Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3)

Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3)
Taltos - Mayfair Witches, Bk 3
Author: Anne Rice
ISBN-13: 9780679425731
ISBN-10: 067942573X
Publication Date: 9/19/1994
Pages: 480
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 174

4 stars, based on 174 ratings
Publisher: Knopf
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

36 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 242 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Along with Stephen King, I've grown bored with Anne Rice's books. But this one is still one of my favorites. The vampire Lestat has become so pompous and self-important in Rice's latest vampire books I just can't stand reading them. But Taltos doesn't have Lestat which I'm so grateful for. This is an intricately plotted novel with great characters that come alive and a fascinating premise is revealed towards the end. I definitely recommend this book.
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Cool book. But you'll be lost if you didn't read the firt two.
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 37 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
A continuation of the Mayfair Witches story that began with The Witching Hour. Some of Anne Rice's finest writing. Complex, compelling. Astonishing depth and imagination.
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
As the series proceeds, the story loses cherence. Not a high point, but still a fun read.
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on
Helpful Score: 2
Third in the series of the Mayfair Witches it is possibly one of my favorite books from the series. Secrets are revealed about their haunted heritage and the link they have to outside wonders.
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 200 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Fantastic read. Had to read it again before I posted it! You will enjoy this one.
KellitaJ avatar reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 550 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The last book of a three (long) book series about The Mayfair Witches. After thousands of pages, I'd expected to read the WHY's of the theme of this book, the 13th witch, but instead I was further confused and unsatisfied with the Rice explanation. So many characters became unlikeable that it was difficult to even finish this book, but I wanted answers that never were provided. I did enjoy the descriptions of New Orleans and all the details Rice infuses into her stories.
auntnecee avatar reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 18 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
3rd book in the series...need to read all 3 to understand...a really great story by Anne Rice
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 54 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Even more than the Vampire Chronicles, I fell in love with the Mayfair clan. I have all three of these books and refuse to ge rid of them, so I can read them again and again.
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on
Helpful Score: 1
Third book in the Mayfair series. A must read for Anne Rice fans.
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 302 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
gothic,glamour fiction and high soap opera
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 74 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Great Mayfair Witches book - #3. Anne Rice works wonders. You can never go wrong with her work. Should read THE WITCHING HOUR and LASHER first, however.
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed the first 3/4 or so of the book, then things started to drag once Rowan and Michael sat down with Ashlar. Anne Rice has a problem with getting stuck in passive storytelling.
I liked getting to know Mona better, and meeting Mary Jane, was sad at losing Aaron, but I think the author lacked in the presentation of that part of the book. If I didn't already have an attachment to him from other books, it would hardly have struck me as important. As it is, I didn't cry...
One part that did make me tear up, however, was the scene where Ashlar and Tessa dance. I've always loved Pachelbel's Canon in D, but have a totally different interpretation and visualization of the piece than the one presented in this scene. Even so, it was striking and emotionally moving. I listened to the music on my iPod as I read...wow.
Overall a good read, but needed some polishing.
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Third book in the Mayfair Witches series
Bev7 avatar reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 97 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
In this story the family's haunted heritage has brought them great wealth, which is exercised from a New Orleans manse With SOuther n gentility, but of course such power cannot escape notice...or challenge...Rice is a formidable talent...Taltos is a curious amalgram of gothis, glamour fiction, alternate history, and high soap opera.
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A wonderful end to this trilogy. If you can get through the first book,then you are in for a real treat!!!
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Ok, kinda werid but I had to say that it was intresting.
CheriePie avatar reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 149 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I actually liked Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches Chronicles better than the Vampire Chronicles. Though I did like the first two books in this series, The Witching Hour and Lasher, better than this third one.
red2000 avatar reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 12 more book reviews
this book is in excellent condition EXCEPT that my grandmother noted her name and when she read it on the inside of the front cover. She also noted whether she liked it or not, she always did this; don't know why but it's funny reading her remarks on some of them.

personally, i just didn't care for it too much.
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 26 more book reviews
This series is fantastic. The first book was probably my favorite but I've found I do like to reread the series every few years and I rarely do that with books. Anne Rice does a fantastic job of weaving magic in this!
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 3 more book reviews
This was good ! It gave alot of background to the stuff about the mayfair witches you wanted to know about anyway! used, but ok. really.
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 14 more book reviews
such vivid characters. you can almost feel the pain of Ash as he tells his story, and feel the love among the characters. The ending was just grand. Igreatly enjoy her books and look forward to many more great ones.
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 7 more book reviews
It is the conclusion to the Mayfair Witches story. Very interesting concept. Although I thought the ending was very abrupt.
Handlebars avatar reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 153 more book reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Cutting-edge gene mapping intertwines with ancient mysteries in this continuation of Rice's series of novels about witches and the supernatural. A "taltos" is the superhuman result of the crossbreeding of two human witches who possess an extra chromosome; almost a monster, the creature is capable of beastly behavior fuelled by an extraordinary sex drive. In Lasher , the eponymous offspring of Michael Curry and Rowan Mayfair of the New Orleans Mayfair witch clan proved to be just such a mutant; before he was slain, he repeatedly raped his own mother, siring a little "goblin" daughter, Emaleth. This new novel features a second taltos, also fathered by Curry, but mothered by a 13-year-old sexpot niece of Rowan's named Mona, who is herself the most powerful witch of the Mayfair clan. Other plot elements involve renegade members of the secret order of Talamasca, who want to kidnap and crossbreed two taltoses; a 200-year-old taltos from New York named Ashlar, who is posing as a toy-industry magnate specializing in dolls; and a dwarf called Samuel from the witches' holy glen in Donnelaith, Scotland. Pulsing with a persisent sense of foreboding, the novel is soggy with meandering, atmospheric prose that verges on softcore porn. And, as usual, what happens in the book is clearly less important to the author than the number of chills she can send down readers' spines. She has not lost her touch. 600,000 first printing; Literary Guild main selection.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Just when we thought we had seen the last of the Taltos in The Witching Hour (LJ 10/15/90) and Lasher (Knopf, 1993), this third book in the Mayfair Witches series tells the story of Ash, a centuries-old Taltos who resides in New York City. The Taltos grow to a height of seven feet, carry an extra set of chromosomes, and have a superior intelligence that enables them to digest dictionaries and encyclopedias in moments. There is something rotten in the state of the Talamasca, an order of scholars who study the supernatural and keep records of the Mayfair witches. When one such scholar is murdered, Rowan Mayfair, the mother of the two late Taltos in Lasher, and husband Michael Curry investigate. Ash meets with them, shows them that he's harmless, and, like Lasher, has his own story to tell. Although this novel is a suspenseful and sometimes thought-provoking page-turner, it does not stand on its own; the first two books in the series must be read first. Recommended wherever Rice's books are popular. --Laura Cole, New Jersey Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc..
yolen avatar reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 92 more book reviews
Don't bother, really. Stick to the first book of this series.
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on
My favorite in the Mayfair Witch series!!!
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 134 more book reviews
I really love these Mayfair Witches books.
justreadingabook avatar reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 1728 more book reviews
I can remember waiting for this book to be released, if you are reading the Mayfair Witches series you will not be disappointed with this book. It wraps up with information and history that make it all come together. A really excellent book!!
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 58 more book reviews
Great book. Love this series.
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 6 more book reviews
Their haunted heriatage has brouhgt the family great wealth, which is exercised from a New Orleans manse with Southern gentility; but of cousre such power cannot escape notice or challange
katknit avatar reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 355 more book reviews
Rice ran out of steam at the end of this trilogy.
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 51 more book reviews
Great stuff from Anne Rice
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 101 more book reviews
Fabulous! Anne Rice continues to tell about the Mayfair witches and their offspring (Taltos). I so enjoyed this that I couldn't put it down. Anne Rice's legendary storytelling is very apparent in this book.

The story of the Mayfair family continue-chronicled through time and locations. The origins of the Taltos and their Lost Land is carried until present day with the moral crises of our time. Filled with death and life this novel takes you on a wonderful journey through centuries of a civilization of half-human and wholly mysterious creatures who are at odds with immortality, justice, and guilt.

Once again a creation of new worlds and brilliantly imagined times and characters. You will not only be mesmerized but enchanted by this whoel reading experience.
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 51 more book reviews
Another great Anne Rice book.
bookdeejay avatar reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 132 more book reviews
I enjoyed this third book so much. It explains a lot that the other two books leave as a mystery. It allows you to grown to understand and appreciate the Taltos in it's intelligence and simplicity and loving nature. It makes you both hope for and fear the coming together of the male and female
reviewed Taltos (Mayfair Witches, Bk 3) on + 64 more book reviews
bought a second copy by mistake