The Firebird

The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley

Told in two alternating times and characters, this book was a pure delight! Nicola "Nik" Marter has the power to "read" the past of an object, see where it's been, or who has touched it (which would be really quite neat actually). But she likes to keep this gift close to her chest, and doesn't tell many people. Then, one day she finds herself wanting to authenticate a wooden Firebird brought into her museum for the sad and the lonely patron seeking money from the object. 

She enlists the help of Rob—who she trained within a special program developing psychic gifts—and together they begin a journey from Scotland to Paris, and finally to Russia following their visions of a certain young lady who holds the keys to all the secrets of the Firebird. 

Through the use of their powers, Nik and Rob are able to experience flashbacks of the past, and it is amazing! I just wanted more and more. Every time a vision concluded and it was back in to their "real lives," I felt a little deflated. Their story line was good too, but the historical visions were so beautiful and exciting! Overall, it is a well written and executed book.

The really interesting part of this novel is that all of the historical events mentioned actually happened. And the historical characters were real people. So while this has a cool supernatural element, it is also a great historical fiction. This book is the second in the Slains series, but can be read as a standalone novel. 

Find The Firebird in our adult fiction section!