Rating: 
Summary: There have been greater
Review: The only reason Ms. Rice only got three stars on this one is because I am unjustly comparing it to the rest of her books! Overall this is an interesting book, I read it in one sitting... But the reason I love Anne Rice's books is the philosophy the likes to add. I loved Memnoch because she explored a history rich with religion and theory... I love reading her books because she has a talent for tying all aspects of every book together. I feel like I am at home in her stories.Merrick is about one of the Mayfair witches. The plot is rich with cultural references, they travel to the rainforest in search of a temple... of course you search through New Orleans for your next fill... But the end was *way* to predictable... I actually was telling myself "No, that won't happen... it's to preditable" and was waitng for the surprise... and well, the surprise was the fact that it ended exactly the way I thought it would. The best part of the book was Lestats entrance, and I know now that there will be more about him in a future novel. So, it was worth it to get to this point... and it's always worth it to read one of Anne Rices Novels, even when it's not her 'best ever'... (which I think every time I read the newest one!)
Rating: 
Summary: Big Disappointment
Review: I've heard alot about Anne Rice and how rich and descriptive her writings are. This is the first book I've read of hers. I was truly disappointed in the character development and the depth of writing. I was not captivated. I was not mesmerized. I only finished it because I paid for it and I thought it would get better. I couldn't bear to read about how creamy Merrick's skin was or how green her eyes were one more time. Everything was so shallow and contrived. This work has not motivated me to buy another book written by her again.
Rating:
Summary: I've seen this ending before.
Review: While I enjoyed pieces of this latest book, there were two things that Anne Rice could've done better. The first was that she brings up this whole ancient civilization in Central America that is "Olmec or Maya, but neither." We do not learn anything more about this mysterious culture that Merrick's ancestors came from, which I think could've been developed a little bit more. The second thing was the ending. She introduces a new character, in this case Merrick, and then turns them into a vampire at the book's end. In light of the fact that this happened in both "Tale of the Body Thief" and "The Vampire Armand," its sad to say that Anne Rice is getting a bit too formulaic. If Anne Rice wants to come up with a good novel, she should explore the character of Gabrielle, Lestat's mother, who is also a vampire. She is only briefly featured in the earlier books and I think there's much more to be fleshed out there.
Rating:
Summary: ALAS, POOR MERRICK!
Review: This is foremost the life behind Merrick, the Mayfair witch who is called upon by our dear friend, Louis, to conjure up his beloved Claudia to ease his tortured soul and to know if she rests in peace! I began to wonder if we were every going to have *that* confrontation due to Merrick's own troubled self over her sister, Honey in The Sunshine's death. So much so that I simply had to laugh when I got to page 176 of 307 and read "Now, stop mentioning Honey; for the love of Heaven..."! Good grief...so little mention even of the need for sustaining blood that I found myself so hungry for it my teeth itched! I swear, had someone come to my door at that late hour I'd have dragged them in and sunk my own teeth into that soft, delectable part of their neck and had my fill! Claudia finally appears(or does she?) on p.243 and gives Louis "Hell" apropos to where she is, I guess. The book does come alive here and I finally had the Anne Rice I so dearly love back in all her glory. I am probably being too harsh... but *my* choosing books in this genre are for entertainment, horror, excitement and grab-my-attention-and-don't-let-go! This one sadly did not do that.
Rating: 
Summary: She lured a fan back!
Review: I was so happy with this book compared to the last few she has written. I couldn't get through either Armand nor Pandora. And didn't even have the heart to try Vittorio. I started Anne Rice reading with the witches series and then went into the vampires. The witches are still my favorites and I enjoyed the combination of the two in this book. I recommend this to all those fans who lost faith in her writing. I think this should bring you back as it did me.
Rating:
Summary: Another excellent installment in the Anne Rice universe
Review: I began Merrick expecting something similar to one of the Lestat or Armand stories, since it is a continuation of the Vampire Chronicles. However, as the book is supposedly about Merrick Mayfair, I wouldn't have been surprised with something along the line of the Mayfair Witches. Ms. Rice gave me a reading experience that was not what I expected. Delightedly, Merrick sets out on its own path, apparently as the foundational novel for a new story line. The main characters are David Talbot, Merrick Mayfair, and Louis de Pointe du lac. David and Merrick dominate the story, with Louis playing a significant role only in the last quarter of the book. The book does a fine job of developing the character of David Talbot, as well as developing further the Talamasca part of Ms. Rice's literary universe. Merrick Mayfair is introduced by Talbot and richly described as a character. However, in this book we only see David Talbot's vision of Merrick Mayfair. It is complex and haunted. Having heard the woman described, you want to get to know her in person. It leaves this reader wishing for another book in the series written from the perspective of Merrick. Merrick appears to be a rich, complex, intriguing character who deserves to be further developed. The voodoo and Meso-American shamanism addition to the Mayfair witchery through Merrick is a fascinating twist, well handled, and most appropriate. The imagery is rich and evocative, as is characteristic of all Rice's novels. That said, I must also add that the story is really a love story involving: an alcoholic young woman from a dysfunctional family, a father-figure friend and lover who is going through an identity crisis, and a mutual friend who is clinically depressed and suicidal. The magic and vampirism are conventions used to help move the story forward but the real story is the dynamic of the relationships between these three vulnerable, struggling and confused people. I liked that in the story but those who may want only the already established vampire or witch formulae may be frustrated.
Rating: 
Summary: A true embarrassment
Review: In literary studies, characters are often referred to as being either flat (remaining the same throughout the novel) or dynamic (changing emotionally/spiritually as the novel progresses). As later additions to the vampire novels demonstrate ("Merrick" included), Anne Rice's vampire characters have for years been flat, flat, flat. Unless she plans to let them change and grow, she should stop writing about them. It's such a shame that she's constrained her characters - they had, and still have, fantastic potential. As far as the actual text is concerned, does no one take a blue pen to her work?? It's depressing when an author hacks off her own work, and it's even worse when she inaccurately hacks off her own work. Where is her editor? Well, at least we have two classics - "Interview with the Vampire" and "The Vampire Lestat."
Rating: 
Summary: When worlds collide
Review: This book was simply incredible. How many times have I wanted to see both The Vampire Chronicles and The Mayfair Witches in one story. My wish finally came true! The story was gripping, and suffered very little in the way of longwindedness. If you love either of the two story lines, this book is a must have.
Rating:
Summary: Merrick is not her best, but it is full of emotion
Review: I read this book in about two weeks (mostly due to other school work), and I really did enjoy it. Of course, the main reason it engaged me so was that Louis was there. Louis is my favorite character, and I was so excited that Anne brought him into the spotlight again. I think that the ending is somewhat weak, and I can't tell you why because I don't want to spoil it for you. This weakness, however, didn't stop me from weeping uncontrollably through the last few chapters. Pick this one up. . .you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: MERRICK SATIFIES
Review: How is it possible to write a bad review for any Anne Rice book? I honestly don't know. Anne Rice in my opinion has never written a bad book or a book that doesn't stand up to the standards i set for her. Merrick was no exception. This book was captivating beyond belief. I read this book in 2 days. I would sit in my room for hours on end and be lost in my dreams of merrick. It was like a movie in my head. I don't neccesarily like the character of Merrick but that does not make the book any less thrilling at all. While i was reading this book i lived in the body of David Talbot as if i was a body thief. And quite frankly Merrick upset me because of decisions she made. But none the less Merrick is as good as any other book Anne Rice has ever written. If you think otherwise i say your a ignorant fool.
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