Helpful Score: 2
There are a lot of young friendships in this book. It's in their conversations that I thought the book's strong points lay: everyone is very articulate and well spoken, which fits with the time period and their upbringing in London society. It was nice to read conversations between teenagers where there's wit and proper manners.
The problem I had however was there were a lot of characters to take in and after a while some of them sort of blended in together. Alex's brothers seemed indistinguishable to me besides one being the oldest and one being the most tactless (can't remember who that was though). Vivi and Ellie also have very similar voices, and when the three girls spoke, I couldn't really tell them apart besides their names, because their personalities are so similar.
I think it's one of those books I thought was just "OK", but others really loved it. I see a lot of glowing reviews online. For me, the best parts involve the romance and the conversations between characters, and it's still a quick, fun read but the plot is a little too predictable and the characters a little too wholesome for my tastes.
The problem I had however was there were a lot of characters to take in and after a while some of them sort of blended in together. Alex's brothers seemed indistinguishable to me besides one being the oldest and one being the most tactless (can't remember who that was though). Vivi and Ellie also have very similar voices, and when the three girls spoke, I couldn't really tell them apart besides their names, because their personalities are so similar.
I think it's one of those books I thought was just "OK", but others really loved it. I see a lot of glowing reviews online. For me, the best parts involve the romance and the conversations between characters, and it's still a quick, fun read but the plot is a little too predictable and the characters a little too wholesome for my tastes.
Helpful Score: 1
Reviewed by Ashley B for TeensReadToo.com
Seventeen-year-old Lady Alexandra Stafford is being introduced into Regency London this season. Too bad she doesn't fit in with her sharp tongue and the fact that she hates dress fittings. The last thing Alex wants is to marry, which is why her mother, the Duchess, is so thrilled it is finally her season.
While Alex attends lavish balls and extravagant dinner parties with her two best friends, Ella and Vivi, she also manages to uncover an important secret involving Gavin Blackmoor, a family friend. His father, the Earl, was killed, and Alex wants to help Gavin find the murderer.
In the process of growing closer to Gavin, she finds her feelings changing, and realizes that maybe marriage and love aren't as bad as she thought them to be.
I am a big historical fiction fan, and this book did not disappoint. Sarah MacLean wrote a beautiful debut novel that was hard to put down. Alex's character was witty and fun. She seemed like someone I would be friends with! Gavin was a handsome character who was also sweet.
If you ever come across THE SEASON, you should definitely pick it up. It was great, and I recommend it to anyone!
Seventeen-year-old Lady Alexandra Stafford is being introduced into Regency London this season. Too bad she doesn't fit in with her sharp tongue and the fact that she hates dress fittings. The last thing Alex wants is to marry, which is why her mother, the Duchess, is so thrilled it is finally her season.
While Alex attends lavish balls and extravagant dinner parties with her two best friends, Ella and Vivi, she also manages to uncover an important secret involving Gavin Blackmoor, a family friend. His father, the Earl, was killed, and Alex wants to help Gavin find the murderer.
In the process of growing closer to Gavin, she finds her feelings changing, and realizes that maybe marriage and love aren't as bad as she thought them to be.
I am a big historical fiction fan, and this book did not disappoint. Sarah MacLean wrote a beautiful debut novel that was hard to put down. Alex's character was witty and fun. She seemed like someone I would be friends with! Gavin was a handsome character who was also sweet.
If you ever come across THE SEASON, you should definitely pick it up. It was great, and I recommend it to anyone!
Age R: 12+
Release Date: March 1, 2009 (go get it now!)
Thoughts:
This book is amazing! I could not put it down, I just loved it so much from the beginning all the way to the end. I'm so sad it's over. Ah the ending is ..wow! Loved it!!
Alexandra a.k.a Alex/Minx(cuute nickname from Gavin)/Scamp, is a seventeen year old girl who is starting her first season in 19th century London along side her two wonderful best friends, Ella and Vivi. She is dreading everything about it because she doesn't really believe in "The One" the way Vivi does or love in general.
At the balls she is forced to attend, she gains attention from a lot of unlikely candidates. Even some really cute ones like Freddy Stanhope.
Then there's Gavin (awww). Her childhood friend who once saved her from a tree (cute story) and who's always been like a fourth brother to her. He's starting to seem more and more different (in a good way). For some reason Alex never really saw him, until this season and now every time she sees him she practically gets butterflies in her stomach, but he's so busy laughing and dancing with the beautiful Penelope and having to deal with his father's recent death, or was it murder?
I HIGHLY recommend reading this book, you will not be disappointed. It will leave you with a ginormous smile on your face once you've finished it, actually throughout the whole book you'll end up with a ginormous smile on your face. hehe :D
The characters are witty and fun to read about. I just love the dialouge throughout the whole book. With Sarah MacLean's great writing, it all ends up being a great story anyone will fall in love with. It doesn't hurt that there are cute guys with great personalities all over the place. There's Alex's brothers William/Will (23), Nicholas/Nick (21), Christopher/Kit (19), and Freddy the adorable flirt (not her brother). Oh and who can forget the main man, Gavin (23).
Here are a sample of Sarah MacLean's awesome writing in this book:
"Madame Fernaud may have been considered the most renowned dressmaker in all of England, but Alex knew better. Clearly, the Frenchwoman was waging a quiet war against her British enemies by poking the young maidens of London to death."
There is way more incredible writing where that came from but I really don't want to ruin it for anyone and since that quote doesn't give anything away, it's the only one I'll use.
-tvandbookaddict.blogspot.com
Release Date: March 1, 2009 (go get it now!)
Thoughts:
This book is amazing! I could not put it down, I just loved it so much from the beginning all the way to the end. I'm so sad it's over. Ah the ending is ..wow! Loved it!!
Alexandra a.k.a Alex/Minx(cuute nickname from Gavin)/Scamp, is a seventeen year old girl who is starting her first season in 19th century London along side her two wonderful best friends, Ella and Vivi. She is dreading everything about it because she doesn't really believe in "The One" the way Vivi does or love in general.
At the balls she is forced to attend, she gains attention from a lot of unlikely candidates. Even some really cute ones like Freddy Stanhope.
Then there's Gavin (awww). Her childhood friend who once saved her from a tree (cute story) and who's always been like a fourth brother to her. He's starting to seem more and more different (in a good way). For some reason Alex never really saw him, until this season and now every time she sees him she practically gets butterflies in her stomach, but he's so busy laughing and dancing with the beautiful Penelope and having to deal with his father's recent death, or was it murder?
I HIGHLY recommend reading this book, you will not be disappointed. It will leave you with a ginormous smile on your face once you've finished it, actually throughout the whole book you'll end up with a ginormous smile on your face. hehe :D
The characters are witty and fun to read about. I just love the dialouge throughout the whole book. With Sarah MacLean's great writing, it all ends up being a great story anyone will fall in love with. It doesn't hurt that there are cute guys with great personalities all over the place. There's Alex's brothers William/Will (23), Nicholas/Nick (21), Christopher/Kit (19), and Freddy the adorable flirt (not her brother). Oh and who can forget the main man, Gavin (23).
Here are a sample of Sarah MacLean's awesome writing in this book:
"Madame Fernaud may have been considered the most renowned dressmaker in all of England, but Alex knew better. Clearly, the Frenchwoman was waging a quiet war against her British enemies by poking the young maidens of London to death."
There is way more incredible writing where that came from but I really don't want to ruin it for anyone and since that quote doesn't give anything away, it's the only one I'll use.
-tvandbookaddict.blogspot.com
Didn't realize that this book is a young adult book, but it was still quite enjoyable.
Alexander "Alex" Stafford is not looking forward to her debut to society. The daughter of the Duke of Worthington, Alex realizes that the men of Regency England just want a beautiful woman to call "wife" as they spend her dowry. But her mother insists that if she puts herself out there, she will find the right man for her. Alex, along with her two best friends, Vivi and Ella, attends balls, afternoon teas, and country parties. During that time, Alex begins to notice that her friend and neighbor, Gavin Sewell, has turned into a dashing young man. Gavin is a friend of her three brothers and is comfortable in Alex's home. He is also the new Earl of Blackmoor after the untimely death of his father. When Alex overhears a conversation at a party about the murder of Gavin's father, she fears that he may be the next body that is found. Alex, Vivi and Ella decide to do some sleuthing to discover who wants to kill Gavin.
The Season is a Young Adult story and Sarah MacLean's debut novel. I thought it was a fun story, especially the blooming romance between Alex and Gavin. The mystery portion of the story could have used some work. It was a bit under-developed. Overall, this is an enjoyable read. My rating: 4 Stars.
The Season is a Young Adult story and Sarah MacLean's debut novel. I thought it was a fun story, especially the blooming romance between Alex and Gavin. The mystery portion of the story could have used some work. It was a bit under-developed. Overall, this is an enjoyable read. My rating: 4 Stars.
