The Firebird

The Firebird, by Susanna Kearsley 

 I have to say that as an author, Susanna Kearsley is definitely up there as one of my favourites. There is always some magical about picking up one of Kearsley's books and diving straight into the story. Its a warm homecoming feeling that her writing generates that always makes me come back for more, like you've just walked back into your childhood home and seen the welcoming smile of your family greeting you with arms open wide and a cup of tea brewing in the kettle.

UK cover

The Firebrid was no exception. Not only does Kearsley bring back one of her most beloved character, Robbie, the physic child from The Shadowy Horses, but the world she builds is a familiar to anyone: it's about family, love, and finding out about your true self. It's a journey of self discovery for each and everyone of the characters, past and present, that lights up this book and shows you the true meaning behind the title. 

Rating: T - emotional feels, minimal violence, political intrigue and romance. 

Post feels - I cried. Literally. Cried. She gets me every damn time!

Blurb: 

Whoever dares to seek the Firebird may find the journey — and its ending — unexpected.

Nicola Marter was born with a gift. When she touches an object, she sometimes sees images; glimpses of those who have owned it before. It’s never been a gift she wants, and she keeps it a secret from most people, including her practical boss Sebastian, one of London’s premier dealers in Russian art.

But when a woman offers Sebastian a small wooden carving for sale, claiming it belonged to Russia’s first Empress Catherine, it’s a problem. There’s no proof. Sebastian believes that the plain carving — known as “The Firebird” — is worthless. But Nicola’s held it, and she knows the woman is telling the truth, and is in desperate need of the money the sale of the heirloom could bring.

Compelled to help, Nicola turns to a man she once left, and still loves: Rob McMorran, whose own psychic gifts are far greater than hers. With Rob to help her “see” the past, she follows a young girl named Anna from Scotland to Belgium and on into Russia.

There, in St. Petersburg — the once-glittering capital of Peter the Great’s Russia — Nicola and Rob unearth a tale of love and sacrifice, of courage and redemption…an old story that seems personal and small, perhaps, against the greater backdrops of the Jacobite and Russian courts, but one that will forever change their lives.

What I really admire about Susanna Kearsley is the amount of historical detail she places within the fictional realm. With exception of the main protagonists, each character around them are all real historically factual people. The combination of history and fiction has always been an interest of mine and to see it played out so well, is remarkable for me. Any historical fiction lovers out there should pay attention to Susanna Kearsley's work. Especially any Jacobite enthusiasts out there. Susanna Kearsley is your gal! 

We start our journey with Nicole Marter, a gifted and reluctant psychometrist. Nicole is a great character and has a lot of similarities to the past protagonist, Anna. She's caring, kind and most importantly, she's afraid. Of her gift and of herself. Her Russian family history has some part to play in her fears, due to her eccentric grandfather, but its those roots and abilities that are put to the test when Nicole comes into contact with the Firebird. Nicole knows that the link between Empress Catherine of Russia - Peter the Great's wife - and the carving are real. However, she has no proof. The only person she knows who can help her with this dilemma is Robbie - who also happens to be an old flame of Nicole's. Now, smush faces together!

Through their journey to the past, they come across Anna. First, we seen Anna as a small child in Scotland, living near the Earl of Errol's home. She is the women who first acquires the Firebird. And she is where the story begins. Flung into a world of political machinations, bonds of family and kinship, in a world divided by the claims of two kings, Anna will face dangers untold, but most importantly, through all her traveling, Anna will find herself. She will find that she is in face somebody. 

What I loved about this story (not just all those teeth grinding moments when you just NEEDED those two particular characters to smush their lips together and end their angst-y agony) is the message it portrays. You are never a no body. You might not have family near you. You might be alone in the world. But you are never unimportant, you are never alone. Now, how many people can say that they can never relate to this? Everyone, at some point in their lives, feels this way. They feel the need to re-discover themselves, and this is what Susanna Kearsley portrays so well. We have all done things we regret: rejected someone we actually loved, hurt someone who didn't deserve it...or ran off to Russia without telling anyone *ahem*, but we can all learn from it and find ourselves again. We just need a little push. Once in a while, we all have to chase the Firebird in our lives. No matter where it takes us.