My Thoughts:
This reader has a confession to make. I didn’t want to read this book. Gasp!
Romance? Time travel? Psychic abilities? Those topics are out of my comfort zone, to put it mildly.
 |
| This WAS me. |
Imagine my utter surprise when I cracked this open and actually LIKED IT.
 |
| This is me NOW! |
Now wait, before you think I’ve gone ga-ga for romance let me set you straight. I could have lived without the modern love story. On the other hand, the historical relationship made me feel all swoon-y and sigh-y.
Speaking of the historical sections? The author nailed it. The research must have been intense. Kearsley doesn’t cut a single corner. Historical fiction turns my crank. This one was spinning it!
The Firebird is the 2nd book in a series but absolutely works as a stand-alone read. Hints to the past history of the characters helped with that. I could tell there was more to the story. But it wasn’t irritating or distracting.
 |
| I KNOW! |
I judged this book before I opened it and I was flat out mistaken. There’s a lesson in there don’t you think?
I was wrong about you Firebird! Forgive me?
 |
| Photo: Ashleigh Bonang |
As a former museum curator, Susanna Kearsley brings her own passion for research and travel to her novels, weaving modern-day and historical intrigue. She won the prestigious Catherine Cookson Fiction Award for her novel Mariana, the 2010 Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction novel for The Winter Sea, was shortlisted for a 2012 RITA Award for The Rose Garden, and was a finalist for the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Novel from the Canadian Crime Writer’s Association for Every Secret Thing. She lives outside Toronto, Canada.
The Relentless Reader 
Glad you liked it. I'm a huge fan of all of Susanna's books 🙂
LikeLike
Sometimes books can surprise us! I love Kearsley's books.
LikeLike
Surprise – it's NOT part of a series. It is simply a companion book, so nothing is lost or gained by reading one without the other!Did you check out her website? If you want to know how much research she did, just check it out. She even has pictures of all of the sites mentioned in the book. Phenomenal.
LikeLike
I was so pleasantly surprised! I'll definitely be checking out her other work now 🙂
LikeLike
I was so glad to be surprised 😀 She is a fantastic writer!
LikeLike
Ohhh! Ok, that makes a lot more sense! Thanks for that tidbit Michelle! I'm going to have really explore her site. You can tell that her research was crazy thorough! I looove that.
LikeLike
I'm glad you enjoyed it! I posted a review for THE FIREBIRD today, and I really liked it, too. =)
LikeLike
I've read a couple of Kearsley's books and enjoyed them. I'm going to have to pick this one up- I'm a sucker for a time travel romance.
LikeLike
I've only read one of Kearsley's novels – The Rose Garden? – not sure if that's the title. It was okay, but I had some plotting problems and didn't enjoy the lovey parts so much. However, I enjoyed the history aspect as well and know how much other bloggers love her stuff so I'm willing to give her another shot!
LikeLike
It's nice to know it stands alone!
LikeLike
This is almost my exact reaction to this book. My review will be going up later today, but I also will be admitting that The Firebird was a pleasant surprise for me. Even the modern day romance in the book was pretty romantic and not very cheesy. Anyway, I need to save my thoughts for my review. Haha!
LikeLike
I can understand your reluctance picking up this book. I had the same with my first Susanna Kearsley but I really love her style. It is always nice when you get to enjoy a book you did not think you would!
LikeLike
I saw Kearsley do a panel at the historical fiction conference I was just at, and she uses genealogy as her research for her fictional characters (gives them real life relatives, etc). It is insane — no wonder her books are so loved.
LikeLike
I'm not opposed to a little romance sometimes. I might have to give this go!
LikeLike
Based on the description, this doesn't seem like a book I would be thrilled to read, either. I'm glad you liked it, though! This is a great reminder that you can't judge a book by its cover… blurb.
LikeLike
Go you for jumping outside your comfort zone! This sounds like something I'd dig.
LikeLike
This is a really intriguing book, I could see it going either way, whether I'd like it or not. I may have to give it a try.
LikeLike
I love historical fiction. but romance? not so much. it just goes to show though, I've often been surprised about how much I like something I originally thought wouldn't be my thing. Might try and pick this up and give it a read! I like being surprised :)Sophie / sophiesbookshelfblog.com
LikeLike
Thanks Diana 🙂 I'll have to hop over and check out your review!
LikeLike
I didn't think I was but I was totally wrong! I'm glad that I was mistaken 🙂
LikeLike
Yea, I'm not down with the lovey stuff in most books. There are always exceptions though 🙂
LikeLike
And very well at that!
LikeLike
Ha! Now I can't wait to read your review Heather!
LikeLike
Isn't it?? It was such a wonderful surprise!
LikeLike
She obviously takes her research seriously! I appreciate that SO much!
LikeLike
I don't mind it now and then either 😉
LikeLike
Ha ha, exactly Leah! I was grumpy about starting it, for real. Whew, glad I was wrong!
LikeLike
My feet were dragging, believe me 😉 I'm so glad it turned out to be something I liked.
LikeLike
I wonder what you'd think of it. I really didn't think I'd like it. I'm very glad that I was wrong 😉
LikeLike
This taught me a lesson about stepping out of my reading box, that's for sure. I really enjoy most historical fiction too. Thanks for stopping by Sophie!!
LikeLike
I have heard so much about this author but haven't yet read a book by her. I have to change that! Glad that you enjoyed this one more than you expected to.
LikeLike
I'll absolutely be looking for more of her books now that I know her style. Spot-on research always makes me happy 🙂
LikeLike
I forgive you. Actually, it's kind of funny since we chatted about this before and I was all \”give it a chance\” and you were all \”no thank you\” and then look at what happened! You enjoyed it, but I didn't! Sometimes that's life! -Rebecca @ Love at First Book
LikeLike
I kept thinking of you while I was reading it, lol. I wonder if Rebecca is liking this as much as I am!? Nope! 😉
LikeLike
I love it when a book proves me wrong like that. Any time we realize that there is more out there for us to love is a good thing, no?Also, your gifs are great!
LikeLike
It's a very good thing! Thanks 😉
LikeLike
I've been wanting to read one of her books. I think I even have one on my Nook! lol. Glad you liked it so much.
LikeLike
Well, then .. I've been thinking pretty much the same thing about this one. Perhaps I'll have to give it a chance as well.
LikeLike
I'm really looking forward to exploring more of her books 🙂 Thanks, me too!
LikeLike
I guess we never really know what will work for us 😉 There are a few genres that I wouldn't bother with but I'm so glad I gave this one a try!
LikeLike
I am glad that you liked it, I've seen other reviews that weren't so positive. Oh, and I do like your review, especially the first picture 🙂 PS: Aria is too cute, she is my second favourite PLL
LikeLike
I really need to make the rounds of other SheReads members to see what they thought! Oh I love Aria too 😉
LikeLike
I hate romance, but I'm willing to step outside my comfort zone once in a while. Glad to hear you liked this!
LikeLike
Romance usually has me rolling my eyes as well 😉 Unless it's done VERY well, which seems very hard to find.
LikeLike
Still don't know what to think about it, but it caught my interest
LikeLike
I hope you'll give it a chance. I almost didn't and I would have missed a great read 🙂
LikeLike
I can't wait to read this one! And the one that comes before it. I loved the one Kearsley I read. Like you, I wasn't sure I would–mostly romance? Me? No way. I ended up loving it.
LikeLike
I'm SO glad that I gave this a shot. I'd really like to read more of her books, she has a great style 🙂
LikeLike
Damn, this review is the opposite of another review I just read for it, lol! It SOUNDS good though. I didn't realize it's part of a series either, I'd have to start at the beginning because I'm neurotic like that.
LikeLike
Hmmmmm. Maybe. I love time travel. I enjoy historical. But sometimes the romance messes up the flow. Or the historical is inaccurate. Or the author has no clue how to add a even remotely possible scifi element. But, I digress. Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
LikeLike