Betraying Season

While I am fascinated by this book in many ways (is the stuff about 'saving yourself for marriage' author-endorsed or historically-driven? what's with the gender-essentialist turn re: magic? Ireland, how about that representation of it?) and did enjoy reading it, I don't feel like reading further installments.

After the events of The Bewitching Season, Penelope Leland accompanies her ex-governess to Ireland to continue her magical studies with Ally's new husband and father-in-law. Unfortunately, Ally is miserable with all-day morning sickness, and Doctor Carrighan's other students don't like the presence of a female, especially an English one. But Pen's visit is brightened by the patronage of Lady Keating, who is promoting a match between Pen and her handsome, charming son Niall. However, Lady Keating has an ulterior motive, one which will lead Pen into danger and possible heartbreak.

A worthy sequel, although it lacks the freshness of it's predecessor.

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 show more 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. show less

Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com

Penelope feels inferior to her twin sister's magical abilities and now spends her days studying in Ireland under the care of their former governess.

Ally, a newlywed, is having a hard pregnancy, forcing Pen to spend most of her days indoors, studying. Pen doesn't mind much until she meets Lady Keating.

Lady Keating takes Miss Leland under her wing, introducing her to society's people, plus playing matchmaker between Penelope and her handsome son. However, she has an ulterior motive - and a plot in motion.

Will Penelope fall under her spell, or will she use her studies to help untangle herself from Lady Keating's clutches?

A romantically magical tale complete with double-crossings, a show more domineering mother, a seduction, and the power of women's magic, BETRAYING SEASON is a sweet sequel to BEWITCHING SEASON.

I love this series, and I do hope the adventures continue. show less

Disappointing - not nearly as good as the first book. Not enough elegant society, too much celtic religion as magic.

Solid YA title--historical fiction with a "Harry Potter" twist.

Note: a small bit sitting on the fence between PG-13 and R territory, at least for me as the mother of a ten-year-old (when she first read it), however, I think that part sort of sailed under her radar.

With Persy married, Penelope moves to Ireland to be tutored in magic by Persy’s father in law, Mr. Carrighar. Ally and Michael are expecting their first child, and Mr. Carrighar is trying to figure out cures for Ally’s morning sickness, so Pen feels left out and lonely.

Read the rest of my review at: http://shouldireaditornot.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/betraying-season-marissa-doyl...