From the day her first Vampire Chronicle was published, critics and
readers - readers by the hundreds of thousands - have been mesmerized by
the writings of Anne Rice. And with the publication of "The Witching
Hour," she created for us yet another world and legend, and both the
chorus of praise (see back of jacket) and the multitudes of her readers
once more increased. Now, in her new novel, Anne Rice brings us again -
even more magically - into the midst of the dynasty of witches she
introduced in "The Witching Hour." At the center: the brilliant and
beautiful Rowan Mayfair, queen of the coven, and "Lasher," the darkly
compelling demon whom she finds irresistible and from whose evil spell
and vision she must now flee. She takes with her their terrifying and
exquisite child, one of "a brood of children born knowing, able to stand
and talk on the first day." Rowan's attempt to escape Lasher and his
pursuit of her and their child are at the heart of this extraordinary
saga. It is a novel that moves around the globe, backward and forward
through time, and between the human and demonic worlds. Its many
voices - of women, of men, of demons and angels, present and past -
haunt and enchant us. With a dreamlike power, the novel draws us through
twilight paths, telling a chillingly hypnotic story of occult and
spiritual aspirations and passion.