This is the fifth book in Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles, and her favourite, so she says. I have to disagree, and say that the previous Chronicles were much better. I found myself bored halfway through, and just continued to read it so that I could get it finished.
Lestat, our dark hero, after having survived the Body Thief (the fourth Chronicle), finds himself faced with his most amazing offer so far. To go on a tour of Heaven and Hell.
Memnoch the Devil, has been watching Lestat, and wants him to be his lieutenant. He tells him that the choice is his and after the tour he will be returned unharmed, if he should decide to decline the offer.
He consults with David Talbot and Armand, both tell him not to go, but being Lestat and loving a challenge, he accepts.
The thing I like about Anne Rice, are her detailed descriptions of things and places, and this book has to be one of controversy as to what she describes. In a way, it all made sense. Her version of the beginning of time? We read in the Bible that the Devil was an Angel and who was cast down to earth by God. Anne gives us her own account as to why this was, and believe me, once you have read this you will question whether there is good and evil, or whether there are two versions of good. And do we really have to forgive God to be allowed into heaven?
(Please, no religious comments - this is the last subject I want to argue about).
So off he goes, he sees Heaven and he sees Hell, he is given an account as to how the world was made and how the creatures of the earth were made, but will he want to be Memnoch’s right hand man? He also brings something back with him, a religious relic, that has a sudden impact on the world’s religions.
He comes back a changed vampire. Not physically changed, but changed inside. It has definitely made an impact on him, but will he go back and serve Memnoch? It would mean he would have to die of course (even though he is dead, he would have to give up his soul). Does he want that? You will have to read it to find out.
This is the last book of the current Chronicles, but they do carry on as the New Vampire Chronicles, and the next book is called Pandora. You may remember me mentioning her in another opinion about the Chronicles. Will Lestat be in it? We shall have to see.