The Vampire Armand

Rating:
Summary: Oh Geez this was horrible!
Review: Oh, Anne, what have you done? You've turned yourclassiccharacters into driveling [fools], you've playedtherepressed-homosexuality card way way WAY too many times, and you've turned your once-enthralling gift of scene and character development into a tedious trek through ploddingsville. WHY did you make Armand such a weenie? And can you please tell me how the strong and charismatic Marius of "Lestate" and "Queen" came from the petty, spiteful oaf you describe in this book?... This book confirms everyone's worst fear - that the once great Anne Rice is either writing entirely for the royalties (maximum money for minimum effort) or that she has completely lost her touch. Frankly I'm hoping for the only alternative possibility - that she secretly despises her fans, and that she wrote this [poor book] to get us angry. Then, at least, there would be the POSSIBILITY that Anne will once again write a novel worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: State of mind
Review: Apparently, not so many people liked this book. Am I really so alone in here! I thought this book kicked some serious apple. Although, I may be biased. Armand is my favorite character in the series. True though that may be, I know good writing when I see it. I think the problem with a lot of the negative reviewers is that maybe they can't handle the philosophy involved with these books. Sometimes reading Anne Rice is like reading about history; but the history is one of art, beauty, and passion. This is a good book if you're into learning, as well as being entertained. And about the sexual connotations...am I missing something? I didn't pick that up, any more so than in Body Thief, where Lestat rapes a woman. All Anne is doing with this book is giving a voice to one of her most beloved, and complex characters. It's a wonderfully written, exceedingly interesting piece of work. If it's any sort of sign of quality, she's used the inverted face of Mercury from Botticelli's Primavera on the cover! Take that as a sign of high quality, a sign of how full of depth and twists T.V. Armand is. It's a lot of fun....and about it being hard to get through, I read it all the way through in one sitting (about 4 hours). If you want a hard read, try Rice's Violin. (now watch, *everyone* probably liked that one!)

Rating:
Summary: Look out, Lestat, you've got yourself some competition, now!
Review: I love all of the vampire chronicles. The presence of Armand was always downplayed. After reading a book dedicated to him and his existance I realize how important he is! This book is a romantic, erotic, exciting, provocative book. I loved it! If you have been following the vampire chronicles, you will enjoy this book!

Rating:
Summary: Armand speaks up
Review: I've read the Vampire Chronicles and put up with Lestat's whining for so long that Armand's view on vampirism was refreshing. While Lestat tends to mumble his 'woe is me's, Armand is trying to find a divine reason behind his existance. It makes you think that if any vampire could be redeemed, it would be Armand. His quest for God and Happiness outshines Lestat's possessive demeanor. Armand is definately my favorite character.

Rating:
Summary: Anne Rices worst ever
Review: Having finished Memnoch I waited with anticipation for another great story by Ms. Rice. Sorrowfully Anne rice doesn't seem to be as hungry as when she wrote the Witch Chronicles or the beginning of the Vampire series. The Vampire Armand could be compared to hospital food. I doubt I will ever buy another Anne Rice book. Her fans needed a good read after Servant of The Bones which started out well enough and then slowly lost its intrigue til it fell into the abyss and I for one was glad to get to the last page and end the pain.

Rating:
Summary: Run away SCREAMING...but not in a good way.
Review: How Barnes and Noble had the nerve to publish this mish-mash plotless wonder is truly beyond me. My theory is that Louis actually wrote the first book, "Interview with the Vampire" and Anne Rice has since just tried to make do without him. Incredibly boring; filled with homoerotic but juvenile sex fantasties, listless meandering plot (what there was of one), wretchedly inept descriptions of a rich historical era and, incomplete resolutions...doesn't Anne Rice have a conscience (or an editor?). To unleash this immature half-baked work on unsuspecting fans is craftily criminal. SKIP THIS ONE.

Rating:
Summary: Armand and Lestat are mine!
Review: The Vampire Armand is truely an interesting read. If you dont like the long descriptions or detail...then dont read it unless you intend to be agitated or wish to skip pages a couple of times. Other then that...great book. READ IT!

Rating:
Summary: B-O-R-I-N-G !
Review: Initially, I was estatic to discover that Armand survived his suicidal attempt. And the story started out interesting enough. I could even tolerate the sexual themes. However, the things that ruined the story was the ENDLESS descriptions, ENDLESS history lessons, and wasted focus on boring Benji and Sybelle. I can pick up a History Book for a history lesson. And environmental/new character descriptions are fine as long as they don't overpower the plot or primary character(s). I desperately wanted more DIALOGUE, PLOT and a TIGHTER story. Also, what was wrong with Lestat? And what's with all the tears? Marius, Louis and the female vampires are not constantly crying like Lestat and Armand. I still love Armand - I just don't feel that Rice did him any justice in this book.

Rating:
Summary: The Vampire Armand....all mystery stript away?
Review: I believe that this book has been so awaited for by Anne Rice's fans. We all seem to love the grand mysterious Armand "who first appeared in all his dark glory in Interview with the Vampire". The book finally came out and I rushed like so many fans to buy and devour it expecting so much from that glorious imagination of Anne Rice. I admit that I haven't been disappointed on that front. The setting and the historical background are simply fascinating. But I've expected a grand novel that behooves that mesmerizing dark angel Armand with whom we have not been completely acquainted yet. Well, by the end of the novel I was completely disillusioned. All the dark glory, mystery and complexity that have seemed to be Armand's attire were stript away and he stood there before me...naked, not a very powerful vampire, nor a really complex character and not even a mystery. I felt a bitterness for that and I wanted to dress him up again in his old attire but... alas! It's too late now. What was done cannot be undone.

Rating:
Summary: One of Anne's best works yet
Review: If you want a fine example of Anne's work, you simply have to read this book. It's details are so rich and crafted, you feel that you are right at Armand's side throughout the book. I read through it more than twice...who couldn't? A warning though, once you pick it up, you can't put it down.