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missmim's review against another edition
1.0
A slim volume that doesn't add much of anything to the mythology and pretty much serves as a masturbatory exercise in regurgitating the historical research Rice has done. She loves her some history and isn't afraid to use it!
mirandakamo's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
killerb's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
melmothwanders's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
glitterkitter's review against another edition
4.0
Anne Rice has a tendency to be a bit too rambly, but still tells an interesting tale.
wannabekingpin's review against another edition
3.0
The book, in my opinion, didn't reach the full potential. Some good ideas where passed here and there, but abandoned quickly enough through the pages, in exchange for others, maybe more pleasing for the author, maybe merely more convenient. I'll still give the book 3 out of 5, and consider it a worthy read if only to lift the veil of myth off this Pandora, Mad Love of Marius. For she herself put more passion into describing the fake leg of her servant, than Marius himself, even if she did claim loving him. And the rest of this is at [NMR]
twstdtink's review against another edition
3.0
A nice addition to the vampire chronicles, even though this was less of a vampire book, per say, and more of a novel about ancient Rome/Greece. It was well written and interesting, if not very unique or ground-breaking. The issue I have with Anne Rice is that she often recycles the same themes over and over again.
barebookbear's review against another edition
3.0
It's been decades I think since I read any Rice. This was one I bought years ago and it sat on my bookshelf until a couple days ago. I thought it would be more of a throw-away, a trifle, and I wasn't expecting much satisfaction. And it started that way, her flowery prose, fully scented yet ethereal and unsubstantial vapors in the end. Not sure why I thought this; this seems to be the popular opinion of her "other vampire books."
I was delightfully wrong as I continued reading. Yes, it's a quick read, but it does what Rice does so well, pull you into a world fully researched, and given life, strength, muscle and beauty through her flowery prose. It was also a great way to reenter her world I'd turned away from so long ago, readying me to pick up those last Vampire Chronicle books on my shelf still waiting to be read (Vampire Armand, Vittorio, Prince Lestat) and also to return to the Witches.
It also does the other thing Rice does well: philosophize, examine, search for truth in the miasma of history's philosophies, myths, beliefs, religions. Her vampire work has always been a search for her own truth and feelings regarding religion, faith, God after the tragic death of her young daughter decades ago. I'm not sure where she stands at this point; fans of hers have come and gone with her religious convictions, her newfound zeal for Christianity, followed by her denial of it again.
Her personal beliefs aside, I liked these characters of Pandora and Marius. I enjoyed learning (and revisiting with greater clarity) their back story. They're not as precious and annoying as Lestat, whose rock star swagger I always found annoying and silly.
In the end, a satisfying enjoyable read.
I was delightfully wrong as I continued reading. Yes, it's a quick read, but it does what Rice does so well, pull you into a world fully researched, and given life, strength, muscle and beauty through her flowery prose. It was also a great way to reenter her world I'd turned away from so long ago, readying me to pick up those last Vampire Chronicle books on my shelf still waiting to be read (Vampire Armand, Vittorio, Prince Lestat) and also to return to the Witches.
It also does the other thing Rice does well: philosophize, examine, search for truth in the miasma of history's philosophies, myths, beliefs, religions. Her vampire work has always been a search for her own truth and feelings regarding religion, faith, God after the tragic death of her young daughter decades ago. I'm not sure where she stands at this point; fans of hers have come and gone with her religious convictions, her newfound zeal for Christianity, followed by her denial of it again.
Her personal beliefs aside, I liked these characters of Pandora and Marius. I enjoyed learning (and revisiting with greater clarity) their back story. They're not as precious and annoying as Lestat, whose rock star swagger I always found annoying and silly.
In the end, a satisfying enjoyable read.
ironicironman's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good until MARIUS showed up, did feel a bit of a pointless book though.