Firebird: A Novel (The Elemental Masters Fairy Tales)

In Mercedes Lackeys Firebird Ilya son of a Russian prince is largely ignored by his father and tormented by his larger older brothers. His only friends are three old people: a priest a magician and a woman who toils in the palace dairy. From them Ilya learns faith a smattering of magic and the power of love--all of which he will need desperately for his life is about to be turned upside-down.. The princes magnificent cherry orchard is visited at midnight by the legendary Firebird whose wings are made of flame. Ilyas brothers attempts to capture the magical creature fail. When Ilya tries to catch the Firebird he sees her as a beautiful woman and earns a magical gift: the speech of animals. . Banished the young man journeys through a fantastical Russia full of magical mazes enchanted creatures and untold dangers. As happens in the best fairy tales Ilya falls in love with an enchanted princess but to win her freedom will be no easy task.