A Deaf Hunter and a Mute Siren - A Captivating Tale

"Those are my words, not his. If you have an issue with me, bring it directly to me. I don't need anyone to fight my battles for me."

CHAMP.

This book is so good (chef's kiss). It is a true representation of Deaf characters and sign language.

Hunting Sirens by Mary Mecham

Treva is a Deaf blacksmith who designed weapons to help the ships pass through the siren-infested waters to help open trading again for her starving country. On the maiden voyage for her newest weapon, she - and the others - realized that she was immune to the sirens as she couldn't hear their call.

She ends up facing a different monster and is saved by a mute siren (Bayne). She is very suspicious of him at first but eventually, they fall in love.

He tells her stories, explaining how sirens created the first sign language. They play games and get to know each other on a deeper level. He shows her that she is more than just Deaf and he is more than just a Siren.

"With him, I wasn't simply The Deaf Girl. He didn't fear my attitude and seemed to genuinely care about my thoughts."

Eventually, they have to face the monster, her townspeople, and the sirens. Will they be able to stand up to the challenges that come or will they fall? I can't spoil it... it would be wrong... but let's just say - there is a TWIST I didn't see coming!

DEAF Representation

There were so many times within this book that I just went, THAT! and kept reading, wanting to relate to more with Treva. I don't often tab my book, though sometimes I do (or dog-ear it if I don't have a tab... I know, I know).

I loved the fact that the Deaf characters were unapologetically Deaf in this book. They had Deaf pride and even though there were only a couple of them, they represented their culture fully. They did not speak, but instead, Treva's brother Gage would interrpet. It mentioned that her cousin didn't know as much sign, so she carried around a tablet to write on for those who didn't sign. But her cousin (Korth) mentioned how he wished he knew more... and by the end of the book, had studied to be able to sign more than he did at the beginning. There were quirks that she mentioned hearing had and Deaf did not, and I loved reading each one.

"I counted myself fortunate that I didn't have to listen to all the superficial chatter that hearing people engaged in - the nonstop small talk that served as a vehicle for acknowledging one's existence, rather than actually getting to know someone on a deeper level."

I also want to note that in the beginning of the book, the author, Mary Mecham, does note that the sign language is NOT in ASL grammar but rather in English, and she had sensitivity readers. This is also listed on her website and I love how open she is with making sure that the characters she writes feel authentic!

Gender Roles

"I should be judged based on my accomplishments, not my gender."

I will note that Treva is adamant about being able to do things on her own and would be considered a "girl boss." Her mother despairs that she isn't acting like a "lady" and while I often don't act like a lady, I did relate to her. Though, at times, I did feel like she was stubborn rather than just being her authentic self. Treva pushes hard to be seen as as "good as a man" but at the same time, I think this is more because she is also pushing to be seen as more than that Deaf girl. Most people in the book do notice her deafness over her being a blacksmith and she is actually renown on the weapsons she builds in the book - they don't mind that she is a blacksmith (outside of her mother).

And as noted before, the siren in the book is male. He is mute, which means that he can't "call" humans to their deaths, but he is still a strong character and he loves that Treva isn't the traditional "lady" in the story, but rather, as strong as him.

Final Thoughts

I love books about mermaids, or sirens, and often use it as "research" for my WIP. I literally have entire china cabinet full of lighthouses and mermaid books (see this video) and I will always read them! But I don't always love them and it's been hard to truly feel as if I have found good Deaf representation in a siren story. Now, I understand that Treva isn't a siren, but I still count this book!

I love that the sirens were the ones who created sign language that the humans used within the book. The story of how it came to be is heartbreaking but what came out of it and how the human male continued to show his love for his siren is beautiful.

"... She stayed and began teaching the fisherman the signs that sirens used underwater to communicate. It is said that the man lived on and taught the sign language of the sirens to everyone he met, determined to let the language of their love live on, even though she was gone."

The romance didn't feel forced and it felt natural; it had time to grow into the characters wanting to be together. And at the end, this quote:

"I will follow you...whether I need legs or a tail, on land or the sea, into battle or during peace, I want to be with you."

If you haven't already understood, yes, I recommend this book. And now, I plan on grabbing several more of Mary Mecham's writings because not only do I love siren stories, but also, fairy tale retellings!

Happy Reading!