Rating: Summary: Don't waste your money Review: I am completely disapointed with this story. Unfortunitly I became sucked into the novels. I had bought the Bloody Corpse novel without looking it over well enough to see that it was part of a series. So I went all the way back to the first book and read Guilty Pleasures. With a name like that I thought the story would be great. Unfortunately for me and my pocket book it wasn't. The story line is completely unoriginal and borring. I don't understand how everyone in her story has become modernized, living in the tweentieth century except the vampires, who still wear lace and garments from the eighteenth century. I just think that this story has been done to death, and should die now, instead of painfully dragging it out any further. Hamilton's story line was completely jacked up, she jams everything together in her story so that dramatic scenarios are happening one right after the other. She repeats phrases over and over again throughout the series' of books, and as if the story doesn't suck bad enough they can't even go out with the dignity of a good ending. I don't understand how anyone could enjoy her stories, they are story telling of the absolute worst. I will give her credit on one thing however, at least her female character Anita Blake is actually portrayed as a strong woman instead of some weak pathedic woman that's too afraid to speak up for what she wants. Then again even that credit can't be fully given, the character, Blake sounds like an irritating pompous woman. She looses all the strength she was credited having by starting off as the wholesome virgin and then turning to a vixen-like woman playing the field with two men. Bottom line, this has got to be one of the worst books I've read in a long time. Which is pretty sad.
Rating: Summary: Anita Kicks Butt Review: The Laughing Corpse is good in that second book sort of way, not nearly as good as the first, but good enough to keep you coming back for a third. This time around, Anita goes head to head with a voodoo priestess and the suspense is damn good. The best part of this book is the developing relationship between Anita and Jean-Claude. Vampires are not a big part of this book, which is more like a supernatural mystery than a horror novel, but that allows the author to build upon the relationship between these polar opposites. Laurell K. Hamilton has created a fantastic heroine in which one can become extremely invested. By the time you get to the end, you both surprised and clamoring for the next one.
Rating: Summary: Comparision Review: "Cerulean Sins" was the first book by Hamilton that I had ever read. While reading it, I kept asking myself how she could have possibly gotten on the best seller list. Her writing was weak, as was much of the stories action. I had purchased what I thought to be a supernatural mystery and found myself in the midst of a lust fest. But, with all that said, the characters were enticing enough to call me back for more. This time, I started at the beginning. Now, I know how she got to the best seller list. Her earlier works have the energy, the raw talent that her later works seem to lack. I hope she finds that special something again.
Rating: Summary: Exquisitely well written. Review: I'm not generally a fan of the detective, or "noir" genre. So I find it a continually pleasant surprise that I am as fond of the character of Anita Blake as I am; she is, in many ways, typical of the "tough as nails Private Investigator" character. (Except, of course, that she is 5'3" tall, weighs maybe 110 pounds, and is female. Oh, yeah, and she can animate corpses into zombies and make them obey her; other than that, she's typical.)This is the second book of the series; I had previously read the first and the third (long story). This book is a bit better than the first, and much better than the third, but the difference is in the internal plausibility of the plot, and in characterization of the villains. Anita is just as much fun in the others as she is here, which is quite a bit, and the writing style is the same (narrative from Anita's point of view, in her voice.) Word of warning: do not read this book (or any book in this series) if you have a weak stomach, or are easily nauseated. There are graphic descriptions of all-too-realistic crime scenes, scenes in which Anita, as a consultant for the police, is forced to examine the scenes of gruesome murders. Definitely not for the squeamish.
Rating: Summary: Finally, the series might have hooked me... Review: This second book is great - Multiple plots weaving together, true NON-stop action, greater interation between Anita Blake and Jean-Claude. I didn't like the first book too much, but this one seems to work - the story moves smoothy, we now know many of the characters and something about Anita Blake hints at power and danger. And she doesn't get her butt kicked...as much. While the book does not focus on vampires, Jean-Claude, Master of the City, seems to appear more in these chapters than in "Guilty Pleasures", mostly because they REALLY talk to each other instead of trying to stare each other down. I got an older copy so as to have a normal looking cover.
Rating: Summary: Something Fresh Review: If you haven't read this serise before you should. This is of like a thinking man's Buffy The Vampire slayer. I really like these books. For those of you new to the books heres an intro. Meet Anita Blake Vampire hunter, polkice consultent and Animator of the recently dead. She has a problem, somthing is killing families wholesale, she needs to get help from an unlikely source namly Jean-Clade Master Vampire of the city of St. Louis. This book manages to combine gallows homor, wit, sarcasm and just plian old blood and guts into a real page turner. I also like it because it doesn't seem to suffer from a lot of sex of the later books(most notably the last one in the serise) All in all-This is just a wonderful read and a fasenating twist on the world of vampire stories. If like this book don't forget to check out the rest of the serise.
Rating: Summary: READ THIS BOOK! Review: Personally, I loved this book; it kept me on the edge of my seat. I began reading the series when my friend suggested it to me. I enjoyed the book so much I had to go on and read the next one and now I am on the third. I love the action and suspense the book pulls you into. Anita Blake is so directed and in charge, it gives you a feeling that nothing will ever go wrong with her. She is confident and acts very manly at times but, she has feminine side too. She always knows what she wants and she'll get it. In this book she trapped and put into a situation she doesn't want to deal with. She doesn't want anything to do with Gaynor or Senora Dominga but, ends up dealing with them anyways. Jean-Claude isn't really included in this book but, he knows her power and wants to see it used. Anita is included in so much emotion and action that this book makes it so, you never want to put it down. Also, if you haven't read the first one yet then, I recommend that one too. They both are excellent books that I recommend to any reader that likes action, horror, and suspense.
Rating: Summary: Fun, Fun,Fun Review: I am hooked. I love Anita Blake. The character is so much fun to follow along with. This series is just great fun. I read the first in the series and enjoyed the book. But this second entry I felt was much better. Hamilton keeps the twists and surprises coming. and she makes the unbelievable setting, believable. Anita Blake is sexy and tough, and her adventures are pure excitement. I love they way Hamilton writes. This is pure escapist fun. Hamilton transports you to another world, and once you start reading this series you will be hooked. I have already ordered the third in the series. I highly recommend.
Rating: Summary: Another Winner....... Review: I have to tell you..Im loving these Anita Blake books..definitely something different. I enjoyed this story very much...my one complaint??? Not enough Jean Claude...this is one wild ride..I highly recommend getting into this series..its worth your while and sooo entertaining!!
Rating: Summary: She's learning along the way... Review: Laurell K. Hamilton's second book in the series takes off nicely where the first left off. The book opens with Anita in the mansion of an eccentric millionaire who needs her to sacrifice a human (in order to raise a 300 year-old zombie) and is willing to pay richly for it. The more Anita Blake novels I read, the better I see Laurell getting as a writer, for it seems she has a hard job - she has to create the rules for this "alternate universe" where vampires and zombies live among us. The problem comes with the issue of "convenience". Instead of letting the reader in on the solution to the puzzle one piece at a time, she does this huge revealing TA-DA! at the end, and it leaves you feeling a little cheated. The best part of the book has to be the growing "lust" between Anita and Jean-Claude. I found myself blushing from the sexual tension and innuendo - they're quite effective and keep you reading. I definitely recommend the series - just don't expect anything groundbreaking. With each book you read, the picture gets a little clearer and Hamilton gets much better.
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