The Firebird

By: Susanna Kearsley

Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren

Length: 14 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Nicola Marter was born with a gift. When she touches an object, she sometimes glimpses those who have owned it before. When a woman arrives with a small wooden carving at the gallery Nicola works at, she can see the object’s history and knows that it was named after the Firebird - the mythical creature from an old Russian fable.

Compelled to know more, Nicola follows a young girl named Anna who leads her into the past on a quest through the glittering backdrops of the Jacobites and Russian courts, unearthing a tale of love, courage, and redemption.

©2013 Susanna Kearsley (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

More heavy on the romance than the historical

This review is tough because I am comparing it to "The Winter Sea", which I loved and gave 5 stars. This book is a worthy continuation of that story. I did enjoy this book, but not as much as The Winter Sea because "The Firebird" is much more involved in the romantic storyline of the past and present characters than on the historical times of Russia and the Jacobites while the Winter Sea was heavier on the historical times with the romance as a backdrop. I would have enjoyed more history in this one.

Additionally, whereas the narrator of the Winter Sea immediately engaged me, I had to get used to this one.

If you haven't listened/read the Winter Sea first, I would highly recommend it. I believe this book could be a stand alone, but I believe you get much more out of it reading it in sequence.

Overall, it is a solid 4 star read.

An Epic Listen!

This is one of the best audiobooks I have listened to. I love Susanna Kearsley's writing style and the beautiful characters that you come to love. She has her stoies flash back from modern times to some point in the past fluidly. I always am disappointed when it is time to change centuries but quickly become enraptured with the current tale and forget I was ever disconcerted.

This book all revolves around finding out the history of a small figurine called The Firebird. The story travels between London, Scotland, and Russian and the reader gets to experience it all like he is there because of Kearsey's wonderful imagery. There is romance, family ties, faith, and a touch of supernatural that makes it a perfect blend for me.

Katherine Kellgren does a spectacular job narrating this book and handles a variety of accents with perfection.

Absolutely a beautiful story

Ms. Kearsley never disappoints, and this story is right up there with 5 stars, as are her other books. I've read. I listened to "The Winter Sea" a long time ago, and this story brings back some of it's characters for an update many years later. It's a beautiful narration, recreating many historical places and people bringing this delightful, and sometimes tear jerking tale to light. The 14 hours fly by, so don't let that dissuade you from listening, as it's well worth your time.

Loved "firebird"

Make sure that you listen to "the winter sea" by Susan Kearsley before this one. I tried to listen to Firebird first and i just could not get started. Knowing that I was intrigued by this author, I listened to "The Winter Sea" and it all made sense to me. These two stories tell a beautiful story. The narrator is excellent. Listen to them both you'll be glad you did.

Amazing book!

Loved this book! Well written and the narrator was excellent. A great story with a bit of an unexpected twist. I would highly recommend it (and already have)!!!

superb

fantastic story couldn't put it down highly recommend this.
narrator was superb with accents great book

Why isn't this classified as Romance?

Is there anything you would change about this book?

This book is basically a dressed up Harlequin romance. A more developed plot whose resolution isn't obvious halfway through would suit me better.

Would you be willing to try another book from Susanna Kearsley? Why or why not?

Since this is a recent effort, not an early work, no.

Which character – as performed by Katherine Kellgren – was your favorite?

Ms. Kellgren's narration was superb and the accents were so lovely I can't pick a favorite.

Did The Firebird inspire you to do anything?

Other than rolling my eyes really hard several times, no.

Wonderful story!

Love this novel. Hopefully it will be recorded again with a different narrator. Like Kellgren and will miss her, but had to force myself to listen to this to the end even though the author and characters are utterly wonderful! Kellgren’s Scots accent is actually Irish and her general shrill narrartion is a disservice to Kearsley’s brilliant graceful prose.

Great book!

I thoroughly enjoyed the story by Kearsley, and as always, Kellgren delivered a masterful performance.

Best fiction

This is one of the best stories I have listen to in a long time.