Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
Firebird  By  cover art

Firebird

By: Mercedes Lackey
Narrated by: Curt Bonnem
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.49

Buy for $21.49

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

In Mercedes Lackey's 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 prince's magnificent cherry orchard is visited at midnight by the legendary Firebird, whose wings are made of flame. Ilya's 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.

©1996 Mercedes Lackey (P)2020 Tantor

What listeners say about Firebird

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    69
  • 4 Stars
    21
  • 3 Stars
    9
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    3
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    61
  • 4 Stars
    26
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    62
  • 4 Stars
    14
  • 3 Stars
    11
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

this would make an amazing animated movie!

I love the story and the Storyteller. I can see it in my head as an animated movie.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable Book

Fun read. Felt little misogynistic, but if you can overlook that it is enjoyable.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Lovely tale of the clever fool.

Moved along smoothly. Well and thoroughly placed in the Russian setting. Fascinating magical palace, and nice twist to the traditional ending.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A grand fairytale

A Grand fairytale by a master story teller, performed talentedly. You won’t want to miss this magical, enthralling novel.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An Epic Fairy Tail that grabs you and sweeps you away

Mercedes Lackey is the best story teller ever. She takes an old tale and makes it into a journey of the soul and mind. Definitely would recommend Firebird to anyone of any age.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

interesting Take on Firebird and Fool Memes

I have been a Mercedes Lackey fan for decades. I've enjoyed her retelling of fairy and folk tales. This one was darker than either original and added new twists and turns. The years of repetitive and escalating experiences of abuse at home for Ilyia culminate in near fratracide. The twist when the hero wins the fair captured princess was unexpected. There is no redemption for either family. This tale has heros, evil sorcerers, talking animals, even dragons and lots and lots of magic.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

great story!

Really long chapters!!!, but fantastic story, great characters wonderful ending! I recommend this author, and enjoyed a story from a culture I'm not familiar with.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Could be better

This is an ok book.none of the breath holding drama one expects from lackey.narrator is ok no drama just plods along.no excitement in the narration. Not sure it is worth a credit.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

below par

Probably the worst Mercedes Lackey book I have read. The "hero" is shallow and unlikable and the story is slow and uninteresting.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!