Armands Tale

 

Vampire Armand

By Anne Rice

Starting his life out as an artist protege, Amadeo, starts his life out as the son of a Kiev chieftain.  His gift at drawing recognized he is given to the Orthodox church where he has an apprenticeship drawing icon that are not made by the hand of man. That was at a very young age. Soon after he is a slave in what used to be Constantinople but now conquerd by the Turks. The slavery is tough but soon enough he finds himself in Italy and before long he is bought by Marius. Marius is an ancient vampire who sets to to teaching Amadeo the fine arts and the life of a refined gentlemen. Marius has a thing for humans and their manners. THey also become lovers . Of course Amadeo is lead to try the pleasured of Venice's bordellos and other young men in the city. He is bi sexual.  One day he angers one of his lovers and the man attacks the household while Marius is away. He kills some members and mortally wounds Amadeo.  I is when he is close to dying that Marius turns him. Soon enough Amadeo has his name changed to Armand. Together him and marius go hunting. They hunt mostly bad people and criminals.  They free a poisoner from the grips of a sadistic merchant who forces her to kill for him. 

Things were going well in the vampire life but the children of the  night come out and attack Marius's stronghold. Everyone is killed including Marius. The children of the light are like vampires for christ . He ventually becomes the leader of the groups. The story follows his leadership through the Theater of the vampire where he is in charge of all the Paris Vampires. When that ends he finds himself in New York watchig over a couple of kids. who protectively watches  over a boy and a girl. The girl is a talented musician. A good part of the story details how his life is influenced by the Vampire Lestat so it helps to hav read the earlier books. Eventually he tries his luck in the son and is burned. Inspired by the veil of Veronica.

The story frames itself much like Interview with a Vampire. This time David Talbot formeerly of the Talamasca now a Vampire writing down the story.  Anne Rice makes her vampires elegant and alluring while at the same time adhering to the folklore in a realistic way. Her vamps are sensual and while being undead they enjoy the pleasures of life with a gusto.