That feeling when you finish The Witching Hour is truly a complex one. There were so many aspects of this novel that I liked, yet at the same time, there were also numerous elements that I had some qualms about. But I'm just proud of myself for actually getting through this 1040-page behemoth.
Since there are so many different parts to this novel, and I have diverse feelings towards these various sections, it's quite challenging to review it comprehensively unless you go section by section. And I simply don't打算 do that. However, I will say this:
It took approximately 150 pages for me to feel like I was truly immersed in the book, rather than just being set up for a story.
The history of the Mayfair witches felt extremely well thought out and captivating. It was by far the BEST part of The Witching Hour. Anything written by The Talamasca was an interesting aspect of this saga to read, and it should've been its own book - without a doubt. Other parts of the book, which were interwoven throughout, were a bit hit or miss.
To me, the main climax of the novel occurred around page 700. The book could've ended there, been excellent, and felt ready for a sequel. But instead, it just... kept... going. And going and going. The next 200 pages actually just felt like a lengthy transcript for Extreme Makeover: Haunted House Edition.
(Watch for very mild spoilers from here on out.)
When the book finally, in the last 75 pages or so, hit its stride with the last conflict arc, the storyline began to feel rushed. The very ending of the book was convoluted and frustrating to read. To actually get through over 1000 pages and then find out that it ends in a cliffhanger?!
The main issue I have with this saga (if you couldn't tell) is that it actually feels like 3 whole books, compiled into one. Normally this wouldn't be a major issue, but it does raise the question, "Why?" Especially when you finish and then realize that it's not the end of the story after all.
Was it worth it? Maybe. Would I do it again? Hell no.

Wow guys, just fucking wow.

There are a whopping 1038 pages of material that I have read, and yet I still have to process it all. But you know what? I absolutely loved every single page.

It took me quite a while to finish this book. School and life have been so damn stressful lately, and this book was like a much-needed escape from reality.

For those 1038 pages, I was completely immersed in the world that Anne Rice had created. It was a welcome break from the chaos and压力 of my daily life.

I have to give this book a solid 5 stars. It's hands down my favorite Anne Rice book that I've read so far.

I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us.

The description of this monster is filled with a great deal of detail. However, what truly stands out is the remarkable character development that spans across 13 generations of the Mayfairs and their extensive family. The addition of the group called the 'Talamasca' is a fascinating element, and it's interesting to note that this group also appears in the Vampire chronicles. While the book didn't have quite the same impact on me as it did when I first read it 20 years ago, it remains a great novel nonetheless. Now, I'm eager to move on to the second book in the series, 'Lasher'. I'm curious to see how the story will unfold and what new adventures and character developments await. I'm sure it will be just as engaging and captivating as the first book.

How does one even begin to write a review for something as breathtaking as this?

Well, the honest answer is this: I have no idea. All I can do is give it my best shot.

I had never read anything by Anne Rice before. I picked a real doozy for my first Anne Rice experience. I had no idea what to expect. To my pleasant surprise, I really enjoyed her unique style of writing. Her descriptions were vivid and mesmerizing. She truly has the ability to paint a word picture that is both captivating and enchanting. The imagery she creates is some of the best I've ever read. It's not overly graphic, although there are some graphic parts. Maybe a little erotica is sprinkled here and there too, but it doesn't overshadow the overall story.

The story centers on a family of witches and covers the whole history of the family going back over 300 years. I found it fascinating to learn about the sordid family history. It all leads up to an unexpected climax that completely took me by surprise. I thought the story was going one way, but I was completely wrong. Still, it had a good ending. I knew going in that this was the first book in a series, and I fully expected to have at least a few questions left after I was finally finished. This book is rather lengthy at over 1000 pages, but I didn't feel like there were any wasted words. It was all very necessary to get the full scope of everything that takes place. I felt like there were several layers to this story, and I know I will be reading it again. It would be fun to do a detailed family tree while rereading, as there's definitely enough material to complete one. I highly recommend reading this book to anyone who enjoys a good supernatural thriller with a complex and engaging story.