Lacks a Pulse

I've read/heard and greatly enjoyed and admired several of Anne Rice's vampire chronicles. This one, not so much. The reading is superb, and for that matter, so is the writing. But the story falls short for me. Although devoted followers of the series will probably disagree--and I didn't come to the book expecting hand-to-hand combat among immortals--after 90 minutes of listening, when nothing whatever had happened, I gave up.

9 people found this helpful

Oh how I have missed this series

Would you listen to Prince Lestat again? Why?

Yes. All books by Anne Rice are good for multiple reads and this one is no exception.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lestat of course

Any additional comments?

I have always been an avid fan of Anne Rice and own both the vampire chronicles and the mayfair witches in hardback. I had quite forgotten how much I enjoy Anne Rice's writing and was excited to see Prince Lestat offered here on Audible. The book was well narrated by Simon Vance, I always enjoy listening to Mr. Vance and thought he was an excellent choice to narrate this book. I appreciated the opening chapter which served as a brief overview or catch up from previous books since it has been such a long time between books. On a side note, the Witching Hour was one of my all time favorite books and I was disappointed to discover that this and many other Anne Rice books are only offered abridged. I would like to see more Anne Rice books offered unabridged here on Audible, I would likely buy them all.

22 people found this helpful

There is Wonderous Power in The Blood - I loved it

The Vampire Chronicles spans 38 (Real Life) years now. I read borrowed copies of “Interview With The Vampire” and “The Vampire Lestat” (which ended in a cliff-hanger) then waited what seemed like an eternity for “Queen of the Damned.” I read that novel, and the ten subsequent novels and the related Mayfair Witches novels as they were released. After Blood Canticle, I did not expect to ever meet my old fictional fiend-friends again.

This is the 13th book in the Vampire Chronicles. It is written in mixed 1st Person, and 3rd Person Narration, with Lestat primarily written in First person. It flows together very nicely and I did not initially even notice the change in narration Point of View. I was impressed by this. Often changing of points of view in this fashion jolts me out of the story, and in “Prince Lestat” that only happened once, and only for a few paragraphs. This is not a flaw in the book. I learned something new to me about writing that I need to study further.

There is noticeable product placement in “Prince Lestat.” Good for Ms. Rice. It isn’t done in a heavy handed way, and in this case (as apposed to some best selling novels where the product placement often is so blatant it seems more important then story,) using product brands enhances the story. This is modern age “Patronage.” Marius would approve. Celebrity Endorsements are more difficult for writers then musicians. The one issued that Ms. Rice doesn’t face with use of brand names is dating the story. Dating the story actually an enhancement when writing about the angst of immortal creatures.

Simon Vance did an amazing job reading this book. He got to warm up reading the long awaited unabridged version of “Memnoch the Devil.” Bravo Mr. Vance! Lestat’s accent comes and goes, French to American, or a Fusion of both. This was well done and realistic. Marius’ accent must have been a challenge. I would have made his spoken voice more languid and detached, however that is just my personal take on the character. This is also not a flaw. I’m looking forward to hearing him read “Memnoch,” but I’ll wait a weeks or so before taking that journey again.

I enjoyed every single word of “Prince Lestat.” There were several passages that moved me very deeply. I suspect other readers fill also find bits of their own mortal life’s journey reflected in this novel. If one has read all the preceding books, I believe you will find this 13th a welcome reunion with old friends. To me it felt like, “Putting on my old leather jacket once again, as Winter cold approaches.”

I do not recommend starting with this novel. If you haven’t read the preceding novels, I suggest that you go back and read “Interview With The Vampire,” “The Vampire Lestat,” and “The Queen of the Damned” before (if you really have to) skipping ahead to “Prince Lestat.” The reader will get the most out of this 13th book by reading all of them in order, as well as “The Witching Hour,” “Lasher,” “Merrick,” “Blackwood Farm” and “Blood Canticle.” I thought until recently that “Blood Canticle” was the end of the story. It most certainly is NOT.

36 people found this helpful

Nostalgia Can Only Take You So Far

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Since Blood Canticle, there hasn't been another Vampire Chronicles book in many years. It's a treat to reunite with old characters and see how they've evolved throughout the years. Unfortunately, the book doesn't have much else going for it. Listening to the book is like reuniting with old friends and then once the warm and fuzzy feelings have passed, you realized why you stopped hanging out with them so often.

Has Prince Lestat turned you off from other books in this genre?

A single book cannot ruin an entire genre. Vampires come in all shapes, sizes, and shades. No reason to give up on them because of one book. Just try different authors until you find someone you like better.

What about Simon Vance’s performance did you like?

Simon Vance did an incredible job with a huge cast of characters. He gave the majority of the characters their own voices making it easy to tell which character was speaking and his accents were top notch. I'd listen to Simon Vance again!

Was Prince Lestat worth the listening time?

Once you get past the first few hours, it feels like every chapter is a repetition of the last with each character hearing the same messages and mentioning the same people. Once you get over the hump, the story develops into something new and interesting but ultimately fizzles out because the characters are all carbon-copies of each other and no one deviates from the established personality of the group.

4 people found this helpful

It felt like a holiday homecoming.

What did you love best about Prince Lestat?

That there was more! I missed them.

If you’ve listened to books by Anne Rice before, how does this one compare?

It's not in my top 5, but I enjoy ALL of her books. Of hers, maybe... middle of the road.

Which scene was your favorite?

Lestat laughing, getting on the table and then dealing with Rhosh was my favorite. I still picture him as Tom Cruise and well... his laugh was/is perfect.

Any additional comments?

Keep writing Anne

3 people found this helpful

Very long wait. Very big DISAPPOINTMENT...

Would you try another book from Anne Rice and/or Simon Vance?

I'm an Anne Rice fan & will always try again despite being sorely disappointed over the last decade. Some of her writing has evolved in a way that is too much of a departure from what I originally loved.

Has Prince Lestat turned you off from other books in this genre?

No, but it has made me very hesitant to purchase the next installment of the Vampire Chronicles if there is one.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Everyone sounded English! He could have done a better job of getting & staying in character.

Was Prince Lestat worth the listening time?

Not at all, but I kept on going hoping that it would get better.

Any additional comments?

This book was not for me because I absolutely love the earlier installments of the chronicles. If you are an Anne Rice fan of old, meet the new Prince Lestat with care.

14 people found this helpful

The Brat Prince Grows Up!

Would you listen to Prince Lestat again? Why?

Yes I will definitely listen to it again just as soon as I finish collecting all the others on Audible!

What other book might you compare Prince Lestat to and why?

Reading Prince Lestat reminded me dearly of whole series and all of the characters I didn't realize how badly I'd missed. If I had to compare this series to any other I'd have to say due to the sweeping vistas of character and visual development it's among good company with Terry Goodkind and Diana Gabaldon. Although the Subject matter is completely different they are all writers that whisk you away into their own worlds and make you want to stay.

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Simon Vance is new to me but he was fantastic.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I had several extreme reactions, but this book, I came to understand was about the Brat Prince coming into his maturity, creating and owning his own Identity. Ann Rice has evolved her children of the night and as much as I want to weep for the loss of the way things were, I can't help but be relieved by the peace all of my favorite characters find and how they find it.

Any additional comments?

Dear Anne, Some Novellas here and there would be nice. Victor needs a story! Everrard is going to kick somone's butt I just know it, and if the "Twins" happen to appear hear and there it wouldn't be so bad would it?

16 people found this helpful

Oh Anne.....

Ugh..... It started out alright, I skipped the list of terms (that was irritating) Some new characters were introduced and Anne unsuccessfully tried to keep everybody "current". Then there was a massive (and pointless) reuion of ALL the vampires (FROM EVERY STORY) because the spirt of Amel was killing the young ones (I thought Akasha already did that). Ann tried to dissect what makes a vampire through science ...such a mistake. Lestat was given a human son through artificially induced means... yawn. Let's see, some key old vampires got murdered ridiculously easily then it got super stupid. The Vampires formed a "government" ....and I'm really hating government right now.
Listen people, just keep the old stories in your heart. Trying to jump start the past never works. :-(
The narrator...he was a poor choice. Lestat was supposed to be 20 ,so it should have been read by someone who had a younger sounding voice. An artist that was able to have more diversity in characters would have been better, it was hard to figure out who was talking at some points. But the story itself ....just was the worst. I'm sorry Anne, I really wanted to love it. Your death as a legend was heart-wrenching.

2 people found this helpful

narrator reads well but...

This book is ok... It certainly isn't the masterpieces I've come to expect from Anne Rice though it does EVENTUALLY get better. Basically, the first 14 hours of this book is nothing but one character after the other either talking to another person or thinking to themselves, NOTHING happens. During the last 4 hours it finally gets good and a plot begins to develop. the narration on the other hand is a different matter. I'm not going to totally bash the guy because he does read well and emote properly with the correct inflections, however, his accents are horrible. Sadly, were it not for the style of writing used by Anne Rice I wouldn't have known who was speaking through most of the novel. The voices for most of the characters sounded exactly the same. Not only that but the accents were horrible. Every character, regardless of where they are from or what accent they were supposed to have was given either a British accent out a German accent, excluding Louis de Pointe du Lac. Louis is from Louisiana and is supposed to have a French accent but for whatever reason this author makes him sounds like some kind of cowboy... The mismatched accents were very distracting throughout the entire book. It was OK but I did return if for these reasons. I listen to most of my Books REPEATEDLY, and this one was hard to get through the first time.

2 people found this helpful

The Birth of Amel

Readers of the Vampire Chronicles know that the first vampire, Akasha, was created when the spirit Amel entered her dying body and became one with her. He entered Mekare when she killed Akasha, and he must continue to live in his host or all vampires, everywhere, will die.

In this book, Amel become sentient. I can't say more without writing a spoiler, The premise is interesting, even if the resolution is predictable.

Rice is obviously providing for the continuation of the chronicles in a new environment. There's a huge cast of new characters, so much so that she provides a listing of them at the end of the book. Some of them are, like Amel, spirits; but unlike Amel, these spirits have learned to assume tangible form. I'd expect to see at least some of them in future installments. I'm hoping that Claudia will return based on the inclusion of the other spirit characters.

Prince Lestat shifts approach, providing a fresh storyline populated by new characters, that should keep us reading the Vampire Chronicles.

Simon Vance should not narrate them, though. His narration of this book was so off-putting that I shifted to the companion Kindle edition after only a few hours, and finished the book that way. He cannot differentiate accents for the various characters, in fact, his "accents" are awful. French is no different than American Southern than ancient Roman. Nor does he provide "voices" for the various characters, so often I didn't know who was speaking.

Vance also narrates books written by Ruth Downie, set in ancient Rome. One of the characters is Tilla, and I heard Tilla's voice in Vance's reading of Prince Lestat. I think that's when I bought the companion Kindle book.

Because Vance's awful narration caused me to spend more money to buy the Kindle edition, I'm thinking of returning the audiobook.

Overall, Prince Lestat is an enjoyable entry in the Vampire Chronicles, but Simon Vance's narration isn't. I hope he doesn't do any more books in the series.

5 people found this helpful