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barebookbear's review against another edition
3.0
It's been decades I think since I read any Rice. This was one I bought years ago and it sat on my bookshelf until a couple days ago. I thought it would be more of a throw-away, a trifle, and I wasn't expecting much satisfaction. And it started that way, her flowery prose, fully scented yet ethereal and unsubstantial vapors in the end. Not sure why I thought this; this seems to be the popular opinion of her "other vampire books."
I was delightfully wrong as I continued reading. Yes, it's a quick read, but it does what Rice does so well, pull you into a world fully researched, and given life, strength, muscle and beauty through her flowery prose. It was also a great way to reenter her world I'd turned away from so long ago, readying me to pick up those last Vampire Chronicle books on my shelf still waiting to be read (Vampire Armand, Vittorio, Prince Lestat) and also to return to the Witches.
It also does the other thing Rice does well: philosophize, examine, search for truth in the miasma of history's philosophies, myths, beliefs, religions. Her vampire work has always been a search for her own truth and feelings regarding religion, faith, God after the tragic death of her young daughter decades ago. I'm not sure where she stands at this point; fans of hers have come and gone with her religious convictions, her newfound zeal for Christianity, followed by her denial of it again.
Her personal beliefs aside, I liked these characters of Pandora and Marius. I enjoyed learning (and revisiting with greater clarity) their back story. They're not as precious and annoying as Lestat, whose rock star swagger I always found annoying and silly.
In the end, a satisfying enjoyable read.
I was delightfully wrong as I continued reading. Yes, it's a quick read, but it does what Rice does so well, pull you into a world fully researched, and given life, strength, muscle and beauty through her flowery prose. It was also a great way to reenter her world I'd turned away from so long ago, readying me to pick up those last Vampire Chronicle books on my shelf still waiting to be read (Vampire Armand, Vittorio, Prince Lestat) and also to return to the Witches.
It also does the other thing Rice does well: philosophize, examine, search for truth in the miasma of history's philosophies, myths, beliefs, religions. Her vampire work has always been a search for her own truth and feelings regarding religion, faith, God after the tragic death of her young daughter decades ago. I'm not sure where she stands at this point; fans of hers have come and gone with her religious convictions, her newfound zeal for Christianity, followed by her denial of it again.
Her personal beliefs aside, I liked these characters of Pandora and Marius. I enjoyed learning (and revisiting with greater clarity) their back story. They're not as precious and annoying as Lestat, whose rock star swagger I always found annoying and silly.
In the end, a satisfying enjoyable read.
ironicironman's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good until MARIUS showed up, did feel a bit of a pointless book though.
al13ex's review against another edition
3.0
After reading the last few books of The Vampire Chronicles I lowered my standards quite a bit. However, Pandora's story was just a little bit better than the story told by Marius. The King and the Queen placed in Antiquity added some charm to the pages, as well as Pandora's independent spirit. It could have been better; the first few books of the Chronicles have let me with a different view of Pandora, but like I'd said before, times have changed.
lostfaerie's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
icinskip's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
alexcirce's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
miss_chanandlerbong09's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
aliencatl0rd's review against another edition
4.0
I've been reading all the Vampire Chronicles and New Tales of the Vampires in order, which means I took a break from the main series to read this one. It has Rice's flawless style which I love so much. But if comparing to the Vampire Chronicles, it's really totally quite different. Whereas the other novels tell the stories as they are happening, the New Tales of the Vampires is told in a sort of "diary" format or retelling of their past up to the present. (However, having started The Vampire Armand, the next in the Vampire Chronicles, it's written that way too.)
Personally, Pandora is my favorite vampire so far. She's such an eloquent, classy, and intelligent woman who doesn't buy into all the gender roles and does as she pleases. She's quick to outwit anyone but isn't boastful about it nor does she consider it to be fun and games—it's just her nature. Therefore, I truly recommend this to anyone that loves Rice's vampires and wants a more personal, first hand account into one of their lives.
Personally, Pandora is my favorite vampire so far. She's such an eloquent, classy, and intelligent woman who doesn't buy into all the gender roles and does as she pleases. She's quick to outwit anyone but isn't boastful about it nor does she consider it to be fun and games—it's just her nature. Therefore, I truly recommend this to anyone that loves Rice's vampires and wants a more personal, first hand account into one of their lives.