Blood Canticle (The Vampire Chronicles, #10)

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Blood Canticle (The Vampire Chronicles #10)

3.66 of 5 stars 3.66 · rating details · 11,988 ratings · 251 reviews

Lestat is back with a vengeance and in thrall to Rowan Mayfair. Both demon and angel, he is drawn to kill but tempted by goodness as he moves among the pantheon of Anne Rice's unforgettable characters. Julien Mayfair, his tormentor; Rowan, witch and neurosurgeon, who attracts spirits to herself, casts spells on others and finds herself dangerously drawn to Lestat; Patsy, c...more

Paperback, 400 pages

Published November 4th 2004 by Arrow (first published January 1st 2003)

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Nov 20, 2012 Sisi WhoWouldLikeToKnow? rated it 1 of 5 stars

Honestly, never in a million years had I ever imagined giving any of these books a 1 out of 5.

But Blood Canticle is like Anne Rice woke up one day, smelled the roses, opened the balcony doors to be greeted by the shouts of her adoring fans, and then proceeded to perch on the railing and shit on all of them. I'm talking diarreah, buddy.

Lestat is a pussy. No seriously, if you have one of those Edward vs. Lestat arguments, hide this and never use it in your arsenal. I've warned you.

Second...hell...more

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Jul 30, 2012 Bobby rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Anne Rice has said this is the last of the Vampire Chronicles, I'm not sure if this is the last of the Mayfair Witches, but this review is written under the belief that Blood Canticle is the end of both. Anne Rice is my favorite author. The Witching Hour is my favorite book. As I reached the end of the chronicles and the time came to read Blood Canticle I didn't want to. I wanted to stay on those cracked humid sidewalks of the French Quarter and bask in the flickering light of the gaslamps. I fe...more Anne Rice has said this is the last of the Vampire Chronicles, I'm not sure if this is the last of the Mayfair Witches, but this review is written under the belief that Blood Canticle is the end of both. Anne Rice is my favorite author. The Witching Hour is my favorite book. As I reached the end of the chronicles and the time came to read Blood Canticle I didn't want to. I wanted to stay on those cracked humid sidewalks of the French Quarter and bask in the flickering light of the gaslamps. I feel not only connected to her characters, but to my beloved New Orleans. There are always rereads, but this would be the end of my first time through the series, the book would never again have this freshness. I looked at the end of it all and started reading while aware of the polarizing reviews. I did not like the way the book started out, Lestat was way too self aware and it took me out of the story. There was a difference in the writing, for example (not in text): Night Air. Click of heels. Mosquitos. There seemed to be a lot of these short clunky pieces without the velvety smooth signature Anne Rice richness to envelop them. Lestat's new swing for slang was annoying, why would he even bother? And for that matter why would an almost godlike vampire Maharet use email instead of telepathy or a face to face encounter to deliver her news? What’s her email address? TeamEdwardxoxo@yahoo (lol just kidding)? Maybe more thought to balance it out? The book is too short, especially so considering this ties up both the Mayfair and Vampire books. Mona's transformation was superficial (aside from her wanting to reunite with Morrigan and her trials at Mayfair Medical (I would have LOVED for that to have been developed more) and so much about Aunt Queen's clothes and not enough about her possible trouble/guilt/growing pains at having to feed off the living and being undead. In one chapter she gets a computer and offers meditations but I would have prefered if it had been developed as the book progressed instead of being thrown at me all at once. While most of the plot was about Mona (her turning into a vamp, looking for the Taltos) poor Quinn fell by the wayside when he could have used more development considering the book Blackwood Farm just ended and how he was adjusting to the changes. I also did not like how Rowan fell for Lestat. I did not believe their "lovestruck" obsession until the end of the book in the last chapter when the attraction was beautifully expressed, but at the same time should it have even existed in the first place? What about Michael? I really liked him and he is just a shadow in this book- a doormat. At times it seemed like there were too many characters in the scenes, overcomplicating the plot and robbing their development. I could keep going on, Patty, the Ghosts, the search, but it all boils down to that this book was too short. Blood Canticle was supposed to be about Lestat's redemption by not being selfish in the act of turning Rowan over to the blood, it could have worked, I would not have been as peeved at Michael's neglect, Rowan and Lestat's romance would have been more believable, IF ONLY IT HAD BEEN LONGER! More development that looks like a quilt instead of a brick wall. The book ends with Lestat being hungry and I am too! I understand Anne Rice went through some tough times while finsihing this book, I hold nothing against her. I still love you Anne Rice!(less)

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Feb 18, 2008 Jo rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: unfinished, vampires, own, fiction

As much of a die hard Anne Rice fan as I claim to be, I have yet to finish this book. Supposedly it's the last she'll ever write in her vampire series. I got about halfway through and wanted to throw the book across the room. It's like a different person is writing.. and it seems like Anne just doesn't care about this series or the vampire world anymore. Lestat saying the word 'dude' was pretty much the last straw. I'll come back to this book eventually, and I'll hopefully be less bitter the nex...more

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Feb 24, 2013 Max Ostrovsky rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, horror, mythology, pop

What a way to end a series that began so well. sigh.

Okay, here's what's neat: The previous book being narrated by Quinn and his view of Lestat, and this one, narrated by Lestat and his view of Quinn. Having two, back to back, books that have two distinct narrative voices and having them give their perspective of the other.
I loved how Quinn saw Lestat because that was how I had grown to see him. Lestat was someone who even the feared feared. But he was noble and honorable. But random, so dead a...more What a way to end a series that began so well. sigh.

Okay, here's what's neat: The previous book being narrated by Quinn and his view of Lestat, and this one, narrated by Lestat and his view of Quinn. Having two, back to back, books that have two distinct narrative voices and having them give their perspective of the other.
I loved how Quinn saw Lestat because that was how I had grown to see him. Lestat was someone who even the feared feared. But he was noble and honorable. But random, so dead always lurked next to him. He was easily god-like through Quinn's eyes and I liked that just fine.
Now this last book is narrated by Lestat's own voice. How I've missed him. And still do. After reading Quinn's view of him, and then actually getting inside Lestat's mind, it was a let down. The Brat Prince is the exact and apt epithet for him. He was a child, who thought of himself as an adult, desperate for love and admiration from all, and couldn't wait to have to prove himself.
Since when was that ever in his personality? The need to prove himself?
I guess one would argue that was the point of all his books and led to his self-actualization and redemption. But how is it redemption to go from the arrogance that comes from power to the brattiness that comes from the arrogance of controlling that power?
Then I liked that fact that this wasn't a bookend story. No story within a story within a story, etc. However, this book would have definitely called for it. When summing up and blending two separate book series into one, I would have expected some very elaborate ties. Instead, the book is short and amateurish and even begins with criticism of the readers and how I just don't get Rice.
No, history has redeemed the reader in this case. I think I get Rice just fine. She was dealing with her own stuff at the time, the got religion and converted. Then got jaded and converted away.
I truly wonder what she could have really done with the vampire chronicles without her questioning her own belief system and dumping all that on the reader.

So that was actually the nice things I wanted to say about the book. I don't think going negative will make anything clearer. (less)

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Feb 23, 2013 lisa rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Written in the first person from the point of view of Lestat and set in New Orleans, the story is slow paced, and not at all similar to how I remember any of the previous Vampire Chronicles. From what I've read online, this could perhaps be the last Chronicle novel Rice writes. After re-immersing herself in the Catholic faith, she "announced in a Newsweek article that she would 'write only for the Lord.'" ((Quoted from the Wikipedia article on Anne Rice.)). However, there could also be another,...more Written in the first person from the point of view of Lestat and set in New Orleans, the story is slow paced, and not at all similar to how I remember any of the previous Vampire Chronicles. From what I've read online, this could perhaps be the last Chronicle novel Rice writes. After re-immersing herself in the Catholic faith, she "announced in a Newsweek article that she would 'write only for the Lord.'" ((Quoted from the Wikipedia article on Anne Rice.)). However, there could also be another, more "literary" reason to why there would be no more Chronicles, however, I would leave that interpretation open to only those who have read the book, and see what I see (I don't want to give it away, just yet, you know?).

The story opens up with Lestat and Quinn in Quinn's house, surrounded by mortals. They've just excised Goblin (a ghost) from Blackwood Manor, and the vampire Merrick Mayfair has just gone up to the light, burned at the bier meant to take Goblin. The residence of Blackwood Manor have no idea that their master Quinn is of the undead, and for the entirety of the novel, never know that both Quinn and Lestat, who is a frequent visitor, are vampires.

Mona Mayfair, 20, love of Quinn's mortal life, comes to the Manor to die. She's been wasting away for the last two years, and there is no cure. Quinn desperately wants to save her with the Dark Trick, but as he's never done it, Lestat is very accommodating. He performs the Dark Trick on Mona, dubbing her Ophelia Immortal, and falls in love with her, as he does with all he's created. After her rebirth into immortality, she acts like the typical "I've been practically dead for two year, and now I'm better than ever" person, and flaunts her new found sexuality. Unfortunately, she's still trapped by her mortal wants.

Mona gave birth to Walking Baby, better known as a Taltos, which brought on her wasting disease. Her daughter was taken from her by Rowan Mayfair - witch, neurosurgeon, and head of the Mayfair family. The daughter is then taken from Rowan by an ancient Taltos, with the intent of recreating the race. Mona desperately wants to find her daughter, and has the delusional idea that having found her, they'd be one big happy abnormal family.

When Rowan sees Mona after the transformation, she realizes Mona is a Blood Child, although she doesn't recognize that both Lestat and Quinn are as well. Lestat forms a plan to "exchange secrets," that the vampires will own up to what they are, and Rowan will tell her story about why Mona's daughter can't be found.

After a long discussion where Mona acts like a brat, Lestat—who's fallen in love with Rowan by now—promises to find the Taltos, and bring back Mona's daughter. Lestat and Quinn extract a promise from Mona that she won't try to turn her daughter with the Dark Trick, because they don't know what the mix of bloods will do.

Lestat is really rather lazy, and his only form of looking for the Taltos is calling for Maharet to help him. She responds in an email telling him where the Taltos are, and berates him for not knowing how to use email. Mona emails Maharet back thanking her for the information, and they start emailing back and forth.

The rest of the novel progresses on as blandly as that, no real climax, no real fear of anything bad happening or anything like that. It's an intriguing story, but it isn't very exciting.

Being written from Lestat's point of view, it's difficult at first to get a grip on just how selfish Lestat is. He goes on about his clothing, his love for everyone, how he wishes to be a saint, and a lot about Saint Juan Diego, beatified by Pope John Paul II. Lestat manages to annoy and intrigue at the same time, and the first person lets the reader feel like Lestat is really telling the story in a very personal way.

While this book was alright, it definitely wasn't my favorite. I can see why some people have complained about, just as I understand why Rice wrote a response to the negative reviews ((Anne's response to negative Amazon reviews. I didn't read the negative reviews, but I tend to agree with what she's saying here. Also, the line at the end? Also leads me to believe there will be no more Chronicles. I can imagine why (and really, it's a better reason than what I thought. It's all Lestat's fault).)) that were posted on Amazon. If you've read the rest of the Chronicles, obviously, this is a read for you. If you've never read the Chronicles (seeing the movies do not count), this is not the book to start with. The new vampires, the Mayfair family, and the story of the Taltos is enough to overcome Lestat's storytelling style—and yes it is "his" style, as he tells the story.(less)

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Feb 07, 2013 Al rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Fiery, fierce, and erotic, Blood Canticle marks the triumphant culmination of Anne Rice’s bestselling Vampire Chronicles, as Lestat tells his astounding tale of the pleasures and tortures that lie between death’s shadow and immortality. . . .Surrounded by its brooding swampscape, Blackwood Farm is alive with the comings and goings of the bewitched and the bewitching. Among them is the ageless vampire Lestat, vainglorious enough to believe that he can become a saint, weak enough to fall impossibl...more

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Jan 15, 2013 Patricia rated it 1 of 5 stars

This latest installment of Rice's "Vampire Chronicles" begins with a ranting soliloquy from the infamous vampire Lestat as he addresses readers of the previous books. He excoriates those who read his chronicles but did not understand what he was trying to say. He fantasizes about being good, about becoming a saint, about speaking to the Pope. The entire first chapter is taken up with nonsense that has nothing to do with the story, and then the novel's basic plot begins where Blackwood Farm ended...more

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Nov 14, 2012 Strangerealms rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantastique-dark-fantasy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 27, 2012 Delicious Strawberry rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: anne-rice, vampires

I was a big fan of Ms. Rice's books for a long time. Blackwood Farm was the first vampire (or Mayfair witch) novel that I didn't love. Actually, she had been declining for a couple of books before that, but it was in Blackwood that I noticed the sharp drop in quality, which only drops even further with this book.

Now, I know that Ms. Rice was going through a hard time. Her husband died, she found out she had diabetes, etc etc.

If Ms. Rice had said to her fans (via her website or otherwise) 'You kn...more

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Jun 02, 2012 Emily rated it 4 of 5 stars

A lovely and fitting end to the Vampire Chronicles and Mayfair Witches sagas, a melding and merging of the tales that offers a satisfying resolution to both. The Vampire Lestat is back to normal, the Brat Prince himself in all his angel-looks and gangster-talk glory. His preoccupation with the Christian Religion is a bit irritating and distracting, but his descriptions of clothing and furniture are distracting in a more welcome manner. Revisiting Rowan, Michael and the Taltos is only slightly le...more

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May 20, 2011 Cyndy Aleo rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: popular-fiction, vampires

I swear, it isn't intentional. My recent reading of the Beauty trilogy coincidentally led up to picking up Blood Canticle on the bargain rack. I'm a long-time fan of The Vampire Chronicles as well as her tales of the Mayfair Witches, and my lust for this book, the one in which the two series merge, moved it to the top of my reading list.

Oh, the horror.

::: The Plot :::

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Anne Rice's novels, there are two major series: one about vampires starring the Vampire L...more

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Dec 03, 2010 Lisa rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Lisa by: Jade

Shelves: 2010

A welcome return to narration by the Brat Prince of the Vampire Chronicles, the most excellent Lestat, as through the friendship he struck up with Quinn Blackwood in the last entry, he gets entangled with the lives and fates of the Mayfairs.

The writing style has changed somewhat since the previous entries, and I must admit I found it more than a little incongruous at first to be hearing the ever articulate and flowery Lestat using words like yo, cool and dude (while flouncing around in his lacy...more

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Jul 09, 2010 Ali rated it 2 of 5 stars

Okay, I DID read this one. I know I did. I just can't for the life of me remember what it was about. Although knowing later Anne Rice, I am sure it contained a mixture of everything she could think of to create shock value, said mixture thrown against the wall, and Anne Rice just hoping that something would stick. I am just picturing her thought process while writing this: "Hmmm...now I have done vampires and witches together, and I have done vampires, witches, and ghosts together, where can I g...more

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Sep 06, 2010 Melissa Cavanaugh rated it 1 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 22, 2013 Guadalupe rated it 1 of 5 stars

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Nov 22, 2009 Siobhan rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009, supernatural, vampires

After reading all of the Vampire Chronicles and Mayfair Trilogy, I couldn't let the series go unfinished, even though it took me years to get around to the final book. Based on reaction from others, I knew to expect very little from it, but even then the style of writing fell below my expectations. Though it's been years since reading the original (i.e. first three) books and all of the sequels, this was written like bad fanfic from an author who's only familiarity with the characters came from...more

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Aug 05, 2009 Mazel rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Lestat, le plus puissant des vampires, vieux de deux siècles mais beau comme un dieu de vingt ans, Lestat le Magnifique ne veut plus incarner le mal.

Il veut faire le bien. Sauver des millions d'âmes. Renverser le cours de l'histoire.

Dans sa quête éperdue de rédemption, il est prêt à tout. Mais n'est pas saint qui veut.

Au domaine Blackwood, amis ou ennemis, des personnages mythiques s'agitent autour de lui : Mona Mayfair, devenue vampire malgré elle, le mystérieux Ash Templeton âgé de 5000 ans...more

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May 02, 2011 La Stamberga dei Lettori added it · review of another edition

Shelves: pythia

Immediatamente prima dell'inizio di un concerto di una grande rockstar c'è un momento particolare e unico, che dà un brivido indescrivibile: le luci si abbassano in platea e sul palco, e qui resta solo un occhio di bue. Poi, dall'ombra inizia a distinguersi la sagoma della star, e la folla, prima di esplodere in un boato fragoroso, trattiene il respiro, non credendo ai propri occhi, pensando che quell'ombra è solo immaginazione. Come in questo attimo magico che precede il boato della folla, ho a...more

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Mar 29, 2007 M rated it 2 of 5 stars

I didn't get all up in arms about this book because I read the last three books in the Chronicles long after the brouhaha had died down, but I still have to nominate Mona Mayfair for most annoying book character of the past century. I didn't think this book was the worst thing ever written by Rice (see: Violin) but neither was it as good as the two that came right before it.

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Sep 09, 2010 Lisa Weber rated it 1 of 5 stars

Ick. Way enough already. Can vampires be redeemed? Oh my god, if he asks this question one more time, just kill him for good and put him out of his angst. Is Anne putting a little too much of her own insecurity into her vampires?

Redeemed from what? Surviving on human blood? They are predators for crissakes, a different species. Can humans be redeemed for eating red meat? It's the blood of another species, after all. Get over it already. One book, was good. 2 or 3, and I still didn't ask why vamp...more

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Jul 21, 2012 Cydalima rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Muchos me dijeron que era un mal libro, que era un mal final para la saga. No lo clasifico como bueno o malo porque no creo que sea malo, pero tampoco es una obra maestra. Fue un buen libro, pero no el final que merecían las Crónicas Vampíricas.

Como siempre, me fascina leer a Lestat, es hipnotizante, y es genial. Me gustan sus comentarios filosóficos y bien planeados, él me encanta en realidad. No sé, amo su forma de enamorarse de los demás. Y Quinn también es encantador. Y como la maldición Ma...more

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Jul 26, 2012 Caleb rated it 2 of 5 stars

A few comments...

To begin by being rather summary, I can unfortunately say that my needs for satisfaction in Lestat's return have been forever suspended. It may have been sincere love for the dazzling performances demonstrated by Rice in the primary "Chronicles" that propelled me into the far reaches of it's modest conclusions. Those longing for the savage delight of Lestat's rogueish nature would be best rewarded for a retreat into his formative years.
Upon recollection, the most serious offe...more A few comments...

To begin by being rather summary, I can unfortunately say that my needs for satisfaction in Lestat's return have been forever suspended. It may have been sincere love for the dazzling performances demonstrated by Rice in the primary "Chronicles" that propelled me into the far reaches of it's modest conclusions. Those longing for the savage delight of Lestat's rogueish nature would be best rewarded for a retreat into his formative years.
Upon recollection, the most serious offenses of Rice to the memory of her seamlessly crafted Frenchman manifests itself in his crude adoption of "modern" language. The reader is subjected to this straightaway. This haphazard adaptation can be observed in the inaugural chapter, which is nothing more than disorganized banter about Lestat's wish to become a clergyman, dispelling the air of lovable evil and caprice garnered previously. In but one sufficient example, Lestat rejects the onslaught of guilt eminent in the face of performing the "Dark Trick" with nonsensical pseudo-parlance like:

"Nada, never, mais non, forget about it, get out of here, not in a pig's eye, pa-lease, gimme a break, no way."

Atrocities to his previously surreptitious manner are feebly defended on page 24 of the selection which reads:

"It's just that all the debasing subterfuge is falling away from me, don't you see? Not the glamour, you understand, keep your mind on the image, baby! We're only losing those elements which tended to cheapen my discourse, and throw up a barrier of--artificial quaintness, more or less."

Shame, all that "debasing subterfuge" was what distracted the reader from the common conception of vampires and other beasts tragically debased by the like of the Meyer sisters. Gone are the traces of Rice's nods to Bram Stoker, and instead we are met with piles of unceremonious material of other supernatural origins. At this instance however, they are not accompanied by the literary excellence that fostered intrigue and smoothed the edges of the reader's discomfort with the origin of the namesake monsters.
Further complaint can and should be raised at the author's choice to end such a lengthy series with a distracting and unwelcome departure into the sudden revelation of the 'Taltos' species. It appears that the defining endeavors of a freshly inducted character are met in the small space of less than 100 pages. It would appear that Lestat has adopted the air of compulsively-tempered father figure rather than self-serving soldier of fortune. The change is scrupulous and admirable.
If you should find the proffered end of this otherwise magnificent series on your bookshelf and in favor of your attentions, it is true that some comforts may be found hidden, requiring extrication: The quaint story of Blackwood Farm is continued, although it has been removed from the forefront of developments. Also, the surrogate guest member of the Talamasca from the above mentioned preceding title called "Stirling Oliver" is present, although the reader will undoubtedly be found wanting if viewing him in the lens crafted by the legacy of David Talbot. Also, the close of events finds Lestat faced with a moral choice of obvious objection, not unlike the events in the final moments of "The Tale of the Body Thief". As a perfect example of the demeanor change in our beloved "hero", the high road is taken in stark contrast.
To those who may suspect it, I have not read the autonomous story of the Mayfair Witches offered as parallel to the latter titles comprising the "Chronicles". If better representation of the deviation from her original miracle can be found in those volumes, one may rebut with obvious concern over the discrepancy between title and content, where these witches encroach on the tales of the Blood Children. Also, having the unexpectedly bitter taste of their unwelcome flair to the titles I have read, these additional volumes would likely garner only dust if left to my provisions.

(less)

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Sep 21, 2010 Kristi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: you-can-borrow-from-me

I rated this 3 stars, indicating that I liked it. That is a sad commentary, considering that this book culminates two of my favorite series of all time and was written by one of my favorite authors. It felt flip, like she just wanted to finish the thing ... which may be true. Rice was always open about the fact that her writing reflected her current spiritual journey. Perhaps this book was just a symbol of the fact that she was done with that particular season of her life. Lestat was different b...more

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Oct 19, 2012 Ainee Gale Tan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I know it's quite wrong that the first book I read from Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles is the last book she wrote for the series. Okay, kill me now. Haha! But because, in here where I am staying, it is difficult to find a complete collection of the chronicles. Sad. Yet I'll try my best to complete it so let's move on now. Nevertheless, I did enjoy and understand the story Xp

Okay... I read this and I cannot just stop... to the point that I forgot to eat my meals XD Anne Rice is awesome. The b...more

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Sep 18, 2009 Jen rated it 4 of 5 stars

I've read this twice now. Contrary to popular opinion, I think it is very good. No, it's not her best work, but I love both the Vampire Chronicles and The Mayfair Witches, so this was a great crossover. Rice puts so much of herself into her novels and we see Lestat struggling with eternal philosophical questions and deep religious theological issues. This will turn off some readers, but for me it gave a very poetic and thoughtful picture of the supernatural. I'm sad to see my favorite vampires g...more

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Oct 19, 2009 Monika rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I haven't read Anne Rice since high school so when I saw this at a book sale, I picked it up. Reading this, I was wondering why I liked her so much back then. Although she has creative ideas, I felt like the writing just wasn't very sophisticated, for lack of a better description. I feel like she tries to hard to be hip and cool with the language and it just doesn't work. Lestat is quite conceited, what every great vampire should be, I guess, and she does this wonderfully. I also liked that the...more

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Aug 24, 2012 Enzo Frazier rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: finished-audio-book

This last installment of the Vampire Chronicles is ..., well: Awful. Even with the audio book, I found myself skipping through huge passages of worthless descriptions about what a minor character is wearing or what they are thinking. Rice threw "True Love" around like it was a silly game for these characters to the point that I ended up not caring who anyone loved or hated. I expected Rice to wrap up Lestat plot arch but she simply wrapped up - and rather weakly, I may add - The previous book: B...more

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Jul 19, 2009 Ann rated it 5 of 5 stars

I almost gve this book a 10 rank because of the pure pleasure it gave me to read it, galloping through the pages in a couple of days, visiting with favorite characters, a few new tidbits revealed or reminded. The interaction between Lestat and the extended Mayfair clan was entertaining as Lestat's humor and "take" on things flavors this novel of an otherworldly family I have been facinated by ever since their introduction in 1990's The Witching Hour. Picking up where Blackwood Farm left off, thi...more

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Aug 09, 2011 Aaron rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The last book in the series... and maybe that was such a bad thing. I had read 14 other Anne Rice books in sequential order before reading this one, and I was ready for a break after this one. I was very, very excited about this book... but Lestat wasn't, well... he wasn't Lestat. It was as if Anne made him into something he wasn't. Supposedly a vampire "with the face of an angel, who talks like a gangster," or some kind of crap. Actually, he sounded like a fourteen year old, which was surprisin...more

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Mar 21, 2012 Lori Anderson added it · review of another edition

Shelves: couldn-t-finish, fantasy

I tried really hard, but I couldn't finish this. There was something weird about Lestat talking in modern speak. I also couldn't keep up with the Blackwood part of it because it had just been too long. I'm sorry. I couldn't get through it. To be fair, I've liked several of the Vampire Chronicles, but this one, I guess I wasn't in the mood for it.

Lori Anderson

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by Ashley Marie Witter (Adaptor / Illustrator)
Beauty's Release
by A.N. Roquelaure (pseudonym)

About Anne Rice

Anne Rice (born Howard Allen Frances O'Brien) is a best-selling American author of gothic, supernatural, historical, erotica, and later religious themed books. Best known for The Vampire Chronicles, her prevailing thematical focus is on love, death, immortality, existentialism, and the human condition. She was married to poet Stan Rice for 41 years until his death in 2002. Her books have sold near...more

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Books by Anne Rice

Interview with the Vampire (The Vampire Chronicles, #1)

The Vampire Lestat (The Vampire Chronicles, #2)

The Queen of the Damned (The Vampire Chronicles, #3)

The Witching Hour (Lives of the Mayfair Witches, #1)

The Tale of the Body Thief (The Vampire Chronicles, #4)

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Quotes from Blood Canticle

“If I haven't put that on a T-shirt, I'm going to. Actually, I really don't want to write anything that can't be put on a T-shirt. Actually I'd like to write only on T-shirts. Actually, I'd like to write whole novels on T-shirts. So you guys could say, 'I'm wearing chapter 8 of Lestat's new book, that's my favorite; oh I see you're wearing chapter 6-” — 58 people liked it

“You make me miserable. You really do, I want you to know that. Much as I love you, much as I need you, much as I can't exist without you, you make me miserable.” — 7 people liked it

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Blood Canticle (The Vampire Chronicles #10)

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