Rating:  -
If this book is taken as a stand-alone novel (which is difficult to imagine, as interwoven with its two prequels as it is), it deserves three stars. If this book is taken as part of the Mayfair Witch series, it deserves no stars. Therefore, I'm compromising and giving it two.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the book as a stand-alone? Beautiful writing counts for it; Anne Rice is ever the talented author, and that shows through even here, in the weakest of her books I've read to date. Mesmerizing settings, interesting characters, mystery, enchantment, the touch of the *outre*, sensuality, age and history--yes, those are all here too. They're more tally marks on the 'pro' side of the ledger. However, they can't really make up for the rushed, illogical ending, the consistency errors within the book itself, the disruption of plot and story caused by the constant jumping about from one set of protagonists to the other, and surrealistic pacing. It's as though someone took most of the ingrediants for a very good supernatural novel and mixed them with a few drops of castor oil, resulting in something that may be edible (or in this case readable), but leaves one vaguely uncomfortable and uncertain that it was such a good idea.
That's nothing compared to its failings as the end of the Mayfair Witch saga, however.
If you adore the change that began in _Lasher_, where the Mayfair history and the Mayfairs themselves showed signs of becoming secondary to the mystery of the Taltos, you might like this book just fine. Because that's what we get here, multiplied tenfold. There isn't really much about the Mayfair witches this time. Rowan is *present*, but almost insignificant; Mona is a key part of the plot, but... she doesn't seem much like Mona anymore. Mary Jane Mayfair is interesting and worth meeting, but she can't make up for the lackings in the other Mayfair characters.
Then there's consistency--if _Taltos_ lacks consistency within itself, it lacks even more within the Mayfair series. Do Taltos have souls, or don't they? Do they reincarnate, or don't they? Are they immortal, or aren't they? Do they leave remains? Do they not? The answers may depend on which book you're reading, as do those to the questions of 'Is Michael a pervert?' and 'Is Mona big on wanting to be more adult, or wanting to be down with the younger witches?' The character consistency is the worst of all; some of these people are almost entirely unrecognizeable. Others are absent. None seem to live up to their promise in the original _Witching Hour_, or even in _Lasher_.
Finally, the ending... there are just no words for the ending. It's a cliffhanger--and as this is said to be the last Mayfair Witch novel, that seems rather pointless, and endlessly frustrating to the readers. I have no idea what will happen to the Mayfairs after this; I'd like to know. (I also have no idea what will happen to the Taltos after this, but to be honest, it would be hard for me to care less.)
This is basically a book that I think should either have been written with an entirely different focus, and/or should at least possess a more conclusive ending. Read it if you really want to know what happens after _Lasher_--maybe you'll even like it, depending how you feel about the Taltos and the Mayfairs.
Rating:  -
I was a little put off by some things in the book to truly enjoy it. Namely, a thirteen year old's pregnancy. Not too "tasteful" imo. That Taltos breast milk fetish is ridiculous to whine about since we are talking about a different species here and to put my own standards on that is silly. But come on, a pregnant thirteen year old? Now of course Anne Rice can sure write and her novels are characteriscally sensual and uninhibited. If you don't like the idea that of a same sex relationship(take a pick), eunuchs(a Cry to Heaven), or spanking(the Claiming of Sleeping Beauty)Anne Rice isn't for you. But seriously, a pregnant thirteen year old?!
Rating:  -
The more I think on it, the more I feel cheated. I opened the pages of this book hoping to read more about the Mayfair witches. More about their powers. More about the ghosts and the personalities that I fell in love with in the first two books.
Instead I got drivel. Things happen for no apparent reason but to set events in motion. (Just ask Aaron, he'll tell you... oh nevermind, he can't.) Characters behaved erraticly (One moment Mona was child genius, the next she was a whiny unbalenced child afraid her new toy will be taken away. Michael is now a stereotypical pervert.) Plot points were tossed right out the window. (Taltos have no souls, they are reincarnated, then they don't and they aren't. They leave no remains, then they do. Consistancy is important.) Even Ash's story was dry and didn't draw you in like the voice of Julien or Aaron in the previous books.
But the worst part is that this book leads you to a point where you almost don't care one way or another what happens in the end. Ash is a pity figure. Morrigan is a child with tantrums and seems even more insane than Lasher. If they breed, the Taltos could destroy humans, or they might not. Or they'll receate their island paradise. Or live in the glen. Or man might discover them start another slaughter. Or they'll help mankind. Or. What? It's just a little too vague to make you FEEL anything. No fear, no happiness for them, no amazement (for it was so predictible) just a sense of:
Oh. OK. Oh. That's the end.
OH! if only this one could be rewritten. The Mayfairs were so brilliant a concept that my heart breaks that this is part of the series. Better to have been a stand alone idea.
Rating:  -
Simply stated, I loved this book, I especially liked the part when Rice describes the little people, the "Leprechauns," through Ashlar's friend Samuel, how she described his gnarled disorted face. I am an avid reader of Anne Rice, I've read like 8 of her books already and I cannot seem to get enough of her. Her vivid imagery, her usage of words, seem to enthrall me into another world. Also, when I read her novels, I pay attention to little quotes that she says that are very unique. I can't wait until Merrick comes out so I can devour that book as well. After reading several of her books, I have come love Memnoch the Devil the best, she was just magnificient, as always. Ever since I read The Witching Hour I was hooked on the lives of the Mayfairs; consequently, I bought Lasher and Taltos-reading them one after another....she's just excellent.
Rating:  -
I was introduced to Anne Rice with the advent of "Interview with a Vampire", and she does not disappoint. "Taltos" is beautifully detailed, rich in prose and very thought-provoking. When a book leaves you wondering "Gosh, wouldn't it be wonderful if it were possible?", then it has made a definite impact. I have not read any of the other novels in the series as yet, but this book stood alone, with no puzzling gaps to fill. I had a problem with Mona and Michael (call me a prude, but I do believe that 13 is a bit young! ). Other than that, the novel was great.
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