Of Love and Evil Review

Of Love and Evil

Published: 30, November 2010

Author: Anne Rice

Book 2 of 2: The Songs of the Seraphim

Genres: Assassination, Christian, Fiction, Ghost, Historical, Jewish, Literary, Metaphysical, Mystery, Poetry, Psychic, Renaissance, Romance, Suspense, Theory, Thrillers, Time Travel, Vampire, Visionary

Check the summary of this book here:

Of Love and Evil Summary

The Review:

In Anne Rice's novel "Of Love and Evil," Toby O'Dare, a former hitman, is summoned once again by the angel Malchiah and transported back to fifteenth-century Rome, to the land and time of Michelangelo, Raphael, Pope Leo X, and the Medicis. To a period marked by high drama and strife in both the public and private spheres.

This time, Toby is in charge of investigating the case of Vitale, a Jewish man who lives in the house of Antonio, a wealthy gentile. Niccolo, one of Antonio's sons, is terminally ill and dying a slow, painful death, with Vitale suspected of being the perpetrator due to his Jewish heritage.

During this time, the home is also subjected to a powerful metaphysical disruption caused by an enraged dybbuk—a dislocated spirit, or "ghost" for want of a better phrase. It's up to Toby to solve these two puzzles, as well as the actual reason for Niccolo's sickness and the dybbuk's rampage.

It's tough to go much further with this review without revealing too much information. Anne Rice manages to integrate a fascinating mystery thriller into a masterfully crafted, dramatic tale with themes loaded with action, philosophical questions on life, love, spirituality, history, and prejudice, among the many captivating things you should know about this outstanding book. Her superb conciseness is much more visible here than in her second book about Jesus' early life, "Road to Cana."

The author skillfully creates a story with an honest tone that is authentically "biblical." Niccolo's connection with his brother is a significant theme in the story. Also, the would-be killer's technique of choice, poisoning, is an intriguing story device.

It takes a certain sort of killer to select poison as a method of murder, and it tells a lot about them. They don't suffocate their victim with a single, powerful blow or a knife to the throat, as they could. Instead, they systematically inject precise toxic quantities over time.

This not only provides the impression that the victim is dying of a long-term disease, but it also allows the killer to hide in the shadows and see the fatal scheme unfold. Few activities are more terrifying than this...

The concept that evil, or sin—severe wrongs performed against innocents, crimes, discriminatory deeds, and so on—leaves a permanent impression in Anne Rice's Angel Time, and especially here, Is a key aspect of the tale of "Of Love and Evil" from a conceptual standpoint.

There can be no atonement until and until the wicked deed is confronted, dealt with, and set right. The victim of the terrible deed lives on in unrelenting rage until there is closure and salvation.

This story's ghost, or dybbuk, is enraged. Is that ever the case! And with good cause. Redemption is something that must be gained. It can't just be given out without a plan. Only when justice has been served can there be any semblance of peace.

The strength of Anne Rice's works has always been her curious personality. Every one of her novels revolves around a challenging spiritual subject that she has been debating for a long time. "Of Love and Evil" poses an intriguing quandary that is central to Christianity.

What decides whether anything is a good or bad conduct now that we have this new Christian perspective? Could a loving deed that we feel mirrors the spirit of Christ, however, be clearly evil?

This book should appeal to anybody searching for an exciting mystery thriller with human characters who have true flaws, whether or not they are Christians. Furthermore, people of many religious backgrounds face the same spiritual issues as these characters. Christians, Jews, Muslims, Atheists, and Agnostics all think about the purpose of our lives.

Despite the fact that our positions appear to be solidified from the outside. We continue to have doubts about the opinions we thought we had established. I was divided between the questions as I read this book, but it's best if you read it first and then figure out the questions and answers for yourself.

This book, in my opinion, is a piece of art, but it is modern art, not a tidy picture, but wide strokes painted with feeling, around the narrative of a foiled assassination plan and an earlier century Jewish ghost, with an unexpected intrusion of the Devil. Toby of Angel Time continues to fulfill specific petitions for the angels as repentance for his prior existence as a mass murderer and executioner.

All of this could only make sense in the hands of a writer like Anne Rice. As far as I can tell, she's been decoding vampires for years, so the realm of Angels and Demons appears to be a natural progression.

She leaves us hanging at the conclusion; just as Toby is about to go to confession and have a lovely reunion with God and his Catholicism, a link from his CIA days emerges as a young stranger asking inquiries - the end!

This is the most apparent lead-in to a sequel I've ever seen, yet it works - I was waiting for the third chapter, but it never arrived; at the very least, the tale was finished.

Final Thoughts:

Anne Rice's books never fail to put me in a trance while I'm reading them or after I've finished them. The want to keep reading her writings usually strikes you like a sudden longing for a cup of hot coffee or a piece of rich chocolate.

Her books are braided into a complicated web of gorgeous design that includes multiple important spiritual truths on every page.

Her latest installment “Of Love and Evil” in the "Songs of the Seraphim" series sticks to the tried-and-true format of her previous works. This isn't meant to be construed as a critique. Her combination of intriguing writing, first-person viewpoints of a solitary personality, and rich historical settings, in fact, brings her books to a very high degree of excellence.

I've read all her books and her works leave a mark of enormous fascination that is impossible to remove. Instead, the reader is only interested in reading the next book in one of her numerous series or conducting a study into some of the fascinating historical, spiritual, or philosophical issues discussed in her writings.

Yes, it was a tiny book, but it was to the point with no fillers, and I was surprised by some readers who were unhappy with the size. I'm not sure what people want; if Anne Rice writes a thousand-page book, they don't like it and complain that it's too lengthy; if she produces a short book, they complain that it's too short; please just make up your minds.

Synopsis:

“The second book in this nationally bestselling series is a gripping metaphysical thriller in which angels partner up with assassins, from the author of Interview with the Vampire.

Barely recovered from his previous divine mission, former contract killer Toby O'Dare is once again summoned by the angel Malchiah to investigate the poisoning of a prominent nobleman and stop the haunting of a diabolical dybbuk. Together, they travel back to fifteenth-century Italy—the age of Michelangelo, the Holy Inquisition, and Pope Leo X—and this time Malchiah has Toby pose as a lute player sent to charm and calm this troublesome spirit. But Toby soon discovers that he is in the midst of plots and counterplots, surrounded on all sides by increasingly dangerous threats as the veil of ecclesiastical terror closes in around him.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Angel Time, Anne Rice, Back In Time, Book In The Series, Century England, Century Rome, Contract Killer, Guardian Angel, Hit Man, Love And Evil, Lucky The Fox, Main Character, Mayfair Witches, Mission Inn, New Orleans, Right Man, Seraphim Series, Songs Of The Seraphim, Ten Years, Toby O Dare, Toby Odare, Vampire Chronicles

Rating: 90/100

Recommended: 95/100 Yes.

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Angel Time Review

Angel Time

Published: 27, October 2009

Author: Anne Rice

Book 1 of 2: The Songs of the Seraphim

Genres: Assassination, Christian, Fiction, Historical, Jewish, Metaphysical, Poetry, Psychic, Suspense, Thrillers, Vampire, Visionary

Check the summary of this book here:

Angel Time Summary

The Review:

In Angel Time, Anne Rice has done it again! Despite the fact that the protagonist in this work and its sequel is a ruthless assassin, the author immerses us in his world and makes us sympathize with him. Toby O'Dare, alias Lucky the Fox, is a tortured soul struggling to reconcile his spiritual sensitivity with his ruthless profession.

When a Seraphim takes him from such a life and sends him to work actually on the side of the angels, we typically rejoice. Anne Rice's portrayals of life in a remote time and place are meticulously researched and fascinating, as they always are.

Toby is a figure that makes us rejoice at his seeming absolution of innumerable misdeeds in his past life, and we eagerly anticipate the next chapter of his exploits, similar to Lestat in Memnoch the Devil.

This time, Anne Rice's primary character is an angel, namely a seraph. When you put the divine creature, in all its beauty and perfection, next to a professional assassin, you get a powerful, mind-blowing novel that tackles themes like faith and sin, anger and forgiveness, the futility of good and the necessity of evil, all mingling together in a single chance to give up your past and start a new life.

Angel Time is a book for people of all faiths. It's a remarkable novel about the atonement that's nearly difficult to put down. Tony O'Dare has had a difficult upbringing. He had numerous siblings and his mother was an alcoholic.

He did everything he could to assist the family. But then something terrible happened, and his life would never be the same. He takes on the role of assassin. He works for a man named 'The Right Man,' who orders hits, and Tony, also known as 'Lucky,' utilizes poison needles.

Tony is nothing but a shell. He's completely hopeless. His dreams are no longer alive. He's basically a walking corpse. The straw that broke the camel's back came after a strike he made in a spot close to his heart.

Despite everything he's been through, he's never lost faith. Anne Rice's prose is stunning, and the writing of the Angel Time, which transports Tony and the angel, is both beautiful and magical. It's convincing and elegant.

First and foremost, Angel Time has the advantage of being a short and easy read. It's simple, yet it's chock-full of historical information and nuggets. Anne Rice's preoccupation with Catholic Monasticism is also prominent throughout the story, in addition to her deep knowledge of the world of Angelic intervention.

I found it fascinating to read about the various forms of education that a monk may study and impart in the course of their dedication. Anne Rice's description of the interaction between Jews and Christians in the middle Ages (and presumably an accurate picture of subsequent centuries) was both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

It only goes to show that no matter how religious you are, you are still a human being. Even though Christianity was the dominant religion at the time, monks, priests, and monarchs relied on the knowledge of Judaism to transmit their wisdom.

It's always reassuring to believe that everyone has a guardian angel looking over them, always attempting to communicate with humanity. In a time when Christian hope is hard to come by, here is yet another lovely story of redemption and Christian hope.

If you're interested in learning more about angels, I strongly suggest Billy Graham's book "Angels," which gives a biblical explanation of God's messengers. William Young's "The Shack" is also quite similar in its portrayal of how salvation may be found even in the darkest of situations.

Angel Time by Anne Rice starts with her trademark vivid imagery, which makes the reader feel as though they can see and feel every element she's describing. In this example, she's talking about the Mission Inn in Riverside, California, and I don't think there's a better place to get a better recommendation than here.

Then we learn about Toby O'Dare, the book's primary character and our lute-loving anti-hero, and his tumultuous life. His is a damaged soul if ever there was one, yet, like she has done so many times before, she manages to elicit pity or at the very least empathy for someone who kills on a regular basis and excels at it by detailing in great detail the events that led to him being who he is.

In a strange sense, this novel reminded me of Interview with the Vampire. Only the main character, the Angel, and another character, who has a significant role in the narrative to tell, are the narrators, and they are the ones who put everything together.

It's also amazing how Anne Rice can transport a reader back in time and write about it in a way that's just as plausible and realistic as when she's writing about our own reality.

I've read all of Anne Rice's books and have never been dissatisfied. Her stories draw you in and surround you, whether they are about vampires, witches, the life of Jesus, her own hardships, or angels. This novel will not disappoint Anne Rice lovers. I hadn't given my guardian angel much consideration in years. This book helped me remember that my angel is real and always at my side.

This novel included an Angel visit, but I got the impression it was more like her vampire and witches stories than her most recent, which focuses on Jesus and her version of his life. Those who like her vampire novels will likely appreciate this fantasy featuring angels.

Final Thoughts:

It is a fantastic read for both believers and those who wonder if their lives have any meaning. It was a fascinating read. Insightful and thought-provoking. I highlighted key points that I wanted to go over again and again, but instead of doing so, I read it from beginning to end.

I could empathize with Lucky the Fox because the character felt so real. This book will appeal to everyone who enjoys intelligent reading. As soon as I completed this book, I started reading the following one, "Of Love and Evil."

I really suggest this book to everyone, whether you are a firm believer in God or don't believe at all. Like all of her works, the plot is brilliantly written and linked, and you will leave with more intellectual capability, as she always teaches as well as thoroughly delights.

Angel Time, as predicted, has an open conclusion, as Toby's experiences are not yet complete. Toby's journey to atonement is likely to be as lengthy as his misdeeds have made it, which means the Seraph will provide him with several opportunities to aid mankind and answer the most difficult pleas. 

Overall, Anne Rice has written a wonderful story that will have the reader thoroughly engrossed and anxious to learn everything there is to know about Toby O'Dare, a complicated and tortured character.

Synopsis:

“NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A divinely thrilling series about an assassin with the choice to turn from darkness to light—from the author of Interview with the Vampire

It’s the present day. Toby O’Dare—aka Lucky the Fox—is a contract killer on assignment once again. He’s a soulless soul, a dead man walking. His nightmarish world of lone and lethal missions is disrupted when a mysterious stranger, a seraph, offers him a chance to save rather than destroy lives. O’Dare, who long ago dreamt of being a priest, seizes his chance. Now he is carried back through the ages to thirteenth-century England, to dark realms where children suddenly die or disappear, and accusations of ritual murder have been made against Jews. Here O’Dare begins his perilous quest for salvation, a journey of danger and flight, loyalty and betrayal, selflessness and love.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Anne Rice, Century England, Guardian Angel, Hit Man, Lucky The Fox, Mayfair Witches, Mission Inn, New Orleans, Right Man, Songs Of The Seraphim, Toby Odare, Vampire Chronicles

Rating: 85/100

Recommended: 95/100 Yes.

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Servant of the Bones Review

Servant of the Bones

Published: 29, July 1996

Author: Anne Rice

Genres: Adult, Classics, Fiction, Ghost, Historical, Horror, Shape Shifter, Supernatural, Thrillers, Thrillers, Vampire, Werewolf

Check the summary of this book here:

Servant of the Bones Summary

The Review:

Servant of the Bones is energetic, straightforward, realistic, dark, and brooding. Anne Rice has written a book that will be remembered for a long time! And there you have it! It would make a fantastic film for anyone looking for answers to the eternal question of "What's it all about?" in today's world. Prior to and following death.

Why do modern faiths provide so many perplexing enigmas? This author had a lot of knowledge! Anne Rice responds to this and much more in her own unique manner. In some strange unspoken manner, this novel makes you want to live in it as with almost all of her novels.

Reading it will transport you back to the world of sumptuous colors we all had as youngsters, which were intended to help us maintain a soul level but instead became black and white convictions.

Whatever the case may be. Anne Rice had a gift for seeing reality. She noticed and was drawn to certain things. All I can say now is that you should not miss out on this book! You will never be let down!

Vampires, mummies, and witches are just a few of the themes that acclaimed novelist Anne Rice has lavished attention on. When a genie appears in her latest story, the renowned otherworldly author addresses another facet of the strange dimension. Anne Rice does it masterfully, providing a vivid insight into Babylon's biblical civilization.

It was impossible for me to stop reading because it was utterly engrossing, and I read till the early hours of the morning, not realizing the passage of time. I'd compare it to Queen of the Damned in that there's a lot of action... no decent locations to stop for resting or eating... but it contains the character development of the previous Vampire Chronicles without the need to skip pages and pages of detailed prose.

In fact, I only recall two instances where she went off on a tangent or described something that didn't contribute anything to the tale, and I had to skip a few lines.

That is, however, characteristic of Anne Rice and to be anticipated from non-fans or readers who do not appreciate the value of reading every word an author has written, especially if it is an author of Anne Rice's caliber.

In Servant of the Bones, you have another immortal creature created against his will, but you don't know what he is, so you can't form any opinions about his character or fate.

Once again, the immortal seeks out a Talbotian figure to write his memoirs, and we have the usual male-to-male dynamic of past Anne Rice stories but without the co-dependency.

Again, we have a theological struggle between the average guy who is pushed into a situation that, by definition, would deprive him of God's grace... but this time, instead of interpreting from some broad reference to religion, we have the precise and difficult backdrop of Orthodox Judaism.

Servant of the Bones is not part of a series; it is a standalone narrative, and as a result, it does not have the same level of popularity as the series books that have made Anne Rice famous.

I believe it is often disregarded and somewhat ignored by her fan base as well as the broader media. This is a disservice to a magnificent work of literature. It reminded me a lot of the Witching Hour from her more well-known Mayfair Witches series as I read it. Any admirer of that novel would be doing oneself a disservice if they did not also read this one.

From the first page, Anne Rice pulls you into the narrative of Azriel, a powerful spirit who is the hero, and narrates it from his point of view. In true Anne Rice form, she transports you back in time to a world rich in color and personalities, this time to Babylon, to learn how Azriel came to be the spirit that he is.

It's a fascinating tale of love, beauty, treachery, murder, and the eventual triumph of good over evil. With amazing and convincing character development, the narrative extends beyond merely Azeriels, and I'll leave the plot to you, the reader of this article, to discover on your own. The novel's climax is a feminine one that comes in a quick sequence of progressively more satisfying waves.

This tale has finally validated a notion I've had for well over a decade. Anne Rice is an artist, much more than a plain novelist or a star author. To read one of her novels is to give her permission to use your mind as a canvas. You may be certain that if the name on the cover is Anne Rice, the scenes she will imprint on your mind will be as bold, gorgeous, and unforgettable as any renaissance masterpiece.

Warning: There are spoilers ahead; if you don't want to read them, proceed to Final Thoughts.

Azriel is a terrifying story of an outcast Jewish residing in Babylon who had the awful fate of being the next favored of the powerful god Marduk. The temple priests notice Azriel and devise a plot for King Cyprus of Persia to seize Babylon without violence.

Azriel's father gives him to the priests in exchange for the promise that the Hebrews in Babylon would be permitted to return to Jerusalem, which makes this scheme succeed. Azriel is to perform the part of Marduk at a ceremonial, a role that invariably ends in death.

Because a witch's enchantment separates Azriel's spirit from his body at death, death isn't precisely what fate has in mind for him. As a result, he transforms into a genie or Servant of the Bones.

Azriel is paged by several different masters over the course of two millennia, but it is not until the 1990s that fate grants Azriel with a chance for atonement. Gregory Belkin, a terrorist tele evangelist, has devised a devious strategy to seize the power of a new global government.

He calls Azriel to assist him in carrying out his scheme. If Gregory succeeds, Azriel understands what will happen to the planet. The genie compels his "master" to engage in a battle that will determine humanity's fate.

Final Thoughts:

Anne Rice is a very vivid and demanding tale-teller who utilizes words as a magical method to fascinate her audience, and readers will give her a lot of credit for that. Her vampire mythos informs and helps her understanding of a genie's mind but it was fascinating as always.

Servant of the Bones is a fantastic piece of fiction, despite the fact that it is not as arcane as some of her past works. The author deftly weaves together themes of horror and techno-thriller into a unique and thought-provoking story. This piece will pique the interest of fans of The Mummy.

Basically, if you're a fan of the Vampire Chronicles, you'll enjoy it. It has the same components as the original. It's the same image with a different filter applied to it. The Chronicles were not re-written by her. She worked on them until they were perfected.

This is not a vampire story, and it has nothing to do with the Witches of Mayfair. Although this may not sound like an Anne Rice novel, it is a move into other areas of conventional horrors, such as her work about The Mummy Ramses the Damned. This is still a well-written novel with a compelling plot.

The narrative revolves around a conversation between a ghost and a human. The spirit only wants to be free, but the story would be doomed if others had other ideas. This aids in the progression of the story.

Anne Rice is an excellent horror storyteller. The narrative was enjoyable, and I would suggest it to everyone.

Synopsis:

“In a new and major novel, the creator of fantastic universes o vampires and witches takes us now into the world of Isaiah and Jeremiah, and the destruction of Solomon's Temple, to tell the story of Azriel, Servant of the Bones.

He is a ghost, genii, demon, and angel--pure spirit made visible. He pours his heart out to us as he journeys from an ancient Babylon of royal plottings and religious upheavals to Europe of the Black Death and on to the modern world. There he finds himself, amidst the towers of Manhattan, in confrontation with his own human origins and the dark forces that have sought to condemn him to a life of evil and destruction.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Anne Rice, Gregory Belkin, Interview With The Vampire, Mayfair Witches, Memnoch The Devil, New York, Really Enjoyed, Rice Books, Servant Of The Bones, Stand Alone, Vampire Chronicles

Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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