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The Firebird's Vengeance : A Novel of Isavalta (Isavalta)
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Product Description
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.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #1910516 in Books
- Published on: 2004-08-01
- Format: Bargain Price
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Hardcover
- 416 pages
Editorial Reviews
Review
"A Sorcerer's Treason is a sumptuous tale of subtle magic, malevolent sorcery and twisted loyalties where nothing is at it first appears--I can guarantee you won't regret venturing into Sarah Zettel's world."
--Sara Douglass, author of The Wayfarer Redemption
"A Sorcerer's Treason is a gem of a book, artfully blending the windswept magic of late 19th-century Lake Superior with that of the mystical realm of Isavalta. Sarah Zettel's vision of both places is keen, her worldbuilding refreshing and original, her plot unpredictable and her characters multi-dimensional. The journeys across time, layers of court intrigue, haunting magic and crisp depiction of setting make for an extremely enjoyable read."
--Elizabeth Haydon, author of Prophecy
"Zettel seems to be just as adept at fantasy as she has already proven herself in science fiction."
--Chronicle
From the Back Cover
Praise for the Isavalta novels of Sarah Zettel
"Zettel has the many strands of her complex story well in hand as she weaves her storyteller's magic."
--VOYA
"A Sorcerer's Treason is a sumptuous tale of subtle magic, malevolent sorcery, and twisted loyalties where nothing is as it first appears---I can guarantee you won't regret venturing into Sarah Zettel's world."
--Sara Douglass, author of The Wayfarer Redemption
"Romance readers should welcome this one as eagerly as fantasy fans."
--Publishers Weekly on The Usurper's Crown
"A Sorcerer's Treason is a gem of a book, artfully blending the windswept magic of late nineteenth-century Lake Superior with that of the mystical realm of Isavalta. Sarah Zettel's vision of both places is keen, her world-building refreshing and original, her plot unpredictable, and her characters multi-dimensional. The journeys across time, layers of court intrigue, haunting magic, and crisp depiction of setting make for an extremely enjoyable read."
--Elizabeth Haydon, author of Rhapsody
"This sweet-tempered melodrama will appeal mainly to younger female fantasy fans, who will be sure to welcome the forthcoming sequel."
--Publishers Weekly on A Sorcerer's Treason
"Complicated court intrigue is brought alive in a setting, enriched by research in Russian folklore and magiclore, for a very cleverly woven fantasy. A good read indeed."
--Andre Norton
About the Author
Sarah Zettel's novel Reclamation won the Locus Award for the Best First Novel, won the Locus Award for Best First SF Novel. Her novel Fool's War was runner-up for the Philip K. Dick Award for Best Paperback Original SF novel. She lives with her growing family outside Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Customer Reviews
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
