Real representation written by BIPOC authors is what makes the fantasy genre revival enticing again. We are given the beautiful pirate captain Nnenna and a mermaid who is running away during a debate between the gods. A mythology written with a rhythmic flair and strong character building that makes you fall in love with this story. I love a seaside setting that does not heed to Eurocentric views. Queer love and romances are weaved into the story but are not the main plot - which I appreciate. Too often fantasy is dominated by the love sequence and not the actual world and character building. The Devil of the Deep is one to add to your library on release day (because I know I will).
Queer representation drives me to any narrative nowadays. We have sapphic representation and genuine trans representation. We love a well written trans character with purpose and Jean-Francois did this exceptionally well. There is someone for everyone to see themselves in this story. OH, and the ship is named Medusa. I love the feminist interpretations of folklore and how well Jean-Francois deploys that throughout her narrative. The relationships between the characters are well written but I wish we could have seen a bit of their psyche and why their functions drove to the motives and religious paths towards the Gods.
I want to advocate that I wish Devil of the Deep was longer with expanded chapters to really harden the characters motives. I understand their growth in the end and how they all met with the sea – but I wanted to see more. Fantasy novels are meant to be long and there is a lot of time to flesh out both the setting and the character’s mindsets. Overall, this is a fun read and I want more fantasy to expand from this! Thank you Bindery Books, Falencia Jean-Francois, and Netgalley for this advanced digital arc in exchange for a review.
Read more recommendations, ARC impressions, and reviews onhttps://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/

Devil of the Deep is a vibrant and immersive fantasy rooted in Haitian culture and mythology. Nnenna Delahaye, a formidable pirate captain, navigates a world of ancient gods, lost islands, and shifting allegiances. Her journey intersects with Lu, a devout priest of the sea god, and Pearl Highwater, a rebellious figure who challenges divine authority.

Jean-Francois crafts a rich, layered world with complex characters and evolving relationships. Themes of faith, identity, and resistance run throughout, offering a fresh and thoughtful perspective in fantasy. The cultural depth and character-driven story make it an engaging and memorable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Bindery Books for the eARC.

Amazing book loved the characters and plot. I couldn't stop reading I stayed up all night. I loved the book so much thank you for the arc.

4.5 stars

I LOVE the breath of fresh air this book is to the fantasy genre. It is rich with culture and mythology, has so much heart, and offers new perspectives on familiar aspects of genre. There is wonderfully clear voice for each of the characters and a very detailed world being built around them. My only wish was that there had been more of literally everything. It feels like there's so much more to be discovered in this world and this book is just brushing the surface. It's an excellent introduction to this author's work and I would deeply love to see more.

This was an incredible book. I was taken through so many emotions during this journey and was left in heavy tears for 20 minutes after reading. I feel like the story of Devil of the Deep, while a fantasy, is so relatable to anyone who has been oppressed, fighting for freedom, and truly hoping to be seen.
I always appreciate a book with detailed world building and lore, and this book is pretty intricate in how the gods and goddesses are portrayed along with their background and mythos. This story is multi-POV but at no point was I confused and felt lost when reading. In fact, the author does a fantastic job in creating distinctive voices for each character. I also have big appreciation for the representation in this book. Not just the diversity but also for the culture (as I'm hoping its correct to assume that there are several real world cultures as inspiration).
Devil of the Deep was a book that I could not put down unless I truly had to. I was so immersed in the story that I felt like I was watching a movie in my head. I don't believe I breathed for the last few chapters. Highly recommend this book that I cannot wait to add to both my personal and professional libraries.

My first pirate book, I enjoyed it very much!
The characters were interesting and believable, the writing engaging, overall a very good book.

Devil of the Deep is unlike anything I’ve read before, and I absolutely loved it. The author did an incredible job weaving inclusivity into the story while still delivering a rich and captivating fantasy. The characters, worldbuilding, and unique perspective made this such an engaging read. I loved everything about this novel and couldn’t put it down.

Amazing! Beautiful!

Falencia Jean-Francois’s Devil of the Deep is a bold, imaginative story full of pirates, mermaids, and gods. What stood out most to me, however, was the very human heart at the core of it all. The characters are vivid and memorable, with the MC, Nnenna, in particular commanding attention through her ferocity, loyalty, and complex morality. The interplay of myth, faith, and politics adds real depth to the narrative, while the use of song as magic and sign language as a bridge between cultures brings both originality and significance.

What makes this story remarkable is how it balances intimacy. The author doesn’t just offer thrilling battles and divine stakes but also quiet, emotional moments that explore identity, belonging, and chosen family. The relationships bring a sort of tenderness that offset the bloodshed and political themes. The characters’ struggles and the layered worldbuilding give the narrative weight and meaning, making it feel like both an epic adventure and a deeply personal journey.

Representation is also handled with care and seamlessly woven into the world, making it feel both authentic and impactful. Devil of the Deep is an inventive take on sea fantasy that leaves just enough intrigue to keep readers eager for the next installment.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and to Binder and Left Unread for the ARC.

I got this as an arc on Netgalley and it will come out in April. This was a stunning queer book about the impact of colonialism, mythology and religion. It should have been two books, so somethings could have been fleshed out more but that didn't stop me from being obsessed with it.

I really enjoyed this book! The worldbuilding was rich and imaginative, the mix of pirates, mermaids, and mythic forces made for an exciting, fast-paced story. Nnenna and Lu’s dynamic kept me hooked, and the themes of loyalty, identity, and freedom were beautifully woven in. I just wished the characters had been developed a bit more, especially given how compelling their backstories are. Still, it’s a captivating read full of action, heart, and ocean-soaked atmosphere. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what this author does next!

The novel has you explore what can happen when you follow rules that were never made to protect you. It serves as a reminder that when gods battle, it’s their followers who suffer the most. This story is packed with action and betrayal, as a good pirate story should be. But at its core this novel is a song of hope.

I will be honest, pirate books are not my cup of tea but this book surprised me. The representation in this book is incredible. From a trans main character, to the Haitian folklore I was sold. Add the multiple POV and decently short chapters and I finally found a winner for the pirate circle. This book is a great debut novel and I am excited to see what else the author writes. Thank you to Bindery and Netgalley for the earc.

A story full of magic and hope. Nnenna is the Devil of the Deep, a feared pirate with a mysterious past. Pearl is a young mermaid coming of age. And Lu is a newly-minted captain of the fleet. Their fates collide as they battle a god for the soul of those who live above and below the waves

I loved how the story was told in a nonlinear way. I really enjoyed the mythology and how gods try and amass power for themselves.

A story with queer pirates and mermaids? Sign me up.
This was a very good book, with great ideas and concepts that were new to me, but which I enjoyed very much.
The characters made the story for me. Nnenna, who went from the Devil of the Deep to a selfless, caring character. Pearl, who changed so drastically throughout the book and opened her mind up beyond what she had initially learned. Lu, who despite previous mistakes, still fought to protect them both. I grew attached to these characters very quickly. Their development was amazing, and something I rarely see in other books. It suited them in the best way.
I did have issues with the structure of this book. I felt that I only really cared about the three main characters, so I found the other POV's slightly unnecessary at times. I also do wish that the things we learned at the end we would have known at the beginning, so that it would have been more enjoyable to follow along with the story. I also do wish that Lu and Nnenna had reunited earlier, so that they would find the closure they needed sooner.
At its core, this is a story about finding hope, fighting for what's right, finding your voice, and letting go of oppressive chains. It was filled with epic fight scenes, love, death, and mythology.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC!

Devil of the Deep is a multi-POV, multi-layered exploration of Haitian folklore that I thoroughly enjoyed. We follow Nnenna, a prolific and feared pirate, Pearl, a Meridian girl set on fighting the fate that's been laid out for her, and Lu, a captain of The Fleet, who is intent on hunting the Devil of the Deep down. I've never read anything that has elements of Haitian culture before, so I found learning about the gods super interesting, and I can't wait to research more!

I don't normally enjoy multi-POV stories as much, but the characters and their relationships were all really well-developed. The level of diversity - BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and disabled representation - was incredible! I particularly loved the use of sign language throughout the novel because I don't often see it in literature. I feel the pacing lost its way a bit around the midway point, but it picked up again as the three's stories began to overlap.

4.25 stars. I would love to read more of this world, and grab a physical copy when The Devil of the Deep is published!

Devil of the Deep was a solid 4⭐️ read for me. It was a true slow burn, with extra emphasis on the burn 🔥 The middle section lost a bit of momentum, especially with the frequent POV changes and flashbacks, but the ending definitely made up for it.

The setting of Ayiti and the surrounding islands of Hispaniola was refreshing. I haven’t read many fantasies that draw from this region, and it gave the story a unique perspective. I also really appreciated the presence of black mermaids and even black representation in fantasy. It added both depth and visibility to a world that already has magic and danger.

Overall, a lush, imaginative, and beautifully grounded read that I’d definitely recommend to readers looking for something different in the fantasy genre.

I think Devil of the deep manages to deliver an innovative take on a classic pirates, navy and mermaids set-up. It follows multiple perspectives from these three worlds as each of our three main characters tries to navigate the politics and powers of their world, uncovering betrayals and long buried secrets. The narrative moves between several characters, but I think that Lu and Nnenna emerge as the real protagonists, they are the more developed characters, and their dynamics are the most interesting in the book their motivations and tensions drive the story and provide its emotional core. The mermaid perspective centred on Pearl is less compelling, her chapters more on the events and conflicts happening around her.

I loved the worldbuilding and lore, and particularly enjoyed all the flashbacks peppered throughout, but while these, along with the choice to fragment the story across many short perspectives, create breadth, it does not help with the pacing, which I found quite difficult to get into. The action moves quite slowly, while each character’s POV is cut short, and there are a couple of time skips that I simply could not understand as we just skip a lot of interesting action. Those structural decisions may produce some unevenness, but they also allow the book to pack in quite a lot in terms of worldbuilding and scope.

Overall, this is a tightly packed and entertaining read that provides a very satisfying set-up for lovers of pirate fantasy.

I thank NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC to review

Avast! At last! A pirate-themed fantasy that centers queerness, folks of color, and Caribbean heritage, rather than relegating them to forgotten corners. And original mythology! What a delight.

This debut novel (a republished indie getting the mainstream attention it deserves) weaves in high-seas adventure, heartbreaking stakes, and the power of bonds broken and forged.

Lu watched Nnenna walk the plank, believing her dead. Five years later, she’s a feared pirate captain protecting a runaway mermaid from the fleet Lu serves. What starts as ‘just a retrieval’ becomes a reckoning with systems built to harm, gods who lie, and the cost of breaking free.

I adored the point-of-view switching and oscillating between the narrative’s past and present (so often difficult to get right!) Likewise with the minor details and world-building.

Through fire and toil, hope and desperation…nothing will ever be the same again.

I received an early copy courtesy of the publishers via Netgalley. All opinions are mine alone. I originally published this review on my book blog, Road Less Read: https://roadlessread.com/reviews/devildeep

An incredible book full of thought-provoking themes, amazing representation and beautiful storytelling. It reminded me a bit of 'Divine rivals' with all the gods and I loved it just the same. Lu, Nnenna and Pearl are such great main characters, I couldn't get enough of them!
Excited for book 2!!!

4.5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Bindery Books for this ARC.

I read this earlier this year and was so happy to hear it got picked up by an imprint. I love a good pirate story. Nnena was by far my favorite character. The story switches between three different POVs and it was interesting to see how it all connected in the end. Fast paced and beautifully written. I can't wait to read more!

The story being told from different point of views made the progress feel slow in the beginning. Yet it did pay of when you get to the twist and the answers to why we are reading from these characters perspective. I enjoyed when there stories intertwined past and present.
I love me a strong female pirate captain so Nnenna was my favorite character.
the incorporation of song as a mean to expresses feelings and praise felt close to my heart. I love music and the way it can capture a feeling, a moment and a memory.
I had some questions that I wanted answered but otherwise it's a good book!

Thank you NetGalley and Bindery Books for this e-ARC. I have been wanting to read a book with pirates or/and a journey on the sea since I read Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse & The Veiled Throne by Ken Liu and this definitely delivered!

Falencia’s prose was so beautiful and really brought this world to life. The lore was given to the reader at the appropriate time without feeling like info-dumping. It’s written from multi-POVs centering three main characters. It had themes of resilence, self-identity, religious cultism and the abuse of power. Similar to Blood Over Bright Haven by ML Wang, the messaging in this book is not subtle at all but I did not take that as a negative.

From the 15% mark, I was already locked in! The fight scenes were easy to follow. For people like me who struggle to visualize this in books I was so happy with this one, it felt cinematic. I found the plot to be predictable at times but that actually made me more curious to see how Falencia was going to execute my theories if I was indeed correct and kept me turning the pages. Aside from that, there were still so many plot twists that I didn’t see coming.

We have a diverse cast of characters - with Black, queer, trans & disability rep. The characters were relatable and made you want to root for them even when they didn’t make the best decisions. I also had characters that I despised so much. The back stories were well done and I found myself in tears. I also really loved the found family trope - it was so wholesome. I am usually a sucker for books that have characters with Nigerian names and we had that here with Nnenna (bonus points from me). I absolutely love this and can't wait to see what next they write.

This is a MUST read for 2026. A brilliant biting critique on christian faiths that manipulate believers with falsehoods, especially in order to control women and do away with others who don’t fall within their circle of acceptable ways.

Devil of the Deep by Falencia Jean-Francois is an amazing Haitian, LGBTQIAP+, and feminist story of pirates, mermaids, and gods. It sets itself apart with lush world building, mythology and lore, and characters representing those who have found their stories historically pushed out of traditional publishing. This is a beautiful book and I would highly recommend it!

* LGBTQIAP+ representation
* Haitian culture & mythology
* Critique of harmful belief systems
* Feminist / Matriarchal
* Betrayal, romance, swordfights
* A pirates life for me please :) :) :)

Even though I read the eARC, I will absolutely be getting a physical copy to re-read!! (I don’t often re-read books)

Thank you to Left Unread & Bindery Books for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Bindery Books and Left Unread Publishing granted me this ARC in return for my honest review.

Thank you all very much. This is a 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.

Devil of the Deep tells the tale of a young military officer, Lu, who has found his purpose and place among The Fleet. We explore this world as there are changes afoot, and truths shaking things up. Lu is on his way up; he has earned his captaincy.

Then we find out that he started his career with a friend, who died along the way, except she did not. Circumstances involving myths that turned out to be factual history, along with a young mermaid who had to run away from home, bring the young captain and his newly discovered not-dead friend back together.

Btw, his friend is not only not-dead, but she is now the deadliest pirate on the seas. And she takes no prisoners. There is friction. Then twists, and a few moments of revelation that make you pause and take a breath.

This story is told from multiple POVs, and everybody has a lot going on. I found it all to be original, and it kept me absorbed as I read.

Here is the thing. I think this book had all the right elements of a brilliant book; it just did not come together for me in that way. It was easy to read. The prose flowed quickly. I enjoyed the characters and their backstories. All of that held my attention and kept me reading.

But I think I needed more intricacy. More details. More information and depth to the story itself. The lore itself was interesting. I just felt as though it could have gone deeper. The way the book ended tells me I am correct, since it created the groundwork for at least a sequel.

I mean, it was an alarming reminder of how colonization can take place not just by force or might but also through incentivized recruitment and imposing religious zealousness. As well as it cleverly examined the bloody costs that such things incur. I read it all; it made sense. I just did not feel it. You know in my soul?

Overall, a solid book. I liked it. But I really wanted to LOVE it, and regretfully I did not.

Book 2 has a buyer and reader in me though. Hopefully, the extra feeling I was hoping for will unfold then.


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Devil of the Deep by Falencia Jean-Francois [ARC]
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 0.25 🌶
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📖 Review: Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

I loved this book. I had the best time reading about the world and the characters. The writing style of this book is chef kissed. I cannot put it down.

What I love about this book
⚔️ Queer representations are done so well
⚔️ Adventure
⚔️ Pirates and seafolks
⚔️ The plot is captivating and exciting through out
⚔️ I love the found family in this book
⚔️ The mythology of this world is so fun and I want an entire book about it

Overall, I had the best time reading this book. If you are looking for seafolk fantasy book, please pick this up once it comes out!

My heart is bawling. I have felt every emotion known to human or mer kind due to The Devil of the Deep. I would read anything Falencia Jean-Francois writes after having encountered this phenomenal masterpiece of a book, and I will be rereading, because I don't think I can process all of it from just one read.

It is hard to write and find books with multiple POVs, where each one is captivating, but that's what has been done here. There was not a moment of boredom or impatiently waiting to get past a characters POV. I NEED to know what happens next, and I will absolutely be rereading, once I've recovered, at least a bit, from this initial read. Usually, I am able to name a favorite character or two, but I loved all of them so so dearly. Pearl, Nnenna, Lu, Mai, Manou, Uncle Rain, Uncle Wade, Lasirenn, Aline, Tati Clo, Captain Delva, and I'm sure I'm missing a few more, but all of them have wedged their ways into my hearts and brains.

A Haitian folklore inspired fantasy, the perfect mix of mythology and mystery, with an emotional and lush atmosphere. It has three main povs and it’s fast paced. The lore was done really well, it didn’t feel like an info dump and it was placed appropriately. I really enjoyed this book.

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.

There is so much lore packed into this story, tangling up the lives of gods and goddesses with fisherfolk, pirates, and the devout. The immersive and expansive world building conjures up vivid mental imagery of life aboard ships, on islands, and in ports. While I found the plot intriguing and well developed, my focus waned at times due to there being so many points of view. I particularly enjoyed chapters following Nnenna, and was most absorbed by her life as a pirate captain. So many narratives are featured in this book that at times it felt like multiple stories got put together. With such an involved story I can't help but wonder if there might be a sequel. All in all a refreshing and unique addition to the fantasy genre.

A great debut! Very readable, fantastic and intriguing world-building, and great representation, including BIPOC queer and trans characters. I'm looking forward to the next instalment, as although I found the characters interesting, I wish we could have explored their POVs a bit more - the story felt like more of the focus than the characters, while I usually prefer a character driven story. The prose was plain and serviceable, and perhaps could do with a bit more polishing, or at least more of the authors personality and voice (hopefully this will come, this is a debut after all!).

Overall, a solid book through a much needed fresh lens with fantastic representation.

Falencia Jean‑Francois has crafted a hauntingly beautiful tale in Devil of the Deep. The narrative is rich, atmospheric, and deeply emotional — a perfect blend of mystery, folklore, and human complexity. The characters are layered and unforgettable, and the storytelling pulls you into a world that feels alive and compelling. Every twist felt earned, and the lyrical prose elevated the entire experience. This book isn’t just read — it’s felt. An absolute 5‑star gem.

In this Caribbean inspired fantasy, an unlikely trio ends up involved in the dealings of gods and powers way beyond their reach. Lu Ortega is a lieutenant in the Fleet, essentially the navy; years ago, he watched the love of his life Nnenna sink to her grave after she was branded a traitor to the Fleet. Since then, he's occupied his time with advancing up the ranks and hunting pirates, especially the Devil of the Deep. The Devil of the Deep, as it turns out, is none other than a woman who should have died years ago: Nnenna Delahaye (the drama). She's been plundering the high seas with the particular goal of raising hell for the Fleet after what they did to her. So when she finds a teenaged girl, terrified and apparently mute, held in the brig of her latest conquest, Nnenna has to act, both because of her moral obligations and need to cause chaos for the Fleet. The girl is indeed the key to a mythical plot finally coming to fruition. Pearl is a Meridian, which means that, until she reached the surface and transformed, she had a tail. Yep, there are mermaids. Her world was turned upside down when the church she's devoted her life to killed one of her uncles and became very clear that something is rotten in the church, leading her to take an artifact that her other uncle gave her for safekeeping and give up her voice to try and flee. So Lu, a new captain, is sent to retrieve Pearl, Nnenna is willing to kill for the new adopted child she's had for 15 minutes, and Pearl is dealing with the sea-shaking realizations that keep hitting her.
Chef's kiss. This book is so good and swashbuckling. Pirates! Mermaids! Godly drama! If you wished that Pirates of the Caribbean was queer and had more people of color and was even more dramatic, please come here to this book. It's got great writing, it has dramatic exes, it has a kid that everyone immediately decides they would kill for to protect, it has interesting magic. I loved this book. Definitely my number one pirate book of the year.

The Devil of the Deep is a fast-paced action-adventure story about people caught within the machinations of a god. It’s also a book filled with much-needed representation: the book is rooted in Hatian mythology and features Black, queer, transgender, and disabled main characters. Overall, I found the book to be a lot of fun to read and really recommend it to any reader seeking a fast-moving and deeply diverse read fantasy standalone. My only critique is that there were times that I wished the book slowed down to give us more time to learn about our characters, particularly during the ending.

The book features three main characters whose storylines intertwine throughout the book: Nnenna, a pirate captain with a soft heart; Pearl, a mermaid worshipper of Agwe; and Lu, a newly-appointed captain of the militaristic Fleet devoted to serving Agwe and bringing about the return of Agwe’s chosen people. When Pearl learns of a darkness to Agwe’s worship and flees to the land, she is captured by the Fleet when they learn that she may be the key to the god’s return. It is up to Nnenna to protect her—and up to Lu to capture her. The book does an incredible job of slowly revealing the mysteries at the heart of the mythology, and of the histories of the characters. The book reminded me strongly of the way Rebecca Roanhorse’s Between Earth and Sky trilogy tells its story: intertwining plotlines of a cast of intriguing characters, fast-paced adventures, and the slow reveal of the way the past has shaped the characters today. It made for a really compelling read, something I was always excited to pick up when I had the time to sit down with a book.

The only downside of the fast-paced nature of the plot and the use of three distinct plotlines is that it meant that the book often focused more on the action and the mystery rather than the characters. For the most part, I felt that I understood the characters enough, but by the time we reached the ending and the large implication it had on the lives of the characters, I realized that I wished I had known more about them to understand how the changes to their lives would affect them. Sacrifices are less impactful when the book hasn’t fully established what the characters are losing. It made the ending feel rushed and big, like the scope had gotten a bit large for the story being told. This contributed to the often break-neck pace, but perhaps left the book less impactful than it could have been.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and am excited to see what Falencia Jean-Francois writes in the future! I’m giving this book 4.5 out of 5 stars, rounded up. I can definitely recommend this book to readers looking for a compelling and fast book with a ton of diversity and Haitian inspiration in an ocean-centered setting.

Devil of the Deep is an intriguing Haitian inspired fantasy set in the golden age of piracy. Newly minted captain Lu Ortega is sent on a mission to hunt down a mysterious relic in the hands of a teenage girl from another realm. Nnenna is a pirate captain, the feared Devil of the Deep, and she quickly takes a young, silent girl running from the Fleet that she so despises under her wing, and vows to protect her at all costs. The two must consider where their loyalties lie, and what they are willing to sacrifice to reach their goals, and do so before an ancient malevolent being is unleashed on the world.

This was a thrilling read. There was such a diverse range of cast, without sacrificing any characterisation. Pearl Highwater is such a teenage girl it made my heart hurt. Nnenna is so badass and awesome, but doesn't let that stop her from making Pearl feel at home in the world above the waves. Lu.... Lu's heart is in the right place. He just needs a moment to make sure his actions are too. Overall, I really loved the characters and the plot, which had the perfect amount of twists to keep me on my toes.

Devil of the Deep would be perfect for fans of historical inspired fiction, literally anything to do with pirates, and, of course, queers fighting against authority. Thank you to Bindery Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Lu, a marine officer, had to watch as the love of his life, Nnenna, was thrown overboard.
Now, she is know as the "Devil of The Deep", the fearsome pirate captain of the Medusa.
Pearl, a young girl who was raised in a religious environment, finds herself abord the Medusa after the pirates take control of the ship where she was hiding.
As it turns out, the god and his acolytes are not as good as everyone makes them out to be and the only intelligent thing to do is claim freedom and independence by becoming a pirate?
All's well that ends well, right? Yeah... Well, Lu doesn't know the Medua's captain is the woman he loved and believes dead, so now he's dead-bent on freeing Pearl and bringing Nnenna to justice.

I am in love with this book and its character! I adore pirates, especially female pirates and there were just so many of them! Like, so many members of the Medusa's crew are female, it was wonderful!
Lu was also a great character. His struggle between love and duty? Chef's kiss!
Pearl was also adorable, slowly starting to form her own views except for the indoctrinated believes she was forced to follow all her life.

This debut novel had me hooked from the very first chapter; I was so sucked in that I finished it within 24 hours. This book literally had everything - pirates, mermaids, gods, and tons of lore mixed with BIPOC and LGBTQ representation. We follow our main characters as they grapple with a religion that is trying to control not only the narrative but also the people. This story was rich with political intrigue, twists, character development, action, and strong world building.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery for providing me with an ARC of Devil of the Deep in exchange for my review.

Thank you to Left Unread, Bindery, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

First things first. As with all the books I've read from Bindery, the representation in this one is excellent, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, immigrant, and disabled characters. (Did I get them all?) The author, Falencia Jean-Francois, is pansexual, nonbinary, neurodivergent, millennial, ex-Mormon, and a Haitian immigrant. Left Unread is run by Michael Laborn, who makes it his mission to amplify Black and brown voices in publishing. So I want to definitely acknowledge and applaud the representation in this book on so many levels.

When you describe a book to me as a Haitian fantasy featuring queer BIPOC pirates fighting against colonial religious oppression, you have my attention. Is it mostly because you said queer BIPOC pirates? Yes, but I can appreciate multiple themes at once. I contain multitudes, thank you, and so does this book. While the synopsis can be interpreted as something of a romance, I would say the romance actually doesn't feature as much in the book as you would expect. This is much more about fighting against an oppressive religious cult that spreads misinformation and manipulates people into blind loyalty, to their detriment. This is about people opening their eyes to that misinformation and taking back their agency to do what is actually right, not just what they're told is right. This is about reclaiming lost identities and beliefs that have been subverted by men's desire for power. (And yes, it's men.)

At the center of it all are our three MCs: Lu Ortega, Nnenna, and Pearl Highwater, who are connected in different ways. (The book also features a few other POVs, but these are the main three.) Lu and Nnenna have a shared history that ended poorly, to say the least. Nnenna rescues Pearl and serves as something of a mentor/big sister to her. And Lu and Pearl have certain shared experiences in their upbringing and background that lead them along similar journeys. These connections make not only for relationships ripe for storytelling, but also for unexpected character developments. I found Nnenna and Pearl to both be strong characters in different ways, while Lu . . . to be honest, sometimes I wanted to both hug Lu and yell at him for being so naive. It's not that I didn't find him strong, but his journey took a little longer than the others.

There are a lot of themes present here, including the aforementioned colonialism and religious oppression <i>*coughCULTcough*</i>. One that I definitely want to highlight, because I found it to be a little more subtle, was the intersectionality of the characters. Lu, in particular, was very interesting in this regard because he certainly had something of a difficult upbringing due to his gender identity. That being said, he also still enjoyed a certain amount of privilege that caused him to be blind to many of the problems in the Fleet. It was a good reminder that many things can be true at once and just because someone or something has saved you in one way doesn't mean it's necessarily good. (Again, containing multitudes.)

Pearl had probably my favorite journey in this book. Although she's 16, it's apparent she's been a little sheltered and she can come across as younger. Despite her upbringing, she has a strong moral compass and doesn't allow that upbringing to cloud her judgment about what is right and what is wrong when it really matters. She wants to do good and be good. And she's fiercely loyal to the ones she cares about.

Nnenna's development was different than Lu and Pearl's, in my opinion, but no less important. Unlike the other two, it never seemed like she had any internal conflicts about right and wrong. She ends up playing a very different role in the overall plot and while her particular storyline had some inconsistencies, in some ways, it felt like the backbone of the book overall. Certainly, it's the storyline that seems to be set up for further exploration at the end of the book.

I have some notes throughout the book about things I didn't really understand because I'm not familiar with Haitian fantasy, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of this book. This is a strong debut novel and I look forward to seeing what Jean-Francois does next!

Thank you so much to Bindery and NetGalley for an eARC!

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and it absolutely delivered.

Falencia Jean-Francois has created a wonderful world of pirates, mermaids and the oppressive systems working against all of them. I really enjoyed the pacing, world building and multi-POV storytelling of this book. I really appreciated that Nnenna, Lu, and Pearl each had very distinctive voices within their chapters, and each POV contributed to the world building. We even have a few chapters from other character's POV, and I think these also contributed nicely to the overall world building. Jean-Francois also builds out very visual scenes in a really satisfying way. I do think that some of the writing was choppy at times, and could have been assisted with a bit more editing, but this didn't take away from my reading experience too much - I did find the choppy writing to occur a bit more in the final quarter of the book. I really loved where the story went at the end AND that it seems like we're getting another book! With the ending, I'm really excited to see where the story could possibly go.

All in all, a really satisfying story and I'm incredibly excited to see what Jean-Francois will write next!!

Thanks to Bindery Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

Devil of the Deep by Falencia Jean-Francois is a queer pirate fantasy steeped in Haitian culture. Nnenna, a fearsome pirate who was thought dead, Lu, a newly established captain of the fleet, and Pearl, a runaway mermaid, are all entrapped in an oppressive system that forces them to question their beliefs and choices.

The worldbuilding in this novel is incredibly complex; it brings so much to the story and the characters. I especially like the way the plot uses sign language and singing as forms of communication and magic. The way mermaids are portrayed is very unique, and the way pirates are written in this novel is so immersive, and easily one of the best parts of the novel. The influences from Haitian culture add so much more depth to the novel as well. The main characters are all nuanced and likeable, with their own virtues and flaws, making them feel very realistic as characters stuck in an oppressive system. I especially liked Nnenna, her intimidating presence as a pirate captain, contrasted against her determination and care for Pearl, makes her a well-developed character.

The way themes are dealt with in this novel is a bit heavy-handed, but it works very well with the subject matter. I like the intricacies of the colonialist system and those who stand against it. The religious aspect is intriguing to read, exploring matriarchal and patriarchal societies. Also, without giving spoilers, I appreciate the relevance of the title to the novel's plot. The only thing I would say is an issue is that I would have liked to have seen more worldbuilding, otherwise this was a fantastic read. The queer representation and diverse set of characters are beautifully done, casual and well-developed.

Devil of the Deep is an immersive fantasy with fascinating lore filled with mermaids and pirates, along with a diverse set of nuanced characters and emotional developments.

What an absolutely devastating banger of a book. This was so lush and beautifully written, full of incredible characters. The gods were fascinating, the diversity and representation was absolutely lovely, and the narration was perfect!!! I am so happy this is going to be a series because i certainly need more.

This was soo good, how are there not more people talking about this right now??? This genuinely surprised me

Two words: Book hangover.

Devil of the Deep was a stunning debut by Falencia Jean-Francois. This novel was rife with the dangers of indoctrination, betrayal, grief, found family, and so much more. Jean-Francois throws you right in the middle of the lives of Nnenna, Pearl, and Lu leaving you to swim for your life as your stomach drops at moments and your heart breaks in others. If you are looking for a fantasy that is filled with Haitian folklore, pirates, and merfolk, please look no further and add this to your TBR immediately.

(I don’t even have a quote to add to this review, because I was so absorbed I forgot to highlight along the way!)

A rich, truly immersive fantasy read with compelling characters, high stakes, and plot twists that keep you guessing the whole way.

I love the infusion of cosmology, the movement between present and past to showcase our characters' individual journeys, and the tension between faith and experience that each of them wrestles with.

Do I smell a sequel coming? 👀 (I honestly was so excited to dig into this I couldn't tear myself away to check whether it's a standalone or not.)

If you enjoy fantasy, you need to check this one out!

Breathtaking.

Absolutely stunning.

“Devil of the Deep” is one of those rare novels that leaves you in awe. I have so many complex thoughts and feelings about it.

On the surface, “Devil of the Deep” is a story of pirates, mermaids, and the price of power. But it delves so much deeper into themes of religion as a tool of subjugation, deconstruction of faith, ancestral heritage, and generational trauma. It truly moved me.

Falencia Jean-Francois is an author who hails from Haiti, and I have roots in The Commonwealth of Dominica. I feel like this novel does such a wonderful job of displaying the beauty of Haiti from its folklore and its language, to its people and its history. Haiti is an island that is often portrayed in Western media as impoverished and uncivilized. Ironically, despite setting the standard for successful slave revolts, Haiti is treated as lesser by the greater Caribbean. Haiti and its people are often demonized by the Caribbean diaspora. The portrayal of the forgotten Goddess, Lasirenn, AKA “The Devil of the Deep”, has so many layers that reflect those themes of vilification.

Moreso, the portrayal of the forgotten Goddess is an excellent stand-in for the demonization of many indigenous/ “pagan” religious practices. Misunderstanding turns to speculation, speculation becomes misinformation, and misinformation can quickly lay the foundation for prejudice to become discrimination.

Many authors are deeply talented and passionate, but some people were simply born for storytelling and Jean-Francois is one of them. I was astonished when I read the acknowledgments and learned that this is their debut novel.

I’m looking forward to what’s next for Jean-Francois, and the feeling of this story will stick with me forever.