The Firebird

So glad I happened upon a review that mentioned this was (kind of) a sequel to The Winter Sea, as I might not have read it otherwise...& I must say that I did really love this as well and wish for more of the Morays stories.
Edited to add- definitely read The Winter Sea first, with all the returning characters it makes a much better story knowing them beforehand.

Susanna Kearsley has once again created a phenomenal piece of literature. The historical accuracy is superb and the characters well rounded and likable. I love how the author draws on real people and real places to create her setting and characters, something she did perfectly in this book. After reading this book (and Winter Sea) I know want to visit Slains Castle in the worst way! The story comes alive with her accurate descriptions and the trace of paranormal keeps things original. I highly recommend this book (and every other by this author!).

If you're considering reading The Firebird, you've probably read a Susanna Kearsley novel before and know what an amazing writer she is. If you haven't, then you're missing out. She does an incredible job of blending past with present and fantastical elements with realistic characters in a vivid setting. This novel is essentially a sequel to two of her previous novels. The modern day portion includes a side character from Shadowy Horses and the historical portion follows Winter Sea. Read those first if you haven't already, (esp. Winter Sea), and you won't be disappointed.

Thank you, Ms. Kearsley for following up with Anna. It truly bothered me that we readers don't know what happens to the child in A Winter Sea.

Even though I'm only halfway through this book at the moment, I know it will not disappoint me. I cannot put it down- I'm sacrificing sleep and sneaking in any chance I get to read it. Each of Ms. Kearsley's work are a delicious piece of art, that you both devour and want to savor. I've yet to read something of true disappointment, but this one is exceptionally delicious!

Having never read any of Kearsley's previous work, I picked up Firebird based solely on what sounded like an interesting premise. Three months later, I'm still 75 pages from the end and don't see myself finishing it any time soon. I've read half a dozen books in between chapters of Firebird. It just does not hold my interest at all. The descriptions are long and boring, and so much of what's going on in the flashbacks seem to have nothing to do with what the main characters are after. At least, not that I can tell. There is very little action, so it's hard to find the desire to keep reading when a chapter is over. I may one day give one of Kearsley's other novels a shot, but probably not in the near future.

Susana Kearsley is a poetic prose writer. She is adept at creating characters that live and breathe and drawing the reader into the characters lives so that the reader is living the experience. The reader feels their joy and pain and anxiously awaits triumph! The hero shows tremendous patience and understanding as the heroine learns to understand and accept herself and her uniqueness. The heroine must overcome the prejudice that has been ingrained within her since early childhood. It is a lovely read. Well-done!

One of my favorite authors . She makes you feel like you know all her characters intimately. This novel brought a lot of history to light for me. It wasn't my favorite, but most interesting and enjoyable. I loved Anna's story as well as Nicolas but my favorite of her novels, so far, is still the winter sea.

Susanna Kearsley's books are engaging on a number of levels. Her historical fiction is well-researched and educational, while the past and present interpersonal relationships are engrossing. I suggest that you read The Winter Sea prior to reading this one, as this is a continuation of that story.

FIREBIRD combines excellent character development and historical background/research with unusual mental abilities and diverse cultural details to produce an exciting, moving story of two couples' relationships. Kearsley moves back and forth between Peter the Great's Russia and present Great Britain with the grace of a bird soaring through the clouds. A wonderful story you will not be able to abandon until the final line on the last page, Kearsley's story is warmly human and timeless.

I am probably like most the store Kindle readers - buying books incessantly, reading through them quickly, and then looking for the next one to enjoy.

the store has made it quite easy to read anything you wish with the click of a button - a wonderful service. The drawback is that the best books seem to last a short time, while the poorly-written ones (and there are plenty to choose from in the store's collection) drag on - perhaps to be abandoned prematurely. I am almost through with this book, and unfortunately, I'm sure to finish it today.

This book is worthy of your attention. The prose is accomplished, the plot layered, and the characters well drawn. If you too, are searching for the next GOOD book to read - I would suggest this one as a worthy candidate.

An interesting book. I love books that tell a story, that keeps me engaged and teaches me somethings as well. Rich in historical facts and figures and an insightful look at what one's mind may be capable of doing, this book did just that. It did at times run a little long in the tooth but all in all I can see why this is many people's favorite Kearsley book.

Like her other books there is some time travel involved, and this one brings ghosts on board and adds some ESP which is interesting. Romantic in a nostalgic kind of way which I liked. Her writing style moves right along and she adds historical facts which makes it more interesting to me. Another one about some Scotland. I am starting to look at travel brochures!

Jacobites in Czarist Russia. This is a part of history that I knew little about. What a fun way to enhance my education! The story moves from the present day back to the early 18th century. Nicola, an art dealer, has a special gift. She can sense an object's past by holding it or touching it. When she holds a small carved bird, she sees a young woman with the Empress Catherine in Russia. It becomes her quest to discover the provenance of this piece of art. I loved that "Nick's" intent was to help the owner of the bird, an older woman who spent her life caring for others, rather than for monetary gain. I enjoyed both Nicole's story as she learns to use her gift and reconnects with a past love, and Anna's story as we follow her from girlhood to young womanhood.

Such a fine read ~ clever character development and attention to details that brings story to life.
My only difficulty with Kearsley's books relate to cumbersome style, with overuse of perfect tense (would have been), coupled with gerunds and contractions saturating every paragraph. Not sure why she chose that style... I sometimes find it tough to wade through all those peripheral passive words. YET! The plot and tone sing with originality. Thanks for the great stories!

This picks up where the Shadowy Horses leaves off. At least the present day portion of the times. Rob the young. Psychic is a grown man, but this time he's involved with 1700's Russia, rather than the Roman legion. The parallels between past and present created a story that draws the reader in making it doubly hard to put down. A truly satisfying read.

Let me start by saying I love reading Susanna Kearsley! She is one of my favorite authors and when I find out she had another book out I rush to get it! And this book was another one of her best. I love how she brought back characters from her other books. I would love to know more about Anna and Edmund's life together. That was my only regret about this book. Otherwise it was excellent. Ms. Kearsley always has a wonderful balance between romance and mystery. And a good amount of intrigue and suspense. And she never fails to make my heart race and my eyes tear up!

I loved this book! I loved the characters, so beautifully alive, so wonderfully real & likable. I loved the premise, the idea that something that looked like it was of little consequence, could possibly have much more importance, if people with the right capabilities were involved & able to help. The subtle, but developing relationship between the two main characters was also compelling. I am trying so hard not to spoil the fun, but this is altogether just a great read from an author I have come to trust for same. Enjoy!!

Exceptional depth of research for the historical part of this story. The main character fights to overcome the stigma of her " sight" during a search to help a woman whose life has been narrow and poor.

I especially liked the parallel love stories.

The only downside for me was all the description. The historical world might have been just as vivid had it been cut back a little.

Thanks for the lovely read.

I absolutely loved this book! The only thing wrong with it is that it interrupted all my work because I couldn't put it down. It was a great plot idea to tell the story of what happened to characters from other novels. The two stories were woven together beautifully. I did go back and re-read Winter Sea first since it had been a couple of years since I last read it. We are headed to Scotland in a couple of weeks and this book helped to immerse me in the culture. Oh, how I wish our tour went to Stains Castle!

This novel is fascinating and very well written. About half of the storyline is a sequel to The Winter Sea, so I recommend that one ( equally interesting) be read first. This is the third novel I've read by this author and she does not disappoint. Her characters are well-drawn, intelligent and believable, and her dialogue realistic. Most of all, she writes human emotion well. Another great book by a gifted author, I recommend you try it.

I loved this book! Up until now, Susanna Kearsley's The Winter Sea was my favorite from this author. I just love the way the story of Sophia and John's daughter brings all of the characters from that book back to life while continuing the tale. I am looking forward to reading a desperate fortune as I understand there is a reappearance of some of these same characters.

I absolutely loved this book...I had read "Winter Sea" and "Shadowy Horses" and I think they went a long way in helping me to enjoy this book...however, I think that you can read this book without necessarily reading the other two. She has woven a fictional story in with historical fact and that is one of my favorite types of books...Thank you, Ms Kearsley, for an enjoyable read....and renewing my interest in going to St. Petersburg, Russia.

This book, and Susanna Kearley in particular, were recommended to me by a friend in England. I was not familiar with the author, but after reading The Firebird, I found the other books by Susanna Kearsley and read them all. There's nothing frivolous about the writing style, although it flows with an easy readability. The verbage, settings, and characters seem to be well researched. In the Firebird, I learned some history and liked the fact that the story was based in a situation with historical events and people. I have only respect for this author, and am appreciative that she has written other books which also uphold this standard.

Once again I was consumed with a Susanna Kearsley novel! Beautifully written story of historical characters, romance and the paranormal, Susanna captures your attention leaving you naught but to finish it in its entirety (well, as my case usually is when I am to read her work!). Her attention to detail transports you through time, as you become a part of the scenery. Always a pleasure and look forward to reading Slendour Falls.

Love how Suzanna can use historical facts and create a story with time travel, romance .............found it interesting how she connects her characters from one story, "The Winter Sea" and to "The Firebird"..........I've felt it completed the circle of Sophia's life and more...........

I love the endless ways that Susanna Kearsley comes up with to do time travel! This one took me to a place I adore, Russia, and integrated exceptional historical characters with a couple of modern day characters who have special powers and a complicated relationship. All the elements of a good story in my opinion. Art, history, Scotland, Russia and clairvoyance all mixed together by master chef Kearsley makes for a compelling good read!

First time reading this author and I LOVED this book. Have gone on and bought other books because of this one. I love history and this book is full of it! I love the fact that it takes places in two different time periods because of the time traveling element. Kearsley does an amazing job keeping the story line moving, keep you emotionally invested, and providing an entertaining story. Loved it. If you love history, you will love this! She obviously did her research and provided a wonderful love story as well.

First time reading this author and I LOVED this book. Have gone on and bought other books because of this one. I love history and this book is full of it! I love the fact that it takes places in two different time periods because of the time traveling element. Kearsley does an amazing job keeping the story line moving, keep you emotionally invested, and providing an entertaining story. Loved it. If you love history, you will love this! She obviously did her research and provided a wonderful love story as well.

Sometimes I find myself wanting to skip parts of a book due to a writer's need for endless detail. This book was far from it. It was so perfectly balanced My habit when my eyes are tired is to skip because I am wanting an instant fix to the story's excitement. I could not do that with this story. I demanded respect. The characters the scenery the history were so solid and felt so real. It is worth the money paid.

The storyline that runs through the 18th century was complex with a lot of twists and turns, which I liked. However the storyline in the present day was boring and a formulaic romance. I thought the Winter Sea was better.

LOVED this book. Started reading it at about 3:00 on a Sunday afternoon and did not put it down until I finished it at midnight that night. Literally could not put it down. Rob, the boy from The Shadowy Horses, is grown up in this book and is the main male character in the present time story. The past story is a continuation of the story from The Winter Sea. Quite a few of the characters from The Winter Sea come back. Loved it. It may be my new favorite by Susanna Kearsley.

I went through 3 phases while reading the book. During the first part, I was captivated by the theme of art and a woman's magic ability to let a piece 'speak' to her about its origins. When Ron appeared on the scene the magic became way too much for me to swallow and I almost lost interest. But... (and that is the third part) the story within the story, that runs parallel to Rob and Nick's, is about Anna's life and that made it difficult to put the book down. In the end a good read that lingers in the mind for a time afterwards.

This book continues the story from Shadowy Horses but with the little boy Robbie all grown up. I didn't hate Shadowy Horses but it fell falt compared to Susanna Kearsley's other books for me. The Firebird, on the other hand, was very good and it is definitely not necessary for you to read Shadowy Horses first- although I think it did make me love Robbie more especially since this book is not told from his point of view.

One of those books you carry around with you. Just looking for time to read it, good one.
Love the way it is written. One could walk around with an ascent from the characters of the book.
You are in the book..well done.

Lush, sweetly romantic story. I love that her books paint characters that you truly care about, and are romantic without being overly detailed or 'smutty'. I also loved that this book provides some additional detail and closure on the John Moray/Sophia love story from The Winter Sea. I have truly never read a book by Susanna Kearsley that I didn't like. She paints beautiful pictures with her words, and focuses in on creating a deep and expansive emotional atmosphere. Curl up with a cup of tea and a blanket and prepare to be swept away!

Always love Susanna Kearsley's stories. Weaving her characters throughout actual historical events makes the story interesting while informative. Her characters are believable people who I end up caring about. I also like that this is a continuation of another story of hers which I was not aware of until the ending chapters; This did not distract but added to the story, I think. I always like the Scottish theme but now need to read more on Russian history. An excellent read.

I have read most of Susanna Kearsley's other books, and couldn't wait for this one to come out. I read it as soon as it was released. Unfortunately I did not find it as interesting as her other books. The characters in the current time were unbelievable and underdeveloped (I mean, they spent DAYS together, even sleeping in the same room without even any sort of kiss or anything? not believable)- the characters in the other time were much more real. That said, I did read until the end, and it was worth reading, especially if you like her other works.

Loved it....Kearsley is one of my favourite authors, she did a wonderful job with Firebird! I fell in love with the characters, they were strong and a delight to get to know. I felt like I was within the story because her detail to the surroundings she writes about are so vivid you could feel no other way. If you are a fan of Susanna Kearsley, or a fan of historical fiction, you must read this book.

Really enjoyed the links in the storyline to previous book The Winter Sea. Also the Scottish history and heritage continues but in this book, moves to St.Petersburg Russia. If you liked The Winter Sea, read this one next. Tho, if you have read this one only, it's good as a stand alone too. But, go back and read The Winter Sea and it fills in the history!

I love Susanna Kearsley. Her novels explore the world of the unexplainable and create room for magic. This story is no exception, a young woman fears that if her special gifts are revealed, she will no longer be accepted in her present world.. She learns that she was given 'special gifts' for a reason and as she allows them to come forth they bless not only her but all who encounter her.
Beautifully written and enchanting!

I was pleasantly surprised to find characters from The Shadowy Horses in this book.. The character of Rob was a child in SH so out was fun to how he and the town of Eyemouth had changed in 20 years. I love the way Kearsleys books overlap. This was fun.

After reading all of Susanna Kearsley's previous titles, I pre-ordered this book some months before publication date. I was excited to receive it and again was captivated by the characters and the story. The time traveler genre is a fairly new one for me, but a great blend with my favorite, historical fiction. Interesting how often the story is set in Scotland. Must be a land filled with portals to other times... Fun reading.

This is the first book written by Susanna Kearley that I have read and I truly enjoyed it. The premise is unique and the flashbacks gave context to the story. What a surprise ending! I have already recommended the book and the author to friends. I will be reading more of Ms. Kearsley's books.

This is a thoroughly researched historical novel. Both the fictional and the real characters are realistically portrayed. I highly recommend this book to those who love historical novels that include some romance as well.

A art curator with the gift of psychometry forges ahead to secretly help find answers for a client, in this parallel story bringing current day and the reign of the first Empress Catherine--widow of Peter the Great to light. As information avails itself, Nicola, and Anna both come to realize their true selves, and true love.

Great historical knowledge and a peek into the psychic world drive this action-packed novel. Lots of Russian history came back to me as I read.

Beautifully written!

Susanna Kearsley writes very readable novels. I enjoy the mixture of history with present time. I especially enjoy the paranormal aspects- I.e time travel, extra sensory touch, that she enhance the story line. I think her heroes and heroine vibrate with life. You startling reading one book and then are hooked. Won't tell you the story line except to say that St. Petersburg has an interesting history.

I loved this book. The fact that the author, Susanna Kearsley, used factual historic figures, dates, times and places in the book made it all the more fun to read. I love books with a bit of mystery or combined mystery/paranormal stories. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I, personally, would never label this book as a romance. Yes, there is a bit of a romantic storyline, but it's definitely not a 'Romance' novel.

The following story of the Winter Sea. Beautiful. I loved to read about what happened to the characters of the first book (the Winter Sea).And the author description of St Petersburg was so well written that I decide to visit the city one day soon.

the first book I have read by Susanna Kearsley and it will not be the last. Jumping through history time periods kept my interest, I did not want to put it down (you know, the one book that keeps you up late at night). Historical fiction always grabs my attention, especially when it is new to me. The characters are rich and real and just the right amount of romance..ahhhhh. Great weekend read.

Susanna Kearsley has the ability to write this historical romance fiction with a time-travel component and make it entertaining and credible - at least while you are absorbed in the storyline. I found this book both pleasurable and relaxing - always happy to pick it up. As it continued on somewhat from Sophia's Secret, there was some familiarity, but it was also a stand alone. I liked this book.

A wonderful meld of Shadowy Horses and Winter Sea. Loved seeing Anna's story from Winter Sea continue. Very well written, holds my attention, the writing is so good that I have bought all the rest of her books.

I ready Shadowy Horses and enjoyed the premise, although the writing and plot closure are simplistic. Suspense builds steadily, but then the climax comes, all is resolved way too easily, and you're done, happily ever after. Romantic scenes are totally predictable in the way she uses prose. I do like her use of second sight and "time travel", it's unusual and interesting, and visits history in a very palatable way.

Enjoyable read. Sweet. I am glad her fans wanted her to keep him alive. Best if book one is read first but can stand alone. Really romantic and seems so authentic. Susanna is new to me and is now my favorite reading for paranormal romance, historically rooted. I would recommend to anyone who wants a read to get lost in.

So well written - you feel like another observer as well as Rob and Nick. I love historical fiction and really appreciate Ms. Kearsley's meticulous attention to factual details. I will definitely be reading more of her work.

Susanna Kearsley's writing brings the reader into the lives of her characters. She is dedicated to research before putting pen to paper. In my mind's eye, I can visualize the time, place, and the characters. She makes you fall in love with them and in this book, I found myself wanting Anna and Edmund to end up together. This was a great book and I would highly recommend it.

Up to Susanna Kearley's usual well-written and interesting style. The Firebird in the title is an antique carving brought to the heroine of the story, and who is asked to prove it's provenance to the court of Tsarina Catherine of Russia. She can do this, but only by revealing her hidden phycometric abilities, and in colusion with an old boyfriend, Rob. The problem is that she left him when she was became frightened of her ability and worried that it would lead to things she didn't want and had tried to keep hidden since she was a child. But she finds it irresistable to discover the truth about the Firebird, and the truth about her relationship with Rob.
Well-worth spending time reading!

Being one of my favorite authors, I'm always looking for books by this author.
The cover caught my eye even before I saw who wrote it and was immediately hooked.
The story was superb and I was delighted to see the grown-up character from another of her books.
It was almost like meeting an old friend.
If you want a book for your own library, pick any of Ms. Kearsleys.