Synopsis
I don’t know about you but I really enjoy folklore. Though I enjoy all types, I particularly enjoy Irish folklore. This folklore has a place in the book I just finished “Cry Out Loud” by Tara O’Conner. The books deals with families, mistreatment and the price of following tradition.
“Cry Out Loud” follows teenager Nell O’Brien, she’s been suspended for a semester. She and her mother already have issues the two never seeming to agree on a topic. So when her mother sends her to the remote Irish island where her mother grew up. Nell isn’t surprised. But from the first moment she’s on the island things start to seem weird.
For one thing there is no cell service, but she can write that off to the remoteness of the island. But what is even weirder is the family she’s staying with. Though they are technically related she’s never met them before.
They are cold and distant and there seems to be something nefarious going on. Luckily for her she has one friend on the island. The woman who helped her when she first got there and Caoimhe. The older woman is especially helpful with some dangerous things start to go down. But is she really as well intentioned as she seems.
Grab this volume when it comes out September 16 2025 to find out more! The vibes of this are very much mystical and family drama along with female rage . They bringing in some especially spooky female monster that are unique to Ireland.
An excellent pick for Halloween.
Review
I loved the relationship this book showed between Nell and her mother. Now I want to clear things up. The relationship wasn’t positive or even good. But I do think it was realistic for the circumstances. There are lots of things brought up about negative mother daughter relationships throughout this piece.
That is refreshing to see because not all mother daughter relationships are sunshine and rainbows. The reasons for this relationship in the text are complex. And mostly have to do with her mother fearing a loss of her daughter.
Still when everything is said and done and things are put back mostly right Nell brings up an interesting point. Even if someone doesn’t remember doing something bad can we still blame them for it. And if not what does one do with all the feelings of hurt from the others actions?
“Cry Out Loud” doesn’t offer any easy answers. Instead asking us to debate the questions ourselves. I enjoyed this immensely, and happily give it five stars. I can’t wait to read more by Tara O’Connor and want to pick up “Fly By Night” next.
About the Author
Tara O’Connor is comic maker and illustrator currently residing in Ireland. She was born in the wilderness of New Jersey. She has been drawing comics since she was about fourteen and has illustrated graphic novels for publishers including Random House Graphic, Aftershock Comics, and Oni Press. Her first RHG title, Fly By Night, was published in 2021.
Photo by Iain: https://www.pexels.com/photo/old-medieval-ruins-of-dunluce-castle-on-ocean-coast-in-northern-ireland-famous-place-in-uk-2350366/
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