The Firebird's Vengeance : A Novel of Isavalta

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant conclusion to excellent trilogy
Review: Brigets story resumes with the revelation that Briget's daughter Anna is alive - knowing this she will allow nothing to hinder her search for her daughter.

The landscape is in ruins as the Firebird is released and wreaks vengenance on those who have allowed it's captivity for so long, and both Isavalta and the Seven Kingdoms.

In a devestating world of fire, flame and demons, Anna must find the strength to free herself from her captivity as her father Valin Kalami seeks to control her even beyond the grave.

The spirit world have a vested interest in events, and interfere sometimes benevolently and occasionally malign.

Preponderance of wonderful characters throughout and my favorite is Anna's bodyguard, a dedicated and honour bound young (female) soldier ... the romance between Briget and Sorcha, only hinted at in the first book, is an enjoyable plus.

It is interesting that the characters motives are so very justified, from Medeoan to Kasha to the sorceror who is Anna's father - a little bit like the misguided attempts of some revolutionists or freedom fighters who cause so much tragedy in our world. The author does an excellent job of making even the villians sypmathetic.

Brilliant - I was devestated when I finished.
Kotori - [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: beautiful fantasy
Review: The Nine Elders of Hung-Tse called their guardian the Firebird to help them when their enemy Isavalta threatened to invade their kingdom. The Empress Medeoan using powerful magic managed to cage the Firebird for thirty years but upon her death the spell broke freeing the Firebird. The angry guardian vowed vengeance on both kingdoms. He flew to Hung-Tse and killed the nine elders, plunging the country into anarchy; in Isavalta, he took away the fire.

Bridget Lederle, who once lived in Boyfield, Wisconsin crossed over through a magical portal to live in Isavalta where she is a powerful sorceress and part of the Emperor's court. The daughter she thought had died is very much alive and Bridget is determined to find her not realizing that both of them are pawns in a scheme to free a nation from Isavalta's rule.

THE FIREBIRD'S VENGEANCE is a beautiful fantasy starring a beautiful sorceress, a handsome mage and an evil wizard who threatens to destroy them all including his own daughter. Readers will empathize with Bridget who searches two worlds to find her daughter. Fans will adore nonagenarian Anna who has the wisdom and goodness that few mortals possess. Sarah Zettel is an outstanding author whose latest work will appeal to fans of Mercedes Lackey and Andre Norton.

Harriet Klausner