Marius, main character and narrator, is forcefully made a vampire. He tells his tale to another vampire, beginning with his creation and ending with his life as it exists in the 20th century. Marius tells of almost 2000 years of his existence, relating his love of Pandora, his caretaking of the mysterious "Those Who Must Be Kept," and his relationships and connections with the other vampires of the world, both those he has made and those who have sought him out. His struggles include coping with his new found powers, trying to find a purpose to living for 2000 years, and finding Pandora, who he never stops loving.
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The review of this Book prepared by D.C. Stewart
The Vampire Chronicles continue with the story of Marius. He takes us back to his beginnings, as a Senator in Imperial Rome, where he was kidnapped and made a blood god by the Druids. He becomes the caretaker & protector of the Queen and King of the vampires. We follow him through his loss and centuries long search for Pandora, his great love. Along the way he becomes the creator and lover of others, including Bianca and Armand, and we follow these relationships. At one point he almost loses his life at the hands of an evil vampire and we stay with him as he heals over the years, until eventually he seeks his revenge. The conclusion of the book brings us back to the present and the shocking results of Lestat's music career.
The review of this Book prepared by Kim Mills
Knopf, Nov 2001, 26.95, 470 pp.
ISBN: 0679454497
Marius was very happy living as a patrician in Ancient Rome. However, he becomes disheartened when a Druid priest kidnaps him insisting that Marius will be the God of the Grove. He is turned into a vampire, but manages to escape. Marius journeys to Egypt to find the Divine Parents of the Vampires and bring them back to his hometown. For most of his life, he was the guardian of Those Who Must Be Kept, paying homage to them on a consistent basis.
Throughout his long life, Marius observed many world events including the fall of the Roman Empire. He found mortals that he loved and converted them, but none ever remained with him for long after changing. Marius made many enemies with one nearly killing him, causing centuries of healing before recovering. However, the ruler of the vampires stymies his efforts for vengeance by forbidding Marius vengeance.
Anne Rice has created another brilliant installment in her vampire chronicles that seem to have been running at a top quality level for as long as Marius' life span. Readers see the events of history through the eyes of the protagonist and understand what it is like to live in each era depicted in BLOOD AND GOLD. The characters are deep and complex and the tale is enhanced by action that occurs throughout the novel. Vampire lovers, paranormal fans, and Rice readers will enjoy this saga.
Harriet Klausner
The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner
