Heather’s Bookshelf: The Revenge of Bridget Cleary
Author: Mathilda Zeller
Released: 10/04/22
Genre: YA Historical Fantasy
“Brigid turned to him, ‘None of us are ever really safe. Surely you can see that, Edmund?' No amount of money can drive away death or shield us from horror. It can only mask it, put a pretty bow on it and make it seem tolerable for a season.’”
“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.
Beginning her mission to steal the gold she takes a job as a maid. But when people become suspicious, she promptly takes another job as a model for a recluse artist, Mr. Baxby. After losing a bet, Brigid poses with Edmund (a wealthy young man) and he soon offers her a job to act as his cousin and spy on his sister. She brings along another of Baxby’s employees (Florence) and the two become close to Adelaide. But they all have their secrets, some shared and others may threaten each other and those around them.
Meanwhile, Brigid’s father is getting out of jail and those who helped kill her mother are a little too close for comfort. Will Brigid get what she needs to give her mother peace and rest?
Trigger Warning: violence, reference to torture, domestic violence, attempted assault, reference to sexual assault, adult language
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. I found Brigid’s fairy abilities interesting and different and enjoyed how they added to the tale as well. The ancillary characters were also well developed and I especially enjoyed how Adelaide and Florence’s characters evolved over the course of the book. The relationships between Brigid, her friends and her mother were clear and lovely. However, as the murder of Bridget was so absolutely terrible and based on a true story, I do wish some of how Brigid’s father and family got to the point of what they did was more developed. It would have been good to see more of Brigid’s relationship with them, how the devolved, etc in order to have even more of an impact on what happens to Brigid and during her time in the tale. The ending was well done, fulfilling, and complete. I hope the author continues to combine historical fiction and fantasy into more magical tales.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
Fantasy and historical fiction weaved together to produce a tale about love, revenge, friendship, and choices.
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