_{(A quick note for honesty’s sake: I offered to review one of Martin Shannon’s books and was given a copy of this for free. My opinions are my own, and genuine. This story really is this good.)}

I didn't mean to read it all in one sitting. I intended to scan the first page to make sure it was worth reading in the first place, then go back to talking with the author. Instead, without thinking, I read the second page, the third, the fourth, without stopping, to the very last, haunting sentence.

I have ADHD. Do you realize how hard it is for me to get sucked into stuff like that, even with my medication?

The Pearl is a cosmic horror novella by Martin Shannon, originally released in 2022, a stand alone story set in a world almost painfully close to our current reality. Using the Bible verse as anchor and inspiration, the story follows Sofi Grace, an ambitious and hopeful young woman whose choice in political leaders leaves her entwined with the end of the world as we know it. The story jumps between events in the timeline, but this never seems confusing or disjointed. Instead it gives a deeper look into Sofi, and how the hell she got mixed up in this.

This is a very bleak story, I'll say that right now. There are few happy endings in cosmic horror and this is no exception. There shouldn't be any likable major characters in this story either, at least from my perspective. And yet Sofi, our protagonist, somehow remains engaging enough for me to not hate her. She is an enjoyable character to follow even as she does horrible things well before the world ends. In her ambition, there is nothing she won't do to help her chosen leader get everything she wants, and ride the wave to glory with her.

Sofi chooses Mercy Taylor, an even more ambitious woman with a deeper obsession than just helping the people of America. Mercy’s name is ironic, with her ruthless nature forcing Sofi into doing those mentioned horrible things with a smile. Sofi is oblivious to any harm her leader may be causing people. She has blinders on, focusing only on her dream of a better world. And that's all it is - a dream.

These characters could not have made the world better because at the end of the day they only have their own best interests, their own objectives, at heart. They are blind to anything else. Sofi comments on her willful blindness multiple times, but she never thinks about it deeper than that. She doesn't have the time.

It's not stated directly what political party any of the characters are part of, but context clues, such as pushing fracking and offshore drilling, suggests they are conservative. This is an intentional choice - the author has no love for conservatives, and you don't need to look at his bluesky for proof of that. You can just read this book, and watch the consequences play out. And they are brutal.

It's a bit of a bittersweet read. As things fall apart around our heads here in America, the echo - dare I say the warning - from our past reads as clear as our skies currently are. That, of course, wasn't the intention. But I think people will find it a cathartic read, if they choose to pick it up. And I do encourage you to do so, especially if you enjoy cosmic horror.

You can find The Pearl, along with Martin Shannon's many other books, on Amazon, Kobo and coming to itch.io this Friday.

Happy reading!