Rating: 
Summary: Best one yet!
Review: I have read almost all of Anne Rice's book. This is the best one yet. It incorporates the vampires with the Mayfair witches by telling from a new character. If you like the chronicles and the Mayfair witches read this one!
Rating: 
Summary: Vampire chronicles continue
Review: loved the new twist and the new characters!!! love the blending of the mayfair witches and the vampires....would recomend to any vampire or anne rice fan...
Rating:
Summary: A Nice Return to Form
Review: Ann Rice manages to escape from some of the creative malaise that has tarnished much of her more recent work with this richly detailed merger of the Vampire Chronicles and the Tales of the Mayfair Witches. Blackwood Farm is not without it's flaws however, as she seems stuck in a narrative theme that basically involves a vampire relating a personal and familial history that culminates with his acquisition of dark immortality.The narrator of this tale is Quinn Blackwood, scion of a wealthy Louisiana family with a gothic past of its own, as well as some tenuous ties to the Mayfair family of New Orleans. Quinn has lived his entire life (mortal and otherwise) with the companionship of a twin-like spirit he calls Goblin. During his eccentric childhood, Quinn welcomed the love and friendship of his doppelganger, however as the years pass and he matures into a (much) more worldly young adult, Goblin evolves into a more jealous and malevolent presence. Quinn's transformation into a vampire only increases the evil of Goblin, sending Quinn on a desperate search for help from the famed Lestat. There are enough twists and surprises to satisfy most fans of the Chronicles, certainly more than some of the more recent tales. But what makes this book more enjoyable is Ms. Rice's vivid and eclectic group of personalities. Characterizations have always been one of her strong suits and Blackwood Farm reinforces that reputation. Quinn Blackwood along with his ancestral and extended family are fascinating in their own right; and his interaction with various vampires, the Talamasca and the Mayfairs makes for a most enjoyable read. It's particularly enjoyable to reencounter the precocious designee of the Mayfair Legacy, Mona, both for the post-Taltos update as well as her Lolita-ish vitality and potential for scandal. Lastly, it's good to see Lestat growing away from his role as a self promoting rogue into a more complex and influential immortal, a vampire whose accomplishments are beginning to reflect a maturity worthy of his abilities and power. Just when I was beginning to tire of Ms. Rice's vampires, she pulls me back in. I am once again looking forward to her next effort.
Rating:
Summary: Anne does it again....
Review: True to form, Ms. Rice's latest novel, which eloquently combines the Vampire Chronicles and the Mayfair Witches, will not disappoint. I was so thrilled when I opened the book, after having snatched it off the shelf without so much as reading the cover, to find my favorite characters come back to life. Well done!
Rating:
Summary: Silver-Tongued writing
Review: Having read so many of Rice's works and maintaining her as somewhat of a literary idol, I found this work to be a joy to read, as always. The characters were developed extensively, with the exception of perhaps Goblin. I would have thought that by introducing him as a new sort of persona, more attention would have been given.
I did have a few issues with the story as a whole. The writing was very eloquent and the vocabulary and flow of the language was exceptional. I didn't really find it appropriate for a character such as Quinn, though. Yes, he may have grown into adult-hood entirely too early, but the language and flow of words, while very flowery and detailed, was a bit much. His story-telling abilities are astonishing. I kept thinking to myself that if I were sitting in a room with this guy and he were to drag this out like he was with Lestat, I'd have needed plenty of coffee and would have struggled with the attention span. She did a fine job maintaing the impression that Quinn was indeed telling a tale from memory.
I'm looking forward to the next installment of this story, but hope that it will be more realistic and less monotonous and tiring. Overall a good read for the season, though.
Rating: 
Summary: Best in Middle; Good Description & Atmosphere
Review: I'm relatively new to Anne Rice, having only read "Interview" to date, but must say that I was pleasantly surprised by Blackwood Farm. I think that for the most part, from the time that Quinn begins to recount his story to Lestat until the point where he becomes a vampire, the story is exceptionally well done. I really wasn't thrilled so much with the beginning and end of the book, and am not even sure that the story wouldn't have been better on its own, somehow without Lestat in the story whatsoever, but it was still very descriptively detailed and many of the characters were very well done. As for character development, I think Quinn is a great character. In his case, as in general, Rice not only describes to you traits about the character but she gives you a reason why they have become as they seem. For example, Quinn has grown up in a house of adults so he becomes an adult much more quickly than is likely normal. If I didn't believe in Goblin's existence, I would attribute his "imaginary friend" as his playmate and link to the world of children and his lone identifying character in a world mostly of seclusion from peers his own age. I will note that Quinn & Mona's love might seem a bit rushed at first thought but that isn't always unimaginable that two very young people, unfamiliar with the truth of love, might "think" that they are in love so quickly. This idea was done very poorly in the latest Star Wars movie and was done wonderfully well in Romeo & Juliet. We mustn't always try and put the weight of our own ideas of love and the hardships and time necessary to forge it upon characters in stories without first identifying the age and experiences shown to us for those characters. Mona is 15 and Quinn has lived his life secluded from his peers, so it is understandable that their ideas of love might be a bit exaggerated or erroneous. I also question whether or not Quinn would have actually left Mona as he did, for as long as he did, for his Europe trip regardless of his love for Aunt Queen. Reckless youthful love usually cares little comparatively for those outside of the "two". Perhaps Quinn was able to leave her for his Aunt because he was in many ways mature for his age, but I'm still not sure that it blends with his recklessness established regarding Mona. It is hard to say. There were some imperfections with development of some of the characters but I thought Quinn was mostly well done and overall interesting. I would have rather not had Quinn be bi and Petronia was more or less as disgusting as was likely intended but I did feel some sympathy for Petronia as I'm sure that such a life would be a difficult one filled with pain that could easily turn to bitterness and anger. I guess I just didn't like thinking about Petronia and would rather Quinn's "affliction" be more tied to someone like the lovely yet evil Rebecca. In my opinion, the book didn't necessarily need Lestat or even the other characters used to tie her previous books together but I might have a different idea if I had actually read them. I would have been perfectly happy if I just would have heard "Quinn's Story" recounted to anyone "perhaps some figure that is planning to either kill Quinn soon or even better whom Quinn is trying to talk into ending his painful immortality", and then had the conflicts and resolutions happen between Quinn, Goblin, Mona, and a few other characters. "Quinn's Story" is very well done; it is the beginning and the end around it that are less intriguing. Overall, the book is worth reading for the description and atmosphere if nothing else.
Rating:
Summary: If you like the Mayfair novels READ THIS BOOK!
Review: I am a huge fan of the Mayfair witches so I greatly enjoyed this book. I feel as though I have to stand up for it seeing as so many people have been putting up bad reviews. "Blackwood Farm" is a sweeping novel that keeps your interest all the way through it. The characters are shown in so much detail that you feel that you know them. I became very attached to Quinn while reading it, he could possibly be my favorite character from any book I have ever read. The romance between Quinn and Mona is engrossing, the bond between Quinn and Goblin is horrific and lovely at the same time. While you are reading this book you will be transported to Blackwood Farm, and you will get to know all of the characters. Even though this novel is in the Vampire Chronicles I would say that Mayfair fans would enjoy it more than fans of the vampires. Also, for those of you wondering if you can read "Blackwood Farm" without reading the other Vampire Chronicles, the answer is yes! You will have no trouble keeping up with the story.
Rating: 
Summary: Not her best work.
Review: I am an avid fan of Anne Rice, and I have enjoyed her books tremendously, but Blackwood Farm was definitely not on par with her works of old. The beginning was interesting and overall quite good, but as the story progressed I found myself wishing and hoping that Quin qould cease and desist rambling on and on about his life's story. Too much attention was given to rather insignificant details. Overall he came across as a whiney, sex-crazed, self-centered individual who, as a solution to almost any problem, used money as the solution. I really did not enjoy reading about him. He is the epitome of a "Mary-Sue" type character. (For those of you who read and/or write fan fics, you'll know what I'm talking about.) After the first dozen chapters, the only reason I kept reading was because I had faith that Lestat would breathe life into this tepid tale. I was sorely dissapointed. That said, the ending was little short of awful. It seemed rushed and underdeveloped whereas the middle of the story was, quite frankly, rather incongruous with the rest of the story. This was not Anne's best, nor was it her worst. All I can say is, I hope her future literary works will be better.
Rating:
Summary: The best damn book around!
Review: I dont need to review it, get your lazy ass up and read it on your own!Anne Rice is the best author is ever.
Rating:
Summary: Anne Rice at her very best.
Review: This is by far the best book Anne Rice has published since Memnoch the Devil. I love the way she ties the Vampire Chronicles to the Mayfair Witches. As a reader, you are held captivated by the story, pulled into the world that is created for your pleasure. I have always enjoyed books that cross over and use characters from other stories, and in Blackwood Farm Anne Rice proves to be a past master. If there are any Anne Rice fans out there who have not read this book, do so now.
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