Rating: 
Summary: Yuck!!
Review: _The Tale of the Body Thief_ is the easily the worst of Rice's Vampire Chronicles. The first three are all excellent, and _Memnoch the Devil_, which follows this failure, is too ambitious and Rice's ability proves too meager to pull it off, gifted though she is. "Body Thief" is inferior to the earlier books in the series in several ways. First, the romanticism is gone. Lestat spends half the book human, but rather than revelling in the mortality he has so long sought to recover, he just goes around having sex, and pretty uninspiring sex at that. The plot is upsetting, too, as Rice introduces more odd supernatural abilities (Talamasca) and tries a trick reminiscent of Arthur Conan Doyle at the end, which really adds nothing to the story. The intriguing host of characters we've grown to know a little (but never everything) about is unpleasantly absent, replaced by more Lestat (who, rendered impotent in all but the sexual sense, is finally becoming annoying at times) and David Talbot, who will never compare to Armand or Marius. If you're a fan of the series, you might read this just to satisfy your curiousity, but don't expect the brilliance Rice displayed earlier in the Chronicles, because it's absent here. My advice would be to check this out at your local library or buy the paperback version, because this isn't a book you'll feel compelled to re-read.
Rating: 
Summary: Still a Wonderful tale!
Review: After Queen of the Damned, philosophical discussions have a tendency to wane on some people. I can defintely understand why, but give it a chance!!!!!!!! In The Tale of the Body Thief, Rice has a more light and humorous tone--a relaxing break from the deep intensity of QotD. From the title, one can gather that a body switching incident happens. All I'll say is that Lestat's intrigues of being human again are hilarious!! I couldn't stop laughing throughout the book! Rice still maintians that chilling way of incorporating thought-provoking issues of the mind and spirit, religion and reality. She pulls all those elements beautifully. Some have found this 4th book boring or repetitive. I almost consider this one as a Book 1 in Part two of the Chronicles rather that ongoing. In other words, I encourage you to read it on its own merit rather than comparing it to the other 3; you'll enjoy that much more. ALTHOUGH..., Lestat wouldn't be Lestat if he wasn't tormented still by all these heady ideas of faith, religion, etc. Please keep in mind that these deep themes she weaves will always be the biggest and main points of this series and it is what makes the series truly magical. And it is true; Rice does seem to jump around a bit, as if a little unsure or something. It's not as fluid as the others in the serious; but, it STILL ia an amazing, awesome tale. It's still GENUINELY written and beautifully told in the classic style that no other writer can even remotely match. You definitely won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoy, you should
Review: Now, there are very clear words that will tell you whether you'll like it or not. Read the introduction it's all there. Simply, it's unlike the past three. Interview with the Vampire working well as an intro. The Vampire Lestat extending the vampire folklore with many facts. Queen of the Damned introduced us to many character, making it work to follow, still very great.
The new tale was much quicker, it wasn't such a heavy story to handle.
I read a review, mentioning that this book had sections that were boring. I don't agree. The only thing i could imagine being boring to a person was the religious talks between lestat and David, and I, an aetheist, was very into those parts, the beliefs were very interesting, based on christianity.
those parts really open way to Memnoch the Devil. It would be obsurd to read Memnoch without this tale.
Alot happens in this book, I went to merrick first and was completely angry i had missed so much so i didn't proceed until i continued with the order.
Rating: 
Summary: Not her finest, but still
Review: I feel slightly weird about this book. I simply cannot decide about. So lets take this one step at a time. It begins with Lestat at the bottom of a misery curve, and this bit is frightening and delightful to read. His recovery at Davids house has many good moments, and a Rice-fan should not be without them. I really like the weird, surreal feeling of Lestat initial comunication with Raglan James. Its so weird, seeig an immortal vampire interact so well with a modern setting. Off course we expect notting less from Lestat. And the objektive look at the mortal world is funny and unsettling at the same time. A great read, most of it, although sometimes it goes over the edge. Not often though. The book has many highlights, and should not be missed if you have alreade read the other vampire chronicles. But dont begin here if you havent, mind you. Rice is notorious for leaving new readers in the dark. You will be thoroughly confused. The book looses a star for being outright booring at times. simple as that. Luckly not often, and the rest more than makes up for it. So, if you are already a secret admirer of the children of darkness, than go ahead, and enjoy the ride.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Vampire Chronicle Yet!
Review: I've been a loyal Anne Rice reader (and vampire fan) for some time now, and it all started with this book! Rather than the usual run down vampire plot (in which a normal person is transformed unwillingly into a vampire and has trouble coping) or the "classic" horror movie motif (usually along the lines of a psychotic vampire terrorizing everyone on his mad and seemingly pointless killing sprees), Anne Rice has pulled through with a truly innovative plot from deep whithin the regions of imagination. The Tale of the Body Thief is the story of a once powerful and headstrong vampire who finds himself with the prosect of becoming human again. He readily accepts the mysterious stranger's offer and recieves what he has always wanted- or has he? Lestat soon realizes that being human isn't all wonderful moments and experiences. He finds himself longing for his strong vampiric body back, only to find that the man he traded bodies with has reneged on their agreement and decided to keep his body after all. Lestat now finds himself in unfamiliar territory- unable to defend himself. All the more determined, he calls upon the help of an old friend, and all of his tricks and cunning. Filled with magic, chases, and friendship, The Tale of the Body Thief leads both characters and readers on an adventure that is sure to change their perspectives forever
Rating:
Summary: Another Dark Adventure In The Life of Lestat
Review: I thought "Queen of the Damned" was a little boring, but I liked this next novel in the vampire chronicles. Good story. Especially the last part of this book was very suspenseful and fast-paced. Sophisticated readers will enjoy some intellectual dialogues in the story too. A keeper. p.s. I much prefer Anne Rice's vampires to her witches and erotic fairytales. David Rehak
author of "Love and Madness"
Rating:
Summary: Very good.
Review: I actually really liekd this book, I dont know the exact reason why...but I did. Maybe it was because it was a lot different than the first three, and more modern. Or maybe because it was having a vampire go into a human body for the first time in a couple hundred years. Or maybe the small romance between Lestat and the nun. All of it was good and it all ended perfectly with David becoming a vampire in a...younger form.
Rating:
Summary: Not too bad
Review: This book was definitely a little different from the previous three. But it was still charming in its own way. Lestat's experiences in the human body alone are worth reading it, I found them hilarious. If you are a Vampire Chronicles fan, and you read the first three books, read it, you won't be dissapointed. The only thing I didn't like was that homosexuality level went way up in this one. I didn't mind the innocent kisses between Lestat and Louis or Nikki in the previous books, but what is up with Lestat trying to get into David's pants while he is in a human body?! I think I could have done without that. Overall it was good though.
Rating:
Summary: Anne Rice's fourth entry in the Vampire Chronicles ...
Review: ... features vampire legend Lestat returning to spin THE TALE OF THE BODY THIEF. This time the troubled ex-rock star has switched bodies with a mortal who's more than he seems. THE TALE OF THE BODY THIEF was the first novel to show that Anne Rice was becoming weirder. She can still write beautiful novels; and yet they become more erotic and sensual every time. BODY THIEF comes nowhere near being as good as her first masterpiece, INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, or the sequels, VAMPIRE LESTAT and QUEEN OF THE DAMNED - but TALE OF THE BODY THIEF is interesting and enjoyable. Anne Rice fans shall be pleased; otherwise, your opinion of the novel may be less good. As a warning for non-fans, let me tell you the themes the book is divided in to:
1. Lestat whining.
2. Lestat's attraction to an older man.
3. Human love.
4. God and the Devil: religion.
5. More Lestat whining.
If that list looks fine to you, go ahead and enjoy it. Whether you do or not, one thing is certainly pleasing: Lestat lives!
Rating:
Summary: Something's Missing...
Review: I've been reading a lot of Anne Rice lately. And while I can't say I haven't been moved at some points, generally speaking, my experience has been one of frustrating disappointment. Anne has come up with these fascinating and alluring CONCEPTS--these vampires who travel through centuries, across myriad lands and a panoply of cultures, forging and breaking relationships with one another--and with mortals all the while--sounds like a great idea for a series of books, and it IS, that's what's sad. Somehow she fails when it comes to actually writing about these characters. Something's lacking. I think it's her main character and narrator, The Vampire Lestat. In my opinion he's too whiney and weak to be the hero of the chronicles. He goes on and on at the end of "Body Thief" about how he simply cannot help but be gleefully happy--that it's in his nature and he cannot be depressed for long. This was flabbergasting because Lestat--mischievous though he might be, is ALWAYS upset about something. Rice seems to want Lestat to be viewed in a certain light, so she tells the reader what to feel, but Lestat's actions throughout the book do not SHOW this at all. In the other books of the chronicles, such as in QUEEN OF THE DAMNED, when she deals with the relationship between Armand and Daniel, THEN it becomes hard to put the book down. But the rest of time, when we are going round and round in circles with Lestat, rather than feeling absorbed and entertained, I find myself hoping she'll write more about those OTHER things. I haven't read MEMNOCH THE DEVIL, and to be honest, I am afraid to because I hear it's quite dreadful. What I can say is that I think QUEEN OF THE DAMNED was the best book of the chronicles so far, and I recommend it highly. Rice is a master when it comes to descriptive language, that is for certain, and I agree with all the literary critics who have ever labeled her writing as being "lush" but unfortunately that doesn't make up for the feeling I get when I read Anne Rice, that she is WASTING these wonderful concepts, and that in someone else's hands they could truly come alive.
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