Only recently have I started reading entire trilogies in one go, and I think this greatly enhances the experience. This proved to be a satisfying conclusion in many ways, although less than satisfactory in others. Several threads were left hanging - and I cannot help but feel that Zettel intended there to be another book, or perhaps even another trilogy, with Anna as the protagonist. She is, after all, a fascinating character and one that it cannot be easy to let go.Picking up more-or-less where book #1 finished up (book #2 being a prequel), "Firebird's Vengence" begins with Grace's PoV. Grace is Bridget's aunt, a relatively minor character in #1 and of somewhat more import in #2. Grace's addition to the story is not woven in quite as well as it perhaps should be.Bridget is now somewhat more adept with her magics, and her friendship with sorcerer Sakra is slowly developing, perhaps, into something more - in a sweet and natural fashion, that is quite charming to watch. However, the Vixen drops a bombshell on her (figuratively) by revealing that the child she thought dead is in fact still alive. Anyone who has read the first book would have guessed this fact - as it was too much of a plot hook to not follow up on, and her presence was mentioned, albeit briefly, in "Sorcerer's Treason". Meanwhile, the firebird has returned and seeks his vengence - first on the Heart of the World who abandoned him to his captivity for 30 long years, and then on Isavalta.Although the character development and the folklore aspects are beautiful, the plot itself is somewhat disjointed, and does leave the reader wondering "...but what happened to X?" Still, I have enjoyed this series and would not hesitate to recommend it to lovers of fine female-lead fantasy.
