In a version of renassaince Venice not too far different from that in our own history, doomed love works its magic. Two families have feuded for centuries over a stretch of land in a graveyard. Generations later, the feud continues, working its destructive force on the children of the noble families. Meralda, a dela Scorpio, falls for a handsome painter but is betrayed by her servant and by the heir to the Barbarons. Beatrixa, daughter of the Barbaron, falls for a ghost spirit who claims to be a dela Scorpio. And Bartolome, the gravedigger, finds his true love too late.

Author Tanith Lee creates a fascinating world where magic treads just lightly enough to make history into something colorful and wonderful. Her richly drawn characters, especially Silvio and Beatrixa, with their doomed love, cannot help create reader sympathy and fascination. Lee's descriptions of her mythical Venice (Venus) ring true both for the Venice of our own history and for that of myth.

Readers looking for action and adventure will not find much of that here. Instead, A BED OF EARTH is a strange and doomed romance, a poem of people and souls, and a bit of philosophy.

The art of alchemy is in the transformation. The third book in Lee's alchemically-based series set in a magical Venice follows this theme closer than the other novels in the series. It starts out as dark as imaginable. Feuding families, dark secrets, supernatural vendettas. But the novel changes, from a black-hearted to tragedy to a twilight-hued romance. The novel follows the fates of people involved in a particularly cruel prank-and all manner of comeuppance-not excluding forgiveness-is played out. It's a mélange of gothic horror, morality fable, and historical romance as only Lee can tell it. Her usual strengths are on display-fever dream imagery ("The eels leapt through the lagoon, like silver whips, fracturing the mirror-moon..."), erotica, devilish twists of fate and the odd historical anecdote. It is a bit more phantasmal than usual, but that's hardly a sin.

Talk about playing with polarity! This was quite an inventive soap opera. Like the other reviewer who kindly furnished the synopsis for us, I was just a tad disappointed with the ending; it seemed just a little too conceptually lazy. But it was certainly fun!

One is bathed in eternal sunlight, the other side in perpetual darkness. On the sun-baked side, we learn of princess Vel Thaidis, who is victimized by the conniving prince Ceerdres. On the planet's dark side, snobbish, melodramatic princess Vitra seemingly creates the story of Vel Thaidis via "fabulism", a television-like technology used to appease the lower classes. She is in love with the kind and charitable prince Casrus. The early chapters of this book play like a SF-obsessed romance novel and are rather weak, and the "parallel worlds" setup seems a bit gimmicky to start with. Stick with it, though, as when we learn the fates of Vel Thaidis and Casrus, the book improves immesurably. The latter half of the book is highly engrossing, and while the twist ending seems a little contrived, it is still a worthwhile read. Probably not recommended for a first taste of Tanith Lee, but if you have already read and enjoy her work, try this one.

I've been fascinated by Tanith Lee's books ever since encountering _Red as Blood_ as a preteen. Since then, I've been acquiring more of them, and have noticed (both consciously and not) a number of the themes that weave throughout her work.

_The Hidden Library_ discusses many of these, largely as expressed through Lee's novels rather than her copious short stories. Since many of these novels are now out of print, Mavis Haut thoughtfully summarizes them before proffering analyses. Some of the summaries are a bit confusing-- not too surprising in view of the twists and turns which Lee's plots can undergo-- but generally there's enough information to understand the discussions that follow: recurring symbolism, mythological roots, the significance of names, structural parallels, and so on.

Truthfully, while I enjoyed the book and found that it offered some insights that would've never occurred to me, I still have to consider it a bit slim for the price. However, the book also contains a lengthy interview with Lee, as well as information about forthcoming books in the "Flat Earth" and "Blood Opera" series; these features are, as far as I know, available nowhere else.

In conclusion, while I can recommend this book for Lee fans, I must do so with mild reservations. True completists may have fewer quibbles with it than I do, as one of my frustrations with the book was being intrigued by summaries of novels which are now out of print and nearly impossible to acquire, except at rates even higher than for this book.

finds Tuvek/Vazkor nearing his quest for his mysterious witch/goddess mother. This book has more in common with "The Birthgrave" than its immediate predecessor, "Vazkor, Son of Vazkor". It has more of the epic feel, with Tuvek discovering, as his mother did, the realm and scope of his powers through his travels through strange and mystical kingdoms. This is classic Lee, with all the epic quality of "The Birthgrave" (though please read that first), and Tuvek/Vazkor's character is much more sympathetic and likable than in "Vazkor, Son Of Vazkor" as he grows gradually less bent on vengeance as the story progresses. If you loved "The Birthgrave" as I did, this is similar in tone, and worth reading as well.

_Wars of Vis_ is a two volume book, originally published as two novels, _Storm Lord_ and it's sequel _Anackire_. Generally, it's heroic fantasy, with less magic and explicitly non-medieval. Dark and decadent, and very exotically evocative.

It's distinguishing characteristic is that the world it's set in is very different than typical fantasy-ie; not medeival European, but something else, not-of-this-world. The book's only weakness is also that-it's a partly created world where there are gaps in teh world-creation.

I suspect that this ambitious historical novel was Tanith Lee's valiant attempt to write herself out of the mass-market sf and fantasy ghetto and into the rarefied and prestigious world of "literary" publishing. It's too bad that she doesn't quite make it with this novel. It's a good juicy read, and she brings the French Revolution and its many colorful personalities to vivid life, but there were too many small but irritating errors of fact and translation throughout the novel to keep me stuck inside that ol' "willing suspension of disbelief". Her writing, always lushly descriptive, here often becomes embarrassingly lurid purple prose that set my teeth on edge.

Still, among recent "serious" novels about the French Revolution, Gods is a more entertaining read than Marge Piercy's City of Darkness, City of Light; but it can't hold a candle to Hilary Mantel's brilliant A Place of Greater Safety, another biographical novel about Camille Desmoulins which I think Lee must have read and, consciously or unconsciously, emulated (she makes the same minor errors of fact in one or two places).

(Postscript: Frankly, I wonder how any "literary" reviewer could take this novel quite seriously when faced with the author's absurd jacket photo, a decade or two old at least--Lee looks about nineteen--and featuring in-your-face cleavage and raccoonish goth eyeliner. Definitely a photo for one of her (quite wonderful) works of dark fantasy, but not for mainstream, hardcover fiction. Big, big mistake, Tanith.)

If you're looking for a typical Tanith Lee (if there is such a thing, knowing Tanith) book, this will come as a surprise. For not only is this out of the sci-fi range, but also hideously long.

It is, however, an enthralling read.

Told in fragments, songs and doggerels, alternating between the first and third person (which some may find confusing), accounts, she tells of the French revolution, from the idea, the catalyst and the overwhelming bloodtide that inevitably followed a flawed idealism.

It's deftly and passionately written -an evident labour of love, but at times so convulous (spelling?) it leaves one head-scratching over her meaning.

Still, whether an old fan or just someone in search of a good read, give it a try -you may be surprised.

It doesn't seem to be common knowledge to newer Lee fans, but this book was written years prior to its actual publication date. According to various "about the author" blurbs I've read, Tanith couldn't find a publisher for this tome because it was over a thousand pages long and not characteristic of her previous work. This was a labor of love, and it probably would have had a better reception if it had been released before some of her more refined later novels.

I think my own interest in this novel was actually dampened by the fact that Lee had to work with historical figures. Her own creations are usually more alien, perverse and aesthetically pleasing than Robespierre could ever be.

I am a devoted reader of fantasy. I have read some really bad ones in my day. But this book is in my oppinion the WORST fantasy novel I have EVER read. No amount of skimming could help this snoze a minute book for me. This is the first book I ever read by this author and will be the last.

If there is a plot in there honest I just couldn't find it. The main character does NOTHING. She whines, she complains, she let's events sweep her along, . . .but she has no impact and never even tries to. Honestly I wanted to reach through the page and smack her. "Heroine of the World" ??? I have to assume that was ment irronically.

You either "get" Tanith Lee or you don't--it's that simple.

If you're looking for an action-packed, sword-weilding, Conanesque adventure (not that there's anything wrong with that--I like my Conanesques just fine), this is the wrong book.

If you're looking for a compelling, sweeping epic with grand vistas, politics, intrigue, and beautiful writing, this is the right book.

This book, set in almost-19th century Russia, has stayed with me for 7 years, and I must say that it's one of the best fantasies I've ever read despite--or maybe even because of--its different focus and scope.

There are few books out there that I really wish that I have written. This is one of them.

I was reading the reviews here, and couldn't resist leaving one of my own, since this is one of my favorite tanith lees. It seems that reviewers here gave it either 5 stars or very low ratings, not much in between. I think the difference in opinion arises from the fact that this author also writes horror, and she has different types of fans. In my opinon, some might find this book too LONG (500+ pages), but to give it a low rating is ignorant. This is a deliciously detailed story, following a female protagonist from childhood to womanhood, set in fantastic lands, with a wonderful, romantic, magical plot. It is epic in scale, comparable to novels like Anna Karenina and Portrait of a Lady. I find it unique in the fantasy genre, both because of the quality of writing and the completely original setting (this is so of most of Tanith Lee's books). Even if it WERE true that, as one impatient reviewer puts it, "nothing happens" (which is NOT true, by the way) this book would be worth reading sheerly for the beauty and inventiveness of the writing. Those who read "A Heroine of the World" and find themselves "bored" should probably read simpler, shorter books. Go buy a Star Wars novelization or something. Or the latest Harry Potter.

I don't know what to make of this third story of the Scarabae; it seems to me that Tanith Lee is just indulging herself. I felt the same way with her third Unicorn book; Red Unicorn seemed to be just as much an exerice in writing and little else as Darkness, I.

I get the feeling that Tanith Lee is getting lazy with her novels. They're not as tight as they usually are; all of her latest stuff seems half-hearted, a rough draft, not polished at all. Strange. Perhaps Lee needs to do something completely different for a while, or something, to get back in the swing of things.

Still, even with its problems, Lee's Darkness I is definitely worth reading. Her characters are, as usual, excellent, real, and completely different from any other. Lee's best qualities are her prose style, both lush and spare at the same time. Amazing. Her characters, as ever, are wonderfully drawn, remarkably different, unusual.

I just hope that when Tanith Lee writes again, she's rejeuvenated; I miss the tight writing and plots that I expect from her. I'm looking forward to another sterling book.

This book is an excellent finish to the Blood Opera sequence, by acclaimed British author Tanith Lee. However, I recommend you read the first two books (Dark Dance, and Personal Darkness) first, so you'll know what's going on! Recommened to Tanith Lee fans.

I liked this book! I wish Lee would do a sequel to it.

A maiden is kidnapped...a mother searches for her, disguised as an old beggar woman...a deadly fruit is eaten...the maiden dies but not necessarily for good...

Note that I could either be talking about the ancient tale of Demeter and Persephone, or about the fairy tale "Snow White." Tanith Lee weaves the two together masterfully in her novel, "White as Snow." As I read it, I kept reading a scene and then thinking, "Hey, WAIT a minute, that was the part where Demeter tries to make the little kid immortal", and so forth. It just fit incredibly well; the book followed both the myth and the fairy tale, making me realize just how much symbolism the two stories had in common in the first place. It is a testament to Lee's skill that after reading the book, I began to seriously wonder whether the fairy tale truly *is* a corrupted version of the myth, distorted through centuries. Whether there is any real connection, the world may never know--but Lee makes us believe there is.

And as I write this, I remember that in ancient times Demeter was associated with the mirror.

I deducted one star because I had trouble sympathizing with the characters; they seem emotionally cold throughout much of the book. It makes sense, given their traumatic pasts, but it doesn't make it any easier to relate to them.

Still, four solid stars for a richly archetypal neo-myth.

When I first encountered Terri Windling's awesome Fairy Tale Series several years ago, I learned that one of the authors who was working on a tale for the series was Tanith Lee. I anxiously anticipated her book and it was well worth the wait. I truly believe I'd recognize a Tanith Lee-created character just about anywhere. She marvelously writes the most wickedly flawed, but insidiously human people. I also greatly admire her ability to sustain characterization consistently throughout her work. The plot is great here too; a variation on the Snow White tale magically interwoven with the whole Demeter-Hades-Persephone fertility mythos from ancient Greece. This book has tremendous appeal to not only fantasy, mythology, and fairy tale aficionados, but would serve as a great introduction to Lee's work as well; especially recommended would be her Red as Blood collection of fairy stories. Lee is often compared most favorably with Angela Carter; this analogy remains apt with this latest book. The other books in Windling's Fairy Tale Series are also as good as this one.

First, I am happy to see the Faery Tale series by Terri Windling back in publication. I was sad to see it disappear years ago. I hope to see more in the series soon!

Like Terri Windling's series, I am always excited when I see a new Tanith Lee novel. I had just finished reading Wolf Tower (which is a wonderful book) and saw White as Snow was due out soon...I waited with much anticipation for the book's arrival and I am happy to say I wan't disappointed by Tanith Lee's retelling of Snow White. This is one of her many reworkings of this particular fairy tale, but what makes this one different is that it is also a powerful and ingenious parallel of the Persephone/Demeter myth. As usual, Lee's prose is gorgeous and the story is challenging and unpredictable. There are a lot of layers to this novel and it deserves to be read and reread so that one can savor the imagery and emotion that this book builds. I particularly liked the dark psychology of the book--the war between mother and daughter, the war fought within oneself, the war between the sexes...everything resonates in this book and scenes continue to echo in my mind. This book belongs on the shelf next to Deerskin,by Robin McKinley and The Armless Maiden, an anthology by Terri Windling, for it is a powerful novel dealing with the more common, darker emotions of humanity.