Seasons of the Storm, Book 1
Solid, darkish, myth-based fantasy has some violence.
Kids say
Based on 2 reviews
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Seasons of the Storm is the first in a planned fantasy duology about immortal teens that's based on Greek mythology. The main premise involves murder. Each teen is a physical representation of a season, and the seasons change when the next season comes along and violently kills the current season. But since they're immortal they don't really die and come back to kill and be killed again every year. Other real-world and fantasy violence includes fights and battles with guns, knives, arrows, and magical abilities. Pain, broken bones, and blood are briefly described. Strong language is rare but includes "p---y," "f--k," and "s--t." One couple kiss, undress, and slide onto a bed. It's implied they had sex but it's not described. There are a few other kisses and some romantic dynamics. There's a scene in a roadhouse where the teens drink whiskey and beer. The designated driver drinks soda. There's brief mention of contraband weed and some unpleasant characters smell like weed and cigarette smoke. One minor teen character smokes. Boarding-school boys have rum, whiskey, and beer, drink to excess, and consequences are severe.
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What's the Story?
SEASONS OF THE STORM tells about Jack, who was near death alone on a snowy mountain after a skiing accident. The goddess Gaia came to him and offered him the choice of immortality under her terms, or death. Jack chose to follow Gaia. Gaia's terms mean he's now a Winter, the physical manifestation of the season on the East Coast of the U.S. But that means that every year he has to start his season by killing the Autumn before him, and to end the season when he's killed by Fleur, the coming Spring. Over the years Jack and Fleur start falling for each other, and trying to prolong their short time together each year. Eventually they dream of escaping together, but a bargain made with Gaia can't be undone easily. And Father Time himself, Chronos, is determined to stop them at any cost.
Is It Any Good?
Fantasy fans will enjoy this solid, slightly dark story that does a good job combining elements as different as Greek mythology, dystopia, and magic based on the elements. Seasons of the Storm's plot moves along well, except in a few places where it bogs down while characters try to figure something out. Speaking of characters, there are a lot of them, and veteran author Elle Cosimano does a good job fleshing them out into believable people teens will relate to. She also does a good job creating the fantasy world the Seasons live in during their down time so the reader can really envision their lives. It's a well-written book that doesn't quite rise above the fantasy genre, so it doesn't have a lot to offer readers who aren't already fans. Some violence, especially the main premise behind how the seasons change, and strong language make it best for teens in high school and up.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Seasons of the Storm. How much is too much? Does it matter if it's fantasy or real-world violence? Why, or why not?
Were you familiar with any Greek myths, especially about Chronos or Gaia? Would you like to find out more now?
Storytellers have been borrowing from ancient myths, or using them as a jumping off point, probably since people have been telling stories. Did you like the way this book brought ideas from ancient mythologies into the modern age? What did you like or not like about it?
Would you rather be a season or a handler? Why? If you were a season, which would you want to be, and where?
Book Details
- Author: Elle Cosimano
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Friendship
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: HarperTeen
- Publication date: June 23, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 17
- Number of pages: 480
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 23, 2020
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