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Pearl Bound
Not yet published
Expected 13 Oct 26PEARL BOUND — A sapphic gothic romantasy set in the twilight of the Gilded Age.
Born with power. Bound by fear. Freed by truth.
Eve Kelly scrubs floors in a run-down Tarrytown inn—just another Irish servant girl the world ignores. But when a violent encounter awakens something strange inside her, she seizes a chance to work at Greythorne, the remote Hudson Valley estate of the powerful Rennard family, titans of Gilded Age industry.
There, Eve is drawn into the glittering world of Saskia Rennard, an heiress bound by duty and aching for freedom. Beneath Greythorne’s marble halls, dark secrets fester—sins of obsession and control that reach across generations.
As love and vengeance entwine, Eve must decide whether to stay small or unleash the power her mother once bound in fear—a force that could free her … or destroy her.
PEARL BOUND weaves historical fantasy, queer romance, and gothic mystery into a story of class, desire, and the perilous cost of destiny.
Born with power. Bound by fear. Freed by truth.
Eve Kelly scrubs floors in a run-down Tarrytown inn—just another Irish servant girl the world ignores. But when a violent encounter awakens something strange inside her, she seizes a chance to work at Greythorne, the remote Hudson Valley estate of the powerful Rennard family, titans of Gilded Age industry.
There, Eve is drawn into the glittering world of Saskia Rennard, an heiress bound by duty and aching for freedom. Beneath Greythorne’s marble halls, dark secrets fester—sins of obsession and control that reach across generations.
As love and vengeance entwine, Eve must decide whether to stay small or unleash the power her mother once bound in fear—a force that could free her … or destroy her.
PEARL BOUND weaves historical fantasy, queer romance, and gothic mystery into a story of class, desire, and the perilous cost of destiny.
Audiobook
First published December 1, 2025
About the author
Natalie G. Bergman
1 book29 followersNatalie Bergman is the author of Pearl Bound, a queer, female-led gothic novel that explores the tension between identity and conformity in a society bound by secrets and power. Set in Gilded Age New York, the story blends romance, history, and the supernatural to examine the price of self-truth.
The novel originated as a feature screenplay, which is currently being shopped by Christian Armogida at Nightshade Entertainment, before Bergman expanded it to capture the deeper psychological and emotional landscape of her characters.
An award-winning screenwriter, Bergman was recognized as a Coverfly/Launchpad TV Drama Winner for her World War II ensemble pilot Angels of War. Her other screen projects include Exposed, a 1930s noir drama set in the queer underworld of New York City, and sAys sImon, a contemporary techno-thriller exploring grief, family, and the dark seduction of artificial intelligence. Across genres, Bergman’s work is united by a fascination with power, belonging, and the complex choices women make to survive and define themselves.
Born in Sydney, Australia, to Holocaust survivors, Bergman is a dual citizen who divides her time between Los Angeles and New York City. She lives with her wife of forty years, is the proud mother of two adult daughters, and shares her home with two endlessly fluffy Persian cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
July 14, 2026
4☆
Eve has what my Irish ancestors call, "the knowledge of the raven," meaning she has a seers knowledge or supernatural abilities, like healing. Eve also grows into her powers of commanding the elements and animals. She is powerful. She harnesses the powers of the Morrigan to fulfill her needs.
The story contains moments of prejudice, class divide, misogyny and sapphic romance. It also contains a lot of feminine rage. How Eve channels her rage is awesome!
I received a free copy of this novel, and I am voluntarily leaving my opinions. Thank you to the author, publisher and Booksirens for this opportunity.
I strongly recommend this book if you like to read about bad people getting their just desserts! If you want to read about strong female protagonists who overcome terror and take charge this is for you!
Eve has what my Irish ancestors call, "the knowledge of the raven," meaning she has a seers knowledge or supernatural abilities, like healing. Eve also grows into her powers of commanding the elements and animals. She is powerful. She harnesses the powers of the Morrigan to fulfill her needs.
The story contains moments of prejudice, class divide, misogyny and sapphic romance. It also contains a lot of feminine rage. How Eve channels her rage is awesome!
I received a free copy of this novel, and I am voluntarily leaving my opinions. Thank you to the author, publisher and Booksirens for this opportunity.
I strongly recommend this book if you like to read about bad people getting their just desserts! If you want to read about strong female protagonists who overcome terror and take charge this is for you!
July 24, 2026
Thank you Natalie G. Bergman and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of this novel.
3.75 Stars
That was a dark adventure and I'm here for it.
The characters were complex and the magic used in the story was fitting but didn't overwhelm the story.
I thought the plot itself was okay but not amazing. I didn't get into it as much as I thought I would but I was still satisfied.
The narrators performanve was great.
Okay read.
3.75 Stars
That was a dark adventure and I'm here for it.
The characters were complex and the magic used in the story was fitting but didn't overwhelm the story.
I thought the plot itself was okay but not amazing. I didn't get into it as much as I thought I would but I was still satisfied.
The narrators performanve was great.
Okay read.
August 22, 2026
5 Stars
Pearl Bound was an experience. It has hooked me because the thrilling side of it was reminiscent of books from the past where the horror feels imminent and inevitable. It also felt as though the reader was one with the character as they made their discoveries.
The characters were written to perfection. They embodied the character they were intended to play to a tee. Each and every one of them played their part well with precise distinction and layered characterisation, which is clearly a reflection to the author’s skill.
The setting was not just a generic 1800’s town but possessed the air and malice of the time. It played very well with the story and added a layer of sinister atmosphere that went perfectly with the whole story in general.
Spoilers Beyond This Point. You’ve been warned.
I’d like to focus on Saskia’s character. I am grateful I have encountered characters such as her in The Confessions of Frannie Langton, Tipping the Velvet and Wicked and Willing. However, the funny thing is, I still held out hope to the very last scenes where it was obvious she was beyond redemption. Characters like her are so annoyingly good at deceiving not only their counterpart but apparently me as well (compliments to the author obviously).
In summary, where has Natalie G Bergman all this time? Because their work is a remarkable example of what a good sapphic story looks like and the community needs more of her magic in this world. Definitely an author to watch out for and follow.
Pearl Bound was an experience. It has hooked me because the thrilling side of it was reminiscent of books from the past where the horror feels imminent and inevitable. It also felt as though the reader was one with the character as they made their discoveries.
The characters were written to perfection. They embodied the character they were intended to play to a tee. Each and every one of them played their part well with precise distinction and layered characterisation, which is clearly a reflection to the author’s skill.
The setting was not just a generic 1800’s town but possessed the air and malice of the time. It played very well with the story and added a layer of sinister atmosphere that went perfectly with the whole story in general.
Spoilers Beyond This Point. You’ve been warned.
I’d like to focus on Saskia’s character. I am grateful I have encountered characters such as her in The Confessions of Frannie Langton, Tipping the Velvet and Wicked and Willing. However, the funny thing is, I still held out hope to the very last scenes where it was obvious she was beyond redemption. Characters like her are so annoyingly good at deceiving not only their counterpart but apparently me as well (compliments to the author obviously).
In summary, where has Natalie G Bergman all this time? Because their work is a remarkable example of what a good sapphic story looks like and the community needs more of her magic in this world. Definitely an author to watch out for and follow.
March 10, 2026
received as an ARC from netgalley. 2.75 rounded up
this book was right between okay and good. the story was interesting, but super hard for me to get into. by the like 30% mark i was finally fully interested.
i liked a lot about the book, but also disliked a lot. i liked the development of saskia and eve’s situationship, i liked the feminine rage, and i liked eve as a character. i found myself having strong emotions to a lot of parts in the book (most notably anger towards the men and SASKIA fuck saskia me and all my homies hate saskia) so clearly i enjoyed it in a lot of ways. but some things bothered me, there were a decent amount of typos (which i suppose overall is fine for such a decent story, just bothered me in certain parts), some descriptions felt rushed while others felt drawn out, and god i hated the use of AI for the map in the beginning. i understand that for indie authors AI might offer some things, like art and editing, for cheaper but truly i do not care, i would rather have no map and a million typos than AI anywhere near the media i consume. the way i see it is: how am i supposed to trust that other parts of this book/the creation of the book is not altered with AI if the author chooses to use it for art/editing/book covers? i just don’t like that. it feels almost anti-author, anti-literature, anti-storytelling to use AI in the book writing process.
i would recommend this book to the right person but overall it gets like a sideways thumbs up from me.
this book was right between okay and good. the story was interesting, but super hard for me to get into. by the like 30% mark i was finally fully interested.
i liked a lot about the book, but also disliked a lot. i liked the development of saskia and eve’s situationship, i liked the feminine rage, and i liked eve as a character. i found myself having strong emotions to a lot of parts in the book (most notably anger towards the men and SASKIA fuck saskia me and all my homies hate saskia) so clearly i enjoyed it in a lot of ways. but some things bothered me, there were a decent amount of typos (which i suppose overall is fine for such a decent story, just bothered me in certain parts), some descriptions felt rushed while others felt drawn out, and god i hated the use of AI for the map in the beginning. i understand that for indie authors AI might offer some things, like art and editing, for cheaper but truly i do not care, i would rather have no map and a million typos than AI anywhere near the media i consume. the way i see it is: how am i supposed to trust that other parts of this book/the creation of the book is not altered with AI if the author chooses to use it for art/editing/book covers? i just don’t like that. it feels almost anti-author, anti-literature, anti-storytelling to use AI in the book writing process.
i would recommend this book to the right person but overall it gets like a sideways thumbs up from me.
July 3, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the audiobook ARC!
I really enjoyed this gothic tale set in late 1800s New England. Eve and her mother Moire, who migrated from Ireland with her husband Sean, try to stay afloat working as housekeepers after Sean’s death. They take the opportunity to work at a fancy Greythorne estate of the Reynard family, but dark secrets linger behind the beautiful facade.
First of all, the gothic atmosphere was described so well, I was hooked from the opening scene on. I like how the author sets a scene and describes landscape, weather, and surroundings in general. Once Eve and Moire get to Greythorne, I could really picture the gloomy mansion with all that creepy taxidermy.
I also liked the characters, although some of them could have been fleshed out more, especially some of Eve‘s friends who appear later in the book.
There’s Eve, wanting more from life, planning to study and travel the world. Moire, wanting to keep her head down and be content with what they have. I was so curious about her motivations and I liked how she is so protective of Eve. I was intrigued by the relationship between Eve and Moire although I wish that would have been fleshed out more. Then there’s Saskia, a rich socialite who is super proud of having been to Europe, but has a really strong and feisty side to her as well.
I did have some issues with Eve‘s and Saskia‘s relationship, but those did make sense in the end, so that ended up not being a problem. I can’t explain further because of spoilers though 😂
I had some minor issues throughout the book, which I want to tread carefully around to avoid spoilers. Those issues could have been easily avoided with some more editing, so although they were noticeable to me, they didn’t end up making me enjoy the book less. One example: at one point, Eve has a pretty intense revelation and remembers something about her past, but the next day, she goes about her duties and it’s barely even mentioned. It felt so weird to me that she wouldn’t dwell on that thing more.
I will say that for the first half of the book, the horror and fantasy elements were on the lighter side. After the opening scenes, for some time there is very little of that, and at times, it felt more like a historical romance plot. Me being a horror gal, I almost thought this book wouldn’t be for me.
But dude, from the halfway point, the horror elements really kick into high gear and get quite intense and dark. The author didn’t shy away from some really disturbing scenes, so consider yourself warned! The antagonists in this story are really vile pieces of shit! So Eve has to really step up and fight for herself and her friends. For me personally, the horror elements were more than satisfying, and I absolutely loved the ending!
So this book could be for you if you like gothic vibes, carriage rides, ravens, witchcraft, magical awakening, eating the rich, women fighting back against fucking men and the oppressive power structure of the patriarchy, some sapphic vibes, women doing their own damn thing!! Yeah!
Regarding the format, I read the audiobook and really enjoyed the narration and pace. The narrator really nailed the different accents and voices.
I ended up really liking this book, the second half really nailed it for me. I will keep this author on my radar and am excited to see what she writes next.
I really enjoyed this gothic tale set in late 1800s New England. Eve and her mother Moire, who migrated from Ireland with her husband Sean, try to stay afloat working as housekeepers after Sean’s death. They take the opportunity to work at a fancy Greythorne estate of the Reynard family, but dark secrets linger behind the beautiful facade.
First of all, the gothic atmosphere was described so well, I was hooked from the opening scene on. I like how the author sets a scene and describes landscape, weather, and surroundings in general. Once Eve and Moire get to Greythorne, I could really picture the gloomy mansion with all that creepy taxidermy.
I also liked the characters, although some of them could have been fleshed out more, especially some of Eve‘s friends who appear later in the book.
There’s Eve, wanting more from life, planning to study and travel the world. Moire, wanting to keep her head down and be content with what they have. I was so curious about her motivations and I liked how she is so protective of Eve. I was intrigued by the relationship between Eve and Moire although I wish that would have been fleshed out more. Then there’s Saskia, a rich socialite who is super proud of having been to Europe, but has a really strong and feisty side to her as well.
I did have some issues with Eve‘s and Saskia‘s relationship, but those did make sense in the end, so that ended up not being a problem. I can’t explain further because of spoilers though 😂
I had some minor issues throughout the book, which I want to tread carefully around to avoid spoilers. Those issues could have been easily avoided with some more editing, so although they were noticeable to me, they didn’t end up making me enjoy the book less. One example: at one point, Eve has a pretty intense revelation and remembers something about her past, but the next day, she goes about her duties and it’s barely even mentioned. It felt so weird to me that she wouldn’t dwell on that thing more.
I will say that for the first half of the book, the horror and fantasy elements were on the lighter side. After the opening scenes, for some time there is very little of that, and at times, it felt more like a historical romance plot. Me being a horror gal, I almost thought this book wouldn’t be for me.
But dude, from the halfway point, the horror elements really kick into high gear and get quite intense and dark. The author didn’t shy away from some really disturbing scenes, so consider yourself warned! The antagonists in this story are really vile pieces of shit! So Eve has to really step up and fight for herself and her friends. For me personally, the horror elements were more than satisfying, and I absolutely loved the ending!
So this book could be for you if you like gothic vibes, carriage rides, ravens, witchcraft, magical awakening, eating the rich, women fighting back against fucking men and the oppressive power structure of the patriarchy, some sapphic vibes, women doing their own damn thing!! Yeah!
Regarding the format, I read the audiobook and really enjoyed the narration and pace. The narrator really nailed the different accents and voices.
I ended up really liking this book, the second half really nailed it for me. I will keep this author on my radar and am excited to see what she writes next.
August 18, 2026
This is a Gothic tale of magic, love and paranormal evil. I fell in love with Eve's story. I got sucked in from page 1 . The erriness of this book was superb. The author has such a way of writing that just makes the story come to life. Don't miss the incredible Gothic story
This is a review for tje audiobook
This was a fantastic audiobook. The narrators were perfect and the narration was superb. I had such a fun time walking amd listening to this audiobook. I was so glued to my listening device
This is a review for tje audiobook
This was a fantastic audiobook. The narrators were perfect and the narration was superb. I had such a fun time walking amd listening to this audiobook. I was so glued to my listening device
January 21, 2026
An excellent debut! This had everything I love: gothic atmosphere, sapphic tension, female rage, and of course ravens. Told through dual POVs: We follow Eve, a servant newly hired at Greythorne Manor. She is immediately drawn to Saskia, the daughter of the powerful Rennard family. What begins as awe at the wealth and opulence quickly curdles into unease as Eve realizes the family is hiding something far darker. As she fights to survive the manor’s secrets, her forbidden love for Saskia is pushed to its breaking point.
Love, ambition, and survival collide, leaving everything precarious and charged. Dark, moody, and simmering with unrest, this story leans fully into gothic tragedy and feminine fury.
Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for this arc
Love, ambition, and survival collide, leaving everything precarious and charged. Dark, moody, and simmering with unrest, this story leans fully into gothic tragedy and feminine fury.
Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for this arc
July 11, 2026
Well DAMN - that ended being a LOT more disturbing than I expected. Lmao - full review WITH content warnings to come.
August 10, 2026
This is nothing short of a dark ode to feminine rage.
If you read The Hunger Games and wished for a darker, bloodier version with ravens and a spot of Irish magic, this is the book for you.
This gripping tale is told from the perspectives of three different women: Eve Kelly, her mother Moira Kelly, and the daughter of a wealthy family, Saskia.
Eve (our main MC) and Moira are Irish immigrants living and working in New York. They receive an opportunity to move in and work for a kind, well-off, and well-paying family - one with a massive library they graciously allow the Kelly's access to! It seems like an absolute dream come true; one that could turn their lives around. And boy does it.
"You were given a gift. A power that no man can ever wield. But what use does power have if not used in the service of the powerless? If you dont protect those who are ill treated by ravenous evil folk, then who will?"
As Eve and Saskia grow closer, weird things start happening around Eve. Things that might be related to the Morrígan, a powerful, Irish magic (and the Celtic goddess of war and fate) wielded by the women of her bloodline. She tries to bring it up with her mother, who simply worries at the black pearl she's always worn around her neck and tells her not to be ridiculous.
But as they prepare for the family's most important annual party, things start to get... weirder. Suspicious. Dangerous.
Eve finds herself slowly uncovering the twisted nature of this party's participants. Thrown into the thick of it, with no better options left, Moira finally lets Eve in on some of the secrets of their family.
And really, what's a wronged girl to do other than defend herself?
" 'What the hell have you done? You're a goddamned witch!'
Hah! You have no idea."
It is a little Dead Dove: Do Not Eat-y at times, so do know what you're getting into. It doesn't go into any real graphic detail, but it does go further than your average horror story.
The narrator's performance is captivating and well acted, and the audio is the clearest I've heard from an audiobook in a while.
I got this as an audiobook ARC - THANK YOU! What a treat this book was, from start to finish. A bitter treat that left me grimacing and gasping in turns, but a treat all the same.
If you read The Hunger Games and wished for a darker, bloodier version with ravens and a spot of Irish magic, this is the book for you.
This gripping tale is told from the perspectives of three different women: Eve Kelly, her mother Moira Kelly, and the daughter of a wealthy family, Saskia.
Eve (our main MC) and Moira are Irish immigrants living and working in New York. They receive an opportunity to move in and work for a kind, well-off, and well-paying family - one with a massive library they graciously allow the Kelly's access to! It seems like an absolute dream come true; one that could turn their lives around. And boy does it.
"You were given a gift. A power that no man can ever wield. But what use does power have if not used in the service of the powerless? If you dont protect those who are ill treated by ravenous evil folk, then who will?"
As Eve and Saskia grow closer, weird things start happening around Eve. Things that might be related to the Morrígan, a powerful, Irish magic (and the Celtic goddess of war and fate) wielded by the women of her bloodline. She tries to bring it up with her mother, who simply worries at the black pearl she's always worn around her neck and tells her not to be ridiculous.
But as they prepare for the family's most important annual party, things start to get... weirder. Suspicious. Dangerous.
Eve finds herself slowly uncovering the twisted nature of this party's participants. Thrown into the thick of it, with no better options left, Moira finally lets Eve in on some of the secrets of their family.
And really, what's a wronged girl to do other than defend herself?
" 'What the hell have you done? You're a goddamned witch!'
Hah! You have no idea."
It is a little Dead Dove: Do Not Eat-y at times, so do know what you're getting into. It doesn't go into any real graphic detail, but it does go further than your average horror story.
The narrator's performance is captivating and well acted, and the audio is the clearest I've heard from an audiobook in a while.
I got this as an audiobook ARC - THANK YOU! What a treat this book was, from start to finish. A bitter treat that left me grimacing and gasping in turns, but a treat all the same.
July 31, 2026
First of all, I would like to say that the narrator did an amazing job!
The book itself was good. The elements of magic were compelling and the characters very complex.
It took me a while to get into it, I’m going to be honest.
Overall, it’s a good book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the Advanced Listening Copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
The book itself was good. The elements of magic were compelling and the characters very complex.
It took me a while to get into it, I’m going to be honest.
Overall, it’s a good book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the Advanced Listening Copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
June 13, 2026
Pearl Bound is an enchanting historical horror novel. If you like dark sapphic books with magical awakenings and stories that take on oppressive power structures, this may be up your alley.
I think my favorite thing about this book is the immersive atmosphere. The story takes place primarily in the later part of the 19th century, and Bergman does a wonderful job encapsulating the time period. The manor where most of the story takes place is simultaneously decadent and foreboding, creating a great Gothic atmosphere.
The first half is a bit of a slow burn, which I personally didn't mind, but once we hit the midpoint, things really take off. The twist makes perfect sense in retrospect, but somehow I did not see it coming at all.
I will caution that the latter part of the book does go to some pretty dark places, and there was one scene that really got to me. It wasn't gratuitous; nothing is shown on the page. But the implications messed with me, I think partly because given our current political climate, the premise doesn't actually feel far-fetched. People with an immense amount of power too often use that power for evil. I think Bergman does a great job showing that, but it can make for a difficult read at times.
If you enjoy witchy horror books that challenge oppressive power structures, you may enjoy this story.
I think my favorite thing about this book is the immersive atmosphere. The story takes place primarily in the later part of the 19th century, and Bergman does a wonderful job encapsulating the time period. The manor where most of the story takes place is simultaneously decadent and foreboding, creating a great Gothic atmosphere.
The first half is a bit of a slow burn, which I personally didn't mind, but once we hit the midpoint, things really take off. The twist makes perfect sense in retrospect, but somehow I did not see it coming at all.
I will caution that the latter part of the book does go to some pretty dark places, and there was one scene that really got to me. It wasn't gratuitous; nothing is shown on the page. But the implications messed with me, I think partly because given our current political climate, the premise doesn't actually feel far-fetched. People with an immense amount of power too often use that power for evil. I think Bergman does a great job showing that, but it can make for a difficult read at times.
If you enjoy witchy horror books that challenge oppressive power structures, you may enjoy this story.
July 20, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free via BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Also, spoilers ahead. I do not care to censor (TW: rape).
At the very best, 2.75.
I hate how frustrated I got with the book despite its hopeful beginnings. The premise did not deliver and the writing, while oftentimes beautiful, was extremely puerile. Someone else compared it to Young Adult fiction and I'd have to agree, because there were several instances in which the story read more like a Wattpad fic than an actual novel. I did not enjoy all the dramatised and capitalised words, such as (and I am paraphrasing here): I GASPED, The sound of [redacted] BOOMED in my ears, nor was I a fan of all the ellipses.
The book felt rather scattershot, too. The prologue is intense and filled with grief and mysticism, then we spend way too long watching Eve be a servant, quit her job, and become servant again for a different family, the Rennards. Too much time is wasted on trivialities (about a hundred pages of Eve lavishing in Saskia's affections and doing maidly things), and the shift to the Ambrose Hunt and its horrors is too sudden, too great of a whiplash.
I wasn't a fan of the characterisations, either. Eve is whiny and gullible, thanks to her mother's ultra-protective nature, but one can only bear it to a point. She reads like a Young Adult protagonist and I don't think that is what the author intended, in which case she would have benefitted from being in her early twenties at the very least. In a way, I also believe she learned to harness her magical powers way too fast. There was no trial and error, just her succeeding at controlling animals and elements from the get-go (let me not mention how sick and tired I grew of reading My fingertips prickled every single time she accessed her powers). Due to the slow pace of the first half, Eve was not granted the progressivity with which a character usually masters their newfound craft or blessing. Not to use superhero terms on her, but she felt too overpowered, a teenage, Irish Superwoman, if you will.
Now onto Saskia—my dear God. I didn't expect much from a prissy noblegirl, but she was frustrating in the most odious ways. I could somehow overlook that her affection for Eve was unconvicing (after all, she proved herself to be a womanizer), but I drew the line during the Ambrose Hunt arc. When she sees that her father and his friends are not chasing animals, but a person, she acts very nonchalant about it—You'd think they would hunt a man or someone with more physical power, she says (paraphrased). Excuse me, what!? So, it's totally okay for rich men to hunt people of all things, if said people have the ability to defend themselves!? Then, then not only does she watch her brother murder Frances in cold blood, but she stands there as he rapes her corpse. She has a rifle on her, a fucking rifle, but she sits there like a fucking dumbass, declaring just how horrified she is. Later on, she has the chance to shoot Maxwell before he jumps to assault Peggy, but she just doesn't. And when she finally does shoot, she miraculously misses all shots. She fires several times, all awry. She, who claims to be just as good if not a better hunter than her brother, Teddy.
I cannot express how beyond disgusted I am with the way the author wrote her cast of female characters. Most of them were spiteful, jealous, misogynistic, and pardoning literal crimes. Eve makes sexist comments about Saskia's friends, Moira is berated for being a caring mother, and Saskia is a conscious witness to crimes she could have prevented. Not to mention, the only two people that were constantly antagonised—despite there being worse characters out there—were Bette and Isaiah. You guessed it. The only two black servants at the manor were the ones the other characters were most wary of. Wow.
The book does not focus enough on the evil of men, rich and poor. I wanted to see that the author can properly punish them for their crimes, but somehow it all circled back to Saskia being the worst of them. The men get killed, the easy way out, while Saskia is cursed by Eve to live a life of sorrow and spite. She remains marred by the crow's attack, forced into a miserable existence, with no future prospect for redemption. The men, in exchange, had been committing atrocious crimes for decades and all they get are quick deaths. Not painful, not tortorous. Nimble, almost imperceptible.
How can this novel claim to be sapphic, to proclaim a relationship between two women, if one of them is constantly oppressed and taken advantage of by the other? It's like all those heteronormative romance novels in which the women are perpetually abused yet are forced by the narrative to end up with their abuser. It makes me feel sick, really. Eve and Saskia's relationship isn't even well done, as there was barely any chemistry between them and Eve had no real reason to fall for Saskia, other than the fact that the latter gave her a dram of attention. Saskia treated Eve like a servant, and nothing more.
Also, for a novel called Pearl Bound, the element of the magic pearl was almost non-existent.
At the very best, 2.75.
I hate how frustrated I got with the book despite its hopeful beginnings. The premise did not deliver and the writing, while oftentimes beautiful, was extremely puerile. Someone else compared it to Young Adult fiction and I'd have to agree, because there were several instances in which the story read more like a Wattpad fic than an actual novel. I did not enjoy all the dramatised and capitalised words, such as (and I am paraphrasing here): I GASPED, The sound of [redacted] BOOMED in my ears, nor was I a fan of all the ellipses.
The book felt rather scattershot, too. The prologue is intense and filled with grief and mysticism, then we spend way too long watching Eve be a servant, quit her job, and become servant again for a different family, the Rennards. Too much time is wasted on trivialities (about a hundred pages of Eve lavishing in Saskia's affections and doing maidly things), and the shift to the Ambrose Hunt and its horrors is too sudden, too great of a whiplash.
I wasn't a fan of the characterisations, either. Eve is whiny and gullible, thanks to her mother's ultra-protective nature, but one can only bear it to a point. She reads like a Young Adult protagonist and I don't think that is what the author intended, in which case she would have benefitted from being in her early twenties at the very least. In a way, I also believe she learned to harness her magical powers way too fast. There was no trial and error, just her succeeding at controlling animals and elements from the get-go (let me not mention how sick and tired I grew of reading My fingertips prickled every single time she accessed her powers). Due to the slow pace of the first half, Eve was not granted the progressivity with which a character usually masters their newfound craft or blessing. Not to use superhero terms on her, but she felt too overpowered, a teenage, Irish Superwoman, if you will.
Now onto Saskia—my dear God. I didn't expect much from a prissy noblegirl, but she was frustrating in the most odious ways. I could somehow overlook that her affection for Eve was unconvicing (after all, she proved herself to be a womanizer), but I drew the line during the Ambrose Hunt arc. When she sees that her father and his friends are not chasing animals, but a person, she acts very nonchalant about it—You'd think they would hunt a man or someone with more physical power, she says (paraphrased). Excuse me, what!? So, it's totally okay for rich men to hunt people of all things, if said people have the ability to defend themselves!? Then, then not only does she watch her brother murder Frances in cold blood, but she stands there as he rapes her corpse. She has a rifle on her, a fucking rifle, but she sits there like a fucking dumbass, declaring just how horrified she is. Later on, she has the chance to shoot Maxwell before he jumps to assault Peggy, but she just doesn't. And when she finally does shoot, she miraculously misses all shots. She fires several times, all awry. She, who claims to be just as good if not a better hunter than her brother, Teddy.
I cannot express how beyond disgusted I am with the way the author wrote her cast of female characters. Most of them were spiteful, jealous, misogynistic, and pardoning literal crimes. Eve makes sexist comments about Saskia's friends, Moira is berated for being a caring mother, and Saskia is a conscious witness to crimes she could have prevented. Not to mention, the only two people that were constantly antagonised—despite there being worse characters out there—were Bette and Isaiah. You guessed it. The only two black servants at the manor were the ones the other characters were most wary of. Wow.
The book does not focus enough on the evil of men, rich and poor. I wanted to see that the author can properly punish them for their crimes, but somehow it all circled back to Saskia being the worst of them. The men get killed, the easy way out, while Saskia is cursed by Eve to live a life of sorrow and spite. She remains marred by the crow's attack, forced into a miserable existence, with no future prospect for redemption. The men, in exchange, had been committing atrocious crimes for decades and all they get are quick deaths. Not painful, not tortorous. Nimble, almost imperceptible.
How can this novel claim to be sapphic, to proclaim a relationship between two women, if one of them is constantly oppressed and taken advantage of by the other? It's like all those heteronormative romance novels in which the women are perpetually abused yet are forced by the narrative to end up with their abuser. It makes me feel sick, really. Eve and Saskia's relationship isn't even well done, as there was barely any chemistry between them and Eve had no real reason to fall for Saskia, other than the fact that the latter gave her a dram of attention. Saskia treated Eve like a servant, and nothing more.
Also, for a novel called Pearl Bound, the element of the magic pearl was almost non-existent.
July 23, 2026
I received an advance listening copy of Pearl Bound by Natalie Bergman (narrated by Kristen DiMercurio) in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author, Rose&Pearl Productions and Netgalley.
Pearl Bound is pitched as gothic historical horror in the waning days of the Gilded Age: Irish immigrant Eve Kelly takes a coveted job at Greythorne mansion, only to find that the Rennard family’s wealth rests on predation, especially of the women who serve them. Eve is pulled into the household’s seductive orbit, and into a dangerous intimacy with Saskia Rennard, while something older stirs in her blood. Female rage, class tension, queer desire, and autonomy are all on the table.
There’s a lot here I enjoyed. The writing moves well, and when the book leans into momentum it delivers. The twist is handled nicely, the action scenes work, and the class dynamics are some of the strongest material in the novel. Saskia, in particular, is sharply drawn. She’s predatory, self-justifying, and fascinating to watch: a rich white woman raging at her own constraints while remaining largely unmoved by the harm her world does to others. She also stayed ambiguous for a long time, and this character being a morally (dark) gray wildcard made the story more fun to me.
I did struggle with a few things. In audio, the narration’s switching between Irish and American accents pulled me out more than once, especially when an Irish character’s internal monologue was delivered in an American accent. Maybe I've been spoilt with too many great narrators lately, but this stood out. The book alternates between Eve and Saskia’s POVs, sometimes revisiting the same events, and I think the manuscript needed a tougher edit in places. A few details felt incongruous across perspectives.
And while I’m very happy to read horror that plays with myth, the Celtic elements here felt more like backdrop than substance. Eve’s connection to the Morrígan didn’t feel researched enough to carry the weight the story wanted it to carry. I doubt such an ancient Godess would mind such trivial matters, but using her name in such a way doesn't seem wise to me. The Gilded Age setting also read as “inspired by” rather than historically grounded. I ultimately got the most enjoyment when I treated the setting and myth as atmosphere and focused on character dynamics and plot.
Overall: 3.5/5. A propulsive, readable gothic horror with great class tension, a compelling predator of a character in Saskia, and some satisfying twists, even if the historical and mythic scaffolding didn’t fully convince me.
Pearl Bound is pitched as gothic historical horror in the waning days of the Gilded Age: Irish immigrant Eve Kelly takes a coveted job at Greythorne mansion, only to find that the Rennard family’s wealth rests on predation, especially of the women who serve them. Eve is pulled into the household’s seductive orbit, and into a dangerous intimacy with Saskia Rennard, while something older stirs in her blood. Female rage, class tension, queer desire, and autonomy are all on the table.
There’s a lot here I enjoyed. The writing moves well, and when the book leans into momentum it delivers. The twist is handled nicely, the action scenes work, and the class dynamics are some of the strongest material in the novel. Saskia, in particular, is sharply drawn. She’s predatory, self-justifying, and fascinating to watch: a rich white woman raging at her own constraints while remaining largely unmoved by the harm her world does to others. She also stayed ambiguous for a long time, and this character being a morally (dark) gray wildcard made the story more fun to me.
I did struggle with a few things. In audio, the narration’s switching between Irish and American accents pulled me out more than once, especially when an Irish character’s internal monologue was delivered in an American accent. Maybe I've been spoilt with too many great narrators lately, but this stood out. The book alternates between Eve and Saskia’s POVs, sometimes revisiting the same events, and I think the manuscript needed a tougher edit in places. A few details felt incongruous across perspectives.
And while I’m very happy to read horror that plays with myth, the Celtic elements here felt more like backdrop than substance. Eve’s connection to the Morrígan didn’t feel researched enough to carry the weight the story wanted it to carry. I doubt such an ancient Godess would mind such trivial matters, but using her name in such a way doesn't seem wise to me. The Gilded Age setting also read as “inspired by” rather than historically grounded. I ultimately got the most enjoyment when I treated the setting and myth as atmosphere and focused on character dynamics and plot.
Overall: 3.5/5. A propulsive, readable gothic horror with great class tension, a compelling predator of a character in Saskia, and some satisfying twists, even if the historical and mythic scaffolding didn’t fully convince me.
February 17, 2026
Pearl Bound is a haunting, sapphic gothic horror that leans fully into atmosphere, obsession, and the sharp edge where love and terror meet.
Eve arrives already carrying grief and unease, but the crumbling coastal estate she finds herself in seems determined to hollow her out completely. The house is damp with secrets — salt-stung air, locked doors, pearls threaded through its history like a curse. Bergman’s setting feels alive, almost sentient, pressing in on Eve from all sides.
And then there’s Rennard.
Rennard is not a safe harbor — she’s the storm. Magnetic, unreadable, and unsettlingly intimate, she moves through the shadows of the manor like she belongs to them. The tension between her and Eve is immediate but restrained, built on lingering glances and conversations that feel like confessions wrapped in threats. Their attraction simmers beneath layers of mistrust and buried truths.
What makes this novel stand out is how inseparable the romance and horror are. The sapphic longing isn’t decorative — it’s central. Desire becomes dangerous. Touch becomes transformation. The body horror elements, particularly the imagery surrounding pearls and what they represent, are visceral without being gratuitous. There’s a constant sense that love here may require sacrifice — of innocence, of safety, maybe even of humanity.
Eve’s arc is especially compelling. She begins uncertain, reactive, caught in currents she doesn’t fully understand. By the final act, she is making choices — terrifying, powerful ones — that reshape both her fate and Rennard’s. Their relationship feels raw and feral by the end, forged in blood and truth rather than fantasy.
Moody, unsettling, and achingly romantic, Pearl Bound is perfect for readers who crave gothic settings, morally ambiguous sapphic relationships, and horror that lingers long after the last page.
Eve arrives already carrying grief and unease, but the crumbling coastal estate she finds herself in seems determined to hollow her out completely. The house is damp with secrets — salt-stung air, locked doors, pearls threaded through its history like a curse. Bergman’s setting feels alive, almost sentient, pressing in on Eve from all sides.
And then there’s Rennard.
Rennard is not a safe harbor — she’s the storm. Magnetic, unreadable, and unsettlingly intimate, she moves through the shadows of the manor like she belongs to them. The tension between her and Eve is immediate but restrained, built on lingering glances and conversations that feel like confessions wrapped in threats. Their attraction simmers beneath layers of mistrust and buried truths.
What makes this novel stand out is how inseparable the romance and horror are. The sapphic longing isn’t decorative — it’s central. Desire becomes dangerous. Touch becomes transformation. The body horror elements, particularly the imagery surrounding pearls and what they represent, are visceral without being gratuitous. There’s a constant sense that love here may require sacrifice — of innocence, of safety, maybe even of humanity.
Eve’s arc is especially compelling. She begins uncertain, reactive, caught in currents she doesn’t fully understand. By the final act, she is making choices — terrifying, powerful ones — that reshape both her fate and Rennard’s. Their relationship feels raw and feral by the end, forged in blood and truth rather than fantasy.
Moody, unsettling, and achingly romantic, Pearl Bound is perfect for readers who crave gothic settings, morally ambiguous sapphic relationships, and horror that lingers long after the last page.
July 17, 2026
Pearl Bound by Natalie G. Bergman and narrated by Kristen DiMercurio was a three star listen. The promise of a gothic historical horror centered around Irish immigrants had me immediately requesting this ALC.
In this novel, Eve and her mother moire take jobs tending to the family and household at Greythorne Mansion. Eve, who experiences glimmers of magic her mother has tried to hide from her, begins a tryst with the woman of the house shortly after their arrival. Before long, the danger of the secret affair is negligible compared to what all the women employed by the house will soon face at the hands of wealthy men.
I did appreciate the feminist aspects of the book, and enjoyed how we do get a huge contrast in what motivates the two female main characters and each of their desire for their own independence. I thought overall that the story was well-paced, and I liked the variety of important female relationships incorporated into the character development through the book.
In my opinion, this didn’t feel like it really crossed into the realm of horror until the second half, at which point I really just found dark and not horror so much. The overall vibe is historical & supernatural, with the main focus being magic.
One thing that did really annoy me- but didn’t actually impact my rating of the ALC- was why was Moire’s internal dialogue in the beginning not accented, but when she spoke she did have a brogue? That didn’t make sense to me.
Overall, this was a solid listen. If you like girl power and mysticism with dark undertones, you’re gonna wanna grab this one.
In this novel, Eve and her mother moire take jobs tending to the family and household at Greythorne Mansion. Eve, who experiences glimmers of magic her mother has tried to hide from her, begins a tryst with the woman of the house shortly after their arrival. Before long, the danger of the secret affair is negligible compared to what all the women employed by the house will soon face at the hands of wealthy men.
I did appreciate the feminist aspects of the book, and enjoyed how we do get a huge contrast in what motivates the two female main characters and each of their desire for their own independence. I thought overall that the story was well-paced, and I liked the variety of important female relationships incorporated into the character development through the book.
In my opinion, this didn’t feel like it really crossed into the realm of horror until the second half, at which point I really just found dark and not horror so much. The overall vibe is historical & supernatural, with the main focus being magic.
One thing that did really annoy me- but didn’t actually impact my rating of the ALC- was why was Moire’s internal dialogue in the beginning not accented, but when she spoke she did have a brogue? That didn’t make sense to me.
Overall, this was a solid listen. If you like girl power and mysticism with dark undertones, you’re gonna wanna grab this one.
July 16, 2026
I don’t enjoy writing more negative leaning reviews, however since this book was received as an advanced listener copy, I will share my honest opinions. Thank you NetGalley for this audiobook ALC.
This book is pitched as a ‘sapphic gothic horror steeped in the atmosphere’, which of course sounds incredible. Sadly it disappointed me in each of these aspects.
Starting off with characters, I did not like either of our main perspectives. They both read as young and naive which makes the book feel less like an adult horror and at times more like a YA fantasy (and in the first half YA historical romance). Overall for me, the characters lacked depth.
As for the horror aspect, I didn’t find this to be a particularly scary read. I would rather describe it as a dark witchy historical fantasy. Personally, I found neither atmosphere nor gothic tones in this book. The setting of the novel was never a living breathing place to me.
In my opinion, the plot itself was awkwardly paced and felt a little sparse. I will say, there are tonal shifts throughout the book so if you are not fully immersed in the beginning, keep going since the latter half might still hook you. Nevertheless, to me the themes that were pitched in the synopsis are explored at a surface level and lack nuance or truly insightful commentary.
As an audiobook, the accents throughout the book with varying succes took me out of it, which is sad since I’ve listened to and loved this narrator before.
If you think that despite my thoughts you might still enjoy this book, absolutely go for it! I do truly think that this book will find the readers that love it! Unfortunately I was not one of them.
This book is pitched as a ‘sapphic gothic horror steeped in the atmosphere’, which of course sounds incredible. Sadly it disappointed me in each of these aspects.
Starting off with characters, I did not like either of our main perspectives. They both read as young and naive which makes the book feel less like an adult horror and at times more like a YA fantasy (and in the first half YA historical romance). Overall for me, the characters lacked depth.
As for the horror aspect, I didn’t find this to be a particularly scary read. I would rather describe it as a dark witchy historical fantasy. Personally, I found neither atmosphere nor gothic tones in this book. The setting of the novel was never a living breathing place to me.
In my opinion, the plot itself was awkwardly paced and felt a little sparse. I will say, there are tonal shifts throughout the book so if you are not fully immersed in the beginning, keep going since the latter half might still hook you. Nevertheless, to me the themes that were pitched in the synopsis are explored at a surface level and lack nuance or truly insightful commentary.
As an audiobook, the accents throughout the book with varying succes took me out of it, which is sad since I’ve listened to and loved this narrator before.
If you think that despite my thoughts you might still enjoy this book, absolutely go for it! I do truly think that this book will find the readers that love it! Unfortunately I was not one of them.
August 2, 2026
What a viciously satisfying read. While I found the first half of this a wee bit slow and lacklustre for my tastes, I'm so glad that I pushed through because the moment the atmosphere shifted from gothic mystery to suspenseful horror I was hooked. The way it starts you with a small taste of what's to come, and then slowly teases out the mysteries of Greythorne with sapphic yearning and an increasing number of dubious characters really allows for an explosive narrative climax that had me reeling. This was a powerful force of female rage and vengeance, of power and obsession, and of survival at any cost. I will definitely be hanging out to see if there will be another installment because I want to see more of what Bergman can do with this stunning set up.
The audio narrator did a fantastic job too, good pacing and distinctive voices for each character.
Thank you to victory editing netgalley co-op and netgalley for an audio arc of this title.
The audio narrator did a fantastic job too, good pacing and distinctive voices for each character.
Thank you to victory editing netgalley co-op and netgalley for an audio arc of this title.
July 9, 2026
This was such a strong debut! Sapphic and female led, it highlights women rising into their own power and forging their own destinies… with a little murderous, magical mystery mixed in.
We start out with a compelling first chapter of the main character, Eve, as a young girl. After unchecked powers lead to a violent mistake, Eve and her mother find themselves on the move and in search of work. Her mother vowing to protect her daughter by binding her magic into a pearl until she deems her ready to wield it. Fast forward to Eve as a young woman, the pair have landed themselves as scullery maids/servants to the rich.
It has old school high-society, gilded age vibes and a bratty daughter of their new employer who catches the eye of Eve. Dark and grim secrets are slowly uncovered at their new posting and it all leads to a high-stakes, bloody climax at the end.
I liked what the author did with Eve and Saskia. It wasn’t what I expected at all and I felt satisfied. This was a fun listen and certainly leans into the gothic/horror aspects - especially in the last half. 4 stars due to some parts feeling drawn out, but overall a great read!
~Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley co-op for the gifted ALC. All opinions in this review are my own.~
We start out with a compelling first chapter of the main character, Eve, as a young girl. After unchecked powers lead to a violent mistake, Eve and her mother find themselves on the move and in search of work. Her mother vowing to protect her daughter by binding her magic into a pearl until she deems her ready to wield it. Fast forward to Eve as a young woman, the pair have landed themselves as scullery maids/servants to the rich.
It has old school high-society, gilded age vibes and a bratty daughter of their new employer who catches the eye of Eve. Dark and grim secrets are slowly uncovered at their new posting and it all leads to a high-stakes, bloody climax at the end.
I liked what the author did with Eve and Saskia. It wasn’t what I expected at all and I felt satisfied. This was a fun listen and certainly leans into the gothic/horror aspects - especially in the last half. 4 stars due to some parts feeling drawn out, but overall a great read!
~Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley co-op for the gifted ALC. All opinions in this review are my own.~
June 9, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC!
This had a bit of a slow start -- to be fair, it would be difficult to follow up the opening tragic scene of the consequences of child Eve's unrestrained power, which was a fantastic opening. Once it got going, though, it was an intriguing historical sapphic mystery that shifted into horror around the halfway point. I really appreciated how villainous Bergman allowed the antagonist to be once their true intentions were revealed. I always love when rich folks get their comeuppance!
This had a bit of a slow start -- to be fair, it would be difficult to follow up the opening tragic scene of the consequences of child Eve's unrestrained power, which was a fantastic opening. Once it got going, though, it was an intriguing historical sapphic mystery that shifted into horror around the halfway point. I really appreciated how villainous Bergman allowed the antagonist to be once their true intentions were revealed. I always love when rich folks get their comeuppance!
July 23, 2026
3.75/4? This took until the halfway point to really capture my attention, and then I was IN IT. There's a specific and horrifying plot twist that actually made me gasp, and I couldn't stop listening until the end. This was powerful and dark, and I appreciated the Irish folk horror vibes. Overall, I enjoyed this, I just wish the first half of the book didn't drag as much because this could have been a 5 star read. Still fantastic and I always like Kristen DiMercurio's narration.
I look forward to more from this author! Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley for the ALC.
I look forward to more from this author! Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley for the ALC.
December 17, 2025
Hold on you are about to embark on a fast, suspenseful, empowering and mystical ride. Pearl Bound is a shot of energy introducing you to Eve Grant and a world beyond. The writing is so full of wonderful and clear detail you can not help but get swept away in the character and story development. Now a true fan of Eve’s, I can not wait to see where continued adventures will take her and her ravens!
July 2, 2026
5 🌟 stars for Pearl Bound!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing for this Audio ARC!
Where to even begin with this book?? I went into this story fairly blind. The cover and name drew me in, I stayed for the queerness and horror.
Set in late 1800’s New York, Pearl Bound focuses on the life of Eve Kelly, an Irish immigrant with powers granted to her by The Morrígan, although she doesn’t know it yet. Due to a tragic accident caused by Eve as a child that killed her father, Eve’s mother has her powers bound in an attempt at protecting her. Ultimately, her mother shields and protects Eve from everything instead of preparing her to use her power.
Things start to go a little awry when Eve and her mother get jobs in the household of the Rennard’s at Greythrone. Eve quickly falls into a forbidden tryst with Saskia Rennard, the daughter. As their attachment grows stronger, things take a turn for the worst with the men in the family invite friends up to Greythrone for their annual Ambrose Hunt. Eve accidentally witnesses the true nature of these men’s and when she goes to warn the other women working in the house, chaos ensues, and Eve is forced to make unthinkable choices to keep herself and her friends alive.
This book deals with feminine rage, finding yourself, power imbalances, sapphic longing and lust, with a big dash of Irish folklore. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing for this Audio ARC!
Where to even begin with this book?? I went into this story fairly blind. The cover and name drew me in, I stayed for the queerness and horror.
Set in late 1800’s New York, Pearl Bound focuses on the life of Eve Kelly, an Irish immigrant with powers granted to her by The Morrígan, although she doesn’t know it yet. Due to a tragic accident caused by Eve as a child that killed her father, Eve’s mother has her powers bound in an attempt at protecting her. Ultimately, her mother shields and protects Eve from everything instead of preparing her to use her power.
Things start to go a little awry when Eve and her mother get jobs in the household of the Rennard’s at Greythrone. Eve quickly falls into a forbidden tryst with Saskia Rennard, the daughter. As their attachment grows stronger, things take a turn for the worst with the men in the family invite friends up to Greythrone for their annual Ambrose Hunt. Eve accidentally witnesses the true nature of these men’s and when she goes to warn the other women working in the house, chaos ensues, and Eve is forced to make unthinkable choices to keep herself and her friends alive.
This book deals with feminine rage, finding yourself, power imbalances, sapphic longing and lust, with a big dash of Irish folklore. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone!
January 26, 2026
Not too spoily spoilers…
I enjoyed the book’s American gothic aesthetic mixed with Celtic magic and feminism. The best part was witnessing Eve come into her power, and the most disappointing was Saskia’s demise, for whom I had hope until the bitter end. Peggy impressed me with her bravery and loyalty, and I appreciated Isaiah’s nuances. The descriptions of Eve’s magic pulled me in and reminded me of reading the Mysts of Avalon when I was a teenager.
I do think it would have benefited from a bit more copy editing. There were times when I felt like I was being spoon fed and others when I was left a little bewildered. The sex scenes could have been more fleshed out (pun intended), and I was left wishing for more development with the mother/daughter relationship. Just a little bit more foreshadowing in the first half of the book also would have led to a more cohesive story.
Overall, if you like gothic horror mixed with magic and same-gender romance, you’ll enjoy the ride of Pearl Bound.
I enjoyed the book’s American gothic aesthetic mixed with Celtic magic and feminism. The best part was witnessing Eve come into her power, and the most disappointing was Saskia’s demise, for whom I had hope until the bitter end. Peggy impressed me with her bravery and loyalty, and I appreciated Isaiah’s nuances. The descriptions of Eve’s magic pulled me in and reminded me of reading the Mysts of Avalon when I was a teenager.
I do think it would have benefited from a bit more copy editing. There were times when I felt like I was being spoon fed and others when I was left a little bewildered. The sex scenes could have been more fleshed out (pun intended), and I was left wishing for more development with the mother/daughter relationship. Just a little bit more foreshadowing in the first half of the book also would have led to a more cohesive story.
Overall, if you like gothic horror mixed with magic and same-gender romance, you’ll enjoy the ride of Pearl Bound.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2026
I love a book about feminism, even when it isn’t historically likely. This is a book of female power we all need right now.
Thank you to NetGalley and Natalie G. Bergman for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Natalie G. Bergman for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
August 3, 2026
thank you @ netgalley 🫶🏻
this book wasn’t bad - the story was well written and the narrator ate it up; however, there were more lulls than there was interesting content. i’d consider reading another by this author but i think there are better Weird Girl books out there
this book wasn’t bad - the story was well written and the narrator ate it up; however, there were more lulls than there was interesting content. i’d consider reading another by this author but i think there are better Weird Girl books out there
July 2, 2026
DNF at 47%
Although the narrator did an amazing job,
This was definitely more of a queer forbidden love story than horror.
Thank you to netgalley for the audio in exchange for my honest review
Although the narrator did an amazing job,
This was definitely more of a queer forbidden love story than horror.
Thank you to netgalley for the audio in exchange for my honest review
August 5, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley, Natalie Bergman, and the publisher for the ALC of this audiobook!
The written version is already out, and available on Kindle Unlimited, but the audiobook will be out this October!
In this historical, queer, gothic horror, set in Gilded Age upstate New York, we follow Irish immigrant Eve as she and her mother take on coveted seasonal positions at the Greythorne mansion. Eve is thrilled, and even more thrilled when she begins a romantic involvement with the daughter of the family, but soon begins to realize there is darkness behind the opulence. The Rennard family is luring vulnerable folks, especially immigrants and especially young women, to work for the mansion seasonally, then using their wealth and power to exploit and prey upon these poor folks who aren't in a position to fight back. As Eve uncovers the dark secrets and violence, she also uncovers her own (previously unknown to her) inherited supernatural abilities, which her mother had hidden from her. Can Eve harness her powers in time to save herself and the others?
I know I always say I don't like historical fiction, but I sure seem to be reading a lot of it lately, haha. And this didn't disappoint! It's giving feminine rage, it's giving queer desire, it's giving eat the rich, it's giving "good for her." Author Natalie Bergman sets the scene so well and really gives it that gothic gloom, cutting through all the glitz and glamor. The characters are well-developed and complex...other than the antagonists, who are truly just evil AF. The queer romance was problematic (that power dynamic, yikes!) but I think that was kinda partially the point. Some minor issues that could have been solved with perhaps a bit more editing, but nothing too bothersome. For those who, like me, don't care much for fantasy, you'll be pleased to know there's not TOO much of the magic/fantasy element. I felt like it was used well, and just enough. The first half-ish was extremely light on the horror and probably better-classified as a historical romance, but things do eventually get dark and disturbing, just how I like it. Overall, I enjoyed this and would recommend it!
The written version is already out, and available on Kindle Unlimited, but the audiobook will be out this October!
In this historical, queer, gothic horror, set in Gilded Age upstate New York, we follow Irish immigrant Eve as she and her mother take on coveted seasonal positions at the Greythorne mansion. Eve is thrilled, and even more thrilled when she begins a romantic involvement with the daughter of the family, but soon begins to realize there is darkness behind the opulence. The Rennard family is luring vulnerable folks, especially immigrants and especially young women, to work for the mansion seasonally, then using their wealth and power to exploit and prey upon these poor folks who aren't in a position to fight back. As Eve uncovers the dark secrets and violence, she also uncovers her own (previously unknown to her) inherited supernatural abilities, which her mother had hidden from her. Can Eve harness her powers in time to save herself and the others?
I know I always say I don't like historical fiction, but I sure seem to be reading a lot of it lately, haha. And this didn't disappoint! It's giving feminine rage, it's giving queer desire, it's giving eat the rich, it's giving "good for her." Author Natalie Bergman sets the scene so well and really gives it that gothic gloom, cutting through all the glitz and glamor. The characters are well-developed and complex...other than the antagonists, who are truly just evil AF. The queer romance was problematic (that power dynamic, yikes!) but I think that was kinda partially the point. Some minor issues that could have been solved with perhaps a bit more editing, but nothing too bothersome. For those who, like me, don't care much for fantasy, you'll be pleased to know there's not TOO much of the magic/fantasy element. I felt like it was used well, and just enough. The first half-ish was extremely light on the horror and probably better-classified as a historical romance, but things do eventually get dark and disturbing, just how I like it. Overall, I enjoyed this and would recommend it!
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December 4, 2025This isn’t my usual preferred genre, but I pretty much read it in one sitting. Definitely check this out if you’re a fan of dark and twisty!
January 16, 2026
This was a thrilling page-turner of a novel! Beautiful writing, engaging characters, and an imaginative and original plot (with surprising twists and turns) will keep you captivated the whole way through. I highly recommend!
October 31, 2025
As someone who generally shies away from "horror" I loved the twists and turns of this gripping story. The characters are compelling and I can't wait for book two!
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