Rating: Summary: Was this really written by Anne Rice? Review: I am a long-time Anne Rice fan and was delighted, if slightly confused, to find brand-spanking new copies of "Armand" in the clearance stacks of the 1/2 price bookstore. Having read the first half of the book I am suspect; the book is so poor, and the dialogue so awkward and cloying, that I truly can't believe that this was really written by Anne Rice herself. Perhaps ghostwritten? It doesn't seem possible that the same woman who wove such detailed, succulent tapestries of words in the other VC books could have produced this Harlequin romance-level bilge. Disappointing.
Rating: Summary: A painful, exasperating read... Review: I really struggled through this book. Finishing it was by sheer force of will. There were enough interesting parts to keep it from being a total waste but I believe I have read my last Anne Rice book. The style is exaggerated (even for her), melodramatic and heavy-handed. The dialogue was a constant state of embarrasment. There was enough tears from all the weeping, crying, wailing and caterwauling to capsize Noah's Ark. Everyone appears to be in a constant state of angst. Unlike many of these reviewers here I liked "Memnoch". "Queen of the Damned" is easily my favorite. Also unlike many here I was not disappointed when it became clear that Lestat was not going to be a major player. Considering the title I didn't think he would be. I have read all of the Vampire books as well as "The Mummy" so I understand from previous experience that Ms. Rice's writing style tends to get a tad overripe from time to time but never enough to detract from the story as a whole. Such, sadly, is not the case here. The pornography, of which there is plenty, is not only a momentum killer but seems completely out of place here, like it belonged in a totally different book. I thought after "The Body Thief" that it was clear that Vampires weren't interested in such things. There are, to be sure, some parts where the old magic comes back, starting with Armand's birth as a vampire but such moments are few and far between. The reason I am writing this is that I see a new book about Marius is about to be published ("Blood and Gold") and I am trying to figure out if I am going to take the plunge....
Rating: Summary: Anne Rice Review: Each and every book written by this weaver of words should be purchased immediatly and fed into your subconcious. If you haven't read any of her work climb out of your hole and start digesting the queen of modern horror today.
Rating: Summary: Good Review: The first 3 quaters of this book, concerning the story of Armand & Marius, is wonderfuly written, even though its overblown. I enjoyed it very much. The book seemed to be over when they seperated though, and the last part was just aimless drifting. I like historical settings, but its a little irritating when the facts are wrong. By the way Anne, Kiev is a city in Ukraine - NOT Russia.
Rating: Summary: Uninteresting gay porn Review: The first half of the book is little more than gay porn. The second half of the book never gets interesting. This book really does little to continue the story of Lestat, although it teases you that it will at some point. Lestat is placed in almost as an afterthought to try to tie it to the recent occurrences in the series. I give it one star only because I can't give it less.
Rating: Summary: The Vampire Armand Review: I always feel two things when I finish a Chronicle. Fear of the dark from the creatures these vampires run into, and depression, because I never want the story to end. Rice makes them more than species, she makes them Gods.
Rating: Summary: The Vampire Armand Book Review Review: Anne Rice's The Vampire Armand is a masterpiece of twentieth century writing and is for good reason a national acclaimed bestseller. The book transcends time, from painting images with words from fifteenth century Italy to the present day streets of New Orleans. The book rings to life the immortal life of vampires. The Vampire Armand is the biographical tale of Armand, a 500 year old vampire, in the body of a seventeen year old boy. Armand tells his sorrowful tale of his life in Russia prior to his vampiric transformation and his astounding life there after. The Vampire Armand `s tale with the story with in the story also focuses on the Vampire Lestat`s mysterious hibernating condition. The book will display Armand`s internal conflict of coming to terms with his bittersweet immortality. Armand ponders whether his existence is worth the centuries of pain and suffering he has endured. " The inherent value of the subject matter soon absorbed my painful recollections and a greater knowledge and understanding was the result."
Rating: Summary: Hmmm Review: Seems to me that there is a clear correlation between all the prudes who hate the homosexual dewscriptions in the book and those who give it 1 star or less. This book is not about sex! Ive read it in a record time (5 days) and noway do i remember it for any allegedly paedophilic and sexual content (nonsense). Its a book about a human soul who is struggling to find peace between his immortal existence and his innate goodness and faith. The descriptions were excellent the plot was emotional and cataclysmic in its proportions, we see the changing stages in poor haunted armand from childhood innocence through the desolation of the 17th and 18th centuries and finally to attempted suicicde and rebirth in his love for his two new companions sybelle and benji. In short it sees what is perjaps the most human of all vampires struggle with his relationship with god and other vampires. A very entertaining and meaningful book, Rice more books like this please!
Rating: Summary: ....She did it again.... Review: I've read a lot of books by Anne Rice, even her erotica, but, I think that this book, The Vampire Armand is by far the best book i've read by her. Possibly because Armand is my favorite character of all of her vampires. I absoutlly LOVED this book!If you haven't read it, you should!Yes, I too was glad to hear that our dear Armand didn't die when he went up to the sun in the other book and returned in this one.
Rating: Summary: Another Rice Classic Review: To understand a character, you must know his/her history. The Vampire Armand is a wonderful biography of one of Anne Rice's most known and loved characters. I am going to read the Vampire Chronicles again now that I have better insight into Armand.
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