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easybake's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I wanted to reread this before restarting the series. I forgot how much of a douche Lestat can be. He’s an interesting character with lots of flaws and I think that’s why I like him/ his story so much. I think Mojo is now my favorite character 🥰
I really appreciate Rice’s back and forth with religious beliefs in the story. I’m excited to see how this story continues, especially since I started it over 20 years ago.
I really appreciate Rice’s back and forth with religious beliefs in the story. I’m excited to see how this story continues, especially since I started it over 20 years ago.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Self harm, and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Stalking, and Toxic friendship
mxine_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
despite being quite action packed, this book feels rather depressing. one minute lestat is talking about how much he likes walmart and the next hes throwing himself into the sun ! hes adopting a dog and then hes talking about how being weak while having the knowledge of what its like to be powerful has spoiled the illusions he once held of happier, more naive days. even though i like iwtv, tvl, and tqotd more, im totally reading this again
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death and Alcohol
madamenovelist's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism
bluelilyy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
despite the ridiculous amount of time it took me to finish this book, i did enjoy it quite a lot.
lestat just kept pissing me off BAD so i took a lot of breaks and put down the book for like two weeks before picking it back up.
im gonna take a break from the vampire chronicles for a bit. i do have memnoch, whenever i decide to pick that up but i want to read something else and just take some time before i read anymore of these books.
lestat just kept pissing me off BAD so i took a lot of breaks and put down the book for like two weeks before picking it back up.
im gonna take a break from the vampire chronicles for a bit. i do have memnoch, whenever i decide to pick that up but i want to read something else and just take some time before i read anymore of these books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Grief, and Toxic friendship
peggy_racham's review against another edition
4.25
What would you give up to be mortal again?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
bolivianrash's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Starting from 5 stars:
-1.0 for SA
-0.5 because wtf Louis
-0.5 because David deserved better
+0.5 for good boy Mojo
-1.0 for SA
-0.5 because wtf Louis
-0.5 because David deserved better
+0.5 for good boy Mojo
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Minor: Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Toxic friendship
raybudbury's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
*gets up on soapbox* the entertainment while reading this book was what lead me to giving it 5 stars there are a few things I could’ve done without the rape scenes… technically two of them and then she runs rampant with fucking a nun for a bit there too I feel like Anne Rice has such a compelling, juvenile at times but that’s partially just Lestat’s personality, voice while writing.
Part of loving this book was I am in such a Vampire Chronicles headspace in the moment as I wait for szn 2 in May that I was craving any more content that I hadn’t already consumed. also sending my friends screenshots and voice memos of me reading passages which I think made me love this book even more because I was giggling and being like wait this is a good concept/paragraph/line. Like yes parts of it were WILD and reminded me of a 90’s sitcom the stand off between the ‘villain’ of the book and lestat happens on a cruise ship which is so funny to go from iwtv olden times to 90’s cruise body switching + anytime Lestat was talking about shitting/pissing/weeping had me belly laughing. . I kind of find Anne rice’s writing delicious even if she is going on a theological tangent or making lestat reprehensible at points. Also the concept of a vampire switching bodies with a human and having to deal with human weaknesses is such a great idea. It’s like oh shit yes he would be upset about eating and peeing because he didn’t have to do this for like 200+ years. The whiplash of the tone of the book was also so funny and good at times. Like lestat’s ending the book by lighting a candle for himself and then there’s another chapter that’s literally like…. Actually there’s one more chapter read if you dare. And then the next chapter is MORALLY BAD LESTAT. I also really loved the power dynamic switch between him and Louis in this book. Actually any time Louis and lestat interacted in this book I was like oh fuck yes. anyway what a fever dream but so good in my opinion
Part of loving this book was I am in such a Vampire Chronicles headspace in the moment as I wait for szn 2 in May that I was craving any more content that I hadn’t already consumed. also sending my friends screenshots and voice memos of me reading passages which I think made me love this book even more because I was giggling and being like wait this is a good concept/paragraph/line. Like yes parts of it were WILD and reminded me of a 90’s sitcom
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gore, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
cjcantsee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
‼️I heavily advise looking at the trigger warnings before reading this book ‼️
////
I’m giving this book a 4 ⭐️ review because despite the emotions I’m currently feeling I liked the book and will probably read it again.
This book should be called “ what the fuck is wrong with you lestat “ because I found myself saying that out loud so much. This is the most frustrating lestat has ever been as a character because he continually refuses to listen to logic and the vampires around him then lashes out at them when things don’t go his way . I think this book has some of the most cruel and borderline unforgivable things lestat ever does in them and it also has the most we’ve ever seen him struggle internally. I find myself jumping between sympathy for lestat and thinking he’s getting exactly what he deserves which is why I think he’s a perfect anti hero.
The body thief plot was extremely fun to read and had me genuinely wondering how lestat was getting out of this one . The first 100 pages were a drag to read ( but that a problem I have with most AR books ) but once it picked up I flew through the book. I actually enjoyed the progression of David Talbot as a character and his interactions and relationship with lestat. Seeing Louis is always a joy tbh. I also enjoy the villian of this book because of the real threat that he posed to lestat and David and think the ending to that plot was very shocking but I enjoyed it. I also enjoy whe we temporarily leave the main genre and it turns into a crime triller with David and Lestat trying to catch James on and off the cruise ship( which I enjoyed all off . The last 150ish pages do the heavy lifting of this story but that’s common in AR books and I’ve come to like the pattern. The ending was very strong but very shocking
Overall I enjoyed this book and will continue reading the vampire chronicles .
////
I’m giving this book a 4 ⭐️ review because despite the emotions I’m currently feeling I liked the book and will probably read it again.
This book should be called “ what the fuck is wrong with you lestat “ because I found myself saying that out loud so much. This is the most frustrating lestat has ever been as a character because he continually refuses to listen to logic and the vampires around him then lashes out at them when things don’t go his way . I think this book has some of the most cruel and borderline unforgivable things lestat ever does in them and it also has the most we’ve ever seen him struggle internally. I find myself jumping between sympathy for lestat and thinking he’s getting exactly what he deserves which is why I think he’s a perfect anti hero.
The body thief plot was extremely fun to read and had me genuinely wondering how lestat was getting out of this one . The first 100 pages were a drag to read ( but that a problem I have with most AR books ) but once it picked up I flew through the book. I actually enjoyed the progression of David Talbot as a character and his interactions and relationship with lestat. Seeing Louis is always a joy tbh. I also enjoy the villian of this book because of the real threat that he posed to lestat and David and think the ending to that plot was very shocking but I enjoyed it. I also enjoy whe we temporarily leave the main genre and it turns into a crime triller with David and Lestat trying to catch James on and off the cruise ship( which I enjoyed all off . The last 150ish pages do the heavy lifting of this story but that’s common in AR books and I’ve come to like the pattern. The ending was very strong but very shocking
Overall I enjoyed this book and will continue reading the vampire chronicles .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content
cyberhavok's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Excrement, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide attempt
econsidine's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
There are other reviewers who put it better, but this feels like the book where Anne Rice really, really wanted to remind readers that her main character Lestat is a terrible person. He's a fan favorite, since he's charismatic as hell and an entertaining narrator, but it's easy to forget that he's done and continues to do some horrendous things to the people he claims to care about. If you love Lestat and see him as a misunderstood/tortured soul, this will be a tough read. If you enjoy him as a character/narrator but would hate to meet him in real life, you'll probably still enjoy this one.
There's nothing really new or surprising if you've read the first three, unless you've been reading this character with major rose-colored glasses on, but this book really hammers home his selfishness, violence, and complete lack of respect for other people's bodily autonomy. In this book he (vague spoilers ahead; see tags)rapes a woman, burns his lover's house down, and turns someone into a vampire against their will. He also murders a lot of people as vampires tend to do . As narrator, he acts like all of this was on impulse and he had no control over himself, immediately regretting all actions afterward, though I'd argue none of this is portrayed as okay or redeemable in the text. The "Body Thief" of the title very much refers to Lestat in a LOT of ways other than the obvious.
If you're okay reading all that, then you'll get a few beautiful moments with Louis (in his best taking-no-bullshit-era), Claudia haunting everything, and one of the best dog characters ever. Otherwise it is a lot of Lestat being horrible and having conversations with his old man friend David. Which really doesn't interest me. All that to say, gonna pause here with the series for now.
There's nothing really new or surprising if you've read the first three, unless you've been reading this character with major rose-colored glasses on, but this book really hammers home his selfishness, violence, and complete lack of respect for other people's bodily autonomy. In this book he (vague spoilers ahead; see tags)
If you're okay reading all that, then you'll get a few beautiful moments with Louis (in his best taking-no-bullshit-era), Claudia haunting everything, and one of the best dog characters ever. Otherwise it is a lot of Lestat being horrible and having conversations with his old man friend David. Which really doesn't interest me. All that to say, gonna pause here with the series for now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Biphobia