Elah's Pearl

by Shean Pao

Pao’s mystical short story of the Muirru society, a race of half fish-half human, is highly engaging from the start. I find the introduction of the world building effectively narrated for a novella (better than some novels that I’ve read before). Overall, Elah’s Pearl is a compelling short story with a strong premise and storyline, as well as a sublime quality of prose and characterization. It’s truly a remarkable read and Shean Pao is beyond doubt an exceptional writer. ---Five Star Review by Reader's Favorite

In Elah’s Pearl by Shean Pao, Mokole is asked by the brotherhood of Bohar to kill his little brother, the third-born Aidan, whom they suspected to be the blessed Pearl of Elah. They believe that Aidan possesses the royal blood, and this will prevent their plan to eliminate the caste system. Mokole refuses and challenges Varchaka for the leadership of Bohar through the ‘Display’, a battle between the noble bloods. When he fails, he has no choice but to obey the brotherhood and kill Aidan. Is Aidan truly the Pearl of Elah? His family believes so, and Mokole must try his best to protect him. His failure would mean the loss of his brother, his family, and even his secret human lover, Ceara.

Genres: Fantasy

31 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 11, 2015

About the author

Shean is an award winning writer and has as a Reader's Favorite five star review for her novelette: Elah's Pearl.



I began writing back in the 4th grade. I started and finished a book when I was fourteen, as well as numerous short stories, none of which I had the confidence to try to publish.

Fate took me down a different path and I became a graphic designer. In the past 20 years I’ve worked for advertising agencies, printers, high-end real estate companies, book publishing companies (how ironic, but it taught me how to layout a book!)

I’m very happy to be returning to my first joy, and pretty determined to follow this old path of writing. I went back to college and took creative writing classes with the intent to minor, but it wasn’t until I joined a critique group many years later, that things really took off.

Quite a lot happened in that first year I went back to my writing. One thing led to another, and a novella I was working on ended up being a book. But the exciting part was when I started taking online writing classes from David Farland, a NYT best selling fantasy author. David and I worked on the editing of The Feather and the Moon Well, and when it was finished, he chose it to be the debut novel to launch: A David Farland Discovery for new writers. (The Feather and the Moon Well) was published by WordFire Press in 2016.

I am happily married to a talented and award winning photographer and graphic designer. We live in with a brilliant (all parents call their children brilliant don’t they?) African Grey Parrot named Zen, a grumpy blue fronted Amazon, as well as a cuddly and beautiful Sun Conure, CJ.

Reviews

[Lashaan Balasingam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shean Pao has a gifted writing talent that allowed her to compose one of the most beautiful short story out there. Drawing off meticulous and detailed descriptions, she was able to deliver a vivid and theatrical tale of a brave and righteous protagonist who seeks to do what's right in his world. Elah's Pearl is the story of Mokole and his brotherhood, the Bohar. Upon being forced to murder his own brother, the supposed Pearl of Elah, a potential ruler in a far future, Mokole explores his options and lingers puzzled as to what to do. Seeking the right path in one of the most important decisions in his life, this story is bound to capture your imagination in a dance for justice.

A moment of epiphany. That is all it took for the protagonist to realize what he was destined to do. This story starts off with a tense action scene. Not your typical action scene though. In the world of Muirru, a race marvellously described as a half amphibian-half human race, individuals can Challenge others. A challenge that consists on a dance battle that couldn't have been described any more splendidly through impeccable writing than Shean Pao has done. What's truly remarkable is how the author managed to jump into the story without dillydallying on character introductions. Managing to focus on the essence of the story, the author did an impeccable job at molding this short story into something very complete. Elah's Pearl also succeeds to depict its characters through their actions and their beliefs. As you read, you learn more about what kind of individual the protagonist is and what he's dealing with. More than complex, Mokole is shown as a conflicted individual with a strong sense of justice and this was portrayed with great details.

Short as it is, the story still managed to add in a great twist. One that was far from being predictable, yet the perfect choice for this 54 page plot. How do you not wish for more after reading a story this well told? Elah's Pearl is a short story set in a fictional fantasy world that is sure to plunge you in a universe you never imagined. Set sail into Mokole's destiny as he ponders on his brother's life. A life that others wonder if worth the slavery of thousands. This is definitely a quick must-read. Shean Pao is without doubt an author to follow.

Yours truly,

Lashaan,

Lashaan & Trang | Bloggers and Book Reviewers
Official blog: http://bookidote.wordpress.com

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know whether I would call this a novella so much as a short story, at this length and compression of action. But, bearing that in mind, Elah's Pearl earns its five stars. I received my copy of Elah's Pearl as a gift from the author, and in return I promised an honest review, so on to it!

THE GOOD
• New, intriguing society of mermaid/selkie lovelies
• Beautiful and engaging descriptions
• Sweet spot of info dumping and length, could work as a novel

I could easily see this piece being a longer novel (though not a novella, as shortly discussed), and I was honestly a bit disappointed that it wasn't stretched out to the length that it could have been. In 35 pages, Pao has crafted an intricate mer-society with its own pattern of naming, coming of age and challenge displays, and belief systems. Enough is revealed to get the reader to buy into it and want to know more without needing to know anything more to understand how the plot works. This society lives at the cusp of mermaid and selkie legends, drawing on a mythology I dearly love, so bonus points for Celtic water spirits. The details of the fins and skins for this species were my favorite part, followed by the Challenge and Display dances.

THE NOT-SO GOOD
• Ruined if read as anything more than a short story, almost too short with too many gaps in knowledge to be sustained without a novel's length
• Slightly contrived and compressed ending action

This story could easily have been a disaster. Let's be clear: this story is a short story, not a novella; I just don't think it reaches that far. Pao managed to end it at just the sweetest spot where nothing more needed to be said, but a sentence more, a push to novella without going to novel, would have ruined it. The reader is left with many questions about the details of this society, the caste system causing it grief, the legends of Elah and Elah's Pearl, the earth-walker Caera that Mokole loves. At thirty five pages, we can pass it off as a short story and suspend our curiosity as well as our disbelief, but anything more than this and less than a fully fleshed novel (which I will wholly say I think could be pulled off and would like to see) would have unbalanced everything. The action already feels a bit compressed, the ending climax a little contrived without the longer draw out of a novel, especially when Mokole has his epiphany regarding the "purpose" of the storm and loving Caera in the first placed. This is typical of short stories, though, and can be forgiven in light of all else.

So, in sum, it was a very short, very easy, and very pleasant read, with an intriguing spin on some old myths, and a surprising amount of detail for a short story. It earns its 5 stars. However, calling Elah's Pearl anything other than a short story sours the mood given all the gaps that are left; even if it could be extended to a novel, the intricacy Pao starts here isn't suited for a novella. Lastly, I'm very happy to have received this as a free gift, because no matter how pretty the language or engaging the story, I think I would have been much more disappointed at finding out the story was only 35 pages having paid for it and expected more.

Looking forward to seeing more from this author.

[Marmar · Rating 4 out of 5]

No words yet...

Thank you Shean Pao for sending this wonderful tale to me, thank you!

---UPDATE---
After three words I was into it: The beginning scene was so intricate. It raised so many questions that made me beg to know more. Putting the book down, or in this case, closing the Internet window was NOT an option. It continued flowing with detailed descriptions of a world so strange and new to me (definitely what a fantasy novel must be but what many books nowadays fail to do); It was like seeing rather than reading, which meant admiring a beautiful "under-the-sea-paradise" painting.
In a few pages I saw the plot get "juicy" and in a couple more it got"juicier". I am still amazed by that. I mean, in such a short time the story unfolded, there was character development, plot twists and revelations. You have to have magic powers to do that! I've read far longer books that never accomplish this not even in trilogies but Shean Pao did it in 36 pages!!!
I just want to say Fantasy is the escape I so often seek. I can forget all the problems of today and all the "impossible" things in this world. It fills me with hope and happiness. I can visit worlds of magic and faraway places AND it is all thanks to wonderful authors like Shean Pao, who, with their magic and sorcery, write books that expand the horizons, recreate all the maps, and open doors to the "impossible". Elah's Pearl is a beautiful example of this. I wasn't simply reading a book- I was THERE riding waves, submerging under the sea, walking on the warm sand, crying with the characters and fighting alongside them.
It was magical.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible first offering. I closed the book and re-opened to page one to read again. I wish I could say more, but *spoilers*

If you are a fantasy fan, read this book!

[Marc Royston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't recall ever reading any fantasy before that centered on the mer-folk. Typically, they have been ancillary characters with walk-on scenes.

In "Elah's Pearl", Shean Pao has invested the mer-folk with a rich history and a culture all their own. While this is a short story, the world she has built is well-detailed and fascinating. I certainly hope that she continues to expand upon this foundation and develop Mokole's tale in a novel if not in a series. I would certainly like to know more about the relationship between Mokole and Ceara and what happen's to Elah's chosen.

This was a light appetizer with a pleasant aftertaste. Next course?

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sicuramente ben scritto e coinvolgente, pur avendo una trentina di pagine, ma troppo complicato all'inizio da leggere, almeno per me, che guardavo le prime pagine così:

Poi sono riuscita a capirci qualcosa, anche se vedendo la copertina pensavo parlasse di sirene, invece parla di selkie, creature mitologiche scozzesi/irlandesi, che conoscevo e conosco davvero molto poco.
Un'idea quindi originale di inserire queste creature in un racconto.
Carica di emozioni nella sua brevità, tutto sommato mi è piaciuta questa novella.