Pandora

Rating:
Summary: A good character study, but short on plot.
Review: This is a predicatable follow-up to the long-winded yet interesting philosophy of Memnoch. Again, Rice gives us a rich and beautiful character study, this time with an embedded history lesson. It's shorter than it looks- the book's smaller physical size, larger type, and fewer pages are hidden by a gorgeous binding, in the old style, and an attractive dust jacket.

But bear in mind, it's a character study; the plot is secondary (if not tertiary). If you enjoy strong imagery and lush description, and don't mind a so-so plot, you'll enjoy _Pandora_.

Rating:
Summary: The Vampire Queen has done it, again!
Review: 'Pandora' was so riveting. I couldn't put it down. It brought home details that were not present in 'The Queen of the Damned' and really brought out Pandora with the vivid descriptions that only Anne Rice is capable of achieveing. I anxiously await the release of 'Armand', with the hopes that Anne Rice's vampires will continue to enthrall all of those who read her novels.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderfully rich tale
Review: When I was introduced to Pandora in "Queen of the Damned" I longed to learn more about her origins. I was thoroughly satisfied with this book. The one part I was troubled by was the seemingly abrupt ending. However, it's a wonderful tale of a young Roman woman transformed into an eternally beautiful vampire. A step up from "Body Thief." The quality is equal to "Memnoch," but lighter on the Christianity. I now look forward to "Armand!"

Rating:
Summary: A good addition to the previous vampire tales
Review: This is a good addition to the previous vampire tales. However, I thought that the descriptions of Pandora's mortal life took up too much of the book. I was hoping for more of her vampiric life. The descriptions either way are very vivid. You feel like you are there. I can hardly wait until The Vampire Armand comes out. I hope it will deal with the "juicy" parts like his relationship with Daniel. By the way, when will we ever hear more about Daniel and Jesse? They haven't been seen in any novels since Queen of the Damned.

Rating:
Summary: A interesting look at LOVE and how it is taken for granted
Review: Anne Rice uses Vampires (hyper-sensitive creatures) to heighten our own senses to human feelings that are normally taken for granted. If you read between the lines of this story you will see that Pandora is an anti-heroic symbol of hope for the human race. And that hope emerges from the fact that human beings are beautiful people. The things we do are beautiful. The things we create are motivated by our need for beauty. And all of this springs from the love of the human heart. And Pandora FEEDS upon this!

Rating:
Summary: Engaging and well-written, but lighten up on the religion!
Review: I began Pandora with some trepidation. The introductory chapter is necessary as an explanation and set up for the rest of the book, but it could have been more subtle and original. It felt profunctory as if Anne Rice felt obligated to get the reader up to speed before launching into the main tale. I almost put it back down, but I'm glad I carried on. As usual, Anne Rice is exceptional at creating an atmospere. Pandora's description of daily life as a Roman transports you there. The book is a real page turner, although I wish Rice had dwelt more on Pandora's adventures as a vampire, with Marius and after. Also, she needs to give her religious philosophy a break! Near the end, her musings on the "new" christian cult bog down the story. Overall though,Pandora is an engaging addition to the Vampire Chronicles

Rating:
Summary: Pandora did not follow the idea previously given by Rice.
Review: Pandora was supposedly a vampire who was reincarnated as a mortal. She remembered the vampire life so clearly, Marius believed her and made her a vampire again. However, in the new installment, Pandora was supposedly given visions by Akasha. First of all, the idea that Anne Rice threaded into the other books was more interesting than what she gives in this book. She should have kept with the previous idea, if not solely for continuity, then for the sake of a better story. If anything, this description of a vampire's life should have been given to a lesser known immortal, like Mael or Eric, if at all possible. The vampire books have become disappointing since after Queen of the Damned, and Pandora was no better. I'm just waiting for The Vampire Armand in hopes that my truly favorite vampire is not given a weak story the way Pandora was.

Rating:
Summary: One of Anne's best and certainly not the last.
Review: Pandora was excellent. It gives evidence that Anne Rice remains one of the best female horror writers of all time. Her blend of history and vampirism is astounding and spellbinding. Pandora draws upon many of the themes from the Vampire Chronicles, which shows Anne's ability to steal the reader's attention by connecting and intertwining two seemingly unrelated works.

Rating:
Summary: It makes you wonder if Ann is not really a vampire herself.
Review: Pandora, reads if you where actually there with the characters, or maybe a part of them. A great escape from the normal days routine.

Rating:
Summary: This put my faith back in Annes writing
Review: I couldn't wait for this new book to come to New Zealand books stores, so I had a friend bring it in from the States and I wasn't disappointed, I was thrilled. After trying to read Memnoch many times, I had neally given up on Annes writing, but now after I have enjoyed Pandora so much, I might finally finish it. I loved the way the book so was carefully bound and the pages cut, it made me feel that I was practically there with them reading the old parchments..can't wait for Armand to arrive