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Summary: The next step in the Vampire Chronicles
Review: I love Anne Rice and I love the Vampire Chronicles. I found this book to be interesting and full of exciting new and old characters. The story is multi-leveled with some unexpected surprises. It is vivid and imaginative, just what I expect from Anne Rice. I recommend it to all Vampire Chronicles fans!
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Summary: It sucks!
Review: I could hardly wait to read this book, lured by the forever seductive Lestat. The first few pages were good, even funny and I was excited that Lestat had returned though not with full flair. The character Quinn started off being likeable and by the end of the book, you start to wish he had met his end. None of the characters are given enough time to develop but the worst part was the story of Quinn and his ancestors which went on and and on and on......Anne was restrained with her desriptive flair so shown in earlier work which made the book even more bland. Please Anne bring back Lestat and not just as a passing figure in a few pages of a book which I have wasted! hard earned money on. But reading this, and other previous chronicles I am beginning to think Anne has lost that ability and even if she brings back Lestat and writes of one of his new adventures, it may not even make an interesting read. This is the worst fate for probably her bestloved character, Lestat. I hope she is able to pull herself from this drought of tiring work and soon.
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Summary: Possibly her best yet!
Review: I like to read while I drive, so I have the unabridged audio version of Blackwood Farm. I drive way out of my way so I can continue listening to this intriging story. I'm not yet done. I think I may drive to Canada today... that should give me another 6 hours of listening! This story is so good. I've read all of Anne Rice's books and so far, I like this one best! Everyone else has given you the story breakdown, so I'll simply say read it or listen to it. It's a fascinating story you'll not regret hearing.
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Summary: Is Anne Rice Herself A Witch?
Review: How else to explain the effusive enthusiasm for "Blackwood Farm," save through a spell cast by Rice upon her adoring fans? The good news is that "BF" is a better book than "Memnoch The Devil" (this is faint praise, as it applies to virtually every book ever written). The bad news is that, with one exception (see below), there is no more good news. The characters are the usual assortment of manic-depressives: They Love! They Hate! They're Ecstatic! They're Devastated! and so on. One might argue that the Immortals, by their nature, are prone to extremes, but this does not apply to Quinn, who, as a mortal, remains a child in a 6'4" body (his references to the "Tasks of Manhood" are, in this context, hilarious). That Lestat, who plays the role of the Ear for Quinn's Voice, confesses to be in love with Quinn diminishes his former grandeur. Quinn of course falls in love with Mona Mayfair, a self-described "raving slut" who has slept with half of her cousins and intends to marry her first cousin...good catch. Queen Anne has profound activities and interests, including spending her time on a chaise loung in a negligee and high heels while drinking champagne and eating ice cream, and endlessly examining her cameo collection. But, of course, everyone just adores her. Structurally, the book is mind-numbing: Quinn's monologue (during which Lestat says absolutely nothing) runs over 400 pages, a feat of exposition that would make Fidel Castro envious. These are increasingly heavy pages to turn. There is also careless writing galore; to cite just two of many examples, when Arion and Manfred play chess (page 470), a Queen is put in check, which cannot happen in chess. And for another, Quinn is able to obtain a passport for Tommy "on demand." Sorry, just can't be done, even by an Immortal. This may seem like nitpicking, but it is indicative of an inattentive writer and editor (it is worth noting that Nash's PhD dissertation speculates upon how the work of Dickens would have suffered through editing: Is this Rice's defense of her own bloated style?). Rice has always included philosophical and theological musings in her work (reconcilliation of the Blood Hunter with God), and, in moderation, these have made her vampire mythology stronger and more compelling. But in "BF" there is no moderation, and the result is tedious and mush-minded ("Memnoch," again, being the most singular example of this). Now, to the exception: from the "making" of Quinn (page 430) through the end of the novel, Rice excels, and reminds us why we have thought so highly of past works ("Queen," "Blood and Gold," "Armand," "Pandora") and why we will continue to anticipate her future work. When Rice hits her stride and finds her rhythm (details of the Dark Blood, the hunt, the rituals and the rules), she is unmatched. These final 100+ pages are compelling and satisfying. Alas, the preceding 400 pages are not. In "BF," Rice is not just resting on her laurels: she is snoozing on them.
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Summary: Sad old Rice
Review: I did not like this book - did not even finish the first page. I am glad I did not waste my money on it - a friend loaned it to me and it was quickly returned. I do not care for Anne Rice books and feel that none of them are worth wasting my time as there are other Vampire novels that are better written and have more of a soul to them. Anne Rice just leaves me sad and tired.
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Summary: Blackwood Farm
Review: I am loving this book. The Amazon Editorial is right, the only flaw in this book is that is is way too short. I've been listening on tape and cant wait to get back in my car each day. I hope this opens the door for all new adventures in New Orleans for Lestat, The Mayfair family and Tarquin. This is the Anne Rice we all know and love.
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Summary: Yet Again...
Review: Yet again Anne Rice amazes me with her literary talents and ability to transport me into the world of the vampires and this time, the Mayfair witches. I was enamored with Blood & Gold, and although this may not be as good, this is damn close. Tarquin Blackwood's tale is filled with surprise and love and towards the end, sadness. Tarquin tells his tale to Lestat, who thankfully makes another appearance in the series. I came to feel as though I knew Tarquin, Aunt Queen, Mona, Jasmine, and others. Rice creates such vivid characters that become involved in strange and wonderful situations. She is truly one of my favorite authors, and I look forward to the next vampire installment. Also, if you have not read the Mayfair series, like me, then you will be inclined to go out and purchase The Witching Hour to read about the Mayfair legacy, like me.To summarize, Tarqin's narrative encompasses witches, vampires, spirits, ghosts, incest, love, family, and more. I was hooked and would recommend this book to any of Rice's fans. If you are a fan of Rice's vampire series, then by all means purchase this book. Tarquin is waiting...
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Summary: You won't be disappointed
Review: After reading Anne Rice novels, every book that I read thereafter seems dull and uninteresting. And after reading this book there was no exception. But I highly recommend reading her witch novels before entering into this book. She takes you into a world of grace and sophistaction. Wonderful read.
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Summary: A Spellbinding Trip Through the Mysteries of The Paranormal
Review: Anne Rice Has really outdone herself this time. In Blackwood Farm, we see a depth in writing that in unparalleled even for Mrs. Rice. The story takes you on a journey through faith, idealism, eroticism, love, honor and leaves you breathless. As always, Mrs. Rice leaves you with such amazing imagery, to the very detail in the texture of swamp waters, the hue of the dusk sky, and the disorientation involved with pure ecstasy.
A Heartfelt BRAVO to My Queen of the Damned.
I shall continue to follow this adventure wherever it may lead me.
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Summary: Finally, Another Great Story From Anne
Review: I Have to admit, I was getting worried that my favorite author was running out of ideas. I really tried to like her last few novels and they were okay, but certainly not on par with her earlier works. Blackwood Farm was truly an enjoyable read. Great characters, great plot, great story and great ending. If you loved her first five chronicles or the Mayfair series you wont be dissapointed.
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