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Although I find this to be the weakest of the three books in the Lives of the Mayfair Witches, Rice has undoubtedly mastered the art of characterization and reinventing history. The history of the Taltos left me wishing that they actually did exist.
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This is the last volume of the trilogy on the Myfair witches, that starts with "The Witching Hour". This book is not as good as the first volume, but it's nevertheless fascinating and you definitely won't be tempted to abandon this book in the middle.
The main character here is Mr. Ash, who is the last Taltos alve, or so it seems. This fascinating, misterious creature's life will become intertwinned with that of the current designee of the Mayfair family legacy in and odd way, and despite all that occurs throughout the book you won't be prepared for what happens at the end.
Though the mistake made in the 2nd volume of the trilogy ("Lasher")is repeated here when Ash talks about his life - some 3 chapters devoted to describing everything in detail, which is interesting at first but then becomes boring and kind of makes you want to skip that section - this book is much more intense and involving than "Lasher", especially if you are a faithful follower of the Mayfair family. I just read the whole trilogy for the second time and I already feel like starting over again! This is the most fascinating story, full of mystery, history, love (and a pinch of erotism)... a mix that will win you over!
Rating:  -
Actually this is the book of the trilogy. I like the less, but you must read it to complete the whole story. I believe Ann Rice abuses of the "anticlimax" resource, so if you read this book, and when you are reching an important point of a situation and in the next chapter she jumps into another less important moment, please, feel free to jump that chapter and find out what happens, and then go back to the one you jumped, doesn't matter, sometimes it's pretty annoying.
I seriously believe she ruined the plot of the other two books, I mean, I can see she planned the story from the begining to turn like this, but I don't like it, I wanted something more like it sounded in the first book, a tale of ghosts and witches, but it is still an original plot, and monstrous in her own way.
She has her own style, one I enjoy, I believe she has a pretty dark hand to write, and a delicious conception of horror, unique in it's kind, no doubt about it, but I still think "Lasher" is better, and "The Witching Hour", the best of the three.
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Being an Anne Rice fan after reading this book I have to say I was a little dissapointed. I was really expecting something a little more...not what it was. The first two, "The Witching Hour," and "Lasher" were definetlly something good. But I dont quite know what happened here. It seemed to drag on forever then the ending was a shocker, but hey what do you expect from a witch. It wasn't that bad, it was quite interestring, especially what happened to Mona. I would read it but just don't get your hopes up, and don't rush through the book expecting some wild ending, it'll be what you expect from the Mayfairs.
Rating: -
After Lasher dies in the previous book ("Lasher"), a new Taltos is introduced to this series: Ashlar (aka: Ash, Mr. Ash, Ash Templeton, Saint Ashlar), who is supposedly the oldest Taltos alive, and was often confused in history as Lasher and vice versa. However, the two characters are completely separate beings. While Lasher had been a devious, evil Taltos spirit that haunted the Mayfair family for generations, Ash is a more even-tempered, kinder flesh-and-blood Taltos that lives in Manhattan as a very rich doll-making entrepreneur. (Between the two, I still prefer Lasher because he was so wicked. ;)
For centuries, Ash has been alone, never encountering another of his kind, until news from his good friend, Samuel (one of the Little People in Donnelaith), has Ash traveling overseas to London in the hopes of finding another Taltos. While abroad, Ash roots out the corruption in the Talamasca and kills those who are guilty. Aaron Lightner's murder in this book is among the many occurrences that prove the Talamasca's fall. Because he was so loyal to the Mayfair family, despite his obligations to the Order, it was sad to see Aaron go.
During Ash's search, one of the Talamasca members (Stuart Gordon) claims to have a real Taltos and entices Ash to meet her (Tessa) for his own selfish reasons. However, Tessa is barren and cannot carry on the Taltos line; yet Ash is still hopeful in finding a mate. His persistence pays off when he eventually meets Rowan and Michael, who are attempting to avenge Aaron's death. Through their meeting, Ash unknowingly makes a connection with another Taltos, one that isn't born yet. Remember Mona from "Lasher"? Well, she has a big surprise for everyone: she's pregnant with a Taltos (Morrigan). But will Ash find her in time, or will Morrigan be murdered like Lasher and Emaleth, destroying Ash's chances of ever finding a mate and continuing the Taltos line?
Although "Taltos" detours from the Mayfair family, it's still a pretty good addition to this trilogy. It expands on the Taltos mythology and gives the reader more insight on this species than what Lasher could previously offer. However, I missed Lasher, the Mayfair witches, and New Orleans. The Taltos history is all well and good for background information, but I prefer the witchcraft, demons, and drama in "The Witching Hour". That's why I gave "Taltos" a 4 instead of a 5. If you've read the previous two books ("The Witching Hour" and "Lasher") and enjoyed them, then I'd recommend this book; otherwise, skip it.
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