⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Devil of the Deep
Falencia Jean-Francois
This debut novel blew me away! From worldbuilding based on Haitian deities to queer representation, to pirates and mermaids… this book has something for everyone.
The story focuses on three central characters: Lu, a (navy-adjacent) Fleet lieutenant, Nnenna, a pirate captain aka the Devil of the Deep, and Pearl, a teenage mermaid. The pacing is interesting; I actually struggled a bit with it at first, but I adjusted to the story unfolding in its own way and really enjoyed the blend of flashbacks, dreams, and mythology/lore.
I LOVED the side characters and each character arc throughout the book. I found myself very attached to several of them — characters who gave our protagonists refuge in times of uncertainty and hope in the face of hardship.
Each of the three main characters faces a unique journey as their high control religious lifestyle collapses around them. I loved contrasting the version of Nnenna we are given at the start, a pirate queen and a Fleet deserter, with her past self and the version she grows into at the end. Pearl, similarly, undergoes a great amount of change, starting our story as a future temple worker for Agwe, god of the sea, despite the beliefs of her guardian uncles, religious outliers in their society. Lu’s story, too, is unique; sided with the Fleet and working for what he so firmly believes to be justice, and watching that illusion unravel.
I could probably talk about this book all day, but for the sake of my sanity and the length of this review I’m going to wrap this up. In summation: Devil of the Deep features unique characters like a trans soldier, a Haitian mermaid, a pirate queen, and a varying cast of supporting characters that breathe life into its worldbuilding. It also features a distinct musical magic system and worldbuilding based on Haitian mythos. I highly recommend this read, especially if you’re over white mermaid love stories.
⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Thank you Netgalley, Bindery Books, and Falencia Jean-Francois for the advance readers copy.
Devil of the Deep releases April 7th and can be preordered here.
The Midnight Review 