Review Detail

SAVAGE HER REPLY by Deirdre Sullivan is a mythical retelling of The Children of Lir. This story has been a part of Celtic lore for a long time, but only now do we get Aife’s perspective, the evil stepmother herself. In this version, Sullivan gives the audience the chance to judge Aife for her crimes within the context that she committed them, allowing readers to decide who the true villains are and whether or not she should be forgiven.

What I love about this book are the mystical elements Sullivan taps into and brings alive. I especially enjoy the poems between chapters that are structured on the page like Ogham characters, the earliest Irish alphabet. I also like the bits of italicized lore that are immediately followed by what actually happened, and how Aife talks through her lessons in a way that feels both elemental and interconnected with all that surrounds her.

In the beginning, it took me a bit to understand what was going on. It was unclear who the narrator was and where we were starting in the story, but eventually, it became easier to follow and more linear. SAVAGE HER REPLY is not a book with strong pacing, in part because it spans thousands of years. Instead, it’s way more contemplative, granting readers the opportunity to ponder themes such as guilt, redemption, punishment, jealousy, betrayal, and all the other emotions from human experience.

Deirdre Sullivan’s writing reminds me a lot of Rosalind Miles’, one of my favorite authors, who has written multiple medieval retellings. Like Miles, Sullivan is able to tap into an ancient feminine power and earthly magic that will appeal to anyone familiar with stories from this time period. Overall, SAVAGE HER REPLY takes a profound look at who we are, why we do what we do, and if we can ever learn from our mistakes.