Rating: 
Summary: A Frighteningly Good Read!
Review: "Obsidian Butterfly" by Laurell K. Hamilton is an enthralling addition to the Anita Blake series. It is filled with expertly rendered horror and action sequences that will have readers nervously looking over their shoulders for days!
In this 9th instalment of the series, Edward the cold-blooded assassin calls in the favour Anita owes him for killing one of his back-ups some time ago. Edward, alias Ted Forrester, needs Anita, tough-as-nails necromancer and vampire executioner, to come act as his back-up in a case that has him seriously spooked (and Edward being spooked is absolutely unheard-of!). So, Anita packs her bags and travels to New Mexico.
Anita is horrified when she sees the gruesome and gory murder victims and the even more horrific "survivors". Everyone is at a loss as to what would be capable of committing these atrocities. In hope of gaining some insight into the case, Anita seeks the help of the local Master Vampire Itzpapalotl (English translation: Obsidian Butterfly), a self-proclaimed Aztec goddess. From that point on, Anita runs into all kinds of nasty people and preternatural creatures, and readers are treated to some fantastic (and violent) action-adventure sequences. Anita is determined to stop whatever is committing these heinous crimes, and as she tries to do just that, she has to fight her way through many perilous situations. The non-stop conflict builds to a wonderfully simple but thrilling climax that is sure to satisfy readers.
I really, really enjoyed this book. I thought it was a fascinating departure on Hamilton's part, though it is certainly not appropriate for the faint of heart. "Obsidian Butterfly" provides a refreshingly different storyline and a very interesting up-close look at the inner workings of Edward. Edward is a highly intriguing character, and his contrasts and mysteries, along with the exciting storyline make the nearly 600 pages of this book fly by. I couldn't help but miss Jean-Claude a little, but the strengths in this story more than made up for his absence. Anita continues to grow and evolve as a person, and I think she is a fabulous character. "Obsidian Butterfly" is truly wonderful entertainment, so don't miss out. It is suitable for first time readers of the series as well as long-time fans, and is sure to be enjoyed by all!
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous
Review: I disagree with the other ratings of this book. It is great!! Laurell H. keeps the series fasinating and by exploring Edward she gives more history and crediability to the entire series, all of her charecters are fully developed and fantastic. This book is especially good to get newbies hooked especially men and not spoil the books before it. It also provides a much needed break from the tension of the boys a little breather for us all.
Rating:
Summary: The dark side of Anita Blake
Review: It is at the same time anticlimactic and refreshing that both of Anita's significant others are not in this sequel; a number of previous stories were so heavily infused with erotica as to take something away from the action, which is the driving force of the series. On the other hand, the incredible level of tension that Richard's and Jean-Claude's competition for Anita had created in the previous work is absent in the "Obsidian Butterfly," and the author naturally looks for ways to substitute for it. I'm not going to reveal anything aside from the fact that Ms. Hamilton succeeds in this admirably.This sequel, like no other, reveals Anita's dark side and drives home the scary but inevitable truth: In battling evil forces, the diminutive heroine has become more like her adversaries than she cares to admit herself. It is no wonder that Anita finds her soulmate - if not the life's partner - in a stone-cold assasin, Edward, and receives the unwelcome admiration of his psychotic, homicidal and, most importantly, woman-hating "backup." Overall, however, "Obsidian Butterfly" is a worthy successor of Hamilton's previous Anita novels, and I highly recommend it to all.
Rating: 
Summary: Obsidian Butterfly
Review: Anita Blake has her hands full when she is requested by her friend Ted (not really his name), to help solve some unusual mutilations of skinned but still living humans. The nightclub scenes are surreal in there description of vampires and werepeople. This was my first Anita Blake adventure that I've read. I just ordered the first in the series and can hardly wait to read the rest. If you are a fan of Vampire lore or just a Buffy fan looking for a more lush toothsome treat. Anita Blake Vampire Hunter is the woman to follow. Thank-you Laurell K. Hamilton for your ornate treatment of this horror genre.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing transition to hardcover
Review: Not bad, but nowhere near the standard of the series. Lots of filler in this, like LKH was stretching to fill so many pages. Anita may be reaching the end of her reign as the best hardboiled-detective fantasy heroine I've ever read.
Rating:
Summary: Laurel K. Hamilton
Review: I love this book and all of her books. Everytime I get a advertisment for a new book written by this author I have to have it. I can't wait til the book arrives. Her style keeps me wanting more. Her Anita Blake series is the best I have ever read. I was not an advid reader until laurell K . Hamilton came along. There are only two authors I feel this strong about Anne McCaffrey and Laurell K. Hamilton.
Rating: 
Summary: A "must-read" for Anita-fans. Others might not like this one
Review: This book is a little different compared to the previous books in the Anita Blake series. This time Anita is called away from her normal turf in St.Louis to help Edward - a stone cold hitman that she has worked with occasionally. The story revolves around Edward, and we get to know a lot about him and his relationship with Anita. As far as the usual colorfull cast of humans and monsters go, they are mostly absent, and the ongoing plotlines from the previous books are left untouched.
In fact one of my feelings after having read the book was, that the author used this book to give herself a break from Anita Blakes rather complicated life in her hometown, while pondering the future of the character. You cant help missing Jean Claude, Dolph, Richard, Bert and all the others.
Another feeling was that the book was too long. Laurell K. Hamiltons writing style seems more mature and elaborate in this book - something which doesnt always fit the story well. The author often seems to use too many words in the wrong places, and for instance after having read several loooong descriptions of how tough Anita and Edward are, I felt like shouting "YES! I KNOW THEY ARE TOUGH! Now can we move on with the action please?". Conclusion: Though this book is a side-track from all ongoing plots and really a non-essential chapter in the Anita Blake saga, I will recommend it to fans of the series,- especially Edward fans. Newcommers to the series should steer clear of this book and pick one of the previous books, like Guilty Pleasures.
Rating:
Summary: Not as fast but Great Writing
Review: Now, where to begin... Anita, deciding she needed a 6 month break, heads out to New Mexico to act as Edward's backup. She's totally out of her element and not to many mentions of her familiars. It's a toned down book from the rest in the series. Holy cow, this is the book to read if you're a major Edward fan. You learn more about him than you ever wanted to or ever will. Edward, oops, "Ted": the Family Man? Does that sound right? You tell me. I'm not too sure I like that whole soft Edward side. Frankly, I liked the know it all fearless, cold-killer mask, façade or no. That, to me, was Edward. Now I just don't know. Well, at least somebody will happy. The only interesting part was a new character, Olaf, one of three of Edward's backups. He's so complex and mysterious. Kind of like Edward before he became Mr. Mom. Anyway, Anita does some contemplating and thinking along the way; it's her time to readjust her personnel life, get it together and decide what to do. It's not the falling to bottom, hopeless thing, that was in BM--it's finishing it. I wasn't really feeling the story line but the book really showcases LKH writing. She's an amazing writer, if you didn't know that, well, you do now. Okay, here we go. Up to this point, the series has been fast paced and non-stop action. Well, for OB, it's all changed. LKH really impressed me with her writing style ability and talent with OB and you really see it. The exact detail and descriptions are amazing and you literally picture it in your mind. While the other books do a good job and visually seeing what Anita is seeing, it's not as detailed. It's hard to explain, you just have to read it. All the characters are so alive and deep. I'm glad she wrote OB the way she did and at the point she did. At first it was kind of hard to get used to, I was so used to the constant action scenes, but now I really appreciate it.
Rating:
Summary: Laurell K. Hamilton is the best!!!
Review: I have read every single book in the Anita Blake vampire hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton and I have never been dissapointed except with the next book in the series "Narcissus in Chains" if you plan to read it, DON'T!!! It's horrible, what happened to her? Anyway, back to this book. Anita has always been a ... babe the kind you wish you knew but at the same time hope you never encounter.
In this book we learn a lot about Blake's sociopathic friend Edward who has called in his favor from when she killed a friend of his (it's hard to explain). She flies down to New Mexico where she learns of a killer who has skinned his victims alive.
This book is the first Blake book I read and it lead me to read the earliers and unfortunetly the latest.
"Obsidian Butterfly" is action packed, disgusting, fun, and highly amuzing. I loved this book so much I went out and bought it and have read it nearly 20 times. That may sound kind of pathetic but just go and read the book yourself you'll see what I'm talking about. This book is the best out of the series. THE BEST!!!
Rating: 
Summary: A mediocre thriller
Review: Hamilton reminds me of Frank Herbert which, unfortunately, is not a compliment. Like Herbert, her imagination outstrips her abilities as a writer. I really like the world she describes but her writing is tedious at best. I slogged through all 596 pages and cannot for the life of me understand why anyone reads these novels. Like Sue Grafton's detective fiction, this is lowest common denominator genre fiction of the particularly uninspired variety.
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