The Tale of the Body Thief by Anne RiceMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book really helps you get to know the real Lestat. Louis whined in "The Interview", Lestat reacted in "The Vampire Lestat", and all of us got a much bigger picture of the vampire world with Lestat continual impudence in "Queen of the Damned". However, "The Tale of the Body Thief" is a reflection for Lestat as he faces the emptiness of loneliness.
As one could expect out of "the brat prince", he handles the fears poorly with manic behaviour, bringing out new levels of naivety and unwise decisions just to find new boundaries. The book becomes more engaging as the reader inevitably shakes the head going "seriously Lestat, you didn't see that coming?" But then, Lestat wouldn't.
At some point, you realise that the predictability isn't irritating because it is simply that you are getting to understand Lestat, providing thoughts like "of course you are going to do that" with lovely literary descriptions of exactly how he did that.
You don't need to read the Vampire Chronicles to enjoy this book; but reading them will certainly add a richness to your experience with Lestat's personal journey in "The Tale of the Body Thief".
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