Certain of The Firebird's elements are found in other of Lackey's works. Ilya's telepathic conversations with animals and the grotesque chimeras at the Katschei's palace are reminiscent of aspects of her multivolume Valdemar series. Sacred Ground (1994; see separate entry) is built around a Native American legend, and The Fire Rose (1995) is based upon werewolf lore. The sensitive young protagonist seeking to escape from his oppressive home is almost a Lackey trademark.