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Prince Lestat (The Vampire Chronicles, #11)

Anne Rice

Start date: October 28, 2014

Finish date: September 17, 2015

Why we're reading this: so love how the brat prince tells his side of what happened to him and louis how much he longs to be back…more
[close] so love how the brat prince tells his side of what happened to him and louis how much he longs to be back in his arms

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Nov 11, 2014 Sarah Cradit rated it it was amazing

Everyone loves Lestat. We all missed him; his brattiness, his challenge of the status quo, the breath of fresh air he breathed into the vampire-verse. So, I was not surprised at all to feel a sense of satisfied relief at this reunion, finally, after all these years. But what I did not realize, until I read Prince Lestat, was how much I missed every single character in this series. Rice so expertly weaves her characters together in a loving symbiosis. Lestat, on his own, would not suffice without Everyone loves Lestat. We all missed him; his brattiness, his challenge of the status quo, the breath of fresh air he breathed into the vampire-verse. So, I was not surprised at all to feel a sense of satisfied relief at this reunion, finally, after all these years. But what I did not realize, until I read Prince Lestat, was how much I missed every single character in this series. Rice so expertly weaves her characters together in a loving symbiosis. Lestat, on his own, would not suffice without these companions in the background, coloring the tapestry.

I wasn't sure going in what to expect. I'd intentionally avoided speculation, and didn't even read the dust-jacket blurb. Because of this, I was transported on a journey that picks up where the lore left us in Queen of the Damned, and swept up in the story with a fresh and willing mind.

When there is a gap this big in publication of series books, catching up readers can be a touchy challenge. I not only think Rice tackled this well, I think she has essentially paved the way for a new and unique way to bring things from then to now. Although I'd read the series several times, her "Genesis" approach to the history and the background was absolutely fun and interesting, and would make it simple for readers new and old to pick up Prince Lestat without having to go back.

Finally, the story itself. Lestat has the only first person narrative, but he is not the only voice here. We hear from characters new, old, and everything in between. This is a true reunion of the vampires; a coming together of beings you would love to, yourself, enjoy a nice dinner with. And while I did predict the ending almost from the first page, it did not make the build-up and the journey to get there any less fluid and fascinating; it did not take away from the story one bit. I also loved some of the other (unexpected) twists involving Viktor and Rose, and was THRILLED to get some real answers about the Talmasca. I never saw that explanation coming, and yet, it is the explanation that makes the only true sense. Lestat's character evolution, bringing him to the point where the rest of the race sees him as the only natural leader, is done so with rationale that makes sense. A leader made through his own experience and choices, the choice to turn his back is long-past. And though there were unthinkable losses along the way in this tale, once again I can appreciate anew Rice's fearlessness to go where the story commands, and make no apologies for it.

I had the pleasure of spending the week in New Orleans when this was released, joining the Undead Conference Events as an author, and then attending the Lestat Coronation Ball. It is beautiful and wondrous to see how Rice's world, and specifically this character, has influenced people of all generations, from around the globe. Lestat has truly left an impact, both on the page and in our own world.

Best of all? This isn't the end. Those of us who have grown up with the vampires will get to take that journey even further. ...more

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Feb 07, 2015 Sharon Hass rated it it was amazing

Another chilling novel by Anne Rice , featuring Lestat de Lioncourt. Remember him- a vampire who was the narrator and an antihero in the majority of The Vampire Chronicles.

First of all in this book the vampire world is in a crisis . Powerful forces of the night are summoned up. Old vampires, awakened from slumber in the Earth. The one who may be able to do anything is Lestat.

I was drawn into this book from the start. After knowing what all Lestat can do- such as use his telepathy, mind reading, ...more

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Nov 12, 2014 Christina Boronkas rated it it was amazing

By far Anne Rice is my favorite, but this one took me a bit to finish, which is a first for me. This one had my mind twisting and turning in so many ways I couldnt believe it. I loved reading about the new characters that I hadnt read about before, really added to the richness of the story. You will have to pay attention though or you will lose the different directions you are taken in, at one point I did get confused then I got one of those aha moments and laughed when I figured it out. Im so g ...more

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