Discover your next read
The Raven Writer welcomes you to the book reviews and recommendation side of The Velvet Archive for all bookish needs. Find recommendations for spicy romances, gothic romance, and the occasional classic book. P.S. All the art is from Pinterest so credits to the artists.
Anne Rice Book Reviews
Interview With The Vampire by Anne Rice
Genre: Gothic Horror, Vampire Fiction, Fantasy
Year read: 2024
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: Absolutely loved this book! I loved the drama between Louis and Lestat and how they had a love hate relationship with each other. I also love how Anne Rice shows their relationship as lovers instead of just maker and fledgling. I also loved Claudia's attitude towards Lestat. The way Anne Rice wrote her character development was amazing because she originally loved him as a father figure but as time went on, and she didn't grow like other children, she began to resent him.
Favorite Quote: "Do you know what it means to be loved by death? Do you know what it means to have death know your name?" -Lestat de Lioncourt
The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice
Genre: Gothic Horror, Vampire Fiction, Fantasy
Year read: 2024
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: I loved being able to see Lestat's origins because it helped us better understand why he is the way he is in Interview with the Vampire. I felt horrible for him during his childhood because his mother didn't want him and his father and brothers hated him which definitely shaped his adult personality. I loved that Anne Rice made him a bisexual vampire in a time where it was forbidden to be anything other than heterosexual.
Favorite Quote: "Do devils love each other? Do they walk arm in arm in hell saying 'Ah, you are my friend, how I love you', things like that to each other? It was a matter of a concept of evil, wasn't it?" -Lestat de Lioncourt
The Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice
Genre: Gothic Horror, Vampire Fiction, Fantasy
Year read: 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: One of my favorites in the Vampire Chronicles. Akasha was a demonic goddess and I couldn't help but picture her as Aaliyah because she portrayed her so perfectly in the movie. The red twins are absolute bad asses for waiting thousands of years for revenge on Akasha. I give Lestat major props for refusing Akasha's offer to be a God because knowing Lestat that is definitely something he'd agree to. I also loved all the story lines and how they came together in the second part of the book. It was like Anne Rice gave us several books in one.
Favorite Quotes:
"You're the perfect devil, Lestat", - Louis de Pointe du Lac
"Come on say it again. I'm a perfect devil. Tell me how bad I am. It makes me feel so good," Lestat de Lioncourt
The Tale of the Body Thief by Anne Rice
Genre: Gothic Horror, Vampire Fiction, Fantasy
Year read: 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Review: It was a strange book that was all over the place but the ending was good in my opinion. Lestat wanted to experience mortality again after more than 200 years of being immortal. I found it funny how he described hating using the bathroom, saying that it smelled and it was disgusting. It made me laugh so hard. I also found it funny how Lestat kept trying to sleep with David no matter how much David told him no. It was like playful banter between the to of them. The scene where Lestat flies into the sun made me so sad because he was so remorseful for killing so many people with Akasha and the loneliness of so many decades had finally gotten to him.
Favorite Quotes:
"I am not times fool, nor a god hardened by the millennia; I am not the trickster in the black cape nor the sorrowful wanderer. I have a conscience. I know right from wrong, I know what I do and yes, I do it. I am the vampire Lestat,"- Lestat de Lioncourt
Memnoch the Devil by Anne Rice
Genre: Gothic Horror, Vampire Fiction, Fantasy
Year read: 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐
Review: It was a strange book that was all over the place and it kind of comes out of left field in the Vampire Chronicles. I enjoyed the way she wrote about the creation and the devils rise to be the ruler of hell. I enjoyed how she wrote his character and how she made him the villain purely because he defied Gods way of doing things. He was struck down just for having a difference of opinion and in this book is seems like God is the villain. I also loved the way the devil sent Lestat's eye back in the mail.
Favorite Quotes:
"In the savage garden you shine beautifully, my friend. You walk as if it is your garden to do with as you please. And in my wanderings, I always return to you. I always return to see the colors of the garden in your shadow, or reflected in your eyes, perhaps, or to hear your latest follies and mad obsessions," -Armand
The Vampire Armand by Anne Rice
Genre: Gothic Horror, Vampire Fiction, Fantasy
Year read: 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Review: I thought it was a very good book. However, once he got separated from Marius I, I kind of got bored. It went from strange Venetian romance to why is there so much religion in a vampire romance novel. I also loved how dramatic he was when he got stabbed by his crazy British one night stand. I do feel like this book is the best after two or three reads because that's when the story finally sinks in. It's not for everyone but personally, I liked it.
Favorite Quotes:
"If I am an angel, paint me with black wings."-Armand
Merrick by Anne Rice
Genre: Gothic Horror, Vampire Fiction, Fantasy
Year read: 2026
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Review: It wasn't a bad book, but it dragged. The last 2.5 hours of the audiobook were the best part; when Merrick brought forward Claudia's ghost. I liked how Anne brought in/introduced her Mayfair witches series and how the Talamasca is planning to put Lestat in his place. I also loved Louis's progression from suicidal to level headed. It was like he turned into an old world god, with wisdom and an ancient presence, towards the end of the book. It was like Louis finally adapted to being a vampire.
Favorite Quotes:
"Hauntings only repeat what occurred once upon a time."-Merrick Mayfair
Spicy Book Reviews
King of Wrath by Ana Huang
Genre: Spicy Romance, Contemporary Romance and Billionaire Romance
Year read: 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️5/10
Review: This was my first spicy romance book and it exceeded my expectations. I loved the enemies to lovers trope. Dante Russo was conflicted with his feeling toward Vivian but he always loved her since the start of their arranged marriage, it just took a while for him to realize. Also, Vivian is a badass for standing up to her father.
Favorite Quotes:
"You live in my head all the fucking time, even if I don't want you to... And god, I want to punish you for driving me so damn crazy. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY."- Dante Russo
Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Genre: contemporary LGBTQ+ romantic comedy
Year read: 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️5/10
Review: I loved the relationship between Alex and Henry!!! Alex was so sassy and his sister was my favorite side character. The spice was next level (considering it was my second spicy romance book). I loved it and how the people stood by Henry when it came out that he was gay.
Favorite Quotes:
"History, huh? Bet we could make some. " -Alex (I know its the most popular quote but its my favorite)
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Retelling, adult dark fantasy and literary fiction
Year read: 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️2/10
Review: Great book! I have no clue how they got the musical from the book because their literally nothing a like. The relationship between Elphaba and Fiyero was rushed but I liked their dynamic. I was so upset because the ending wasn't similar to the musical but I liked it after mulling it over in my head.
Favorite Quotes:
"I have fought fire with fire...and I ought to have done it sooner".-Elphaba Thropp
Twisted Love by Ana Huang
Genre: Spicy Romance &Contemporary Romance
Year read: 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️7/10
Review: I didn't like Alex at first but when he fell for Ava my heart skipped a few beats. The fact that he took time out of his day to teach her how to swim and help her get over her fear OMG! And when he hurt her to save her, I was crushed, but he knew it was best for her not to be with him even though it hurt him.
Favorite Quotes:
"Thant's my girl. Hate me. Don't cry over me. Never cry over me. I'm not worth it."- Alex Volkov 😭
Twisted Games by Ana Huang
Genre: Bodyguard/Protector, Royal Romance (Princess & commoner)Enemies-to-Lovers, Grumpy & Sunshine, Forced Proximity
Year read: 2026
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️5/10
Review: They were adorable!!! I absolutely loved Rhys. The slow progression from bodyguard and princess to lovers was so sweet and PERFECT! Bridget being so determined to be with her soulmate that she changed a centuries old law just to be with him was so badass and very Queen like. The last Costa Rica scene was so~ spicy!!!!
Favorite Quotes:
"Bridget felt better than heaven. She felt like home". -Rhys Larson
Lights Out by Navessa Allen
Genre: Dark Romance, Stalker Romance, and Romantic Comedy
Year read: 2025 (Reread in 2026)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️10/10
Review: Josh made me laugh so hard and Alley is a bad bitch! Josh being a cat dad and referring to Fred as his son was absolutely adorable. And the spicy scenes had me so flustered while I was on the train, that I had to put the book down because I was turning red.
Favorite Quotes:
"Hey Ally, it's me, the man who broke into your house. I was just watching you through the camera I installed in your room and I wanted to let you know that you are correct. I am not in fact a serial killer. JESUS CHRIST"-Josh Hammond
Caught Up by Navessa Allen
Genre: Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, and Romantic Comedy
Year read: 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️10/10
Review: I personally liked the first book in this series better, which was Lights Out. It felt a bit rushed but it was good. I just feel like it was very fast and got to the spicy parts really quickly with not much plot in between. I did like Laurens relationship with Junior and how protective he was over her. I also loved how confident with her body and how she maintained her independence while being with Junior.
Favorite Quotes:
"'One penis for fifty years, Lauren?' She blinked and me t my gaze. 'Learn from my mistakes. Be a slut while you can'". - Laurens Granny
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Genre: LGBTQ+ romance, mythological retelling, and historical fantasy
Year read: 2026
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level: 🌶️1/10
Review: This book was absolutely amazing! I did think it dragged a bit in the beginning but once they got to the mountain with Chiron, it picked up. The ending had me full on sobbing at 3am because of the ending. It wreaked me for a week. 10/10 would recommend but be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster and post read depression.
Favorite Quotes:
"In the darkness, two shadows, reaching though the hopeless, heavy dusk. Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood like a hundred golden urns pouring out the sun".- Patroclus
God of Fury by Rina Kent
Genre: Dark Spicy Romance, MM Romance, Enemies To Lovers,
LGBTQ Romance
Year read: 2026
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️10/10
Review: This book made me laugh, cry, and aw. The beginning of the book had me hooked. The way Niko talked about Kolya, his golden retriever stalker vibes, and how he always wants to walk around naked made me laugh. I also loved the mental health aspect coming from Brandon's side of the book. When it finally came to the part where the author revealed why Brandon kept seeing the inky blackness over taking him, my heart BROKE! I cried for him and then screamed when he picked up the piece of glass. The way Niko was so ready to help Brandon get the help he needed and help him pick up the pieces was so sweet. They really were made for each other.
Favorite Quotes:
"Even if you hate yourself, I'll love you enough for the both of us". - Nikolai Sokolov
Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
Genre: Dark Romance, Smut, Thriller, Enemies To Lovers
Horror Fiction, Stalker
Year read: 2026
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️10/10
Review: I love Zade and Addie! This book was my first really super dark romance and I absolutely adored it. I understand why people don't like it because it isn't for the faint of heart, but I also understand why others loved it. The house of mirrors scene had me screaming from how spicy it was. No wonder it was ICONIC! The ending of the book also had me devastated. The scenes with child sacrificing and rape took a while for me to get through, but it wasn't unreadable. The only reason this book didn't get a 10/10 was because of the graphic scenes which gave me heart palpitations lol.
Favorite Quotes:
"Let me know which stars you prefer. The ones above you or the ones I make you see". -Zade Meadows
Create Your Own Website With Webador