Rating: 
Summary: zzzzzzz.........
Review: I have read other Anne Rice books and knew to expect some "slow" sections in this book. Unfortunately, the gripping, suspensful and exciting moments in this book were buried between so much sedative Mayfair history that I feel like the first person who's read an entire book in their sleep. I could have skipped entire chapters of this book and would not have missed anything vital to the story. Some parts of the story were very captivating, but were few and far between. Recommended for insomniacs!
Rating: 
Summary: What's With the Witching Hour? {GCA 3}
Review: Indeed, what is the deal with this book. Anne Rice all too often targets the strange and unusual occurences of nature. This book has complicated issues at every turn. Her unfair targeting of all witches is typical and triat. Overexageration, has litte place in modern day literature. Particular theories of psychokenesis, and of demonic influences, are generalized and low brow. Rowan Mayfair, the estranged daughter of the insane Deirdre Mayfair, has devoted her life in the persuit of healing the sick. As a neuropsychologist, and physician, she has been trying to attone for her criminal acts. Killing a rapist, a small child, and an ex-boyfriend, she has not only the ability to kill but to lead to health. Michael Curry, a pyschokenetic, by accident, has barred the hardships of physical contact. Lasher, the mysterious lover/guardian of the Mayfair chosen, leads to the ruin of all his vitims. I found this book to contain exceptional characterizations, and a strong story base. Hoever, she fails to interperate the inner meaning behind every obsession. Though she gives detailed information about history, and action, she should stop picking on the stereotypes.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, and disturbing in a good way...
Review: Though I am twelve years old, (if you have read this book than you know that I should not have read it) I enjoy the quality of Anne Rice's novels. The scenes in which her charcters live are wonderfully described, and they become real. I bought this book at the mall with a friend who said ever so rudely to me that I was insane for trying to read a book that size, and it would take me a least a year, but I assured her that the critics were always right, at least about Anne Rice, and I devoured this book in an impressive amount of time. I deeply adore this book now, and am very excited to start Lasher, the next book. The suprise ending hurt me, because it was most definately not what I was expecting! This is now one of my favorite books, and I will most likely purchase the others in the very near future. It's sad romance was a little more than I could endure. I found it sadistic and romantic. If you believe nothing else, believe me when I say this. Anne Rice will not dissapoint you!
Rating:
Summary: Witches, if you love them read this book. ASAP
Review: Never has Geneology been so compelling and fulfilling as this book has presented that of the Mayfair family. From the Hills of Scotland to present New Orleans, you will learn the history and story of the Mayfair Witches and how it all began. I would hold this book prerequisite to Lasher and Taltos. You will be so enthralled by the story of these witches that you may find it hard to put this book down. This book is told from the observor's aspect and gives such a full history on the Mayfair family that I wished my own family was even remotely as interesting. You get to personally know each of the witches and their history including their ever-present spirit. Come read this book and revel in Anne Rice's story telling abilities. You'll wish you read her books sooner.
Rating:
Summary: Hands Down, The Best Book I Have Ever Read.
Review: This is an unbelievable book. I am not an Anne Rice fan. I've never read any of her other books and I was very put off by the extreme volume of this novel; it is close to 1,000 pages. And small print at that. But I picked it up and began to read... the next thing I knew I was enveloped into a world in which I couldn't stand to exit. I was completely taken and enthralled with everything about it; the family history, the seediness, the beauty, the filth, the eery, the antiquity. It was just superb. I even named my angel fish Stella and Lasher. As far as Anne Rice as the author goes - I cannot believe reincarnation does not exist after reading this book! She has a wisdom that comes through in this novel that is not learned.
Rating:
Summary: this is too long!
Review: It would be ok if something new and interesting happened frequently, but I only got halfway into the book before i stopped, because I was sick of reading all those files on the Mayfair Witches! I wanted to know what was happening THEN. I didn't care what happened a long time ago. It would have been more interesting if everything was a mystery instead of a sequence of events, because then it wasn't so surprising since the family had a long history of "accidents".
Rating: 
Summary: Good but far too long
Review: I loved Rice's descriptions of New Orleans as it is a city that I love. You really felt like you were there. But she could have easily cut about 300 pages out of this book, and not only would you not miss it, the story would have been much better. I enjoyed the historical account of the Mayfair witches at first, but then it just kept repeating over and over, until I finally skipped the rest and got back into the story. I also really didn't like Rowan very much, for some reason. Rice is a very good writer, but she needs to cut down on the verbage.
Rating:
Summary: A great read for a long trip...
Review: This was the first book of Ann Rice that I had read and it was excellent. It is a great book. I did like the fact that it was on the long side ( mainly because I love to read). It was so wonderfully written that there were times when I wondered about whether there was any truth in the Mayfair history. It is easy to become engrossed in the lives of the 13 witches. I will admit, though, there are some slow times; but for the most part, it is an exciting book.
Rating:
Summary: Flawed . . . Yet, I Couldn't Put It Down
Review: I finally got around to reading this book that I've had on my shelf since it came out! It was absorbing and mesmerizing and quite a good read for a snowy weekend. But, I was disappointed by the ending and by the fact that many issues were simply . . . abandoned, I would say. Still, her prose is beautiful and makes you wish this book were absolutely perfect. Her many characters were well drawn and individual--suprising, given the number of female witches there are in this book. It seems a daunting task, but I think Ms. Rice caught every character's "essence" and made them stand out. Overall, a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Dark Chocolate Laced With Arsenic
Review: Rich and dark, sultry and humid, dusty and musty and perfumed with the sweet scent of decay... the story between the covers of _Witching Hour_ is all of these things. It's a decadent toxin, luxurious and chilling all in one heavy blow. What does this book have going for it? The better question is, what doesn't it have going for it? Elegant prose--that's there. Vivid description? In abundance! Strong characters? You'll have to read it to believe it; not only are we presented with the magnetic couple Rowan and Michael in their modern-day psychic glory (and the reappearance of the intriguing Talamasca), but the history of the Mayfairs treats the reader to one tantalizing personality after another. Sensuality? If you know anything about Anne Rice, you really don't need to ask. Suspense, horror, creepiness? Oh, *yes*--these things coat almost every page, seeping into your mind like a slow contact poison. Good plot? Good enough to keep me turning the pages long into the night, though I'll admit it faltered and dragged in places while zooming ludicrously fast in others. An excellent ending... well, no book is perfect. In truth, all of the problems in this book seemed tied to the pacing and the ending. The former was good, but not in keeping with the quality of the rest of the book; the latter seemed pure and simply too abrupt, too unbelievable. It had an element of deus ex machina. The change in Rowan's character seemed unbelievable to me. Still, it's a good lead-in to the next novel in the saga, which is probably part of what Rice wanted. I give _Witching Hour_ five stars despite these faults due to its sheer spellbinding intensity and power, which I believe more than compensate. This is a dense, thick, heavy book, rich to the senses and the mind; while it would make an excellent introduction to the works of Rice, or fresh new fare for those familiar with her well-known vampires, it isn't something I'd suggest picking up for a light read. Prepare instead to be mesmerized for hours by the intricate world and sense of mystery that Anne Rice will build for you.
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