Rating: 
Summary: dragonmage2003-The author failed NOT the fans!
Review: Stop blaming the fans for the failure of the AUTHOR!!!! Anne Rice is the one churning out crap book after crap book, NOT THE FANS! So we should blinded praise her awful books so as to not hurt Anne's feelings right? So we can read more crap books about Lestat as she's destorying her vampires, right? Get real!
Rating: 
Summary: A Lighter Turn
Review: 'Blood Canticle' is by far the fastest-reading one of the Vampire Chronicles. I found myself surprised by the pace, as I've been reading Anne Rice for years and am accustomed to their taking a bit longer to get through. This one was a three-nighter. I'd call this one 'Anne Rice for people who don't really read Anne Rice.' It's a bit lighter fare than some of the others and it's quite playful in places. I for one enjoyed Lestat's opening diatribe chastising readers for not liking 'Memnoch' and found his recent discovery of 'lingo' amusing. I can't understand why so many readers were so violently upset over Lestat's linguistic change - I mean sure, maybe 'yo' and 'dude' and 'shove it' are a little behind the times, but that aside, do some of us have a problem with Lestat entering the 21st century? He is getting on to 300 years old, is he not? He's an immortal, is he not? Hadn't he better get used to the world changing? Hadn't the readers better get used to it too? It would NOT work for a character like Louis or Armand to be talking that way, but it works for Lestat - he is an always has been completely full of himself and I think that's a fine and funny way to keep things fresh. It was kind of strange to have Maharet communicating by email! That threw me for a loop but again, it is the 21st century. Missing from this book are some of the lengthy narrative descriptions - Anne Rice is a master of description and in many of her books this can go on for pages. While it can sometimes be a bit bogged down, I almost found myself missing it in 'Blood Canticle.' It was as if something had been abbreviated. The characters seemed somewhat abbreviated too - especially the Mayfairs. 'The Witching Hour' is my favorite Anne Rice and one of my favorites, period, and I was delighted with the idea of incorporating Mayfair with Vampire Chronicles. But after the lushness of 'The Witching Hour,' these characters return in 'Blood Canticle' somewhat diminished. I forgot Michael Curry was even in the room on several occasions - wouldn't even know he was there until he spoke some line of dialogue. The same went for Quinn, who also disappeared almost completely in this book. I liked him in 'Blackwood Farm' (and yes, I liked 'Blackwood Farm'!) but in 'Blood Canticle' he's rather reduced to a vehicle for shushing and comforting distraught females. Oncle Julien didn't seem quite himself either, although putting him in the book was throwing a great bone to the readers. I never really understood why it was Stella who appeared with him, of all the Mayfair witches to choose from, and it occurred to me that if you hadn't read 'The Witching Hour,' you'd have no idea who Stella was. The Rowan/Lestat thing made sense to me. They've both done some unspeakable things in their lives and they're both seeking redemption in some way. They each see the goodness in the other and they're drawn to one who sees their goodness. However, I found their teenager-like encounter at the base of the oak tree unnecessary. This thing existed in the book on a much loftier, almost metaphysical plane until that happened and I was a bit grossed out. The whole Taltos thing was rushed and needed more explanation for readers who haven't read the Mayfair books. I totally understood what was going on because I have, but I imagine that someone who hadn't wouldn't cotton at all to the Taltos business, and some of the reviews I've read here are obviously by readers who haven't read 'Taltos,' 'Lasher,' or 'Witching Hour.' Those three books are the perfect example of suspension of disbelief and they are great. I did feel sad at the end knowing that this is the last of the Vampire Chronicles because for all these years I've been reading them, but I suppose we can all just use our imaginations from here on out and hope that Anne Rice will continue writing, even if it's something completely different. Subject matter aside, she is an excellent writer and while I don't necessarily love each and every one of her books, I'll always continue to read them. I'm shocked by some of the mean-spirited reviews I've read here. Everyone's entitled to their opinion and that's why this is a great website, but to be so destructive in attacking Anne Rice only deters people who have never read any of her books, and now never might. No, it's not 'The Witching Hour' or 'Interview with the Vampire' or 'The Vampire Lestat', but 'Blood Canticle' is fun. It's a good time reading it. It's entertaining and it's good escapism. What else are you looking for if you just want to enjoy yourself with a book? Sure, I would have loved to see Louis but it looks like Louis has moved on with his life so more power to him and let the rest of us take his example.
Rating: 
Summary: I guess I'm feeling generous
Review: Perhaps it is time for Anne to leave the vampires and move on to new subjects. I have enjoyed some of Anne's previous novels that had nothing to do with Vampires, particularly "A Cry to Heaven". Sometimes a writer just wears out a subject and I think Anne may have reached that point. I vacillated between giving this 3 or 4 stars and settled on 4 just because it's Anne, because she lost Stan, and because I'd like to see her continue to write and hopefully produce novels like she used to. The things that are right with the novel are many. Anne still can make you see what's happening with her prose. When I read this I can see New Orleans, I can see that graveyard and swamp behind the house, I'm there. She does try and bring many (but not all) of the threads from both the vampire chronicles and the Mayfair Witches to a conclusion. A nice gesture if you're really going to leave the subject. I did notice though that there is ample opportunity to write another one (or many) novels with the introduction of Lestat and Rowen's love. I felt Lestat blasting us about not liking previous works and telling us that he wants to be a saint is quite OK. That's Lestat! The thing that did annoy me with this novel the most was Anne/Lestat's "new" narrative style. I suppose that it's supposed to be new and edgy and as one reader suggested Lestat is allowed to change, including his narrative style, but I miss the prose that I just gushed about in the proceeding paragraph. The "Pope is wonderful" rant was a little off-putting since I would think that Lestat would think himself above such matters, but you must remember he is a French Catholic. I must admit that after the first book on the Mayfair Witches they have not been my favorite subject that Anne has written about. And I guess I've always been a little irritated that she combined the Witches with the Vampires. Yes, I'll read Anne's next book if it's about Vampires or about turnips. I have been disappointed in some of her efforts and enthralled by others. She's human (even if her alter ego isn't) and she's going to have good, bad and mediocre efforts. I won't give up because of a couple of stinkers.
Rating: 
Summary: What you're all forgetting....
Review: I don't have anything to say about the book that others haven't already said. However, many of you are saying that this is your last of the vampire or witch chronicles and you're more than right about that. In fact, you don't even have a choice. Anne Rice has stated multiple times in her phone messages that this is the last novel she will ever write about vampires or witches. I think it's pretty disappointing for a final bow out.
Rating:
Summary: A Huge Disappointment
Review: If you love the Vampire Chronicles, please don't read this book. It won't be the smashing hit you want it to be, it won't even come close.
If you heard the Vampire Lestat was back and he's starring in Blood Canticle, you were lied to. The Lestat you knew in the first few books of the Chronicles is gone. Blood Canticle stars Saint Lestat, a contrived rip-off of the original.
The butcher of Lestat's character aside, how do you remember all the other characters? You Mayfair fans, don't look for your characters here, unless your looking for the fancition-style card board cut-out of them.
I'm as big an Anne Rice fan as the next person, believe me. And I wouldn't be saying such harsh things about her work if I didn't believe they were true. It saddens me to say it, but this book was nothing but a disappointment. I do not recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: disappointment again
Review: I have always been a huge Ann Rice fan, and have read several of her early books more than once. The first few vampire chronicles and Mayfair stories were awesome. But I can't get into Blood Canticle, even after giving it the standard 100 pages I try to give all books I read. Mona is a trashy brat, Lestat is over the top cocky, Rowan is loopy...only Quinn holds any interest for me at this point and he has hardly been featured at all. Unless Ann brings back Louis, Armand and the old gang, in some new adventure, this will be my last vampire chronicle. There's just nothing like the good old days!
Rating: 
Summary: Our Brat Price a Saint?
Review: Let me start of by saying this...I have been in love with Anne Rice since my early teens. It all began with Interview with the Vampire. By the second chapter, I was in love. Her words took me to a different universe all to itself. After the first Chronicle book, I couldn't stop. I quickly went through all of the available Chronicle books at the time until I had to wait for The Vampire Armand to be released. While awaiting my beloved Armand, I read her other books...Feast of All Saints and Servant of the Bones to be among my favorites. To end with this brief history of my love affair with Anne Rice is this: Her words bring forth a life all to its own. They are refreshing as they are erotic. She is simply a Goddess. Now on to my review of Blood Canticle...This book was a rather interesting tale. Anne Rice has certainly evolved to another level of writing. I certainly praise it. At the same time, I was intrigued by the fact that Our Beloved Brat Prince has decided he wants to become a saint. How could this be? Of course if you have read Anne Rice's own comments of Lestat you would see the reason why. Lestat's own self is really a base part of us all. He has played this "evil" guy for so long and he wants to be delivered from it. Lestat is inherently good though his actions can and may be deemed (sp) bad. Before you judge the book as a whole, look within yourself and you would realize that Mrs. Rice is shining the light within ourselves. -Thank you.
Rating:
Summary: LeStat the Magnificent
Review: Combining my favorite vampire with my favorite family was an exceptional treat. Anne Rice writes (via Lestat) with a fast paced and sensual delivery. LeStat's wonderful wit and intelligent languaging alone make the read worth it. The old character's revisited have often changed (such is life) and it's interesting from the perspective of time gone by in our own waking realities and those of the author. Julian Mayfair is always engaging and completely welcome in the storyline. As well, he could only fall short to one other character in strength and determination, and rightly so.
The pleasure is in Lestat's personal ponderings and they tie in well with prior books while continuing forward with his ever present justifications of when to be good and why to be evil. Rowan Mayfair appears as a refreshing combination of realistic vulnerability and her old formidable self. This is a wickedly penned tale from the perspective of a huge character favorite.
Rating:
Summary: Certainly not her best work
Review: While I won't lambast this book as harshly as others, Blood Canticle certainly fails to live up to the Anne Rice of old. In fact, this is quite possibly my least favorite of all her books. But in all fairness, if you look at the dedication, you realize Mrs. Rice lost her husband at some point during the process of this novel. So I forgive her bitterness, although it is quite shocking to be ranted at for the opening chapter of the book. Apparently from this rant, many people didn't like Memnoch The Devil, a book I found fast paced and thought provoking. But back to Blood Canticle, I do feel cheated. The Mayfair Witches become one dimensional and boring. A pity because these were probably my favorite characters of all of Mrs. Rice's creations. Lestat's character does not move or grow in this book. His "sudden" desire to be a saint really isn't sudden if you have read the previous books. And his continual fantasizing on the subject really is pendantic. If this is the last of The Vampire Chronicles, I am indeed sad, they deserved a more fitting send off. I would not recommend this book to those new to Anne Rice, it's far from her best. Really the only people I would recommend this book to is the die hard fan, but you like I probably have found this book disappointing but are hopefully awaiting the return of the quality and imagination of the Anne Rice we know and love even if her story telling takes a new direction, as is discussed in the opening chapter.
Rating:
Summary: Big Disappointment
Review: I was very diappointed with this book. It was an easy read but the meanings of the stories felt to me, that Anne rice didn't want to write this. It felt like she rushed it just to meet her deadline. Let me first start by saying that we never knew at the end of "Taltos" what happened to Ash and Morrigan. That book ended good and the I did not feel that we had to go through that again and really find out what happened to them. Lestat was marvelous as always but I didn't think that the witches and vampires should have been brought together in such a way. They should have been kept separate. I would tell any Anne Rice fan to read this book but I can only hope that her next will be better.
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