The Firebird

Nicola Marter has a psychic ability to see the history of objects she touches. When a client brings an heirloom to the London art gallery where she works, Nicola's gift reveals a connection to the legendary Firebird - an artifact from 18th century Russia. She teams up with Rob McMorran, who possesses even stronger psychic abilities, to trace the object's past. Their search leads them from London to Scotland and ultimately to Russia, following the path of a young woman named Anna Moray who lived three centuries ago. As Nicola and Rob use their abilities to uncover Anna's story, they must navigate both historical mysteries and their own complicated relationship. The dual timeline narrative moves between present-day Europe and the courts of the Jacobites in 1715 Scotland and Imperial Russia. The story combines elements of historical fiction, romance, and supernatural abilities while exploring themes of loyalty, power, and the ways the past influences the present. The novel examines how both physical objects and psychic impressions can connect people across centuries, while questioning what we choose to believe about forces beyond our understanding.

Readers praise the dual-timeline structure and rich historical detail, particularly around Russian and Scottish history. Many note the strong romantic elements and paranormal aspects blend well with the historical fiction components. Reviewers highlight Kearsley's writing style as immersive and her research as thorough. Common criticisms include a slow-paced beginning, less compelling contemporary storyline compared to the historical narrative, and some found the romance predictable. Several readers mention the book works better if you've read The Winter Sea first, as characters overlap. "The historical portions transported me completely" - Goodreads reviewer "Contemporary sections dragged compared to the past" - Amazon reviewer Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (24,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (1,000+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.2/5 (600+ ratings) The book scores highest among readers who enjoy romantic historical fiction with supernatural elements and don't mind a gradual build in pacing.

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✦ The book weaves together two timelines: a contemporary story and one set in 1725 Imperial Russia during the reign of Peter the Great's widow, Catherine I. ✦ The Firebird references a carved wooden bird that serves as a connection between past and present, and shares its name with the magical creature from Slavic folklore that appears in many Russian fairy tales. ✦ Author Susanna Kearsley meticulously researches her historical settings, and traveled to Russia, Scotland, and Belgium to ensure accuracy in her descriptions of these locations. ✦ Several characters in the novel are based on real historical figures, including John Moray and the Jacobites who fled to Russia after the failed 1715 uprising against the British crown. ✦ The book is a follow-up to Kearsley's earlier novel "The Winter Sea," featuring Anna, who readers first meet as a child in the previous book, now grown and living in Russia.