Firebird

Rating:
Summary: it's an 'ok' book -- but I expected better
Review: I found the book just a little boring -- I couldn't finish it and actually skipped to the last few pages so that I could just find out what happened...only to find that I'd skipped the main thrust of the whole storyline. I expected better from Ms. Lackey, especially after _The Fire Rose_, which in my opinion is far better. I wouldn't recommend this to someone just starting to read Ms. Lackey's work.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but she can do better
Review: I have enjoyed Lackey's work ever since I started with her "Arrows" trilogy, some twelve years ago. When she's in top form, Misty can create a world full of characters so rich and vibrant, you truly can feel what they are going through. In the aforementioned "Arrows" books, as well as in "The Last Herald-Mage" series, Lackey has shown that she's capable of moving readers to tears.

With "Firebird", there was no need for kleenex.

Not that it wasn't good. Lackey's take on the Russian fable was interesting. Readers are given a good overview of medieval life under the boyars and Great Tsar (Ilya's interaction with the "bannik" in the steambath was both humorous and insightful).

The detailed descriptions of various environments (i.e. going from Ivan's palace, to the woodsman Yasha's simple home in a maze, to the grandeur of the Katschei's estate) helped in developing the novel's changing atmosphere in general, while illustrating changes in Ilya's physical and emotional state in particular. Lackey has a real talent for placing her characters in situations of danger/momentary safety/back to danger again.

The criticism lies in that Lackey tends to let her characters overthink certain situations. She sometimes has Ilya pondering his next decision for several pages, when a couple of tightly written paragraphs would have sufficed. It seemed to take Ilya a mighty long time to leave his abusive father, whereas Ilya's brother, Pietor, heads out after one very well-plotted scene. Ilya's time as a "monster"/spy in the Katschei's palace seemed to take forever as well. While Lackey probably wanted to make sure her character saw the situation from all possible angles, the story's pacing suffered because of it.

Again, on an up note, I did like the final chapter and how Ilya had to deal with his own "happily ever after" scenario. It's definitely a "be careful what you wish for" situation!

I do recommend the book, but there are others of Lackey's that I would put ahead of this one.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but she can do better
Review: I have enjoyed Lackey's work ever since I started with her "Arrows" trilogy, some twelve years ago. When she's in top form, Misty can create a world full of characters so rich and vibrant, you truly can feel what they are going through. In the aforementioned "Arrows" books, as well as in "The Last Herald-Mage" series, Lackey has shown that she's capable of moving readers to tears.

With "Firebird", there was no need for kleenex.

Not that it wasn't good. Lackey's take on the Russian fable was interesting. Readers are given a good overview of medieval life under the boyars and Great Tsar (Ilya's interaction with the "bannik" in the steambath was both humorous and insightful).

The detailed descriptions of various environments (i.e. going from Ivan's palace, to the woodsman Yasha's simple home in a maze, to the grandeur of the Katschei's estate) helped in developing the novel's changing atmosphere in general, while illustrating changes in Ilya's physical and emotional state in particular. Lackey has a real talent for placing her characters in situations of danger/momentary safety/back to danger again.

The criticism lies in that Lackey tends to let her characters overthink certain situations. She sometimes has Ilya pondering his next decision for several pages, when a couple of tightly written paragraphs would have sufficed. It seemed to take Ilya a mighty long time to leave his abusive father, whereas Ilya's brother, Pietor, heads out after one very well-plotted scene. Ilya's time as a "monster"/spy in the Katschei's palace seemed to take forever as well. While Lackey probably wanted to make sure her character saw the situation from all possible angles, the story's pacing suffered because of it.

Again, on an up note, I did like the final chapter and how Ilya had to deal with his own "happily ever after" scenario. It's definitely a "be careful what you wish for" situation!

I do recommend the book, but there are others of Lackey's that I would put ahead of this one.

Rating:
Summary: A Great tale!!
Review: I love fairy tales and this book filled in the blanks of the children's version. I could barely put it down and the ending is very suprising! I definately recommend this book to young and old alike!

Rating:
Summary: Very Impressive...except that....
Review: I love fantasy and have read many different books and authors within the genre. This is one of the better ones...I read it twice!

Lackey describes an interesting world. The setting and even the plot are original and different from most fantasies I've read. The book has almost a magical quality...I read the book in an almost dream-like state. Her descriptive style is very good and her story telling is quaint and original.

Only one complaint: The ending...it seemed as if Lackey ignored the book after its climax. The ending feels like a poor, slapped on post-it note in comparison to the rest of the richly told story. Otherwise, I give this book a thumbs up.

Rating:
Summary: Good story, but terrible ending
Review: I loved Lackey and everything, but this wasn't one of her best. I stayed up late nights trying to finish reading it. I even got in trouble at school just so I could find out what happened next. Then I finally reach the ending and it's just suddenly over. He gets what he wants only to discover he doesn't want it. So he runs off and the stories over. What happens next? You can't just end it like that it's just not right!

Rating:
Summary: interesting and catching
Review: i loved this book! i took a chance on it and found it very interesting. i'm not much for books, and it's rare that i enjoy one, but this really made me wanna buy another mercedes lackey book

Rating:
Summary: What happened to the rest of the characters?
Review: I really enjoyed _Firebird_ by Mercedes Lackey. The use of Russian mythology is wonderful and adds a taste of richness to the story. Everything in the book is magical and fairy-tale-like without being too sugary-sweet.

If you are looking for a light read with adventure, romance, and fun, read this book!

Rating:
Summary: Rusalkas, Demons, and Firebirds, Oh My!
Review: I really enjoyed _Firebird_ by Mercedes Lackey. The use of Russian mythology is wonderful and adds a taste of richness to the story. Everything in the book is magical and fairy-tale-like without being too sugary-sweet.

If you are looking for a light read with adventure, romance, and fun, read this book!

Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: I really loved this book. It's one of my favorites that Lackey has written and I've read like all of her books. I especially commend the suprise ending. Very good!