Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic! A Must Read! Let the CrossOver Begin!!
Review: I have to start off by saying how much I loved this book! I loved this book! Merrick is a great addition to the Chronicles! It brings the flair of the Mayfair family and the Vampire family of Rice's claim to fame into one complete package. I was also pleased with her introduction of a character that is of mixed heritage. Mostly all of her characters are Caucasion/European, but Merrick is a richly developed character using elements from both of her sagas. Merrick begins telling the story of the "Black" side of the Mayfair family which we never knew existed from The Witching Hour books. Give thanks to the incomprable Julien Mayfair (one of her best characters) for this. David Talbot, our new vampire documentarian takes a breather from writing down stories of others to get into a little bit of his past. Merrick and David go back a ways and Merrick has not seen David since he became a vampire at Lestat's hands. Needless to say this sets up the stages for a wild ride into David's past and the darkly and passionate witch Merrick. We see more sides of David in this book as well. From his feelings of being one of the most powerful vampires, being created by Lestat and being able to hold his ground against the New Coven of Vampires, Armand, Marius, Pandora,etc. Also his romantic, and adventerous side as well. Without giving too much away of the story, poor Louis is being haunted and driven mad by the guilt of Claudia's death and is aware that Merrick is able to see/contact spirits. He wants to contact Claudia to apologize for what he did to her so that he may be able to go on living. All the while Lestat is still in his comatose after I dont know - 3 books later. In this book we are treated to a Lara Croft/Indiana Jones styled adventure with danger and action, which has been missing from her books lately, and we also get to see an even more coniving creature than Lestat ever was in Merrick. All the while, The Talamasca is hot on the tail of Merrick, being that afterall she is one of their agents and she has been delcared AWOL. They want her back at any cost, but is David willing to hand her over? Or will he keep her with him for all eternity? All this makes for a great read and very entertaining. You won't be bored at all. Even though there's no real mention of the "white uptown" Mayfairs we've come to know in her other books,they don't make a cameo at all, but it's still can be considered a crossover. Merrick leads us down new paths not yet taken before and opens up all new doors, with the awakening of Lestat, the final rest of Claudia, a new Louis, and a really surprising ending that's just screaming *SEQUEL*. You'll see what I mean. Just when it gets down right dirty it ends. But didn't the book The Vampire Lestat end the same way? Only time will tell if she does another book about Merrick. More so this has to be one of her best works to date and hopefully Anne Rice will continue writing like this.
Rating:
Summary: Another book to add to my Collection!!
Review: I have read all of the Vampire Chronocles and loved every one of them, but when I started to read this book I had some problems with really wanting to read it. About the third or fourth chapter is when it really caught my attention and then it was glued to my head!! I loved this book and I will continue to read all of Anne Rice's books!!
Rating: 
Summary: A Worthy Addition to the Vampire Chronicles
Review: Merrick, the latest edition to Anne Rice's vampire chronicles is really two stories in one novel. Louis, the most contemplative and withdrawn of the vampiric clan, guiltily longs for the long dead child vampire, Claudia, he created in Interview with a Vampire. His guilt over her creation and untimely death nags his conscious. He asks David, a more recent vampire created by Lestat and former member of a secret order that investigates the paranormal, vampires, witches, etc. to seek out someone who can call up her spirit to set his mind at ease. This leads to the story of Merrick Mayfair, a witch, whom David had taken under his wing when she was 14 afterlosing her grandmother. Merrick comes from a line of "witches" and her story, full of ghosts and spirits, is an interesting one. And there's some unique and interesting twists to the tale as we are lead up to her conjuring up of Claudia's ghost and her own designs on David and the world of the vampires. The second story in the novel is the apex of Louis' melancholic existence as a vampire -- which has been an on-going if not always quite so stark drama throughout the Vampire Chronicles. Louis' contemplation of his existence and where itleads him is probably the most interesting part of the story. On the whole this is an entertaining novel. For fans of the Vampire Chronicles we learn more about David Talbot and Rice seems to have found a voice through this character. There are times when the plot is a bit slow and plodding, but once Claudia's ghost is conjured up the plot picks up quickly through the end. Rice seems especially good here at subtly showing us her characters' personalities. Overall, a worthy addition to the Vampire Chronicles.
Rating: 
Summary: Richly told
Review: Admittedly, Anne Rice has been one of my favorite authors for all of my adult life. Even so, there have been those books in the Vampire Chronicles that have taken my breath away (The Vampire Lestat, the Queen of the Damned), and those that seemed more artificially crafted at the publisher's request than an honest story honestly told (Pandora). So it was with some trepidation that I began to read Merrick. From the opening pages, the experienced Vampire Chronicle reader is immediately engaged by the language and tone of an old friend, David Talbot, the Talamasca investigator-turned body switcher-turned Vampire. As narrator, he retells the story of Merrick Mayfair (not of the "white Mayfairs" from "uptown", but another branch of the family altogether), a woman whom he loves deeply, although he fears and respects her power. This is mainly the story of Merrick, although Lestat and Louis do figure into the story as well. Merrick's Mayfair powers are rooted deeply in Voodoo and the magical aspects of Roman Catholicism, a dynamic combination. This latest entry to the vast Vampiric dialogue is as sumptuous and dark, sexual and historically sweeping as those early books in the Chronicles. The ending gave new life and identity for Louis, the chronically melancholy vampire, and gave us a new character whom we could easily learn to love as much as the rest of Anne's core players. I read Merrick in its entirety over a weekend, and considered it a great weekend. I gave it 4 stars only because I never give anything a 5 unless it's so good it knocks me unconscious (like Queen of the Damned). If you are already a fan of the Vampire Chronicles, you'll love this one. If you're new to the Vampire Chonicles, I do recommend you read the companion books prior to reading Merrick.
Rating:
Summary: Good, actually...
Review: I almost gave this a bad review at first because I started it and couldn't get into it, but I was wrong when one day I picked it up again. I like it and am anxious BLOOD AND GOLD.
Rating:
Summary: New Orleans Voodoo
Review: Well she is at it again,....with a vengance. I must say that I enjoy Ann's vampire tales very much however, if you are strictly looking for the blood thirsty novels that are so appealing,..perhaps you should keep going. Ann did incoperate a bit of witchcraft to this book, yet being a FAN of NO I loved it. She still has such a wonderful flare for producing a true image in your mind it praticaly sets you into the sceen. We do see a bit of Louis in this one ( good supprise ) , and the character merrick is one with many quirks and at times can make you feel like your sitting next to this Voodoo grandma.
Rating: 
Summary: WHAT THE HECK!?
Review: I have to admit that I am a huge Anne Rice fan. I also have to admit that I was severely dissapointed with this book of hers. I was so shocked at how bad this book was! Especially compared to her previous books--specifically the Vampire Chronicles. It seems to me, looking at these other reviews, that the only people who liked it were people who havent read her previous books or just have no taste. Honestly, I found myself not paying attention as I was reading and zoning out as the pages just turned themselves. People, don't waste your time or money on this book!
Rating:
Summary: The next best thing
Review: I feel that there is no way Anne Rice could ever top the success she achieved with Interview with a Vampire, but she did a considerably good job with this novel. Our favorite characters are still here, Louis and Lestat, in this continuation in the Vampire Chronicles. Though I was not initially impressed with the plot line of the book, I found that it grew on me, and half way through the story I was immensly immersed. I would recommed this book to nearly anyone. Hope you enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Anne, Listen to your fans!
Review: Merrick should not be part of the VC at all, NOT at all! I just couldn't believe what I was reading. I actually rushed to get my copy and was utterly disappointed. I can't beileve still that this is from Anne (Rice), the author of the magnificent Interview With The Vampire! I had to check myself. So, after reading this trash (ie. Merrick), I found myself going back to my shelf... retrieved IwTV and I had to find out if I had made a mistake about this classic. NO! Once again, I found myself entranced, although I'd read it for more than half a dozen times over the years. Every page of Interview mesmerised me, caught me breathless at moments ... and occasionally found my heart ached. The writing was so beautiful and with such depth of emotions... and the characters, namely Louis was so Beautiful. Our Merciful Death. So ... back to Merrick, I really don't get it at all. WHAT HAPPENED?? Really? I couldn't agree more with a few of the earlier reviewers, Anne had not done justice to her characters, and herself! Anne, I hope you get to see these reviews. A lot of us are your ardent fans. The reviews tell you a lot about what they love so much about you & your characters - Louis, Lestat & Armand... Please listen to your fans. We love you, but please don't give us another Merrick!! We want an Interview, .. something of the same leagus as your first 5 VCs!! Please please please...? I love you, no matter what, and will be hoping eagerly for another brilliant & beautiful novel from you. Love Louis & Lestat... forever.
Rating:
Summary: The Return of The Vampire Coven
Review: Merrick is a fascinating return to Anne Rice's vampire series, the first impassioned vampire novel she has written in a long while. If you haven't felt inspired by the vampire chronicles since The Tale of the Body Thief, then try this one. It will put the oompfh back into your blood thirsty library. Merrick fascinatingly ties Anne's Mayfair witch series and Lestat's vampiric coven together. This captivating tale described one talented voodoo priestess' tale of jealousy, love, and family betrayal. Seeing the true inside of David Talbot's soul is wonderful, and seeing Louis impassioned by someone other than Lestat is insightful.
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