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Mariana is a new take on an old story. Strike that it is the same old take on a same old story. I admit I have a weakness for reincartion stories, even if they don't necessarily go under that pretense and Mariana had everything I was looking for. It is a pity that I would have enjoyed it more if I have not recently finished reading "The Winter Sea" by the same author which I found more enjoyable. The treatment is the same, with the main character having flashes of another life and the striking similarity between the characters in her present life and those in her past life. But Mariana lacked everything I found admirable in "Winter Sea".

The book follows the story of Julia Beckett a 29 year old artist and her inexplicable connection to a Victorian styled farm house called "Greywether". On a whim she decides to by the house and move in to the country side only to be caught up in the life of the house's previous inhabitant, a young girl named Mariana who lived and died years ago. Believing herself to be the reincarnation of Mariana, Julie tries to understand or live through her previous life when she is thrust in to the past without any warning only to lose a part of her present self each time. The closer she gets to the story of Mariana the harder she has to try to hold on to herself from completely turning in to her other self.

This story explains Julie's predicament as reincarnation rather than giving it any scientific explanation as in "Winter Sea". The ending was abrupt on Julie's end or atleast I felt like it whereas Mariana's was complete and sad. I know reincarnation stories are supposed to be sad otherwise there is no need for another reincarnation but you can't help wishingOne way to keep predictabiltiy at bay. In the end I felt bad for all the characters with the exception of some side characters. The ending really needed an "Epilogue" but the writing style is engaging as usual. There is never a dull moment and the story and the character pulls you in with an ease. Defintely worth a read.