Considering I did not read most of the series (I gave up after The Queen of the Damned#3, I attempted but gave up) I was not that confused. Anne Rice retells without it feeling that she is retelling the story up to this point, so that is also helpful. Granted there were a few things I didn't have clue what the story was about, but it did not detract from the overall plot. Good read, but drags on, so be dedicated Anne Rice, IWTV/TVC series fan.