Here's yet another review of a work by one of our favorite authors: Anne Rice. She has created what has come to be the quintessential addition to the vampire lore, in her Vampire Chronicles, and this offering, is yet another fine addition to the pantheon. Read on, dear patron, and enjoy

Memnoch the Devil
by Anne Rice

Having finally recovered from his ordeal with the Body Thief (see review of Thief) Lestat is happily settling into his new digs in New York; he has a new subject in mind, and as he tells his beloved David, he has plans for this man. Indeed he does, but in the meantime, Lestat is noticing an unnerving feeling crawling across his skin. Someone seems to be following him, stalking him, in Lestat's words; upon his latest victim's demise, and the extracted promise from the man's ghost (a first for Lestat), Lestat distracts himself from his new feeling of fright by taking in the victim's beloved collection of Medieval Manuscripts, and takes the man's televangelist daughter under his wing.

Unfortunately, the feeling of dread can't be avoided for long, and Lestat finds himself face to face with his stalker. The man introduces himself as Satan--though he prefers to be addressed as Memnoch--and whisks Lestat away on a whirlwind tour of Biblical history. The purpose of this revelation? Memnoch claims he is extremely close to winning the war between he and God, he claims he is the savior of mankind, and God is a cruel, and uncaring being, and Memnoch wishes Lestat to help him redeem mankind.

Lestat is completely overwhelmed; God Himself begs Lestat not to assist Memnoch, but after some very powerful persuasion, and Memnoch's explanation of how devious God is being, how wrong His view of evolution, humankind, and the ultimate fate of the world, Heaven, Hell, and Sheol are. But Lestat, much as he flip-flops back and forth on the offer, is terrified, and ultimately disgusted with both God, and Memnoch, and lastly, skeptical. What decision does he make, and what is the punishment and reward for the decision, and how does it affect our beloved cast of vampires and other Ricean immortals? You will have to read to find out.

This was quite an interesting read and is one of my favorite novels by Anne Rice. Rice's view of Hell, History, and Heaven were interesting, though as always, I must admit, there were little things, here and there, throughout the story that didn't sit well with me. Nonetheless, this is a fantastic addition to her oeuvre, a wonderful climax to the Vampire Chronicles. Give it a try; I am sure you will thoroughly enjoy it.

~Webmistress

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updated, December 17, 2007
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