Girls Who Slay Monsters by Ellen Ryan.
A review and discussion by Kate O’Brien.
I once read that Ellen Ryan’s Girls Who Slay Monsters was like coming home.
I can’t help but agree. As a woman who is very proud of being born and bred in Dublin, I loved seeing Irish mythology being brought to life in such a beautiful way. This book features twenty-four different Celtic goddesses, and each story is accompanied by detailed illustrations and fun facts about the particular goddess or story setting in question.
Ellen Ryan’s passion for Irish mythology is evident with every turn of the page.
In my opinion, Girls Who Slay Monsters is a gem of a YA book because Ryan’s writing perfectly masters the dance of not being too simple so older readers will be thoroughly engaged, but she also introduces Irish mythology in a way that is easily accessible for readers on the younger side, or for any readers who are unfamiliar with these impressive figures.
Ireland’s goddesses were powerful figures. Warriors, scholars, lovers, artists, and inventors.
These powerful women lived layered, full lives, and it is fantastic seeing their stories told with such love. Ryan’s writing style is quite modern as she steps away from old clichés. Her stories put female strength at the forefront in every tale, and as we are all learning all the time these days, strengths come in many different forms.
As I was reading Girls Who Slay Monsters, a particular idea stood out to me.
As I was diving into Ryan’s mythological world, I was struck by just how timeless these goddesses truly are. It might seem unbelievable to suggest that one can relate to or connect to figures from thousands of years ago, but I think the best kind of literature connects us through the ages. We still revere Shakespeare because even though his works are from centuries ago, at their core, so many of his works discuss the human condition. Feelings fuel so many of his plays. It is interesting how nobody bats an eyelid when we talk about the timelessness of someone like Shakespeare, but the same attention is often not given to figures of Irish mythology.
Ryan brings goddesses who have been forgotten or downplayed to the surface in her work.
Girls Who Slay Monsters tells stories of women who were of different shapes and sizes, each with their own unique interests and talents. The most shocking thing is that so many of us likely have not heard of these goddesses before! It is stark and disappointing when I took note of just how many of these stories that I never heard about in school.
Ryan’s work is accompanied by illustrations by Shona Shirley MacDonald.
Her illustrations are a stylish combination of blues and greens, occasionally interrupted by vibrant pops and clashes of vivid oranges and reds. The images really take readers into the world that Ryan has so lovingly created, and younger readers especially could be taken in by the images first, but then find themselves thoroughly wrapped up in the stories.
Picking a favourite story from this book is almost impossible, but I must say that the story Lí Ban Immortal Mermaid stands out to me each time I read it. It is a moving tale about Lí Ban, princess of Ulster, and how she finds her way back to her father. It is a tale of love, bravery, and of two people being separated and reunited. This line stands out starkly as Ellen has such a beautiful way with words, this line in particular is almost melodic. “All she could hear was the beat of her own heart.” (Pg. 54)
I am really looking forward to Ryan’s next book Gods Don’t Cry. I look forward to seeing her take on the many different forms of masculinity. There are many different ways to be strong, just as there are many forms of intelligence, and men are just as layered and complex as women. I think she will present another beautiful book, one that tells various stories about some incredible Irish gods, and I look forward to seeing their stories told with as much love, care, and attention to detail that was so evident in Girls Who Slay Monsters. I am also really looking forward to seeing Conor Merriman’s illustrations. The snippets I’ve had the pleasure of seeing already are so striking. I’m excited to see how he brings the entire book to life.
I suspect that Ellen Ryan’s next book will be just as successful as her first one. I really wanted to read Girls Who Slay Monsters as I had heard such brilliant reviews from friends, and other reviewers, and of course Ellen Ryan got some extremely well-deserved accolades for this work. The 2023 CBI Awards come to mind. I was in the audience that day, and I had the privilege of meeting Ellen at an event for Gods Don’t Cry, so I am aware that I run the risk of appearing biased, but seeing her joy at discovering just how many young readers loved Girls Who Slay Monsters at the CBI awards, and hearing her enthusiasm, her excitement, and her passion for all of the work she is doing and has done as the launch of Gods Don’t Cry draws nearer has been wonderful. I love meeting creative and passionate people. I love hearing someone talk about the things they love. I love seeing someone succeed when it is obvious that so much work and care went into what they do.
As a reviewer, and as someone who has always found a sense of comfort in literature and in the arts, I think that it is fair to say that often, literary works are passionately received. Audiences and readers love to love books. They love to find themselves immersed in new worlds, falling in love with new characters. That is why books mean so much to people. When it is clear that books are passionately received, it is a real treat to be able to immediately recognise when a story has been passionately told. Girls Who Slay Monsters is a collection of unique, engaging, page turning stories that Ellen Ryan has passionately told. There are a few tweaks here and there to some of the legends, but really what Ryan has done is remarkable. She has given a voice to figures who were previously silent, whose stories were at risk of never being told, especially when you consider how often female stories are told in a way that just acts as a side note to a man’s narrative. Ellen Ryan has made the goddesses the leads in their own stories.
I would recommend Girls Who Slay Monsters to all young readers, but especially to young girls who are between the ages of ten and thirteen. Full disclosure, I think any adult who loves mythology, action, and adventure will love this book too so readers of any age should feel inspired to dive into this book. That being said, I think that this is an important book for young girls who are right on the cusp of maturity. For those who are trying to find their own voices, and their own independence, for those who are starting to carve out their own path, I think Ellen Ryan’s words will impact those readers the most. I think that age group, and those who are currently experiencing that journey into maturity will find comfort and inspiration in Girls Who Slay Monsters.
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