The Witching Hour

Rating:
Summary: Loved nine tenths of this book
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed the bulk of this book, the in-depth descriptions of the main characters and the history of the Mayfair family. But the ending totally disappointed me and I felt like I had read 1000 pages for nothing. It's almost silly how Rice resolves this story. But the writing itself is always beautiful and insightful. I give the ending of this book one star, the rest of it five.

Rating:
Summary: First taste of the occult is gourmet
Review: I must confess that I planned to avoid reading Anne Rice at all costs, but after I was dragged to her October signing of VIOLIN at Garden Books, I picked up a copy of THE WITCHING HOUR. Even so, it took me nearly ten months to get around to reading it, and what a waste those ten months were! Anne, I dealt you a literary slight! This book is perhaps the richest, most intriguing work I have read, and I cannot remember being so captivated by a story in quite a long time.... There is such an aura of mystery and romance surrounding the generations of Mayfairs... from the captivating Charlotte and her intense affair with Petyr to the proud (although poorly developed) Marie Claudette and her empire at Riverbend, each Mayfair witch and woman brings new meaning to the word "power." The lives presented by Rice are intensely controlled by the surreal force of Lasher, and the true genius lies in Rice's presentation: each witch believes him or herself to be the domina! te ruler, to be in control of the spirits, to be king of the family. It is not so. I must say, New Orleans will hold a new haunted appeal for me when I return to college this fall, armed with LASHER, TALTOS, and any other Rice I can get my hands on. I just hope that the remaining books in the Mayfair saga will not disappoint.

Rating:
Summary: INTRIGUING SUSPENSE AND SEXY!
Review: This was my indoctrination to Anne Rice, and it won't be the last! Her work was thoroughly entertaining and full of mystery. Her description of both San Francisco and New Orleans was detailed and so realistic, I felt like I was really there. Her characters are rich with wit and wisdom; and yet one cannot predict the book's outcome. Am looking forward to "Lasher", the next in this trilogy.

Rating:
Summary: I can't wait to read Lasher and Taltos!
Review: Last summer, following the advice of a friend I read Anne Rice's Interview. I flew flew through the rest of the chronicles; not wanting them to be over as I put Mennoch on the shelf. This summer, I read The Witching Hour. Being a person who loves detail, the history of the witches was amazing. I can't wait till Lasher and Taltos arrive. Rowen's story is wonderful, proving again that Anne Rice can make you fall in love with her characters.

Rating:
Summary: A Work of Art
Review: In this novel Anne Rice cast a spell over the reader. I can't help falling into love and hate with the facenating charectors. Beauty and love mixed with witch craft and sprits and Anne Rice's fetish with family make a novel that I just couldn't put down.

Rating:
Summary: One of my favourite books of all time.
Review: I loved this book. The detail Anne Rice goes into is just amazing, it made me feel as if I was there. All the witches were fascinating, and their characters were so well developed, from simpleton Suzanne to strong Mary Beth and her daughter Stella the "jazz baby" right through to Rowan the successful neurosurgeon. And who can forget Julien, the true "father" of the family (although I did find the whole incest thing a little disturbing), and of course Lasher, the unforgettable, evil but incredibly seductive daemon. A truly wonderful book.

Rating:
Summary: Write on, Anne, but watch your focus
Review: I simply adore Rice's way with words. Throughout the book, she keeps the reader up to date, enabling us to visualize each character. How? Well, I know I have been completely drawn into her fascinating settings: from yesteryear's Scotland to today's New Orleans. Then, of course, there are the vivid flowers and wildlife, beautiful costumes, captivating personalities and complex character changes. So why 4 stars?, you ask. As much as I have raved, I was bored when Rice turned back to her present-day characters. And while I admire her ability to write freely, and I understand the beauty of portraying every detail a subject, I just don't think all that sex was nessicary. It got to the point where it was just d r o n i n g - o n - a n d - o n. But no one is perfect, so I give you my best regards, Anne, and continue your art.

Rating:
Summary: I'll never waste my time on an Anne Rice book again.
Review: Anne Rice manipulates her readers as much as Lasher manipulates the Mayfair witches. In a book of 600 pages, one would think she could have come to a proper ending, instead of a cliff-hanger (in order to sell the next book?) And maybe she would have, if she hadn't spent so much space in repetitious description of New Orleans, San Franciso and the family history of the Mayfair witches - descriptions that told us very little that was new and different than the previous iteration. But her worst sin was not being true to her characters. For 560 pages her main characters are depicted as brave, morally strong and intelligent to point of genius...then they roll over.... Much more satisfying, but requiring no sequels.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!!
Review: This was my first Anne Rice book and I loved it. Although it was long, I couldn't put it down. Every night I would stay up thinking I heard something or saw someting. It was absolutely one of the best. You must read the other two. Now I'm on the Vampire Lestat. All I can say is that it is spellbinding. Both of them. Anne, you're brilliant!

Rating:
Summary: Absoluelty Wonderful!!
Review: Anyone who has ever enjoyed the work of Anne Rice will truly love this book. I found it very intriguing and could not imagine anyone who would say it was boring or sleep inducing, Then if one did fall asleep-- could only imagine being transformed to the house of the Mayfair's. This book is one of my very favorites! Thanks Anne for a wonderful book. I am a true fan!