What do you think?
Rate this book
Leland Sisters #2
Betraying Season
Penelope Leland has come to Ireland to study magic and prove to herself that she is as good a witch as her twin sister, Persy. But when the dashing Niall Keating begins to court her, Pen can't help being distracted from her studies. Little does Pen know, Niall is acting upon orders from his sorceress mother. And although it starts as a sham, Niall actually falls deeply in love with Pen, and she with him. Even if he halts his mother's evil plan, will Pen be able to forgive him for trying to seduce her into a plot?
336 pages, Paperback
First published September 29, 2009
16 people are currently reading
1858 people want to read
About the author
Marissa Doyle
25 books264 followersI try to write the kinds of stories I most enjoy reading...which means stories with heroines finding out who they are, their strengths and purposes, and where they belong in the world...and usually saving the day in the process (no damsels in distress here!) It means romance, but not with a capital "R". It means a lighter tone because I write what I like to read and I'm not really into cathartic reading...so you might want to think twice before picking up my books if you like dark and angsty reads as I might not be your cup of tea. I want to write mini-vacations for readers--give you stories that are fun and satisfying and put you into a good mood for when you close my books, smile, and step back out into the real world.
So there you go.
Oh, and for my bio--married mom of three young adults, life-long New Englander, passionate about history and research and anything from the past, and devoted to my adorable pet bunnies, whose photos I tend to paste all over Facebook. I don't review books much here on GR, but I have catalogued my library on LibraryThing and enjoy talking about books both there and here, so don't be afraid to say hello. And if you want an occasional newsletter with info on upcoming books, freebies, and more, visit http://eepurl.com/bVDwlf
So there you go.
Oh, and for my bio--married mom of three young adults, life-long New Englander, passionate about history and research and anything from the past, and devoted to my adorable pet bunnies, whose photos I tend to paste all over Facebook. I don't review books much here on GR, but I have catalogued my library on LibraryThing and enjoy talking about books both there and here, so don't be afraid to say hello. And if you want an occasional newsletter with info on upcoming books, freebies, and more, visit http://eepurl.com/bVDwlf
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
June 27, 2009
I adored the first book in this series, Bewitching Season, for its fairy-tale like magic and romance. The second book was wonderful as well (not quite as good as the first I personally thought, though I'm sure some of you will disagree). There was a bit more sexuality in Betraying Season, which turned me off a little even though they don't end up sleeping together (yes, I'm one of those that goes for the clean, good stories).
I absolutely must applaud Doyle for her research, however. Check out her blog. She knows so much about the time period she's writing in, which is the mark of a very good writer, and what will make a very successful writer.
The characters were absolutely and completely believable, as far as fantasy books can make them. Pen was sweet and likable, but also witty and clever. Niall could be weak at times, but was suave and fun.
But the circumstances of the "love" between the two seemed a little unrealistic, regarding Pen's ability and Niall's family. Definitely possible in real life, but really? Two completely gorgeous people happen to have important magical similarities and happen to fall in love on the spot and neither happens to be spoilt rotten? It's possible, but just that.
The ending was fairly predictable, and I like a good twist, so that was a bit of a let-down, though there were a couple of neat twists within the plot.
Because of that, I feel like I must give Betraying Season 3 stars, even though it was a spectacularly fun read. I recommend it if you're looking for something light, romantic, and fantasy.
I absolutely must applaud Doyle for her research, however. Check out her blog. She knows so much about the time period she's writing in, which is the mark of a very good writer, and what will make a very successful writer.
The characters were absolutely and completely believable, as far as fantasy books can make them. Pen was sweet and likable, but also witty and clever. Niall could be weak at times, but was suave and fun.
But the circumstances of the "love" between the two seemed a little unrealistic, regarding Pen's ability and Niall's family. Definitely possible in real life, but really? Two completely gorgeous people happen to have important magical similarities and happen to fall in love on the spot and neither happens to be spoilt rotten? It's possible, but just that.
The ending was fairly predictable, and I like a good twist, so that was a bit of a let-down, though there were a couple of neat twists within the plot.
Because of that, I feel like I must give Betraying Season 3 stars, even though it was a spectacularly fun read. I recommend it if you're looking for something light, romantic, and fantasy.
March 26, 2011
The thing that annoys me about teen romances like this is that they make so much of 'not going all the way' but take you so close that there's very little difference. Was it necessary to centre the primary relationship around his trying to convince her to let him ruin her in order to save her? The first book in this series was so sweet, but both the romance and the excessive magic/goddess worship makes this one quite sour.
October 31, 2009
Oh, I am so contrary! When I put down Bewitching Season, I thought 'Well I got through it; it held my attention, but so what?' and proceeded not to think about it again. But I did not know about the sequel. So imagine my surprise as I'm making a quick stop at the library and see Betraying Season. I saw my hands reach out and snag it, my mind vaguely flickered in interest, and suddenly I was checking out with Betraying in hand. So here we are, after I had dissed Bewitching Season, the book had succeeded in doing what it was supposed to: make me more interested, make me interested enough to grab for the sequel. Although, I will not, not (do you hear me fingers!) buy these books. Take that publishers, muahaha! Only pathetically check them out at libraries...
Back into the world of Victorian England full of witches who buy kid gloves and whatnot, Betraying Season focuses on a character that was a little neglected in the first book: Penelope Leland. She was mainly there as the driving force between Lochinvar and Persy's relationship, and as a little bit of a bother for Persy when she was confused about her feelings for Lochinvar. But all that tiring relationship drama is over and done with: Persy and her beau are married, which leaves Pen..., well she doesn't exactly know where. She spent her first season worried about her twin messing up her one true love and trying to find a husband for herself as well. She failed to find a husband and neglected her magical studies in the process, though she had neglected those most of her life. Now that Persy has all that she desires and more, Pen feels like she should concentrate on her own life so that she might find those things as well.
I did enjoy this book a little bit better than the first. There was more emphasis on the magical aspect of the Leland's life, and we got a glimpse into what other people with magical abilites do to train this, not just what Ally teaches Persy and Pen. In the first book, Lochinvar talks about how a professor at school found him and taught him the ways of magic (?). How did he find him? Do magical people send of waves that can be detected by more skilled wizards? It just didn't make sense to me, and still doesn't. But it was nice to see what magic classes are really like. I also enjoyed the emphasis and the Three Goddesses, who are a very interesting topic in my opinion and added a little more depth to Marissa Doyle's magic.
The plot wasn't as easy to guess as the first was. There were a few points that I didn't see coming, which surprised me pleasantly. However, the characters are still horrible. Not one wasn't a Mary-sure cookie cutter character, and frankly they all bored me to tears, but maybe that's how Marissa Doyle likes to see the world: one-dimensional. I think Lady Keating showed the most promise, and she was the villain. I think the author could have explored a little more of the 'why' of Lady Keating. She was a powerful woman in an era when woman such as herself were not looked well upon. Especially being a woman with magical abilities, she must have run across boundaries in her life that would have frustrated her. Expansion on her history and personality would have made her much more interesting, and not just the 'big bad woman' to defeat.
As before, interesting to read but not much is written between the lines, which is how I enjoy my books. The kind that make you think long after you are done. Or are just so surprising and inventive, they make me wish I had the author's brain. Neither, I'm afraid to say, are in Betraying Season.
Back into the world of Victorian England full of witches who buy kid gloves and whatnot, Betraying Season focuses on a character that was a little neglected in the first book: Penelope Leland. She was mainly there as the driving force between Lochinvar and Persy's relationship, and as a little bit of a bother for Persy when she was confused about her feelings for Lochinvar. But all that tiring relationship drama is over and done with: Persy and her beau are married, which leaves Pen..., well she doesn't exactly know where. She spent her first season worried about her twin messing up her one true love and trying to find a husband for herself as well. She failed to find a husband and neglected her magical studies in the process, though she had neglected those most of her life. Now that Persy has all that she desires and more, Pen feels like she should concentrate on her own life so that she might find those things as well.
I did enjoy this book a little bit better than the first. There was more emphasis on the magical aspect of the Leland's life, and we got a glimpse into what other people with magical abilites do to train this, not just what Ally teaches Persy and Pen. In the first book, Lochinvar talks about how a professor at school found him and taught him the ways of magic (?). How did he find him? Do magical people send of waves that can be detected by more skilled wizards? It just didn't make sense to me, and still doesn't. But it was nice to see what magic classes are really like. I also enjoyed the emphasis and the Three Goddesses, who are a very interesting topic in my opinion and added a little more depth to Marissa Doyle's magic.
The plot wasn't as easy to guess as the first was. There were a few points that I didn't see coming, which surprised me pleasantly. However, the characters are still horrible. Not one wasn't a Mary-sure cookie cutter character, and frankly they all bored me to tears, but maybe that's how Marissa Doyle likes to see the world: one-dimensional. I think Lady Keating showed the most promise, and she was the villain. I think the author could have explored a little more of the 'why' of Lady Keating. She was a powerful woman in an era when woman such as herself were not looked well upon. Especially being a woman with magical abilities, she must have run across boundaries in her life that would have frustrated her. Expansion on her history and personality would have made her much more interesting, and not just the 'big bad woman' to defeat.
As before, interesting to read but not much is written between the lines, which is how I enjoy my books. The kind that make you think long after you are done. Or are just so surprising and inventive, they make me wish I had the author's brain. Neither, I'm afraid to say, are in Betraying Season.
January 11, 2010
This was the companion to Bewitching Season, which was okay, though not great. But this one I just didn't like! Anyway, this is about the other Leland sister, a witch in the Regency Era who goes to Ireland to study magic and gets involved with a mother and her grown up son and daughter. And the mother has some evil plans and plans to use the main character to achieve them.
It's multi-POV, which means the reader knows what's going on, but the main character doesn't. Sometimes that works, but, in this case, I just ended up thinking the main character was SO stupid. Not only that, but she was far too trusting of some people and too distrusting of others!
And the son (who had been ordered to flirt with her and then fell in love, you know the story) wouldn't tell her what was going on! Which meant he completely lost my disrespect. Plus, there was this whole thing where he planned to seduce her to save her, and, I'm sorry, but that just made me incredibly uncomfortable.
So, yeah, I just couldn't get on board with the main character OR her love interest. There were a couple of interesting minor characters, but they pretty much got dropped by the end, so this was a real struggle to get through.
It's multi-POV, which means the reader knows what's going on, but the main character doesn't. Sometimes that works, but, in this case, I just ended up thinking the main character was SO stupid. Not only that, but she was far too trusting of some people and too distrusting of others!
And the son (who had been ordered to flirt with her and then fell in love, you know the story) wouldn't tell her what was going on! Which meant he completely lost my disrespect. Plus, there was this whole thing where he planned to seduce her to save her, and, I'm sorry, but that just made me incredibly uncomfortable.
So, yeah, I just couldn't get on board with the main character OR her love interest. There were a couple of interesting minor characters, but they pretty much got dropped by the end, so this was a real struggle to get through.
July 10, 2011
Penelope Leland has come to Ireland to further her studies in magic. She hopes to become as good a witch as her dear twin sister Persy, and so she devotes all her energies to being studious. But once Pen meets Niall Keating, that is so much easier said than. Niall is both gorgeous and charming, and Pen is a little surprised when he shows so much interest in her. And she should be, because Niall is only courting Pen at the orders of his mother, a powerful sorceress who needs Pen’s help with a dangerous spell. But what began as false pretenses blossoms into real feelings for both Niall and Pen. And when Niall realizes that he loves Pen, he knows he cannot continue deceiving her. But will Pen ever be able to forgive Niall for taking advantage of her in that way? And will Niall even act in time to prevent his mother’s evil plans from coming to fruition?
I just loved Bewitching Season when I read it years ago, so I knew that I had to read its companion Betraying Season as soon as I got the chance. I’m happy to say that for the most part, Betraying Season was just as fun and enjoyable as Bewitching Season. Doyle uses the new setting of Ireland well, capturing and beautifully portraying how its customs and people are different from those of the London Pen is from. I loved how Pen’s magical and personal journey was so connected to ancient Irish lore, because it allows readers to see magic from a fresh perspective. I was a little less satisfied with the central romance, because something about it felt a little inconsistent. I never thought there was any question that Niall was in love with Pen, but I kept waiting for him to prove that love by being honest with Pen, something that took a very long time. I also didn’t really like how easily Pen seemed to be tricked into taking part of Niall’s mother’s evil scheme; she seemed a little too clever to be manipulated that easily. Despite those two issues, though, Betraying Season was still a quick and entertaining read.
Fans of Bewitching Season will not want to miss its companion in Betraying Season. This novel also appeals to readers who enjoyed La Petite Four by Regina Scott and The Season by Sarah MacLean.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
I just loved Bewitching Season when I read it years ago, so I knew that I had to read its companion Betraying Season as soon as I got the chance. I’m happy to say that for the most part, Betraying Season was just as fun and enjoyable as Bewitching Season. Doyle uses the new setting of Ireland well, capturing and beautifully portraying how its customs and people are different from those of the London Pen is from. I loved how Pen’s magical and personal journey was so connected to ancient Irish lore, because it allows readers to see magic from a fresh perspective. I was a little less satisfied with the central romance, because something about it felt a little inconsistent. I never thought there was any question that Niall was in love with Pen, but I kept waiting for him to prove that love by being honest with Pen, something that took a very long time. I also didn’t really like how easily Pen seemed to be tricked into taking part of Niall’s mother’s evil scheme; she seemed a little too clever to be manipulated that easily. Despite those two issues, though, Betraying Season was still a quick and entertaining read.
Fans of Bewitching Season will not want to miss its companion in Betraying Season. This novel also appeals to readers who enjoyed La Petite Four by Regina Scott and The Season by Sarah MacLean.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
July 31, 2017
Pen takes center stage as this novel's protagonist. She has traveled to Ireland with her former governess and is intent on becoming as good a witch as her twin. However, she meets Lady Keating--and her handsome Niall--and starts to become distracted from her studies. What she doesn't know is that Niall has been instructed by his mother to make Pen fall for him. Niall doesn't know at first what his mother has planned for Pen, but he finds himself falling for her in return and begins to doubt his mother's intentions. However, he doesn't know how to keep Pen free from his mother and still keep her affection.
I didn't like this book as much as the first book, perhaps because it seemed so obvious that Lady Keating isn't what she seems (and after the experiences in the first book, shouldn't Pen be more wary?). Also, Niall didn't quite cut if for me as the romantic lead. (See the spoiler section below if you want more details on that.)
****SPOILERS BELOW****
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Why don't I like Niall? Well, once he realizes his mother's evil plot, he has a couple of choices: tell Pen (but risk losing her, because she might not trust him after she finds out that he was initially pursuing her because his mother told him to) or seduce her (since his mother needs her to be a virgin in order to use her for a particular magical scheme). And Niall opts for seduction. How gentlemanly...So, honestly, I had a hard time rooting for him. He DOESN'T seduce her, although he does try, and even after he tells her about his mother's plot, he still tries to seduce her. Um, why couldn't he have tried more to just convince her to leave? I don't know, maybe the author wanted to make this book a little edgier and have that scene where he's touching her and trying to convince her that she should let him make love to her...but honestly, for me, that doesn't exactly make him a dashing romantic hero. It makes him a cad, because he should have tried the HONORABLE thing and told her the truth...and it made me want a different male lead.
I didn't like this book as much as the first book, perhaps because it seemed so obvious that Lady Keating isn't what she seems (and after the experiences in the first book, shouldn't Pen be more wary?). Also, Niall didn't quite cut if for me as the romantic lead. (See the spoiler section below if you want more details on that.)
****SPOILERS BELOW****
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Why don't I like Niall? Well, once he realizes his mother's evil plot, he has a couple of choices: tell Pen (but risk losing her, because she might not trust him after she finds out that he was initially pursuing her because his mother told him to) or seduce her (since his mother needs her to be a virgin in order to use her for a particular magical scheme). And Niall opts for seduction. How gentlemanly...So, honestly, I had a hard time rooting for him. He DOESN'T seduce her, although he does try, and even after he tells her about his mother's plot, he still tries to seduce her. Um, why couldn't he have tried more to just convince her to leave? I don't know, maybe the author wanted to make this book a little edgier and have that scene where he's touching her and trying to convince her that she should let him make love to her...but honestly, for me, that doesn't exactly make him a dashing romantic hero. It makes him a cad, because he should have tried the HONORABLE thing and told her the truth...and it made me want a different male lead.
June 5, 2012
What a complete 180 this story is! Despite its many flaws, Bewitching Season managed to win me over at the end. This book? Complete annoyance and rage!
Pen makes me want to shake her – violently. She’s either too dumb, oblivious, and naïve to notice the PLAIN as day manipulations of her, or is a stuck up, self-righteous conceited wench who refuses to listen to reason and advice because she believes she’s of better moral character and intellect than that. Whatever! Seriously, you have no idea how much she grated on my nerves. Tell that woman to get a new corset; I think it’s cinched too tight and cutting off needed oxygen flow to her brain cells.
Niall is omfg a little dumb prick. He’s such a momma’s boy. Doing whatever she says even though he knows it’s wrong and constantly says this to himself and tries to console himself to this fact with his little pity parties. He aggressively tries to seduce Pen and when he, you know, oops falls in love with her and wants to have her for his own and escape the vile clutches of his mother’s nefarious schemes (cue vomit here), his only solution is to SLEEP WITH HER so she can get caught in a compromising position?! WHAT. THE. FUCK?! I’m sorry, what is wrong with you! You need some bitch slaps for that! Purposely having sex with her and taking away her virginity is a dirty disgusting tactic to “save” her! How about you just GROW A BACKBONE and tell Pen about this so you can work out an answer TOGETHER OR tell yo momma to SHOVE IT!?
Lemme get out my “whoa, you little shit. It’s time for some beatings” outfit.
I don’t know how such a fun, lighthearted first book could have such a RAGE inducing sequel.
Pen makes me want to shake her – violently. She’s either too dumb, oblivious, and naïve to notice the PLAIN as day manipulations of her, or is a stuck up, self-righteous conceited wench who refuses to listen to reason and advice because she believes she’s of better moral character and intellect than that. Whatever! Seriously, you have no idea how much she grated on my nerves. Tell that woman to get a new corset; I think it’s cinched too tight and cutting off needed oxygen flow to her brain cells.
Niall is omfg a little dumb prick. He’s such a momma’s boy. Doing whatever she says even though he knows it’s wrong and constantly says this to himself and tries to console himself to this fact with his little pity parties. He aggressively tries to seduce Pen and when he, you know, oops falls in love with her and wants to have her for his own and escape the vile clutches of his mother’s nefarious schemes (cue vomit here), his only solution is to SLEEP WITH HER so she can get caught in a compromising position?! WHAT. THE. FUCK?! I’m sorry, what is wrong with you! You need some bitch slaps for that! Purposely having sex with her and taking away her virginity is a dirty disgusting tactic to “save” her! How about you just GROW A BACKBONE and tell Pen about this so you can work out an answer TOGETHER OR tell yo momma to SHOVE IT!?
Lemme get out my “whoa, you little shit. It’s time for some beatings” outfit.
I don’t know how such a fun, lighthearted first book could have such a RAGE inducing sequel.
October 3, 2009
After her twin sister, Persephone, marries - during her first London season, no less - teenage witch Penelope Leland travels to Ireland in the spring of 1838 with her former governess Ally, who is also newly married. Pen has never been as talented with magic as Persy, and would like to prove that she can be as good a witch as her twin. She hopes her studies in Ireland will enable her to do just that.
Shortly after her arrival in Dublin, Pen meets the handsome young Niall Keating. He begins to court her, and attracted to him, she enjoys it - even to the point where she is distracted from her studies. Unknown to Pen, however, is that Niall is acting on orders from his mother, who is also a powerful witch. Lady Keating wants to use Pen as part of a sinister plot against Queen Victoria. What wasn’t part of the plan was Niall and Pen falling in love with each other for real.
Betraying Season is a wonderful sequel to Marissa Doyle’s first book, Bewitching Season, but also manages to stand on its own for readers who haven’t read the first book. It contains a perfect blend of magic, romance, and history. I highly recommend both books to readers who enjoy young adult fantasy or historical fiction.
Shortly after her arrival in Dublin, Pen meets the handsome young Niall Keating. He begins to court her, and attracted to him, she enjoys it - even to the point where she is distracted from her studies. Unknown to Pen, however, is that Niall is acting on orders from his mother, who is also a powerful witch. Lady Keating wants to use Pen as part of a sinister plot against Queen Victoria. What wasn’t part of the plan was Niall and Pen falling in love with each other for real.
Betraying Season is a wonderful sequel to Marissa Doyle’s first book, Bewitching Season, but also manages to stand on its own for readers who haven’t read the first book. It contains a perfect blend of magic, romance, and history. I highly recommend both books to readers who enjoy young adult fantasy or historical fiction.
August 6, 2016
Pen Leland is on an adventure of her own when she arrives in Ireland to intensify her studies in magic. But unlike Persy, Pen is much less shy and much more prone to distractions. And that isn't a good think- especially when her magic is becoming stronger.
When Pen meets Lady Keating, the older woman immediately expresses an interest in getting to know her and invites her to her home. There Pen meets the dashing Niall Keating who entices Pen into a love story. At first everything starts as a scheme as Lady Keating needs a maiden in her big upcoming ritual. She will be the Crow and her daughter, Doireann, the Mother. But in order to complete it she needs the maiden who needs to be of magic.
But soon Niall can't stop his feelings and chaos erupts. Hard feelings and lies take the place of love when Lady Keating sees her son as a threat to her plans to destroy the reigning Queen. Still, will Pen be able to have her happily ever after, after all?
An enjoyable, quick read which is set during Queen Victoria's reign, Pen is a spunky heroine who brings forth a story which can be read over and over.
When Pen meets Lady Keating, the older woman immediately expresses an interest in getting to know her and invites her to her home. There Pen meets the dashing Niall Keating who entices Pen into a love story. At first everything starts as a scheme as Lady Keating needs a maiden in her big upcoming ritual. She will be the Crow and her daughter, Doireann, the Mother. But in order to complete it she needs the maiden who needs to be of magic.
But soon Niall can't stop his feelings and chaos erupts. Hard feelings and lies take the place of love when Lady Keating sees her son as a threat to her plans to destroy the reigning Queen. Still, will Pen be able to have her happily ever after, after all?
An enjoyable, quick read which is set during Queen Victoria's reign, Pen is a spunky heroine who brings forth a story which can be read over and over.
January 2, 2010
The prose and style is good, the historical aspects quite enjoyable, but the romance in this one? Cringe inducing. Truly. I enjoyed Bewitching Season, even if it was predictable, but this second offering was just ... off-putting. And who on earth would fall for the whole "In order to save you, I must deflower you before marrying you, although I love you so much and I fully intend to marry you." Ick. And no one is that pathetic. Seriously, Niall, you could think of no better plan? There was nothing else you could do? Well, that makes Niall either stupid or unimaginative, possibly both, with lechery thrown into the less than heroic or palatable mix of a male lead. Seriously, he was so bland. And his family? No one else picked up on those vibes?
I still look forward to reading The Waterloo Plot, due out later this year, but I can only hope it returns to the form of Doyle's debut and not this lackluster volume.
I still look forward to reading The Waterloo Plot, due out later this year, but I can only hope it returns to the form of Doyle's debut and not this lackluster volume.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2010
I enjoyed this installation in the Leland Sisters series just as much as the first. This time the story focuses on Penelope (aka: Pen) and her time and magical studies in Ireland. Once again Ally is not there to offer her protection and guidance (which is unfortunate because we haven't really gotten to know her character that much) and Pen is left to the whims of Lady Keating, a witch herself who has some sinister plans. There was a great blend of magic, romance, intrigue, and mystery with some good writing and historical references. Once again readers who like historical fiction and magic will enjoy this one.
May 14, 2012
This is the second book in a series that combines two things that I really love: Fantasy and Historical Fiction. This book was set in Ireland, and contained different sorts of magical references. The characters were interesting, and likable (except those that weren't likable at all). I became a little frustrated with the main character's blindness about certain things, but I was able to ignore that frustration for the most part. This book is a great read for anyone who likes fantasy, romance, and historical fiction. I recommend it as a good YA book.
March 15, 2013
I honestly liked this book more than the first one. Which is odd, since I normally like the first book in a series more. Both were good. But, and I'll admit it, the romance in this one was a little more prominent. And since I'm a girl, I liked it. :D Although the plot was still fairly predictable and simple, the setting really gave it a good feeling.
October 5, 2009
I didn't enjoy Betraying Season as much as Bewitching Season, I think because the plot was more predictable. It read more like a romance with a magical plot and a witch's motive thrown in--and even included a raunchy scene that went far beyond anything I remember from the first book.
April 1, 2009
This comes out in June -- I just read the galley. It's not high art, but, like the first book, Bewitching Season, it's quite enjoyable. A good lighter read with an agreeable dose of feminisim and the triple goddess as a bonus.
May 20, 2020
It’s a very quick read and was very engrossing. The world building isn’t done very well but the intrigue was the most exciting thing. Pen had very interesting adventure and much improved with her magic. The book overall is just a fun one to spend time in a different world.
January 7, 2015
History, magic, and love. What more could you want? :-)
March 22, 2016
*Special Content only on my blog, Strange and Random Happenstance during Regency Magic (March & April 2016)
Penelope feels that she not only let her twin sister down but her heroine Queen Victoria as well. Sure, she was there when Victoria was saved, but the special commendation belongs to her twin Persy and Persy alone. Pen feels like a fraud. And that is why she's in Ireland. It wasn't just that she felt like a third wheel at home with her sister in a constant state of connubial bliss with her new husband. It's that Pen has neglected her magical studies and now is the time to fix this shortfall. If she had tried harder before perhaps she could have actually helped Persy when she needed her help and deserved the commendation bestowed on her by Victoria. So Pen has followed her governess Ally to Ireland and Ally's new home in Cork with her husband. Only Ally is experiencing a common result of getting married and her horrific morning sickness, which seems to last all day, has led to Ally's father-in-law, Doctor Carrighar, taking over Pen's education. Despite how much she wants to better herself, being locked up all day studying, at times with four male students of Doctor Carrighar's who don't appreciate the presence of a female, can be tiring.
But Cork isn't London and Pen convinces Ally to let her run errands. Alone. When she's out one day she fatefully and almost fatally runs into Lady Keating. Lady Keating takes Pen under her wing and soon becomes the female role model Pen is so desperately missing with Ally being laid up and Persy a country away. It doesn't hurt that Lady Keating's son, Niall, isn't hard on the eyes. But then again, Niall is rumored to be the illegitimate son of Queen Victoria's uncle, the Duke of Cumberland. The Duke might not be liked, but he does have the looks, the looks of Niall. The Duke is also at the heart of a plan being concocted by Lady Keating, who just happens to be a sorceress. Due to unforeseen circumstances Lady Keating's plan to get ride of Queen Victoria and install the Duke on the throne has a hitch. She needs a third witch, preferably family, to help invoke the power of the Triple Goddess to get her spell to work. To this end Lady Keating orders Niall to court Pen, whose magical abilities she has recognized. But when does duty to his mother become true love for Penelope? With secrets upon secrets and broken allegiances can anyone get a happy ending? And more importantly, can Pen earn the commendation Queen Victoria gave her?
In Marissa Doyle's first book in this series, Bewitching Season, I felt such a strong connection to Persy and her bookish ways that I quite honestly didn't think I would be able to connect to Pen. Through the filter of Persy's story Pen seemed the epitome of the girly girl of the time, more concerned with couture and a debutante's lifestyle than education and books. Cutting Pen off from her delightful family, and in particular her little brother Charles, seemed a sure way to get me to tune out. Of course I was totally wrong. Pen didn't so much change throughout her sister's adventure as had her eyes opened and Betraying Season is the result of this new knowledge. Yes, I could say that it's because the sisters did a "Parent Trap" and switched situations, with Pen becoming the bookish one, but that isn't it at all. What it is is that we get to see Pen's struggle as she tries to change, as she tries to do better, to be better, and this is a struggle which we can all relate to. And her change isn't overnight, while she does buckle down and commit to studying, she still longs for and misses society and the season she gave up to improve herself. This is what works so well, we constantly see Pen struggling to balance this new life of the mind with her old life of leisure that Lady Keating seems to initially represent; and it's in this struggle that we finally relate to Pen.
The love story is also of a different ilk. Persy quite literally fell for the boy next door in Lochinvar. Their romance was sweet and destined and full of misunderstandings, but was always a given. We, as the readers, weren't there on this journey from the beginning, we came in once it was already set in stone. Bewitching Season was more about the consummation than the journey. Which is where Pen and Niall come in. We get to follow their budding romance every step of the way, from initial attraction to happily ever after. There's a different kind of magic finding someone when you least expect it and connecting and building a bond and overcoming obstacles. By seeing their entire romance unfold we can never be certain that the HEA is guaranteed. There's more fluidity to the outcome by not having it so fated as Persy and Lochinvar were. Plus, there's wonderful misunderstandings that crop up because these two people haven't known each other their whole life. I think this is best exemplified by Niall's hair-brained scheme to "save" Pen from his mother's machinations. The entire time you're thinking, why didn't Niall just tell Pen what was going on? But that's the fun of this book. They're new to each other so they will misstep, and sometimes those missteps are hilarious in their absurdity.
As for Lady Keating being the big bad... I kind of seriously adored her. Persy was facing a foe who was all about his power hungry machinations, whereas Lady Keating is actually far more complex. She's not just evil, but she's definitely not good. She seriously wants what is best for her son, but doesn't bother to ask him. She assumes that her desires for power and fame are aligned with her sons. But Niall isn't that way inclined. In this way I view her as a very Norma Bates character, because she's trying to do what's best for her son but in the only way she knows how. And of course that way is entirely the wrong way to do it. But underneath this veneer she has created she's far more complex than you'd think. She is obviously a woman who is looking for someone to connect to. She doesn't care about her husband or her daughter, because one was a convenience, the other wasn't skilled enough in magic to provide any interest. She "loves" Niall because he is a link to the one person she did connect with, the Duke of Cumberland. But it is in her relationship with Pen that we see all her different layers. She obviously has longed for someone magical to connect with and one wonders, if she had had this in her life earlier, would she be the villain? I honestly don't think she would be, and that human side is what makes her so deliciously complicated.
What I really sunk my teeth into here was the expansion of the magical system that Marissa Doyle had previously set up. Ireland has an entirely different feel, magically speaking, and this contrast helps Pen become as adept as her sister, but in a unique way. There are many methods of teaching these varying magics, and I think it really shows how people, even twins, learn differently and connect to subjects in distinctive ways. This "Other" magic very much ties into the very fiber of what it is to be Irish and their myths and legends. The Fairy realm, the Triple Goddess, all of it ties into what makes Ireland so distinctive. I can't help but think of the Irish Fest I used to attend every summer in Milwaukee. Even though it was many many miles away from the homeland, there was a magic to the storytelling and the music and the community. There's just something inherent to the culture of Ireland that encourages this belief in the possibility of magic and Marissa Doyle has tapped into it in this volume. She has made magic even more believable and that's why I, and perhaps even Pen, were able to make this connection that we didn't think was possible.
The magic just doesn't stop at enchantments, but goes further into the bestiary, the "creatures" of Ireland and the magical world. Adding magical creatures into a series that previously had no mention of them is a tricky thing. The main problem that us readers face is the suspension of disbelief. This suspension is often hampered by making the creatures too comical. A funny creature doesn't lend itself to credulity, most of the time. Yet once again Marissa Doyle comes out on top. She introduces the creatures, in particular Corkwobble the clurichaun, which for some reason my spell check actually recognizes as a form of leprechaun, in a very matter of fact way. And this is what makes it work. My paternal grandmother was 100% Irish, though not born there, and she talked about ghosts and creatures, in particular Pookas, as totally existing. I grew up believing in these creatures and nothing will ever shake my belief because when a little old lady sits you down and says it's just the way of the world and sure, you'll see ghosts, there's something so matter of fact that you just accept it. And that is what this book does, it's the way of the world for Pen and Pen just goes with it. And what better way to have an adventure then to be at Pen's side?
Penelope feels that she not only let her twin sister down but her heroine Queen Victoria as well. Sure, she was there when Victoria was saved, but the special commendation belongs to her twin Persy and Persy alone. Pen feels like a fraud. And that is why she's in Ireland. It wasn't just that she felt like a third wheel at home with her sister in a constant state of connubial bliss with her new husband. It's that Pen has neglected her magical studies and now is the time to fix this shortfall. If she had tried harder before perhaps she could have actually helped Persy when she needed her help and deserved the commendation bestowed on her by Victoria. So Pen has followed her governess Ally to Ireland and Ally's new home in Cork with her husband. Only Ally is experiencing a common result of getting married and her horrific morning sickness, which seems to last all day, has led to Ally's father-in-law, Doctor Carrighar, taking over Pen's education. Despite how much she wants to better herself, being locked up all day studying, at times with four male students of Doctor Carrighar's who don't appreciate the presence of a female, can be tiring.
But Cork isn't London and Pen convinces Ally to let her run errands. Alone. When she's out one day she fatefully and almost fatally runs into Lady Keating. Lady Keating takes Pen under her wing and soon becomes the female role model Pen is so desperately missing with Ally being laid up and Persy a country away. It doesn't hurt that Lady Keating's son, Niall, isn't hard on the eyes. But then again, Niall is rumored to be the illegitimate son of Queen Victoria's uncle, the Duke of Cumberland. The Duke might not be liked, but he does have the looks, the looks of Niall. The Duke is also at the heart of a plan being concocted by Lady Keating, who just happens to be a sorceress. Due to unforeseen circumstances Lady Keating's plan to get ride of Queen Victoria and install the Duke on the throne has a hitch. She needs a third witch, preferably family, to help invoke the power of the Triple Goddess to get her spell to work. To this end Lady Keating orders Niall to court Pen, whose magical abilities she has recognized. But when does duty to his mother become true love for Penelope? With secrets upon secrets and broken allegiances can anyone get a happy ending? And more importantly, can Pen earn the commendation Queen Victoria gave her?
In Marissa Doyle's first book in this series, Bewitching Season, I felt such a strong connection to Persy and her bookish ways that I quite honestly didn't think I would be able to connect to Pen. Through the filter of Persy's story Pen seemed the epitome of the girly girl of the time, more concerned with couture and a debutante's lifestyle than education and books. Cutting Pen off from her delightful family, and in particular her little brother Charles, seemed a sure way to get me to tune out. Of course I was totally wrong. Pen didn't so much change throughout her sister's adventure as had her eyes opened and Betraying Season is the result of this new knowledge. Yes, I could say that it's because the sisters did a "Parent Trap" and switched situations, with Pen becoming the bookish one, but that isn't it at all. What it is is that we get to see Pen's struggle as she tries to change, as she tries to do better, to be better, and this is a struggle which we can all relate to. And her change isn't overnight, while she does buckle down and commit to studying, she still longs for and misses society and the season she gave up to improve herself. This is what works so well, we constantly see Pen struggling to balance this new life of the mind with her old life of leisure that Lady Keating seems to initially represent; and it's in this struggle that we finally relate to Pen.
The love story is also of a different ilk. Persy quite literally fell for the boy next door in Lochinvar. Their romance was sweet and destined and full of misunderstandings, but was always a given. We, as the readers, weren't there on this journey from the beginning, we came in once it was already set in stone. Bewitching Season was more about the consummation than the journey. Which is where Pen and Niall come in. We get to follow their budding romance every step of the way, from initial attraction to happily ever after. There's a different kind of magic finding someone when you least expect it and connecting and building a bond and overcoming obstacles. By seeing their entire romance unfold we can never be certain that the HEA is guaranteed. There's more fluidity to the outcome by not having it so fated as Persy and Lochinvar were. Plus, there's wonderful misunderstandings that crop up because these two people haven't known each other their whole life. I think this is best exemplified by Niall's hair-brained scheme to "save" Pen from his mother's machinations. The entire time you're thinking, why didn't Niall just tell Pen what was going on? But that's the fun of this book. They're new to each other so they will misstep, and sometimes those missteps are hilarious in their absurdity.
As for Lady Keating being the big bad... I kind of seriously adored her. Persy was facing a foe who was all about his power hungry machinations, whereas Lady Keating is actually far more complex. She's not just evil, but she's definitely not good. She seriously wants what is best for her son, but doesn't bother to ask him. She assumes that her desires for power and fame are aligned with her sons. But Niall isn't that way inclined. In this way I view her as a very Norma Bates character, because she's trying to do what's best for her son but in the only way she knows how. And of course that way is entirely the wrong way to do it. But underneath this veneer she has created she's far more complex than you'd think. She is obviously a woman who is looking for someone to connect to. She doesn't care about her husband or her daughter, because one was a convenience, the other wasn't skilled enough in magic to provide any interest. She "loves" Niall because he is a link to the one person she did connect with, the Duke of Cumberland. But it is in her relationship with Pen that we see all her different layers. She obviously has longed for someone magical to connect with and one wonders, if she had had this in her life earlier, would she be the villain? I honestly don't think she would be, and that human side is what makes her so deliciously complicated.
What I really sunk my teeth into here was the expansion of the magical system that Marissa Doyle had previously set up. Ireland has an entirely different feel, magically speaking, and this contrast helps Pen become as adept as her sister, but in a unique way. There are many methods of teaching these varying magics, and I think it really shows how people, even twins, learn differently and connect to subjects in distinctive ways. This "Other" magic very much ties into the very fiber of what it is to be Irish and their myths and legends. The Fairy realm, the Triple Goddess, all of it ties into what makes Ireland so distinctive. I can't help but think of the Irish Fest I used to attend every summer in Milwaukee. Even though it was many many miles away from the homeland, there was a magic to the storytelling and the music and the community. There's just something inherent to the culture of Ireland that encourages this belief in the possibility of magic and Marissa Doyle has tapped into it in this volume. She has made magic even more believable and that's why I, and perhaps even Pen, were able to make this connection that we didn't think was possible.
The magic just doesn't stop at enchantments, but goes further into the bestiary, the "creatures" of Ireland and the magical world. Adding magical creatures into a series that previously had no mention of them is a tricky thing. The main problem that us readers face is the suspension of disbelief. This suspension is often hampered by making the creatures too comical. A funny creature doesn't lend itself to credulity, most of the time. Yet once again Marissa Doyle comes out on top. She introduces the creatures, in particular Corkwobble the clurichaun, which for some reason my spell check actually recognizes as a form of leprechaun, in a very matter of fact way. And this is what makes it work. My paternal grandmother was 100% Irish, though not born there, and she talked about ghosts and creatures, in particular Pookas, as totally existing. I grew up believing in these creatures and nothing will ever shake my belief because when a little old lady sits you down and says it's just the way of the world and sure, you'll see ghosts, there's something so matter of fact that you just accept it. And that is what this book does, it's the way of the world for Pen and Pen just goes with it. And what better way to have an adventure then to be at Pen's side?
February 7, 2021
I started this generally interested, until about halfway, wherein which Pen made some rather oddly ignorant decisions that just didn't ring quite right.
On the whole, we have Penelope's story, after the events of Bewitching Season - granted, I don't remember much of the first book since it's been several years since I read it, however the recap is spaced enough that I feel as if I had read it. Her story begins well, we see that she's come to Ireland to further develop her magical skills. On the other hand, we have Niall, who is the eventual love interest - this is not a spoiler, mostly because we have his pov.
What was likable about this to begin with is we get a sense of Pen's personality while she's staying with her former governess, Ally, newly married. I also wasn't so put off by Niall's initial plot line, simply because it made sense that he was the son of Lady Keating, who has taken a sudden interest in the newest arrival to town. Niall is coerced by his mother to make Pen fall in love with him for her plan. This is a common trope that while overused can be interesting when done right.
However, what turned something likable into something less likable, was essentially the halfway point. The plot while predictable all the way through, more so when you have two points of view as you do in this one, and each one happens to be on the other side of the action, takes a really odd turn at the halfway point.
The things that I didn't like at the halfway point:
- The decision that Niall makes when he realises he likes Pen more than he should. A serious case of trying to solve it by himself, only to find his solution to go so awfully wrong. Of course it did. There was one he could have done, before his mother could interfere and before Pen got the wrong idea.
- There's something to finding where you belong, but the way Pen goes about it, was just ignorant. Pen has an interesting personality but at the halfway point, it's as though she has forgotten how to listen to the advice given by her mentors, and to see beyond the facades of people around her. She makes a choice to not listen, and reacts not logically, but simply based on heresay by a woman she's only just starting to know. On one hand, it's Pen's emotional response as she's caught in trying to decide if she trusts, if their last conversation was true, and then the words of a woman whom she believes she trusts.
- There's an appearance by an elderly matriarch, which was pretty awesome until....she doesn't appear again after she's made her last appearance (one that was not noticeably the last appearance). It's a pity, because she was definitely interesting.
- The triple Goddess plotline. I actually found this really interesting, but it was suddenly a lot of information to intake, more so when it was tied to Pen's storyline of her magical development. My only issue was that there was never a very clear link between Pen's emotional response to her magical development and the Triple Goddess plotline. There's more plot about her new magical classmates being uncomfortable or displeased with her presence. Nice little bit of drama, but not really developing that sense of Pen's magical problems.
- The main couple. It was obvious who it was, but for a moment there, I was cheering for the other guy, until we hear about what he does. It's a pity, because Niall was losing his shine at around the same time for his idiotic thought processes.
- Ah, I should also point out, while this is a generally clean novel, there are references to loss of virginity - expected as it was related to the Triple Goddess mythology used in the book.
Overall, this wasn't a terrible sequel. Rather, it was interesting, with several moments I wished were done differently. However, I don't regret reading it! It wasn't a boring read that's for sure.
On the whole, we have Penelope's story, after the events of Bewitching Season - granted, I don't remember much of the first book since it's been several years since I read it, however the recap is spaced enough that I feel as if I had read it. Her story begins well, we see that she's come to Ireland to further develop her magical skills. On the other hand, we have Niall, who is the eventual love interest - this is not a spoiler, mostly because we have his pov.
What was likable about this to begin with is we get a sense of Pen's personality while she's staying with her former governess, Ally, newly married. I also wasn't so put off by Niall's initial plot line, simply because it made sense that he was the son of Lady Keating, who has taken a sudden interest in the newest arrival to town. Niall is coerced by his mother to make Pen fall in love with him for her plan. This is a common trope that while overused can be interesting when done right.
However, what turned something likable into something less likable, was essentially the halfway point. The plot while predictable all the way through, more so when you have two points of view as you do in this one, and each one happens to be on the other side of the action, takes a really odd turn at the halfway point.
The things that I didn't like at the halfway point:
- The decision that Niall makes when he realises he likes Pen more than he should. A serious case of trying to solve it by himself, only to find his solution to go so awfully wrong. Of course it did. There was one he could have done, before his mother could interfere and before Pen got the wrong idea.
- There's something to finding where you belong, but the way Pen goes about it, was just ignorant. Pen has an interesting personality but at the halfway point, it's as though she has forgotten how to listen to the advice given by her mentors, and to see beyond the facades of people around her. She makes a choice to not listen, and reacts not logically, but simply based on heresay by a woman she's only just starting to know. On one hand, it's Pen's emotional response as she's caught in trying to decide if she trusts, if their last conversation was true, and then the words of a woman whom she believes she trusts.
- There's an appearance by an elderly matriarch, which was pretty awesome until....she doesn't appear again after she's made her last appearance (one that was not noticeably the last appearance). It's a pity, because she was definitely interesting.
- The triple Goddess plotline. I actually found this really interesting, but it was suddenly a lot of information to intake, more so when it was tied to Pen's storyline of her magical development. My only issue was that there was never a very clear link between Pen's emotional response to her magical development and the Triple Goddess plotline. There's more plot about her new magical classmates being uncomfortable or displeased with her presence. Nice little bit of drama, but not really developing that sense of Pen's magical problems.
- The main couple. It was obvious who it was, but for a moment there, I was cheering for the other guy, until we hear about what he does. It's a pity, because Niall was losing his shine at around the same time for his idiotic thought processes.
- Ah, I should also point out, while this is a generally clean novel, there are references to loss of virginity - expected as it was related to the Triple Goddess mythology used in the book.
Overall, this wasn't a terrible sequel. Rather, it was interesting, with several moments I wished were done differently. However, I don't regret reading it! It wasn't a boring read that's for sure.
October 23, 2021
Penelope Leland had a successful first Season. She made it out alive, in any case, which was an unfortunately questionable point. She also managed to find her kidnapped governess, Melusine Allardyce, and simultaneously destroy a plot to subsume the will of the future queen with magic. Except, really, it was mostly her twin sister Persephone who did all the finding and saving. Her twin sister, who also happened to be engaged to the love of her life by the end of the Season.
Pen is ecstatic that her sister has found love and that Ally and Queen Victoria are safe. She’s only disappointed in herself, feeling that she was more of a burden than a help to her sister when they were in danger. Determined to change, Penelope follows Ally, now Mrs. Carrighar, to Ireland to more seriously pursue her magical studies. She quickly finds that in Ireland, magic comes to her more easily than ever before.
Unfortunately, it seems that Pen is fated to be distracted from her studies by the less fair sex. Dr. Carrighar, her latest magic tutor, has decided to allow her into the lessons he holds for male students, at least half of whom scorn and resent her for her English nationality and gender. There’s also the fascinating Niall Keating who seems equally intrigued by her. With distractions inside and outside, can Penelope become the powerful witch she wishes to be?
-
At the beginning of the story, Penelope has some doubts about herself as a witch. She has a desire to prove her power and intelligence after a situation in which she felt helpless. It doesn’t help that she was rewarded for success that she feels was almost entirely due to her twin sister’s magical ability. For the most part, Pen believes she just has to stay focused in order to keep progressing, but sometimes she’s plagued with doubt about whether she can really be as powerful and knowledgeable as her sister, who’s loved learning since they were young.
Penelope deals relatively easily with the boys in class, neither allowing them to overprotect her ‘delicate sensibilities’ nor dismiss her intelligence and power. Though she finds it stressful to constantly be faced with condescension and resentment while trying to learn, she refuses to buckle under the pressure. Pen’s entanglement with Niall is more difficult to figure out. Like her sister, Penelope puts her magic first, then discovers that she actually doesn’t have to choose between power and love.
I’d give it 5 stars! Recommended to anyone looking for the power in themselves and ready to fall in love with wild Irish magic.
Pen is ecstatic that her sister has found love and that Ally and Queen Victoria are safe. She’s only disappointed in herself, feeling that she was more of a burden than a help to her sister when they were in danger. Determined to change, Penelope follows Ally, now Mrs. Carrighar, to Ireland to more seriously pursue her magical studies. She quickly finds that in Ireland, magic comes to her more easily than ever before.
Unfortunately, it seems that Pen is fated to be distracted from her studies by the less fair sex. Dr. Carrighar, her latest magic tutor, has decided to allow her into the lessons he holds for male students, at least half of whom scorn and resent her for her English nationality and gender. There’s also the fascinating Niall Keating who seems equally intrigued by her. With distractions inside and outside, can Penelope become the powerful witch she wishes to be?
-
At the beginning of the story, Penelope has some doubts about herself as a witch. She has a desire to prove her power and intelligence after a situation in which she felt helpless. It doesn’t help that she was rewarded for success that she feels was almost entirely due to her twin sister’s magical ability. For the most part, Pen believes she just has to stay focused in order to keep progressing, but sometimes she’s plagued with doubt about whether she can really be as powerful and knowledgeable as her sister, who’s loved learning since they were young.
Penelope deals relatively easily with the boys in class, neither allowing them to overprotect her ‘delicate sensibilities’ nor dismiss her intelligence and power. Though she finds it stressful to constantly be faced with condescension and resentment while trying to learn, she refuses to buckle under the pressure. Pen’s entanglement with Niall is more difficult to figure out. Like her sister, Penelope puts her magic first, then discovers that she actually doesn’t have to choose between power and love.
I’d give it 5 stars! Recommended to anyone looking for the power in themselves and ready to fall in love with wild Irish magic.
June 4, 2020
Pen (Penelope) has travelled to Ireland to study magic after her twin sister Persy's marriage. Soon after her arrival, she makes the acquaintance of Lady Keating who seems strangely eager to befriend Pen and to introduce her to her handsome son Niall.
She is unaware that Lady Keating has instructed Niall to make her fall in love with him. Niall doesn't understand his mother's motives at first but he has decided to cooperate with her instructions. He does not find it a hardship to flirt with such a beautiful and intelligent young woman. When Pen comes to suspect that Niall's attentions are not genuine, he is quick to assure her otherwise.
He is infatuated with Pen by the time he realizes that his mother plans to assassinate Queen Victoria and that she needs a virgin female magician to cast the spell. Niall is in a quandary. If he warns Pen about his mother's intentions, she will know that he was using her. He decides that the only way he can stop his mother and keep Pen is to seduce her so that she is no longer a virgin.
So...in order to avoid being honest with the woman he claims to be in love with, he decides to entice her to have sex with him?
Does it make it okay that he plans to marry her after?
Nope. It really doesn't.
He decided that he was going to marry her. He didn't think it was necessary to ask her if she wanted to marry him. Niall intended to withhold the truth from Pen for as long as he could, perhaps even after she was his wife. (Because that isn't a recipe for divorce)
The timing he chose was equally scummy. Pen was upset because one of her magic teacher's sexist male students had just assaulted her with an unwanted kiss. Niall acted like he was trying to comfort her with physical contact but he progressed into sexual touching. The seduction fails and it is not surprising that Pen decides to trust Lady Keating over Niall when she claims that her son is a womanizer.
This isn't romance and it has nothing to do with love.
She is unaware that Lady Keating has instructed Niall to make her fall in love with him. Niall doesn't understand his mother's motives at first but he has decided to cooperate with her instructions. He does not find it a hardship to flirt with such a beautiful and intelligent young woman. When Pen comes to suspect that Niall's attentions are not genuine, he is quick to assure her otherwise.
He is infatuated with Pen by the time he realizes that his mother plans to assassinate Queen Victoria and that she needs a virgin female magician to cast the spell. Niall is in a quandary. If he warns Pen about his mother's intentions, she will know that he was using her. He decides that the only way he can stop his mother and keep Pen is to seduce her so that she is no longer a virgin.
So...in order to avoid being honest with the woman he claims to be in love with, he decides to entice her to have sex with him?
Does it make it okay that he plans to marry her after?
Nope. It really doesn't.
He decided that he was going to marry her. He didn't think it was necessary to ask her if she wanted to marry him. Niall intended to withhold the truth from Pen for as long as he could, perhaps even after she was his wife. (Because that isn't a recipe for divorce)
The timing he chose was equally scummy. Pen was upset because one of her magic teacher's sexist male students had just assaulted her with an unwanted kiss. Niall acted like he was trying to comfort her with physical contact but he progressed into sexual touching. The seduction fails and it is not surprising that Pen decides to trust Lady Keating over Niall when she claims that her son is a womanizer.
This isn't romance and it has nothing to do with love.
August 5, 2017
1 In which Pen almosts meets Mrs. Keating, who invites her for tea, and Ally suffers from morning sickness.
2 In which Niall Keating charms Pen and Mrs. Keating refuses to tell her plan.
3 In which Dr. Carrighar's students don't like Pen, the Keatings visit, and Pen meets Corkwobble, the fae.
4 In which Pen runs out of tutoring and meets Mary Margaret Carrighar.
5 In which Pen uses magic at the Keating's dinner and starts to suspect Niall's intentions.
6 In which Mrs. Keating reveals to Niall that she wants to use Pen's magic and Niall and Doureanne have a sibling talk.
7 In which Pen pays a visit to the Keatings and Niall makes up his mind to honestly pursue Pen.
8 In which Mr. Doherty (annoying pupil) gets into a strike and Pen heals him with magic.
9 In which Dr. Carrighar warns Pen from Mrs. Keating and Corkwobble tells Pen that Mrs. Keating's remedy is fairy whiskey.
10 In which Pen and Niall confess their love and kiss and Niall overhears his mother's plot to kill Queen Victoria.
11 In which Doherty tries to kiss Pen, Niall tries to sleep with her to save her, and Mrs. Keating talks badly about Niall and reveals her magic to Pen.
12 In which Doherty breaks the spell keeping Niall trapped.
13 In which Pen learns the Goddess magic from Mrs. Keating and Niall tries to warn Pen about his mother true intentions.
14 In which Pen is even more enchanted by Mrs. Keating and refuses to believe her evil.
15 In which Niall interrupts the ritual just in time.
16 In which Pen refuses to finish the ritual and Doireanne saves Pen from her mother.
17 In which the Goddess chooses Pen and Pen and Niall reconcile.
18 In which Pen and Niall enjoy their married life and Queen Victoria helps Niall meet his father.
2 In which Niall Keating charms Pen and Mrs. Keating refuses to tell her plan.
3 In which Dr. Carrighar's students don't like Pen, the Keatings visit, and Pen meets Corkwobble, the fae.
4 In which Pen runs out of tutoring and meets Mary Margaret Carrighar.
5 In which Pen uses magic at the Keating's dinner and starts to suspect Niall's intentions.
6 In which Mrs. Keating reveals to Niall that she wants to use Pen's magic and Niall and Doureanne have a sibling talk.
7 In which Pen pays a visit to the Keatings and Niall makes up his mind to honestly pursue Pen.
8 In which Mr. Doherty (annoying pupil) gets into a strike and Pen heals him with magic.
9 In which Dr. Carrighar warns Pen from Mrs. Keating and Corkwobble tells Pen that Mrs. Keating's remedy is fairy whiskey.
10 In which Pen and Niall confess their love and kiss and Niall overhears his mother's plot to kill Queen Victoria.
11 In which Doherty tries to kiss Pen, Niall tries to sleep with her to save her, and Mrs. Keating talks badly about Niall and reveals her magic to Pen.
12 In which Doherty breaks the spell keeping Niall trapped.
13 In which Pen learns the Goddess magic from Mrs. Keating and Niall tries to warn Pen about his mother true intentions.
14 In which Pen is even more enchanted by Mrs. Keating and refuses to believe her evil.
15 In which Niall interrupts the ritual just in time.
16 In which Pen refuses to finish the ritual and Doireanne saves Pen from her mother.
17 In which the Goddess chooses Pen and Pen and Niall reconcile.
18 In which Pen and Niall enjoy their married life and Queen Victoria helps Niall meet his father.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2019
Not quite as appealing to me as the first book. While I didn't care much for the Ally/Michael romance there (I don't think a healthy relationship can start with a kidnapping), I was okay with it because Ally's wasn't a main character like Persy and Pen.
And now we get Pen/Niall, another relationship that just didn't work for me. Niall is at worst a liar and deceiver (but, oh, he's actually in love with Pen, like that really makes a difference) or at best he's a spineless mama's boy. And his attempt to seduce Pen to save her... *gagh*.
If that book really needed a romance, a real challenge would have been to pair up Pen with Eamon Doherty, have him reluctantly respect her, have them work together studying magic, get him to change his opinion about females doing magic and English people.
Oh, and the best bits of the book were the ghostly grandmother and the leprechaun in the cellar!
And now we get Pen/Niall, another relationship that just didn't work for me. Niall is at worst a liar and deceiver (but, oh, he's actually in love with Pen, like that really makes a difference) or at best he's a spineless mama's boy. And his attempt to seduce Pen to save her... *gagh*.
If that book really needed a romance, a real challenge would have been to pair up Pen with Eamon Doherty, have him reluctantly respect her, have them work together studying magic, get him to change his opinion about females doing magic and English people.
Oh, and the best bits of the book were the ghostly grandmother and the leprechaun in the cellar!
August 29, 2018
This is the second book in the series. Penelope has decided to go to Ireland in order to improve her magical skills. While she struggles with the prejudices of her fellow male students, she has unwittingly become the target of Lady Keating and her plot to place her son in a position of power. Lady Keating charms Penelope and uses her son, Niall to flirt with her in order to bring her under her sphere of influence. Things begin to go awry when Niall realizes he is falling in love with her and when he discovers some of his mother’s plans. Penelope is torn between her desire for magical ability and the possibility of love, but finds that their are greater dangers waiting if she fails to act.
July 20, 2025
Much better than the first, but still has some major flaws. At least it succeeded at grabbing and holding my attention. I was not the biggest fan of the romance, to be honest. Especially when Pen's love interest makes one of the dumbest mistakes of all time. My favorite part of this book is its descriptions of Ireland and how the magic works there. Penelope is a much better heroine than Persephone.
July 25, 2017
I enjoyed BEWITCHING SEASON, and this sequel to it, even more. It's a fun read, a YA fantasy romance that I wouldn't mind my adolescent daughter reading. If you're interested in a fun, funny book with a happy ending, this is a good choice.
Read a longer review here: https://sapphostorque.com/2017/07/25/...
Read a longer review here: https://sapphostorque.com/2017/07/25/...
April 17, 2023
The sequel to Bewitching Season, where we the reader follow Persephone's twin sister Penelope to Ireland and her magical adventures there alongside the scheming Keating family and fun side characters such as Corkwobble and Mary Margaret. Another bewitching novel of romance, humor, dark plots, and magic set against the beauty of Ireland.
June 30, 2023
Good enough to keep me interested! But not sure I’ll think of it again.
I’ve noticed that I don’t have as much of a love for “witches” like I used to. Most of my fantasy reads these days are fey related. So this was a nice change, but I also realized that I’m not as in to witch fantasy as I used to be.
I’ve noticed that I don’t have as much of a love for “witches” like I used to. Most of my fantasy reads these days are fey related. So this was a nice change, but I also realized that I’m not as in to witch fantasy as I used to be.
July 8, 2017
This Victorian fantasy combination was a bit disappointing because the sensuality went a bit far, with the love interest trying to seduce the magic wielding protagonist so she can't unwittingly participate in his mother's plot against Queen Victoria. Not R rated, but definitely PG13 sensuality.
June 11, 2020
I was really disappointed by this book. I enjoyed the previous book so much, that I was expecting great things. For me, this story was missing all the things I loved about the first one - London society, romance, family, etc etc. Pen was so isolated and seemed very naive.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews