Ok so we haven't heard much from this character I'm hoping Steph writes some of the Volturi into BD. He is the diplomat and fore-runner for the group and I found his character to be quite interesting. The behind the scenes angle of the Volterra set-up would make for an interesting story in it's own, considering how old some of those vampires are.

Anne Rice had an amazing back-story for her characters and wove them through history. Although I would rather see SM do her own thing with the characters, this would be an interesting spin-off.

Ann Rice is a far superior writer that way, and I don't think Stephenie writes like that.

...ducking the flying tomatoes.....

Don't get me wrong, I love SM's stories, but A.R. puts so much history and background...part of the appeal of her books to me. I thought getting a story of Carlisle's life in 16th Century London and his life meeting and living with the Volturi for that period would be FANTASTIC! However, when asked that question, she as much said the task seemed to overwhelming to her...too much research and fact checking.

You are right ... thats a huge undertaking for back-history and getting into the head of a vampire in a period novel. One of my favourite vampires is Marius .. and I always found myself holding out for tid-bits on him and his back story. And what he was doing and when ... yeah obsessed with another Vampire (i know, i know!). And of course Anne would describe the citys and architure and RELIGION and art in at great lengths.

I have never read any of AR's stuff. I wondered about her writing but heard it was creepier than Stephen King! Correct me if I am wrong... PLEASE!

Hi Edye ... I love Anne Rice's vampire chronicles. I remember being put off watching the movie simply because OPRAH interviewed the cast for one of her specials, and she mentioned that she couldn't stomach it and only saw the first 10 minutes and walked out. On that alone, I didn't go and see it.

A couple of years later it was played on HBO here and I was stunned. I loved it ... the longing and passion that the film bought through of the characters and their struggles to live in the changing worlds. At that point I was so PEEVED that I had listened to Oprah and vowed to only think for myself in future and not listen to critics.

I bought the book and read it TWICE. It is even more indepth than the movie. She loves to describe places and history. Her characters are mainly based in New Orleans where she lives. Although the secondary characters come through from Italy, Greece, Russia and she weaves massive back stories for them too. She also has them weave in and out of each others back-stories and how all the vampires meet or crossed paths ... it's addictive too.

Whereas the BDB stories are told on a daily basis and only span a couple of months, AR's stories cover like 6000 years of interwoven threads and current plots.

I really enjoy them, and have the entire set on my bookshelf. Along with the interwoven Mayfair Witches books ... but that's another tale.

I like A.R. better than Stephen King. I think his books are creepier, especially since his are mostly about humans. At least A.R.'s books are about vampires and witches who we expect to be a bit creepy.