The story of Marius, one of the oldest vampires of them all, and his meeting in the present day with a creature of snow and ice. Thorne is a Northern vampire in search of his maker, the ancient Egyptian vampire queen who holds him and others in thrall with chains made of her red hair, bound with steel and with her blood and gold...
Blood And Gold: The Vampire Marius (Vampire Chronicles 08)
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Amazon Review
With Blood and Gold, Anne Rice is firing on all cylinders again, producing the kind of heady mix that distinguishes her best work: a bizarre mélange of gothic horror, overripe romanticism and a genuinely poetic vision that is very much her own. This latest vampire novel boasts all the Rice specialities, notably a moody, patrician vampire protagonist.
Marius, from a noble family (and a distinguished scholar), is one of the oldest of all vampires, his origins lost in the mist of ancient Rome, in the time of the Emperor Augustus. But all of his encounters over the centuries have not prepared him for his meeting in the present day with a sinister being of snow and ice. The northern vampire Thorne is seeking Maharet, his "maker", a centuries-old Egyptian vampire queen whose unbreakable hold over him rests in chains made of her red hair. As the Visigoths looted and pillaged, Marius looked on; he strode the decadence of the Roman empire, still seeking his lost love Pandora, but was later beguiled by Renaissance beauty Bianca, and the boy Amadeo. Rice, as usual, intertwines her diverse and complex narratives, keeping a massive cast of characters always alive for the reader. But the emphasis here is on the brilliantly created Marius, in thrall to Pandora and his alter ego Mael. As Rice conjures him, Marius may be the most distinctive protagonist in all her fiction. Throughout the seven volumes of the Vampire Chronicles, and most notably in such recent books as Memnoch the Devil and Merrick, Rice showed that she would never be content to repeat herself. Blood and Gold is further evidence of her willingness to tackle new areas in her colossal vampiric mythos.--Barry Forshaw
Review
Erotic and disturbing, Anne Rice is still the best modern Gothic novelist (The Face 20020614)
Rice's writing is wonderfully imaginative and as creepily splendid as a hot-house orchid (Sunday Times 20020614)
Rice has produced a novel that is erotic and sensuous (The Times ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Rice's writing is wonderfully imaginative and as creepily splendid as a hot-house orchid (Sunday Times 20020614)
Rice has produced a novel that is erotic and sensuous (The Times ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Rebecca
Format:Paperback
curled up in my bed with my new book, not exactly looking forward to it, but knowing it was better than nothing. But once I started, I couldn't stop, and finished it sometime around 4 am the next morning. I can't explain how I could suddenly be completely sucked in to this world, but when I got home, I raided my friend's collection of Vampire Chronicle books.
I've read them all, except Interview. That confuses many people, but I just can't get into it. All four main characters - Louis, Lestat, Claudia and Daniel - appear in other books, I'm familiar with the plot points, and don't think it's necessary. I just really don't think it's a very good book. I much prefer the characters' appearances in the other books.
I've loved many of the other selections in the series, but none quite as much as I love Blood and Gold. For me, it's the true last contribution to the Vampire Chronicles, even though two or three more books were published. (Those stories were Mayfair Witches crossovers, and I did enjoy them very much.) It's Marius' story, and he and Armand are by far my favorite of the characters (followed closely by Lestat, who also plays a big role in Marius' story). Marius is very close to being the oldest vampire of the group, so his maturity and authority are to be expected. However, his immaturity and childishness are surprising elements, and those unforeseen qualities are some the reasons he is so interesting to read about. I've read it three times so far, and if I could give it another star, I would
I've read them all, except Interview. That confuses many people, but I just can't get into it. All four main characters - Louis, Lestat, Claudia and Daniel - appear in other books, I'm familiar with the plot points, and don't think it's necessary. I just really don't think it's a very good book. I much prefer the characters' appearances in the other books.
I've loved many of the other selections in the series, but none quite as much as I love Blood and Gold. For me, it's the true last contribution to the Vampire Chronicles, even though two or three more books were published. (Those stories were Mayfair Witches crossovers, and I did enjoy them very much.) It's Marius' story, and he and Armand are by far my favorite of the characters (followed closely by Lestat, who also plays a big role in Marius' story). Marius is very close to being the oldest vampire of the group, so his maturity and authority are to be expected. However, his immaturity and childishness are surprising elements, and those unforeseen qualities are some the reasons he is so interesting to read about. I've read it three times so far, and if I could give it another star, I would
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought this as a treat to read on holiday. I enjoyed the book, in that it passed the time, but it seemed to me to lack 'zip' and pace, and much of the prose was, frankly, overly flabby and plodding. (How many times in one book can you use the device of repeating an introductory clause with a slightly different ending three times over ?) Also, there was vey little in the way of new plot introduced here - rather, there was a re-warming of much that was known from other parts of the chronicles. The dialogue seemed unconvincing at times too ... sorry, to be so negative, as I have thrilled to Rice's prose in the past, but the sparkle seems to have worn a bit thin here.
Still, if you've read the other books in the chronicles seies you'll probably want to read this - if you haven't, might I suggest that you start elsewhere ?
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. C. J. Thorpe
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
This is perhaps her best story of all.
I bought it because I am captivated by all her Vampire Chronicles.
I did not expect it to be anywhere near her best because I realised it would cover old ground explored in her earlier books.
But she covered it so well. She made what was ground covered before new ground from Marius's perspective. Rather than him being a supporting character he was the main character and you got to see his true feelings on what occurred.
I bought it because I am captivated by all her Vampire Chronicles.
I did not expect it to be anywhere near her best because I realised it would cover old ground explored in her earlier books.
But she covered it so well. She made what was ground covered before new ground from Marius's perspective. Rather than him being a supporting character he was the main character and you got to see his true feelings on what occurred.
The book is a tragedy in many ways and brings out many emotions in the reader. It is spell binding. It is a love story and it is a action book. It makes you fall in love with the characters and the places they go.
She has always been an expert at bringing out the emotions in her readers and she does to with great skill in this novel, the scene where he meets Pandora again after so many centuries but must let her go is heartbreaking.
I started off loving Marius as a character in her earlier books, then as she wrote more books coming to dislike him, but reading this has made me once again come to admire and respect and have empathy for this character. He shall now always be one of my favourites of all her characters.
If you have not read any of her other Vampire novels then this is a good one to start with.
As long as she writes books like this I will be a fan and eagerly buy her work.
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Can someone tell me WHAT is up with Anne Rice lately? I really enjoyed Merrick and loved the cliffhanger, but she fails to do anything to resolve the cliffhanger in this novel, ostensibly a sequel. Also, I found Marius' life to be incredibly boring until he got further into the present time. At that point, it seemed almost like Anne got sick of writing the book and she wrapped it up quickly and rather bizarrely.
Marius is telling his story to a vampire we are introduced to, one made by Maharet, Thorne. His story seems as if it would be interesting, but alas, only tidbits are thrown out there and then his story is used to wrap up the novel. Why do we even care about this guy?
Of course I am going to continue to read the Chronicles - unfortunately I've been sucked in!
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Blood and gold has, as you can see from above reviews, been heavily criticised. The reason for this i find to be quite simple, a lack of maturity among the readers.
The thing that is most enthralling about Anne Rice's vampires is their distinctive humanity. They are all basically super sensitive and passion driven vehicles of the human mind, they are not always good natured nor are they completley evil, they are normal. Yes normal, their vampiric lusts are just coincidental, it is the personification of our base interest that Rice feels fits best.
This novel is as good, even better, than previous chronicles. It is emotive and moving, it accounts the life of a two thousand year old vampire named Marius, and it does so with amazing grandeur and passion. the description of both character and setting in the novel is, and i sincerley mean this, far superior than anything i have ever read, i include in this, Dickens and Shakespere, the Brontes and King. It is simply a joy to read.
If you are a fan of Biography or fiction, vampire or monster, this novel will not dissapoint. i implore you to read it with and open mind and allow the notions and questions that it poses to flood through your mind. I think you will find yourself surprised at the sheer brilliance of it.
The thing that is most enthralling about Anne Rice's vampires is their distinctive humanity. They are all basically super sensitive and passion driven vehicles of the human mind, they are not always good natured nor are they completley evil, they are normal. Yes normal, their vampiric lusts are just coincidental, it is the personification of our base interest that Rice feels fits best.
This novel is as good, even better, than previous chronicles. It is emotive and moving, it accounts the life of a two thousand year old vampire named Marius, and it does so with amazing grandeur and passion. the description of both character and setting in the novel is, and i sincerley mean this, far superior than anything i have ever read, i include in this, Dickens and Shakespere, the Brontes and King. It is simply a joy to read.
If you are a fan of Biography or fiction, vampire or monster, this novel will not dissapoint. i implore you to read it with and open mind and allow the notions and questions that it poses to flood through your mind. I think you will find yourself surprised at the sheer brilliance of it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Marius
Ready it so often but still love it more each time! Marius is my favourite vampire from the chronicles. Love him and his story
Published 2 months ago by Jessica
5.0 out of 5 stars
And another book that made me entertained
All I can say that I really loved this book. I finally knew all story of Marius and Bianca. I knew so much of characters I knew just names. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Deira
3.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT START - DUFF ENDING
I WAS REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE STORY OF THE WISE AND CEREBRAL MARIUS AND THE FIRST FEW CHAPTERS DID NOT LET ME DOWN,ANNE RICE AT HER BEST, HOWEVER AS THE BOOK PROGRESSED IT... Read more
Published 21 months ago by COOPETTE
5.0 out of 5 stars
More than just a retelling!
Having read all of the Vampire Chronicles up to and Including Blood and Gold, I can say this is one of the best, along with The Vampire Lestat. Read more
Published on 18 April 2011 by ash
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bite me Marius. Pleeeeeease?
I am an absolute Vampire Chronicles nut! I've read 'em all.
This one is up there with my favourites. I was so excited when my hands fell on this book in the shop. Read more
This one is up there with my favourites. I was so excited when my hands fell on this book in the shop. Read more
Published on 9 July 2010 by Tohru
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pleasant read
I generally enjoyed it, particularly the parts on what Marius and some others are doing now and the introduction of new vampires, in present and in the past. Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2010 by C. Kemp
2.0 out of 5 stars
Lacking and incomplete; an unsatisfying read
I'd been looking forward to getting stuck into this one; I'd been an avid fan of the first four books, but hadn't seen anything in the following books to attract my attention until... Read more
Published on 17 Jan 2010 by Arkady Rose
2.0 out of 5 stars
Good as a new perspective on old events, bad as a story in its own...
This book happened to be the first book of the vampire chronicles that i ever read (and have since read the others), so my rating reflects mainly on its ability as a story in its... Read more
Published on 10 Dec 2009 by Dionysus Rising
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Vampire Marius
Blood and Gold is the story of the Vampire Marius of Rome. It is the eight book of Ms Rice in the Vampire Chronicles. I found this book to be an easy read. Read more
Published on 7 Oct 2007 by M. A. Ramos
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally another good Vampire Chronicle
I am a huge fan of Anne Rice's first three Vampire novels, "Interview", "Lestat" and "the Queen of the Damned", but became increasingly frustrated by the books she's published... Read more
Published on 17 Sep 2007 by Pieter Dams
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