Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I've been a fan of Anne Rice's work since I was probably too young to be reading it, and I was cautiously optimistic when I heard that she was writing a werewolf book- would this, could this maybe be a return to the dark, intoxicating dream world of the early Vampire Chronicles? Nope. The book isn't all terrible. As always, Ms. Rice's powers of description are unmatched. As a relatively recent and wholehearted transplant to California's northern coast, I absolutely loved how she translated the unique beauty and character of this area into written words. Her spin on the classic werewolf legend is every bit as creative as any fan could expect it to be. There were a few parts of the story that fascinated and gripped me; unfortunately, those parts had nothing to do with the main plot or characters. Really, I had two main issues with the book: one, nothing much happens; and two, most of the characters are irritating, undeveloped, extraneous, or all of the above. The main character is Reuben Golding. He's 23, but sounds and acts like he's about 70. Seriously, the most cultured and mature of 23-year-old men do not sound like this guy, and if they did they'd be every bit as annoying as Reuben. He doesn't even dress like a young man... does anyone even wear turtlenecks anymore, let alone with double breasted blazers? Reuben is tall, beautiful, and wealthy... and that's pretty much it. He's supposedly intelligent and poetic, but he just comes across as pretentious. He reminds me quite a lot of Quinn Blackwood, actually. That's not a good thing. Reuben doesn't do much of anything except rip bad guys apart, have sex, and write widely praised newspaper articles. Despite this, the "werewolf superhero" angle doesn't go very far. Reuben isn't troubled in the least by his new circumstances. He is never in any real trouble or danger. Everyone adores Reuben instantly, so he never has any actual problems with any of the other characters. Also, everyone loves everyone else instantly. The few characters who do not love Reuben and everyone else on sight are killed immediately. Anything negative that might happen to Reuben is quickly quashed, and usually by someone else. His enemies, such as they are, are so easily defeated as to be afterthoughts. No one becomes angry or hurt by any of Reuben's actions, including his supposedly doting parents and his non-girlfriend. Well, no one except for his brother Jim, whose life and emotional well-being get basically trashed forever by Reuben, all for no readily apparent reason other than to have Very Deep and Meaningful Talks about morality and God every few pages. Jim was one of the few characters I ended up feeling anything for, and even then it was just pity. Poor Jim. The only other character I really wanted to know anything about was Felix, and when he *finally* shows up like you know he will by page three, he doesn't do much of anything except smile affectionately and gaze fondly at Reuben. So basically, everyone is rich (and I do mean everyone), everyone is beautiful, everyone loves Reuben, everyone loves everyone else, and oh yeah-- Reuben is a werewolf.