I love your reviews on Anne Rice in particular. You’re the only UA-camr who does the books justice. I’m a huge fan of Rice and I’m glad you’re critical and intelligent in your reviews. Thank you yet again ✨
Can’t remember if I ever read this one, the newer ones around Blood Canticle just weren’t that good and I kinda lost interest. Couldn’t stand Mona, loved all her earlier books. The Witching Hour a masterpiece. Memnoch I liked, Veronica‘s veil is what I remember the most, very educational for me.
I was waiting for this review :) Thank you so much for doing it! Sorry that you had to suffer through this. Please do not quit the series, the rest of the books are nothing like this one, I'm sure of it 😁 I hope you will continue, and I'm looking forward to your review of Prince Lestat )
Haha don't worry I won't be quitting the series. I was expecting this one to be difficult, but I know the last three are meant to be a bit of a comeback. We'll see!
Honestly I think the thing that disappointed me the most about this book which I hardly ever see mentioned by anyone else is the complete destruction of the character of Rowan Mayfair and the repeated cuckolding of Michael Curry. Rowan falls in love with Ash (Taltos) but gorges herself on sanctimony for not acting on it, but then meets Lestat for all of 5 minutes and goes "Michael who?" and literally wants to leave her entire life behind and become a vampire. Ffs she fondled herself with his hand while Michael was sitting like 5 feet away. She put him through so much crap and treated him like an absolutely expendable by loyal dog that will just wait around for her to decide whether or not she actually loves him. Anne did Michael so dirty, and essentially left his story with losing the two people he loved the most in the whole world (Mona and Rowan). The only redeeming part of this book for me was the constant bickering between Julien and Lestat, even though this 'Lestat' is basically a completely new character. One final thing I think is worthy of keeping in mind while reading this book is that her husband and the love of her life, Stan Rice, died while she was writing it. I think it clearly effected her and it shows in her writing of this book.
I think you are right to point out about the desecration of Michael and Rowan as characters in this book. Neither come out very well. I still think Rice should have stuck with her original plan of just one book in the Mayfair Witches.
Thank you for this review! This book made absolutely no sense to me. Lestat was so out of character it hurt to read. I could barely digest anything to do with Mona, Quinn became an npc, and the Rowan x Lestat plot brought no new emotion to the table. Thoroughly enjoyed this video, thank you!
On the topic of dropped plots. I was really disappointed that the Talamasca vs. Lestat plot was dropped with Merrick. You have that really good ending with the threats from the Talamasca to Lestat, the animosity, Lestat being angry af that he and his friends have to leave his town etc. I was quite excited to read about how was this gonna develop in the next book. The consequences of Louis and Lestat turning a Talamasca witch member into a vampire. Them being on edge around each other. But nope, this is entirely dropped at the start of Blackwood Farm and suddenly Lestat loves Sterling and they are civil to one another and then in Blood Canticle Lestat even says he loves and respects the order. Louis and David don't even appear in the last two books. Rice also teased Gabrielle a bit in this book and I thought she was gonna make a cameo and resolve this loose thread between her and Lestat and have some finality as a parallel to Quinn and Patsy. A mess. Merrick and Blackwood Farm were good despite having flaws. But Blood Canticle is not worth reading, and the entire trilogy is disappointing in terms of story continuity.
Loving your reviews! I highly recommend Feast of all Saints. Even among Anne Rice fans I don't think it gets enough love. It's a stand alone historical novel about the Free People of Color in New Orleans pre civil war. Would love to hear your thoughts on it.
I felt after the great Blackwood Farm that I wanted Quin to continue with his narratives maybe going back and forth from Quin to Lestat on certain chapter's which for this book may have been a good idea from the character perspective and set it similar to Queen of the Damned with back and forth points view and giving a feel to the feel to Blackwood Farm ect
I have read my way through the Vampire Chronicles and I am just about to take up Blood Canticle. From the sounds of your review, I'm going to wish I hadn't, but I feel compelled to go on for completion's sake. I generally agree with your assessment of the series in that it starts off strong, wavers in the middle and the later books are not great. Did you watch the recent AMC Interview With The Vampire tv series? I would be interested in your thoughts of that as an interpretation of the first novel.
Just finished this one. Definitely seemed miss matched/patchwork storyline. I always enjoy Lestat as the narrator. Although I enjoyed learning about the Mayfairs, it was curious how Anne wove them into the chronicles. But I wanted vampire stories, not witches and the new “monsters” the Taltos. Then add in all the ghosts at Blackfarm…it seemed watered down. I love Quinn and he was certainly two dimensional in this one.
Having just finished the audiobook of Blood Canticle, I must agree with many readers opinion that the characters are not themselves. Mona becomes a vampire and turns into a pissy crybaby. Self-centered Lestat suddenly wants to save the world and become a saint. The romance between Rowan and Lestat . . . wtf??? Honestly, it was the audiobook narrators voice that moved me through several chapters. If I had been reading this in print, probably would have put it down halfway through. Plot? None to speak of. Worst of all, there was nothing remotely horrifying. I could apply biographical criticism, but I hate doing that. A novel should stand on its own merit without needing its author's life story to make it meaningful. But with Anne we sometimes (frequently)have to do that, don't we? I didn't hate this book the way I kind of hated Memnoch, but I found it overall dissatisfying and in the greater tapestry of The Chronicles, rather pointless.
I don't think I will. I really dislike their decision to cut Michael and merge him into Aaron. It suggests to me not so much a "creative decision" and more a complete misunderstanding of the spirit of the novel. But still, I might give it a go, but it's unlikely!
This one wasn't great for me and honestly felt more like one of the Mayfair books where she was wrapping up the loose ends from Taltos. After this one there was a 10-year gap before she wrote about the vampires again and I think she actually came back strong after so long away.
I think you are right about Rice just wanting to wrap lots of scraps up from various threads in this one. I'm glad you think the later books are great. Despite not liking this one much at all I'm still looking forward to those final three.
@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall I won't give any spoilers but I did think Prince Lestat was great, the Atlantis one was absolutely bonkers so I can't say I enjoyed that one but I did admired her audacity, but then the final book Blood Communion believe me almost to tears. I know she didn't necessarily intend it to be the final book in the series but it actually works as a perfect conclusion for me
The idea that all vampires are genderless is ridiculous. They were male or female when they were turned. They retain their names which indicates their sex in most cases and they appear and act more so female or male according to their gender. Any androgyny would likely only come from many older male vampires having long hair and the style of dress during their time was more feminine. Lestat seemed very male in both movies. All of the males looked male and females looked female.
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I love your reviews on Anne Rice in particular. You’re the only UA-camr who does the books justice. I’m a huge fan of Rice and I’m glad you’re critical and intelligent in your reviews. Thank you yet again ✨
Thank you, I'm glad that you enjoy the videos. :)
Can’t remember if I ever read this one, the newer ones around Blood Canticle just weren’t that good and I kinda lost interest. Couldn’t stand Mona, loved all her earlier books.
The Witching Hour a masterpiece. Memnoch I liked, Veronica‘s veil is what I remember the most, very educational for me.
@@unioncityman63 I'm not surprised you don't remember it! :P I agree with you about the Witching Hour, I think it's Rice's finest moment.
Finally a fellow Brit who loves Anne as much as me 😎💯@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall
I was waiting for this review :) Thank you so much for doing it! Sorry that you had to suffer through this. Please do not quit the series, the rest of the books are nothing like this one, I'm sure of it 😁
I hope you will continue, and I'm looking forward to your review of Prince Lestat )
Haha don't worry I won't be quitting the series. I was expecting this one to be difficult, but I know the last three are meant to be a bit of a comeback. We'll see!
@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall awesome, can't wait! :)
Prince Lestat redeemed the Chronicles!
I can't wait to see!
How, though? T.T
Honestly I think the thing that disappointed me the most about this book which I hardly ever see mentioned by anyone else is the complete destruction of the character of Rowan Mayfair and the repeated cuckolding of Michael Curry. Rowan falls in love with Ash (Taltos) but gorges herself on sanctimony for not acting on it, but then meets Lestat for all of 5 minutes and goes "Michael who?" and literally wants to leave her entire life behind and become a vampire. Ffs she fondled herself with his hand while Michael was sitting like 5 feet away. She put him through so much crap and treated him like an absolutely expendable by loyal dog that will just wait around for her to decide whether or not she actually loves him. Anne did Michael so dirty, and essentially left his story with losing the two people he loved the most in the whole world (Mona and Rowan).
The only redeeming part of this book for me was the constant bickering between Julien and Lestat, even though this 'Lestat' is basically a completely new character.
One final thing I think is worthy of keeping in mind while reading this book is that her husband and the love of her life, Stan Rice, died while she was writing it. I think it clearly effected her and it shows in her writing of this book.
I think you are right to point out about the desecration of Michael and Rowan as characters in this book. Neither come out very well. I still think Rice should have stuck with her original plan of just one book in the Mayfair Witches.
Thank you for this review! This book made absolutely no sense to me. Lestat was so out of character it hurt to read. I could barely digest anything to do with Mona, Quinn became an npc, and the Rowan x Lestat plot brought no new emotion to the table. Thoroughly enjoyed this video, thank you!
Glad you enjoyed the view. It is a bizarre book haha!
On the topic of dropped plots. I was really disappointed that the Talamasca vs. Lestat plot was dropped with Merrick. You have that really good ending with the threats from the Talamasca to Lestat, the animosity, Lestat being angry af that he and his friends have to leave his town etc. I was quite excited to read about how was this gonna develop in the next book. The consequences of Louis and Lestat turning a Talamasca witch member into a vampire. Them being on edge around each other. But nope, this is entirely dropped at the start of Blackwood Farm and suddenly Lestat loves Sterling and they are civil to one another and then in Blood Canticle Lestat even says he loves and respects the order. Louis and David don't even appear in the last two books.
Rice also teased Gabrielle a bit in this book and I thought she was gonna make a cameo and resolve this loose thread between her and Lestat and have some finality as a parallel to Quinn and Patsy.
A mess. Merrick and Blackwood Farm were good despite having flaws. But Blood Canticle is not worth reading, and the entire trilogy is disappointing in terms of story continuity.
Loving your reviews! I highly recommend Feast of all Saints. Even among Anne Rice fans I don't think it gets enough love. It's a stand alone historical novel about the Free People of Color in New Orleans pre civil war. Would love to hear your thoughts on it.
I felt after the great Blackwood Farm that I wanted Quin to continue with his narratives maybe going back and forth from Quin to Lestat on certain chapter's which for this book may have been a good idea from the character perspective and set it similar to Queen of the Damned with back and forth points view and giving a feel to the feel to Blackwood Farm ect
I have read my way through the Vampire Chronicles and I am just about to take up Blood Canticle. From the sounds of your review, I'm going to wish I hadn't, but I feel compelled to go on for completion's sake. I generally agree with your assessment of the series in that it starts off strong, wavers in the middle and the later books are not great. Did you watch the recent AMC Interview With The Vampire tv series? I would be interested in your thoughts of that as an interpretation of the first novel.
Hi Josh! Can you tell, please, when we can expect your review of Prince Lestat? 😁 Can't wait to see it!!)
I'm currently reading the book, so hopefully soon!
@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall so nice to hear it! Thank you! 🙏🙏
*16:00** if you read them on the same time frame between bks in real life,* i wonder how youd feel?
*7:00** blackwood farm is the best.* they do ruin mona and him, youve probs read that far by now. so youll be half happy. _JC
look at you go! _JC
Just finished this one. Definitely seemed miss matched/patchwork storyline. I always enjoy Lestat as the narrator. Although I enjoyed learning about the Mayfairs, it was curious how Anne wove them into the chronicles. But I wanted vampire stories, not witches and the new “monsters” the Taltos. Then add in all the ghosts at Blackfarm…it seemed watered down. I love Quinn and he was certainly two dimensional in this one.
Having just finished the audiobook of Blood Canticle, I must agree with many readers opinion that the characters are not themselves. Mona becomes a vampire and turns into a pissy crybaby. Self-centered Lestat suddenly wants to save the world and become a saint. The romance between Rowan and Lestat . . . wtf??? Honestly, it was the audiobook narrators voice that moved me through several chapters. If I had been reading this in print, probably would have put it down halfway through. Plot? None to speak of. Worst of all, there was nothing remotely horrifying. I could apply biographical criticism, but I hate doing that. A novel should stand on its own merit without needing its author's life story to make it meaningful. But with Anne we sometimes (frequently)have to do that, don't we? I didn't hate this book the way I kind of hated Memnoch, but I found it overall dissatisfying and in the greater tapestry of The Chronicles, rather pointless.
Let's go, are you going to watch the May fair witches TV show coming out?
Not a chance:) After hearing that they will be "combining" the characters of Aaron and Michael into one......ah, did anyone actually read the book?
I will! Have not read the witches books, but will start soon, hopefully before the show comes out.
I don't think I will. I really dislike their decision to cut Michael and merge him into Aaron. It suggests to me not so much a "creative decision" and more a complete misunderstanding of the spirit of the novel. But still, I might give it a go, but it's unlikely!
@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall yeah, merging David and Aaron would have made a lot more sense.
The book lacked in Lestat’s adventures…even the journey to Haiti in the end is lack luster……. I still like the book.
This one wasn't great for me and honestly felt more like one of the Mayfair books where she was wrapping up the loose ends from Taltos. After this one there was a 10-year gap before she wrote about the vampires again and I think she actually came back strong after so long away.
I think you are right about Rice just wanting to wrap lots of scraps up from various threads in this one. I'm glad you think the later books are great. Despite not liking this one much at all I'm still looking forward to those final three.
@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall I won't give any spoilers but I did think Prince Lestat was great, the Atlantis one was absolutely bonkers so I can't say I enjoyed that one but I did admired her audacity, but then the final book Blood Communion believe me almost to tears. I know she didn't necessarily intend it to be the final book in the series but it actually works as a perfect conclusion for me
I love her with my whole heart, but I didn’t love this book. I liked parts of it, but yikes!
Yikes indeed haha!
@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall 🤣 Excited to dive into Prince Lestat though!
The idea that all vampires are genderless is ridiculous. They were male or female when they were turned. They retain their names which indicates their sex in most cases and they appear and act more so female or male according to their gender. Any androgyny would likely only come from many older male vampires having long hair and the style of dress during their time was more feminine. Lestat seemed very male in both movies. All of the males looked male and females looked female.
I love Anne Rice, but this was a very weak novel. One I found most vexing is Violin, which I bailed out of just short of 100 pages.
I don’t like Rowan and I did not like Lestat falling for her……
This reads like a bad comedy.
It hurts to agree with this... but... :P
ok, the memnoch biz is weird. _JC