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Summary: A highly literary and lyrical fantasy novel
Review: Tanith Lee possesses a skill for language and imagery that is matched by few writers in the fantasy field. In "A Heroine of the World" she pushes the boundaries of the genre, creating a world similar to Eastern Europe of the 18th or 19th century, with subtle fantasy elements that do not overwhelm the stark realism of the story. The protagonist, Aradia, is a young girl in a besieged city at the beginning of a war that will change her world and profoundly shape her own life, carrying her, as she says, beneath its grinding wheels. Her parents are killed in the war and she is taken under the protection of an enemy officer in a devastating winter retreat to his own country. When her protector dies Aradia inherits his property and lands, and there she comes of age and gains power over her own life. Readers looking for a run-of-the-mill fantasy novel with two-dimensional characters, magic spells and improbable plot twists will probably find "A Heroine of the World" unsatisfying. This novel rises above the standard cliches and tired tropes used by lesser writers in the genre, creating a work of fiction altogether different, which takes advantage of the classic elements of fantasy without being constrained by them.
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Summary: beautiful darkness
Review: a child becomes a women amidst the swirling snows of a foreign land, and Tanith Lee transports you to our heroines side with sweeping brilliance and a desire to see A HEROINE OF THE WORLD succed
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Summary: A Modern Masterpiece
Review: A Heroine of The World is one of the most brilliantly composed books that I have ever read. From the first pages, you begin to feel as though the main-character, Ara's, experiences are your own. Never in my life have I felt so compassionately for a character. Through Lee's carefully selected words, you not only can understand the character's joy, and sadness, but also feel as though you yourself are going through the same experiences. I wasn't even going to take the time to write this review, but when I saw that someone had written that this wasn't a quality piece of literature, I just wanted to set the record straight.
Rating: 
Summary: Please, don't bother.
Review: After reading Tanith Lee's "The Claidi Journal" series, I thought maybe her other books might be worth reading. Unfortunately, that was not so. "A Heroine of the World" may be a wonderful book for those fantasy lovers that are into those just-sit-and-wait-for-something-to-happen books. That's just it. There is NO ACTION. It goes on and on (well, the majority of it) about her pathetic love life. When I finished the book, I couldn't help but think to myself "That's it?" Practically nothing happens. It is mere nonsense written to fill up pages. I'm sorry, but it might just be me, but this book definitely isn't worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Please, don't bother.
Review: After reading Tanith Lee's "The Claidi Journal" series, I thought maybe her other books might be worth reading. Unfortunately, that was not so. "A Heroine of the World" may be a wonderful book for those fantasy lovers that are into those just-sit-and-wait-for-something-to-happen books. That's just it. There is NO ACTION. It goes on and on (well, the majority of it) about her pathetic love life. When I finished the book, I couldn't help but think to myself "That's it?" Practically nothing happens. It is mere nonsense written to fill up pages. I'm sorry, but it might just be me, but this book definitely isn't worth it.
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Summary: Waiting and Waiting and Waiting....
Review: For something, ANYTHING to happen. As another reader stated, the first 50 pages were not bad, but then... nothing. I read the entire thing, convinced that the author would eventually get to the _the point_ of it all or AT _least_ some sort of climax; and closed the book on the last page, disappointed and disgusted. The friend who lent it to me felt the same way. I have never since read anything else by Tanith Lee (it's been about 15 years), but have been (from reading other reviews) persuaded to pick up one of her other books and try her again. Don't waste your time with this one.
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Summary: Will something, anything PLEASE happen.
Review: 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.
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Summary: One of my favorite books of all time
Review: I cannot begin to describe how lovely and how beautifully written this is. I absolutely loved it. If you are familiar with this author, you will know that all her novels are imaginative and hauntingly beautiful; picture all these qualities in an adventure/romance that is epic in scope-- I believe this is one of her longest novels, and I enjoyed every minute of it. This is not for insensitive or shallow readers -- a simply lovely experience-- I've read parts of it many times over, just because the descriptive passages are so enjoyable. Bittersweet, haunting, uplifting, and beautiful -- I am always amazed at the apparent effortlessness and grace with which Ms. Lee writes for us --her inexhaustible imagination is a true delight, and something every reader should sample at least once, just to have the experience.
Rating: 
Summary: A pointless read...
Review: I started this book, and I finished it. The only thing that kept me reading right up to the last page, is that I just knew that _something_ had to happen _eventually_. I couldn't believe that anyone would have written a 200 plus page novel, without anything taking place between the first and last page. If you're looking for something that you can read, and disengage your brain from, then this book is the one for you. But if you're seeking entertainment, even a 20 year old Harlequin has more punch
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Summary: I agree-- tanith lee's masterpiece
Review: 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.
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