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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
I greatly enjoyed this book. It did take me some time to read it, seeing as I have been very busy with work. I even enjoyed reading about the history of the Mayfair witches. That's one of the great things about Anne Rice, she's always historically accurate about time periods and she enjoys writing historically. If you don't enjoy reading things like that, this book is not for you.
It seems that many people were disappointed with the ending of the book, and one of the main characters actions. I actually enjoyed the ending and watching the character shift because of the pressures.
Totally a great read, super recommend this book to any Anne Rice fan.
It seems that many people were disappointed with the ending of the book, and one of the main characters actions. I actually enjoyed the ending and watching the character shift because of the pressures.
Totally a great read, super recommend this book to any Anne Rice fan.
I think had I read this soon after it came out I might’ve ran through it and loved the whole series, because it’s definitely a genre I enjoy. It was unnecessarily long though…. I put it down for a long time and then came back to it.
While I want to know what happens next, I think this is one series I will Google for info, rather than reading the next two books (which I imagine are equally as long).
I am also pretty disappointed in Rowan’s actions at the end of the book - which is what makes me curious to know what happens next.
While I want to know what happens next, I think this is one series I will Google for info, rather than reading the next two books (which I imagine are equally as long).
I am also pretty disappointed in Rowan’s actions at the end of the book - which is what makes me curious to know what happens next.
God, this is a good book, and I would feel profoundly uncomfortable recommending it to anyone with the possible consquence that they might read it.
When Anne Rice is at her best, she is incredible at using metaphor to talk about things where the emotions we have about them are out of balance with our ability to talk about them. This is her absolute best work in that regard, along with pulling off a feat of actually working despite being an infinity long and completely pausing the story for 500 pages of exposition in the middle. The moment to moment writing is just gorgeous too: I could see how someone could think it's too much, but the actual literary craft here is just so, so good.
What she's doing with all that is a huge emotional turmoil about mostly female sexuality, but also family, legacy, and being a woman living in the late 20th century more generally. This is an ugly, ugly story a lot of the time, and I wouldn't fault anyone for not liking it. A lot of it has nothing "likable" for long stretches, and instead attempts to put together these kind of painful ideas into something that feels emotionally true. I think engaging with this primarily for the themes, and not the narrative, will get you a lot from it that the story may leave you lacking. Most of my favorite books are like a metaphorical 2 by 4 of metaphor smacking you in the head, and this is (a very complex, very nuanced, well done) version of that.
If you're familiar with the Vampire Chronicles, this is much more Interview with the Vampire than it is The Vampire Lestat, especially in its themes. I personally liked it more than Interview.
I could write a thesis about this book twice the length of this book. Heterosexuality seems truly terrible. You should probably look up trigger warnings before you read it.
100/10.
When Anne Rice is at her best, she is incredible at using metaphor to talk about things where the emotions we have about them are out of balance with our ability to talk about them. This is her absolute best work in that regard, along with pulling off a feat of actually working despite being an infinity long and completely pausing the story for 500 pages of exposition in the middle. The moment to moment writing is just gorgeous too: I could see how someone could think it's too much, but the actual literary craft here is just so, so good.
What she's doing with all that is a huge emotional turmoil about mostly female sexuality, but also family, legacy, and being a woman living in the late 20th century more generally. This is an ugly, ugly story a lot of the time, and I wouldn't fault anyone for not liking it. A lot of it has nothing "likable" for long stretches, and instead attempts to put together these kind of painful ideas into something that feels emotionally true. I think engaging with this primarily for the themes, and not the narrative, will get you a lot from it that the story may leave you lacking. Most of my favorite books are like a metaphorical 2 by 4 of metaphor smacking you in the head, and this is (a very complex, very nuanced, well done) version of that.
If you're familiar with the Vampire Chronicles, this is much more Interview with the Vampire than it is The Vampire Lestat, especially in its themes. I personally liked it more than Interview.
I could write a thesis about this book twice the length of this book. Heterosexuality seems truly terrible. You should probably look up trigger warnings before you read it.
100/10.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book has good parts then it gets super slow then picks back up. It was hard to stay interested in reading it. Then the ending I was so mad I continued reading for that ending 🤦🏽♀️
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I see the editor got paid to take a vacation with this one.
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
That whole book was INSANE. INSANE. INSANE. but it was really good and I want to read the second book soon.
First Read: This is my favorite Anne Rice book that she has written. It is about the eccentric and very engrossing Mayfair family of witches. I read this book on a hot summers night, laying on a hammock with several Gin and Tonics. Both the book and the drink were tantalizing and left a lasting impression!!!
Second Read: Set Adrift. Well my older discerning self didn't like reading this at all.
Even a G&T didn't help.
Second Read: Set Adrift. Well my older discerning self didn't like reading this at all.
Even a G&T didn't help.