While "Dark Dance" (the first and previous book in this series) was told from Rachaela's point of view, "Personal Darkness" is split between her and her homicidal daughter, Ruth. It begins shortly after 12-year-old Ruth has slaughtered and burned several of their family members. She is now free to roam London, searching for an elusive woman nobody remembers (Mrs. Watt, Ruth's nanny) and murdering those who invite her into their home. (Remember, readers: never welcome a vampire into your home unless you intend to have your blood sucked. ;)

The Scarabae soon hear about Ruth's heedless killings on the news, and they realize she must be stopped for good. Malach takes the responsibility of locating Ruth, and upon finding her, keeps her as a prisoner until he decides to release her--if he ever chooses to do so.

Meanwhile, Rachaela has been seduced by another Scarabae: a beautiful young woman named Althene who has a lot more in common with Rachaela's late father/lover (Adamus) than she realizes. This whole situation is quite shocking, and I should warn you now: if you're offended by incest and/or cross-dressing, then maybe this book isn't for you. But if you could care less or are even more interested, then I highly recommend this book and series--"Personal Darkness" being the second installment, "Dark Dance" the first and "Darkness, I" the third.

"Personal Darkness" was the first book I ever read by Tanith Lee (after being hooked by her writing in a short story, "Bite-Me-Not", in "The Penguin Book of Vampire Stories" edited by Alan Ryan) and is still my favorite book in this trilogy. I loved the seemingly randomness of this story, and, of course, I loved the subtle vampire presence. This is definitely a must-read for all gothic vampire-lovers. You'll love it!

Tanith Lee outdoes herself again with this second offering of the Blood Opera sequence. Absolutely stunning, Lee is truly a master storyteller of our time. Don't miss this contemporary horror novel or others in the trilogy, "Dark Dance" and "Darkness, I". Very highly recommended.

It took me over three months to get ahold of this book, but it was WELL worth the effort. The ending of "Dark Dance" dissapointed me, because I wished for more of the story. "Personal Darkness" picks up right where it left off, which pleased me extremely much.

Let's just say that I've never in my entire life read a better author than Tanith Lee. Her writing is exemplary, managing to be dark without being melodramatic. Her skill with words is unsurpassable -- she creates SUCH vivid images that everything else looks dull in comparison. Her characters are rich and exotic, the storylines of her books are beautifully dark.

Read "Dark Dance" first, but then by all means, read "Personal Darkness." It's perfect for vampire lovers that can't seem to find a good enough book. I'm half in-love with Malach (one of the characters that premieres in Personal Darkness), and can't see why they'd categorize this book as horror when you've got such a gorgeously yummy character like that. My only advice is to set aside alot of your spare time for this book -- it's meant to be read in one sitting, or you'll go insane from the suspense. And this is the kind of book that leaves you thinking for awhile after reading it. You really just can't be disapointed after reading anything by Tanith Lee. This is the kind of book that I can see satisfying everyone. It's morbid enough for the horror readers, fantastic enough for the fantasy readers, and erotic enough for the romance readers. As for everyone else, well, you really can't hate this writing style, it's magnificent. ;)

This collection of short fiction is bound to have something to interest any reader of Fantasy. If you're new to Fantasy or Tanith Lee, this collection will definately give you insight into the spectrum of the genre and Lee's talent. Since some of the stories come from other collections that share a common theme or concept, they can be confusing standing alone, but are still likely to entertain any reader. The best quality is that the stories can be read and re-read, and still maintain their intrigue.

This was the first thing I ever read by Lee, found purely by accident a long time ago, and it's a shame that it's out of print in a *serious* way... These are some of the wildest, most vivid, sensual, occasionally very disturbing stories in the universe! The different stories follow a theme of colors, and each one seems done out in a slightly different genre (subgenre, even?) than the others: fairy-tale, sword'n'sorcery, modern fantasy, dark erotica, fable. I haven't even laid eyes on a copy of this for over ten years, and "Malice in Saffron" still rings in my head... Remarkable stuff.

After her sister kills her abusive husband and hangs for his murder, 16-year-old Annie Ember is without family or home; therefore, she is sent to work at the Smolte estate in a raja-like palace located in the English countryside. Here the young housemaid is kept a slave in both literal and sexual terms by the owner's son Rupert, who enjoys involving Annie in his sadomasochist, drug-induced fantasies. As the story progresses, the house and all its surroundings gradually begin to transform into the landscape of India, a place that holds special significance to the inhabitants of the house.

Although "Elephantasm" isn't my favorite Tanith Lee book, I'd still recommend it if you're a fan of her horror/dark fantasy novels or just want to try something new. It's quite similar to a lot of her other books ("Heart-Beast" is one book that comes to mind), with the seemingly helpless heroine, the exotic atmosphere and surreal storyline.

"Elephantasm" is an excellent introduction to the writing of Tanith Lee. Everything is here: the lush prose, the exotic settings, the forboding, phantasmorgic atmosphere. Highly reminescient of the work of Angela Carter, "Elephantasm" takes on the 18th Century gothic novel, and adds the subtexts of racism and sexism. Very simply put, the novel is about a foundling who brings about the downfall of a British officer/opium dealer's house. But the various levels, and historical description make this much more than a simple horror story or fairytale. The reader gets to see both gritty, Dickensian London and the Raj's India, with liberal doses of British grotesques and Indian mysticism. If you are looking for fantasy/horror with depth and bite, or are a lover of gothic lit, or are a huge fan of Angela Carter and Rikki Ducornet, this book is for you

Lycanthia is Tanith Lee's take on werewolves. It's the story of Christian Dorse, a terminally ill man who inherits an old chateau with a history. Nearby the old place is the mysterious woods where there exists more than just trees. It doesn't take long for Tanith Lee's hero to become seduced by the legend of the Lagenays. It's a small world for Christian as he finds he is linked to the Lagenays by more than just proximity. Dark secrets abound in this gothic, erotic world. The characters of Gabrielle and Luc prove quite real and add to the tale's unique touch of mystery. If werewolves, exorcisms, and erotic horror interest you, then pick this one up. I enjoyed this read and intend to continue reading Lee. Her style and unusual remastering of old ideas makes the normal seem somehow more alluring than before.

This is one of my favorite of Lee's books. It's about werewolves, wildness and the seduction of innocence.

Tanith Lee's fantasy strengths are very evident in this collection of short stories. Each is succinct and sensual as well as conveying the radical differences between Western culture and the mythology, storytelling, and belief system of India, most clearly in what is important to a story. Each story has it's own point and own focus, and convey them well. It's fairly evident that she consulted well with an Indian cultural expert and she remains true to that. It is also, in some ways, the problem. She starts at the Western end, with a British boy and family and each progressive story gets more and more into the Hindu and Indian culture as well as steadily into more modern times. The last two stories lost me in the weave of things that I felt that I possibly should have understood if I'd known more about the Indian movie culture and scene, but since she didn't provide all the necessary background information, I just got lost. There were several of the earlier stories that were very good. Especially the one of the reluctant man and wife.

This book is wonderful. Some of the stories do seem a bit hard to follow, but I would recommend a second reading then. That should help you understand it better. The first time I read it, I was reading Siddhartha by Hesse at the same time, and found echoes of it (Siddhartha) in Lee's book. Each story is a gem, and I would recommend this book to anyone interested in fantasy.

I liked the stories and I thought the plots were fairly original and as usual the twist ending but I got bored. I think that they both should have been shorter. If you haven't read any Tanith Lee, I wouldn't start here, instead read The Flat Earth novels 1st they are absolutely fabulous!

These are spectacular works of fiction, well written by a master.
The novella form is peculiar in modern literature: too long for a short story and too short for a novel. Lee deftly handles the length--these works could be used to teach pacing. I first read them when they were originally published, and have read them many times since.There is something of the archtype in each one, something of the ancient fairy tale that will stick with you ever after. If the fantasy genre is "mind candy" then this is rich chocolate.

"Companions of the Road" and "The Winter Players" are two quite different but superbly crafted fantasy novelettes. Both feature sympathetic characters and compelling stories, and the endings of both are satisfying and not easily predictable. I particularly liked the twist at the end of "The Winter Players."

Lee's first unicorn book, Black Unicorn, was enjoyable and very promising. Gold Unicorn, the second book, was awesome and had me eagerly anticpating the next. Tanaquil is an intriging, challenging character, easy to relate to, making any book with her presence instantly interesting. But Red Unicorn was something of a let-down. In concept, the idea of Tanaquil visiting an alternative version of her own world after being in versions of paradise and hell was brilliant. Yet somehow Lee didn't execute Red Unicorn with her usual level of skill. I found myself wanting Tanaquil to get her adventures with her double, Tanakil, over with so I could find out what happened to Honj, and when he did appear, the end result was unsatisfying. However, if you did read and enjoy Black Unicorn and Gold Unicorn, it's defintely worth a read, if not quite as good of a read as the previous books.

With Tanaquil's heartache, it is a natural downer. But Lee's fast-paced writing never lets go, and I will promise this: the last few pages redeem its depressing nature just enough to make the read worthwhile.

though i found this book in the young adult section of the library i think that it works well for all ages. This a great trilogy - especially if you are looking for a fun light read.

I was lured into reading Gail Carson Levine's 'Ella Enchanted" after hearing how wonderful it was... I was pleased with this book enough that I read it through twice... but I was still wanting for something.

Going through my local bookstore I pulled book after book, till I noticed 'Wolf Tower' had a note from Kirkus Review recommending it for fans of 'Ella Enchanted'... I am so glad I picked this book up... however, this is the second, not the first of the series...

The second picked up wonderfully from where the first left off... it flowed smoothly. The descriptions were very good, I can't bring myself to say wonderful due to the fact I felt left hanging at points, but I was able to close my eyes and see Claidi's world, or Ven'n's as it happened.

I love the character's Lee has created... Claidi seems to be everything a girl wants to be- brave, fairly intelligent, leading her own life, it's very appealing- Argul is an interesting one, that I feel I don't know very well at all, and Ven'n, he was an interesting one.. I could identify with him more than the others, perhaps it is that his mother favors my father... a depressing thought.

I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who likes storys of the downtrodden who, through trials, come out top dog. ;-) Not my best summary, but ah well.

The sequel to "Wolf Tower" is an enjoyable fantasy book with occurrances and themes that are not portrayed widely in fantasy. It does, however, suffer a little from sequelitis. There are some uneven parts, but this is a very good fantasy!

Claidi's wedding day is disrupted when guards from Wolf Tower abduct her (that'll spoil any bride's day). She is transported across a body of water to a small house near an enormous palace. She is shown into the palace, which is a self-made maze that continuously shifts. Additionally, the strange Wolf Star rises over the palace all the time.

Soon she befriends Prince Venn, the occupant of the palace, who doesn't particularly want her there either. She gains both his trust and cooperation, but must consider seriously her misty past and equally questioning future.

Claidi is still the same feisty heroine as in Wolf Tower, though I thought the slightly more introspective tone in this book made her seem more mature. Venn was an interesting character, though I thought he lost some of the sparkle partway through.

An extra star for originality! The mechanical rooms that forever shift and alter the layout of the palace is a bizarre, dreamlike stroke of genius, and added a touch of oddity to the growing trust between Claidi and Venn. The writing style to describe these is excellent, especially when describing the Wolf Star and Venn's palace.

A good read, especially if you read the previous book. Here is hoping for more Claidi.

The Claidi Journals Series is one of my favorite. Tanith Lee illustrates beautifully every situation and can weave an intricate story that competes with the very best of books. When you read the book, you feel like you know Claidi like she's your best friend. Wolf Star was far better and more interesting than Wolf Tower. It had many more twist and turns that made the book even more entertaining. I recommend this book for a day when you're sick or you need something entertaining to read. It's not a book you'll want to put down until you're finished.

I loved 'Wolf Tower.' I didn't like 'Wolf Star.' I REALLY didn't like 'Wolf Queen.'

After slogging through the second book in the Claidi Journals series ('Wolf Star'), I thought that perhaps the story would get back on track. I missed the interaction between Claidi and her true love, Argul. But when I started to read 'Wolf Queen,' I quickly discovered that this would be yet another "Claidi-searching-for-her-boyfriend" book.

It was more interesting than 'Wolf Star,' however, with the constantly changing locales and the mysterious Jelly character. But I felt very disappointed by the ending. After all the tantalizing hints that Claidi might be royal blood, and then... I won't spoil it if you haven't read it yet, but I felt the conclusion sort of made Claidi's whole search for her identity rather meaningless. And the flying... how utterly convenient.

I see that Tanith Lee has now written a fourth book in the series. I haven't decided if I will read it yet. I'm a little tired of the pattern of overly contrived twists and turns that this series has fallen into.

I suppose I should start by saying that if you want to experience Wolf Queen as I did, with no outside influence or any idea what is going to happen, don't read this review (or any of the others for that matter). That's what makes the book so enjoyable: the surprises! Now, on to the review.

Claidi, having left Wolf Star Rise to rejoin her Hulta friends, returns to find that everyone inexplicably hates her, and Argul is gone. The Hulta believes that Claidi had left them to be with Nemian, when she was really kidnapped and brought to the faraway Wolf Star Rise. At hearing this, Argul had gone off by himself and left Blurn in charge. Now Claidi must track down Argul, and explain to him what -really- happened.

But on the way she meets the tall, mysterious, and creepy Jelly from Wolf Tower. He just -won't- leave her alone, no matter how much distance she puts between herself and this disturbing stranger. Finally her travels bring her to the North, and Raven Tower, somewhere she never thought she would end up. But once there, will she finally learn the answers to the many questions that have been plaguing her for so long? And just who -is- this shady Jelly character?

Now, if you've decided to read this far, I'll continue by saying that I was -more- than excited to start reading Wolf Queen. I had just finished Wolf Star, and -had- to find out what was going to happen. Now, if it's answers you want, it's answers you'll get. And more than enough twists and turns to keep you on your toes. However, I was disappointed with the conclusion of the story; it just doesn't satisfy; it doesn't seem right. I believe more could have been told in Claidi's story, so it's lucky Tanith Lee is planning to write a 4th book: Wolf Wing. Hopefully in this 4th installment we'll find the closure that we -really- need, not just some hasty end that leaves us with furrowed brows and unsatisfied grumbles.

Nonetheless, if you have already read the first two books in the series, it goes without saying that you ought to read the third. It is a spectacular story, and as always, Lee is a master of storytellers. And if you don't much like the ending, just remember: there's more to come!

Although Wolf Queen proves almost everything Claidi has previously learned to be lies, it's almost a relief. To learn the truth about Claidi's past life was a breath of fresh air. I enjoyed the whole series more after learning so much about her family. I was very dissapointed after briefly reading about a quarter of the book, but as I continued, I was pleased. As the story progressed, things fit into their proper place. Tanith Lee provides an addictive series with an attractive ending. The Claidi Journals series aren't books to be missed.

The first novella ("Stained with Crimson") rambled along deliriously until it had long overstayed its welcome. The second ("Malice in Saffron") was relentlessly, unapologetically violent. After slogging through those two, I dragged my feet at reading the third ("Empires of Azure"), but it was best, evoking the spine-tingling suspense of a Gothic horror tale.

Throughout, there was too much emphasis on gender-bending in all its permutations. It would have been a nice touch, if it hadn't been so liberally applied. You had your men with women, men with men, women with women, men with women dressed as men, men with men dressed as women, men turning into women, women turning into men, people of the either/or variety turning into... well I guess they were pretty contented as-is. As for myself, I was more than ready to simply call everyone "a person" and never mind who they slept with, but that would have eliminated two thirds of the book.

There you have it. It was fantasy, it was horror, and it was a blatant call for publicly-funded sex change surgery.

I agree with everyone that says Malice in Saffron is what makes this book worth reading. The third story, the empires of Azure, is also interesting and well written. It takes you back to roaring twenties Paris, and although the time frame is more modern, it is just as well written. The first story was what tried my patience, it was a vampire story featuring Andre Saint Jean, meant to be the vampire Lestat, I think of this series, but who was also a whiny, self absorbed fool. This story drones on through page after page of prose, until it finally comes to it's meandering, sniveling end.
I understand, it wasn't Tanith Lee's fault though, it was Andre St. Jean's. He just had to have his say.
I still didn't like this series as much as I liked some of her other books, such as The Silver Metal Lover, and my favorite of all time (so far) Biting the Sun. I highly recommend them, not only as some of her best work, but as some of the best fantasy that I have ever read.

The Book of the Damned is perhaps the best of Tanith Lee's Books of Paradyse series, if only for the presence of the second novella, "Malice in Saffron". The first novella, "Stained with Crimson" begins with an interesting encounter, but becomes so mired in atmosphere and more atmosphere that the plot becomes indecipherable. Still, it evokes such a sense of hopelessness (in me at least!) that it's worth a read just to feel one's emotions tugged so. The third novella, "Empires of Azure", is less compelling. The characters feel caricatured despite Lee's typically stylish prose. It should be for "Malice in Saffron" that you buy this book. Jehanine, a peasant girl who's raped by her (step?)father, undergoes a personality split when she flees to Paradyse. Her nighttime persona of a carousing, murderous young man is a gripping portrayal of repressed rage finally unleashed. Late in the story, Lee introduces a plague to the city, and her subsequent descriptions rank with Camus, in my opinion, for depicting mass reaction to that particular fear of death (obviously, I like Lee very much). Finally, the twist of the "miracle" meal caps the story in a very satisfying manner. I think readers of various genres, fantasy, horror, even history, will get a kick out of this story.