Horror stories aren’t for everyone, and vampire stories aren’t for everyone either, but if you like both you probably enjoy Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles series. The library has the latest in that series, the first new book published in that series in a decade. Prince Lestat by Anne Rice recalls many, many characters from the series’ previous 12 books and short stories while focusing on its title character, a vampire named Lestat. If the series sounds familiar, it’s because the second in the series was made into the popular movie Interview with the Vampire in 1994.
However, in this installment of the epic series an unknown force called simply The Voice is compelling vampires to destroy their own kind. The prince of the vampires, Lestat rises up to investigate and combat this deadly force, which is not an easy task as these vampires are quite solitary creatures. By the end of this gothic story author Rice even manages to weave in themes of repentance and forgiveness.
Because this story comes late in the series of books, an index and short description of characters in the back of the book will help. This storyline also takes pauses to recap what has happened in previous books, so this volume can be read on its own without much introduction. At 450 pages, this is not a short read and Anne Rice’s sometimes flowery language does make this action-oriented book thicker, but no less engrossing.
You can get the book reviewed here and more great titles to watch, read, listen to, or play with at the Port Library at 1718 N. Hersey in Beloit. This is director Rachel Malay, saying “Thanks for checking us out!”