Rating: 
Summary: Creditable fourth in the series
Review: Olympias is one of the oldest of the Enforcer vampires, and responsible for much of the administration and protection of the American sects. Her base of Washington DC is used to gauge how well the US government, in particular their more covert ops, know about them. As an experienced Enforcer, Olympias is a ruthless predator, protective of her kind but also a bit weary of the necessity of enforcing the laws. Michael Falconer is part of a study of Walking - astral projecting to covertly study / spy / rescue etc on behalf of the US government. He's also the object of lust of one of the junior vampires, and Olympias must check if he is suitable to become a love bunny. Oddly, for a woman who thought herself past such things, Olympias finds she wants the bunny for her own. And this `weakness' gives a way in for someone from the under world to exploit the potential conflict. The story is split between three central lines - Olympias and Michael, Sara (Olympias human assistant / slave) and Andrew - the vampire that wants to die Andrew - and the human companion who wants to rule it all some day. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book. I love the original concept of the series and the essentially predatory nature of the Enforcers and all the positives and negatives that brings into their relationship with mortal humans. There is an underlying dark nature to this series that I enjoy greatly. In this book, however, the split in concentration between the characters lead to me becoming less involved with them. I would begin to get into their story, and the focus would switch to another. I've read and greatly enjoyed the previous 3 books in the Laws of the Blood series. The fourth is not as intense as the previous three books, but is certainly worth reading as a part of the series. I'm not convinced if someone new to the series would get the most out of the book that the knowledge of at least one of the earlier three would bring to the reading of this one, but especially for fans of the series this book is a must.
Rating:
Summary: Creditable fourth in the series
Review: Olympias is one of the oldest of the Enforcer vampires, and responsible for much of the administration and protection of the American sects. Her base of Washington DC is used to gauge how well the US government, in particular their more covert ops, know about them. As an experienced Enforcer, Olympias is a ruthless predator, protective of her kind but also a bit weary of the necessity of enforcing the laws. Michael Falconer is part of a study of Walking - astral projecting to covertly study / spy / rescue etc on behalf of the US government. He's also the object of lust of one of the junior vampires, and Olympias must check if he is suitable to become a love bunny. Oddly, for a woman who thought herself past such things, Olympias finds she wants the bunny for her own. And this 'weakness' gives a way in for someone from the under world to exploit the potential conflict. The story is split between three central lines - Olympias and Michael, Sara (Olympias human assistant / slave) and Andrew - the vampire that wants to die Andrew - and the human companion who wants to rule it all some day. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book. I love the original concept of the series and the essentially predatory nature of the Enforcers and all the positives and negatives that brings into their relationship with mortal humans. There is an underlying dark nature to this series that I enjoy greatly. In this book, however, the split in concentration between the characters lead to me becoming less involved with them. I would begin to get into their story, and the focus would switch to another. I've read and greatly enjoyed the previous 3 books in the Laws of the Blood series. The fourth is not as intense as the previous three books, but is certainly worth reading as a part of the series. I'm not convinced if someone new to the series would get the most out of the book that the knowledge of at least one of the earlier three would bring to the reading of this one, but especially for fans of the series this book is a must.
Rating:
Summary: Good addition to the series
Review: Olympias is the Chief Enforcer and Enforcer for the city of Washington, DC. As overburdened as she is, she is a little out of touch with the vampire problems in the area. A companion, claiming to be the reincarnation of her late husband, takes advantage of this situation to try to destroy her. Her loyal slave is distracted by a suicidal vampire, and Olympias herself is distracted by a human chosen by another vampire for her companion. Chaos will ensue if Olympias doesn't regain her grip on the local nests and their servants. This was a pretty good addition to the series. Olympias is alluded to in all of the other novels, but never much involved. This novel was fast moving and exciting and I look forward to the next one.
Rating: 
Summary: Strong vampire entry
Review: She was the mother of Alexander the Great and Philip of Macedon's queen. She saw the rise and fall of Greece and Rome and other civilizations lost to the dust of time. Her name is Olympias and her age can be measured in millenniums but she prefers to live in the present where she is the Chief Enforcer of Washington DC. She insures that all vampires in her domain obey the laws of the council and keep their identities hidden from the mortals living along side them. Olympias is going through the motions of her job, but she is not really paying any attention to the beings that are dissatisfied with her actions. Her "slave" Sarah wants her mistress to pay more attention to her, while a vampire's companion sets in motion a plan that will topple Olympias from power, and a black ops government backed psychic group is on the verge of discovering that vampires actually exist. To complicate matters even more the Enforcer is attracted to the head of the psychic group, a man whose vampire father lives in Olympias' territory. Every book in this series seems better than the previous highly regarded predecessors as Susan Sizemore continues to develop the culture of the vampire society. The heroine of this novel has earned a sequel and the audience deserves learning the fate of some of the likable characters in LAWS OF THE BLOOD: DECEPTIONS. There are so many exciting subplots that tie into the main story line that readers will want to read this book more than once, but each time in one sitting. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Boring, Can't Compare to LKH
Review: This is my intro to this author and series. I've previously read all of LKH's books. In comparison to the AB series, this is quite tepid. Olympias never gets into serious trouble. Anita is almost always in danger of getting dead. The violence in the AB serious is much more viceral and real than Sizemore's. Love scenes were handled in an unimaginative, unerotic manner. The scenes of the slaves in action were especially boring. Read this book if only you absolutely have to have your fix in this genre and can't wait for the next offering from Hamilton.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: This may be my favorite in the series so far. Olympias was not a touchy feely character, but a tough, several thousand year old vampire used to being treated like a queen. She was comfortable being a civilized monster. She didn't have to be loveable to save the day, but save it she did. I believe Andrew and Sara were the people readers were supposed to identify with and root for -- I know I did. Another thing I enjoyed was the tidbits about strigoi culture. Especially finding out about hellhounds, and that vampires and werewolves don't get along because of the hellhounds. And Bentencourt -- now there was an interesting villian -- a mortal more dangerous than the vampires because of his skill at manipulation, especially of the women in his life who trust him. Was happy when he met his much-deserved end.
Rating:
Summary: Best One Yet!
Review: This one is about Olympias, mother of Alexander the Great and wife of Philip. That gives you some idea of her age. Olympias has been mentioned in her previous novels but this one is about her. She has her own problems at home in Washington DC. She is the Enforcer of the United States with her home base in Washington DC. She has her human servant, Sara, doing work that she should be doing. It comes back to bite her on the butt! I really liked all the levels in this one. From the nests of vampires who are told to leave DC to the Conniver,who sows discontent among many of the vampires and companions. It was a real page turner and I really look forward to reading the next one. Way to go, Susan!
Rating:
Summary: For Each City there is One Enforcer....
Review: Wherever there are vampires, there must be laws, otherwise humanity's predators would be revealed, and become prey themselves. In Susan Sizemore's world, the laws are made by the Council, and a group of specialized vampires called hunters exists to enforce their dictates. Not a very democratic system, but one that has stood the test of time. More to the point, is has stood the test of four volumes in a successful series. Each volume tells a story about a particular enforcer, Char McCarin in Seattle, Selim in Los Angeles, Istvan the roamer, and now Olympias in Washington, D.C. Once the wife of Philip of Macedonia, she has had 2,000 years to hone her political and power skills, rising to become the chief enforcer for the United States. In her concerns for the maintenance of the Law everywhere she has forgotten to apply it equally at home. Her laxity has permitted the local vampire nests to make their own rules, and now that she is determined to bring things back under control, rebellion is about to break out. It does not help that she has selected a possible companion that another vampire wants, or that someone in the nests is plotting to bring her down. And what will she do with another vampire who has requested permission to die? Olympias has no choice but to burden her slaves with too much responsibility and now she must deal with the consequences. The ensuing crisis will take all her political and fighting skills. Sizemore is one of the few writers who can write about vampire politics without becoming distractingly boring. Part of this is the mystique of the enforcers, a specialized breed that prefers to feed on the hearts of other vampires. Another part is that her characters, despite the possession of immortality and superhuman powers behave like real people. No overblown romanticism or new goth world order here, but interesting personalities dealing with life among the pointy-toothed. The writing shows good pacing, and while not sparse does not dwell too long over any particular facet. Violence is sudden, horrific, and then over with. Much time has been spent thinking through the logic of this world, and it rings true even when it crosses over to the fantastic. The overall effect is a refreshing shift from more stereotyped vampire fiction. If such existed, I would call the 'Laws of the Blood' series vampire fiction for vampires. While the individual novels do occasionally intertwine all can stand independently, so you may begin with any volume you please.
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