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The Fire Opal

3.24 of 5 stars 3.24 · rating details · 263 ratings · 48 reviews

There was a time when Maeve O'Tullagh led a simple life; a time when she and her mother, Nuala, collected kelp on the foreshore near their cottage in Ard Macha; a time when she played among the Celtic ruins with her older brothers and daydreamed about the legendary Holy Isles, an enchanted land ruled in a past age by a beautiful goddess.
But after Maeve's sister, Ishleen,...more

Hardcover, 304 pages

Published May 11th 2010 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers (first published April 26th 2010)

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May 15, 2011 Jennifer rated it 2 of 5 stars

Maeve O'Tullagh is a young woman growing up in a seaside village in 16th century Ireland.

Her world seems fairly dichotomous. There is the world of men: fiercely Catholic, grounded in reality and consumed with the fight for independence. And there is the world of women: eccentric, descendants of ancient goddesses that used to rule the country and consumed with things that cannot be seen.

Shortly after giving birth to her younger sister, Maeve's mother falls into a catatonic state. This turn of e...more Maeve O'Tullagh is a young woman growing up in a seaside village in 16th century Ireland.

Her world seems fairly dichotomous. There is the world of men: fiercely Catholic, grounded in reality and consumed with the fight for independence. And there is the world of women: eccentric, descendants of ancient goddesses that used to rule the country and consumed with things that cannot be seen.

Shortly after giving birth to her younger sister, Maeve's mother falls into a catatonic state. This turn of events, essentially destroys her family; her brothers choose to escape by means of becoming Irish rebels, her father becomes an emotionally distant wreck and Maeve is consumed with the supernatural underpinnings of her mother's ailment. In the midst of this isolation, Maeve manages to preserve her mother's body, raise her younger sister and fall in love with a Spanish soldier sent in support of the Irish rebels.

After a number of unfortunate events, her younger sister falls into the same catatonic state that has taken her mother. This leads Maeve to go on a supernatural quest to destroy an ancient Viking goddess, a couple of god wannabes and a ship made of ice in order to restore to restore the souls of her mother and sister as well as the rightful place of the ancient goddess who once ruled the land.

I wish I could give the book more stars, but plot left too many loose ends: the goddess never actually comes back to Ireland, Maeve's Spanish lover is still lost at sea, her mother and sister still have a tenuous hold on life, the purpose of Maeve's sister's reincarnation is never fully explained, Maeve's family never reunites, the jeweled comb is never found, the non-scary god-wannabe could still dig his way out of the bog and marry Maeve against her will, the secret hidden weapon still remains secret and hidden, etc. At the moment, this book seems to be a stand alone. But even if it were the first in a series, the book offers so little resolution that it seems only half finished.

In addition, certain important character arcs don't seem fully resolved. For Maeve's character to feel truly finished, she would have to find a way to unite the male world of war and reality with the female world of mysticism and intuition. She'd have to overcome the condemnation of her social world where she is generally known as 'Mad Maeve.' Maeve's mother's character arc also doesn't seem finished. Early in the story, another character tells her that her pride will be the death of her. This never really comes to fruition. Maeve's mother's ailment would not have been prevented had she been less proud and there isn't much evidence that she overcomes this pride.

And because the goddess/human woman connection is such an important aspect of the mythological arc, I don't feel that there was enough done to reunite the goddess with her inner human and reunite women with their inner goddess. As a result, the whole 'quest' section of this novel sort of felt like an inconsequential dream.(less)

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May 12, 2010 Anila rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: galleys-are-win, reviewed, save-me-from-the-tropes

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I feel kind of bad for the way I'm looking at this book right now. In its defense- and to negate what will follow- it suffers in large part from an accident of timing on my part. For one thing, I finished this the night before my last AP exam. Now, it's not that that test was particularly stressful, but that at that point I had finished my worst AP exam, so I was somewhat frustrated and looking to take it out on something. And I've been reading a lot of really, really cynical book reviews. So he...more

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Aug 02, 2011 Ruth rated it 1 of 5 stars

Personally, I thought this book was overall just plain awful.I thought the characters were dull and forgettable, the main character, Mauve, cared more about a possibly dead Spaniard than the actual story,and Tom, the main villain,showed some promise at the beginning, but by the end he was just plain annoying. I thought the plot itself was lame and didn't keep readers engaged the way it should. This book was to rush at all the important parts and lingered to long on the boring insignificant parts...more

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Aug 12, 2010 Angela rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: sci-fi-fantasy, ya, library-book

Part of Adventures in Reading post on Bewitched Bookworms.
I read five books. In five days. This was one of them. =)

http://www.bewitchedbookworms.com/201...

Set against the backdrop of the English invading Ireland, Maeve must fend off the advance of a villainous suitor while saving the souls of her mother and sister, all the while searching for her true love.

I liked it, nearly loved it, yet I was constantly confused and overwhelmed. And I must admit the ending left me wanting. I feel like there s...more

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Jul 27, 2010 Ange (MarmaladeLibby of Libby Blog) Schmelzer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Maeve is a fiery and spirited young girl who watches as both her mother and then her sister become shells of their former selves. Will she be next? Has she really become mad as her father and brothers believe? Or are the things she's hearing on the wind and in her mind real?
This an amazing 1st Young Adult novel for McBride! WOW! The Irish seaside is described in incredible detail to the point that you can also hear the sea and smell the air blowing in. The only issue I had was the ending which...more

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Jul 25, 2011 Brittany rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-challenge

I picked this up at my library based primarily on the cover. I also liked the cover blurb referencing old Irish Mythology. I was pleasantly surprised that this book was amazing. I don't normally like YA books, primarily because they all seem to have very similar plots. This book definitely has a very original plot and has very good mystery and action aspects. The only reason I gave this a 4 out of 5 instead of a 5 out of 5 was the ending. It left me wanting more. I want to know if she ever finds...more

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Aug 16, 2010 Keri rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

As a huge fan of Regina McBride I waited a long time for this book to come out only to be disappointed. “The Fire Opal”, being her first young adult novel, did not possess the same lore as her earlier novels. As I read the book I kept hoping that it would get better and, for me, it never really did. The writing seemed too forced as I felt she tried to imitate the magical or fantasy fiction that seems to be so popular among today’s authors. However, I will continue to be a fan of Ms. McBride’s an...more

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Feb 14, 2012 Kim rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: could-not-finish

Ok so when I said I read this, I meant that I tried to read "The Fire Opal." I wanted to like this book. I really did. But after reading the first one hundred pages and skimming a little after that, I finally had to put the book down.
The main character- I forgot her name already- was just a little too boring. I felt like I was reading a book about a simpleton who wasn't all there. Not very engaging, I thought.
And then there was supposed to be this hot villian that wanted to marry her? Let's ju...more

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May 14, 2010 Katelyn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

As an Irish girl I will admit to being somewhat biased coming into this book. With scenery like the brilliant Irish landscapes, laid out for readers to picture while experiencing the journey that was The Fire Opal, what can you expect? I was already half in love with the story before finishing the first chapter.

McBride gives her readers magic, mythology/folklore and realism all wrapped up neatly in her debut YA novel. She has made the cross from writing adult fiction to YA fantasy quite seamless...more

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Nov 16, 2012 Jennifer Wardrip rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews

Reviewed by Ashley B for TeensReadToo.com

Maeve O'Tullagh is a teen living in Ard Macha with her family: Mam, Da, Donal, Fingal, and Ishleen. When still very young, Ishleen suddenly dies, depressing Maeve's mother and father. Once becoming pregnant again, Mam insists that she is pregnant with Ishleen, and she won't let the idea go. A woman at the sea gives Maeve a talisman to protect her mother. But when Mam removes it on the night of the baby's birth, she seems lost and catatonic. Maeve believes...more

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May 09, 2010 Yan rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. When Maeve was a young child she found a large metal stick-like object embellished with a face with it a large jewel. The rod was engraved with word: THE ANSWERER. With the rain storm coming in and her fear that Maeve’s older twin brothers will damage it, she buried it. But that night Maeve came down with a high-fever and when the fever broke, she suffered a slight amnesia and had forgotten about the rod she buried.

Seven years later her mother begins to show signs of madness of hearing swans aft...more When Maeve was a young child she found a large metal stick-like object embellished with a face with it a large jewel. The rod was engraved with word: THE ANSWERER. With the rain storm coming in and her fear that Maeve’s older twin brothers will damage it, she buried it. But that night Maeve came down with a high-fever and when the fever broke, she suffered a slight amnesia and had forgotten about the rod she buried.

Seven years later her mother begins to show signs of madness of hearing swans after the death of Maeve’s younger sister Ishleen the previous year. She announces to the family that she is pregnant again and Ishleen has come back.

One day Maeve and her old brothers caught Tom, a menace of a child who was graced with good looks, shooting at birds with his slingshot and knocking hatchling off ledges. In a faraway remorse Maeve didn’t notice the lady with down falling from her sleeves until she tapped her on the shoulder. She offers Maeve two bottles that appears to enclose fire sealed with the 3 twisted spirals: one for Maeve and the other for her Mam as a protection. Just minutes later Tom pops up from no where and knocks the bottle for Mam out of Maeve’s hand. Maeve then gives Mam her bottle instead.

With the “reincarnation” of Ishleen, the fire bottle is transferred to her yet on the same day Mam loses her soul leaving her body vacant. Forced to take care of the newborn and Mam at the age of 15 (or 16?) Maeve struggles to retain her sense of sanity from the viewpoint of the other villagers. But the English are coming. And then the Spaniards are coming to defend Ireland.

Yet hope begins to fade when Maeve’s brothers and Da joins the rebellion and Ishleen’s soul has been taken away. Tom, however, is in the background having come back to their home, Ard Macha, with wealth after being sent away years ago. Maeve goes on her own odyssey to find their souls while escaping Tom’s obsession. The goddess Danu and the swan-shifting woman who gave Maeve the bottles will guide her on her journey.

In this almost cross between a myth and folklore, Regina McBridge will incorporate magic realism and bend time. Flashbacks and premonitions, shapeshifters of all kinds (vultures, chimeras, swans, mermaids, etc.), a battle with a valkyrie, and blue fire when breathed in can create hallucinations of a lush forest seems to weave endless until the reader begins to be unsure of what is real and what is not anymore, just as what Maeve feels in her journey of self-identity and savior. I felt like an invader on this novel, there was just something so intimate that created this free-falling floating sensation.

Yet time is also an opponent for the reader. The first half was heavy, sluggish, dragging and in comparison made the second half seem too fast. I read the last two parts (out of four) with ease, with a calm swiftness that I did not mind the ticking of the clock because it seemed worthwhile. The first half seem as though I made no progress with what I had hoped to be the real focal point.

Despite this I would actually recommend this book. To me I believe that this book would be great for reading to a younger group of children. It is action packed with a moral lesson, filled with imagery and wild creatures delightful to the creative mind. While it may or may not be the perfect bedtime read, it would be great for a teacher (librarian or assistant) to read (in a circle) to a small group of 10 year old children (and maybe try to work in some motifs and symbolism). And hey, The Fire Opal is great at history too.

The ending, to me, is unsatisfactory. I am someone who demands the whole ending especially with epilogues. Did the brothers and father ever return (though it may appear so) and whatever happen to Francisco, the Spaniard soldier that Maeve recurred? In a chilling voice, one might say that she may never know, but will the heart will continue to live on.

The Fire Opal is a combination of history, folklore, fantasy, and adventure (with a speckle of romance) that will resonant better with a younger audience, but that does not mean young adults and adults will not find contentment with this novel.

Try The Fire Opal if you enjoyed:
Ice by Sarah Beth Durst
Sun and Moon, Ice and Stars by Jessica Day George
or just magic realism(less)

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Aug 14, 2010 Page (One Book At A Time) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2010

I haven't read many books set in Ireland. But, what I have read seems to have it's own mystical quality. There's something about Ireland that makes it different and I don't think it's just the legends and myths that have been passed down for centuries. This book is no exception. I think the place and some of the events that are in the background of the story are real. But, it never feels real if that makes sense. It's almost as if the entire story takes place in a fog. It's beautifully written.

W...more

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Oct 02, 2010 Jemma_serre rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 11, 2011 Kimberly Gould rated it 3 of 5 stars

For a while the distinct difference between the first and second halves of this book bothered me, until I read this line: It made me sad to think that the female and male world in this house were so divided. That was the difference between the halves exactly! It made it less of a weakness in form and more a demonstration of theme. It made the break make sense, although I still wish they'd been a bit more smoothly integrated.

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Jan 29, 2010 Jake Rideout rated it 4 of 5 stars

I come from a big Irish family, and I grew up hearing tales about selkies, the sidh, the tuatha de Danaan, Finn MacCool, and all the other myths. This book was written in the vein, with all the old lore worked into a pretty fantastical plot. Maeve O'Tullagh encounters a mysterious woman one day, and the woman gives her two small bottles to protect her mother and herself. However, soon after giving birth to Maeve's sister Ishleen, Maeve's mother falls into a strange sleep that she cannot be woken...more

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Oct 12, 2010 Alma Ramos-McDermott rated it 5 of 5 stars

When Maeve's mother and sister fall into an enchanted sleep, the only way to save them is for her to go on a long and dangerous journey to find the fabled Fire Opal and return it to its rightful owner. If she doesn’t succeed, hundreds of lives will be lost – including those of her mother and sister. Excellent read with great outlook on Celtic myths.

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Mar 01, 2013 Chelsie rated it 4 of 5 stars

It is a very good book once you get past the beginning. I read the first few chapter in the first couple of days, then I got bored with it and found a more interesting book. Today, I got bored and with nothing else to do, finished reading the book. That's when I couldn't put the book down. But I was a little upset with the ending though.

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Jan 26, 2011 Michaela rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 21, 2012 Micaelyn rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book was very enjoyable up to the point where she enters the world of fantasy; it feels very rushed over, and as though she's not confident/comfortable in this world of literature. The fantasy world lacks a certain depth, and I felt it greatly detracted from the merit of the earlier half.

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Oct 30, 2010 Joy No1Knows rated it 3 of 5 stars

Many of the pages seemed to be filler. The ending was pretty abrupt, unless there is a sequel... It wasn't much of an ending. The characters were a little under-developed, and things played out a bit too easily.

It's an ,"ehhh" book. Not horrible, but not absolutely awesome either.

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Jul 28, 2010 Beth O'Connell rated it 1 of 5 stars

The writing's not bad, but it's full of horrible details. The Celtic setting is twisted into something totally different. Reminds me of the octopus guy in Pirates of the Caribbean. I almost didn't finish reading this one.

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Oct 16, 2011 Margaret McGregor rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book and its mysteries and haunting references to an Ireland long gone but I still wish was there. Maeve never looses faith in herself and knows that she will eventually free both her mother and sister from a icy waking death.

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Apr 09, 2011 Heidi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Interesting ... yet undoubtedly very odd ... story set in Ireland. Full of mystical goddesses warring with one another through the lives of some humans who get caught up in their path.

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Jan 26, 2012 Sarah rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: school-library

The begining was pretty good, but after about halfway, it got confusing and boring. I thought this book would be good, but it really wasn't. The story was weird and unorganized in my opinion.

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Dec 30, 2010 Terry rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ancient Celtic myth combined with suspense, shape-shifters, and a devious villain with secrets living right next door to Maeve O'Tullagh and her family on the hillside overlooking the sea at Ard Macha make for a shimmering Irish tale.

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Dec 09, 2010 Sarah Maddaford rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: belton, creatures, fantasy, fairy-tale, gods, historical, juvenile-reader, mythology-biblical, mythology-misc, young-adult, mythology-celtic

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 16, 2013 Carole Whitehead rated it 4 of 5 stars

I didn't realize when I started this it was a YA book. The language is elevated. The mists part - it's a fairy tale land made real.

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Nov 01, 2012 Alyssa rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: never-made-it-through-the-book, bloody-hell-no-way-am-i-reading-thi, read-halfway-and-never-got-about-to, dont-even-look-at-it

Good god. I'm never reading this ever again. I tried to read it, I really did, but I barely made it through the first three chapters and decided it wasn't worth it. The pace was too slow, and I didn't feel like I was part of the story. The narrating seemed so detached and distant, and the book is just a piece of descriptive writing. What happened to the excitement, to being alive and real???!!! NO! Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Really disappointing. I looked at the synopsis and was like wow the cover is...more

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Mar 06, 2012 Kelly rated it 2 of 5 stars

Quite possibly the strangest book that I have ever read. It reminded me of when my oldest daughter tells a story, and kind of assumes that you have any sort of frame of reference of what she is talking about, but is telling you things that are so vauge that you can't even follow.

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Mar 19, 2013 Alexia rated it 5 of 5 stars

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About Regina McBride

Regina McBride is the author of The Nature of Water and Air, The Land of Women, and The Marriage Bed. She is the recipient of fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York Foundation for the Arts. Her poems have been widely published in literary journals and magazines, and her book of poetry, Yarrow Field, won an American Book Series Award.

She grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexi...more

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