Prince Lestat and the Realms of Atlantis - The Vampire Chronicles

I do believe Anne has outdone herself with this latest installment of Lestat's journey. I can't put into words the utter amount of profound respect and loving envy I have of her talent and with it she has given the literary world a character who is and will remain legendary.

Spoiler-free review here...

The book opens with Lestat and the entire Vampire tribe in conflict with him being the Crown Prince. Ever-lovable, Lestat continues to radiate the best aspects of humanity while still struggling to find balance between the Brat and the Prince. This first half of the book is beautiful, and can sit among any of the best Vampire Chronicles books. If Prince Lestat's empty characters and sometimes masturbatory self-awareness gave you pause, you'll be really happy to hear that is all done away with here. Numerous beloved characters make a return, each with their own development and individualisms. All of the characters are important to the plot, and you'd be hard pressed to find anything vapid about them.

The second half of the book is much less strong, opening with a chapter that is perhaps twice as long as it needs to be -- telling a tale that leaves little to the imagination and existing almost in isolation from the grander plot. It was interesting at first but by the end I just didn't care about it. To discuss the elephant in the room: as the book's title might suggest, this story is at times less grounded than the previous books. There's a moment that is bound to be divisive among fans, akin to or perhaps surpassing the Midi-chlorians of Star Wars where you'll either be able to go with it or it'll turn into a tic, perhaps an eye twitch, whenever it gets mentioned.

Powering through that chapter, the latter of the book continues to have pacing issues, this time going a bit too fast to the point where we have characters appearing right when they're needed to move the plot forward. The fast pace also necessitates less focus on other characters, making them a bit more one-dimensional.

Overall, my impression of this book is that Rice set out wanting to expand the mythos. The problem is that it doesn't come naturally: it feels forced as if the story is merely a vehicle for the mythos. While fans of the series will definitely enjoy the first half of the book, I can't say if the second half will do it for you.

Awesome...Just, simply, awesome. I had no idea how this fabulous author would pull off a story involving Atlantis with details and history of her beloved vampire clan...but she did it!
If you're a die hard Lestat fan, as I am, this book will have you in its thrall until you finally read the last paragraph; the last sentence. The last words. I purchased the Kindle version of this book and literally could not put it down...finishing it in just over 24 hours. Yes, I did nap. Lol. Very well worth it!!! But now I am left wondering...where can the story go from here?? I will happily wait for that answer. :) Thank you once again, Ms. Rice, for her another spectacular journey into the fantastic world of your vampires. Adieu!!

I've always been a fan of the vampire chronicles, and while this has some good reading, it sort of feels like she's spiraling off into... I don't know. I will continue with the series if there are more. I'm hoping it picks up the style of the older books in the series.

I'll come back to this sometime with detailed specifics. However - I MUST state that it seems a lot of people forget all the magic and suspense and wonder comes from and belongs to Ann Rice. I went through this book like a starving Lestat. WHO CARES if Ann deviated from your perception of Atlantis! THIS IS FICTION and entertainment.
The writing was more poetry than text. I've read all Anne's work and often twice. And not just the vampire novels. I enjoyed this book immensely and did not want it to end.

Please Anne Rice - do not let any negative opinion (and it's just opinion) keep you from bringing to light your idea of humanity through the eyes and actions of your fictional characters.