??? They are probably the healthiest relationship I have ever read in fiction before, like there's this total mutual trust and affection between them and it's build up so well that it's actually believable.
BEST FOUND FAMILY EVERRRRR.
That one paragraph still makes me cry. I'll post it at the end after the spoiler warning.
All the side characters are all very likable or just very complex. Even Kian, the main abusive and all round irredeemable villain, was given some very interesting depth to why she did what she did to Perle and sirens (and honestly I feel bad for her as well, because I think I might do what she did as well if put in the same situation.) Maruielle is an absolute delight, I aspire to have her level of disaster lesbian energy. Her sapphic relationship with Simone is an absolute beautiful addition to the supporting cast, and I love how Simone is trans but it's not treated as a big deal at all and the discussion regarding gender is so respectful, while still very clearly differentiating the genderless (also intersex?) sirens from humans.
Just. This book. DESERVES EVERYTHING. Please. Read it. If u have to read one more book. Read this one. Please. PLEASE.
(spoilers)
This paragraph still makes me cry.
"I try the only option I have left. I sing. I sing to Dejean with everything I have in me. My tune harmonizes with the other sirens’ vicious elegy, but it rises above theirs, soft and sweet and inviting. It harbors everything I feel for Dejean, and everything I’ve seen of the ocean through his eyes. I sing for him and for the sea: I sing of the love I hold for my home and the way he worked to meet me here, in this dangerous, turbulent, wonderful ocean."
I couldn't believe this is only about 200 pages??? So MANY things had happened throughout this novel and not at ONE point it feels like it's sluggish or boring. It had a believable and all-rounded worldbuilding, developed all the characters and flashed out their personalities and character arcs fully, created chemistry and dynamics between characters (especially Dejean and Perle), gave me at least four fucking heart attack, and MANAGED TO PORTRAY THE SPECIES CONFLICT BETWEEN SIRENS AND HUMANS BETTER THAN ANY BOOK I'VE EVER READ.
HOW??? JUST??? FUCKING HOW??? I FEEL MORE FOR THIS BOOK THAN MOST 400+ PAGES BOOKS I'VE EVER READ??? LIKE THIS IS VERY LIKELY MY FAVORITE BOOK OF 2020??? HOW IS THIS SO UNDERRATED??? HOWWWWW???
This story is very much about hurt and comfort, healing from a past abusive relationship, as well as the cycle of hatred and trauma and abuse.
It created a believable species of sirens that are bloody and brutal yet so very sympathetic, especially the main character Perle is so utterly inhuman (swear their "wTF is this weird concept that's called gender" and their general misunderstanding of human words and concept is fucking hilarious), yet so filled with humanity (vulnerable, loyal and willing to forgive the past). The walking talking cinnamon roll that is Dejean (probably the sweetest and softest pirate captain in human history). Their relationship progress so organically, from Perle's mistrust due to past human abuse to them bonding over ACTUAL SUPPORTIVE INTERACTIONS. Also Dejean's asexual too, I think??? They are probably the healthiest relationship I have ever read in fiction before, like there's this total mutual trust and affection between them and it's build up so well that it's actually believable.
BEST FOUND FAMILY EVERRRRR.
That one paragraph still makes me cry. I'll post it at the end after the spoiler warning.
All the side characters are all very likable or just very complex. Even Kian, the main abusive and all round irredeemable villain, was given some very interesting depth to why she did what she did to Perle and sirens (and honestly I feel bad for her as well, because I think I might do what she did as well if put in the same situation.) Maruielle is an absolute delight, I aspire to have her level of disaster lesbian energy. Her sapphic relationship with Simone is an absolute beautiful addition to the supporting cast, and I love how Simone is trans but it's not treated as a big deal at all and the discussion regarding gender is so respectful, while still very clearly differentiating the genderless (also intersex?) sirens from humans.
Just. This book. DESERVES EVERYTHING. Please. Read it. If u have to read one more book. Read this one. Please. PLEASE.
(spoilers)
This paragraph still makes me cry.
"I try the only option I have left. I sing. I sing to Dejean with everything I have in me. My tune harmonizes with the other sirens’ vicious elegy, but it rises above theirs, soft and sweet and inviting. It harbors everything I feel for Dejean, and everything I’ve seen of the ocean through his eyes. I sing for him and for the sea: I sing of the love I hold for my home and the way he worked to meet me here, in this dangerous, turbulent, wonderful ocean."