Holy cow that was a long book!

I truly do have a fondness for a good long slow burn story, but this one took it a bit too far. It seemed as if it could have easily had 5 hours trimmed off without sacrificing any of the essential elements. Fortunately, the second book is only one-third the size, which is a relief. I'm extremely interested in hearing what occurs to Rowan. I'm eager to see how his story progresses and what new challenges and adventures await him. Despite the length of the first book, the character of Rowan has really captured my attention, and I'm looking forward to delving deeper into his world in the second installment. I hope that the author can maintain the same level of intrigue and excitement while also presenting a more concise and engaging narrative.

Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! I absolutely loved this first book. In fact, Rice could have written another 1000 pages, and I would have been in literary heaven.

It all begins in our present time with a dramatic rescue at sea. Rowan Mayfair, a highly skilled neurosurgeon, is aware that she possesses special powers but is ignorant of her ancient witch lineage. While off the coast of California, she discovers the drowned body of a man and miraculously brings him back to life. This man is Michael Curry, who hails from New Orleans, was orphaned by a fire on Christmas Eve in his childhood, and has risen from poverty. During his brief encounter with death, he has acquired a sensory power that both mystifies and terrifies him.

As these two individuals, irresistibly drawn to each other, fall deeply in love and embark on a passionate alliance to solve the mystery of her past and his unwanted gift, the novel weaves back and forth in time. It takes us from the modern cities of New Orleans and San Francisco to the distant past of Amsterdam and a château in the France of Louis XIV. An intricate and chilling tale of evil unfolds, one that was unleashed in seventeenth-century Scotland. There, the first "witch," Suzanne of the Mayfair, conjures up a spirit she names Lasher, a creation that leads to her own downfall and torments each of her descendants in succession.

This novel is a captivating blend of romance, mystery, and the supernatural, keeping readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.

This is truly one of the best books that I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

Anne Rice, with her remarkable Dickensian writing style, masterfully weaves a delightfully dark and historically captivating tale. The story centers around a spirit that is mysteriously attached to a family of witches.

Despite the fact that this book is nearly 1000 pages long, it reads so effortlessly and quickly! The historical descriptions of the family's travels, from places like Scotland to Port-au-Prince in Haiti, are incredibly detailed. It's as if you are right there with them, experiencing every moment.

The level of detail is so exquisite that it made me absolutely swoon! (Yes, I really mean swoon.) This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery, a touch of the supernatural, and a deep dive into history.

This was an excellent, epic, paranormal witch saga that I thoroughly enjoyed.

It was spooky, intense, and suspenseful from start to finish. The narrative was top-notch, drawing me in and keeping me on the edge of my seat.

I will not forget this journey anytime soon. However, there were a few areas that could have been improved.

If the ending were a bit tighter, it would have added more impact and made the story more satisfying. Additionally, if about 200 pages had been trimmed, it would have made the pacing more brisk and engaging.

Overall, it was a great read, but it had the potential to be a 5-star masterpiece if these small adjustments had been made. I still look forward to seeing what else the author has in store for this series.

Knowing my profound love for vampires and witches, my dear sister, upon hearing a glowing review of this book, promptly sent it to me as a birthday gift. And I simply could not put it down!

This book artfully weaves together the spirit world with an old world charm and a new world's penchant for all things gothic. The writing is of such high quality that it truly captivates the reader.

I have been a devoted follower of the witches, spirits, and vampires in every single book written by Anne Rice. However, this one by far stands out as the absolute best! It takes the reader on an enchanting journey through a world filled with mystery, magic, and passion. The characters are vividly brought to life, and the storylines are both engaging and thought-provoking. I cannot recommend this book highly enough to all those who share my love for the supernatural and great literature.

Por fin he iniciado con Anne Rice y tengo sentimientos encontrados.

He disfrutado mucho de la mayor parte de la historia. El nudo en sí es lo más interesante para mí. Sin embargo, el desenlace me ha resultado pobre y apresurado, lo que ha bajado bastante mi concepción de la novela en conjunto.

En 'La hora de las brujas', vamos a conocer a Rowan Mayfair, una neurocirujana con habilidades especiales. Cuando fallece su madre adoptiva, decide descubrir el origen de su familia y volver a la vieja casa familiar en Nueva Orleans, a pesar de la promesa que le hizo a su madre adoptiva de no regresar jamás allí. Así, conoceremos la historia de toda una saga familiar desde el siglo XVII, en el que en cada generación de los Mayfair ha aparecido una bruja capaz de ver "al hombre" y transmitir su legado a la siguiente bruja.

Como decía, la parte en que descubrimos la historia de todas estas mujeres a lo largo de varios siglos y viajando desde Escocia a Nueva Orleans pasando por Haití, ha sido una maravilla. El inicio también me gustó mucho, con ese ambiente tan decadente, fantasmal y misterioso. Sin embargo, el problema es que según vamos obteniendo respuestas, me fue resultando cada vez menos interesante.

También advierto que hay bastantes rollos sexuales turbios xD.

Sea como sea, para ser una novela de 1200 páginas, es una historia que se lee muy bien, atrapa muchísimo y la mayor parte del tiempo disfruté enormemente.

Leeré sin duda "Entrevista con el vampiro", que sigue comentándose que es una de las mejores obras de la autora, pero no continuaré con esta trilogía.

I managed to get through this book only by forcing myself. It seemed to drag on and on and on.

It felt as if the author had taken three separate books and attempted to weave them together. I have a great love for Anne Rice, but unfortunately, this book was a huge letdown for me.

There were indeed some parts that were good, but they were not sufficient. She led me astray with a few of her digressions to other characters.

I advised my friends not to read it because, given its length, it's not worth the effort. There were some characters that I was eager to read more about, but then she would shift to another one that I wasn't as interested in.

If you are a die-hard Anne Rice fan, then go ahead and take the plunge and read it. However, if you are simply looking for a good read, then it would be best to skip this one.

I envision this as an absolutely fabulous mini-series. Picture Kathy Bates and Sharon Stone taking on the key roles. Their combined talent and star power would无疑 make it a must-see.

Kathy Bates is known for her powerful and versatile performances, while Sharon Stone has that undeniable allure and acting chops. Together, they could bring this story to life in the most captivating way.

Why can't this happen? It seems like a no-brainer. There are so many talented producers and directors out there who could make this a reality.

Someone, please make this happen! Let's give the world a mini-series that will be talked about for years to come. With Bates and Stone at the helm, it's bound to be a hit.

Anne Rice truly hits all the right notes for me.

Southern Gothic? Check. Creepy and sensual occult elements? Check. Set in New Orleans? Double check.

This particular book is an extensive one, exceeding 1000 pages. However, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the setting and the overall tone.

I have an enduring love for books that are set in the vibrant city of New Orleans.

That being said, I did feel that the prose could have benefited from some careful editing and tightening. There were certain sections in the middle where the story dragged a little, and there were perhaps too many descriptions of the smell of flowers and such.

Also, I couldn't help but think that the erotic passages were a touch overdone. Lol.

But despite these minor flaws, it was indeed an enjoyable read. In fact, by the end, I was completely drawn in.

I'm delighted to discover that this is part of a trilogy, and I fully intend to continue with the other volumes.

Oh, and by the way, Cillian Murphy of Peaky Blinders fame is Lasher.

A book whose beginning was difficult as I had to struggle to get into the story, but which managed to amuse me as the pages turned.

The positive points:

I really liked the back and forth between the past and the present and the entire history of the Mayfair witches.

Anne Rice has a true talent for creating disturbing atmospheres.

It's a book that I recommend to all fans of the fantastic.

Moreover, the characters in the book are well-developed and their relationships add depth to the story. The plot is full of twists and turns that keep the reader engaged from start to finish. The author's descriptive writing style brings the settings and events to life, making it easy for the reader to imagine themselves in the world of the Mayfair witches. Overall, this is a great read for anyone who enjoys a good fantasy novel with a touch of mystery and horror.

Well, I can tell you that there were numerous false starts when it came to my reading of this book.

I would make an attempt to read it, but then I would gradually lose my momentum.

Perhaps it was more akin to attempting to get an ostrich egg to move on its own up a massive hill under the scorching sun.

However, eventually, I managed to catch hold of this book, and it, in turn, caught me back.

It lays the foundation for all the other Mayfairs and numerous otherworldly occurrences in the other series of Anne Rice.

Once I delved into the history of the family and began to perceive the patterns, it truly was quite excellent.

It was as if a whole new world opened up before me, filled with mystery, intrigue, and a rich tapestry of characters and events.

I found myself completely engrossed in the story, eager to uncover each new layer and discover what lay ahead.

The more I read, the more I became attached to the Mayfair family and their extraordinary journey.

It was a reading experience that I will not soon forget.

What a completely screwed up story this is!

I simply couldn't put it down. Just when you think it couldn't possibly get any more grotesque or disturbing, it suddenly slaps you right in the face with yet another shock.

I'm truly heartbroken for Michael. There is an incredibly rich history of the Mayfair witches detailed in this book. It had absolutely everything that I love!

It had the allure of history, the charm and mystery of New Orleans, the fascinating world of witches, and of course, the element of murder that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

This book is a captivating blend of all these elements, making it a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a touch of the supernatural.