Rating: 
Summary: Brite Creates Yet Another Amazing Book
Review: First, let us establish that through the movies I never got overly attatched to the Crow series. I thought the movies were ok, but not great; not to mention that the sequel appeared to be a regurgitation of the original plot. But since Poppy Z. Brite is one of my absolute favorite writers, I had to give this book a chance (and even sprung for the nice $50 edition--this is how sure I am of Brite's writing.) This novel holds up to all of Brite's previous novel-length work, and quite possibly exceeds it. The characters are amazingly developed--but aren't they always--and for once one of her major characters is a woman! Ok, so she used to be a man, but the point is that she's strayed from the teenage gay mail a little. Brite also expands on the Crow mythos, and writes a powerful story. The main antagonist is the complete embodiment of hate and bigotry, and the hero's purposes are genuine and satisfyingly revengeful. I recommend this book for anyone who loves good horror, but I warn you that Brite is a very dark writer when it comes to her horror. Her fiction makes the works of Steven King look as cozy as a Charles Dickens novel. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: I'm glad this was a fast read
Review: For some reason I found myself not really into the story.Maybe it was the slow process,characters,or development. Often I found myself just flipping thru pages,until I found something with Jared(crow),and the bird seem kinda passively involved. I felt brief excitement though fleeting at the end. The crow mythology was a great touch I really enjoyed that aspect. I'd give 5***** on that all by itself. The wearing of the tragdey mask,made me think of Jason in the Friday the 13th series. Overall I feel I wasn't ready for a more kinder gentler crow.
Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL!
Review: I absolutely loved this book! I was so engrossed in it, I could hardly put it down. I'm so infatuated with the crow series and with stories about gay people and reading and such, this book was a wonderful find! I would definitly read it again, and I even bought a copy for my friend for her birthday! This book totally gave me a new favorite author and I adore Poppy Z. Brite, she's so creative and descriptive.
Rating:
Summary: My First Brite Novel To Read
Review: I am from Louisiana and this book goes into all the details of New Orleans and it's dark side. It feels like you are right beside Jared, feeling and seeing everything that he is doing and feeling. Though I didn't purchase this book of of amazon.com, I still much enjoyed this book and I do recommend this book to anyone. I hope in the near future to buy of Poppy Brite's novel to add to my collections.
Rating: 
Summary: She's back...
Review: I couldn't wait to get my hands on this, and I wasn't disappointed. She throws in her usual twists and turns with the characters she chooses (where DOES she get these ideas??). She fumbles a little at first in organizing their stories, but then she's not using her usual "formula", either. As always, the prose is Poppy--poetic and hypnotic. She's been a little experimental lately, and although I may not have enjoyed Exquisite Corpse as much, I'm grateful that she's still writing for HER...she'll never sell out, and she deserves mucho respect for that.
Rating:
Summary: Poppy 's back with another great book!
Review: I found this book to be one of her best. She used The Crow story greatly. I am a great fan of her use of gore and bisexuality in her books, so that was no put down here. I also found her choice of words was magical. They really helped her tell the story. The story was emotional, making me want to cry in some places and smile in others, but still strong in plot. I recommand this book to anyone who loves The Crow and/or Poppy Z. Brite, you wont be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: Another fantastic book by Brite
Review: I love Poppy Z. Brite. I think she is a wonderfully descriptive writer. With that said, I must say that I was once again pleased with The Lazarus Heart. To those unfamilar with Brites writing I must say that she is a strong female author that plays with the concepts of both erotic literature and dark horror fiction. If you are a person in the market for this type of book I recommend her with out hesitation. If you are not then be warned. Her writing in this book is delightful. In this novel she takes the concept of The Crow series and puts her familar Poppy twist on it. The characters are complex and facinating. The story is macabe and expertly written. I found myself so caught up in the story I read it in one sitting. The Lazarus Heart is a story of a serial killer, death, transgender underground, sex, and above all New Orleans. It is a great read. I especially recommend to people who have visited, lived, or wish to go to New Orleans. Like I previously stated I am a huge Brite fan. I recommend all her books.
Rating: 
Summary: It breaks my heart to write this review
Review: I loved <i>Lost Souls</i>. <i>Drawing Blood</i> was great fun despite the happy ending.<i> Exquisite Corpse</i> deeply disturbed me and her short stories are amazing blending of dark poetry and pulp fiction. Despite all that, this book is horrible. It's as if Poppy Z. Brite has completely forgotten what makes her good and has decided to rely on what is ponderous and obnoxious in her writing. All of her heroes are gay goth gender benders and all of her villains are homophobes. Want any more characterization? Forget it. It's like the standard 80s performance art piece "I'm Gay, wanna make something of it?" in which all you get to learn about the artist is that he is indeed gay, but if that's not particularly shocking to you, it's dull. As for the Crow storyline. He comes back from the dead to avenge a murdered lover. Yawn. Here's what's missing in this book that you will find in the other Brite books - desperation, turns of phrase that make you uncomfortable in your skin, originality, beauty, and actual horror. Read either Lost Souls or "Calcutta Lord of The Nerves" and avoid this schlock.
Rating:
Summary: Crow, Poe & Brite: Quite a combo
Review: I must admit before you read this that I have been a HUGE Poppy Brite fan since reading "Lost Souls". I was, however, not really familiar "The Crow" beyond the limited notion that it came - I believe - from a comic book format; that Brandon Lee was killed during the making of a mediocre movie; and that a sequel was made with Vincent Perez. I was NOT aware that there was a series of books until I read an interview with PZB in which she stated she was writing a "Crow" book. In that interview, she JOKINGLY said that she was writing it cause - paraphrasing - they were paying her a boat load of money. That made me apprehensive about its quality. That apprehension was unwarranted. Brite has created in this book another boat load of memorable characters who find themselves at the mercy of their circumstances. What Brite manages to do in her novels (and in this one as well) is create people who - even though they may be very different from the reader - resonate love, desire, pain, dreams, and fears with which anyone can empathize. Her protagonists, while dark and flawed, are all - at heart - wonderful examples of literary Innocents. And her "villians" are terrifying because you know that they are not that far removed from the reality of the world. What I appreciate greatly about this book (and PZB's others) is that she does not spoon feed us as to why the "bad guys" have done what they've done. She gives us enough "explination" that we walk away satisfied AND permitted to extrapolate the motivations for ourselves. Brite also does not feel it necessary to give us a happy ending. Refreshing. All this is all wrapped up in a dark, scary, inviting and seductive package created by her understanding of the human condition. We are all different, Brite knows, but not that different. So, will "The Crow: Lazarus Heart" make me run out and buy every "Crow" book on the market? Nope. It simply will make me wait with great anticipation! for Poppy Brite's next work of fiction...one which I hope comes quickly.
Rating:
Summary: Crow, Poe & Brite: Quite a combo
Review: I must admit before you read this that I have been a HUGE Poppy Brite fan since reading "Lost Souls". I was, however, not really familiar "The Crow" beyond the limited notion that it came - I believe - from a comic book format; that Brandon Lee was killed during the making of a mediocre movie; and that a sequel was made with Vincent Perez. I was NOT aware that there was a series of books until I read an interview with PZB in which she stated she was writing a "Crow" book. In that interview, she JOKINGLY said that she was writing it cause - paraphrasing - they were paying her a boat load of money. That made me apprehensive about its quality. That apprehension was unwarranted. Brite has created in this book another boat load of memorable characters who find themselves at the mercy of their circumstances. What Brite manages to do in her novels (and in this one as well) is create people who - even though they may be very different from the reader - resonate love, desire, pain, dreams, and fears with which anyone can empathize. Her protagonists, while dark and flawed, are all - at heart - wonderful examples of literary Innocents. And her "villians" are terrifying because you know that they are not that far removed from the reality of the world. What I appreciate greatly about this book (and PZB's others) is that she does not spoon feed us as to why the "bad guys" have done what they've done. She gives us enough "explination" that we walk away satisfied AND permitted to extrapolate the motivations for ourselves. Brite also does not feel it necessary to give us a happy ending. Refreshing. All this is all wrapped up in a dark, scary, inviting and seductive package created by her understanding of the human condition. We are all different, Brite knows, but not that different. So, will "The Crow: Lazarus Heart" make me run out and buy every "Crow" book on the market? Nope. It simply will make me wait with great anticipation! for Poppy Brite's next work of fiction...one which I hope comes quickly.
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