Rating: 
Summary: Merrik, only for AR lovers
Review: I'm new to this form of AR worship :) but I just wanted to say how much I disliked Merrik, the book, as compared to AR's other masterpieces. I did not read AR's books in order so that right after Merrik I found myself in the glorious times of ancient Rome with Marius and Pandora. Let me tell you that Pandora is the best literary oeuvre that I have read in a long time. It's a jewel even in AR's collection. But Merrik was predictable, not enthralling and lacked in historical and intellectual depth. How obvious was it that Merrik would be made a vampire and how plain that she would love it. The newfound love between her and Louis was a welcome surprise, as was the waking of Lestat. AR was dying to wake him :)and so were we. I also loved the possibility of a serious quarrel between the Talamasca and Lestat.... Lets finally see their true colors... common on! Ever since the Witching Hour I have been waiting to see them in action. I found it wonderfully teasing that so many of the Talamasca should become enamored with and stolen by the mystical they sought to study.... It's greatly ironical and has the distinct sadomasochistic stamp of AR. In short, I adore and admire AR, but Merrik was merely a necessary link to something greater yet to come. It was a dry and informative step. It had its moments, but again they were simply setting up the scene for a dazzling explosion of events. And I am sure AR will not make us wait too much longer. I cannot wait for the next book. Meanwhile I'm catching up with the Vampire Armand.... A magnificently told story by the way! Almost makes you wish you were male ... almost that is :) Merrik is not a book with which to initiate oneself in the Vampire Chronicles. It's worth reading only in the series and I would not recommend it for anyone who is not hard-core AR lover. Hope this helps, Eve.
Rating: 
Summary: Not the Crossover You Were Hoping For...
Review: It's true, Rice does ressurrect three of her vampires preferees, but the merging of the Mayfair world into that of the vampires was sorely disappointing. This is not to say that it was a poor read; on the contrary. If one is unfamiliar with Rice's work, this might be the right one to start off with, and then back-track through the others. There are vivid voodoo and verdant jungle vignettes, and vintage Rice descriptive storytelling. But do not look for Rowan Mayfair and her Taltos ilk, or a livelier Lestat to be up to his old tricks. Lestat is pretty much in a spiritual coma throughout the whole book, until the time comes for his deus ex machina scene with Louis. I recommend this book for the die-hard Rice fan.
Rating: 
Summary: A feast with old friends and new.
Review: Having love the Lestat part of the Vampire Chronicles I've found myself bored with the recent additions to the Vampire tales until Merrick. This was a refreshing new visit with old friends. It was wonderful to see what David, Louie and Lestat have been up to. Merrick is a refreshing and mystical new addition. The passion she has for David and the triangle that occurs between Merrick, David and Louie is scrumptious. The return of Claudia and the question that remains with that visit continue the readers agony for Louis. I am for the first time and several years sitting in anticipation to see what happens next. Thanks Ms. Rice.
Rating:
Summary: Yep, it stinks.
Review: I loved the witch series first and the Vampire Chronicles second. The thought of bringing the two groups of characters closer together seemed like a good concept, but this book didn't deliver. The self-absorbed characters whine endlessly. I'll try picking it up again around Halloween. However, the book looks great on the shelf. Two stars for decoration.
Rating: 
Summary: Rebirth!
Review: If you wait long enough, you get what you wish for... Ann Rice has fulfilled my desire that the Vampires and the Mayfair Witches combine; and with the added bonus of the Talamasca connection I can see a fresh breath of "life" being blown back into some favorite old characters. The book itself is a dream. In the typical Ann Rice fashion, the rich, full character development draws you in and holds you tight! I must say that her last 2 books have left me disapointed, but with Merrick I have beheld the ultimate redemtion. Great Job Ann Rice... here's to the begining of a wonderful new, yet familiar cast of combined characters
Rating:
Summary: How fast can I read it?
Review: I read the book in 24 hours, what can I say. I have wanted a book to combine the Mayfair's w/ the vampire cronichles for so long. The book enchanted me into ignoring my friends and family. But all her books do, the writing was once again poetic, the ending a surprise. I have to admit though that I wasn't too fond of the ending. Part of me wanted it to be so tragic, but yet another part was happy to see it end well. (if you have read it you'll know what I mean, if not I don't want to ruin the surprise) I am glad to see that it def is not the end. I can't wait to see what happens next if there is indeed a war raged. Overall it was worth it, it didn't have me sucked in as some of her others, but certainly enough to make wish I was there.
Rating:
Summary: No depth
Review: Fans of the Vampire Chronicles who are expecting to read about Lestat & Louis will be disappointed. There's too little of the beloved Louis and Lestat only turns up at the end of the story. The main part of the book is about Merrick, whom is likely the worst Anne Rice character to-date. Known for her beautiful prose, Anne Rice elaborated on Merrick's external features but the character obviously lacks the depths and dimensions that have made Rice's earlier characters - namely Lestat, Louis, Claudia and Armand lovable and adored by so many fans. I can see that Rice wants to bring new members into the 'Coven of the Articulate' but if doing so is the result of 'Merrick', then perhaps, returning to explore, nurture and develop her old characters would be a much better option. Fans have been dying for a chronicle from Lestat to tell more of his beloved Louis, Claudia and of his other encounters and adventures... Let's hope that's coming next.
Rating:
Summary: Something Different
Review: Maybe my expectations were too high, but I was a little bit disappointed with the latest installment of the Vampire Chronicles. Actually, I was a little confused at first as to whether or not this was an addition to the series, being that it did not say it on the title page (as all the others do), and that our lovable vampires didn't become a large part of the story until later on. This was, of course, acceptable. After all, the book was about a new character, Merrick. On that point, Anne Rice works her charm once again as she takes us captive with her mesmerizing language and description. Also, some of our favorite vampires do eventually take part in this drama, and that was a treat for an avid fan of the series. However, it came too late, and it was a little too rushed. The adventures and personalities of the vampires make the chronicles what they are. This novel departs slightly from that conviction. In this novel, Merrick's personality was a bit awkward at times, and Rice creates a brief (yet well-described) adventure that doesn't measure up to her former ones. Still, it is an excellent novel, just something a little different.
Rating: 
Summary: BORING!
Review: TOO LONG WINDED. THE WORST SO FAR.
Rating:
Summary: Desire: Life Eternal Without Regret
Review: The introduction of Merrick as a character in Ms. Rice's Chronicles to me signifies a shift away from how the vampires view themselves and there adventures to how the outside world views them, including witches and the Talamasca. Merrick's orchestration of Louis, David, and Lestat can either be seen as what it is on the surface -- her desire to be with David forever -- or as a way for her to break free of the past that haunts her everytime she uses her powers or works with the Talamasca. Since she was young, she had wanted to learn all that she could -- devour knowledge -- and becoming an eternal living being has given her the ultimate gift...she can learn as much as she wants or needs until she can consume no more. The talamasca, in this novel, is no longer passive, which signifies to me that they are no merely observing, but are trying to maintain a balance...keep vampires and the like at a distance because they threaten the delicate balance that the Order maintains. However, my question remains, why do the vampires and others maintain the balance by staying out of the affairs of the Order. What makes them so in control, and why are they unknown to the outside world? Who are they? The book is beautifully written and maintains the readers interests as s/he tries to discern the motivations and desires of the characters right until the end. I recommend this book to anyone, not just Ms. Rice's fans.
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