Anne Rice is a well-known author, but to simply call her a "nasty girl" is a rather harsh and one-sided description.

She has made significant contributions to the world of literature with her unique and often captivating works. Her writing style is rich and detailed, drawing readers into fantastical worlds filled with vampires, witches, and other supernatural beings.

While some may have had negative experiences or opinions about her, it is important to consider the full body of her work and the impact she has had on the literary community.

Rather than using such derogatory language, it would be more appropriate to engage in a more thoughtful and respectful discussion about her writing and its place in the literary canon.

Perhaps we can explore the themes and motifs that run throughout her books, or analyze the characters she has created and the ways in which they develop over the course of her novels.

In this way, we can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Anne Rice's work, and move beyond simply making unsubstantiated and unkind remarks about her.

When I finally reached the conclusion of this rather thick book, having plowed through hundreds of pages that were only moderately engaging, and then discovered that it essentially ended with "to be continued," I was truly incensed. If this book had belonged to me and not been borrowed from a friend, I would have unhesitatingly hurled it across the room. It was at that precise moment that I firmly resolved that I would never, ever purchase another Anne Rice book. And indeed, I haven't. The disappointment was simply too great. I had expected so much more from a work that promised to be a captivating read. But instead, I was left hanging, with no real sense of closure. It was a letdown that has stayed with me ever since, serving as a reminder to be more cautious when choosing my reading material in the future.

This book truly stinks. Anne Rice, who once wrote really excellent vampire books, unfortunately, failed miserably with "The Feast of All Saints". It was dreadful to the extent that I couldn't even finish it. Her book about the childhood of Christ was horribly slow-paced and incredibly boring. And "The Witching Hour" just goes on and on and on, being as dull as real life. You find yourself constantly waiting for something to occur. Every few pages, she manages to say something about someone who may or may not be a witch.

The narrative unfolds in a rather tiresome manner. It's like, "In 1954 one of our investigators talked to a maid who lived down the street. She said that once she totally freaked out when she saw a man talking with the Mayfair girl in her yard. There have been several similar reports from this time period gathered from various sources that say similar things. Records also indicate that this girl got expelled from two schools during this time period. This strong evidence had led some of my colleagues to conclude that she is most definitely a witch... And this person begat that person. And that person begat that person. And the other person begat so and so... Person A lived a very quiet life in which nothing happened. Person B lived a life of sin and scandal, but was not really a witch. Person C was a powerful witch, but never cast any spells. Person D was probably a witch, but there is no sound evidence. Person E is some random cousin who really has nothing to do with the story or with witches and could have been safely left out of the book... Now we turn to the period that covers the 1960's."

I know that the book has really lost my respect and attention when I start skimming or even skipping pages just to get to where something is actually going on. It's a real disappointment considering the author's previous works.

God, this is an extremely long book. I generally don't mind lengthy books if there's a good reason for their length. However, unfortunately, this isn't one of those cases.

I've read several of Anne Rice's books and have very mixed feelings. I like her characters, her ideas, and her general plotlines. But reading her books is a tiring and frustrating task for me. I think it's related to her writing style. Her books often seem completely unnecessarily dragged out to me. Sometimes, there also seems to be a kind of forced mysticism in them, which is supposed to give the novel a depth that doesn't really exist.

I had such an impression when reading The Vampire Lestat, and again now. The worst part was the beginning. And when I say the beginning, I truly mean the first 400 or 500 pages (sic!). The first part is a hyper-accurate description of all the characters. It doesn't matter if they're relevant to the whole story or not. We know everything about them, from the moment their parents met until primary school and beyond. We know what they eat for breakfast and what their favorite color is. And it's quite possible that we'll never read about them again. It was really exhausting.

The idea of learning about the fate of the witches from the Mayfair family through the eyes of other people is truly a great one. But the lengthy descriptions were very tiring. After reading this part, I had to take a longer break from this book.

I was all the more surprised by how much I liked the part that featured the descriptions of the history of the Mayfair family in the documents of the Talamasca. What would seem the most boring part is actually the most interesting. If it weren't for this part, I probably would never have finished this book. I also have to admit that in the further part about Rowan and Michael, I often skipped several paragraphs. Again, I wasn't that interested. Luckily, though, it wasn't as boring as the beginning.

Also, over time, Rowan began to irritate me more and more. That's so strange because I usually don't like heroines at first but then get used to them. But in this case, I have the impression that at the end, she became really unpleasant and big-headed.

I needed this book for one of my reading challenges, and in truth, I thought I'd like it more. I doubt I'll read another book from this series if I don't have to again. On the other hand, the next one is probably the real story of Lasher, and it may be more exciting. But at the moment, I don't believe it myself.

Probably my favorite novel of hers is truly a masterpiece.

As is the case with most AR books, I find that I don't particularly connect with the characters on a deep emotional level as much as I do with the world she creates.

The world-building in her novels is simply outstanding. It's like she weaves a complex web of history, and everything in it is intricately connected.

I love how she manages to bring together different events, cultures, and people, and make it all seem so real and believable.

The story unfolds in a way that keeps me on the edge of my seat, eager to discover what will happen next.

Each page is filled with details that add depth and richness to the overall narrative.

Whether it's the description of a historical landmark or the inner thoughts of a character, everything is written with such precision and care.

This novel has truly captured my imagination and made me fall in love with the world she has created.

I can't wait to explore more of her works and see what other amazing worlds she has in store for us.

I have a great passion for reading supernatural novels, especially around Halloween. This particular doorstopper-sized book completely occupied my reading time throughout the entire month. It chronicles the captivating story of the Mayfair family of witches over the centuries. Beginning in Scotland, they then journeyed to Haiti, and finally, the majority of the book is set in New Orleans.

In the 1600s, Suzanne Mayfair, while being burned at the stake, summoned a demon named Lasher. This supernatural being is both devious and seductive. He harbors an important wish that he desires Rowan Mayfair, the thirteenth witch, to fulfill. Rowan, a brilliant neurosurgeon, has always utilized her special powers for the purpose of healing. However, under the influence of Lasher, she begins to question whether she is also capable of evil.

When Rowan inherits the Mayfair legacy, she and her lover, Michael, move into the decaying and haunted house of the Mayfairs in New Orleans. Michael, a contractor, dreams of restoring the old mansion to its former glory. The house, unfortunately, has a dark history filled with unexplained accidents, dead bodies, and sightings of the supernatural spirit.

As the story unfolds, an organization known as the Talamasca, which studies supernatural phenomena worldwide, comes into play. Aaron, who has been investigating the Mayfair witches for years, shares valuable information about their history with Michael and Rowan. Nevertheless, nothing can truly prepare them for their terrifying encounters with the demon Lasher.

Anne Rice's writing style is rich, colorful, and sensuous. The book is a real page-turner, although it does slow down a bit in the middle when it delves into the more scholarly Talamasca histories. Perhaps the story could have benefited from a bit of editing to make it more concise. Nevertheless, the author's imagination is truly impressive, making this a captivating read.

I read this book back in 2011 right after I completed secondary school. It took me an eternity to read it at that time, but I adored the story. Even to this day, I haven't come across anything quite like it.

A generation of witches, with their roots dating back to the 1800s, now inhabit New Orleans. The book is written in an astonishing manner. It's incredibly crazy how Lasher, the spirit from which they draw their power, drives them to insanity and more.

I'm absolutely going to reread it and complete the series because even after 6 years, I still haven't read anything as unique as The Witching Hour. It's a captivating and spellbinding tale that continues to intrigue and fascinate me. I can't wait to immerse myself in the world of these witches once again and discover all the secrets and mysteries that lie within the pages of this remarkable book.

I have always had a strong aversion to vampire and witch stories. However, my honors English teacher in high school recommended a particular book to me for our final paper. This book is approximately 1000 pages long. I initially delved into the first 500 pages and, to my great surprise, I literally fell in love with it. Ever since then, I have read the book about five times. I truly LOVE IT!

The story centers around a wealthy family residing in New Orleans. There is a spirit that attaches itself to one woman in every generation. The narrative follows the spirit from its very conception. It is an incredibly interesting and complex novel with numerous layers. It is not merely a witchcraft story; rather, it is a profound exploration of family, love, and history.

The rich and detailed descriptions of the characters and their relationships add depth and authenticity to the story. The author's ability to weave together different themes and plotlines creates a captivating and engaging read. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-written and thought-provoking novel.

What if, just before she was burned at the stake, a medieval Scottish witch managed to summon up a demon to safeguard her twelve-year-old daughter and exact revenge on her executioners?

This demon, bound by an otherworldly pact, remained loyal to the family throughout the generations. It defended them against all odds, destroyed their persecutors with a vengeance, and bestowed upon them unimaginable wealth.

However, in the process, the demon began to envy the humans and their powers. It hatched a devious plan for a day when it would be possible to shed its demonic form and become human itself.

Chief among its powers was sexual seduction, which held the descendant Mayfair witches in a thrall, making them both its slaves and its mistresses. But then, one day, a witch arrived who wanted no part of it and instead planned to destroy it.

Carlotta Mayfair now resides in a magnificent mansion in New Orleans. She commits the heinous act of murdering one sister and driving another into a lifelong opioid trance. She even sends away the next Mayfair witch at birth, ensuring that she will have no knowledge of the demon or its legacy.

That is the captivating backstory to THE WITCHING HOUR. And, although the next and most powerful witch in the family, Rowen Mayfair, is an exceedingly beautiful and self-possessed surgeon living in San Francisco, her life takes an unexpected turn when one day she pulls a drowning man from the ocean, saves his life, and through him is unwittingly drawn into the demon's diabolical plans.

THE WITCHING HOUR is a strikingly well-written work that offers vivid and fantastic descriptions of both real and supernatural events. The overpowering seduction and pure sex add an element of allure and danger. Perhaps it delves a little too deeply into the genealogy of the Mayfair family and presents seemingly endless horrific fantasies and hallucinations. Nevertheless, in the end, it is an immensely satisfying work that is well worth the long investment of time and effort it takes to complete the captivating tale.

My experience with my first Anne Rice book has been not bad at all. In fact, it has been so good that I am eager to continue with the series and discover what occurs with Lasher after the conclusion of the first story. I won't provide any spoilers here, considering the next book is titled Lasher.

However, I do have a few complaints that led to a one-star deduction. Firstly, for my taste, this book was very overwritten. While I have a penchant for sweeping epics and hefty page counts, this particular style didn't quite align with my expectations. The material could easily be trimmed down without sacrificing the plot, atmosphere, and other elements. Anne Rice seems to have a tendency to drag things out and overemphasize. Even after I grasped the concept, she would persist in describing Rowan's passion, Michael's confusion, or their love for each other. I appreciate details, and a significant amount of them, but the narrative should keep flowing. (I don't mean to sound overly negative as it wasn't that bad).

Secondly, there was an excessive amount of romance, which at times felt a bit cheesy. I suppose that's the trademark of Anne Rice. Nevertheless, I can overlook it. I do enjoy a touch of passion and some well-written sex scenes, but not the overly sentimental, crying-because-I-love-you-so-much kind of passion. I find it a bit hard to believe that they fell in love on the second day of meeting each other.

Thirdly, this book was definitely written from a woman's perspective. This isn't something for which I would deduct stars as I understand that a woman wants to write from her own viewpoint and experiences. But as a male reader, I must admit that I don't really care about descriptions of how big and thick his cock was, lol.

Okay, those were my complaints, but they're not a major issue. I thought the story was brilliant, both in terms of its content and the way it was told. The Talamasca's narration during a large portion of the middle provided a great journey through history. I have a love for creepy European settings, witch trials, and the scene with Deborah and Lasher was truly incredible!

Then the stories of Julien, Marybeth, and Stella were a lot of fun, with the setting being in the deep south at the turn of the 20th century.

And lastly, I enjoyed the ending, even though it took 300 pages, lol! I relished seeing how things unfold for Rowan, her encounter with Carlotta, and how it all concludes with Lasher. That was some top-notch horror.

Pues bien que me lo he pasado. This author has the peculiarity, which is sometimes a defect and sometimes not, of giving an extremely large number of details and going on and on, sometimes to an excessive extent. Since I already know this characteristic of hers, I was prepared for it, so there were no surprises and in this specific case it didn't bother me. In fact, I even liked it.

The story of the impulse giver, which if told to me just like that without more would have seemed to me like one of those that don't interest me at all, however, I found it extremely interesting. First with the family history and then trying to understand the ultimate nature of that strange impulse giver.

Some moments of the family history I found particularly interesting and it also caught my attention that the characters who want to stop that "evil" and who, so to speak, are on the side of the "good" (simplifying a little with the good-bad dichotomy) and therefore should be positive and bright characters, and yet, despite the laudability of their ultimate intentions, they turned out to be the most mean, hateful and disgusting in the book. How horrible, for God's sake! And characters perfectly suited to that "evil", completely amoral, are highly charismatic beings, presented in a sympathetic light, almost endearing.

A desolate ending that I hope will improve in the following installments. Everything can't end so badly, can it? What a letdown! Witch marathon

I first read this when I was a young 20 something, and I was immediately captivated by it. The story seemed to unfold like a magical tapestry before my eyes, drawing me in and making me lose track of time. I loved every page, every character, and every twist and turn of the plot.

Years later, I decided to pick up the book again. This time, as I delved into the story, I realised that my patience for very long books wasn't what it used to be. The detailed descriptions and slow-paced narrative that I had once adored now seemed a bit tedious at times.

However, despite this change in my reading preferences, I still found myself loving this book. There was something about it that continued to resonate with me, something that made me overlook its flaws. Maybe it was the nostalgia of my first reading, or maybe it was the underlying themes and messages that the author had so skillfully woven into the story. Whatever it was, I knew that this book would always hold a special place in my heart.