Rating: Summary: A Writer's Development Review: I've been an avid Anita Blake fan since picking up The Laughing Corpse on a whim at a second hand bookstore. After finishing it I immediately handed it off to one of my circle of friends and family that share similar reading tastes. I then went out and immediately looked for every other Anita Blake book I could find. It was a little strange because I read the first 4 out of order, but it was easy enough to follow along. With each proceeding book, its been wonderful to see the development of these complex characters. Its also been nice to see the progression of Laurell K. Hamilton as a writer. From Guilty Pleasures to Obsidian Butterfly, it has been one hell of a series and I can't wait for the next book. If you're looking for a good book to curl up with go back and pick up Guilty Pleasures and then Work your way up to Obsidian Butterfly. If you start with this one you may be disappointed, but if you start at the beginning and work up to this one... you definitely will not be disappointed. Don't get me wrong Obsidian Butterfly is a wonderful book, though it does tend to get off track at times. You'll probably wind up enjoying Obsidian Butterfly more, if you've read the rest of the Anita Blake series.
Rating: Summary: This is the most descriptive book yet. Review: Anita and Edwards relationship matures in a way only they can appreciate. Edwards true self starts to shine through those dead, vacant eyes. Anita is less confused about her life by the end of the book than she has been in the last 2. This book was a fabulous read. It is the most descriptive, most painful and most exhilerating read. I literally couldn't stop reading it.
Rating: Summary: Time for Anita to take up knitting and marry a minister. Review: Laurell Hamilton has a good thing with her Vampire Hunter books. I really enjoy the series. Although the action is fantastic, the gore factor is climbing - we're hopping from one blood bath to another. It gets old. Despite the silly story line, Ms Hamilton once again creates some wonderful, if not sociopathic, characters. She also seems to be painting Anita into a corner as to her character development. Where at one point we might root for Jean Claude or Richard as her would be permanent partner. Anita is now getting so brittle and less sympathetc (as we endlessly hear through the character's internal dialogue) that both guys deserve better! The characters and world of the Vampire Hunter series can certainly continue, but Ms. Hamilton may consider writing one last Anita Blake book and tieing up loose ends (but not without your basic silver bullet/crucific wielding rock'em sock'em ation ending).
Rating: Summary: An excellent chapter in the ongoing story! Review: A really good book, if a little bleak. Fills in a lot of things merely touched on in previous books. When I read the first in the series I thought this was going to be a good set of linked novels, but this one has shifted up a gear with the improved depth even though it's not such a fast paced book as the others. If you haven't read the first eight, I wouldn't suggest you start with this one as there is a lot less filling in of "previously..." bits. I had to admit I did not expect the twists revealed in Ted and I still can't decide whether it makes him more or less interesting! P.S. If you get the copy with the teaser for the next, you are not going to want to wait for it to be published. You have been warned!
Rating: Summary: Immensely Enjoyable Review: Unfortunately, this is the first book I have read in this series (but I've ordered the rest)! I thought is was wonderfully written and had all my favorite creatures in it.The dialogue was snappy and the story well told. I could hardly put it down.I didn't like Edward (Ted) at first but towards the end he became almost loveable. Even though the creatures aren't real, Ms Hamilton makes them seem to almost jump off the page. I can only hope the earlier books in the series are just as good.
Rating: Summary: Most Complex Anita Blake Book Yet Review: This is by far Laurell Hamilton's most sophisticated and complex Anita Blake book yet. It is also the best one to date. The only negative critism is that the monster character develop falls second the the relationship development between Anita and Edward. Anita Blake fans should enjoy this book.
Rating: Summary: THIS SERIES KEEPS GETTING BETTER Review: Anita Blake, vampire hunter, is back and this time she is helping renegade monster hit-man Edward/Ted, investigate a series of mutilation murders. Anita's investigation will lead her to a blood-thirsty killer, and connections to Ed/Ted's fiance Donna. What has Donna stumbled onto, and what is her connection to the group of killers? These questions and more must be answered before the body count rises, but Anita has her work cut out for her, as the dead bodies are disappearing. "Obsidian Butterfly" is a great entry into the series that keeps getting better with each book. As usual, the pace is fast, and no-one can create such original, suspenseful plots as Laurell K. Hamilton. Readers are treated to a wild ride through Hamilton country...chock-full of vampires, werwolves, sex, violence, and non-stop action. Nick Gonnella
Rating: Summary: Abysmal Review: I have followed this series, in spite of inherent problems within it (such as it being gratuitous and self-indulgent), because of the fertility of LK Hamilton's imagination. But she went quite too far for me in this book. It was badly written and edited. Her overusage of the 'emptiness' in the main characters' decription was far too 'empty' of meaning for me. And the ridiculousness of zombies zooming past quite victim-ready people to zing straight into a nursery at a hospital, several floors away from their starting point (apparently just to show how bad they were), was enough to inspire contempt. The main character and her cohorts are supposed to be big and bad, and so are their opponents, but please not at the expense of what makes sense. And L K Hamilton's insistence on continuing rape-like scenes, vampire or monster floor shows, etc has shown herself to be in a rather grotesque creative rut. I do not think I shall be reading other books in this series, or any other of hers.
Rating: Summary: Why buy the paperback? Review: I have OBSIDIAN BUTTERFLY in hard cover, so why buy the paperback? Simple. In the back lies an eight-page "sneak peek" into NARCISSUS IN CHAINS, the next entry in the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series. Rumor now has it that Ace will not be releasing NC until October 2001. Watch http://www.penguinputnam.com/clubppi/ for more about NC and upcoming repackaged reissues of GUILTY PLEASURES and THE LAUGHING CORPSE. No relation to PP/Ace.
Rating: Summary: It's more like 10+ stars! Review: I just picked up this book, and I'm only halfway through it, but I just ordered all the other Anita Blake books! I'm thrilled to find a new author (for me at least) who combines such good storytelling with such wonderful characters, a fascinating plot line, great dialogue and humor! And the scene with the werejaguar has to be one of the most sensous scenes - without explicit sex - that I have ever read. Truly a wonderful and entertaining writer, who also touches you deep inside your soul and makes you think. I hope she continues for a long, long time!
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