This was definitely the best installment yet in the series - and I loved every minute of reading it. This wrapped up the first two books nicely, and while I won't give any spoilers, I was blown away with how everything ended. Kuivalainen somehow managed to ramp up the tension right up to the moment things are finally resolved. You'll absolutely need to read books one and two or you're going to be very lost, and miss out on some important character building. Highly recommend this series for anyone interested in dark fantasy mixed with mythology. ( )

I received this book as an Early Review edition. This is the third book in the Firebird series. Even though I have not read the first two books, I enjoyed the book very much. Kuivalainen's storytelling is simple and keeps a reader hooked. ( )

I received this book for free as an early reviewer copy. This is the third in the Firebird Faerie Tales series. I have not read the earlier books, but now I want to. I typically avoid later books in an ongoing series, but there are so few books with Russian folklore, I wanted to try it.

There were so many characters that I knew it would take me awhile to learn who they were and how they were connected without reading the earlier books, but I did. The characters were of several different human-like species with different talents, some magical and some not. Partway, the story “split” into two primary groups of characters in two different locations, bringing new additional characters in each, so then I had to learn who each of those were, too. I enjoyed how the Russian aspects were woven into it without being a repeat of the best known folktales. It included folklore from other countries, as well. I enjoyed the book, but I still don’t know exactly what the character Mychal is.

There seems to be a ritual rape, but the character seems fine with it afterwards. Perhaps she grew up with such rituals and was accustomed to such things, after all, I have not read the earlier books, but I would have expected her to at least have felt more taken advantage of. ( )

The conclusion to the trilogy. A little bit more trekking a couple more side quests and one more new characters (and minus a few old friends) and then the much expected final battle, which is fortunately over in about as many pages as were devoted to Anya having sex again.

A few more new fairy tales are woven into the tapestry, which is always enjoyable, I did like the forest gods, and the seeds of power. A few stories don't get completed, and I'm not sure if the author just forgot or whether they were edited out for brevity (it's already long). Michael's explanation is hinted at many times, but never actually revealed - unless it's in one of the cryptic references to some tale I don't know.

Otherwise it's much of the same - a very large cast of interchangeable supernatural characters accompany Anya in her quest for revenge - not the healthiest of motives but no-one seems to object SOmewhere along the line more world got introduced with different creatures able to gate in and out without difficulty making Anya's specialty somewhat redundant, but she gains more and more power gifted by ever more powerful beings. It get s very difficult to describe or imagine the levels of power casually thrown about, and as usual there's little in the way of consequences.

I'm glad to have finished the series, it all ended as expected, but there were unique and interesting moments as the different fairy tales were integrated. ( )

I wouldn't usually pick up a series with the third book, but when this book appeared in the Early Reviewers list, I was immediately interested. I'm a huge fantasy fan and fall so easily in love with books that have a compelling story in a beautifully crafted world. This was no exception. The worldbuilding is really lovely -- Amy highlights thoughtful details about everything from clothing to musical references to lyrical languages. And the story centers around loss and handles this sensitive topic in a delicate and beautiful way, something I appreciate very much. I'm sure I missed a lot, starting the series here, but after reading this book, I will definitely be finishing the series. ( )