Review: Our Bloody Pearl by D.N. Bryn

Hey everyone!
Today, I will be sharing my review of Our Bloody Pearl by D.N. Bryn with you all.

---

GoodReads 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.

---

My Review:

I love a good pirate book, so I was extremely excited when the author contacted me, offering me a free copy, in exchange for an honest review. I had high expectations for Our Bloody Pearl, but it definitely surpassed them all!

This was a pirate book like none other that I have read. The storyline was completely unique, and had me totally hooked from the very beginning. It was bloody, action packed, and even had some romance chucked in there too. Usually, romance isn’t to my taste, but I loved the way the relationships in this book developed.

The individual personalities of each character really came through, and definitely made the story more interesting. These are characters you can easily find yourself getting attached to, and I was desperate for them to get their happy endings, especially Perle, considering everything they went through. I really loved the way that Dejean and Perle created their own way of communicating, signing to each other made it seem all the more affectionate and personal. Their relationship in general was lovely to read.

The approach to gender was very well done. The way Perle explained that they don’t have a fixed gender was interesting to read, and it was great to see such an understanding reaction from the other characters. Our Bloody Pearl is great for LGBTQ+ representation, not only because of Perle, but also the relationship between Murielle and Simone (who I absolutely loved as a couple). If only the real world was as accepting as the book.

One thing that really stood out to me was that despite sirens and humans being natural enemies, Dejean still went out of his way to help Perle in their time of need. I think a lot can be taken away from this book in that respect. Our differences do not mean that we have to be enemies, and we can learn to understand each other if we try. The would could live happily together if we all learnt how to get along and were all united.

Our Bloody Pearl was better than I could ever have expected. I really struggled to put this book down, and loved every second of it. It is unique, exciting, and certainly thought provoking!

Thank you so much to D.N. Bryn for my copy.

I give Our Bloody Pearl an easy 5 star rating!