One of the better Rice vampire novels. It’s more reality based than most (did not like Merrick at all), as part of the story finds Lestat reminiscing about “the good old days,” of being human. And it’s fascinating, and pretty funny, when he does it, and realizes how mortality compares to immortality. Like feeling pain and hunger.
This story is also unique among Rice’s novels, in that it’s mostly about a human struggle–being outfoxed by a human, and having to rely on other human beings for survival. Because Lestat is distinctly human (for a vampire), he’s lured into considering making a trade with a mystery human that offers him a chance to switch bodies–temporarily, of course. And the bait is taken.
Once the switch takes place though, the mystery man disappears, and leaves Lestat with no money and no car. Lestat soon finds out that he’s not only human, but soon experiences several of the weaknesses that this state carries with it.
So, I liked this book because it’s so different that the other vampire chronicles, in that it’s still other other worldly, yet retains a strong human element. It’s a nice mixture.