Rise of the Firebird

This series has EVERYTHING I could ever want. Amazing characters, multiple revenge plots, stunning world building, an intricate magic system, the sweetest male characters, a magical quest, and one of the most beautiful combinations of mythology and folklore… I’ve ever read. Honestly, I’ve never experienced such a stunning combination of Finnish, Russian, Greek, and Native American, myth and lore! These different cultures, might not sound like they can be woven together, but Kuivalainen does it… and she does it beautifully. You can feel how much research, and passion has gone into this series. Every element compliments one another, and the plot twists & reveals had me guessing the entire time.

I will warn you, the first two books end on intense cliffhangers. There’s also quite a bit of heartbreak and emotional turmoil, but I swear it’s worth it in the end.

My only criticism might be the multiple love interests, and almost love triangles. I understand these helped create the plot, and introduced most of my favorite characters! But I’m a loyal girl, and had my eyes set on “the end game” character from the beginning ( IYKYK.) So really, it’s just a personal preference.

The end of this trilogy was extremely bittersweet and has left my heart aching. I’ve grown to adore these characters, and would love a spin-off.

Thank you to Amy Kuivalainen and BHC Press for the opportunity to read this ARC, from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Loved this book and this series as a whole. I couldn’t read this fast enough and I’m so sad it’s over. The characters, the plot, the magic, and the fight between good and evil all make this a binge-worthy series. Cannot recommend enough.

Please, someone tell me that there is a spin off or more books in the universe of this series!
With Rise of the Firebird, Amy Kuivalainen brings the Firebird Fairy Tales series to an end, leaving me a bittersweet taste.
The climax of this story, the final battle between the forces of Yanka and her Darkness, Baba Yaga and her Illumination, and Anya and her friends and allies is epic.
I wouldn't mind at all if the author decides to extend the series; maybe Anya and Yvan in times of peace, the story of Harley as the new Queen of New Orleans and Aramis and Søren rebuilding Svetilo or also the story of Mychal... in short, I would love this story, like most of its protagonists , had no end.
I thank the author, BHC Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story. The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.

Just like with the other books I’ve read by Kuivalainen I sped through Rise of the Firebird.
I loved the characters and the storyline, the mythologie woven through the story.
I have some questions left but most of them are answered.

I can hardly wait for the next ride Kuivalainen will take us.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.
It was really fun to read and easy. I enjoyed the character development and loved the story! It did get a little slow in the middle but it was fun regardless.

Thank you BHC Press, NetGalley, and Amy Kuivalainen for the opportunity to read the ARC of the re-released version of this book.

I have read the original releases of this series multiple times. It is one of my favorites.
The newly edited version just adds to the story. Brings Anya, Yvan, and their band of heroes more alive.
The characters we meet in this book have my entire heart. I love their quirks, their snark, and how entwined in the family and the story they all become.

I will never stop recommending this book, and this series, and I cannot wait to read the new books our Queen Amy is releasing in this world!

An absolute favorite story weaving mythologies, found family, witchcraft, and pure magic. Five stars. Forever and ever. Amen.

Ever have a book that you don't want to read because you know it's going to be amazing and don't want it to end... so you just don't want to start it? That's how I feel about every Amy Kuivalainen book I've read. I love her world-building and characters so much, and it's hard to say goodbye at the end of her stories.

"Rise of the Firebird" picks up directly after the ending of book two, "Ashes of the Firebird." Ashes left me in a bad mood... horrendous cliffhanger and just sad sad sad feelings. It inspired me to read RotF pretty quickly... and I have very mixed feelings about it. The cast of characters and the mythology within this trilogy are VERY diverse- to the point of being too much. I never felt like I connected with Anya or any of the side characters because the PoV was constantly changing. Death of characters within the trilogy left a big impact, but they all felt unresolved. There is a lot of fantasy traveling- a bit of questing, but mostly just constant getting to the next new place-- until the final showdown that happens in the last few percent of the book. I'm left with SO MANY questions and mixed feelings. If this was book 3 out of 4 I would have loved this book and looked forward to a "real" conclusion.

As it is, I'll give it 4 stars for loving the author and her writing style. I will ALWAYS recommend "The Immortal City" and it's one of the only trilogies I've read that's felt "perfect." This was not my favorite trilogy, but it's an overall great fantasy story.

Thank you Netgalley and BHC Books for an advanced e-copy of this book. "Rise of the Firebird" will be published on March 21, 2023.

The end of the Firebird series has definitely left me with a book hangover that will be staying with me for awhile. Like the first two in the series, Kuivalainen's amazing world-building abilities are on full display here as she takes Anya and crew through multiple worlds in true faerie tale quest fashion. They meet new allies, annoy new powers, and search for the powerful weapon that will help them defeat Baba Yaga and Yanka once and for all.

Over and over we're reminded that power can be seductive and it is easy to slide to darkness. That seems to have been what happened with Yanka and Baba Yaga and while everyone keeps saying Anya looks like Yanka, and she certainly has some moments of anger, nobody worries about her becoming dark as much as I expected. Maybe because she worries about it, maybe they figure the Firebird won't let it happen? I was surprised it didn't come up more, especially since as the book goes on the idea of revenge comes up more.

There was a lot going on in this book, almost too much for one book. Kuivalainen drags us all through the emotional wringer, even before the final battle. I became so attached to all the characters that even figuring a major final battle wasn't going to go well, losing some at the end made me cry. There were more loose ends left hanging in this book than I expected as well, very unusual for Amy Kuivalainen, which makes me wonder if there will be a spin-off with one or two characters in her next series to answer some of the questions she left us with at the end. And I have to admit I wasn't comfortable with the 'raising of the spring' ritual- felt like a trigger warning beforehand wouldn't have been out of place there. But maybe that's just me? Also, something that would only bother a person from New Orleans but tossed me out of the book's head space every time I read a reference to it, but New Orleans doesn't have basements and you can't dig, or even plan on digging, tunnels or underground war rooms there. Even with magic.

Overall Rise of the Firebird continues the beautiful blend of urban fantasy and Russian/Finnish mythology the series is know for. I do definitively recommend reading the first two books before reading this one, since this picks up right where books 2 left off.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

🔥🔥🔥🔥 Rise of the Firebird is definitely a book where I regretted not reading the previous two books beforehand. Nevertheless, Rise of the Firebird was a fun read, and I was delighted with the ties to Russian and Finnish mythology. The characters' relationships, banter, and growing attachments to each other made the book's heart. Although I felt like I was swimming upstream a bit in trying to piece together what had happened previously, I still enjoyed this urban fantasy immensely. This only makes me doubly regret not reading the previous two books. I would highly recommend reading this series to get the full beauty of the story. And ultimately, this book has one of the most beautifully wrought endings I have read in a while. I look forward to reading more by this author.

🖤 Finnish/Russian folklore, fantasy
🖤 Chosen one on a quest!
🖤 EPIC revelations and devastation
🖤 A battle to end all
🖤 Love after loss & the fates aligning
🖤 Incredible found family

Happy release day to this incredible high fantasy read! This is the third installment in the Firebird Faerie Tales series and it is another fantastical ride!! Amy gives us even more to be enthralled with in her mythological world. Brand new beings, creatures and incredible additions to one of my favourite found families in the high fantasy genre.

Anya is going through a period of pure devastation, the grief, evolving power and lack of control sets her on a path of amazing growth.This read gives us elements from the underworld, affairs with ancient magical beings, immortals finding their new path and some of the most epic training scenes. Through the heavier moments and action, we also get a gorgeous romance and see beautiful moments of never ending friendship and connection.

The pacing of this story and Anya's character arc was executed sensationally. Oh, to live in @akuivalainen_author brain- she is creative, I can never predict where she is heading and I am NEVER disappointed. The twists and turns kept delivering even in the final chapters. She is a total genius. Rise has everything and I would highly reccomend this world for your next fantasy read 💫 5 stars!!

Note: this is the conclusion to Anya's main story, but absolutely not the end for these loveable characters (Mychal's story coming Sept).

Amy has done it again with this fantastic cast of characters. With Yanka free and and Anya dealing with loss, this story jumps right back into the world we left in Ashes. Like all the rest of the books in this series, the masterful weaving of cross-cultural folklore kept me entertained and educated throughout. Watching Anya move through grief (again) is both sad and inspiring as she grows with her found family around her. While I am sad this part of the series is down, I am excited to read more about the characters in this world in the future!!

Much like my previous encounters with Kuivalainen's literary creations, "Rise of the Firebird" whisked me away on a captivating and swift adventure. I found myself utterly enamored with the characters and the unfolding storyline, appreciating how seamlessly mythology was interwoven to enrich the narrative tapestry. While a few lingering questions continue to linger in the back of my mind, I must admit that the author skillfully addressed the majority of them, leaving me with a sense of fulfillment.

As I closed the final pages of this thrilling tale, I couldn't help but be filled with an eager anticipation for what lies ahead. The prospect of embarking on the next literary journey that Kuivalainen will expertly guide us through is a tantalizing thought, and I eagerly await the opportunity to dive into another enchanting world of his creation.