Wolves of the Calla Review

Wolves of the Calla

Published: 4, November 2003

Author: Stephen King

Genres: Arthurian, Dark, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Media Tie-In, Paranormal, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Western, Witches, Wizards

Book 5 of 7: The Dark Tower

Check the summary of this book here:

Wolves of the Calla Summary

The Review:

Stephen King's fantasy tale Wolves of the Calla is the fifth installment in his The Dark Tower series. The saga of Roland Deschain, Eddie Dean, Susannah Dean, Jake Chambers, and Oy as their journey toward the Dark Tower continues in this book. Two extracts were released prior to the novel's release: "Calla Bryn Sturgis" was published on Stephen King's official site in 2001, and "The Tale of Gray Dick" was featured in McSweeney's Mammoth Treasury of Thrilling Tales in 2003. Both sections were updated and included in the full edition of the novel published in 2003.

Wolves of the Calla stays true to the series' Western roots by presenting a Mid-World version of The Magnificent Seven. And, for the most part, the author succeeded. This is just another fantastic addition to an already fantastic series.

Stephen King's Dark Tower series combines an epic fantasy adventure with classic Old Westerns, a dash of gothic horror, and a dash of urban fantasy for good measure.

This blend produces a series that is bound to become a legend. After surviving a monstrous mechanical bear and other dangers in Wizard and Glass, Roland the gunslinger from Gilead and his ka-tet stumbled upon the small village of Calla Bryn Sturgis.

This town has a problem that I won't discuss for the sake of new readers and spoilers, but, like the farmers in the classic Western The Magnificent Seven, the locals of this village ask the traveling gunslingers for assistance in fighting off the evil ones, but this isn't your typical Western.

On their mission to defend the rose that is the Dark Tower, Stephen King's protagonists travel back and forth to 1970s New York, fighting evil people along the way and discovering strange connections between his world and ours.

The disgraced Father Callahan of Salem's Lot, Maine, who just happens to be the local priest in the Calla, is also brought into the mix.

Add in Susannah, a rehabilitating schizophrenic ka-tet member who is growing something awful in her tummy, and Andy, a robot who helps the farmers of the Calla by carrying messages and providing horoscopes, and you have the strangest adventure novel in years.

In the midst of it all, the author weaves a tale that is both gripping and familiar. I felt like I was sitting around a campfire listening to him tell the story on a cool autumn night.

Fans of the Westernized version of The Seven Samurai, The Magnificent Seven will recognize the opening scene of this book: a little agricultural community that is plundered on a regular basis, with the locals attempting to figure out what to do about it without destroying their entire town.

But why should Roland take time away from his search for the Dark Tower to assist these people? In answering this, Stephen King brings into play something that hasn't been particularly apparent in the previous books, namely, Roland's deeply embedded sense of morality, which was a part of his original world, which included not just chivalry and nobility, but also a search for an absolute standard of right and wrong.

This theme line goes through nearly all of author's writings, but I believe it comes into sharper clarity in this one and is, therefore, the fundamental lynchpin of the Tower itself.

Jake and Eddie both get a lot of character development in this book, something I felt was lacking in volumes three The Waste Lands and fourth Wizard and Glass,  while Roland himself displays some new but perfectly appropriate features.

Father Callahan from Salem's Lot is introduced as a key character, and his narrative serves as a crucial subplot in this book, but I felt that it was too drawn out and might have benefited from some editing.

Susannah becomes a presage for the following book Song of Susannah, as she appears to have numerous identities once more, and she may be pregnant with the Red King's offspring.

Despite, and frequently because of, the insanity, there's a lot to like here. For the residents of Calla Bryn Sturgis, Stephen King constructs a convincing accent.

The personalities of the gunslingers all deepen in some way. Even though the author is blending together a broad selection of genres and pop culture, most components of the universe feel original. And the showdown, in the end, is truly spectacular.

Wolves of the Calla, like I've come to expect from a Dark Tower novel, is well worth the ride, as frustrating as it might be at times.

With this series, I'm in for the long haul. If you enjoy creative writing and have some spare time and patience, you should begin reading this series if you haven't already.

This novel includes a lot of waiting, plotting, and planning, but because of the addition of Father Callahan as a character, I never grow bored of it. His tale brilliantly fleshes out and contextualizes the realm. Jake has a very intriguing line as well.

For most of the novel, the rest of the Ka-Tet takes a back seat, but they're still there and just as entertaining to read about. However, Jake, Callahan, and the Calla are the main characters in this novel. This book also serves as a type of mixer for the prior volumes, in my opinion.

The Dark Tower's seven volumes should be read as a single continuous novel, as the author intended.

It's best read on vacation in a quiet place where you can let the tale engross you without being interrupted.

It's an engrossing, engaging, and often scary story that makes you reflect on yourself and your role in the cosmos and in time.

But not directly - and subtly, like if traveling through a time vortex, leaving you with a hazy recollection - almost a yearning - for the characters and events you've met throughout the saga.

Final Thoughts:

There's a lot of sadness, comedy, sarcasm, selflessness, and consciousness in this one. Perhaps a touch wordy, but as another stride more toward the Dark Tower, this novel succeeds admirably.

I believe this book will please everyone who has read the previous volumes and been engrossed in Roland's universe.

The fresh emphasis author has brought to this project is also noticeable. In the first four novels, there was a propensity to stray, bringing in topics that seemed to have nothing to do with the overall plot.

There is a tight story thread here, as well as an exact description for the hows, whys, and composition of this fantastical world, which can now be understood as embracing all real and fictitious universes.

He appears to be following in the footsteps of Robert Heinlein's later works, and Heinlein is specifically acknowledged in this work a couple of times, in which Heinlein effectively connected all of his works together in a multi-verse of multiple timelines and author-created worlds.

Even if you aren't a fan of Stephen King because you don't like horror literature, you should give this book and series a chance. Fans of fantasy and science fiction will particularly like it.

If you are offended by violence or vulgarity, be cautious. It's not the worst, but this is mature material.

Synopsis:

“Wolves of the Calla is the thrilling fifth book in Stephen King’s Dark Tower series—a unique bestselling epic fantasy quest inspired many years ago by The Lord of the Rings.

In the extraordinary fifth novel in Stephen King’s remarkable fantasy epic, Roland Deschain and his ka-tet are bearing southeast through the forests of Mid-World. Their path takes them to the outskirts of Calla Bryn Sturgis, a tranquil valley community of farmers and ranchers on Mid-World’s borderlands.

Beyond the town, the rocky ground rises toward the hulking darkness of Thunderclap, the source of a terrible affliction that is slowly stealing the community’s soul. The Wolves of Thunderclap and their unspeakable depredation are coming. To resist them is to risk all, but these are odds the gunslingers are used to, and they can give the Calla-Folken both courage and cunning. Their guns, however, will not be enough.”

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Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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The Eyes of the Dragon Review

The Eyes of the Dragon

Published: 1984

Author: Stephen King

Genres: Action, Adventure, Arthurian, Classic, Dragons, Fantasy, Ghost, Literature, Mythical Creatures, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Witches, Wizards

Check the summary of this book here:

The Eyes of the Dragon Summary

The Review:

Stephen King's fantasy novel The Eyes of the Dragon was a departure from his standard at the time of release since he was most known for his horror novels. The novel is an epic fantasy set in a quasi-medieval world, with a clearly defined fight between good and evil with magic as a central theme. The Napkins was the initial title for The Eyes of the Dragon, but I think it's a good thing it was altered.

This book is fantastic! It's a novel Stephen King wrote for his daughter when she was little, which is why it occasionally feels like a father reading his children a bedtime story. That is why it is such a lovely, terrific, and wonderful book!

Once again, the author has constructed a universe that begins as a Medevil-era fantasy and evolves into the reader's reality.

His ability to construct personalities and situations through wordplay is so impressive that the reader is transported from one time and place to another in the blink of an eye.

This was a fantastic read for me. As is typical of Stephen King's writings, it is a story of good triumphing against evil.

The fantasy setting, as well as the third-person storytelling narrative, offer this novel a purity and beauty in storytelling that set it apart from the rest of author's work for me.

It is not a simple work; its central characters are complicated and multi-dimensional; but, its core perspective is straightforward: there is Good and Evil, and we will finally identify them for what they are. This contrasts with the destructive moral subjectivity prevalent in today's fantasy fiction.

When you compare The Eyes of the Dragon to most of Stephen King's other works, you'll see that, although retaining some of his hallmarks, it's really rather refreshing.

Several components of this novel were based on works that the author had previously written, yet he still manages to build a totally new universe with distinct characters while staying true to the Protagonist's Path template.

The characters in this novel, from the main characters to the common people, are all incredibly human and realistic. The protagonist and antagonist have extremely different points of view, and unlike in many other stories, they are not aware of each other's thoughts.

When I first started reading, I was worried that the book's basic language and small chapters would make it difficult to get through, especially given its length. Instead, I was unable to put the book down.

While telling a gripping narrative, author slipped in a few brilliant or beautiful words. Anyone who enjoys the Dark Tower books should be interested in learning more about Flagg's past.

This novel may be read and enjoyed without having read The Dark Tower series. It's not really that directly tied to the Dark Tower, but it does feature the Flagg character, and if you haven't read the Dark Tower series, you should definitely try it.

In any case, I had a good time reading this novel. It was a short, simple read with an interesting tale. The story revolves around King Roland, his two sons, and his magician/assistant.

When the time comes for the heir to the throne to become the next king, there is a struggle. It seemed as if I were reading a fairy tale. You will appreciate this book if you are a Stephen King fan.

It's one of my favorite books. Of course, Flagg is still out there, but under a different identity and with the same terrible objectives.

We've all run into him in one way or another, therefore the battle continues to this day. I wish you well once you see his actual character, since evil exists, and the virtuous must not just fight it, but also admit it.

A wonderful, not too kindhearted tale of a young king, a magician, and devoted companions from the King of horror.

However, you can tell who the evil monster is straight away, and he is exceedingly terrible in the Dark Magician tradition.

He also allows his boy-king to be extremely good, almost superhuman. I doubt that readers will be interested.

There is ugliness in the adult world, and young readers will encounter it here. They will also discover tenacity, loyalty, and intellect. What It Means to Be Human is hidden behind it all.

It was enjoyable for me. It's not a particularly profound novel, but it's entertaining and amusing nonetheless, especially knowing that you'll see some of the characters again in author's other writings.

The writing was my favorite aspect of the book. The author understands how to keep my interest by spinning a good yarn, which I always appreciate.

Once again, I must mention another aspect of this story that I like was the absence of the vulgarity that I typically associate with Stephen King's work.

I realize the importance of being truthful in writing. It's just great to know that certain stories may be told truthfully without being crude.

Final Thoughts:

Stephen King writes this book as though he were narrating a story for the first time. This will appeal to fans of the classic fantasy story. It has a relatively clean material, making it ideal for younger readers.

The tale hops back and forth a little, and there's no real mystery as to who the bad guy is or what the story's ending will be, but how it all plays out is a fantastic adventure in and of itself.

A fantastic middle-grade book, not just because of the precise plotting, but also because the language is excellent, the storytelling style is congruent with that of the great British tale spinners, and the story is ripe enough to stimulate the reader's interest in learning more.

The Eyes of the Dragon, written in the style of traditional fairy tales, can retain the attention of both children and adults.

There are ties to The Dark Tower series and The Stand for author’s aficionados, but the novel can stand on its own for any reader who wants to reminisce about their childhood fairy tales packed with dragons, kings, and magicians. If you do that, you will appreciate this book.

Just keep in mind that this was written at the request of Stephen King's own daughter, who requested that he include less terror.

Basically, if you don't like it or don't think it's good enough for you, keep in mind that someday your children may wish to read a book, and if you're searching for a clean book, then buy this one or give it to them if you already own it.

But the issue that concerns me is how are you telling others that this book is worthless if you don't have it?

Synopsis:

“It is just not possible to stop turning the pages” (The Washington Post) of this bestselling classic tale—an epic fantasy as only Stephen King could envision it.

“Once, in a kingdom called Delain, there was a king with two sons….”

Thus begins one of the most unique tales that master storyteller Stephen King has ever written—a sprawling fantasy of dark magic and the struggle for absolute power that utterly transforms the destinies of two brothers born into royalty. Through this enthralling masterpiece of mythical adventure, intrigue, and terror, you will thrill to this unforgettable narrative filled with relentless, wicked enchantment, and the most terrible of secrets….”

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Rating: 90/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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The Wolves of Midwinter Review

The Wolves of Midwinter

Published: 15, October 2013

Author: Anne Rice

Book 2 of 2: Wolf Gift Chronicles

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Occult, Paranormal, Romance, Shape Shifter, Supernatural, Thrillers, Urban, Vampire, Werewolf, Witch, Wizard

Check the summary of this book here:

The Wolves of Midwinter Summary

The Review:

The Wolves of Midwinter is Anne Rice's wonderful follow-up to the novel The Wolf Gift, which was published in 2012. Anne Rice, as only she can, conjures a detailed world of earthly magnificence. It's almost as if you can smell the cold, damp woodlands and taste the delectable Christmas feast. This book follows the events of the first one from Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve. Anne Rice's exceptional ability to describe rich environments is showcased in this outstanding and original series. It's truly an enjoyable read.

Anne Rice is one of my favorite authors, and her novel, The Wolves of Midwinter, was no exception. Characters with depth and vivid details, like in all of her stories, which I adore. Insights on human personality and characteristics.

The questions we have about who we are and why we exist, as well as the idea of living your own life rather than the one others wish for you are all wrapped up in this magnificent narrative, and what a fantastic and completely enthralling tale it is.

Anne Rice was a gifted writer, and the historical details woven into the plot are one of my favorite aspects of her work, as was her ability to make the reader feel as if they are a participant in the tale.

She had the capacity to paint a picture with words so that you can see everything, which is a gift that many authors strive for, and she was also capable of making you care about the characters.

You fall madly in love with them. and they become so real that when you tell someone the tale, they think you're talking about actual people. Her characters come to life thanks to her.

She possessed the uncommon ability to pace a story in such a way that it keeps you on the edge of the seat. She throws some surprising twists to steer you in another path as soon as you believe the tale is heading in one route.

The marvel is that these turns are generally subtle—just something you hadn't considered before. There's nothing crazy or unbelievable here. In fact, if she reveals the mechanisms they employ to keep themselves concealed from us, you might be able to understand the possibilities of our cohabitation with amazing creatures like vampires and werewolves.

She pushes us to think about big subjects like God, right and wrong, passion, devotion, fairness, and moral beliefs, as she usually does. She even asks us to think about their definitions! There isn't anything in this that is black and white, and there aren't any clear solutions.

As with the prior volume, I thoroughly loved this book and the tale it tells as much as, if not more than, the first.

I thought this output was a fantastic addition to the actual story, branching out almost all of the main characters while also unveiling a slew of new ones, providing a wealth of Morphenkinder background, and presenting us to some of the other "Ageless Ones," particularly the Forest Gentry and the Geliebten Lakaien.

I appreciated Anne Rice's deep and thorough details of people, places, and events as usual, and I thought the tale flowed at a steady and engaging pace, even if it was a little sluggish for a non-Anne Rice reader.

In comparison to the otherworldly vampires in her other series, these books feel fresh and down to earth. The Distinguished Gentleman is a mystery group, with just a few details about their remarkable past revealed.

I was hoping Anne Rice would continue Reuben and Laura's escapades since she neatly ends off their narrative. But I've always wanted to learn more about them, and now that Anne Rice has passed away, I won't be able to do so.

The Forest Gentry is a new tribe of otherworldly creatures featured in the novel. They are enigmatic, and one isn't clear where their motives lay at first and this adds to the mystery and intrigue.

Reuben's capacity to love others nearly necessitates a leap of faith, yet it is precisely this quality that makes him so likable: he is pure of heart. Another aspect of this novel that I found humorous was Reuben's and the rest of the pack's luxurious lifestyles, and how if you throw enough money at a problem, it will solve itself.

Yes, that is true in many circumstances in real life, but keep in mind that this is a fantasy and fiction novel, and Anne Rice compensates for it with her rich description of the environment and superb character development.

There is less action in this novel than in the last one, but what we do get is fantastic. The objectives for the attacks are carefully chosen and appropriate, and you receive a sense of accomplishment when they are completed. This sequel was more on the relationships that developed after the events of the first and how Reuben must come to grips with how things will continue now that he's eternal.

This book, like the last one, deals with the meaning of evil, what happens when we die, and other philosophical issues that we face in life. There are several fantastic character developments, particularly with Reuben's brother, Jim, and their father, Phil.

I thought the book's key supporting characters had a lot of hidden depth. It's very often that you find such character growth in a novel of this kind, but it works extremely well. Not just werewolves, but also the Ageless Ones and the Forest Gentry intrigue me. I must say, once again, that I wish I knew more about them.

Overall, I think it's a worthy follow-up to the previous novel The Wolf Gift. Unlike many of today's popular otherworldly tales, Anne Rice obviously knew how to create an exciting book with depth.

Final Thoughts:

First and foremost. You must read "The Wolf Gift," the first book in Anne Rice's "The Wolf Gift Chronicles" series, before reading this book.

I thought it a little sluggish at times, but Anne Rice depicted clothing, décor, courteous discussions, and the splendor of the wealthy in great detail. I found it was gory, but I enjoyed the part where she depicted devouring the evil guys. I also like the human interest elements. 

A lot is going on, which is exactly what a good series requires, so the "slow or sluggish" portion is really a result of a lovely and well-established series as with almost all Anne Rice novels.

Overall, I agree with the sentimental conclusion that this is a pretty distinct take on the werewolf genre. I wouldn't call the creatures in this book adorable, but from a literary standpoint, this representation of the beast is pretty compelling.

Have you ever dreaded the finish of a book you were reading? That was my impression of this book. I completed it, and it made me sad! Yes, I get melancholy when I'm about to finish a fantastic book, and occasionally the conclusion of a series fills me with the same dread and grief.

Life moves on, though, and we must continue on with our lives. I can only express my gratitude to Anne Rice for all of the lovely memories and multiple lifetimes of stories that she created for all of us, and she and all of her characters will be missed forever.

Synopsis:

“The tale of THE WOLF GIFT continues . . .

In Anne Rice’s surprising and compelling best-selling novel, the first of her strange and mythic imagining of the world of Wolfen powers (“I devoured these pages . . . As solid and engaging as anything she has written since her early vampire chronicle fiction” —Alan Cheuse, The Boston Globe; “A delectable cocktail of old-fashioned lost-race adventure, shape-shifting, and suspense” —Elizabeth Hand, The Washington Post), readers were spellbound as Anne Rice imagined a daring new world set against the wild and beckoning California coast.

Now in her new novel, as lush and romantic in detail and atmosphere as it is sleek and steely in storytelling, Anne Rice brings us once again to the rugged coastline of Northern California, to the grand mansion at Nideck Point—to further explore the unearthly education of her transformed Man Wolf.

The novel opens on a cold, gray landscape. It is the beginning of December. Oak fires are burning in the stately flickering hearths of Nideck Point. It is Yuletide. For Reuben Golding, now infused with The Wolf Gift and under the loving tutelage of the Morphenkinder, this Christmas promises to be like no other . . . as he soon becomes aware that the Morphenkinder, steeped in their own rituals, are also celebrating the Midwinter Yuletide festival deep within Nideck forest.

From out of the shadows of the exquisite mansion comes a ghost—tormented, imploring, unable to speak yet able to embrace and desire with desperate affection . . . As Reuben finds himself caught up with the passions and yearnings of this spectral presence and the preparations for the Nideck town Christmas reach a fever pitch, astonishing secrets are revealed, secrets that tell of a strange netherworld, of spirits—centuries old—who possess their own fantastical ancient histories and taunt with their dark, magical powers . . .”

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Rating: 90/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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Interview with the Vampire (1994) (R)

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The Wolf Gift Review

The Wolf Gift

Published: 14, February 2012

Author: Anne Rice

Book 1 of 2: Wolf Gift Chronicles

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Paranormal, Romance, Shape Shifter, Supernatural, Thrillers, Vampire, Werewolf, Witch, Wizard

Check the summary of this book here:

The Wolf Gift Summary

The Review:

If you're looking for lunar cycle transformations, frantic murders, or the conventional werewolf story in Anne Rice's The Wolf Gift, this isn't the book for you. I don't think it's so much a werewolf novel as it is a story about a man's change and a new perspective on life. Yes, The Wolf Gift alters him, but I saw the novel as a narrative about choices, learning, and comprehension. Of course, I'm confident that everyone who reads it will get something different out of it. 

I was captivated with how The Wolf Gift forced the protagonist to seek out innocent people who were being mistreated, and how he wrestled with whether he was moral or immoral. You are concerned about his safety, and you want him to get the answers he seeks. Very few books can make a reader think in the manner that this novel made me ponder, not only about the character but about life itself.

The first time I read Queen of the Damned, I noticed a reference to werewolves. Because werewolves exist in this realm, I imagined Anne Rice writing a novel about them one day. And finally, after a long wait, she published this book. I was a little worried because it had been a while since she had published a book based in this universe, and I wasn't sure if it would live up to her previous works. But as soon as I started reading, I was drawn back into that world and fell in love with this new cast of characters.

I wasn't sure about this book because I don't read werewolf fiction very often, but I bought it nonetheless because I enjoy Anne Rice's works. I was completely engaged as soon as I started reading the first paragraph and by the time I got to chapter five, I knew I can't stop reading.

Anne Rice has an uncanny ability to draw you into her stories and make you care about the characters. You become emotionally immersed in the characters' situations.

As is customary for Anne Rice, the character development is spectacular. She also does an excellent job of building tension throughout the plot, keeping you turning the pages.

Many of today's novels have awful characters, and I'm sick of authors striving for shock value when it comes to character conduct and attitude. Anne Rice writes characters that are well-developed and lovable. It was delightful to read about a bunch of outstanding gentlemen, each of whom possessed old-world elegance. There are always villains in every narrative and even those as despicable and lacking in moral fiber as they were brilliantly written and honestly dealt with.

One of the reasons I don't read many werewolf books is because the genre is absolutely saturated. However, this is a really unique perspective on werewolves, and the writing is fantastic, as it is in all Anne Rice works. Her writing style is classic, with very little slang or vocabulary found in today's genre fiction. This was another positive for me since, let's face it, I'm wary of reading books that seem like they were written for and by a 15-year-old. Overall, I was really happy with this book and eagerly anticipated the second installment, The Wolves of Midwinter, which I devoured in three sittings.

Warning: There will be spoilers in the next two paragraphs... Anne Rice has done it again with a fantastic series on Rueben Golding, the Werewolf. Anne Rice's The Wolf Gift tells the story of Rueben, a privileged kid turned newspaper writer who acquires the home of the lady he went to interview, Marchent. The Nideck Point estate is a magnificent archeological marvel that Rueben quickly falls in love with, even as he undergoes the transformation from man to werewolf as a result of a bite from the werewolf that killed Marchent. When portraying the enormous mansion and the hollow forests that surround it, Anne Rice uses amazing imagery.

She allows us to experience the exhilarating sensation of transforming from a mere man into an extraordinarily strong werewolf with heightened senses and strength. Rueben begins to slay evildoers after hearing the cry of the innocent while in werewolf form. He murders criminals and frees innocent victims, but the press labels him a menace to civilized society.

I suggest this book, as well as the sequel "The Wolves of Midwinter," to any reader who enjoys a superb narrative of the werewolf and its life and conflict told by a brilliant storyteller.

Final Thoughts:

I couldn't put the book down despite the fact that the first ten percent or so was descriptive and evocative with little action. Because the horror/monster fiction genre is commonly read in the style of Stephen King, who has a totally different writing style, the reader's mind struggles a little at first as it reacclimatizes to her way as the story's action begins.

I was so engrossed in the story at the halfway point that I had lost all desire to do anything but reading. The underlying themes of history, morality, humanity, family given and chosen, and so many other things that she examines transcended beyond a monster narrative to a tale of our humanity itself. The finely woven aspects of the plot and the deep depths of emotional development of the characters were a treat to the imagination, but also to the mind and the spirit.

I would strongly suggest this book to those who enjoy Anne Rice's earlier works and series, notably The Vampire Chronicles and The Lives of the Mayfair Witches, as well as those who are interested in learning more about a fresh and distinct take on the old werewolf mythology.

Synopsis:

“NATIONAL BESTSELLER • “Vintage Anne Rice—a lushly written, gothic … metaphysical tale. This time, with werewolves.” —The Wall Street Journal

When Reuben Golding, a young reporter on assignment, arrives at a secluded mansion on a bluff high above the Pacific, it’s at the behest of the home’s enigmatic female owner. She quickly seduces him, but their idyllic night is shattered by violence when the man is inexplicably attacked—bitten—by a beast he cannot see in the rural darkness. It will set in motion a terrifying yet seductive transformation that will propel Reuben into a mysterious new world and raise profound questions. Why has he been given the wolf gift? What is its true nature—good or evil? And are there others out there like him?”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Anne Rice, Good And Evil, Interview With The Vampire, Looking Forward, Man Wolf, Northern California, Rice Fan, San Francisco, Vampire Chronicles, Well Written, Witching Hour, Wolf Gift, Wolves Of Midwinter

Rating: 85/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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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.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

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Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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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:

Aaliyah, Akasha And Enkil, Akasha, Alain Delon, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, Anne Rice, Antonio Banderas, Armand, Aunt Queen, Blackwood Farm, Blood And Gold, Blood Canticle, 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, Mona Mayfair, 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, Quinn Blackwood, Queen Of The Damned, Rachael Tanner, Raglan James, Read Interview, Robin Casinader, Rowland S. Howard, San Francisco, Santiago, Sara Stockbridge, Serena Altschul, Stephen Rea, Story Of Marius, Stuart Townsend, Sybelle And Benji, Thandie Newton, Tale of the Body, Thandiwe Newton, The Vampire Lestat, Thought Provoking, Tom Cruise, Vacherie, Vampire Armand, Vampire Chronicles, Vampire Lestat, Vincent Perez, Warner Bros, Witching hour, Years Ago, Young Jesse, Yvette

Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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