Rating: 
Summary: Unless you are desperate for a Jean Claude fix, skip it.
Review: Narcissus in Chains was definitely the worst book in the series so far. Devoted fans of Anita Blake, Jean Claude and Richard will more than likely be left scratching their heads, wondering how it all went wrong. People first reading a Laurell Hamilton book should bypass NIC and proceed straight to Guilty Pleasures. The sad truth of NIC is the complete lack of respect for rules that the author created so painstakingly through the first nine books. The plot was disjointed and haphazard. The sex lost its emotional relevancy and has proceeded to gratuitous and not very interesting. There was a really lame plot device used to manipulate characters into unnatural situations that was just such a farce. If you expect a mystery- forget it. If you expect the usual exciting, edge of your seat climactic ending- forget it. I actually chuckled through the last twenty or thirty pages, so that is a big clue as to the degree of writing involved. The author has handed us a mishmash of story lines, Jeckyl and Hyde characters and confusing alleys. When we expect a zig, she zags, and not in a good way. She has wrapped all this up in a tidy bow entitled "Epilogue" that should have been what the story was about, but just ended up tacked on like an after thought. My advice is to skip it and hope the next one brings us back to where the series belongs.
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome!
Review: I cannot begin to express how amazed and delighted I was by this book. Or how frightened I was when I picked it up to begin reading. I have been dreading this book for months, frightened that it was impossible to resolve the issues raised in Blue Moon and previous books regarding Anita's abilities and relationships without destroying her character. I was THRILLED as I read this book, to discover that, not only was the character preserved, but Anita became an even more compelling personality. The new characters introduced in this book were also intense, and make me look forward to new novels involving them with incredible anticipation. I can't wait to see much more of all the new characters. The only thing better than the new elements they add, was the return of old friends neglected by two books on the road. I was so glad to see the St. Louis gang again, I had definitely missed the RPIT squad, although I was disappointed that Anita's coworkers at Animators, Inc. didn't make any appearence at all. I am constantly amazed at Laurell K. Hamilton's ability to write above and beyond my expectations. That she managed to write her characters out of what I thought could only be a lose-lose situation with such finesse makes me awestruck.
Rating:
Summary: Tears Of Joy
Review: The newest novel in the Anita Blake series lives up to and beyond my expectations of it. I was overjoyed to find out that she was going depper into the shape-shifting world. Panweres, shape-shifting soulmates, werecobras, bears, foxes, and tigers! I don't know what more a guy could ask for. Well-written and well-loved this book has become one of my favorites.
Rating: 
Summary: Old friends save the day...
Review: This installment of the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series is testament that good characterization makes for a good read. Because frankly, without the distraction of all my favorite characters, I'd be wondering "what happened here...". The plot, never in my opinion, a strong suit in this series, is skimpier than usual this time round. Anita makes decisions and acts in a manner that is inconsistent with the character as described in the previous nine books. The sleaze factor is at an all time high, but the main problem is the artificial circumstances of these encounters. This is Hamilton's "reality", but she's punched too many holes in her own illusion with this outing. The entire book reads as if a major alteration in Anita's life has occurred, but in the end, Hamilton pull's what amounts to a "just kidding, folks". The explanation, introduced as a possibility mid-book, is just too trite. That being said, the secondary characters are becoming more and more developed-- I found myself wishing they'd dump the suddenly oversexed Anita and go off and star in a better plotted more coherent book. But, you'll note the four stars... I really like the secondary characters!
Rating: 
Summary: Another exciting addition
Review: While I might have my own preferences when it comes to the themes Ms. Hamilton focuses upon, for instance I enjoy the strong mystery and mystical angles more so than the lycanthrope political thread, I always thoroughly enjoy the journey into Anita's world. She is the only author whose work I gleefully anticipate. For as long as she continues the series, I will always read, hoard, devour and re-read her books. That is what being a fan is all about. Thank you!
Rating:
Summary: Loved it
Review: WoW, this book was great. I really enjoyed this book. It was exciting and went where I thought Anita and the boys should go. It introduced new people and new relationships. I can't wait to see what Hamilton has in store for Anita and the gang. If an Anita Blake movie ever comes out, they will have to incorporate all 10 books, because to leave out one would be a sin. I hope who ever reads about Anita Blake enjoys.
Rating:
Summary: still a hard book to put down, but something is missing....
Review: Narcissus in Chains was a book I eagerly anticipated. Like the rest of the Anita Blake series, I waited until I had a whole day fre to read it, knowing I would have a hard time putting it down. That much was true, but with the end of the book I felt something was missing. I'm not sure I can pinpoint exatly what it was, but the plot, while filled to bursting with new characters and old, just did not make it. I've been waiting for some sense of closure, insight, or sercure attachment on Anita's part, and while that happened more or less with Anita's wereleopards.... the rest of her actions seem less thought-out as usual, when I was hoping for more. Color me dissapointed and searching for that indefineable something that made the previous books worth reading and keeping.
Rating:
Summary: A Book To Read While Ovulating
Review: Whew, Laurell K. is ready to break out into writing sheer erotica! While I couldn't rate this book a 5, it is a book that I could not put down. Sexy, fun, and scary. A great read. I really grew to like JC in this book, as well as Nathanial. And it was refreshing to see Anita get rid of at least some of her burdensome guilt and middle-class morality. I really enjoyed this and plan on reading it again, at a slower rate this time, ;). If you are a fan of Anita Blake, this is a must-read, and also, I believe, a book you'll be glad to read.
Rating: 
Summary: Whatever!
Review: I don't think I have ever written a review this sloppy before but frankly after reading the book the best I can come up with is "whatever". I, like many other reviewers, don't know if I cared for this book or not. I'm not going to review the plot since there had to be fifteen different subplots and I, frankly, am not sure which was the main plot. To be honest, there were things I really liked about this book and there were things I hated. I enjoyed the marrying of the marks. It's time for Anita, Richard, and Jean Claude to move forward with their power base. Anita is developing powers that continue to amaze her. We see the vulnerable side as she tries to cope with the difference between love and sexual needs. Also incorporated into the story is Anita's struggle to keep her religious beliefs while dealing evil. It was nice to see Nathaniel develop some backbone and his dependency evolve into some form of independence for him. The addition of Micah was a surprise. Richard (my least favorite) finally showed what he was made of (not in a good way for you Richard fans). What did I not like about this book? Quite a bit to be honest. Where was the plot, or should I say which was the main plot? The book starts out well enough, but to me quickly degenerated into an orgy. Anita spent her time running from one crisis to the next while having sex in the middle. I missed some of the old favorites. Where was Larry? Not enough police action with Dolph! Many fans have complained they don't like the direction Anita is going, that she is losing her humanity. I'm not sure there is any humanity left in Anita at this point. That worries me because I don't see what direction is left for Laurell K. Hamilton to go with this fascinating series. I'll buy the next Anita Blake book in hopes that the author pulls it back in the direction it started out. There are still too many unresolved storylines to quit this series, but please Ms. Hamilton, give us a plot we can follow!
Rating:
Summary: Anita how you're changing!
Review: I have read all of Anita Blake novels and have enjoyed them all. In Narcissus in Chains, Hamilton takes Anita and gives her a new direction with many possibilities for future storylines. The addition of Micah has potential when/if his character is fleshed out in the next book(I hope!). Richard needed to be shaken up, and Anita needed to accept she was one of the monsters...
This book solidified Anita's character---not just as a executioner or sex maniac, but as a protector. Anita is evolving, and therefore her world must change. I really liked the direction that Hamilton is taking Nathaniel and wonder what he'll be like as his character strengthens.
Narcissus(werehyena) was a major player in the intial section of the novel but became a bit player as the story continued. I would like to have gotten more play from this character and his interaction with the gang.
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