Long before the film there was the written word. Long before we settled down in
front of video or now DVD players for our fright-fests, we would read tales of 
terror by candlelight.
For most, this has been lost, however there are still those that prefer the pages
to celluloid or even both and why not?
This section then is for you. To help you to search through the rubbish and find
stories worth your time to read. If you're an avid reader of horror novels then
why not join 'Castle Dracula' as an official 'staff member' reviewing them.
To do so, just click on the 'Join My Staff' link in the menu to the left for details
of this and other vacancies.

- Blackwood Farm -
- Anne Rice -

'Blackwood Farm' is the new novel in 'The Vampire Chronicles' by vampire maestro Anne
Rice, author of 'Interview with the Vampire' and 'Queen of the Damned.'
Just outside New Orleans is the large estate of 'Blackwood Farm;' it houses 'Tarquin'
('Quinn') for short and his aunt, whom he adores, 'Aunt Queen' and their loyal servants.
'Quinn' had always been able to see ghosts but there was one in particular, which 
wouldn’t leave him alone. It looked like him, sounded like him, mirrored him in every 
way and was given the name 'Goblin' by the young 'Tarquin.' 
'Goblin' had always seemed the perfect companion for the lonely boy but the spirit 
turned on him when a vampire made 'Quinn' a blood drinker. 
'Goblin' was attacking him regularly which made 'Quinn' very scared so he sought out 
the only person he thought could help, the vampire 'Lestat.'
To help 'Lestat' understand 'Goblin,' 'Quinn' told his entire history, from boyhood 
where he discovered 'Goblin' and how the spirit helped him learn. He went through the
sordid 'Blackwood' family history and seeing ghosts, finding a forgotten house on his
property and the mysterious stranger who lives there, his love for 'Mona Mayfair,' and
finally how he became a vampire. His whole existence had involved 'Goblin' in one way 
or another.
'Quinn' hopes that 'Lestat' is the right person for the job and that he can destroy 
'Goblin' before the jealous succubus can consume everything that he loves.
Although this is a 'vampire chronicle' you don’t need to be a fan or even have read
any in the series. The one thing that Anne Rice has done with this novel is combine
both her series of vampires and witches. It includes 'Lestat' and also the 'Mayfair 
clan,' especially 'Rowan' and her husband 'Michael' who was previously in 'The Witching
Hour,' 'Lasher' etc.
Because of these aspects I loved the book but like I said before they were incorporated
so you don’t need to know there history but if you do it gives the characters more depth. 
As usual the characters were loveable and you got so much information about each of them,
they might as well be real people. From 'Quinn,' the naive little boy to 'Aunt Queen,' 
the old lady who thought she knew what was best for her family, the brave little girl 
'Mona' who lost her heart to 'Quinn' and of course 'Goblin' who only wants to keep 'Quinn'
to himself.
Once again Anne Rice paints a very vivid picture of the houses and scenery described 
in all her books. She includes New Orleans and the 'Mayfair House' and the two houses on 
the 'Blackwood Estate.'
Excellent book that stands out from the other 'vampire chronicles' and could well stand
on its own from an author you can only get more and more addicted too.

Reviewed By Zilliah.

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