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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.

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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Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana Review

Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana Review

Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana

Published: 2008

Author: Anne Rice

Book 2 of 2: Life of Christ

Genres: Biographical, Christian, Fiction, Historical, Inspirational, Jesus, Jewish, Religious


Check the summary of this book here:

Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana Summary


The Review:

Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana by Anne Rice depicts the events of Jesus' adult life prior to the wedding at Cana, as reported in St. John's gospel chapter 2. This is where we discover a completely human, flesh-and-blood Jesus. One who has been tested in every manner but is without sin. This is not the Jesus of Relativism, molded and altered to suit our preferences. Anne Rice's meticulous research—her particular and distinct discipline for every book she writes—handles this portrayal sensitively.

After finishing Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, I immediately began reading Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana, and I was not disappointed. Anne Rice took on the tremendous task of producing a first-person flow of thought narrative of Jesus' experiences and activities right before and during his public ministry commencement.

It will irritate a lot of people but it was a huge success in my opinion, both in terms of reminding us of Jesus' humanity as revealed in the New Testament and in terms of confirming the overwhelming historical evidence that he was more than human. I recommend reading it as a book by a brilliant author and nothing more, so you don't get the impression that it's the last word on Jesus' life.

The first volume Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt provides the fictitious tale of Christ from birth through the scene in the temple when he was 12 years old, based on what we know from scripture and other historical texts. This second book takes place a year before Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist, temptation in the wilderness, and the first significant miracle, the transformation of water into wine at the wedding of Cana. Anne Rice is able to explore His views since the tale is recounted in the first person, in the voice of Jesus.

I felt this was an intriguing take on Christ's life that stayed loyal to the gospels. The first-person narrative aimed to show us how Jesus grew aware of his chosen role throughout time. Despite the fact that this is a work of fiction, I found it to be a strong and uplifting read.

While reading this book I couldn't help but recall the incident in the novel Memnoch the Devil where Lestat meets The Lord in the middle of the desert. The reader may anticipate the addition of a first-person narrative from The Lord himself at this point. Instead, Anne Rice has delivered on that promise with two novels concerning Yeshua bar Joseph's youth and adulthood up to the age of thirty.

I've read both volumes in Anne Rice's Christ the Lord series several times, as I have all of her works, and I've always enjoyed them. I've also listened to the audio versions. She was really a gifted writer. I believe the series was supposed to be a trilogy, and I thought Anne Rice would return to finish it, but she never did until her death.

I read all of her other works, such as Angel Time, Of Love and Evil, and Cry to Heaven, and was struck by how broad her literary range was; she wrote about the Lord and the Devil, vampires and werewolves, and even extraterrestrials and people from the past who existed outside of time.

The voice of Jesus in this story, presented in the first person, is very different from that of the seven-year-old Child in the first novel, Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt. In fact, every character in this book has their own distinct voice, making them all unforgettable as it was in the first book in this series.

In Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana we pick up Anne Rice's daring attempt to continue the tale of Jesus as a young man who knows who He is and what is going to happen to Him in the near future. Jesus is a man, a guy who is powerful, manly, and attractive. Anne Rice in no way makes Him weak and everyone around him knows it. He is a hardworking and vital member of a working-class family, and as such, the girls are staring at Him. He is clearly marriage material.

His feelings are expressed in an honest way. There's no denying that Jesus the man is a human being who is attracted towards the other sex. The emotions of Jesus are dealt with honestly, and you can see that He was tempted in every way that we are.

As we observe Jesus the Man die to his body and wants while choosing the utmost good for others, the sub-narrative threaded throughout brings him to life. During Jesus' forty days and forty nights in the desert, He is tempted with all of the emotions that every man experiences. Anne Rice discusses them all in such a way that the reader is forced to examine his own flaws and failings.


Final Thoughts:

I'm sure Lestat famed from Interview with the Vampire is the number one character for almost all Anne Rice fans, but for me, Jesus in these two books is the number one character she has portrayed, and I want all Anne Rice fans to try listening to the audio as well as reading both books in this series, without thinking about religion, to understand what I mean.

Anne Rice has masterfully produced a historical fiction of Jesus' life that is fascinating, historically related, and authentic to the vision of Jesus in the Gospels in her second book in the Christ the Lord series. With its earthy portrayal of an adult, Jesus referred to in the book by his Hebrew name Yeshua or Yeshua bar Joesph,

Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana captivated my mind and inspired my desire to discover more. Anne Rice's excellent blending of Jesus' actual humanity and true divinity continues in The Road to Cana with vivid detail. Anne Rice provides the reader a new view into Jesus' inner life, His thoughts, fears, and longings with Jesus as the narrator.


Synopsis:

“NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The second novel in Anne Rice's hugely ambitious, moving, and masterful portrayal of the life of Christ, following Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt.

It’s a winter of no rain, endless dust, and talk of trouble in Judea. All who know and love Jesus find themselves waiting for some sign of the path he will eventually take. After his baptism, he is at last ready to confront his destiny. At the wedding at Cana, he takes water and transforms it into red wine. Thus, he’s recognized as the anointed one and called by God the Father to begin a ministry that will transform an unsuspecting world. ”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Anne Rice, Bar Joseph, Christ The Lord, Highly Recommend, Life Of Christ, Life Of Jesus, Lord Out Of Egypt, Lord Road, Road To Cana, Son Of God, Vampire Chronicles, Water Into Wine, Wedding At Cana, Yeshua Bar


Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here


Free With Free Audible Trial


The Young Messiah (2016) (PG)


Interview with the Vampire (1994) (R)


Queen of the Damned (2002) (R)


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Taltos Review

Taltos Review

Taltos

Published: 19, September 1994

Author: Anne Rice

Book 3 of 3: Lives of Mayfair Witches

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy, Fiction, Gothic, History, Horror, LGBTQ+, Literary, Literature, Occult, Paranormal, Psychological, Saga, Science Fiction


Check the summary of this book here:

Taltos Summary


The Review:

Taltos is the third novel in Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches series; however several of the characters appear in her Vampire Chronicles series as well. The trilogy comes to a close with this fantastic novel. It's a well-written novel, and I was dragged into the plot as usual. Anne Rice has a knack for capturing and holding the reader's interest from beginning to conclusion. I'm planning on re-reading all of Anne Rice's works in the near future. Despite the fact that I've read every single one of her books. I was always excited when she released a new book, but sadly, she is no longer with us, and I now have a significant gap in my reading because few authors can match her ability to create literal magic.

A fantastic novel! It did leave a few strands hanging, but this was done on purpose since the loose ends were finished in future Anne Rice books such as Blackwood Farm and Blood Canticle, and it was a fantastic way of expanding and connecting the universes of her novels.

Rowan keeps her chilly, arrogant demeanor, but I can't help but sympathize with Lasher after reading this book. For me, Yuri was a terrific character. He's adorable and devastating at the same time. And, as expected, Ashlar is really appealing. I feel that adding him to the tale gave readers a better understanding of Lasher and his actions. Much of what had been confusing about Lasher becomes evident when Ashlar tells his narrative.

In my opinion, the way she ended the story was eerily wonderful. Some people believe that this book series has run out of energy or is simply not as excellent as the others. It may look that way if you skimmed it, but I feel that if you invest time with this book and really understand what Anne Rice is trying to impart to you, you will find it just as captivating as virtually all of her previous novels.

I was fortunate in that after reading the first book, The Witching Hour, I was able to read the Lasher and then Taltos, the third book in Anne Rice's excellent trilogy, back to back because all three of these books were already accessible at the time. I was not disappointed once more!

Anne Rice makes it easy to believe that such a family of witches exists, with an equally long history of incest, killing, fortune, and authority, similar to the Mayfair family, residing in New Orleans' gorgeous, yet rather an eerie Garden District.

Anne Rice is a brilliant storyteller, and the final book in the Mayfair Witches trilogy was as fantastic as any other of her books. I feel compelled to reiterate myself in defense of this excellent author. I read and appreciated all three books in order, and the ending of this one was particularly satisfying.

Some readers were dissatisfied with these novels, and in some cases, her whole body of work. However, it's conceivable that these people feel that writing a book is as straightforward as reading one. At some point, they should give it a go. It's not easy at all. On the other side, Anne Rice makes it look easy. So, if big books and sagas aren't your things, simply read or move on.

Many writers irritate me when they force me to read extended paragraphs, and in some cases pages upon pages, describing how the room or garden looked and smelt, but with Anne Rice, it makes sense, and I don't mind since not all tales and locations require this, but Anne Rice's books do.

In some instances, her carefully selected sentences seem like poetry, which draws the reader into the remainder of her stories. I enjoy reading long novels, which is why I enjoyed them so much. To mention a few places, I was brought to New Orleans, Scotland, and New York. What may possibly be the issue? I enjoyed reading these books and was immediately hooked into the plot from the first page of the first installment.

Ash was one of my favorites! I wanted to meet him since his persona was so kind and otherworldly! That's incredible! I'd like to meet a character from a book! I appreciate how she brings the characters to life on the pages and then keeps them alive at the same time throughout all of her work.

The novels were excellent, and I would suggest all three to anybody who appreciates strong writing. Anne Rice never refrains from unpleasant subjects like rape, abortions, and incest. Her writing style is right on, and the characters she creates are real people. They have distinct personalities, which everyone who reads her books will notice.


Final Thoughts:

When Anne Rice explores the Taltos' history, she rediscovers her greatness once more. This is a genuinely magnificent, spellbinding, and all-encompassing book. For me, this is certainly top-tier popular fiction writing. I was really impacted by Ash's story, and I'm sure the finale will be equally as affecting for many others. Overall, I'm pleased with how the trilogy concludes.

Almost all of the loose ends are pulled together with brilliance and highly imaginative literary prose. Overall, I preferred the first three Vampire Chronicle volumes, but Anne Rice has genuinely crafted top-notch books with a plot that is both incredibly original and just a moving, interesting, and captivating read with the Mayfair witches trilogy.

I definitely recommend reading all three of these novels in the sequence in which they were written and intended to be read, if you dare and aren't easily scared, however they are all fantastic enough to read on their own, without the other two! But, as always, I strongly advise against it.


Synopsis:

““NATIONAL BESTSELLER • “Taltos is the third book in a series known as the lives of the Mayfair witches ... Their haunted heritage has brought the family great wealth, which is exercised from a New Orleans manse with Southern gentility; but of course, such power cannot escape notice ... or challenge ... [Taltos] is a curious amalgam of gothic, glamour fiction, alternate history, and high soap opera.”—The Washington Post Book World

Taltos continues the epic occult saga that began with The Witching Hour and Lasher. Taltos takes readers back through the centuries to a civilization part human and part of wholly mysterious origins, at odds with mortality and immortality, justice and guilt.””


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

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Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy The Kindle Version Here:


Free With Free Audible Trial:


Mayfair Witches Series Set


Interview With the Vampire (1994) (R)


Queen of the Damned (2002) (R)


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