The Birthgrave

Birthgrave Trilogy, Book 1

By: Tanith Lee

Narrated by: Charlie Albers

A mysterious woman awakens in the heart of a dormant volcano. She comes forth into a brutal ancient world transformed by genocidal pestilence, 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.

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

This 40th anniversary edition of legendary fantastist Tanith Lee's debut novel includes its original introduction by Marion Zimmer Bradley.

©2015 Tanith Lee (P)2026 Tantor Media

Not nearly as good as I remember it

It pains me to have to give this title such a muh review, as I once loved it, but it simply isn't anything like as good as I remembered it. I'm a long time Tanith Lee fan who was introduced to her via _The Electric Forrest_, _Don't Bite the Sun_, Volkhavaar, and "Odd Against the Gods". I only circled back to _The Birthgrave_ trilogy latter, and had to order the second book, then titled _Vaskor, Son of Vaskor_ but now retitled _Shadowfire_ from the publisher as the second book was no longer available in the stores I frequented. At the time, I loved this book, but going thru the audiobook now, it feels like a chore.

This is not primarily a matter of presentation, though the decision to include the introduction by Marion Zimmer Bradley in an *Audiobook* was a stupid one. Such introductions were a tool to market the book when Tanith Lee was not well known. It has no place in an audiobook, where it is just an obstacle between me and the book I want to listen to. I also initially found Charlie Albers's staccato overemphasis quite annoying, though I did eventually grow used to it and even find her quite a pleasant narrator now.

The problem is the story itself. Our heroine has little agency and is mainly acted upon. She's not going on the hero's journey; she's not even going on the girl boss's journey; she's being batted around until someone else eventually shows her who she really is. Some of the book is still magnificent: The chariot race, for instance, is still wonderful. But the whole thing now seems like a bit of a chore to get thru.

I'm still looking forward to _Shadowfire_ (originally _Vazkor_, Son of Vaskor_) however, so it can't be that bad.

The best of the best; FINALLY on Audible!

I dont know how anyone can give a better review than Marion Zimmer Bradley in the intro.
I've read the book many times since it came out and want to say it is fresh in a way that seems impossible for a book written in 1975. It is unlike anything else I've ever read. I was worried that the narrator would have difficulty correctly imparting the "other"ness of the woman but was impressed with the dynamic flexibility she conveyed as the woman's experiences went from nothing to hubris to...well...read it. you wont be disappointed.