The Seasons That Fall by H. E. Shows throws you into the fantasy world of Season, where four teenagers become sisters and rivals all at once. Orla, Aviva, Eira, and Idalia are torn from their lives in Texas and learn that they are destined to complete five trials for the right to be the next Queen of Season. Coming from different home lives and families, the girls start to create a bond as sisters, until one of them sides with their biological mother, Queen Quinn. Their race to compete as the next Queen of Season is meant to tear the sisters apart, but it brings them ever closer together.
Filled with different life experiences, this book tackles topics like abuse, homelessness, depression, and finding oneself. The four main characters each have their own unique perspectives that make this story so much more relevant and heart-wrenching. Written in short chapters, the world of Season is filled with emotional connections, toxic home environments, and chaos around every corner. Season becomes a safe haven for some, but it won’t protect them from what is to come. I am excited to read the next book in the duology, The Seasons That Conquered.
Thesis Note: The way this book converged the lives of four characters is really engaging. Readers were able to get an understanding of the lives of each character as each chapter changed perspectives. All four of the girls came from very different, but similar lives that shined a light on the foster care system, which I thought was well done. As someone who wants to be a foster parent, reading this made me appreciate all the good foster families that are out there providing for children that need a place to call home. Writing can impact a lot of people, and I appreciate this book for doing just that.
Alexandria Rose 