Rating: 
Summary: Where has all of the fun gone?
Review: Laurell K. Hamilton is a hugely talented author. Her books have broken new ground in fantasy. She merges the old PI/detective style with an extremely well constructed universe that includes werewolves, vampires, witches, and an assortment of formerly "oh its only just fantasy" characters. This new recipe makes magic delightfully real, occasionally funny, and always exciting. She has used her universe to explore different genres of writing - from the aforementioned PI/dective novel to gothic romance. Unfortunately, with her latest book, she has lost her sense of fun. In Obsidian Butterfly, perhaps she was trying to merge the psychological thriller genre into her recipe. Nice try. Doesn't work. The wry sense of humor present in the characters is not there in the way it has been in the past. The characters take themselves much too seriously. This book tries to do too much. Where has all of the fun gone Ms. Hamilton?
Rating: 
Summary: indecisive plot strategy saved by author's style
Review: This was my first exposure to the work of Laurell Hamilton, and I really enjoyed her style of writing[her sentence construction/phrases].However, I found myself putting this book aside on numerous occasions because I grew impatient with the endless series of graphic scenes that, while interesting, seemed to diminish the continuity of the plot. I was overwhelmed with spectacle...like a tv movie, broken by an endless series of commercials. By the time I was two-thirds of the way through the book, I was just exhausted and ready to read something else. Nonetheless, due to her skills as a writer alone, I will probably try an earlier installation of this series.
Rating: 
Summary: Stories keep getting better.
Review: I found I liked this latest installment in the Anita Blake books. Obsidian Butterfly finally gives us a glimpse behind the mask of Anita's mysterious friend, Edward. As well as being an assassin for hire, Edward is engaged with a woman with two kids. Along with that surprise Anita has to deal with gruesome murders taking place in New Mexico. I found this book to be refreshing. Although many complained that their was no Jean Claude or Richard, well I say SO WHAT! This book gave Anita the chance to think about her relationship with our two heroes as well as the realization of what could happen when she denies who she is. This book contained a good plot, interesting new characters and plenty of action. The book focuses on the police work and sleuthing Anita did originally from her first few novels, instead of it being bogged down by personal conflicts between her and the "boys." Dont get me wrong I love Richard and Jean-Claude as well as the next person, but if the author chooses to do something different with Anita's character, what is wrong with that? Definitely a good addition to the series.
Rating:
Summary: A must-read if Edward is one of your favorite characters
Review: Laurie Hamilton just keeps getting better and better. I actually bought this book in hardcover (not something I do often) and counted it money well spent. A good mystery, exciting characters that you've got to either love or hate, or both!
Rating: 
Summary: Hooked on Hamilton, Again!
Review: Just when you think Laurell just won't go there, she suprises me and does! As a new fan of this author after reading one of her books on the plane during a business trip, the description of "Obsidian Butterfly" didn't sound promising. No Jean Claude, no Richard, but, I was wrong. Getting to know her cold blooded killer pal Edward was a wild and unexpected ride. She made him more human but not any less dangerous and still left some layers of his character to explore. The story spins out from a phone call in the wee hours from Edward claiming a promised favor from Anita. She jets out to Albuquerque to join Edward trying to solve some hideously creative murders. Along the way she encounters some new monsters, both human and otherwise. She further explores her increasingly complex feelings for Jean Claude and Richard with several personal insights. There is an action sequence that takes place in a hospital that involves Anita and others chasing a zombie wanting to feed that just takes your breath away. All I could think was, Dean Koontz, eat your heart out, literally! Anyway, this is her ninth book I have read in alittle over two months and I found it just as satisfying as the first. The only downside being I can hardly wait till her next release!
Rating:
Summary: Sometimes Something Graphic is Needed
Review: I loved this latest installment in the Anita Blake Series. I read the comment of the person who returned this book and I hope you will not let this turn you away. The scene that he is talking about plays a very important role in the novel; it provides the motivation for Anita, Edward and the gang to extract the children from the bad guys. And don't forget that this is a horror novel. Is murder any less horrible than a child being hurt? Laurell Hamilton writes a "real" story. It is set in an alternate history so there are vampires but the evil that goes on in the real world is portrayed by Mrs. Hamilton. The bad guys are BAD and innocent people get hurt and who can believe it people actually have sex. This novel does not have the graphic sex of the last two novels but why does Anita have to be chaste to kill vampires? I am finally glad to see an author who can create really true character set in the real world; instead of sexless heroes who kill the bad guy, sleep alone and disappear in the crowd of heroes just like them.
Rating: 
Summary: Just plain boring... and disappointing!
Review: I usually can't put a Laurell K. Hamilton down... and I could not wait for the release of this book. I was severely disappointed. It took me over a week to finish it, and that was forcing myself though it to see if it got any better. It was incredibly boring. It was over 100 pages before she even got to any action. I realized that I really love the interaction between Anita and Jean Claude and Richard, and in this book Jean Claude only appeared briefly in a dream, and I don't remember Richard in it at all. It was a "defining herself without the boys" story, and boy did it suffer without them! This was supposed to focus on Edward, who should have been interesting, but it really was a whiny, poor me, I don't deserve love, have-I-really-become-one-of-the-monsters emotional breakdown on paper. I love this author, but honestly, don't bother! Incidently, I read in the jacket notes or in the introduction that her normal writers group, and other trusted advisors did not get to read this (as they usually do) before publication. Ms Hamilton, I implore you, please let your peers critique your stories prior to publication. Perhaps they can help you avoid putting your name to a truly boring, waste of a novel like this. If you are a hardcore fan and must read it, wait for the paperback!
Rating:
Summary: Some lines should not be crossed
Review: After reading every previous Anita Blake novel, I looked forward to this one. I have been growing concerned about the amount of needless sex for several novels and had high hopes for this one since it focused on Edward instead of "the boys". Instead of taking the effort to creatively write a new, "more evil villian", LKH instead choose to include villians who rape and torture children. A graphic child rape scene is a poor excuse for lack of ability. I have returned the book and will not ever purchase another book by LKH.
Rating:
Summary: Edward's Domestic Side
Review: I love reading about the anita-richard-jean-claude triangle but finding out about Edward and his REAL life was awesome! we find out that might be a spook and that he's engaged! I think this was one of the best books yet because now Anita is gettin even to closer to the edge- i'm sooo looking forward to the next book to see what happens with her!
Rating:
Summary: Three Cheers for the Latest in the Anita Blake Series!
Review: This was such a great book, and a nicely different view from the last few. Don't get me wrong, I love the guys, too, but it has been a while since we got to center more on Anita than on all the stuff surrounding her. Of course, all the "stuff" has been shaping her into the person she is now, and it has been fun and fascinating to watch her evolve. I am particularly impressed by Mrs. Hamilton's ability to have MS. Blake's character change so much, yet keep the naivete and the core of goodness that makes Anita, well, Anita. She's still as tough as all get-out, but somehow she retains that core of her old self that makes me keep cheering her on. I am curious as to how far her conscious will degenerate before she finally recaptures that lost part of herself, or loses that part of herself that makes her care forever. Of course, that is one reason I particularly loved this book...No, I won't explain what I mean by that, and ruin a potentially crucial part of the story for those of you who haven't read it yet. Let me just say that Mrs. Hamilton surprised me by how she worked some hope for Anita into this story. Learning so much more about Edward was also a lot of fun. It was a nice switch to have him so much more involved than he normally is, and I liked that a lot of the intrigue about him was only increased. I also appreciated all the background work that went into this story. It was such a different view of the vampires, and I was intrigued by the vast cultural differences between the preternatural people. This book was a blast, and I am already anxious to read the next one. Whoever said that Ms. Hamilton's effort here wasn't quite up to par, I have to seriously suggest you read it again. It was just as good as the others, at least, and offered a very interesting story lead-in for the next story. I can't wait until then!
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