New Book / Blood Canticle

Her site still says that she will be making appearances, but there is not yet an
itinerary.

I'm sure as there is one, she will put it up there through her staff. I hope
she is recovering from the death of her Stan. I don't know how she's doing it.

On 13 Oct 2003 15:52:26 GMT, darrm.DeleteThis@aol.comnojunk (Darrm) opined:

 >With the new novel (BLOOD CANTICLE) arriving in about two weeks I'd think there
 >might be some updates on Anne's website, or her phoneline, or maybe an excerpt
 >floating around out there. Especially since this is supposedly the last of the
 >Vamp Chronicles...
 >
 >Anyone know anything?
 >
 >Be well.
 >
 >DM
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: New Book / Blood Canticle 

On 13 Oct 2003 16:26:52 GMT, michaelxjames DeleteThis @aol.commm (Michael M.)
wrote:

Michael,

Here is an excerpt from Rice's publisher. I've also included some
critiques from some a few places who have had advanced reading. I
found them on the Barnes and Noble site.
After reading the reviews this book doesn't sound promising..I think I
hear Lestat saying, "Why are you doing this to me? Just f*cking kill
me for godsake."
Take care,
Ashe

From the Publisher
Anne Rice continues her astonishing Vampire Chronicles in a new
novel that begins where Blackwood Farm left off — and tells the story
of Lestat’s quest for redemption, goodness, and the love of Rowan
Mayfair.
Welcome back to Blackwood Farm. Here are all of the brilliantly
conceived characters that make up the two worlds of vampires and
witches: Mona Mayfair, who’s come to the farm to die and is brought
into the realm of the undead; her uncle, Julian Mayfair, guardian of
the family, determined to forever torment Lestat for what he has done
to Mona; Rowan Mayfair, brilliant neurosurgeon and witch, who finds
herself dangerously drawn to the all-powerful Lestat; her husband,
Michael Curry, hero of the Mayfair Chronicles, who seeks Lestat’s help
with the temporary madness of his wife; Ash Templeton, a
5,000-year-old Taltos who has taken Mona’s child; and Patsy, the
country-western singer, who returns to avenge her death at the hands
of her son, Quinn Blackwood. Delightfully, at the book’s centre is the
Vampire Lestat, once the epitome of evil, now pursuing the
transformation set in motion with Memnoch the Devil. He struggles with
his vampirism and yearns for goodness, purity and love, as he saves
Patsy’s ghost from the dark realm of the Earthbound, uncovers the
mystery of the Taltos and unselfishly decides the fate of his beloved
Rowan Mayfair.
A story of love and loyalty, of the search for passion and promise,
Blood Canticle is Anne Rice at her finest.

The Barnes & Noble Review
As with 2002's Blackwood Farm, Rice freely mixes characters, themes,
and plot points from her bestselling Vampire Chronicles and Mayfair
Witches series in a compelling tale that continues the story of the
notorious, charismatic vampire Lestat.
After changing the dying Mona Mayfair into a vampire, Lestat becomes
irresistibly drawn to the haunted witch Rowan Mayfair, who seeks his
help in tracking down her Taltos daughter. Lestat now sees himself as
a figure transformed, in league with Heaven to destroy Satan's
minions; and his journey to redemption leads him back to the mother of
all vampires -- and eventually to the secret land of the inhuman
Taltos.

Though Blood Canticle is one of Rice's shorter works, readers
unfamiliar with previous novels may find themselves bewildered by a
complex story that refers back to many characters and events from
other novels. The book is charged through with the author's powerful
signature themes (God, the soul, redemption), and Rice still has
moments of great eloquence. But she is no longer breaking new ground,
and fans who will welcome the return of Lestat-as-narrator may be
disconcerted by jarring modernizations. (The elegant vampire is now
inclined to call people "dude"!) Still, rabid fans will find Rice's
powers only slightly diminished in this installment. When it comes to
vampires and witches, nobody does it better. Tom Piccirilli

From The Critics
Library Journal
This latest installment of Rice's "Vampire Chronicles" begins with a
ranting soliloquy from the infamous vampire Lestat as he addresses
readers of the previous books. He excoriates those who read his
chronicles but did not understand what he was trying to say. He
fantasizes about being good, about becoming a saint, about speaking to
the Pope. The entire first chapter is taken up with nonsense that has
nothing to do with the story, and then the novel's basic plot begins
where Blackwood Farm ended. In that novel, Quinn Blackwood's unique
voice narrated; unfortunately, in this sequel it is a boorish Lestat
who tells the tale. In order to save the dying Mona Mayfair, whom
Quinn loves, Lestat bestows the dark kiss, making her one of the
undead. In this way Lestat becomes involved in the complex world of
the Mayfair witches, even helping them to discover the secret of the
mysterious Taltos who have haunted the Mayfairs throughout their
history. This is not one of Rice's better efforts, but her loyal fans
will no doubt request copies. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ
7/03.]-Patricia Altner, Information Seekers, Columbia, MD Copyright
2003 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews
Rice in short form after the lengthy Blackwood Farm (2002), this time
featuring characters shuffled together from the Vampire Lestat series
and the Mayfair Witches series. Rice allows Lestat to narrate for the
first time since 1995's Memnoch the Devil-which, according to Lestat,
was the largest-selling entry in the entire series (probably because
Tom Cruise's Interview with the Vampire had come out the year before,
reinvigorating the series and filling new readers in on the first
novel). It's not fair to expect Rice to write as impressively as she
did 28 years ago (although there are long, beautiful, well-researched
passages in her historicals), but the fact remains that Louis, the
brooding, reluctant vampire of Interview, is Rice's best narrator, far
superior to Lestat, who runs off at the mouth and whose prose has none
of the sweet grip of Louis's. Canticle picks up where Blackwood left
off, with beautiful nymphet Mona near death in young Quinn Blackwood's
arms. Lestat is on hand, still reeling from seeing Satan and God in
person in Memnoch, and now set on being a saint. Despite his
unflagging vanity, Lestat has also absorbed the main quality of Louis:
revulsion toward the Curse. Though having met God and now seeking
redemption, Lestat goes on sucking blood-but only of bad guys! He's
helping God sweep mankind free of misbegotten hellspawn. For Quinn,
Lestat gives Mona the Dark Trick, and then the three of them go to New
Orleans to induct Mona into her first thirst-quenching. Meanwhile,
Lestat has fallen headlong for Rowan Mayfair, the witch and
neurosurgeon who finds Lestat attractive-attractions forced on both of
them by Rice. And where is Morrigan, Mona's monstrous
full-grownWoman-Child, fathered by Rowan's manly husband Michael?
Though one wishes to give the recently widowed author a free ride,
Blood Canticle is as gaily slipshod, gushy, and first-draftish as
Merrick. First printing of 400,000








 >As far as I know, there isn't much info. out about the book. But what I've put
 >together:
 >It's supposed to be the last V.C. (but then again, so was Blood and Gold)
 >The cover of the UK edition is prettier than what we get here in the USA.
 >All of the (newer) major characters from the V.C. and Mayfair Witch series are
 >in it (Mona, Rowan, Michael, Lestat, Tarquin, Julien, Patsy, Ash Templeton...)
 >I'm sure i have a few more random bits of info about this book in my brain
 >somewhere...but that's all i can think of...so yeah, Vampires, Witches, Taltos,
 >ghosts.
 >Wonder if Merrick shall be resurrected for Blo. Cant....
 >
 >michael<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: New Book / Blood Canticle 

Thank you bunches for posting the reviews.
You're right, it doesn't sound too promising. I mean Lestat de Lioncourt, the
French aristocrat, vampire who's drank from Jesus Christ and seen hell, been
the lover of Akasha, and all of the other larger than life (or death) things
he's done, will now refer to people as 'dude.' hm...
Saint Lestat? What's that about? I understand it...but I liked the Lestat of
the first 4 chronicles--you know before he was a missionary from hell for
heaven.
Don't get me wrong, I love Anne's work. I really do. But it seems that the
Vampires and Witches Theme has been spread too thin. As she's said, this is
the "last" Vamp/witch book. But what happens in 6 mo. when she resurrects the
project? Will Memnoch turn out to be an Alien, and Lestat must stop him to
save the evil plan to destroy heaven?
Oh well, I've already order a copy. And i'm just in a bad mood...the reviews
aren't promising.

michael
 >> Stay informed about: New Book / Blood Canticle 

On 22 Oct 2003 09:40:58 GMT, michaelxjames.RemoveThis@aol.commm (Michael M.)
wrote:

 >Thank you bunches for posting the reviews.
 >You're right, it doesn't sound too promising. I mean Lestat de Lioncourt, the
 >French aristocrat, vampire who's drank from Jesus Christ and seen hell, been
 >the lover of Akasha, and all of the other larger than life (or death) things
 >he's done, will now refer to people as 'dude.' hm...

I don't know if you've read Blackwood Farm, but I really liked the
changes in Lestat. He seems to have mellowed without losing his edge
and almost taken on a more Marius feel...but calling people "dude".
Lestat is retching somewhere, I'm certain, hee hee.
I don't know how I like the idea of Lestat and Rowan. The woman is a
headcase and if they are flinging themselves at one another, I really
feel sorry for Michael Curry. Instead of leaving Michael with a Taltos
she's gonna leave with a vampire. I'd ask for a divorce if I were
Michael. Couldn't you just see it:

Judge: On what grounds do you request this Dissolution of Marriage.
Michael: My wife left me for a vampire, Your Honor. She took off once
before with a Taltos while I nearly drowned in our swimming pool and I
forgave that...but not this time! I'm done.


 >Saint Lestat? What's that about? I understand it...but I liked the Lestat of
 >the first 4 chronicles--you know before he was a missionary from hell for
 >heaven.

Personally, I hated Memnoch. I didn't even recognize Lestat. If
Lestat exists somewhere, even as a thoughtform, he was weeping over
that one.

 >Don't get me wrong, I love Anne's work. I really do. But it seems that the
 >Vampires and Witches Theme has been spread too thin. As she's said, this is
 >the "last" Vamp/witch book.

I agree, the series really should have ended with Memnoch. The rest of
the series has been dying a slow death by rehashment.

But what happens in 6 mo. when she resurrects the
 >project? Will Memnoch turn out to be an Alien, and Lestat must stop him to
 >save the evil plan to destroy heaven?

I would be surprised if, somewhere down the line, it startes again. I
probably won't be reading Rice after this one, but I'm anal retentive
about finishing what I start so I'll probably read BC. But just as the
one of the reviews said, she isn't breaking new ground.
Take care,
Ashe<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: New Book / Blood Canticle 

I did read Blackwood farm...I prefer the Lestat that goes about saying things
such as "This is what we are Louis. Accept it!" I like the Lestat that was
resigned to being a vampire, "the brat prince." Admitedly, the changes are
interesting (and really the only thing keeping the V.C.'s alive).
You're right. Rowan + Lestat = Bad Match. She's a nut job. Personally, I
"see" Mr. Curry as a little bit more independent and strong...not exactly the
tragic ethereal waif, who lets his wife do whatever with whatever...poor
michael c..she's cheated with spirits, taltos..and he remains loyal as a hound.
I like the theological theories of Memnoch. However, as a V.C.....uh..I'll
be nice and just say I didn't like it.
"...slow death by rehashment," lol...now that's funny/true. i'm going to
steal that phrase from you.
Like you, i finish what i start. I've read all of her books and must read this
one.

Michael
 >> Stay informed about: New Book / Blood Canticle 

are louis, david, marius, armand.. in it?

Michael M. <michaelxjames.DeleteThis@aol.commm> wrote in message
news:20031026105421.04022.00000165@mb-m23.aol.com...
 > I did read Blackwood farm...I prefer the Lestat that goes about saying
things
 > such as "This is what we are Louis. Accept it!" I like the Lestat that
was
 > resigned to being a vampire, "the brat prince." Admitedly, the changes
are
 > interesting (and really the only thing keeping the V.C.'s alive).
 > You're right. Rowan + Lestat = Bad Match. She's a nut job.
Personally, I
 > "see" Mr. Curry as a little bit more independent and strong...not exactly
the
 > tragic ethereal waif, who lets his wife do whatever with whatever...poor
 > michael c..she's cheated with spirits, taltos..and he remains loyal as a
hound.
 > I like the theological theories of Memnoch. However, as a
V.C.....uh..I'll
 > be nice and just say I didn't like it.
 > "...slow death by rehashment," lol...now that's funny/true. i'm going
to
 > steal that phrase from you.
 > Like you, i finish what i start. I've read all of her books and must read
this
 > one.
 >
 > Michael<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: New Book / Blood Canticle 

On Tue, 28 Oct 2003 12:10:44 +0100, "mimmy" <mimmy4.DeleteThis@go.com> wrote:

 >are louis, david, marius, armand.. in it?

In Blackwood Farm? No. Lestat and Merrick are the only two vampires
from other books that make and appearance, and there is a new vampire,
Quinn Blackwood, in it as well.
Take care,
Ashe


 >
 >Michael M. <michaelxjames.DeleteThis@aol.commm> wrote in message
 >news:20031026105421.04022.00000165@mb-m23.aol.com...
  >> I did read Blackwood farm...I prefer the Lestat that goes about saying
 >things
  >> such as "This is what we are Louis. Accept it!" I like the Lestat that
 >was
  >> resigned to being a vampire, "the brat prince." Admitedly, the changes
 >are
  >> interesting (and really the only thing keeping the V.C.'s alive).
  >> You're right. Rowan + Lestat = Bad Match. She's a nut job.
 >Personally, I
  >> "see" Mr. Curry as a little bit more independent and strong...not exactly
 >the
  >> tragic ethereal waif, who lets his wife do whatever with whatever...poor
  >> michael c..she's cheated with spirits, taltos..and he remains loyal as a
 >hound.
  >> I like the theological theories of Memnoch. However, as a
 >V.C.....uh..I'll
  >> be nice and just say I didn't like it.
  >> "...slow death by rehashment," lol...now that's funny/true. i'm going
 >to
  >> steal that phrase from you.
  >> Like you, i finish what i start. I've read all of her books and must read
 >this
  >> one.
  >>
  >> Michael
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: New Book / Blood Canticle 

Well, I'm into the first chapter and I don't know what to think.
Rice is writing like she's on speed and just rambling. Lestat sounds
like he indulging in a little bit of mental mastubation and getting
snippy because we didn't "get" Memnoch the Drivel. Claiming that we
wanted the velvet, frock coated fiend and didn't get him. No, Lestat
dear, we wanted just wanted you not your pathetic, whiny, weepy twin.
Take care,
Ashe
 >> Stay informed about: New Book / Blood Canticle 

Arg! I have my copy sitting right here. I've managed enough free time to read
the first page. WooHoo!
Too bad i have mid-terms right now. Plus, I put off reading "The Divine
Comedy" (it's actually good...if you like midieval poetry for Theology class)
and "The Grapes of Wrath" (which i should have read back in high school when it
was first assigned).
Sounds like the first chapter was written expressly for fans such as meself.
hm.....
In a not so long ago post from Ms. Rice, she said that she had a new technique
for writing: Stare-off-into-the-abyss-and-write. When i read that, it
reminded me of this meth-head i knew, Rhonda. She would write these
"brilliant" stories while stoned...too bad they didn't make sense to the sober.
Is it something like that?
I 'think' i'll have enought time to truely start reading it next week. keep me
posted on how it goes.
Michael
 >> Stay informed about: New Book / Blood Canticle 

Funny, you should bring up "The Divine Comedy." I read it in 9th grade
and I really enjoyed it. I wonder what Rice thought when she read it.
I love theology and I am sorry I did not take it in College.

lynze
 >> Stay informed about: New Book / Blood Canticle 

Blah...OK, so I pulled an all-night reading session. Finished the "Divine
Comedy," (Best book by far was, "the Inferno") It's funny that for Theology we
had to read a Catholic-esque (hey I invented a word) book. I'm somewhat
Catholic...and go to a Baptist College...in the bible belt...and guess what.
The teacher skips over anything Catholic. (Catholics are persecuted 'round
here [ah...can't wait 'till next year..outta here...going to Northwestern].
So back to me point. I managed to read 100 pages of "Bl. Can." I'm somewhat
enjoying it. [hold back the flames please]. You must forget the old Lestat de
Lioncourt...and just read. I think this book is definitely Ms. Rice's
narrative work...not quite Lestat's. (by the way...look at the obligatory date
in the back of the book...)
I can see where she's going (methinks). Without Lasher the Mayfairs are
worthless...and she's stopped the legacy (so far as High Witches go).
Blackwood Farm is dying w/ Taw-quin the Vampire. Lestat...well I don't know
where she's going with him. But if the V.C. were reproducing DNA, this book
would be the Stop Codon. (can yous tell i've been studying for Hnrs. Biology?)
("It's over folks..." is the subtitle here. Or at least that's the vibe I'm
getting after 30 hrs. sans sleep.
Anyone know if she's still going to write an autobiography of J.H. Christ?
By the way, I doubt any of you are into Scottish Lit. But if any of you have
ever read "The Trick Is to Keep Breathing," by Ms. Janice Galloway, tell me,
does this book not remind you of it, style-wise?
Michel
 >> Stay informed about: New Book / Blood Canticle 

Michael
Well,I'm not going to flame, I'm merely going to point out the
problems I have so far with this book. I'm about 30 pages from
finishing it so here goes with a few, vague spoilers:

1. Patsy's appearance in this story is pointless. You could remove her
and not miss a beat in the main plot. So pointless that she can't even
be considered a subplot to the story.

2. Julien's appearance in this story is also pointless or, at least at
page 277, I haven't found the point yet. Lestat already knows he's an
SOB so it is redundent for this to pointed out by Julien again, and
again, and again.

3. The suspension of disbelief is being stretched thin throughout the
book. The Blackwood extended clan has got to be most gulliable bunch
of people walking the earth. Especially, when Lestat has spoken ad
nauseum about how careful vampires have to be when they are around
humans for any length of time, especially, humans they love. I mean,
Jasmine sits in Lestat's lap and is still clueless?! Doesn't the guy
feel like marble?

4. So much for the wisened, even-handed, mellow Lestat that was
developing in Blackwood Farm. He's gone from a well-spoken,
articulate, 18th century nobleman to sounding like a high school kid
with a vocabulary of 200 words. He's completely lost his grasp of the
English language. Lestat says things like "I've to got crash", " Hit
me with it.", "Aw, shoot..", "Yo, Quinn...", "Cool digs..." or just a
one word sentance of "Cool" or "Dude". No more are there "miscreants"
and "misbegotten ingrates" we now have "jerks". No more "ma cherie" or
"ma cher" or "mon amour" or any other French phrase we've heard him
say dozens of times in the past (and come to love), now we have "honey
bunch" and "baby", much to my horror he even said "baby cakes" once.
The vampire who was so good at hacking into police files to track
serial killers, and monitor his financial accounts, doesn't know how
to send an email. And to top is all off, Lestat has completely lost
his ethereal, otherworldly, (dare I say it) preternatural aura, now
he's like the guy you'd invite over for beer and a football game or
see washing his car on a Saturday morning..(okay a Saturday night). Oh
so scary! Sad, very sad. The most interesting character in this story
is Mona Mayfair...she's a hoot.

5. Michael Curry is now, officially, a putz, the biggest dupe to ever
be put down in ink.

6. At page 277, I'm still waiting for this story to get started.

Personally, I'm grateful that this is the last VC. If this is what
Lestat has become, any future book would be too painful to read. I'll
stick with my memory of the vampire who liked to quote Shakesphere and
was head of the Coven of the Articulate. It is just as the review I
posted stated, very first draftish.

(Btw, Michael, Quinn has come up with a solution to his delemma about
Blackwood Farm, but I'll let you discover what it is. And yes, I can't
figure out where she's going with Lestat either. Heck, after reading
this travesty he might just crawl back into the earth.
Take care,
Ashe


You must forget the old Lestat de
 > Lioncourt...and just read. I think this book is definitely Ms. Rice's
 > narrative work...not quite Lestat's. (by the way...look at the obligatory date
 > in the back of the book...)
 > I can see where she's going (methinks). Without Lasher the Mayfairs are
 > worthless...and she's stopped the legacy (so far as High Witches go).
 > Blackwood Farm is dying w/ Taw-quin the Vampire. Lestat...well I don't know
 > where she's going with him. But if the V.C. were reproducing DNA, this book
 > would be the Stop Codon. (can yous tell i've been studying for Hnrs. Biology?)
 > ("It's over folks..." is the subtitle here. Or at least that's the vibe I'm
 > getting after 30 hrs. sans sleep.
 > Anyone know if she's still going to write an autobiography of J.H. Christ?
 > By the way, I doubt any of you are into Scottish Lit. But if any of you have
 > ever read "The Trick Is to Keep Breathing," by Ms. Janice Galloway, tell me,
 > does this book not remind you of it, style-wise?
 > Michel<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: New Book / Blood Canticle 

Well I have just finished reading Blood Canticle, and I thought I would
put a few of my comments out there if I may.



















The first thing that I noticed about this book was its size, 300p. I
know that a book does not need to be long to be good, but I was
disappointed when I first pick it up. That being said, I don't know if
I could have finished the thing if it had been much longer.

Right from the start Lestat chastises us for not getting it, and
launches into a diatribe about wanting to be "Saint Lestat". Needless
to say, I didn't get it, and after reading the whole thing I still
don't. Perhaps if we actually knew what was going on with him during
his long absence, but he never elaborates.

I was also stunned and disheartened to hear Lestat use the words such
as, Cool, Dude, Crash, Yo, and my favorite, PA-LEASE or something to
that effect.

OK, I do sort do understand Uncle Julien being in the book, or shall I
say I have an idea. He is not there so much to protect Mona or even
Rowan, but the Mayfair family, and to do that he has to protect Rowan,
ok now just hang in there. Rowan is the glue, before she came into the
picture the Mayfair family was in a state of disrepair, much like the
Garden District house. But when she entered into the picture the family
was renovated, like the house. Rowan is the core, or the anchor of the
family, with out her it would fall apart, and be cast adrift once more,
especially now that Mona is out of the picture. At least that is what I
like to think is reason for Julien's appearance in the book.

One last thing for now, has anyone else noticed how "The Rules" change?
As in Ashe's example. Lestat has repeatedly talked about how careful
vampires have to be when they are around humans, yet here he is with
Quinn's family all the time and they don't notice a thing.

In my opinion Lestat has not been near as fun every since Queen of the
Damned. He is just too powerful, all of his trials and tribulations are
emotional now, his biggest battles are waged with himself, and while
this ok in small amounts, I frankly and quite bored with the whole, I
want to be good, but I'm evil conflict.

Dustin



Ashe wrote:
 > Michael
 > Well,I'm not going to flame, I'm merely going to point out the
 > problems I have so far with this book. I'm about 30 pages from
 > finishing it so here goes with a few, vague spoilers:
 >
 > 1. Patsy's appearance in this story is pointless. You could remove her
 > and not miss a beat in the main plot. So pointless that she can't even
 > be considered a subplot to the story.
 >
 > 2. Julien's appearance in this story is also pointless or, at least at
 > page 277, I haven't found the point yet. Lestat already knows he's an
 > SOB so it is redundent for this to pointed out by Julien again, and
 > again, and again.
 >
 > 3. The suspension of disbelief is being stretched thin throughout the
 > book. The Blackwood extended clan has got to be most gulliable bunch
 > of people walking the earth. Especially, when Lestat has spoken ad
 > nauseum about how careful vampires have to be when they are around
 > humans for any length of time, especially, humans they love. I mean,
 > Jasmine sits in Lestat's lap and is still clueless?! Doesn't the guy
 > feel like marble?
 >
 > 4. So much for the wisened, even-handed, mellow Lestat that was
 > developing in Blackwood Farm. He's gone from a well-spoken,
 > articulate, 18th century nobleman to sounding like a high school kid
 > with a vocabulary of 200 words. He's completely lost his grasp of the
 > English language. Lestat says things like "I've to got crash", " Hit
 > me with it.", "Aw, shoot..", "Yo, Quinn...", "Cool digs..." or just a
 > one word sentance of "Cool" or "Dude". No more are there "miscreants"
 > and "misbegotten ingrates" we now have "jerks". No more "ma cherie" or
 > "ma cher" or "mon amour" or any other French phrase we've heard him
 > say dozens of times in the past (and come to love), now we have "honey
 > bunch" and "baby", much to my horror he even said "baby cakes" once.
 > The vampire who was so good at hacking into police files to track
 > serial killers, and monitor his financial accounts, doesn't know how
 > to send an email. And to top is all off, Lestat has completely lost
 > his ethereal, otherworldly, (dare I say it) preternatural aura, now
 > he's like the guy you'd invite over for beer and a football game or
 > see washing his car on a Saturday morning..(okay a Saturday night). Oh
 > so scary! Sad, very sad. The most interesting character in this story
 > is Mona Mayfair...she's a hoot.
 >
 > 5. Michael Curry is now, officially, a putz, the biggest dupe to ever
 > be put down in ink.
 >
 > 6. At page 277, I'm still waiting for this story to get started.
 >
 > Personally, I'm grateful that this is the last VC. If this is what
 > Lestat has become, any future book would be too painful to read. I'll
 > stick with my memory of the vampire who liked to quote Shakesphere and
 > was head of the Coven of the Articulate. It is just as the review I
 > posted stated, very first draftish.
 >
 > (Btw, Michael, Quinn has come up with a solution to his delemma about
 > Blackwood Farm, but I'll let you discover what it is. And yes, I can't
 > figure out where she's going with Lestat either. Heck, after reading
 > this travesty he might just crawl back into the earth.
 > Take care,
 > Ashe
 >
 >
 > You must forget the old Lestat de
 >
  >>Lioncourt...and just read. I think this book is definitely Ms. Rice's
  >>narrative work...not quite Lestat's. (by the way...look at the obligatory date
  >>in the back of the book...)
  >>I can see where she's going (methinks). Without Lasher the Mayfairs are
  >>worthless...and she's stopped the legacy (so far as High Witches go).
  >>Blackwood Farm is dying w/ Taw-quin the Vampire. Lestat...well I don't know
  >>where she's going with him. But if the V.C. were reproducing DNA, this book
  >>would be the Stop Codon. (can yous tell i've been studying for Hnrs. Biology?)
  >>("It's over folks..." is the subtitle here. Or at least that's the vibe I'm
  >>getting after 30 hrs. sans sleep.
  >>Anyone know if she's still going to write an autobiography of J.H. Christ?
  >>By the way, I doubt any of you are into Scottish Lit. But if any of you have
  >>ever read "The Trick Is to Keep Breathing," by Ms. Janice Galloway, tell me,
  >>does this book not remind you of it, style-wise?
  >>Michel<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
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