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The Revenge of Bridget Cleary
Exiled for a murder her father committed, Brigid Cleary has until midsummer to gather what she needs for readmission to her home in the fairy mound: a chest of stolen gold and a chest full of her father’s blood. With nothing but her own wits and an ability to be mostly unseen, she takes a position as a scullery maid in a country manor house, where stealing gold is easy as dusting the candlesticks.
When discovery of her thieving becomes likely, she scarpers, embarking on a madcap season in London. With midsummer fast approaching, Brigid must recoup her stolen gold in any way she can, even if it means modeling for a lecherous pre Raphaelite artist, posing as a young debutante to spy on other debutantes, and forming a clandestine Pugilism Club for Young Ladies.
With gold filling her pockets and her father newly released from prison, the path back to the fairies should be clear. Or would be, were it not for her growing feelings for Edmund, the gentle young lord who hired her to spy on his sister; her burgeoning sense of loyalty and friendship to Adelaide, the sister upon whom she was meant to spy; and the unsettling question of whether she should--or even could--bloodily avenge her mother’s death.
Inspired by the actual 1895 murder of Bridget Cleary by her husband Michael, the struggle for Irish Home Rule, and events surrounding the late pre Raphaelite artistic movement, The Revenge of Bridget Cleary has been heralded by author Joanna Ruth Meyer as "equal parts haunting, compelling, and throughtful."
When discovery of her thieving becomes likely, she scarpers, embarking on a madcap season in London. With midsummer fast approaching, Brigid must recoup her stolen gold in any way she can, even if it means modeling for a lecherous pre Raphaelite artist, posing as a young debutante to spy on other debutantes, and forming a clandestine Pugilism Club for Young Ladies.
With gold filling her pockets and her father newly released from prison, the path back to the fairies should be clear. Or would be, were it not for her growing feelings for Edmund, the gentle young lord who hired her to spy on his sister; her burgeoning sense of loyalty and friendship to Adelaide, the sister upon whom she was meant to spy; and the unsettling question of whether she should--or even could--bloodily avenge her mother’s death.
Inspired by the actual 1895 murder of Bridget Cleary by her husband Michael, the struggle for Irish Home Rule, and events surrounding the late pre Raphaelite artistic movement, The Revenge of Bridget Cleary has been heralded by author Joanna Ruth Meyer as "equal parts haunting, compelling, and throughtful."
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2022
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October 4, 2022
Brigid has been exiled from the Fairy Court for not stopping her father’s murder of her mother. She has until midsummer to bring proper offerings back to the court to regain access to her home, and so takes a scullery maid position in a manor house to begin accumulating the necessary gold. But when she runs the risk of discovery, she flees to the safety of an odd artist, where she meets another woman in a similar situation as hers. As time begins to run out, Brigid finds herself torn between her growing feelings for her friends and trying to fulfill the demands of the fairy queen.
This was a fascinating take on the true story of the 1890s murder of Bridget Cleary in Ireland. The author did an excellent job using this true event as a basis for a story of fairies, revenge, and displacement. I also enjoyed the incorporations of magic and details about the fairies that were included throughout an otherwise standard Victorian setting.
The characters made this book as good as it was. While they were all well written with unique personalities and excellent development, Brigid shone through. She was written with a lot of personality, sass, and wits, and this all came through in a wonderful way. I also highly enjoyed how different Florence and Adelaide were, but how all three of them were able to come together to aid each other.
The romance was good – it didn’t feel rushed or unrealistic, and I enjoyed that Edmund fell head-over-heels, while Brigid was much slower with her feelings. But the strongest relationships of this work were ones of sisterhood. I loved the interactions and feelings that developed between Florence, Adelaide, and Brigid. Combined, they made the whole story.
My only complaint about this work was that there were several errors and typos, so it could use another round of editing. My thanks to BookSirens and the publisher for allowing me to read and review a copy of this work, which will be published today (October 4th, 2022)! All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This was a fascinating take on the true story of the 1890s murder of Bridget Cleary in Ireland. The author did an excellent job using this true event as a basis for a story of fairies, revenge, and displacement. I also enjoyed the incorporations of magic and details about the fairies that were included throughout an otherwise standard Victorian setting.
The characters made this book as good as it was. While they were all well written with unique personalities and excellent development, Brigid shone through. She was written with a lot of personality, sass, and wits, and this all came through in a wonderful way. I also highly enjoyed how different Florence and Adelaide were, but how all three of them were able to come together to aid each other.
The romance was good – it didn’t feel rushed or unrealistic, and I enjoyed that Edmund fell head-over-heels, while Brigid was much slower with her feelings. But the strongest relationships of this work were ones of sisterhood. I loved the interactions and feelings that developed between Florence, Adelaide, and Brigid. Combined, they made the whole story.
My only complaint about this work was that there were several errors and typos, so it could use another round of editing. My thanks to BookSirens and the publisher for allowing me to read and review a copy of this work, which will be published today (October 4th, 2022)! All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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March 17, 2023THE REVENGE OF BRIDGET CLEARY is a romp and a hoot. Inspired by a real-life murder case from 1895 in which an Irish woman named Bridget Cleary was murdered by her husband and family under suspicion of being a fairy changeling, Mathilda Zeller's absolutely bonkers historical fantasy romp has fairies throws in pugilist fairies, dodgy Pre-Raphaelite artists, a bit of a creep factor and a whole lot of untameable girls romping around the countryside forging deep friendships.
I read this in beta and I love how the book has grown since! Florence, Adelaide, and Brigid are a terrific trio, and I loved that this book chose to give us not just a sisterhood but also a couple of brief but touching romances.
I read this in beta and I love how the book has grown since! Florence, Adelaide, and Brigid are a terrific trio, and I loved that this book chose to give us not just a sisterhood but also a couple of brief but touching romances.
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August 17, 2022purloining! ladies' pugilism! perfidious painters and pre-raphelite models!
but most of all: fairies, cool gold, and hot, bloody revenge.
The Revenge of Bridget Cleary is a story of betrayal and fear, and the savage hate it begets; a story of killing the thing you fear instead of learning how to deal with it, even if that means trying to burn it from your blood and the blood of those you should love.
it's a story of running wild with the fairies, spitting treacle tart crumbs in good company, and deceiving the man you love while gazing into his eyes. if Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell had a baby with Greta Gerwig's Little Women, this is certainly the wild, weird little book baby that would come out.
but most of all: fairies, cool gold, and hot, bloody revenge.
The Revenge of Bridget Cleary is a story of betrayal and fear, and the savage hate it begets; a story of killing the thing you fear instead of learning how to deal with it, even if that means trying to burn it from your blood and the blood of those you should love.
it's a story of running wild with the fairies, spitting treacle tart crumbs in good company, and deceiving the man you love while gazing into his eyes. if Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell had a baby with Greta Gerwig's Little Women, this is certainly the wild, weird little book baby that would come out.
August 12, 2022
I was provided with an eARC by the author in exchange for an honest review. A special thanks to her!
It's always a toughie to write a story based on true crime or real tragic events. There's always a risk of veering into misery porn and all the lurid details, at the detriment of giving victims the respect and compassion they're due. And all in all, it's risky to *actually* include fairies in a retelling of Bridget Cleary's story, because you might very well find yourself with a Philippa Gregory situation where you decide to make Jacquetta of Luxemburg and Elizabeth Woodville actual witches, while that was precisely an accusation that plagued them in real life based on jealousy and wanting to tear them down from a privileged position, and that could have very well led to their death like with many other women - ya know, just a wee bit insensitive.
In this story, while this Bridget was actually involved with fairies (and that's all I'm willing to say without going into spoilers territory), it is careful to portray as a woman who was brave, hard-working, but caring and fearless, who accompanies her daughter as a guardian angel of sorts through her impossible quest to appease the Fairy Queen, and whose said involvement with fairies stops nothing short of heroic. I very, VERY rarely cry reading books, but the reveals about the Cleary family were touching enough it pulled out a few tears from me. Okay. I was bawling. And drinking a beer.
The story plays like your typical Victorian period melodrama pastiche (in a good way), with a plucky heroine, Brigid, and her fairy sisterhood of Adelaide and Florence, sisterhood, as they are pitted (among other things) against a fictional member of the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood all too reminiscent of their tendency to idealize their models perhaps a bit too much (*cough* #justiceforlizziesiddal *cough*). They are much more central to Brigid's story than her love interest is, a young nobleman by the name of Edmund who's somewhere between a himbo and a male ingenue. The story plays with themes of class, oppression, Victorian gender norms, but while the revenge is brought to a satisfactory but unexpected resolution, it manages to bring on themes of forgiveness and redemption that could easily be trite and tacked on, but are well-integrated to the story and meaningful.
All in all, this is a lovely debut that I recommend checking out if you're looking for Victorian-set stories with a dash of fantasy - and I promise that the history nerd that I am didn't have any eye-twitches. You're in good hands.
It's always a toughie to write a story based on true crime or real tragic events. There's always a risk of veering into misery porn and all the lurid details, at the detriment of giving victims the respect and compassion they're due. And all in all, it's risky to *actually* include fairies in a retelling of Bridget Cleary's story, because you might very well find yourself with a Philippa Gregory situation where you decide to make Jacquetta of Luxemburg and Elizabeth Woodville actual witches, while that was precisely an accusation that plagued them in real life based on jealousy and wanting to tear them down from a privileged position, and that could have very well led to their death like with many other women - ya know, just a wee bit insensitive.
In this story, while this Bridget was actually involved with fairies (and that's all I'm willing to say without going into spoilers territory), it is careful to portray as a woman who was brave, hard-working, but caring and fearless, who accompanies her daughter as a guardian angel of sorts through her impossible quest to appease the Fairy Queen, and whose said involvement with fairies stops nothing short of heroic. I very, VERY rarely cry reading books, but the reveals about the Cleary family were touching enough it pulled out a few tears from me. Okay. I was bawling. And drinking a beer.
The story plays like your typical Victorian period melodrama pastiche (in a good way), with a plucky heroine, Brigid, and her fairy sisterhood of Adelaide and Florence, sisterhood, as they are pitted (among other things) against a fictional member of the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood all too reminiscent of their tendency to idealize their models perhaps a bit too much (*cough* #justiceforlizziesiddal *cough*). They are much more central to Brigid's story than her love interest is, a young nobleman by the name of Edmund who's somewhere between a himbo and a male ingenue. The story plays with themes of class, oppression, Victorian gender norms, but while the revenge is brought to a satisfactory but unexpected resolution, it manages to bring on themes of forgiveness and redemption that could easily be trite and tacked on, but are well-integrated to the story and meaningful.
All in all, this is a lovely debut that I recommend checking out if you're looking for Victorian-set stories with a dash of fantasy - and I promise that the history nerd that I am didn't have any eye-twitches. You're in good hands.
August 11, 2023
Review originally on JamReads
The Revenge of Bridget Cleary is a novel between many genres, touching by moments horror, historical fiction and fantasy, written by Mathilda Zeller, and one of SFPBO9 entries. Inspired by gruesome real historical events (the murder of Bridget Cleary), this book follows her fictional daughter, Brigit, who has been expelled from the fairy mound; all due to the terrible acts of her father.
Brigit needs two things to be readmitted into the court: a chest full of stolen gold, and a chest filled with her father's blood. While getting the second one might be more difficult, the first one is definitely doable, being employed as a scullery maid in a country manor; when her thievery is likely to become discovered, she flees to London, employed as a model for a kinda suspicious Pre-Raphaelite artist.
And well, Brigit's life becomes even more interesting once the young Lord Edmund decides to hire her for spying on her sister, Adelaide. In this position, and with his father soon to be released from prison, returning to fairy's mould starts to be doable; but if something can define the life of our heroine are unexpected things and how she will have to recur to her wit and the help of others.
With this premise, Zeller manages to weave a really interesting and thoughtful novel, really faithful to the historical details; for moments, we could be reading historical fiction. But also, for moments, especially when this novel touches upon the more supernatural themes and the fairy world, gothic horror takes the control over the plot. And while this mashup of genres might be difficult to harmonize, Zeller achieves the perfect equilibrium to please all the tastes.
It also deserves a mention how the chapter titles follow the style of Dumas, working as a small descriptor of the actions that will happen during the chapter.
Brigit is a well crafted character, a girl that is suffering the consequences of others acts, just trying to return to the land she felt as her home; followed by the spirit of Bridget, we will see many interesting discussions, especially when their opinions collide. Difficulties have made her a resourceful girl, but that doesn't exempt her from sometimes taking stupid decisions; and when she falls in love with Lord Edmund, that clear path she had would become muddier.
Some of the secondary characters felt rather plain to me, designed just to fulfill a role, but it's true that once we get to know better out of some of them, like Edmund and Adelaide, they are much deep than I expected at first sight.
During a big part of the novel, expectations are pretty clear even if the way the plot will take to fulfill them might not be clear; but all changes when Zeller introduces a twist in the middle of the book, something unexpected but which put in context, ends making the plot much more hooking.
Superstition and real fairies are key pieces to the plot, as Brigit is persecuted by the fairy hunters; part of her family fears that possibility and won't stop until they "purify" her as they did with her mother. And the fairy court, even if it's kept in the dark most of the time, is at the same time powerful and terrifying, capricious and bloodlusts, putting a weight in the shoulders of Brigit that she shouldn't have.
The Revenge of Bridget Cleary is an exceptionally well written debut novel, which manages to create an interesting story using as the foundation the gruesome murder of Bridget Cleary (and don't worry, the author explains it at the start of the book). I'm certainly in awe of reading more from Mathilda Zeller, because this first book has been impressive.
The Revenge of Bridget Cleary is a novel between many genres, touching by moments horror, historical fiction and fantasy, written by Mathilda Zeller, and one of SFPBO9 entries. Inspired by gruesome real historical events (the murder of Bridget Cleary), this book follows her fictional daughter, Brigit, who has been expelled from the fairy mound; all due to the terrible acts of her father.
Brigit needs two things to be readmitted into the court: a chest full of stolen gold, and a chest filled with her father's blood. While getting the second one might be more difficult, the first one is definitely doable, being employed as a scullery maid in a country manor; when her thievery is likely to become discovered, she flees to London, employed as a model for a kinda suspicious Pre-Raphaelite artist.
And well, Brigit's life becomes even more interesting once the young Lord Edmund decides to hire her for spying on her sister, Adelaide. In this position, and with his father soon to be released from prison, returning to fairy's mould starts to be doable; but if something can define the life of our heroine are unexpected things and how she will have to recur to her wit and the help of others.
With this premise, Zeller manages to weave a really interesting and thoughtful novel, really faithful to the historical details; for moments, we could be reading historical fiction. But also, for moments, especially when this novel touches upon the more supernatural themes and the fairy world, gothic horror takes the control over the plot. And while this mashup of genres might be difficult to harmonize, Zeller achieves the perfect equilibrium to please all the tastes.
It also deserves a mention how the chapter titles follow the style of Dumas, working as a small descriptor of the actions that will happen during the chapter.
Brigit is a well crafted character, a girl that is suffering the consequences of others acts, just trying to return to the land she felt as her home; followed by the spirit of Bridget, we will see many interesting discussions, especially when their opinions collide. Difficulties have made her a resourceful girl, but that doesn't exempt her from sometimes taking stupid decisions; and when she falls in love with Lord Edmund, that clear path she had would become muddier.
Some of the secondary characters felt rather plain to me, designed just to fulfill a role, but it's true that once we get to know better out of some of them, like Edmund and Adelaide, they are much deep than I expected at first sight.
During a big part of the novel, expectations are pretty clear even if the way the plot will take to fulfill them might not be clear; but all changes when Zeller introduces a twist in the middle of the book, something unexpected but which put in context, ends making the plot much more hooking.
Superstition and real fairies are key pieces to the plot, as Brigit is persecuted by the fairy hunters; part of her family fears that possibility and won't stop until they "purify" her as they did with her mother. And the fairy court, even if it's kept in the dark most of the time, is at the same time powerful and terrifying, capricious and bloodlusts, putting a weight in the shoulders of Brigit that she shouldn't have.
The Revenge of Bridget Cleary is an exceptionally well written debut novel, which manages to create an interesting story using as the foundation the gruesome murder of Bridget Cleary (and don't worry, the author explains it at the start of the book). I'm certainly in awe of reading more from Mathilda Zeller, because this first book has been impressive.
January 5, 2023
My childhood was threaded through with wishes and dreams of Ireland and fairy lights and I wanted nothing more than to lose myself in a circle of toadstools. This old childhood yearning plus my recent fascination with Pre-Raphaelite art (inspired by the movie Ophelia which is an excellent film example of this era) prompted me to read The Revenge of Bridget Cleary.
Mathilda Zeller knows her way around words. There were several times were I had to drag out a dictionary in order to remember what pugilism and prevaricating meant. The flow of her descriptions and the feel of the novel were very good and I immediately felt as though I understood Brigid and Adelaide.
My three stars comes from one thing. Edmund was a flat, unchanging character. We never really got to see him descend as he fell in love with Brigid. It seemed like he was in love with her the very first moment he had to stare into her eyes and then he continued in that manner for the rest of the book. I kept expecting him to come to that realization of her fairyness and come to her rescue as the knight he always clanked around as in the art studio. And even in the end, it was Adelaide that had the wits and saved the two of them from sure slavery to the slightly unhinged Fairy Queen. As a romantic character he did not pull me in.
However, (that gleaming however that did make me like the book in the end) was Adelaide and Florence and Brigid and their wonderfully scintillating character fluctuation and development. The friendship between these three women was masterfully written and I felt sure that any of them would have walked through fire for one another. Sisterhood brought about by horrid circumstances is the kind that will last forever.
I came expecting a humorous love story, and left with the lasting impression of female friendship and how important and mighty it can be.
Mathilda Zeller knows her way around words. There were several times were I had to drag out a dictionary in order to remember what pugilism and prevaricating meant. The flow of her descriptions and the feel of the novel were very good and I immediately felt as though I understood Brigid and Adelaide.
My three stars comes from one thing. Edmund was a flat, unchanging character. We never really got to see him descend as he fell in love with Brigid. It seemed like he was in love with her the very first moment he had to stare into her eyes and then he continued in that manner for the rest of the book. I kept expecting him to come to that realization of her fairyness and come to her rescue as the knight he always clanked around as in the art studio. And even in the end, it was Adelaide that had the wits and saved the two of them from sure slavery to the slightly unhinged Fairy Queen. As a romantic character he did not pull me in.
However, (that gleaming however that did make me like the book in the end) was Adelaide and Florence and Brigid and their wonderfully scintillating character fluctuation and development. The friendship between these three women was masterfully written and I felt sure that any of them would have walked through fire for one another. Sisterhood brought about by horrid circumstances is the kind that will last forever.
I came expecting a humorous love story, and left with the lasting impression of female friendship and how important and mighty it can be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2023
After the disaster which was my last read for this Challenge, I immediately realised that this book was perfect for laying that ghost to rest, which is topical because that is the theme of this entire story: Brigid Cleary is driven to avenge the brutal torture and murder of her mother, Bridget Cleary, who was a real-life victim of extreme domestic violence in 1895. A historical note at the beginning of the book shares the facts.
Mathilda Zeller creates the world clearly and the characters are mostly very well developed. You find yourself longing for Brigid to find the peace that she's so desperate for; being thankful - or perhaps wishing - for friends like Florence and Adelaide, and falling in love with Edmund and willing him not to let you down. Perhaps the only character who convinced me less than entirely was Mr Baxby. I felt like the whole story could have been rewritten from his point of view and he would have been a sorry character. How lovely to be back with characters who you felt like you could properly invest in though!
The pace of the book is very good. I usually read one chapter a night and, occasionally, could absolutely not wait to find out what happened next so would need to keep reading. You always feel as though there is something happening, rather than just any chapters which are in as fillers. I also loved the use of chapter headings such as, "In Which Our Heroine Confronts a Villain," as they really give an added sense of time to the story.
This should have been a five star book: I loved it and was gripped from beginning to end (did I mention, the ending is spectacular!)
The reason is isn't a five star review from me is because it was like an almost-finished product. The copy I received was in need of a final edit and proofread, and there were occasions throughout where this jerked me out of the world which was created by the story. Mostly, they were typos or formatting errors (the use of italics is essential in the story because they demonstrate when Brigid is hearing the voice of her dead mother in her head) but there were a couple of historical inaccuracies too. The Ireland described in the books is more in line with 19th century rather than 1910, which I believe is when the story is set. Irish history is a passion of mine, so I am certain that some of the things which didn't sit right with me wouldn't bother anyone else.
Mathilda Zeller is a talented author and, in The Revenge of Bridget Cleary, she has cleverly created a world which draws you quickly and deeply into an adventure with a great deal at stake. It just makes me annoyed that good authors can't always access affordable editorial support - and this is something which we're attempting to address with Crowvus Piapiac.
Mathilda Zeller creates the world clearly and the characters are mostly very well developed. You find yourself longing for Brigid to find the peace that she's so desperate for; being thankful - or perhaps wishing - for friends like Florence and Adelaide, and falling in love with Edmund and willing him not to let you down. Perhaps the only character who convinced me less than entirely was Mr Baxby. I felt like the whole story could have been rewritten from his point of view and he would have been a sorry character. How lovely to be back with characters who you felt like you could properly invest in though!
The pace of the book is very good. I usually read one chapter a night and, occasionally, could absolutely not wait to find out what happened next so would need to keep reading. You always feel as though there is something happening, rather than just any chapters which are in as fillers. I also loved the use of chapter headings such as, "In Which Our Heroine Confronts a Villain," as they really give an added sense of time to the story.
This should have been a five star book: I loved it and was gripped from beginning to end (did I mention, the ending is spectacular!)
The reason is isn't a five star review from me is because it was like an almost-finished product. The copy I received was in need of a final edit and proofread, and there were occasions throughout where this jerked me out of the world which was created by the story. Mostly, they were typos or formatting errors (the use of italics is essential in the story because they demonstrate when Brigid is hearing the voice of her dead mother in her head) but there were a couple of historical inaccuracies too. The Ireland described in the books is more in line with 19th century rather than 1910, which I believe is when the story is set. Irish history is a passion of mine, so I am certain that some of the things which didn't sit right with me wouldn't bother anyone else.
Mathilda Zeller is a talented author and, in The Revenge of Bridget Cleary, she has cleverly created a world which draws you quickly and deeply into an adventure with a great deal at stake. It just makes me annoyed that good authors can't always access affordable editorial support - and this is something which we're attempting to address with Crowvus Piapiac.
October 17, 2022
Brigid was banished from the Fairy Court because he failed to stop his father from murdering his mother. She needs to return the proper offerings to the court to regain access to her home by midsummer, so she takes a job as a kitchen maid at her mansion to start raising the necessary money. However, at the risk of being discovered, she escapes to the safety of an unknown artist, where she meets another woman in a similar situation to hers. Find yourself torn between trying to meet the Fairy Queen's demands. Bridget Cleary's Revenge is a great story loosely based on the murder of Bridget Cleary.In this story, fairy tale daughter Bridget embarks on revenge but along the way makes friends, clashes, and flies to Stonehenge. And fall in love with all sorts of things!!! Great fun to read and all the supporting characters are great. I strongly recommend it!I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 2, 2023
Several times I tried to start this book to no avail. I don't know why but it didn't sit until this morning when I remembered that I needed to try to start it again
And it sat quite well with me!
This is a weird sort of book, to be quite honest, but I like weird books and the weirdness is what made it quite lovely. Alongside the weird things, I enjoyed the female friendships and the sweet, mostly uncomplicated romances and the fairy lore and even the history that I was, prior to reading this book, unaware of.
I can't promise that everyone will like this one because of the aforementioned strange elements, but it's a lovely rewritten historical fantasy with a lot of fun to be had along the way, so give it go!
And it sat quite well with me!
This is a weird sort of book, to be quite honest, but I like weird books and the weirdness is what made it quite lovely. Alongside the weird things, I enjoyed the female friendships and the sweet, mostly uncomplicated romances and the fairy lore and even the history that I was, prior to reading this book, unaware of.
I can't promise that everyone will like this one because of the aforementioned strange elements, but it's a lovely rewritten historical fantasy with a lot of fun to be had along the way, so give it go!
December 31, 2022
received an ARC but am historically horrible at reviewing them so while I ashamedly cannot remember details, I do remember I solidly enjoyed this book and the faery elements were satisfying!
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August 25, 2022The Revenge of Bridget Cleary is filled with the strength of sisterhood, healing generational trauma, and the complex meaning of justice. I appreciated the crisp language and witty dialog. But most of all I loved the satire on socially condoned darkness. Though the story deals with the horror of an extended-family provoked murder, it focuses more on the strength that comes from sharing trials with those you trust and how to both forgive and to hold to justice.
December 7, 2022
The Revenge of Bridget Cleary is a supernatural historical tale.
Are you a witch? Are you a fairy? Are you the daughter of Bridget Cleary?
Brigid has been accused by the Queen Of The Fairies of being an accessory to her mother’s murder. She has until midsummer’s eve to fill a chest with gold and a chest with blood to appease the queen. Brigid is working on the chest of gold, putting her job as a scullery maid in a large house to good use. But the chest of blood is harder to fill.
With a ghost talking in her head and her fairy powers mistakenly shared with a mortal, Brigid hops from one potential disaster to another in this fun and magical story. I liked this galloping adventure with its fairy lore and Irish charm, and can quite happily recommend it.
Are you a witch? Are you a fairy? Are you the daughter of Bridget Cleary?
Brigid has been accused by the Queen Of The Fairies of being an accessory to her mother’s murder. She has until midsummer’s eve to fill a chest with gold and a chest with blood to appease the queen. Brigid is working on the chest of gold, putting her job as a scullery maid in a large house to good use. But the chest of blood is harder to fill.
With a ghost talking in her head and her fairy powers mistakenly shared with a mortal, Brigid hops from one potential disaster to another in this fun and magical story. I liked this galloping adventure with its fairy lore and Irish charm, and can quite happily recommend it.
September 23, 2022
This was so good! I couldn't put it down. I'm not a huge fantasy lover so fairies didn't appeal to me (although it was interesting to see them hidden in plain sight in the world) but I loved the characters, the friendship between the women, the plot, and the twists and turns. I appreciated how the male and female characters both had great character growth throughout the novel. I was happy it tied together so nicely in the end but I also kind of wanted to anxiously wait for a sequel.
May 11, 2023
This is a beautifully-written, haunting read. I am not kidding you when I say I thought about this book for months after I read it. Powerful female friendships, faeries, revenge, victorian ladies fight club… what more could you want?
August 18, 2022
I received an eARC of this novel from the author, and these are my honest thoughts about it!
"The Revenge of Bridget Cleary" is a fine specimen of a magical feminist quest set in the middle of a period drama. Brigid Cleary, the fictional daughter of the real Bridget Cleary, an independent Irish woman brutally murdered by her husband, must avenge her later mother by presenting chests full of stolen gold and her father’s blood to the Fairy Queen, all while being a lonely woman in the 20th century with no one but her mother’s spirit to guide her. Right here are the bones of, what promises to be, a weird and wonderful adventure. And the book delivers on this promise – to a great extent.
The story starts off great and unfolds smoothly, as, one by one, we are introduced to its quirky characters: Adelaide, a young aristocratic lady, accidently turned to an insane feral fairy by our erring heroine, Florence, a fiery fallen fairy, who starts of as our heroine’s rival and then her best friend, protector, and lady’s maid (?), the treacherous artist Baxby, the bland but traditionally romantic Edmund Fortescue, and finally his equally cliched stepmother. All and all the ingredients are ready for an interesting interpersonal drama. And that is just what the book becomes after a while – a period drama.
Our heroine’s bloody quest appears to be forgotten somewhere by the middle of the book, which is primarily consumed by periodic threats to her life, the wild fairy adventures of her likeable (but somewhat banal) sisterhood with Adelaide and Florence, courtships, heartbreaks and stuff like that.
What keeps the reader going, however, is the desire to find out how the quest started at the beginning of the book would be fulfilled and how the eponymous revenge of Bridget Cleary would be achieved. And boy, do we get that!
While most of such adventure novels would deliver via a relatively straightforward fulfilment of the quest at the hands of the protagonist, "The Revenge of Bridget Cleary" is set apart by its many twists and turns, how many times it brings you close to believing that all it lost, and it will be one of those books with an unresolved ending. But in the end the revenge is pulled off, in ways least expected by the reader, and in the process many of the story’s subplots are tied together and many of its characters receive their due justice.
The book’s strengths remain its side heroines: the wild, yet wise, Adelaide and the street-smart and loyal Florence. They come out at characters you would root for and applaud, and more than make up for Our Heroine, who comes out as the most tiresomely angsty, stubborn, and useless central heroine since Harry Potter, whose quest is fulfilled by the cleverness of others, last-moment luck, and fortunate technicalities in the clauses of the prophecy.
All being said, there is a great deal going on for “The Revenge of Bridget Cleary”. Here is a resolution of a historical murder that brings out the many, often neglected layers of female personas: how women can both start and resolve generational conflict, how they can be victims of their own flaws and needs as well as self-sacrificing heroines for others, how they can be wild and wise at the same time, simultaneously sold-out yet independent, and capable of extending forgiveness after baying for blood. The male side is not neglected either, the book brings out time and again how dangerous men are the most fearful ones and how the most unforgivable sinners can have the capacity of genuine remorse.
Chaotic but addictive, witty and gut-wrenching, sometimes confusing yet well-written through and through, "The Revenge of Bridget Cleary" is definitely something you should put on your reading list if you like properly researched period dramas that have a touch of true crime, are driven by strong female characters and offer a fair dose horror and magic.
"The Revenge of Bridget Cleary" is a fine specimen of a magical feminist quest set in the middle of a period drama. Brigid Cleary, the fictional daughter of the real Bridget Cleary, an independent Irish woman brutally murdered by her husband, must avenge her later mother by presenting chests full of stolen gold and her father’s blood to the Fairy Queen, all while being a lonely woman in the 20th century with no one but her mother’s spirit to guide her. Right here are the bones of, what promises to be, a weird and wonderful adventure. And the book delivers on this promise – to a great extent.
The story starts off great and unfolds smoothly, as, one by one, we are introduced to its quirky characters: Adelaide, a young aristocratic lady, accidently turned to an insane feral fairy by our erring heroine, Florence, a fiery fallen fairy, who starts of as our heroine’s rival and then her best friend, protector, and lady’s maid (?), the treacherous artist Baxby, the bland but traditionally romantic Edmund Fortescue, and finally his equally cliched stepmother. All and all the ingredients are ready for an interesting interpersonal drama. And that is just what the book becomes after a while – a period drama.
Our heroine’s bloody quest appears to be forgotten somewhere by the middle of the book, which is primarily consumed by periodic threats to her life, the wild fairy adventures of her likeable (but somewhat banal) sisterhood with Adelaide and Florence, courtships, heartbreaks and stuff like that.
What keeps the reader going, however, is the desire to find out how the quest started at the beginning of the book would be fulfilled and how the eponymous revenge of Bridget Cleary would be achieved. And boy, do we get that!
While most of such adventure novels would deliver via a relatively straightforward fulfilment of the quest at the hands of the protagonist, "The Revenge of Bridget Cleary" is set apart by its many twists and turns, how many times it brings you close to believing that all it lost, and it will be one of those books with an unresolved ending. But in the end the revenge is pulled off, in ways least expected by the reader, and in the process many of the story’s subplots are tied together and many of its characters receive their due justice.
The book’s strengths remain its side heroines: the wild, yet wise, Adelaide and the street-smart and loyal Florence. They come out at characters you would root for and applaud, and more than make up for Our Heroine, who comes out as the most tiresomely angsty, stubborn, and useless central heroine since Harry Potter, whose quest is fulfilled by the cleverness of others, last-moment luck, and fortunate technicalities in the clauses of the prophecy.
All being said, there is a great deal going on for “The Revenge of Bridget Cleary”. Here is a resolution of a historical murder that brings out the many, often neglected layers of female personas: how women can both start and resolve generational conflict, how they can be victims of their own flaws and needs as well as self-sacrificing heroines for others, how they can be wild and wise at the same time, simultaneously sold-out yet independent, and capable of extending forgiveness after baying for blood. The male side is not neglected either, the book brings out time and again how dangerous men are the most fearful ones and how the most unforgivable sinners can have the capacity of genuine remorse.
Chaotic but addictive, witty and gut-wrenching, sometimes confusing yet well-written through and through, "The Revenge of Bridget Cleary" is definitely something you should put on your reading list if you like properly researched period dramas that have a touch of true crime, are driven by strong female characters and offer a fair dose horror and magic.
September 28, 2022
Basing a fictional story off of a real murder can go wrong in so many ways. It could be easy to disrespect the victim for drama, but The Revenge of Bridget Cleary manages to strike a balance of letting the reader know exactly how brutal the real life murder of Bridget Cleary was without simply using her death as entertainment. Bridget Cleary is a character with a voice here, and the main thrust of the book is dealing with injustice; the injustice of the Bridget Cleary’s murder, of her husband’s accusations, of the punishment laid on poor Brigid by the Fairy Court, of the treatment of women by men who think than can get away with it, of the treatment of the powerless by the powerful in general, and of Brigid, the protagonist, trying to meet those injustices head-on.
The characters are enjoyable. Brigid makes for a good protagonist, Michael Cleary and the Cleary family are effective bogeymen, Edmund is a lot of fun (I saw another review call him a himbo, and that’s not entirely inaccurate), and Florence and Adelaide with Brigid make for a good trio of women supporting each other and finding their agency. Adelaide in particular feels a little like an answer to Lady Pole, or maybe Charlotte Lucas, in a way that doesn’t feel at all like it’s diminishing the role of those two women in their books.
As for negatives, there’s not too much to say. Some of the chapter titles felt labored, I wish the landscapes had been a little more concrete at times, and there’s a few odd turns of phrase that feel a little awkward and out of place, But my main complaint comes down to the pacing feeling too fast—and you can probably chalk that up to personal taste. Would I have liked the story (generally and the first half of the last chapter especially) to breathe a little more? Yes, but my favorite book is Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, a book whose pacing is leisurely, at best, so my opinion on the pace of this book might not be completely valid.
Overall, though, this is a very enjoyable book. It’s thoughtful, brisk, funny at times and haunting at others, and one particular passage towards the end had me in tears.
Also, the exchanges between Brigid and her mother are gold.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The characters are enjoyable. Brigid makes for a good protagonist, Michael Cleary and the Cleary family are effective bogeymen, Edmund is a lot of fun (I saw another review call him a himbo, and that’s not entirely inaccurate), and Florence and Adelaide with Brigid make for a good trio of women supporting each other and finding their agency. Adelaide in particular feels a little like an answer to Lady Pole, or maybe Charlotte Lucas, in a way that doesn’t feel at all like it’s diminishing the role of those two women in their books.
As for negatives, there’s not too much to say. Some of the chapter titles felt labored, I wish the landscapes had been a little more concrete at times, and there’s a few odd turns of phrase that feel a little awkward and out of place, But my main complaint comes down to the pacing feeling too fast—and you can probably chalk that up to personal taste. Would I have liked the story (generally and the first half of the last chapter especially) to breathe a little more? Yes, but my favorite book is Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, a book whose pacing is leisurely, at best, so my opinion on the pace of this book might not be completely valid.
Overall, though, this is a very enjoyable book. It’s thoughtful, brisk, funny at times and haunting at others, and one particular passage towards the end had me in tears.
Also, the exchanges between Brigid and her mother are gold.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 13, 2022
I am reviewing this based on an eARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I was really excited about this book—regardless of premise—because of how much I loved Zeller’s debut novelette, “The Incident at Veniaminov.” But it’s a very different story, and The Revenge of Bridget Cleary honestly read a little young for me.
The prose is pretty crisp and clean—you can tell the author has a good pulse on how the sentences flow together—and the plot is…well, it’s not an unusual young adult plot. Heroine is in a pickle through no fault of her own, has to complete a seemingly impossible task, might fall in love along the way. If that’s what you’re here for, it’s all there. If it’s not what’s drawing you in, you may not be the right audience here.
There was only one element that I’d consider a real negative here, and it was how characters seemed to easily turn on a dime. Your best friend is assaulting someone? Can’t believe he would do that—we’re done! Your lover is cheating on you? Can’t believe he would do that—we’re done! This might just be a feature of being written toward the younger side of YA, but I find that in real life, people are extremely unwilling to believe the worst about their friends and lovers and must be brought to the truth kicking and screaming. Here, one bit of testimony and it’s like the relationship never was. It certainly kept the tale moving along at a brisk pace, but at the cost of some character depth.
But the main plot was able to explore some interesting themes, dealing with guilt and redemption and reminding us how individual sins are twisted to justify societal oppression. I appreciated the lead’s dedication to giving people the opportunity to change (and, if this falls apart in one important moment, it’s at least a very satisfying moment), and everything ties together in a way that’s clever and allows each character to take the steps that seem appropriate for the story.
First impression: 13/20. Full review to come at www.tarvolon.com
I was really excited about this book—regardless of premise—because of how much I loved Zeller’s debut novelette, “The Incident at Veniaminov.” But it’s a very different story, and The Revenge of Bridget Cleary honestly read a little young for me.
The prose is pretty crisp and clean—you can tell the author has a good pulse on how the sentences flow together—and the plot is…well, it’s not an unusual young adult plot. Heroine is in a pickle through no fault of her own, has to complete a seemingly impossible task, might fall in love along the way. If that’s what you’re here for, it’s all there. If it’s not what’s drawing you in, you may not be the right audience here.
There was only one element that I’d consider a real negative here, and it was how characters seemed to easily turn on a dime. Your best friend is assaulting someone? Can’t believe he would do that—we’re done! Your lover is cheating on you? Can’t believe he would do that—we’re done! This might just be a feature of being written toward the younger side of YA, but I find that in real life, people are extremely unwilling to believe the worst about their friends and lovers and must be brought to the truth kicking and screaming. Here, one bit of testimony and it’s like the relationship never was. It certainly kept the tale moving along at a brisk pace, but at the cost of some character depth.
But the main plot was able to explore some interesting themes, dealing with guilt and redemption and reminding us how individual sins are twisted to justify societal oppression. I appreciated the lead’s dedication to giving people the opportunity to change (and, if this falls apart in one important moment, it’s at least a very satisfying moment), and everything ties together in a way that’s clever and allows each character to take the steps that seem appropriate for the story.
First impression: 13/20. Full review to come at www.tarvolon.com
September 4, 2022
BOOK:-THE REVENGE OF BRIDGET CLEARY BY MATHILDA OF ZELLER
BOOK REVIEWER:- OKOKO AYEZU TAMARAPREYE.
SYNOPSIS:-
A fairy story with Brigid Clearly the daughter of Michael and Bridget Cleary as the major character with a sisterhood of fairies and a fairy court presided over by the fairy queen which banishes and makes demand on our grieving heroin on her mother wanting her fathers blood. The story Mirrors allegations of murder;petty crime of steal and gossip looking at the three categories of crime from felony;Misdemeanor to simple offences. It's a story on magic;secrets,agriculture,gardening and witchcraft wherein the writer tries to create a distinction between kleptomania and stealing and the defense of insanity.It looks at the English court and whether a short jail sentence was adequate punishment to avenge for murder.The story also looks at domestic violence of Brigid's father landing blows on her mothers beautiful face;whether it was morally wrong or legally wrong to stand in defence of a criminal as a lawyer;whether an asylum was a reformative place or a place of hell and death and Brigid's protection of her mother.The book uses symbolism to describe words such as grave.
LESSONS LEARNT FROM THE STORY
👍🏿The dangers of a lack of trust is seen in the shedding of Brigid's mothers blood due to her fathers paranoia.
👍🏿Hell hath no fury like a women scorned.
APPLICATION OF LESSONS LEARNT
While it may be morally wrong to defend a criminal ,I am not aware of a legal prohibition of same
BOOK REVIEWER:- OKOKO AYEZU TAMARAPREYE.
SYNOPSIS:-
A fairy story with Brigid Clearly the daughter of Michael and Bridget Cleary as the major character with a sisterhood of fairies and a fairy court presided over by the fairy queen which banishes and makes demand on our grieving heroin on her mother wanting her fathers blood. The story Mirrors allegations of murder;petty crime of steal and gossip looking at the three categories of crime from felony;Misdemeanor to simple offences. It's a story on magic;secrets,agriculture,gardening and witchcraft wherein the writer tries to create a distinction between kleptomania and stealing and the defense of insanity.It looks at the English court and whether a short jail sentence was adequate punishment to avenge for murder.The story also looks at domestic violence of Brigid's father landing blows on her mothers beautiful face;whether it was morally wrong or legally wrong to stand in defence of a criminal as a lawyer;whether an asylum was a reformative place or a place of hell and death and Brigid's protection of her mother.The book uses symbolism to describe words such as grave.
LESSONS LEARNT FROM THE STORY
👍🏿The dangers of a lack of trust is seen in the shedding of Brigid's mothers blood due to her fathers paranoia.
👍🏿Hell hath no fury like a women scorned.
APPLICATION OF LESSONS LEARNT
While it may be morally wrong to defend a criminal ,I am not aware of a legal prohibition of same
September 21, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Inspired by the actual 1895 murder of Bridget Cleary by her husband Michael, The Revenge of Bridget Cleary is a story of betrayal and fear, but also about making peace with our demons.
I didn't know about the Cleary, but I would say it's risky to include fairies in a retelling of her story. Despite that, I really liked the way Bridget Cleary is portrayed and how her story is told. Though it deals with the horror of a murder, it focuses more on the strength that comes from shared trials and how to both forgive and do justice.
The book also addresses the struggle for Irish Home Rule, events surrounding the late pre-Raphaelite artistic movement, and themes of class, oppression, and Victorian gender norms.
There's romance, but I enjoyed how the sisterhood (between our main character and the wild, yet wise Adelaide, and the street-smart and loyal Florence) is much more central to Brigid's story than her love interest is. Each character was well integrated into the plot, whilst not feeling like they were there as ‘side characters.’ I didn't love Brigid, the main character, but I was invested in her quest and I cried and gasped several times.
With a clean and crisp prose, this historical drama promises true crime, healing generational trauma, wicked faeries, tender romance, feminism, and many twists and turns. I just wished it was longer to have a more balanced pace.
Inspired by the actual 1895 murder of Bridget Cleary by her husband Michael, The Revenge of Bridget Cleary is a story of betrayal and fear, but also about making peace with our demons.
I didn't know about the Cleary, but I would say it's risky to include fairies in a retelling of her story. Despite that, I really liked the way Bridget Cleary is portrayed and how her story is told. Though it deals with the horror of a murder, it focuses more on the strength that comes from shared trials and how to both forgive and do justice.
The book also addresses the struggle for Irish Home Rule, events surrounding the late pre-Raphaelite artistic movement, and themes of class, oppression, and Victorian gender norms.
There's romance, but I enjoyed how the sisterhood (between our main character and the wild, yet wise Adelaide, and the street-smart and loyal Florence) is much more central to Brigid's story than her love interest is. Each character was well integrated into the plot, whilst not feeling like they were there as ‘side characters.’ I didn't love Brigid, the main character, but I was invested in her quest and I cried and gasped several times.
With a clean and crisp prose, this historical drama promises true crime, healing generational trauma, wicked faeries, tender romance, feminism, and many twists and turns. I just wished it was longer to have a more balanced pace.
Want to read
March 11, 2024This is not a full review. I read through the beginning of all 300 SPFBO9 contest entries. This was a book I wanted to read more of.
A Irish faerie, condemned to a human body, has to steal enough treasure during her 3 year banishment to satisfy the Faerie Queen. That won’t be so hard. Killing her father for murdering her mother may be.
This is the first faerie story I’ve read that really immersed me in the experience of being fae in the best way. What a unique opening! The first chapter establishes so much about our MC, her troubles, and the setting.
It has a character focused, effective voice (3rd person close), a simply introduced Victorian(or earlier?) English setting (“Damn this English country”), and no shortage of personal/fantastical conflicts for our MC.
Zeller packs a lot of punch into this opening: the spirit of our MC’s dead mother who accompanies her on her banishment, the drudgery of being a human scullery maid, and then a little something unexpected with one of the young ladies of the house!
The prose is quick and inviting. At no point does the first chapter stumble. I love meeting a down on their luck MC in a story that still manages to be a lot of fun.
This makes great use of faery myths and faery magic - something our MC is hardly in control of. I’m not sure yet just what kind of story this will ultimately be, but I’m eager to see where it goes! I’m in!
A Irish faerie, condemned to a human body, has to steal enough treasure during her 3 year banishment to satisfy the Faerie Queen. That won’t be so hard. Killing her father for murdering her mother may be.
This is the first faerie story I’ve read that really immersed me in the experience of being fae in the best way. What a unique opening! The first chapter establishes so much about our MC, her troubles, and the setting.
It has a character focused, effective voice (3rd person close), a simply introduced Victorian(or earlier?) English setting (“Damn this English country”), and no shortage of personal/fantastical conflicts for our MC.
Zeller packs a lot of punch into this opening: the spirit of our MC’s dead mother who accompanies her on her banishment, the drudgery of being a human scullery maid, and then a little something unexpected with one of the young ladies of the house!
The prose is quick and inviting. At no point does the first chapter stumble. I love meeting a down on their luck MC in a story that still manages to be a lot of fun.
This makes great use of faery myths and faery magic - something our MC is hardly in control of. I’m not sure yet just what kind of story this will ultimately be, but I’m eager to see where it goes! I’m in!
October 4, 2022
Exiled for a murder her father committed, Brigid Cleary has until midsummer to gather what she needs for readmission to her home in the fairy mound: a chest of stolen gold and a chest full of her father’s blood. She takes a position as a scullery maid in a country manor house, where stealing gold is easy as dusting the candlesticks. When discovery of her thieving becomes likely, she scarpers, embarking on a madcap season in London. With midsummer fast approaching, Brigid must recoup her stolen gold in any way she can, even if it means modeling for a lecherous pre Raphaelite artist, posing as a young debutante to spy on other debutantes, and forming a clandestine Pugilism Club for Young Ladies.
This book is based on the 1895 murder of Bridget Cleary by her husband. The author did justice by telling the story of a women who story needs to be known. Although this story is fictional, I enjoyed this one and feel this book was done in a respective way. I was hesitant at first about the addition of fairies to this book, but I liked it. The only issue I had with this one was that it was a bit too fast paced.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book is based on the 1895 murder of Bridget Cleary by her husband. The author did justice by telling the story of a women who story needs to be known. Although this story is fictional, I enjoyed this one and feel this book was done in a respective way. I was hesitant at first about the addition of fairies to this book, but I liked it. The only issue I had with this one was that it was a bit too fast paced.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 20, 2022
I recieved an ARC copy of The Revenge of Bridget Cleary from Book Siren in exchange for an honest review.
This was a quick read, full of intense storylines revolving around Brigid Cleary Daughter of the deceased Bridget who haunts her. Brigid deals with the voice of her mother, her life as a scullery maid after being cast out by the fairy court. It follows her rise in life to gain the items required to be brought back to the good graces of the fairies, only if she can collect by Midsummers eve in 3 years.
She meets friend & foe who she must manage to use to her advantage and realize who is really looking out for her versus those who are using her. She becomes a thief & a liar struggling with the little magic she carries as a fairy.
A fantasy/folktale take on the real & gruesome murder of Bridget Cleary. A story about justice being served and moving on after grief & loss.
A fast paced novel that keeps you wanting to read on, I'd definitely recommend who anyone who loves fantasy, believes in fairies & magic & witches as they are common throughout this novel.
This was a quick read, full of intense storylines revolving around Brigid Cleary Daughter of the deceased Bridget who haunts her. Brigid deals with the voice of her mother, her life as a scullery maid after being cast out by the fairy court. It follows her rise in life to gain the items required to be brought back to the good graces of the fairies, only if she can collect by Midsummers eve in 3 years.
She meets friend & foe who she must manage to use to her advantage and realize who is really looking out for her versus those who are using her. She becomes a thief & a liar struggling with the little magic she carries as a fairy.
A fantasy/folktale take on the real & gruesome murder of Bridget Cleary. A story about justice being served and moving on after grief & loss.
A fast paced novel that keeps you wanting to read on, I'd definitely recommend who anyone who loves fantasy, believes in fairies & magic & witches as they are common throughout this novel.
September 30, 2022
From the very start I was intrigued and anxious to read more. I found Bridgid's personality and plight both curious and fascinating. There were a few places in the story that felt rushed through in comparison to other aspects of the story, and I would have liked to see those scenes developed a bit more. Even so, Mathilda Zeller's writing did a great job of leaving me curious enough throughout to keep me turning pages.
Adelaide's eccentric character is one of my favorites, her effervescent personality is bubbly and pleasant even with the unusual circumstances that surround her life. I half loved and half struggled to like Edmund, but that is likely due to personal tastes.
There were some typos and small mistakes within the text, but not so much as to be terribly distracting to the reader.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and felt that the end wrapped up nicely without leaving loose threads. If asking the author about the book, my main question would be, "But what's with the bread and jam?"
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Adelaide's eccentric character is one of my favorites, her effervescent personality is bubbly and pleasant even with the unusual circumstances that surround her life. I half loved and half struggled to like Edmund, but that is likely due to personal tastes.
There were some typos and small mistakes within the text, but not so much as to be terribly distracting to the reader.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and felt that the end wrapped up nicely without leaving loose threads. If asking the author about the book, my main question would be, "But what's with the bread and jam?"
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 20, 2022
THE REVENGE OF BRIDGET CLEARY is haunting, fantastical, and romantic.
The faery lore is so detailed and woven with Irish history that it convinced me to believe in faeries for real by the end!
But the relationships are what really shine here. We have Brigid's relationship with her mom and her anger toward her father. And then Brigid's newfound friendships with Florence and Adelaide, a group of young women who distrust each other at first but come to see each other as sisters and use that power to right the wrongs against them.
Edmund was such a sweetheart and I loved that there was no point in the story where he doubted Brigid. He loved her for who she was, at every turn.
I flew through this book and will definitely be reading again! Highly recommend for fans of unique magic systems, sweet romance, and rich world building in a historical setting.
The faery lore is so detailed and woven with Irish history that it convinced me to believe in faeries for real by the end!
But the relationships are what really shine here. We have Brigid's relationship with her mom and her anger toward her father. And then Brigid's newfound friendships with Florence and Adelaide, a group of young women who distrust each other at first but come to see each other as sisters and use that power to right the wrongs against them.
Edmund was such a sweetheart and I loved that there was no point in the story where he doubted Brigid. He loved her for who she was, at every turn.
I flew through this book and will definitely be reading again! Highly recommend for fans of unique magic systems, sweet romance, and rich world building in a historical setting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2022
I received an eARC of this novel from the author, and am finally getting around to reviewing it.
It’s a delight to read a well researched book, pick up some new words, ‘prevaricating,’ ‘pugilism,’ and spend time with madcap fairies, some madder than others. Zeller has tackled some dark themes, but keeps it balanced with a hopeful view. Brigid deals with a lot of unfairness, (and causes some herself), but refuses to give up. She was a wonderfully determined and proactive heroine to follow as she tried to keep abreast of all the shenanigans around her. The ending was my favorite part, watching all the threads come together, but to keep things spoiler-free, I’ll restrain myself from raving about how satisfying it was.
"The Revenge of Bridget Cleary" is a great book for lovers of history and fairies.
It’s a delight to read a well researched book, pick up some new words, ‘prevaricating,’ ‘pugilism,’ and spend time with madcap fairies, some madder than others. Zeller has tackled some dark themes, but keeps it balanced with a hopeful view. Brigid deals with a lot of unfairness, (and causes some herself), but refuses to give up. She was a wonderfully determined and proactive heroine to follow as she tried to keep abreast of all the shenanigans around her. The ending was my favorite part, watching all the threads come together, but to keep things spoiler-free, I’ll restrain myself from raving about how satisfying it was.
"The Revenge of Bridget Cleary" is a great book for lovers of history and fairies.
April 23, 2023
“The Revenge of Bridget Cleary” introduces Brigid Cleary in 1895 after her mother was brutally tortured and murdered by her father and others from her family and community. Brigid is part fairy and the only place she feels safe is in the fairy world. But when her mother dies, the Fairy Queen banishes Brigid, requiring her to return with a chest full of gold and another full of her father’s blood if she wants to ever return.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. The combination of fantasy in a historical fiction world (and based on a true story) really worked here. Brigid as a main protagonist was strong, flawed, and vulnerable. The way the author incorporated her mother’s voice added insight into the plot and Brigid’s emotional state. Find the full blog review at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this book in exchange of a fair and honest review.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. The combination of fantasy in a historical fiction world (and based on a true story) really worked here. Brigid as a main protagonist was strong, flawed, and vulnerable. The way the author incorporated her mother’s voice added insight into the plot and Brigid’s emotional state. Find the full blog review at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this book in exchange of a fair and honest review.
October 16, 2025
I jumped into this book after meeting the author at a book event. I loved her answers, tips, and recommendations.
Had to read this one after that amazing intro to the woman who was tortured and murdered during the author's ancestors' time in Ireland.
A great take on Fae, loved their Queen. I love that we think the character is a thief because of greed, but soon we unveil the true reasons behind her high-stakes, time-sensitive quest to get a certain amount, and spill the right blood. For her mother... My favorite chapters were the ones where she is taken to an artist's house as a muse and the painter uses her as a model.
These fae girls/women are like nymphs tempting the men of the world with their beauty but it's not easy for them to survive in a patriarchal world. She suffers a lot but the author gives us a good ending.
Had to read this one after that amazing intro to the woman who was tortured and murdered during the author's ancestors' time in Ireland.
A great take on Fae, loved their Queen. I love that we think the character is a thief because of greed, but soon we unveil the true reasons behind her high-stakes, time-sensitive quest to get a certain amount, and spill the right blood. For her mother... My favorite chapters were the ones where she is taken to an artist's house as a muse and the painter uses her as a model.
These fae girls/women are like nymphs tempting the men of the world with their beauty but it's not easy for them to survive in a patriarchal world. She suffers a lot but the author gives us a good ending.
August 9, 2023
Fear the Fairies
What a beautiful, magical book! I avidly turned the pages and by the time I reached the twisty ending, I felt transported. From beginning to end, The Revenge of Bridget Cleary was a completely satisfying read.
The bones of the plot come from the grim true story of the murder of a woman in Ireland on 15 March 1895. Bridget Cleary, only 25 years old, was brutally murdered and her body immolated by her husband, family members, and neighbors. Her husband, Michael, was convinced that his real wife had been stolen by the fairies. Killing the fairy who impersonated her was necessary, they all believed, in order to make the fairies bring his real wife back.
In this fictional adaptation, Bridget's daughter Brigid, must commit serious crimes in order to pay the fairy queen for laying her mother's spirit to rest. Despite some dishonest and hurtful activities, Brigid was still a sympathetic character, as were the others who eventually joined her in her quest.
The gilded age, though immensely popular in romantic fiction, was a truly precarious time to be alive for anyone who wasn't in the upper echelon of Victorian society, and particularly dangerous for females. It felt good to see women finding ways to take power for themselves as so much deceit, violence, and oppression conspired to destroy them.
Thank you to Mathilda Zeller, Ampersand Books, and Hidden Gems for the opportunity to read a free advance reader's copy. I'm uninfluenced by their gift, however, as I give The Revenge of Bridget Cleary my whole-hearted endorsement, without obligation. It's a fabulous read.
What a beautiful, magical book! I avidly turned the pages and by the time I reached the twisty ending, I felt transported. From beginning to end, The Revenge of Bridget Cleary was a completely satisfying read.
The bones of the plot come from the grim true story of the murder of a woman in Ireland on 15 March 1895. Bridget Cleary, only 25 years old, was brutally murdered and her body immolated by her husband, family members, and neighbors. Her husband, Michael, was convinced that his real wife had been stolen by the fairies. Killing the fairy who impersonated her was necessary, they all believed, in order to make the fairies bring his real wife back.
In this fictional adaptation, Bridget's daughter Brigid, must commit serious crimes in order to pay the fairy queen for laying her mother's spirit to rest. Despite some dishonest and hurtful activities, Brigid was still a sympathetic character, as were the others who eventually joined her in her quest.
The gilded age, though immensely popular in romantic fiction, was a truly precarious time to be alive for anyone who wasn't in the upper echelon of Victorian society, and particularly dangerous for females. It felt good to see women finding ways to take power for themselves as so much deceit, violence, and oppression conspired to destroy them.
Thank you to Mathilda Zeller, Ampersand Books, and Hidden Gems for the opportunity to read a free advance reader's copy. I'm uninfluenced by their gift, however, as I give The Revenge of Bridget Cleary my whole-hearted endorsement, without obligation. It's a fabulous read.
October 3, 2022
The Revenge of Bridget Cleary is a masterpiece of storytelling. Cleverly written, with a powerful narrative and a compelling heroine, the book sweeps you up in an adventure about redemption.
Offering new ways to explore the ills of society through fairy lore, The Revenge of Bridget Cleary is so much more than a fantasy novel. Mathilda Zeller has a wonderful turn of phrase, able to elicit laughter from the reader alongside fear, empathy and disbelief.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I absolutely recommend this book.
Offering new ways to explore the ills of society through fairy lore, The Revenge of Bridget Cleary is so much more than a fantasy novel. Mathilda Zeller has a wonderful turn of phrase, able to elicit laughter from the reader alongside fear, empathy and disbelief.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I absolutely recommend this book.
October 12, 2022
This is one of those books where the cover art was so pretty that I was going to be really disappointed if the book wasn't as good.
I was not disappointed!
I love a story that deals with familiar settings and types of characters but adds some interesting and fresh dynamics and ideas, and this book did just that! I found myself quite invested in the characters. Very well written, and a very fun read!
Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was not disappointed!
I love a story that deals with familiar settings and types of characters but adds some interesting and fresh dynamics and ideas, and this book did just that! I found myself quite invested in the characters. Very well written, and a very fun read!
Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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