Rating: 
Summary: An ok read; not as good as others in the series
Review: I enjoyed this book, but could have done w/o all the sex. While LKH did eventually grab me w/ the story, I found myself tiring of Anita's constant sarcastic humor. I kept wondering when she'd get a little maturity and stop being so snide and more understanding. I felt disconnected from the characters in this book more so than in the others. I really enjoyed the last 7 books, but for some reason found myself bored w/ the usual "meet some monsters, worry (constantly) about whether she should be w/ JC or Richard, kill some monsters, put on black and red and weapons, feel power wash over her," etc., etc., etc. We've been there, done that in the past books; now it's time to explore her powers and what exactly she is and can do w/ the marks and her necromancy, as well as develop characters more -- enough about Richard being a boy scout (which I don't really believe); let's have some character development. I'm encouraged by Anita's training from Marianne; perhaps her character will mature and develop in further books. All that said, I still enjoyed the book, and am looking forward to reading Obsidian Butterfly next. I hope that future books will be as good as past ones have been.
Rating: 
Summary: Blue Moon
Review: Found Blue Moon by accident & have really enjoyed it. Usually read horror but love the Blake series. Sort of light horror-fantasy-everyday+otherworld-& more. Love the tough, gun toting martial arts trained Blake. Always liked vampire/werewolf bks & this series has both & more. Can't wait for the next bks. My only complaint is the "morals" overdose of Blake. This is a grown woman who loves a vamp & a wolf, who raises the dead, fights evil, is almost beyond human herself with her growing magical abilities but who was afraid to fully love the ones who love her or to use their help even though she may die at any time?? This is a fantasy & the reader wants her to have love & help & to continue to expand her powers. Very glad that Richard is again in her life & willing to share all with Blake & Jean-Claude in the triumphate. Lots of action in this bk--may be the best of the series to date. In the section where you list other bks of interest--I disagree with the ones you listed. While Blue Moon & other Blake bks have a bit of romance--I do not consider tham romance bks at all. I suggest Koontz & James Huggins as closer to Hamilton's style.
Rating:
Summary: blue moon
Review: Just read Blue Moon & all the Blake bks---enjoyed them all & can't wait for more. Wish the author wrote as fast as I read. Usually read horror bks--but Blake has won me over. I have always enjoyed vampire/werewolf bks--love the tough martial arts trained gun-toting Blake & the blend of everyday & otherworld. I'm not a romance reader so the section that says (if you liked Anita Blake you will like these) did not fit the bks that I prefer. My only complaint with ms. Blake is that she is a little verbally harsh with those she loves &/or needs help from on her cases--I love the way her magickal abilities are expanding. Obsidian Butterfly was also a hit--I missed Richard & Jean-Claude--I liked finding out more about Edward. I just read Cain & Hunter by James Byron Huggins & found these closer to my interests & somewhat like Ms. Blake. Dean Koontz also a fav. Any reading suggestions are welcome. I don't read bks twice normally but these may be the exception.
Rating:
Summary: blue moon
Review: Just read Blue Moon & all the Blake bks---I really enjoyed the series & can't wait for more. Wish the author could write as fast as I read. I usually read horror bks--but Anita Blake has won me over. I have always enjoyed vampire/werewolf bks. I love the tough ms. Blake & the blend of everyday & otherworld. I am not a romance reader so the section that says (if you liked Anita Blake you will like these) did not fit the bks that I prefer. My only complaint with ms. Blake is that she is a little verbally harsh with those she loves &/or needs help from on her cases. Obsidian Butterfly was also a hit--although I missed Richard & Jean-Claude--I liked finding out more about Edward. I just read Cain & Hunter by James Byron Huggins & found these closer to my interests. My other fav is Dean Koontz.
Rating:
Summary: Let's clarify a few things here...
Review: I've read most of these reviews and noticed something significant. Most of the bad reviews are generated by the reader's distaste of Richard, annoyance at "romance", or a general preference for vampires and/or Jean-Claude. None of these reasons address whether or not it's a good book.I've re-read this book at least 5 times. There are so many layers here, that I, for one, think that Hamilton did an exceptional job of bringing it all together. As with all the books, bad guys abound and the action is fast-paced and intense. Meanwhile, Anita is dealing with self-doubts about her morality and how far she may or may not have slipped in God's graces, both in regards to her violent actions and her choice of partners. If that wasn't enough for her to deal with, she also has to deal with unresolved love/lust for her former fiance--a man that she feels that she cruelly betrayed. Hamilton brings all the angst and conflict to a head, without sacrificing the action or suspense of the story. That, in and of itself, deserves kudos. I want to clear up a major misconception that just reading the reviews could cause, as well. All those people that are so offended by the book's erotic content make it sound like she's sleeping with every shapechanger and vampire to come down the pike. She has sex once, period. There maybe a lot of sexual tension beforehand, but that's all it is. Let's look at this realistically, after all. We're talking about a bunch of young, prime physical specimens running around here through all of these books and if there were no sexual tension whatsoever, it would be completely unbelievable. It's not like it's the entire plot--it's a subtext and always has been. (I thought another reviewer made a very good point that no one objected to the graphic violence in this or the rest of the series, but they complain about the sexuality.) It's important to remember that the whole series is definately R-rated at the very least. Some of the depictions of the crime scenes that Anita investigates would generate an NC-17 in my book. No, this isn't the first book in the series that you should read, but it is a fantastic book. A truly gripping read!
Rating: 
Summary: I HATE RICHARD!!!
Review: Alright, folks, this book totally sucks! I mean, what kind of woman is Anita, to sleep with two men? She claims to have high morals, but in the end she is unable to resist their advances! The scene near the end when Anita somehow became Freya, the Nordic goddess of love (in this case meaning she was irresistible to all the other male wolves), was soooo crazy--I could practically feel the sexual excitement in the air! I really think that this book is a deterrent to the whole series--Richard is too wimpy and such a goody-goody--Anita needs somebody who understands her, who is dangerous like herself, who has no qualms about the horrors of the world--to sum it up, she should be with Jean-Claude. I mean, Jean-Claude (sigh) is the ultimate sexy vamp--Anita is a fool not to fall in love with him at first sight!!! But I'm still gonna read this series--I want Jean-Claude back!!! Now I can't wait for the 10th book in the series to come out in October 2001!
Rating: 
Summary: Significant Change of Pace
Review: I have been a fan of this series for some time, and so I find this a very difficult book to review. To me, this book represents a shift in genre. It is also possible that I simply mistook the genre I though they were in. Originally, Lauren Hamilton wrote what I would call vampire adventure stories. I loved them, and love them still. Hamilton has tremendous writing abilities. Her heroine, Anita Blake, was a superb job of characterization. Dialog and narrative were sparkling. And, truth be told, this is still quite true. But these are no longer simply vampire adventure. The sexual theme that has previously created some interesting character dynamics has suddenly become a strong, primary focus. The book is ostensibly about Anita coming to the rescue of Richard, her werewolf more-than-friend, but it is much more about Anita's changing sexuality. This is quite intense, and really makes this book into a kind of tough girl's romance story. There's nothing wrong with that, just not what I expected. If you are considering trying this out as your first Hamilton novel, get some of the earlier volumes and read those first. Hamilton starts right in the action, and too many of the references will be confusing without some background. Is this a well-written book? Yes. But I think the focus on sex (and I'm not talking missionary position stuff here) weakens Anita's character. Hamilton seems still a bit awkward with this material, but makes up for a lack of slickness with a tremendous amount of enthusiasm. Romance fanatics and those who are not put off by a lot of sexuality will no doubt love this book. Those who are a bit more timid and just wanted a great vampire/monster novel need to approach Blue Moon with more cautious expectations.
Rating:
Summary: Don't start here, but work your way up
Review: After reading some of the comments of others I was a little reluctant to start this one. A lot of people don't like Richard, and this focuses on Anita's relationship with him. Once I got into it I really enjoyed it however. Richard is coming along as a more multidimensional character. Hamilton has really improved as a writer since the first couple of books (though I've liked all of them), and she continues to develop her characters and add new ones, so she's not just rewriting the same novel over and over. Her imagination is wonderful! She keeps adding details and dimensions to the vampires, werewolves, and other preternatural creatures in a way that's remarkably believable. I love it that Richard is studying trolls for his master's thesis. I know a lot of people have complained about Anita's sex life, but the other reviewers make it sound like it was one orgy after another, when that's hardly the truth. And I like the way Hamilton has Anita succumb to the temptation of having two gorgeous lovers at once (be still, my heart!), only to find a way how not to wear out that plot complication too quickly. I also like the way Jean-Claude is revealed to have more complex motives than merely to be Anita's romantic, charming lover. This is a series that keeps getting better, something that you can't always say about continuing character books. Start with Guilty Pleasures, forgive its clumsiness and wallow in its imagination, and work your way through the series. It's well worth it.
Rating:
Summary: don't start here!
Review: Having read all the Anita Blake books several times I felt that this was the book that needed commenting on the most. Do not start the series here. Blue Moon, while a good book, is out of character for Anita. I find it difficult to believe that Anita's character would act the way she does in this book. I can't help but get the feeling that this particular story was rushed. I could be wrong, and rushed or not it is still a good book well worth reading and rereading which I have done. But if you are new to the series, please start at the beginning. Of course, I may feel this way because I am a big Jean Claude fan and think Richard is a big wienny.
Rating:
Summary: Bought it 2 months ago and have reread it 5 times!
Review: Ok, so I am slightly obesessed but I simply love this book and the entire Anita Blake series. I read the entire series in record time. Of course, some books are more interesting than others, but with each book, I have learned more about Anita and her world. What an amazing world it is! In this book, Richard, Anita's ex-boyfriend, is accused of raping a local woman while studying trolls in Tennessee. Although Anita broke up with him, she knows that Richard would never rape a woman. She travels to Tennessee to figure out what is happening and has to deal with local demons, her new role as leopard queen, werewolf pack politics, and her continued feelings for Richard. Whew! What I like most about this book, and the entire series, is that we gradually begin to find out more about Anita with each book. Although she lives a violent life, she is fiercely loyal to her friends and loved ones. When she becomes queen of the wereleopards, she will protect them at all costs. I know a lot of people are put off by the sex in this book but I had no problem with it. From some of the reviews you would think that Anita was having sex on every other page which simply is not true. SHE HAS SEX ONE TIME FOLKS! Though that one time is somewhat graphic it detail, it is by no means tawdry or pornographic. Frankly, I thought it was interesting because it was entirely from the female point of view. I have read enough sex scences from a male point a view to fill a small library (In these scenes, the woman is always having a fantastic time no matter what the man is doing, definately curious). What is more astonishing is that this entire series is pretty violent and more people complain about the sex than the graphic violence. Anyway, no more soap box. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who wants to read something different, but no less enjoyable. Note to the editor: There is an amazing amout of grammatical mistakes in this series. Please try harder next time. Thanks :)
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