Vivia

I thought Lee did a nice job of infusing fantasy with a bit more horror. Very nice.

Vivia is among the most unsettling of Tanith Lee's novels, which is saying quite a lot if you've read her. It's a richly textured vampire novel set within a gruesome medieval realm that includes alternate versions of Vlad the Impaler (who gets impaled himself) and the Christian religion. Although Vivia herself is aloof and perhaps not even likeable, she was highly sympathetic because the problems she deals with (fear of death, alienation from others) are universal. I know several people like her, who seem to inexplicably submit at times to what life offers them. In tone, Vivia is highly reminiscent of Bergman's The Seventh Seal. Also, Tanith Lee's prose is in particularly high style, almost elliptical, sometimes, admittedly, even hard to understand, but refreshing from all other fantasy novels. I think Lee was hinting at her own style in the descriptive painting scenes towards the end of the novel. I highly recommend it; I loved reading it. And the ending, for me, was very satisfying- true to Vivia's character.

I am a big fan of Tanith Lee for all the obvious reasons. She is not your usual writer. This story is about Vivia, a young woman (girl who becomes a woman) whose world is changed by her meeting a vampire-like creature. Although the creature saves her from her destructive world, the future is about alienation and isolation. I am not sure what Ms. Lee really wanted to do in this haunting story. Her images are sometimes horrific, but always thoughtful. All and all, this is a wonderful tale of what it means to survive and be alone. And yes, we are all alone when we face life and death. We pretend otherwise, but in truth, isolation is our curse. There is a medieval setting, religious subplots, and a story about different kinds of love. Vivia chooses her destiny at each moment. As usual, Ms. Lee's language is wonderful.

here is a description of the book that should have already been here: Vivia, daughter of Lord Vaddix. A paragon of youth and beauty, alienated from the brutal father who rules his castle through violence and fear. In the aftermath of the latest bloody battle, her father's rage reaches new heights of madness when his faithful war stallion is killed. For Vivia there is little solace, save the secret cave in the bowels of the castle, known only to her and the arcane god whose shrine she believes it is. When plague enters the castle, bringing with it an orgy of death and destruction, Vivia seeks shelter in this secret place, among the bats. Drawn to her innocence and beauty, a presence whose power knows no bounds is resurrected, claiming her as his own, taking her to a luxurious palace steeped in seduction and blood. Vivia, the innocent, wakened to the wonder of the undead, granted the gift of eternal life. But the whims of men are nothing to this dark prince. Tainted by betrayal, Vivia's immortality stretches before her like a damnation, until Zulgaris frees her from a waking death. Handsome Zulgaris, prince, war-leader and alchemist. Is Vivia to be his lover - or his pet? Or, far worse, is she but one more thing to be used in his relentless quest for sorcerous power?