From Publishers Weekly
Zettel's satisfying conclusion to her Isavalta series (after 2004's
The Firebird's Vengeance) illuminates the inner workings of the royal court of the Hastinapura Empire through the eyes of 19-year-old Princess Natharie of Sindhu, taken there as tribute from her father, King Kiet of the neighboring realm of Sindhu. Though women in Hastinapura are sequestered, they plot and peddle influence as deftly as the politicians, generals and priests who clamor for Emperor Chandra's attention. Chandra's honorable brother, Prince Samudra, does his best to influence his stern brother, but a year away carrying out diplomatic duties has weakened his own alliances at court. As Isavalta's nations chafe under Hastinapura's rule, Samudra and Natharie are caught up in a web of intrigue that could enmesh the land in all-out war. The fast-paced, complex story works well as a stand-alone and is sure to appeal to fans of both epic fantasy and romance.
(Mar.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
“I can guarantee you won't regret venturing into Sarah Zettel's world."
--Sara Douglass on Sarah Zettell
“Characters leap off the page with heart-wrenching emotions and daring choices. Zettel’s world-building continues to be faultless, blending Chinese, Indian and Russian folklore and magic into a cohesive and compelling whole. This is the touching tale of a mother’s love, a journey of self-discovery and an enthralling adventure rolled into one.”
--Romantic Times on The Firebird’s Vengeance
“A finely drawn portrait of a strong woman’s devotion to those who love her.”
--Library Journal on The Firebird’s Vengeance
“Zettel has enjoyed creating this multi-layered world, packed with inventive ideas and characters. Detailed descriptions of spell-weaving, gods inhabiting men inhabiting gods (honest) and a vixen goddess make for memorable images. Similarly, scenes of a city burning beneath a shrieking fire-god while its people flee in terror are punchy and vivid.”
--SFX on The Firebird’s Vengeance
"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 on A Sorcerer’s Treason
"Ms. Zettel's confident treatment of her ambitious material shows just how entertaining the "grand tradition of Heinlein and Asimov" can be in sympathetic hands."
--Gerald Jonas, New York Times on Fool’s War
