The Firebird's world is far removed from our own. Set in a mythical medieval Russia where sprites inhabit the woodlands and minor-league "Tsars" rule by force and fear, its social context at first seems very alien too. Yet within the story are several concerns that mirror those of the 1990s.

Ilya, the hero, is uneasy and unhappy in his father's domain. As with many of Lackey's protagonists, his problem reflects not only adolescent angst but his failure to fit into a stolid and brutal environment. Ilya's father, Tsar Ivan, is an arbitrary, violent man; he encourages his sons to test each other violently. Because Ilya is less well-muscled than most of his brothers, he usually comes out the loser in their fights. When the brothers start ganging up on him, it is no longer just a matter of bruises and hurt pride; his injuries become life-threatening...