The Firebird's Vengeance: A Novel of Isavalta

By Sarah Zettel

Book Overview

Magic and the force of destiny propelled Bridget Lederle across the void between worlds, through the Land of Death and Spirit, to the world of Isavalta, where she discovered secrets about herself and her family that had been hidden since before her birth. It seems like only yesterday that a charismatic stranger swept her from her home on the shore of Lake Superior and took her on an impossible journey to a strange, bejeweled world where sorcery could spring from the simplest of patterns, with most serious effect. In Isavalta she also discovered magical powers she had never suspected she possessed before her transit between the worlds. More than self-knowledge has changed her: she is in love with Sakra, a powerful sorcerer and her staunch ally. And she learns that her daughter, who she thought was lost to her, is alive. But that daughter is also the pawn in a dangerous game of power and politics. The powerful spells of a ruler intent on conquest threaten to destroy both mother and daughter. Torn between the contending forces of magic and empire, Bridget lives an extraordinary adventure replete with unimaginable dangers. Beset by enemies on all sides, she must rely on the aid of supernatural forces she can't control, lest she be destroyed by a fate she cannot imagine.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765308126
• ISBN13: 9780765308122
• Release Date: August 2004
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 414 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.6" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

very nice sequel to sorcerer's treason

I thought this was a well-written and well thought out sequel to a sorcerer's treason. it tied up all loose ends and allowed for a possible third book re: bridget and her adventures in isavalta.

The Firebird's Vengeance

This is a great book as are the previous two in this series. I love the mystic elements of theses books and I shall look forward to reading other books by this author.

Much improved compared to the first two

"The Firebird's Vengeance" is the third novel in Zettel's Isavalta trilogy, but picks up shortly after the events in "A Sorcerer's Treason" (since "The Usurper's Crown" was more of a prequel). Bridget has returned to Isvalta to build a life there, but that is quickly thrown into turmoil once more when she learns that the Firebird has vowed revenge against Isavalta and Hung-Tse, and that the daughter she thought was long dead may still be alive. The daughter, Anna, is in fact still alive, and the story follows her travels through a good portion of the book. She is accompanied by her guard, Mae Shan, who I thought was one of the best characters that Zettel has created in this series. She makes a far better heroine than Bridget or Ingrid, and I was mostly interested in her story, and her interaction with Anna and the others. Mae Shan is intelligent, strong, quick-witted, resourceful, and compassionate, but still maintains a vulnerability that makes her easy to sympathize with. Anna as well is very likeable, and despite her power, a believable child. Other storylines involve Bridget and Sakra as they simultaneously search for Anna and try to discover a way to stop the Firebird; Mikkel and Ananda as they deal with the unrest in their kingdom; Grace as she finally faces what's happening to her family; and of course, the spirit powers who are still vaguely defined and yet controlling many of the outcomes in the novel. Once again, some of the issues I had with the previous novel are still there. The spirit powers, for one, who actively influence events but never reveal their reasonings are still annoying. It simply results in their use as plot devices, to present problems or offer tidy solutions without any real explanation. The use of magic is also still very erratic. But other than that, the story itself is actually very engrossing. The depth of characterization has improved, as has the writing style, which flows more easily now. I'd say this was a lot better than the prior novels, and was a very satisfying read.

Brilliant conclusion to excellent trilogy

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 - ojadis@yahoo.com

beautiful fantasy

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