Book Review: Blackwood Farm

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Blackwood Farm     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Anne Rice
Class/Genre:   Fantasy   Vampire   Occult
Series: Vampire Chronicles # 8
Knopf, Oct 2002, $26.95, 528 pp.

Heir to the wealthy Louisiana Blackwood Farm, Quinn Blackwood is a true son of the south, but has a secret that makes him quite different. He suffers nightmares caused by his spirit world doppelganger Goblin. Still he finds passion with teenage Mona Mayfair until Petronia converts him into a vampire.

Though he does not want to be a blood seeker, Quinn’s worse phantasm is that his doppelganger is not only one too, but that Goblin plans to destroy everyone Quinn loves and cherishes especially Mona. Knowing he remains an ineffective tyro when it comes to the night life, Quinn seeks the aid of Lestat, who refuses to help until the young vampire explains his full life history.

Anne Rice cleverly intersects characters from her two favorite series ("Vampire Chronicles" and the "Mayfair Witches") that have had runs longer than a vampire’s life span though a fresh set of characters especially Goblin and Quinn make this work on of the author’s best. The story line is typical of Ms. Rice filled with vivid detail and erotic elements with many scenes provided by Quinn describing his past. Though at times it seems Ms. Rice prefers to be a historical biographer, her myriad of fans will celebrate BLACKWOOD FARM due to the vigor of the Quinn vs. Goblin obsession war of supremacy.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner