MERRICK by Anne Rice - SIGNED FIRST EDITION BOOK
See all titles by Anne Rice.Merrick is bewitching -- Anne Rice is in top form with this
novel of witches and vampires. In the sultry world of Rice's New
Orleans, the almost-mortal vampire David Talbot, of the notorious
Talamasca, meets Merrick, the sensual Mayfair witch. Lestat, Louis, and
other Rice favorites make appearances in this tale. This novel is
Rice's ultimate marriage of her bestselling witch and vampire story
lines -- and it should not be missed.
Anne Rice has earned literary accolades and international fame
for her darkly sensual novels featuring magical worlds and otherworldly
creatures. Whether it's vampires, witches, or body thieves, Rice's
characters are among the most unforgettable in literary history. And
now, with the release of her latest novel, Merrick, Rice brings
all of her worlds together and resurrects (in one case, in the most
literal sense) some of her most memorable characters, including the
vampires, Lestat and Louis. The star of this latest tale is a new
member of the Mayfair witch clan: Merrick, a beautiful woman with
incredible powers.
Merrick, a descendant of a little-known African-American
branch of the Mayfair family, is raised in New Orleans by her
godmother, Great Nananne, a powerful voodoo woman. Merrick is only
eight when her Great Nananne dies. Eventually Merrick is found and
cared for by the then-mortal David Talbot and his friend Aaron, both of
whom have connections to the Talamasca. But David's connection to this
beautiful creature, who he comes to love with an intensity that is both
frightening and puzzling, is lost when he falls victim to the body
thief and, later, to Lestat.
As Merrick grows, so do her powers, including her ability to
raise the spirits of the dead. It is this particular power that leads
vampire David Talbot to seek her out, hoping she can help Louis, who
has become despondent with guilt over the role he played in young
Claudia's conversion to vampirism and subsequent death. Louis is
desperate to know that Claudia's soul is at peace and that she forgives
him. But when Merrick tries to bring back Claudia's spirit, all hell
breaks loose.
This is classic Rice at her best, exploring the moral and
philosophical quandaries of the undead and showing how utterly human
they are despite their inhuman makeup. The spirit-conjuring scenes are
spooky and chilling, and the plot leaves the door wide open for a
sequel that promises to be even more exciting than any of its
predecessors.