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Showing posts with label Spirituality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spirituality. Show all posts

Blood Canticle Review

Blood Canticle Review

Blood Canticle

Published: 28, October 2003

Author: Anne Rice

The Vampire Chronicles, Book 10

Genres: Adult, Family, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Gothic, History, Horror, Inspirational, LGBTQ+, Literary, Men's, Occult, Paranormal, Psychological, Renaissance, Saga, Spirituality, Thrillers, Urban, Vampire, Witches, Wizards


Check the summary of this book here:

Blood Canticle Summary


The Review:

Anne Rice's Blood Canticle has both merits and flaws, depending on who is reading it. Lovers of the Vampire Chronicles and the Mayfair Witches, particularly fans of Blackwood Farm, will enjoy Blood Canticle. However, there are some major annoyances along the road, which, again, are dependent on the reader and those random readers who picked up this book and started reading without realizing that it is not a stand-alone novel and must be tackled after reading the other volumes in the series.

Anne Rice is a powerful writer with three big gifts: number one, she understands how to tell a narrative and spin a plot, number two, she develops vivid and intriguing characters, and number three, she is a great wordsmith with a rich and appealing writing style.

If a reader is really religious and/or thinks against what the characters and Anne Rice are saying and thinking about, all three of her strengths might be perceived as faults in this novel.

This novel blew me away, especially Lestat's constant evolution and desire to be good while being pulled to evil. What a satisfying conclusion. The meeting of vampires and witches is fantastic. I liked how it began up immediately where Blackwood Farm left off, and how it was told from Lestat's point of view.

I loved his genuine modern voice, the fact that he was repeating the narrative in less formal terms, and the fact that he seemed to be up to speed with the current world despite being a couple of hundred years old at this time.

Anne Rice and her particular writing style, as well as her voice, are always in character. She leads us through the corridors of her main character's mind and soul so fully that the reader becomes buried in the pages, entirely ignorant of time. She is fantastic, and this novel captivates in the same manner that her other Vampire Chronicles and Mayfair Saga books have. I suggest it to anybody looking to escape into a wonderfully painted fantasy world that appears genuine enough to reside outside your door every time the sunsets.

While typing these lines, I realize what a genius our late great Anne Rice was when she intended to write this and any other book, and in the following few paragraphs, all the fans will say yes and maybe even non-fans and haters will say yes also.

Warning: There will be spoilers ahead. I'm about to explain why this book is amazing, not horrible, as some readers believed. I can see why some readers aren't fond of it. This is not the Lestat they were expecting. The narrative is written in a unique way. And none of the companions we've grown to know and love, such as Louis, Armand, and Marius, are present.

But, if you go back over the whole Vampire Chronicles series, you'll see that this novel was bound to happen. Lestat aspires to be a saint, as he tells us nearly from the start. He talks about it as if he didn't have anything else to be except a saint. This isn't the same Lestat we've seen in previous Chronicle volumes. That Lestat was seen as a villain or an antihero. 

However, keep in mind that Lestat's statements appeared in just four of the prior nine volumes. In Interview with the Vampire, Louis shared his story, Armand told his, David informed us about Merrick, Marius finished his narrative in Blood and Gold, and Quinn Blackwood told us about Blackwood Farm. When these individuals spoke of Lestat, they didn't use his words or his mannerisms. Since Memnoch the Devil, Blood Canticle is the first novel to employ Lestat's own words.

And why wouldn't he have altered his tone of voice throughout that period of time? Lestat is the one who, following Marius' lead, always found a way to blend in with the times he was in. The novel finishes with... as one of the sentences. Isn't that how people communicate these days, with Internet chat and email? Why should it surprise us that Lestat is the one who is doing it?

Consider what he stated in the Chronicles about his desire to be a saint: "We don't actually change as we get older. We are simply becoming more and more like ourselves "... Reread The Vampire Lestat if you haven't before. Lestat has aspired to be a saint since he was a child. His earliest ambitions and wishes would undoubtedly return stronger than ever as he grew older and became more himself.


Final Thoughts:

Anne Rice provides another fantastic novel, as she usually does. I couldn't stop reading it till I completed it. I would suggest this book to any Anne Rice fan, as well as anyone who is interested in vampires and witches. But I'd recommend they start with the Mayfair storyline, The Witching Hour unless you're a book addict like me, in which case you can't go wrong with Lestat's storyline, The Vampire Chronicles, and start with Interview with the Vampire.

Blood Canticle has a great tale, it's a great read, and it's really faithful to the Lestat we saw in The Vampire Lestat, Queen of the Damned, The Tale of the Body Thief, and Memnoch the Devil. This character has matured with the times. He's not the same anymore, having re-adjusted to his new surroundings.


Synopsis:

“Fiery, fierce, and erotic, Blood Canticle marks the triumphant culmination of Anne Rice’s bestselling Vampire Chronicles, as Lestat tells his astounding tale of the pleasures and tortures that lie between death’s shadow and immortality. . . .

Surrounded by its brooding swamp scape, Blackwood Farm is alive with the comings and goings of the bewitched and the bewitching. Among them is the ageless vampire Lestat, vainglorious enough to believe that he can become a saint, weak enough to fall impossibly in love.

Gripped by his unspeakable desire for the mortal Rowan Mayfair and taking the not-so-innocent, new-to-the-blood Mona Mayfair under his wing, Lestat braves the wrath of paterfamilias Julien Mayfair and ventures to a private island off the coast of Haiti. There, Saint Lestat will get his chance to slay his dragon. For Mona and the Mayfairs share an explosive, secret blood bond to another deathless species: a five-thousand-year-old race of Taltos, strangers held in the throes of evil itself.”


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Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy The Kindle Version Here:


Free With Free Audible Trial:


Interview With the Vampire (1994) (R):


Queen of the Damned (2002) (R):


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Blackwood Farm Review

Blackwood Farm

Published: 29, October 2002

Author: Anne Rice

The Vampire Chronicles, Book 9

Genres: Family, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Gothic, History, Horror, Inspirational, LGBTQ+, Literary, Men's, Occult, Paranormal, Psychological, Renaissance, Saga, Spirituality, Thrillers, Urban, Vampire, Witches, Wizards


Check the summary of this book here:

Blackwood Farm Summary


The Review:

Quinn Blackwood, a recently formed immature vampire, is the protagonist of Anne Rice's novel Blackwood Farm. He's attempting to figure out the ins and outs of the covens. But he's also carrying a nasty monster! (For real) He sought the assistance of the Vampire Lestat in order to free himself of this strange influence that has been with him from boyhood and has only grown stronger and more dangerous. Lestat enlists the aid of Merrick, a strong vampire witch. Can their combined abilities assist Quinn in achieving his goal of freedom?

This story combines vampires and witches. Anne Rice, our cherished author, has created another excellent story. The Vampire Quinn Blackwood's story is both enthralling and terrifying.

One of my favorite aspects of this story is that you don't have to have read the other eight books in the series to enjoy it. But to have a better understanding of Lestat, I recommend reading Interview With The Vampire first, I am confident you will read all of the prior novels since once a reader starts reading this series, he/she won't be able to stop.

If you're a fan of Anne Rice's Vampire and Mayfair series, this novel will provide you with some intriguing updates on the Mayfair Clan, so if you haven't read that series yet, you should.

Those who like adult vampires with real themes will like this book. Anne Rice works by opening in the future, delving into the past, and then concluding in the near future. Lestat is almost always involved or invoked, whether in a significant or minor capacity.

When I ponder the circumstances of her vampires' life, I am frequently distressed and sad. But still, I end up with artwork to look at, music to listen to, and moral dilemmas to deal with.

I understand that thinking about and reading about drinking human blood, or any kind of blood, is unpleasant, yet her characters' sensuous connection is enthralling, and the reader is never left feeling alienated. In essence, the reader forgets or forgives them for doing it because it is for their longevity, elegance, and sustainability.

And then the sadness of these characters' lives makes the reader mourn at the conclusion of each book. You'll probably appreciate the Vampire Chronicles if you prefer your chocolate bitter.

It holds the reader in fear the whole time it is being read. The historical accuracy is incredible! Anne Rice went above and beyond the call of professionalism. After reading this work and learning about Merrick, readers will be more interested in learning more about the Mayfair Witches.

Anne Rice creates a universe that you don't want to leave, as she usually does. Her characters leap off the page and into your heart. I realize she can't constantly write about Louise and Lestat, even though Lestat is neglected in this novel. Her imagination is far too complex for us to limit it to our personal preferences. I appreciate every syllable she writes, and I always feel bad about ending one of her novels.


Final Thoughts:

This novel is full of wonderful detail, engaging characters, and stunning magical energies, as is typical of Anne Rice. And, of course, The Brat Prince's aristocracy. Tarquin's narrative is a fascinating tale of good and evil, not necessarily in the manner you think, thanks to Goblin's dark friendship and Aunt Queen's lovely light.

I really liked this book, however, like a handful of her other works, most of it is Quinn recounting Lestat his narrative from beginning to end. I believe the last three chapters were the conclusion to the story at hand.

The backstory, as with all of her books, is extremely detailed and full of information that you can take or leave. The ups and downs on the roller coaster are masterfully written, but that is to be expected from an Anne Rice novel.

This is an obvious step up from her previous Vampire Chronicles volumes, which was a nice relief and a sign for those who doubted her tremendous writing ability.

I would suggest this book to anybody who likes vampires, the paranormal, witches, dark fantasy, or is just finished the Vampire Chronicles series .


Synopsis:

“In her new novel, perennial bestseller Anne Rice fuses her two uniquely seductive strains of narrative -- her Vampire legend and her lore of the Mayfair witches -- to give us a world of classic deep-south luxury and ancestral secrets.

Welcome to Blackwood Farm: soaring white columns, spacious drawing rooms, bright, sun-drenched gardens, and a dark strip of the dense Sugar Devil Swamp. This is the world of Quinn Blackwood, a brilliant young man haunted since birth by a mysterious doppelgänger, “Goblin,” a spirit from a dream world that Quinn can’t escape and that prevents him from belonging anywhere. When Quinn is made a Vampire, losing all that is rightfully his and gaining an unwanted immortality, his doppelgänger becomes even more vampiric and terrifying than Quinn himself.

As the novel moves backwards and forwards in time, from Quinn’s boyhood on Blackwood Farm to present-day New Orleans, from ancient Athens to 19th-century Naples, Quinn seeks out the legendary Vampire Lestat in the hope of freeing himself from the specter that draws him inexorably back to Sugar Devil Swamp and the explosive secrets it holds.

A story of youth and promise, of loss and the search for love, of secrets and destiny, Blackwood Farm is Anne Rice at her mesmerizing best.”



Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

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Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy The Kindle Version Here:

Free With Free Audible Trial:

Interview With the Vampire (1994) (R):

Queen of the Damned (2002) (R):

Compare Kindle E-readers on one page:

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Blood and Gold Review

Blood and Gold

Published: 16, October 2001

Author: Anne Rice

The Vampire Chronicles, Book 8

Genres: Family, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Gothic, History, Horror, Inspirational, LGBTQ+, Literary, Men's, Occult, Paranormal, Psychological, Renaissance, Saga, Spirituality, Thrillers, Urban, Vampire, Witches, Wizards


Check the summary of this book here:

Blood and Gold Summary


The Review:

In Anne Rice's Blood and Gold, vampire Marius tells of his origins in ancient Rome, how he came into possession of and bore the burden of caring for Those Who Must Be Kept, Akasha and Enkil, the vampire mother and father, and how he braved to live among humankind and give birth to his protégé Armand until catastrophe intervened and he was nearly killed. This is a fascinating tale that spans ages and is still relevant today.

Marius is a historian, a student of mankind, and he reveals his pain as he struggles to make sense of eternal ties.

A fantastical narrative told through the perspective of Marius, probably the smartest immortal, from the period of the Roman Empire through the Renaissance and well beyond. Vampires, history, and wonderful literature! There's something for everyone here.

Several notable new characters are introduced. Thorne, who is as much a warrior as Marius is a wizard, is the most prominent of them. He appears to be deceptively straightforward and direct, yet he is actually more sophisticated and strong than one might imagine.

Since Lestat's rock musical era, the chapter about Marius' encounter with the lovely and dangerous Eudoxia is the finest chapter in the chronicles. If you enjoy The Vampire Chronicles but have recently been disenchanted with them, this one will rekindle your interest.

For lovers of the Vampire Chronicles, this is an essential must-read. This provides all of the backstories of Marius's torturous "life," as well as a comprehensive picture of his connection with Pandora. In some ways, this feels like a thorough summary of the events of all the preceding volumes, but in greater depth.

The basic premise of Blood and Gold, like with any connected series of novels, is that we learn more about things we've already seen. Marius has come several times in previous books, each time providing us with just a bit more knowledge. Through his eyes and words, we see him and the world around him this time. More personalities are introduced along the way, others are defined, and interests are piqued.

Anne Rice's ability to fuse the same stories from different perspectives is not only intriguing but also refreshing, characters I believe I am familiar with but I am not. I don't comprehend actions that I believe I understand.

Her artistry is made possible by her workmanship, which is never clichéd and never draws attention to itself at the expense of her work. "There's that favorite term or phrase," I never find myself uttering. Her urge to brag about how smart she is never takes me out of the moment because she never shows off; instead she is the blank canvas on which the artist has painted. Despite the fact that I am oblivious of her existence, I am always grateful for it. Anne Rice's work has never disappointed me.


Final Thoughts:

Blood and Gold by Anne Rice is an excellent novel, particularly for history students and people interested in historical knowledge. It gives you all you need to know about Marius of Rome, from his turning through his exploits throughout Western civilization's history. When I read it, I could clearly envision myself in Rome at her heyday, as well as experiencing the tragic chapter of the city's invasion and sacking by barbaric invaders.

Some readers who simply read to keep track of how many books they've read as a fashion statement, similar to owning a certain phone or brand, may believe it's the same as other novels in the series or that it's boring because they can't see beyond the words they're reading for the sake of reading and counting the books and pages.

Anne Rice does an excellent job of taking the reader through key historical events via the eyes and mind of a vampire. Really highly recommended as always with any Anne Rice novel.

Anne Rice did a fantastic job of immersing you in the narrative. She was always meticulous in her research and produced a very graphic and experiential book about everyone and everything they encountered. She completely immersed you in the narrative, and I learned a lot as well. This is both educational and entertaining for any historian.


Synopsis:

““Anne Rice writes with her usual erotic and historically evocative flair. (People)

Once a proud Senator in Imperial Rome, Marius is kidnapped and forced into that dark realm of blood, where he is made a protector of the Queen and King of the vampires - in whom the core of the supernatural race resides. Through his eyes, we see the fall of pagan Rome to the Emperor Constantine, the horrific sack of the Eternal City at the hands of the Visigoths, and the vile aftermath of the Black Death. Ultimately restored by the beauty of the Renaissance, Marius becomes a painter, living dangerously yet happily among mortals, and giving his heart to the great master Botticelli, to the bewitching courtesan Bianca, and to the mysterious young apprentice Armand. But it is in the present day, deep in the jungle, when Marius will meet his fate seeking justice from the oldest vampires in the world....”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

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Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy The Kindle Version Here:

Free With Free Audible Trial:

Interview With the Vampire (1994) (R):

Queen of the Damned (2002) (R):

Compare Kindle E-readers on one page:

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Any kind of support, even a simple 'like, thumbs up or a small comment' is enough and helps me grow, create and freely do more stuff and work on projects for the benefit of many.
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Merrick Review

Merrick Review

Merrick

Published: October 17, 2000

Author: Anne Rice

The Vampire Chronicles, Book 7

Genres: Family, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Gothic, History, Horror, Inspirational, LGBTQ+, Literary, Men's, Occult, Paranormal, Psychological, Renaissance, Saga, Spirituality, Thrillers, Vampire, Witches, Wizards


Check the summary of this book here:

Merrick Summary


The Review:

Merrick demonstrates Anne Rice's customary gift for atmosphere, particularly historical or strange atmosphere, fast-paced adventure that can be a true page-turner, intriguing knowledge of ancient civilizations and magical procedures, and a decent narrative line and variation. The combination of witches and vampires is a welcome variation in this series.

This book is fascinating because of the blending procedure: two novel lines merged, at least two faiths merged, two or three witchcrafts merged, plot lines merged, divergent developments merged. In the realm of fantasy fiction, this is a must-read.

Anne Rice is a fantastic author. Many writers have pet clichés that, by the second book, have become not only obvious but practically irritating; Anne Rice, on the other hand, is artistic and inventive. There are no catchphrases to jolt the reader out of the story's flow with an unintentional recollection. The momentum is not disrupted by the frequent phrase repetition, and the reader's concentration is maintained.

In many respects, this novel is a pleasant surprise. Anne Rice begins to blend her witch and vampire lines with the Mayfairs, as well as with Lestat and Louis and other characters.

However, in the instance of the Mayfair line, this merging is small since it includes a "colored" witch, or a witch from the Mayfair family's "colored" line, i.e., descendants of the white Mayfairs among the black slaves and servants. However, this series of "hued" witches introduces us to new witchcraft, including Vodun, sometimes known as voodoo.

The technique demonstrates how the Christianization of this African religion is systematic and comprehensive.

However, this Vodun religion is founded on some age-old, ancient practices, such as animal sacrifices, the use of blood, charms, and, of course, the belief that spirits exist and that, when we die, we either go into the light, which is paradise, or we err and roam in some dark in-between space, where we can haunt the world of the living. This religion has no idea of hell or Satan.

The novel, however, goes a step further by transporting us to Guatemala, where Merrick searches for and discovers more than ancient spirits and magical items, specifically a mask that would allow her to complete the goal set out by Anne Rice in this book.

This is another fantastic book that will not let you down! I enjoyed the narrative recounted by David, one of the newest vampires but one of the most experienced in his human years.

I can usually foresee, or at least assume, where she's heading with some of her plot lines, but this one caught me off guard. I enjoy how the narrative is conveyed from David's adult perspective and with his distinct tranquility.

I adore how you learn about and appreciate the world via Anne Rice's characters. You can see she puts a lot of love, thought, and imagination into her writings, particularly her characters.

Warning: Following this point, I will discuss several issues that might be considered spoilers. Merrick agrees to bring back the spirit of Claudia, a child vampire from the early volumes of the Vampire Chronicles because Louis is curious about how she is doing after death.

She was turned into a vampire as a kid, tried to kill Lestat, escaped to Europe and Paris with Louis, and was killed by other vampires in Paris by exposing herself to the sun since she had killed her creator, which is an unforgivable act for vampires.

Merrick does the spell, and then we get to see how the other vampires in this group react; there are four in all. Vampires and the Talamasca, a hidden society that studies paranormal events and entities, will wage war as a result of this.


Final Thoughts:

This book is a fantastic continuation of the Vampire Chronicles. The finale was fantastic, and it sets up a new adventure for the vampires. I would strongly advise everyone who has read Anne Rice's Chronicles to read this book also but don't forget to read it in sequence.

With "Merrick," we learn more about the previously mentioned characters and learn about witchcraft's role in the realm of the unusual. Here the reader embraces the idea that vampires had gifts but witches have gifts distinct from vampires' gifts, gifts for which vampires may be envious...this is intriguing.

Once again, thank you for your creativity and skill, Anne Rice. Thank you for building a universe that is not only similar to our own, but also accessible allegorically in a way that provides options for those of us who don't fit in.


Synopsis:

“In her mesmerizing new novel, the author of The Vampire Chronicles and the saga of the Mayfair Witches demonstrates once again her gift for spellbinding storytelling and the creation of myth and magic. Here, in a magnificent tale of sorcery and the occult, she makes real for us a hitherto unexplored world of witchcraft.

At the center is the beautiful, unconquerable witch Merrick. She is a descendant of the gens de couleur libres, a society of New Orleans octoroons and quadroons steeped in the lore and ceremony of voodoo, who reign in the shadowy world where African and French--the dark and the white--intermingle. Her ancestors are the great Mayfair witches, of whom she knows nothing--and from whom she inherits the power and the magical knowledge of a Circe.

Into this exotic realm comes David Talbot--hero, storyteller, adventurer, almost-mortal vampire, a visitor from another dark realm. It is he who recounts Merrick's haunting tale--a tale that takes us from the New Orleans of past and present to the jungles of Guatemala, from the Maya ruins of a century ago to ancient civilizations not yet explored.

Anne Rice's richly told novel weaves an irresistible story of two worlds: the witches' world and the vampires' world, where magical powers and otherworldly fascinations are locked together in a dance of seduction, death, and rebirth.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Aaliyah, Akasha And Enkil, Akasha, Alain Delon, Ancient Egypt, Anne Rice, Antonio Banderas, Armand, Blood And Gold, Body Thief, Brad Pitt, Brat Prince, Bruce Spence, Cher, Christian Manon, Christian Slater, Claudia Black, Claudia, Closer To The Truth, Daniel Molloy, Dark Gift, Darren Wilson, David Talbot, Destrehan Plantation, Dollmaker, Domiziana Giordano, Drama, Estelle, French Quarter, George Kelly, God and the Devil, Heaven And Hell, Highly Recommend, Hollywood's Homophobia, Hugo Race, Indra Ové, The Interview with the Vampire, Jerk, Jesse, Johnathan Devoy, Jonathan Davis, Julian Sands, Khayman, Kirsten Dunst, Laure Marsac, Lena Olin, Lestat De Lioncourt, London, Lorimar Productions, Louis De Pointe Du Lac, Louis, Lovers Forever, Madeleine Marcel Iureş, Mael, Maharet And Mekare, Maharet, Marguerite Moreau, Marius, Matthew Lassall, Matthew Newton, Mayfair, Mayfair Witches, Memnoch The Devil, Merrick, Michael Rymer, Mississippi River, Mother Gabrielle, Must Be Kept, Must Read, Neil Jordan, New Characters, New Orleans Whore, New Orleans, Oak Alley Plantation, Pandora, Paris Vampire, Paris, Paul Mcgann, Pia Miranda, Point Of View, Queen Of The Damned, Rachael Tanner, Raglan James, Read Interview, Robin Casinader, Rowland S. Howard, San Francisco, Santiago, Sara Stockbridge, Serena Altschul, Stephen Rea, Stuart Townsend, Sybelle And Benji, Thandie Newton, Tale of the Body, Thandiwe Newton, The Vampire Lestat, Thought Provoking, Tom Cruise, Vacherie, Vampire Chronicles, Vincent Perez, Warner Bros, Witching hour, Years Ago, Young Jesse, Yvette


Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy The Kindle Version Here:

Free With Free Audible Trial:

Interview With the Vampire (1994) (R):

Queen of the Damned (2002) (R):

Compare Kindle E-readers on one page:

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The Vampire Armand Review

The Vampire Armand Review

The Vampire Armand

Published: 10, October 1998

Author: Anne Rice

The Vampire Chronicles, Book 6

Genres: Family, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Gothic, History, Horror, Inspirational, LGBTQ+, Literary, Men's, Occult, Paranormal, Psychological, Renaissance, Saga, Spirituality, Thriller, Vampire


Check the summary of this book here:

The Vampire Armand Summary


The Review:

Anne Rice's The Vampire Armand explains to us how Armand became a vampire and why he committed the horrors he did to Louis and Lestat. If you appreciate the Vampire Chronicles and Anne Rice's works, you should not miss this opportunity to read it. To put it frankly, I'm not sure why this book received so many negative reviews. It was a fantastic novel that I thought was a worthy addition to the Vampire Chronicles. If you haven't yet read this novel, do it right now!

Armand is a genuinely interesting character, and it was excellent to discover why he was the way he was in this edition of the Vampire Chronicles.

This book covers so many of the voids left by the previous Vampire Chronicles, such as Interview with the Vampire, The Vampire Lestat, The Queen of the Damned, Tale of the Body Thief, and Memnoch the Devil. The story opens in the present, with Lestat ruling the roost, and follows Armand's descent into decadence in his late teens, through his vampiric leadership in Paris, and ultimately back to the present, with a display of just how graceful and powerful he has become.

Above all, I feel that this novel best exemplifies Anne Rice's genre, topics, and writing style. With the storyline, twists and turns, and casual supernatural coincidences, Anne Rice has one of the most unique writing styles out there. I'm fascinated with her narrative abilities throughout the book.

This sixth Vampire Chronicle is all about Armand, and it starts with his desire to be near Lestat, who is now immobile on the chapel's marble floor. The scholar vampire, David Talbot, persuades Armand to narrate his narrative in exchange for his writing it down.

There is no experience quite like Armand's, which is completely engrossing and exhilarating throughout, with Armand sharing his own views with us. It takes us from the beginning, when Marius turned him into a vampire and named him "Amadeo," God's Beloved, to the previously unknown grotesque details of Claudia's last moments at his blundering hands, to the happy ending, when all his love is returned, by his Master, Marius, his companion, Louis, and his much-loved Lestat, and most importantly, by his "children," Sybelle and Benji, who love him like no one else has ever loved.

Armand is without a doubt one of my favorite characters in the entire series. This unfortunate character's life has been tormented, but he still manages to keep going. It's one of those rare novels that I can read again and again.

The narrative of Armand deserves your undivided attention! It's a narrative of a tortured soul trying to find its place in the world. It's an engrossing and profound story for people who can comprehend inner battles, love troubles, and tumultuous history.

Anne Rice devotes a significant amount of time to exploring Armand's connection with his Maker, Marius, set against the vibrant background of Renaissance Italy, particularly Venice. I wish she'd stayed longer, but that's just the greed in me that wants more from her on this topic and place. I was enthralled by all of the zeal and creativity... 

Anne Rice's pen brings Renaissance Italy to life, but that shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody who has read any of her prior books.

Some readers warned me that this book would be uninteresting and contain explicit themes. I believe these individuals are merely reading the words without understanding them in context. I'm also perplexed by the term adult because this book and the series were never intended for children. So why are people claiming it's an adult novel? 

This is now my favorite book in the series, and it deserves a lot more praise than it is getting!!


Final Thoughts:

The works of Anne Rice are transformative, deep, informative, and complicated. I like Anne Rice more than any other fiction writer when it comes to the Vampire Genre, perhaps with the exception of Daniel Quinn for fiction in general.

Her characters and interactions are so skillfully crafted that I have no doubt that she was listening in on these talks as they unfolded. Vampires from six thousand years ago to the "now," from all across the world, present readers with intriguing insights into histories and cultures that must have taken a lot of time and effort for Anne Rice to explore. As lyrical as that may seem, her works are romantic and gloomy, and they discover the spark of poetry in even the most stoic of souls.

It's a book worth buying and reading. This is a must-read for anybody who enjoys delving into the darkest corners of a character's mind.


Synopsis:

“In the latest installment of The Vampire Chronicles, Anne Rice summons up dazzling worlds to bring us the story of Armand - eternally young, with the face of a Botticelli angel. Armand, who first appeared in all his dark glory more than twenty years ago in the now-classic Interview with the Vampire, the first of The Vampire Chronicles, the novel that established its author worldwide as a magnificent storyteller and creator of magical realms.

Now, we go with Armand across the centuries to the Kiev Rus of his boyhood - a ruined city under Mongol dominion - and to ancient Constantinople, where Tartar raiders sell him into slavery. And in a magnificent palazzo in the Venice of the Renaissance, we see him emotionally and intellectually in thrall to the great vampire Marius, who masquerades among humankind as a mysterious, reclusive painter and who will bestow upon Armand the gift of vampiric blood.

As the novel races to its climax, moving through scenes of luxury and elegance, of ambush, fire, and devil worship to nineteenth-century Paris and today's New Orleans, we see its eternally vulnerable and romantic hero forced to choose between his twilight immortality and the salvation of his immortal soul.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Aaliyah, Akasha And Enkil, Akasha, Alain Delon, Ancient Egypt, Anne Rice, Antonio Banderas, Armand, Blood And Gold, Body Thief, Brad Pitt, Brat Prince, Bruce Spence, Cher, Christian Manon, Christian Slater, Claudia Black, Claudia, Closer To The Truth, Daniel Molloy, Dark Gift, Darren Wilson, David Talbot, Destrehan Plantation, Dollmaker, Domiziana Giordano, Drama, Estelle, French Quarter, George Kelly, God and the Devil, Heaven And Hell, Highly Recommend, Hollywood's Homophobia, Hugo Race, Indra Ové, The Interview with the Vampire, Jerk, Jesse, Johnathan Devoy, Jonathan Davis, Julian Sands, Khayman, Kirsten Dunst, Laure Marsac, Lena Olin, Lestat De Lioncourt, London, Lorimar Productions, Louis De Pointe Du Lac, Louis, Lovers Forever, Madeleine Marcel Iureş, Mael, Maharet And Mekare, Maharet, Marguerite Moreau, Marius, Matthew Lassall, Matthew Newton, Mayfair Witches, Memnoch The Devil, Michael Rymer, Mississippi River, Mother Gabrielle, Must Be Kept, Must Read, Neil Jordan, New Characters, New Orleans Whore, New Orleans, Oak Alley Plantation, Pandora, Paris Vampire, Paris, Paul Mcgann, Pia Miranda, Point Of View, Queen Of The Damned, Rachael Tanner, Raglan James, Read Interview, Robin Casinader, Rowland S. Howard, San Francisco, Santiago, Sara Stockbridge, Serena Altschul, Stephen Rea, Stuart Townsend, Sybelle And Benji, Thandie Newton, Tale of the Body, Thandiwe Newton, The Vampire Lestat, Thought Provoking, Tom Cruise, Vacherie, Vampire Chronicles, Vincent Perez, Warner Bros, Years Ago, Young Jesse, Yvette


Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy The Kindle Version Here:


Free With Free Audible Trial:


Interview With the Vampire (1994) (R):


Queen of the Damned (2002) (R):


Compare Kindle E-readers on one page:


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Any kind of support, even a simple 'like, thumbs up or a small comment' is enough and helps me grow, create and freely do more stuff and work on projects for the benefit of many.
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Memnoch the Devil Review

Memnoch the Devil Review

Memnoch the Devil

Published: 3, July 1995

Author: Anne Rice

The Vampire Chronicles, Book 5

Genres: Family, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Gothic, History, Horror, Inspirational, LGBTQ+, Literary, Men's, Occult, Paranormal, Psychological, Saga, Spirituality, Vampire


Check the summary of this book here:

Memnoch the Devil Summary


The Review:

Anne Rice's Memnoch the Devil is, in my view, one of her greatest works in this series. She creates a breathtakingly gorgeous piece of literature and adventure that only she could bring to life. Some readers have criticized this work, however, I believe these critics read a completely different book than Memnoch the Devil.

With courageous and brilliant tales that are amazing in their depth and simplicity, she takes on all of Creation and its Creator. Our favorite Brat Prince is the ideal figure to carry such a heavy message, and he does so with style and emotion.

Except for cell phones and other modern advancements, the story is as relevant now as it was all those years ago. Anne Rice is a gifted writer, with a lush and vivid imagination that shines through in every word of this spiritual and historical trip.

I couldn't be happier with a novel and would suggest it to anybody who enjoys reading for both pleasure and education. It's one of my favorite books in general, as well as Anne Rice's. It's completely enthralling and thought-provoking.

I'd want to discuss the readers who disliked this book and the prior book in the series once more so that new readers may determine whether or not to read it.

Memnoch the Devil became the next book to read in this amazingly deep, rich, and complicated vampire mythology, just when I thought it couldn't get any deeper. I'd heard from some readers that the previous book in the series, The Tale Of The Body Thief, is when the series starts to go downhill and that this book is where it all comes to a halt and becomes nearly unreadable, and I used to be perplexed as to why these individuals thought the way they did, but now I believe I've discovered the answer to my suspicion that we didn't read the same book, but it's more than that, as I'll explain now…

If those critics were expecting a straight-up vampire tale, they were most certainly disappointed in that regard and if the very religious read this book and are the sort that can't separate their own views from reading a work of fiction, they were likely offended by it and would not appreciate it.

Memnoch the Devil is an unquestionably disputed work in that it examines the Christian religion, with Lestat as the main protagonist (I don't refer to him as a hero because he is an antihero.) who is confronted with his greatest moment of self-reflection and questioning of everything he has ever believed true in his two hundred plus years of existence as the Devil himself guides him through the stories of God, Jesus, Heaven, Hell, and creation.

Do I agree with the opinions in this book? Do I believe this book is a true revelation of what is going on in the spiritual realm? The answer to both of those queries is non of any ones concern but yes I have brain enough to recognize it is simply a novel like any other fictitious or fantasy book, religious or not.

I do believe, however, that Anne Rice crafted a profound work of fiction, one that, if one is open-minded enough, may instill in you a sense of creative wonder about how little we truly know about the afterlife, creation, how we got here, and other topics you may never have considered before. And to me, stories like that, are the most finely written works you can possibly read!


Final Thoughts:

What I discovered about Anne Rice from my reading experience is that, in case you didn't know, she is mostly a romance novelist. For example, Anne Rice will devote three pages to what another author describes in a single phrase: "He entered the room."

In Anne Rice's novel, no one simply enters the room or does something in a single sentence; they open the door and the doorknob reminds them of something, a shape, the texture of the knob, or the sound the door will make. The velvety carpet they walk on transports them back to their childhood in France, complete with rich odors of burning leaves and pine in the room and its environs, and in many cases, a friend, a family member, or even a servant may be remembered at the same time.

Her descriptions are full-bodied, robust, and rich. Do you want to expand your vocabulary or discover new word meanings? Anne Rice has more to say and you’ll learn a lot just by reading her novels. It's exactly what I'm looking for from her, and she delivers. I enjoy her portrayal of the Devil as well as the narrative between God and the Devil.

Her descriptions of paradise and hell were particularly interesting. Memnoch is an intriguing character who makes you want to learn more about him. I liked him as a character and Anne Rice's account of the events leading up to his transformation into the Devil.

If you have any reservations about this novel, read it! You could find yourself as impressed as I was. I thoroughly loved this book, so much so that it may be my favorite in the series so far!


Synopsis:

“"STARTLING . . . FIENDISH . . . MEMNOCH'S TALE IS COMPELLING."
--New York Daily News

"Like Interview with the Vampire, Memnoch has a half-maddened, fever-pitch intensity. . . . Narrated by Anne Rice's most cherished character, the vampire Lestat, Memnoch tells a tale as old as Scripture's legends and as modern as today's religious strife."
--Rolling Stone

"SENSUAL . . . BOLD, FAST-PACED."
--USA Today

"Anne Rice has penned an ambitious close to this long-running series. . . . Fans will no doubt devour this."
--The Washington Post Book World

"MEMNOCH THE DEVIL OFFERS PASSAGES OF POETIC BRILLIANCE."
--Playboy

"[MEMNOCH] is one of Anne Rice's most intriguing and sympathetic characters to date. . . . Anne Rice ups the ante, taking Lestat where few writers have ventured: into heaven and hell itself. She carries it off in top form."
--The Seattle Times”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Aaliyah, Akasha And Enkil, Akasha, Alain Delon, Ancient Egypt, Anne Rice, Antonio Banderas, Armand, Body Thief, Brad Pitt, Brat Prince, Bruce Spence, Cher, Christian Manon, Christian Slater, Claudia Black, Claudia, Closer To The Truth, Daniel Molloy, Darren Wilson, David Talbot, Destrehan Plantation, Dollmaker, Domiziana Giordano, Drama, Estelle, French Quarter, George Kelly, God and the Devil, Heaven And Hell, Highly Recommend, Hollywood's Homophobia, Hugo Race, Indra Ové, The Interview with the Vampire, Jerk, Jesse, Johnathan Devoy, Jonathan Davis, Julian Sands, Khayman, Kirsten Dunst, Laure Marsac, Lena Olin, Lestat De Lioncourt, London, Lorimar Productions, Louis De Pointe Du Lac, Louis, Lovers Forever, Madeleine Marcel Iureş, Mael, Maharet And Mekare, Maharet, Marguerite Moreau, Marius, Matthew Lassall, Matthew Newton, Memnoch The Devil, Michael Rymer, Mississippi River, Mother Gabrielle, Must Be Kept, Must Read, Neil Jordan, New Characters, New Orleans Whore, New Orleans, Oak Alley Plantation, Pandora, Paris Vampire, Paris, Paul Mcgann, Pia Miranda, Point Of View, Queen Of The Damned, Rachael Tanner, Raglan James, Read Interview, Robin Casinader, Rowland S. Howard, San Francisco, Santiago, Sara Stockbridge, Serena Altschul, Stephen Rea, Stuart Townsend, Thandie Newton, Tale of the Body, Thandiwe Newton, The Vampire Lestat, Thought Provoking, Tom Cruise, Vacherie, Vampire Chronicles, Vincent Perez, Warner Bros, Years Ago, Young Jesse, Yvette


Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy The Kindle Version Here:


Free With Free Audible Trial:


Interview With the Vampire (1994) (R):


Queen of the Damned (2002) (R):


Compare Kindle E-readers on one page:


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Any kind of support, even a simple 'like, thumbs up or a small comment' is enough and helps me grow, create and freely do more stuff and work on projects for the benefit of many.
Help me grow into a global force: https://www.patreon.com/namsu
Support with crypto coins/tokens: https://cointr.ee/namsu
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