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illusie's review against another edition
3.0
This is about Celia accepting a role in a play for which she has to go to Italy. The pacing was very slow and for a while not much was going on. I liked that we got several detailed descriptions of the surroundings. The gardens of the villa sounded lovely. The characters were interesting. I loved the dogs. The story about Celia the first was intriguing. There was a bit of a mystery to the story. It's a shame that the romance didn't get much attention. Now it was barely there. Overall it was enjoyable. Not as good as I expected from this author.
emmadkreads's review
4.0
The size of this book is deceptive, as the plot will quickly carry you through the streets of London to the canals of Venice and the lush gardens of Italian estates. Follow along with Celia as she navigates her way through her first big break as an actress staging an ill-fated play.
darkcrystal1839's review
5.0
In this novel, Susanna Kearsley takes us into the world of theatre. I find it interesting that at least two of her novels that I've read now have included characters in worlds that I'm fairly well familiar with. It was very interesting to go behind the scenes of the production they set to put on in this story, being a former theatre hand myself. It makes it even more fun to immerse myself into the world of the book.
Of course, in this novel there is far more going on than just the play they're working on. Tangled relationships, misunderstandings, secrets, etc ... and of course, the hint of the supernatural. Because where would a Susanna Kearsley novel be without that? This story's style reminded me most of The Shadowy Horses. A hint of the past tied to the present without too much overwhelming the present-day characters, and a delicious thread of intrigue and mystery weaving throughout, different than her sometimes mainly romantic books. There is of course romance all over, as would be expected with a group of theatre people thrown together in a remote location without many outsiders.
All the characters were fabulous - innocents, rascals, idols, lovers ... and of course, all the seedy characters that you just can't help but dislike, usually for good reason, as it turns out. The story was the best blend of paranormal and realistic, surprisingly believable for all its content. I can happily say that after diving head first into the books of Susanna Kearsley, reading them without abandon at a rapid pace, I have yet to be disappointed.
Of course, in this novel there is far more going on than just the play they're working on. Tangled relationships, misunderstandings, secrets, etc ... and of course, the hint of the supernatural. Because where would a Susanna Kearsley novel be without that? This story's style reminded me most of The Shadowy Horses. A hint of the past tied to the present without too much overwhelming the present-day characters, and a delicious thread of intrigue and mystery weaving throughout, different than her sometimes mainly romantic books. There is of course romance all over, as would be expected with a group of theatre people thrown together in a remote location without many outsiders.
All the characters were fabulous - innocents, rascals, idols, lovers ... and of course, all the seedy characters that you just can't help but dislike, usually for good reason, as it turns out. The story was the best blend of paranormal and realistic, surprisingly believable for all its content. I can happily say that after diving head first into the books of Susanna Kearsley, reading them without abandon at a rapid pace, I have yet to be disappointed.
keconomekristyn's review
4.0
Not a book I'd ordinarily choose for myself, but this story kept me interested from the beginning. A bit of mystery combined with drama.
lisawreading's review against another edition
3.0
I love just about everything written by Susanna Kearsley, but this reissue of a 2001 novel is maybe a bit too long and unfocused for my taste. Season of Storms has the trademark lush settings and romantic themes of the author's best works, but something about the plot is just a bit too meandering for me.
I still enjoyed Season of Storms, but for anyone looking to read Susanna Kearsley books for the first time, I'd recommend Mariana or The Winter Sea as better starting points.
(My full review is up at Bookshelf Fantasies.)
I still enjoyed Season of Storms, but for anyone looking to read Susanna Kearsley books for the first time, I'd recommend Mariana or The Winter Sea as better starting points.
(My full review is up at Bookshelf Fantasies.)
tricia_sebben's review
2.0
Meh. I generally love Susanna Kearsley however this one fell very flat for me. I didn't feel any true connection/relevance to the "mystery trapped in time" and felt that was completely unnecessary to the rest of the storyline.
maggienack's review
3.0
Good, but not as good as some of her other work. The link to the past was less important, but it also felt hokey. The romance was thin. It felt like it was there just to create a happy ever after moment.