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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
2.75 stars
So this is one that did not live up to the memory. When I first read this book, it was many years ago before I had access to other so many options in fantasy or paranormal reads. I will always be grateful that this one opened doors for me, but I don't think I'll ever come back to read it again.
So this is one that did not live up to the memory. When I first read this book, it was many years ago before I had access to other so many options in fantasy or paranormal reads. I will always be grateful that this one opened doors for me, but I don't think I'll ever come back to read it again.
I was completely absorbed in this book. I read it for six hours straight one day, and I haven't done this with a book since Deathly Hallows was released. It got a little weird for me at the end, though. I spent a while mulling over whether I should give it four stars or five, because x, y, & z, because I didn't agree with the way it ended (as I perceive right now, not having read its successors, Lasher and Taltos).
And then I realized I'd been considering multiple plot points for so long it had just become absurd. A book that makes you think like that, in my opinion, deserves a top rating. If you become so engrossed in even the minutae of a story that it wreaks havoc with your mind for days, the author has done her job.
Anne Rice impressed me with the sheer volume of this tale that spans 13 generations of witches and the spirit that destroys their lives. It's written in astounding detail accompanied by the sensuous prose that is Anne Rice's norm- and all 965 pages are worth your time. The fact that something as solid and in-depth as this could be born from anyone's imagination is cause for admiration.
And then I realized I'd been considering multiple plot points for so long it had just become absurd. A book that makes you think like that, in my opinion, deserves a top rating. If you become so engrossed in even the minutae of a story that it wreaks havoc with your mind for days, the author has done her job.
Anne Rice impressed me with the sheer volume of this tale that spans 13 generations of witches and the spirit that destroys their lives. It's written in astounding detail accompanied by the sensuous prose that is Anne Rice's norm- and all 965 pages are worth your time. The fact that something as solid and in-depth as this could be born from anyone's imagination is cause for admiration.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first 95ish percent of this well-written and intricately detailed novel. Right up until Rice &/or her publisher must’ve decided she could turn it into a trilogy and a previously strong and intelligent female lead, ahead of her time in many ways, succumbed to the manipulative and abusive misogyny of the need-for-more-plot demons, along with the manipulative and abusive incestuous rapist demon antagonist. It took me so long to finish because I was so angry at the protagonist’s personality-seizure that I had to put it down and take a month off! Such a disappointment.
This is the 2nd time I've read this novel - at the first reading, books 2 & 3 had not yet been written and I remember LOVING it. That being said, the second time through was not as magical for me - so while I'm keeping the 5 stars, it was really more of a 4 star read for me this time. I just kept thinking... when will it be OVER and I CLEARLY didn't have that reaction when I first read the novel albeit many, many years ago. I think there was lots of extraneous information/history and description that probably could have been dispensed with - or maybe my reading style choice has changed - either way, I still think it is a wonderful story, wonderfully told.
eh good but soooooooooooooooooooooooooo long!!! couldve lost about half the book!
Way too long and badly written, and I don't like the characters, and I don't like Anne Rice.
Nonetheless, my favorite highlights are here, bundled in a kindle anthology borrowed from my local library via Overdrive. I kept reading and reading and reading, body parts and gore flying everywhere.
Anne Rice thanked one of her friends/family in the anthology for buying Anne a nice typewriter. I wish they hadn't done that.
But because I have a free anthology in my hands, I want to find out about evil Lasher or whatever. Gonna have to dig through tons of family members and all their interactions with each other's body parts. Ugh, I really need to quit Anne Rice.
Nonetheless, my favorite highlights are here, bundled in a kindle anthology borrowed from my local library via Overdrive. I kept reading and reading and reading, body parts and gore flying everywhere.
Anne Rice thanked one of her friends/family in the anthology for buying Anne a nice typewriter. I wish they hadn't done that.
But because I have a free anthology in my hands, I want to find out about evil Lasher or whatever. Gonna have to dig through tons of family members and all their interactions with each other's body parts. Ugh, I really need to quit Anne Rice.
Spoiler
Her sex scenes are absolutely horrible
Interesting story in which the mystery of it kept me reading. After 1,040 pages I was looking forward to the ending only to find there was a sequel!
Incredibly detailed. The imagery is so vivid and the history is dense. Rice doesn't spare a lick in this story. While I enjoy all of that, I had trouble and had to push myself a long here and there because teh story felt a little slow.
Full Review:
https://beentherereadthat.blog/2018/06/29/something-wicked-lurking-in-the-shadows-the-witching-hour-a-book-review/
Full Review:
https://beentherereadthat.blog/2018/06/29/something-wicked-lurking-in-the-shadows-the-witching-hour-a-book-review/
This book is like a Ph.D. course in the life of one family, spanning throughout the world since the dark ages. If you don't have a month (and an organizational chart), you might find yourself getting lost. There is a modern storyline that finds itself broken up by shorter, almost novella-sized dramatic histories of each of the dozen Mayfair witches, all of whom lead the reader through time to better understand the stakes facing their present-day descendants. The sequels are far more digestible and focused, but nowhere near as delicious as this big, beautiful book of rich, powerful, and erotic witches.
I hated this book so much that words fail me.
The absolute worst writing that I’ve ever read.
When I began the book, I had hopes for the plot and the main character but as it progressed it simply fell short.
I’ve never read anything else by Rice and this book completely discourages me from ever wanting to.
The absolute worst writing that I’ve ever read.
When I began the book, I had hopes for the plot and the main character but as it progressed it simply fell short.
I’ve never read anything else by Rice and this book completely discourages me from ever wanting to.