Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Is Anne Rice running out of puff?
This novel is mostly about the life of one of the Children of the Millenium, Marius, who we have seen as a recurring character throughout the Vampire Chronicles: friend of Lestat, lover of Pandora and mentor of Armand. As such, many of the stories told about Marius's life are familiar to fans of the series. Therein lies much of the problem. There is very little new here. The tale is told as it is recited to a new character, Thorne--a child of Maheret the eldest. However, his role is puzzling at best, his quest hard to rationalize. Mostly, this book left me wondering if Rice has gotten tired of the series and is only now writing because people want to keep reading. The story here doesn't "grab" you like in the first three novels in particular. Following so closely on Merrick, with its own set of problems, it makes you think that perhaps the Chronicles is living beyond its use-by date.
Rating:  - Marius tells his story
The Vampire Chronicles wouldn't be complete without the legendary Marius, who has appeared so predominantly in many of the previous stories, telling his side of the story. We start in modern times where Marius meets another ancient vampire Thorne, who has recently awakened from self-imposed hibernating sleep. Longing for company, Marius offers Thorne fresh clothing and a place to stay. Then he begins his story by taking us off to ancient Rome. Through Marius we see the fall of Rome, the rise of Christianity, the Byzantine Empire, and later the birth of the Renaissance. He meets several other vampires, creates some of his own, and has an encounter with the Talamasca. He talks of his lost love Pandora and spends centuries trying to find her. All the while, this story stays true to the earlier stories told in "The Vampire Lestat," "The Queen of the Damned," "Pandora," and "The Vampire Armand." Anne Rice is truly a gifted writer. She remains true to real life history as she creates her characters' history. Each character is deep and complex. We may not like the fact that Armand went on to led a Vampire Cult, but when we recall that as a child he was raised knowing that he would enter a monastery, it makes sense. Only a truly talented writer would venture so deeply into her characters' psychoses. There is some homosexual overtones that may disturb some readers, but remember vampires see beauty in everything. They don't really acknowledge traditional male/female roles, except on occasion. The romances do not seem overly sexual. Rather they express themselves thru touching, kissing, and sharing of blood. A great edition to a fantastic series!
Rating: - Phenomenal, one of Rice's best in years
Having read each and every book in the chronicles, I cruised along the last several. In fact, nothing since book #3, Queen of the Damned, grabbed me as did this one. Blood and Gold fills in the gaps of old stories, gives you different perspectives on the events that we've read. The tales of the vampires, seen through my favorite vampire, Marius, was compelling and a very exciting read. I've always preferred reading the ancient histories and this book contains all the familiar faces, Maharet and Mekare for a short while, Pandora, Armand, Mael, Santino and of course Those Who Must Be Kept. A short portion in the middle was all too similar to a recent novel, The Vampire Armand. While she spun her tale from the eyes of Marius, it felt all too familiar, and I spent several chapters saying, 'I KNOW!' However, this was brief, and I was soon thrust back into the story. Other tales are recounted with the familiarity one might have after reading the first half dozen or so novels, but all was done carefully and I found myself recalling so many little things from prior stories. Putting the pieces together, seeing it all as I had never seen it prior. Construcing an even larger, more complete world of these vampires! Perhaps this is only for those who have kept up with the series, or at least read the first 3 novels of the Vampire Chronicles. You needen't have read the later entries to get into this book. I would recommend the first 3 though, the classic tales! It might be confusing if you haven't read those, but everything since isn't necessary. If you've gotten through the recent books, Vampire Armand, Pandora, Vittorio and want more, then get this. If you were at all losing interest in these stories as I was, I still recommend Blood and Gold. I won't spoil the ending at all, but I was certainly moved and emotionally affected by the tale. Perhaps I've become too involved in Marius, as I said, he's my favorite vampire to read...but overall I think this is Rice's best work in many many years!
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