Rating: 
Summary: A Bloody Waste
Review: I loved the early Vampire and Mayfair witches series, but I think Anne Rice has lost the formula somehow - or rather that she is too formulaic and pumps out books too quickly. Merrick dragged on and on for me. Maybe it's just that the characters are so predictable at this point and the ins and outs so contrived, that I've become bored with her later novels. I only hope she returns to the terrific storytelling she used to captivate us in the beginning.
Rating: 
Summary: on the money
Review: Anne Rice stays true to form in putting this together and not loosing you in the bridging of the vampires and the witches. Of course if you have only read one or the other you might find it slipping from your interest, from time to time as you wonder who some one is. If your one of these people I would suggest you read "the witching hour" and "interview with a vampire" to get you up to speed.
Rating:
Summary: merrick
Review: i loved this book. i think she is a wonderful character and it was nice to have louis back again
Rating:
Summary: Expected More and Got Even Less
Review: I'm going to be honest. I couldn't wait for this book to come out. I have been a huge fan of Anne Rice's for a long time. I have read and enjoyed most everything she has ever written as Anne Rice. The Vampire Chronicles and the Mayfair Witches are two of my favorite fantasy series. I was beyond estatic to see what would happen when Anne Rice combined these two series in one novel. Keep in mind too that I found "Blood and Gold", the novel released the year before this one, to be a HUGE disappointment. But, I hadn't lost faith in Rice yet, so I shelled out the money for this book. Trust me its not worth it. The beginning and the end are the only things this books has going for it. And it would be a waste of money to buy this book for only two chapters. The middle is muddled and beyond boring, you learn nothing new about the characters, and less about Merrick herself. I don't recommend this book to anyone no matter how big of a fan you are of Rice and the Vampire or Mayfair series. I rated gave this book two stars because the first and last chapters really are very good so they each got a star. Don't waste your money buying it for yourself. Ask me and I will be happy to tell you what happens.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing, but readable
Review: Ann Rice revisits characters from her past efforts, as story lines from The Vampire Chronicles and the Mayfair Witches momentarily merge then are eclipsed by new themes of voodoo and sensuality. It's not that Ms. Rice has lost any of her writing ability, indeed her descriptions of locales ranging from New Orleans to Central American jungles can almost make you sweat while enduring a New England winter; but finding a compelling plot line is becoming more and more of a problem. Merrick is a witch of substantial power, descended from a branch of the Mayfair family. Beset by multiple demons of the spirit world (ghosts and demons) and the temptations of spirits (alcohol), she has lived within the Order of the Talamasa since adolescence. Now her semi-incestuous mentor, David Talbot, seeks her help on behalf of Louis, the original protagonist of "Interview with a Vampire". After a great deal of reminiscing and tale-telling by David (who serves as narrator), we are brought to the type of resolution that dominates so many of Ms. Rice's novels of the past ten years or so. Perhaps you should read this with the expectation of digesting a series of richly described short stories. Individual chapters can almost stand alone, yet the thread that passes for a story line is stretched entirely too far. Ms. Rice has done much better in the past.
Rating:
Summary: What was the point?
Review: This is certainly not one of Anne's better chronicles. The plot for this novel is not strong. Perhaps it was an excuse to introduce Merrick a with who became a vampire. In this novel David Talbot seeks Merrick, who is a powerful witch to resurrect Claudia in order to ease Louis' heart and conscience. When resurrected, Claudia takes her revenge by stabbing Louis in her spite. Heartbroken, Louis tried to kill himself by letting himself out into the light. But his attempt was not successful as he was rescued by the other vampires. In the course of the story, Louis gives Merrick the Dark Gift making her a vampire too. This is a merry story but not quite on par with Anne's other chronicles. Read this only if you must.
Rating: 
Summary: not bad for a vampire book,
Review: As a fanatic reader of the Vampire Chronics i'm quit disapointed by this book,anne rice love for detailfull descriptions of places is getting boring.
Rating:
Summary: One of my top ten books
Review: What can I say this is one of the better books I've ever read, although sadly I have yet to finish this one. This book, and its series, is great for people who hate to read, I think it ranks up there with Queen of the Damned, Interview with the Vampire, and Memnoch the Devil and Mice of Men (not an Anne Rice book), for those of you who are reading the Vampire Chronicles. For those of you who aren't but have seen the movies and thought they were good they pale in comparison to the books. So if you read this book or any other books by Anne Rice, whither it is the Mayfair Witches to the Vampire Chronicles you should start from the beginning that way you have a better understand of the characters and appreciation for the work. All of the Vampire Chronicles feed off each other so it is good to read them all but not completely necessary. She writes beautifully and with great detail so that you can actually see the book being played out in your head. Her books are very compelling and well worth reading, and this is coming from someone does NOT like to read.
Rating: 
Summary: Rice Rejuvenation?
Review: Not unlike other Anne Rice aficionados, I have plowed through her last few novels more out of habit. Rice just seemed to be simply churning out repetitive and, at times, uninspiring tales of her sizable vampire family. So going into "Merrick," the first fusion of the Vampire Chronicles and Mayfair Witch series, my expectation level was not particularly high. Things did not look good early with Louis still over-obsessing over the loss of his vampire-child Claudia hundreds of years later (and nearly three decades worth of Rice novels to boot!) while body-switched vampire David similarly overwrought with his feelings of longing/love for the title character Merrick - a current Talmasca member and "wrong side of the track" Mayfair witch. Same vampires, different day/decade/century. But alas there is good news. Despite using some of her familiar writing conventions (historical flashbacks, cliff-hanger ending) "Merrick" is arguably the tightest work of Rice's career - relatively short, well-paced, pretty darn entertaining with a discernable degree of energy. While it certainly does not reach the heights for the early Vampire Chronicles or "The Witching Hour," I felt it was the first positive, and more importantly forward, movement in the series in a long time. The last 50 pages or so (which I will keep free from spoilers) appear to finally resolve some lingering character issues, while also heightening expectations for future installments. With the recent death of her husband and some health crises of her own, here is hoping that Rice is able to maintain the momentum gained from this union of her Vampires and Witches series.
Rating:
Summary: aw how sweet!
Review: The plot and ending are too convenient. it felt like: "well gang, let's get out of Dodge City! time for some new adventures...YEEEHAW!" The "clean-slate" ending made the book seem like it's only purpose was to clear the playing field for some other book Anne might write. I'm giving it two stars, though, because she treats New Orleans as a character(as always).
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