
3/5 Stars
Author: Elle Cosimano
Publisher/Imprint: HarperTeen
Edition: Paperback ARC, 469 Pages
Hardcover Publication Date: June 23, 2020
A Spine that Shines? Partially
*I received a free ARC of this book from the author. Thank you also to EpicReads for sending me a free copy of the finished hardcover. These are my honest opinions. Thank you.*
Book Synopsis
One cold, crisp night, Jack Sommers was faced with a choice—live forever according to the ancient, magical rules of Gaia, or die.
Jack chose to live, and in exchange, he became a Winter—an immortal physical embodiment of the season on Earth. Every year, he must hunt the Season who comes before him. Summer kills Spring. Autumn kills Summer. Winter kills Autumn. And Spring kills Winter.
Jack and Fleur, a Winter and a Spring, fall for each other against all odds. To be together, they’ll have to escape the cycle that’s been forcing them apart. But their creator won’t let them go without a fight.
Book Review
‘In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity. A perfect storm lies ahead. You can let it destroy you, or you can take control of it.’
-Elle Cosimano, Seasons of the Storm
Initial Thoughts
Hello, bookworms! I hope you are all doing well! How did your June reading go? Seasons of the Storm is the only book I was able to finish in June. I really wanted to like this book. Unfortunately, I ended up having mixed feelings. Here are some initial thoughts I had:
- The premise itself is unique and fascinating! Teenagers are turned into immortal embodiments of the four seasons? How awesome is that?
- I also loved the idea of a forbidden romance between a Winter and a Spring! (More on that later.)
- There were definitely some interesting twists here and there!
- The elemental powers that are unique to each season are really cool!
- There are some fun, witty moments 😀
- I loved the fluffy gray cat named Slinky!
- The synopsis makes this book sound like an amazing high fantasy, which is why I had requested the novel. However, from the beginning, I found that the book was not what I had expected. It is actually set in our high-tech modern world, mostly in North America in the U.S. There are some cool sights we get to see – like the Library of Congress. But I had difficulty wrapping my mind around this modern setting in combination with immortal seasons and their powers. These aspects did not mesh well together for me. At first, I was quite confused about how their powers work and what the “rules” are in this world. Chronos and Gaia are figures in this setting too, and it felt odd.
‘Fear not, young lion,’ he whispers. ‘Winter’s crown may be heavy on your head. But you hold eternal spring in your heart.’
-Elle Cosimano, Seasons of the Storm
Characters & Romance
Here is a brief overview of the characters and romance.
- Unfortunately, many of the characters felt flat to me. There are about eight characters, which is a lot to keep track of and flesh out backstories for. There are four seasons and each of their “handlers,” who help guide their assigned season. Jack, the main Winter, and Fleur, the main Spring, alternate narrating the story. I didn’t feel completely invested in their journey.
- Some characters did things that felt inconsistent with their characterization. For example, a strong, confident individual suddenly decides to attempt suicide. Another character who talks so much about how he adores a certain girl has to “clench his teeth from biting her head off.”
- The romance also fell a little flat. I didn’t really feel Jack and Fleur’s chemistry. Probably because they have already fallen “in love” even before the main story line begins. We don’t get to see the development of their feelings; we’re just told that they are in love – even though it is mentioned multiple times near the beginning that they barely know each other. In the first chunk of the book, Jack and Fleur hardly interact in person. In my opinion, their interactions with each other in the second chunk of the book sometimes feel stilted and forced, as if they are having certain conversations or arguments because the writer thought they needed to have an argument as a couple.
‘It takes more courage to love than to fight.’
-Elle Cosimano, Seasons of the Storm
Final Thoughts
The pacing and concept of time felt a bit off sometimes. Honestly, this book felt long and a bit drawn-out. Even though I loved the unique premise, it was a struggle to finish. Not much happens in the first chunk of the book. There is an imbalance in POV chapters in the first part of the book; more of the chapters are from Jack’s POV, and we don’t always have a good idea of what’s going on from Fleur’s POV. Thankfully the POVs do become more balanced in part two. When we get to the second part of the book, the pace picks up but becomes a little choppy. The characters are bouncing around from state to state quite rapidly, and sometimes significant events (such as character deaths) happen too quickly for me to fully feel the emotional impact. It almost feels as if the characters are traveling unusually fast for non-magical transportation.
But if you are a fan of fantasy set in our world, you may enjoy this book much more! It definitely had some entertaining moments, but overall it wasn’t the icy blast of fun I’d hoped for. I’m not saying it was entirely bad. It just wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. But I’m still thankful for the opportunity to read and review it! I understand that each novel is the product of an author’s hard work and effort. Happy reading, everyone 🙂
*Content Warnings: Fantasy violence; one suicide attempt; multiple uses of the f-word and s-word; kissing; one sex scene.*
Copyright © 2020 by Spines that Shine (Caitlin Shaffer)
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Up Next on My TBR: Unravel the Dusk (ARC)
Ooh, that’s a shame, I had high hopes for Seasons of the Storm. Hope your next read will be better – I have Unravel the Dusk on my July TBR as well!
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It could be different for different readers if you think the setting would be okay for you. It wasn’t what I expected haha.
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I was really intrigued by this when I first heard about it but I think I saw a few mixed reviews and my enthusiasm lessened a bit. I do still hope to read it at some point though, I just have a lot of other books to prioritise first.
Setting wise I don’t really mind fantasy novels being set in our world but I do find the lack of chemistry between characters frustrating. And I agree that it can be jarring when characters act in a contradictory way. I read a book last year where the main character did a few things that didn’t quite add up to me and it was so frustrating.
Anyway I hope that you’re enjoying your current read.
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I did enjoy the one I was reading – Sing Me Forgotten 🙂
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Glad to hear it 😁 are you planning to read the authors next book?
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Yes, I definitely plan to read A Forgery of Roses!
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I look forward to reading your review of it. Hope you enjoy it.
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