The Mayfair Witches: Taltos ¦ Anne Rice ¦ Review

[@MarkGunnells]

They call it a trilogy but actually the characters return in Blackwood Farm and the cliffhanger at the end of Taltos is resolved in Blood Canticle. The novel Merrick is tangentially related and great. By the way congrats on finishing your doctoral thesis.

[@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall]

Thank you! I'm reading Merrick at the moment and enjoying it a lot so far. Here's hoping it stays that way! :P

[@MarkGunnells]

@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall I cannot wait to hear your thoughts.

[@Astrochic223]

I agree Blackwood Manor is one of my favorites. Also Lestat and Rowan’s relationship is interesting in I can’t remember if it’s Memnoch the Devil(my second favorite of all her books) or Blood Canticles. I love the fact that there are at least 4 books that discuss both the witch and vampire chronicles in depth and bring them together.

[@ashlarreign7850]

Okay this is no joke my mom named me after Ashlar, which I find very cool and also made me realize just how rare my name is compared to most kids and I am the only one in my school and maybe my county with the name Ashlar.

[@biancapuchalski1987]

Hey there! I just finished reading Taltos and contrary to popular opinion, apparently, I ended up liking Taltos more than Lasher. I found the second book a bit boring because of the lack of mystery, except for the fact that Julian made a small come back. Taltos regained much of that mystery, even though the plot seemed to go nowhere and the characters were a bit absurd. Nevertheless, I'll rescue this saga only for The Witching Hour, one of the most mysterious and exciting novels I've read ❤

[@anthonypatricia8067]

There was supposed to be a 4th book in the series, focused on Mona's TALTOS child, Morrigan. But Rice never developed that story into a novel.

[@thomasfranche6770]

I like Taltos. I think it's OK. I adore The Witching Hour and thought Lasher was almost as good too. Didn't you think the Fontevrault house, that was half sinking in the swamp, was one of the highlights ? On the subject of her digressions for dozens of pages, I tend to like that style. Roberto Bolaño did that a lot, especially in 2666, which is one of my favorites.

[@lfguimaraes]

Thanks for another insightful review! I couldn’t agree more. What I liked the most about the Mayfair witches was the history of the witches and the Talamasca. Dedicating the second and third volumes of the series to the Lasher/Taltos creature was a bit much. I wish Rice had made the last two books witchier. I can see myself re-reading the first book, but not the last two. I have also read Blackwood Farm where she merged the vampire and witches series. Her prose is beautiful and evocative, but meandering to the point where you lose track of the plot and who is who. Felipe :)

[@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall]

Yeah I agree. I don't know if you know this, but Rice is infamously against having editors take a look at her work. I feel like this is maybe not a good thing! At least sometimes anyway! :P

[@lfguimaraes]

@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall Yes, I read that she is against having an editor. Elizabeth George is the same way. I think every writer needs an editor. Even if she doesn’t agree with all changes and has the final say, she could at least consider the feedback. I want to read the vampire chronicles, but when I think about the meandering narrative I give up. My favorite writer of all times is Ruth Rendell.

[@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall]

@@lfguimaraes Yeah it's not like the editor will force you to make the changes, it's just about giving you a chance to reflect on your work and see it through another person's eyes. I've not heard of Ruth Rendell; what kind of books does she write?

[@lfguimaraes]

@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall Ruth Rendell was an English writer of psychological mysteries and suspense novels. She also wrote more literary mystery novels under the Barbara Vine pen name. I recommend checking out A Judgement in Stone (Ruth Rendell) and Asta’s Book (Barbara Vine). Another favorite book of mine in a completely different genre is Shogun by James Clavell. I liked it so much that I decided to learn Japanese and lived in Tokyo for a few years. Really liked your reviews of Mishima’s works.

[@hellabgood]

Not nice, Ms. Rice! How could you leave the biggest cliffhanger EVER! Ash and Morrigan, two of my favorite characters in ANYTHING you ever wrote! Wait oops, I forgot Beauty..but that was under a pen name. But to let Ash....of whom I had come to LOVE, and Morrigan, who probably would have been another fave (had I the chance get to know her) just run off into the woods right before it said THE END.....well that's just plum cruel. (Stephen King's 'Misery' comes to mind, lol). Well I'm not THAT rabid, but just very let down. Please let us know what happened to the beautiful Taltos couple! 🙏. As always, you writea hella great story! 👍🏼❤️👀✍️

[@curtjarrell9710]

I experienced this series in abridged audiobook form many years ago. I'm looking forward to reading the novels in early 2022. Thanks for your reviews.

[@cliffhorman6846]

This book left me wanting as well...

[@KP-sc1nh]

I personally loved all 3. Taltos reminds me of the ancient lemurians described in the Ruth Montgomery book called The World Before.

[@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall]

Interesting, I'll have to look at that!

[@kafeiii]

it's great to see you again :) wonderful content as always

[@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall]

Thanks, it's good to be making content again! :)

[@francesengland79]

The character that died off screen I believe died in another book. I want to say it was Queen Of The Damned… I think he was turned vampire. It’s been over a decade since I read the books.

[@gail2lane]

Is a Taltos, Nephilim? I like the first part of Lasher, when he was functioning as a Priest, I try to shut the tape off, before, he is martyred.

[@ianround7628]

I would like to see a TV series on the second book and Anne rice the vampire Lastat

[@bubbercakes528]

A bad book by Anne Rice is better than most good books by other authors! Just kidding; but I do love to read Ms. Rice’s novels.

[@lenoraGrayce]

I just finished Taltos, and I’ll have to say that I agree with you. It was definitely the worst of the three and the first two can stand independently on their own without this third book. I agree that the mythology was very interesting, but it felt like Micheal was completely emasculated and had no reason for being in this third book, the characters for rather flats apart from Rowan, and the ending came quickly and was a bit of a bore.

[@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall]

Yeah, it is a saving grace of the series that you never need to read this book again and the series is satisfying enough without it! :P I can't remember if I mentioned this in the video, but apparently Rice actually intended the Mayfair Witches to just be the first book! So the cliffhanger was meant to be the end of the story. I think she should have stuck with that plan to be honest, because I think Taltos (and to a lesser extent, Lasher) kind of betray the fact that there wasn't much more to tell of this story.

[@jennslifeinhuntingtonwv2678]

I agree 100%. The first book was so good then it just went downhill.

[@tonyalba790]

I'm more interested in what the book is about. The background surrounding Taltos than comparing the story.

[@christineweaver3090]

I loved this series.i wanted more!...despite it's weirdness

[@allib1859]

Your reaction of disgust at nubile sexuality is interesting, as well as your old-world assignation of gender with passive/assertive behavior. It’s Rice’s currency to garner such reactions. A major point scored by Rice in Taltos is the tantalizing idea that humanoid subspecies might well be regenerated de novo, as was Morrigan, and in reality vestiges do occur when genetic redundancy is present. Taltos courts the anthropological with our mythology very well here in my opinion, more so than in the other books. I completely agree with your point that the offscreen slaughter of a beloved protagonist was a missed opportunity. But not all writers can be as erudite as Hilary Mantel

[@MariaHellerDesigns]

Quick question. Did you understand Julien Mayfair's motives in regards to Lasher? I read this series twice, once in translation almost a decade ago, and once again a year ago as audiobooks in English. But I have yet to understand Julien's motives... At this point I'm wondering... Am I dumb? Or are his motives really elusive? I can't understand if he was trying to stop Lasher from coming into flesh, or if he was helping him. Julien knew about the 13th witch, the doorway, Lasher's plan, but I feel like he did things to help Lasher be born, but also things to stop him. Why else would he have slept with all the women in the family and conceive with them, if not to help that double helix thing in their genes evolve and become stronger for Lasher to be born? At the same time, he warned Michael about Lasher. I think Michael speculated about his reasons too at some point, wondering if perhaps Julien wanted Lasher to be born so that he could be finally killed. It's driving me crazy that I don't understand his motives! Does anyone understand Julien's plan in regards to Lasher? Or is it just me who missed the point?

[@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall]

Nice question! I have to say I'm unsure, although I do have some thoughts. First, I found out recently that Rice only planned for the Mayfair story to be one book. The first book. And she wrote it with that intention! So she wanted the first story to be very ambiguous. So it makes sense that it's hard to know. The second thing to say is that I think it could be that Julien was conflicted. It might be that at some points in his life he was tempted by Lasher, and so that's why he slept with all the Mayfair women, and it was only later that he realised what was going on. And maybe he only realised after he was dead. So I guess he could have conflicting motivations over time. That would be my guess!

[@amiraameera8302]

I think Julian knew Lasher was a problem, but he also knew Lasher would have done anything to be flesh again including killing him. I think he cooperated as much as he did because he knew Lasher would kill him, and he needed some protection from that so he could research and figure out how to kill Lasher, even if it was a descendent who did it.

[@Ceskafy]

When Julien visits Donnelaith he discovers that Lasher is evil and tries to change his ways I believe. He also knew that it was ultimately the power of the witches ( which is as we realize by the end of the trilogy completely independent from and at times even stronger than Lasher's) that will end up killing Lasher. He also makes a pledge there to a "God" in which he asks for a long and prosperous live for his clan. I believe it was as he grew older that he started putting together all the pieces of who Lasher actually was and what to do about it.

[@paulettegrant9996]

I love Ann Rice, but I think Lasher should not have been written off so soon. Had that character lasted a while longer, it could have opened up very more wonderful story lines.

[@jjmboston5832]

Congrats on your PHD. So smardht... :) Thanks for the upload.

[@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall]

Thank you! :)

[@Sunnyvalereject24]

Incredible videos

[@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall]

Thank you! :)

[@1987arturito]

Great review/rant! I agree with you that this novel is not Rice's best, but I reserve the "worst category" for some of her latest work. tottally off topic, are those books I spy in the back the Hannibal series? I was planning to buy that same edition (because is the only one available in a bundle) do you think is a good edition of the books? I would really appreciate if you could comment on that. oh, and you planning on continuing with the vampire chronicles reviews?

[@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall]

I do like that edition set a lot. I actually got it because I worked in a student halls kitchens for a while, and when the students moved out they had the option to abandon stuff. I guess the person who abandoned those books didn't think they were worth it. But I like them! I've only read the first two Hannibal books though. I should finish them at some point. As for the Vampire Chronicles, definitely be carrying on. Despite this negative review I do enjoy Rice's work a lot, and looking forward to carrying on with it.

[@1987arturito]

@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall ohhh free books are always welcome!

[@jeffpagan7735]

The only person who could possibly play a taltos would be the guy from Mama/pans labyrinth. But how could he be sexy like the book. It Wii be interesting to see what the series comes up with.

[@marniekilbourne608]

I don't like the idea of bothering to have a pregnancy and a child then to just kill it once it is born. What is the point of that? It's also disgusting. Usually you deal with the choice of bringing that child into the world and try and help them. Maybe later in life, when they are a young adults or adult, you will be put in a situation to be forced to kill your own child but not after fully giving them every chance to live and not cause harm.

[@randalllaue4042]

What is update? There’s a graphic novel out...

[@gail2lane]

Actually, Lasher,wasn't very smart, if he had gone, with the Talmascans he might have survived.,

[@yrenalantigua301]

Taltos a spiritual channeler. After wish comes taltos

[@riguez3001]

really i was just about to read it should i start with the witching hour or should i still read taltos

[@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall]

Well you should start with the Witching Hour because it's the first one! :P

[@riguez3001]

@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall i don't have the book though oh well I'll see if its available anywhere :!

[@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall]

@@riguez3001 Hope you can find it!

[@riguez3001]

@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall i hope so too! Thanks 🤙

[@vic1978100]

Blackwood Farm?

[@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall]

I'll get there soon.... :)

[@vic1978100]

@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall Great! Just found your channel and haven't thought about those Mayfairs in years. You pretty much nailed it with it's flaws but I still love em. The Vampire Chronicles/Mayfair crossover is a lot of fun. Looking forward to your review.

[@iestynovich]

PS...what is your PHD thesis on, please?

[@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall]

It's on the philosophy of trust in public organisations. What is trust, what does it mean to trust a public organisation, and how can public organisations engage with the public in order to build trust. Those are some of the main parts of it anyhow! :)

[@whall4wh]

LOL! I knew it!

[@whall4wh]

Please pontificate on why everyone else in society is so bad.

[@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall]

@@whall4wh No, that's not the aim of this channel. Or my research for that matter, LOL

[@alexiscohen932]

If you hate Mona now, just wait until Blood Canticle!!

[@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall]

Oh no! I was hoping that this was the end of her haha. Didn't realise she appears in the crossover novels too haha

[@alexiscohen932]

@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall I'm anticipating those reviews quite a bit! I'm sure you'll have a lot to say.

[@gardeningintheburbs]

I loved the Witching hour, and Lasher is okay. But Taltos is weak...

[@cobybryson6668]

The season premier of the Mayfair Witches was cool 😎

[@seanmcguire7974]

Having a hard time reading n looking into the camera?

[@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall]

No, there's just a man behind the camera with a gun pointing at my head. As you might imagine, that's quite distracting... :P

[@seanmcguire7974]

@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall 😆 nice! Glad you can take a joke.

[@aallerton]

Oh yeah, Mona is irritating. 🙂

[@SagasGeek]

Youre so cute

[@sesshowmarumonoke]

I get you, Mona is very annoying and lacks substance.

[@whall4wh]

Let me guess, you now have a Ph.D. in Social Justice.