The Birthgrave (Daw science fiction) [Paperback]

Tanith Lee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1975

The Birthgrave is Tanith Lee's first published novel -- the first book of a trilogy of stunning imagination -- and remains one of her most memorable best. This fine edition includes a new introduction by the author.

A mysterious woman awakens in the heart of a dormant volcano and comes forth into a brutal ancient world transformed by genocidal pestilence, war, fierce beauty, and cultural devastation. She has no memory of herself, and she could be anyone -- mortal woman, demoness lover, last living heir to a long-gone race, or a goddess of destruction. Compelled by the terrifying Karrakaz to search for the mysterious Jade that is the answer to her secret self, she embarks on a journey of timeless wonder.

Come within this realm of brilliant cruel beauty and seductive immortal ruins, of savage war and grand conquest, of falling stars and silver gods, of longing and desire.

Rediscover the exotic wonder of The Birthgrave Trilogy.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1 pages
• Publisher: DAW (June 1, 1975)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0886771277
• ISBN-13: 978-0886771270
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,791,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of those that makes me want to jump in it and not return, October 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Birthgrave (Daw science fiction) (Paperback)

In this tale of blood, love, violence, beauty, magic, dreams, brutal murder, swords'n'sorcery, rape, battle and deadly races, we follow a woman on a journey of self-discovery. First a Goddess, then a slave, later a pawn in the game of an emperor who shows her her true nature and leads her to understand what she is looking for. And then the end of this story.. a twist of the plot and atmosphere so totally unexpected I couldn't believe it at first. Terrific.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is beautiful, March 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Birthgrave (Daw science fiction) (Paperback)

This was the first book I read of Tanith Lee and she has since become my favorite author. This is a story of a grown woman who wakes inside a volcano. She finds she is the last of a unknown race and this is her story of her search to find herself. Traveling through lands full of vast ancient cities and strange religions you will find yourself engulfed with the beauty and loneliness of her quest.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favourite Tanith Lee Book, August 27, 2001

By 

"kayjlo" (Queensland, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Birthgrave (Daw science fiction) (Paperback)

When I first read this book (more years ago than I care to recall) it ignited my interest in so-called sword and sorcery epics. Tanith Lee's lost child-woman draws you into her story from the opening chapter and I would definitely rate this as a read-at-one-sitting book because it is absolutely impossible to put down. It is one of the most broad ranging and breath-taking adventures as the heroine-of-many-names struggles to find her lost race, her identity and her destiny. From healer to warrior to enslaved goddess and reluctant birthgiver, she enchants, saddens and delights. She and her world are beautifully detailed, as are its occupants. The only thing that makes up for reading the last page is the knowledge that the two sequels ("Shadowfire:Vazkor, Son of Vazkor" and "Quest for the White Witch") are just as brilliant and provide a most satisfying, if unexpected, conclusion. Get this if you can - then hunt for the sequels. You will not regret it!