Blackwood Farm : The Vampire Chronicles

Rating:
Summary: Divine return to form, one of Rice's best
Review: 'Blackwood Farm' tells the grim and gothic tale of Quinn Blackwood, heir to the Blackwood estate and Sugar Devil Swamp, and his trials as his malevolent doppelganger Goblin gains power and tries to take control. Introducing a host of new characters, and, as always, with an understasnding of plot and pacing and tension that few authors can equal (Dan Brown tries; a shame, then, that his 'novels' lack even the most basic characterisation), Rice creates for us a garden of melancholic and sensual delight, in this true return-to-form.

What strikes me the most about this book is the sense of the grandiose that I haven't had from a Rice novel since 'Queen of the Damned'. 'Merrick' and 'Memnoch' notwithstanding, after the lacklustre (and, dare I say it, downright boring) 'Blood and Gold' and 'Pandora', Rice has managed here to recapture that
sense of bourgeoisie decay and seeping, creeping tragedy that made her first books such an absolute joy to behold.

Quinn Blackwood is like a cross between Lestat and Louis, and is by turns sensual and introspective, bawdy and shy, courageous and cowardly - and bears further examination. The supporting cast of Demons, Vampires and Witches turns up a few surprises, too - Aunt Queen and Petronia the Vampire being two of the most interesting creatures Rice has conjured up to date - and it's wonderful to see Merrick Mayfair again, even though her (excellent) ending is short and sweet.

Rice's narrative has become galvanised with this book - set at a suspiciously slow pace, she never allows the story to become dull or maudlin - and her prose is as overflowing with heady imagery and gothic tone as ever.

In short, this is a magnificent beast of a novel, and one which should be at the top of your To-Read list. Provocative, absorbing and some of Rice's best work ever, 'Blackwood Farm' is a novel that you'll enjoy coming back to over and over again.

Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: wow
Review: This is the first Anne Rice book I've ever read, although I have been familiar with the movies based on her works...and I came out of this book fascinated and amazed. While I was on chapter 10 I was a little weary of the nonstop back story, but the rest of the book had me mesmerized. GREAT ending, as well. I should have thought of it beforehand but instead it was a happy surprise to me.

In response to another reviewer's post, I think Quinn is a very likeable character. His youthful innocence, shelteredness, pride, and strong family bonds were really captivating.

I borrowed it from a friend and now I will definitely be getting my own copy. I already want to start it over, to reread the beginning now that I'm so familiar with all the characters.

Rating:
Summary: You Can't Let It Go!
Review: I am a big, no huge, Anne Rice reader! I have enjoyed most of her books. Blackwood Farm kept me going day to day thinking about what I was going to read next. What was going to happen etc. I loved every word. I always get so sad at the end of each book because I have to wait on the next one to come out.
But anyway, getting back to the book, the history revealed combined with the characters and their role they betray, are enchancing, exciting, and courageous! When you read each page you will become almost living the lines of each page as if you were indeed in the story! That is how I read her books. At one point in the story where they are eating sandwiches and sipping on champane, or pancakes cooking on the morning stove, combined with the stories told by her characters, had me going. I found myself joining in on a few. HA! It was fun.
Anne we miss your books! Please write us another one! Have a Great Day!....jm

Jean Marie Tow-Roberson

Rating:
Summary: Blackwood farm I wished I lived there
Review: When I first started reading this book it didn't hit me at first then when we got to Quinns back story I loved it I love to read about Annes Charaters and where they come from it helps me understand them better you would be shocked as to how many people have things in common with the characters she writes about I said this before and I will say it again her boos helped me alot in high school I was flunking english then when I started reading her books my grades went up they tought me alot about the eras they are from and few knew words I probally would not have passed english with out them so stop the bashing already and try the books