Anne Rice
Blood Canticle (2004)
Author: Anne Rice
Genre: Horror/Vampires & Witches
Plot Summary:
The Vampire Lestat is continuing his residency at Blackwood Farm a New Orleans area plantation/mansion with current paramour Quinn Mayfair. Lestat’s life has become infinitely complicated because of his desire to attain sainthood or become eternally good. His search for goodness takes a serious turn for the worse when Quinn’s terminally ill ex-lover, Mona, shows up at the farm so that she can be with Quinn for her final moments in life. Lestat revives Mona by giving her the “dark gift,” and making her a vampire. From this point forward Mona, Quinn, and Lestat begin a quest to locate Mona’s lost baby. The Mayfair family scandals are told to Lestat and Quinn in the process. The Matriarch, Rowan Mayfair, Lestats new love interest, is initially unwilling to assist with Mona’s quest as Mona’s child was born from her adulterous affair with Michael Mayfair, Rowan’s husband. In the end, Lestat, Mona, and Quinn go off on their quest and confront both the Mayfair family, the Taltos (the mutated woman child that is Mona’s daughter) and other vampires from the Vampire Chronicles. Mona and Quinn end up joining the Vampire Chronicle family, and Lestat returns to Blackwood Farm to live and watch over his one true love Rowan.
Geographical Setting: New Orleans and surrounding swamps
Time Period: Current Day
Series: Vampire Chronicles and Mayfair Witches
Appeal Characteristics:
Most people read Anne Rice because of the emotional connection with her characters. Readers instinctively know that Lestat is an evil individual; however, the atmosphere, and emotions that emanate from him draw the reader into a love affair with him. The reader enjoys seeing the world through Lestat’s jaded eyes and evil persona. He is a “monster,” but that is why the reader enjoys the story. Other appeal characteristics include sexual freedom, the jet-set lifestyle or millionaire wealth, and good vs. evil type story lines.
Similar Authors: According to the Columbus Metropolitan Library: Borchardt, Alice; Brite, Poppy Z; Grimson, Todd; and Kalogridis, Jeanne.
Red Flags: There is violence, vampires have to eat, usually human blood too. Adultery and its effects, incestuous children, are part of the storyline.
Note: As a personal opinion, this was absolutely the worst Anne Rice novel I have ever read!!!! It was very difficult to get beyond chapter one where she scornfully tells off all her devoted fans.
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