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This book is McKillip's not so much re-told, but re-imagined legend of the witch Baba Yaga and the Firebird.
Princess Sidonie is sent to wed a prince from a neighboring kingdom to form a political alliance and keep peace. But Prince Ronan is still mournng the death of his previous wife and his child, and wants nothing to do with another woman, no matter how lovely. He flees into the wild country - country known to be inhabited by the dangerous and powerful witch Brume. Ronan ends up not only grief-stricken, but cursed and bewitched. Sidonie is left, with even her escort, the wizard Gyre, mysteriously absent, to negotiate a difficult political situation in a hostile environment.
McKillip uses the familiar elements of traditional fairytales, but weaves them together into a complex story of very real people, each with their own emotions and motivations, moving through a tale replete with symbolism and meaning.
As with all McKillip's books, excellent.