Obsidian Butterfly

Rating:
Summary: It Keeps Getting Better With Each Book...
Review: Obsidian Butterfly was similer to the kinds of stories we got with the earlier books like the "Laughing Corpse" and "Bloody Bones." It was more plot driven, which keeps the story tighter. I love Edward, wouldn't want to date him, but I love him never the less. I thought revealing his background would ruin his mystery for me, but it only enhanced my facination.

I must admit to missing the relationship aspect of the series. I know for some, Anita's relationship with the boys is secondary, but to me it seems to balances the series between the the horror and mystery and her personal life. I think the senuality of the series is necessary because of who and what JC is, and it gives the it a sexy feel - which I like.

I think that for a story that took place completely apart from the setting the readers are used to, apart from character we know, it did a great job of establishing a whole new set of secondary character that were fleshed out and not cardboard.

I really liked this book, and I look forward to book 10.

Rating:
Summary: Has Hamilton written herself into a corner?
Review: Edwards calls in his favor and Anita hightails it to New Mexico to assist the police in solving a series of horrific mutilations/murders. Good news for Edward fans, unless unmasking Death takes away all the mystery. Bad news for Jean-Claude and Richard fans. Our resident Master of the City and Ulfric make what amounts to cameo appearances in OBSIDIAN BUTTERFLY. Which isn't to say it's a bad book, no, not at all. It's engrossing, action-packed, gory, funny...entertaining. But looking at the larger picture, one can't help but wonder: *Has* Hamilton written herself into a corner with regard to the Anita/Jean-Claude/Richard triumvirate? In OBSIDIAN BUTTERFLY, we find Anita still fighting against the threesome, still waffling over what to do. So Anita's adventure in NM feels more like an evasive manuever on Hamilton's part than an attempt to satisfy Edward fans. We could have found out more about Edward in a story set in St. Louis, along with Anita and the local vamps and werewolves. Edward's backups, Olaf and Bernardo, could have just as easily shown up in St. Louis. Bottom line: while this is an entertaining standalone read, one can't help but wonder why Laurell K. doesn't go for it and make Anita, J-C, and Richard a fully-functioning triumvirate. Surely J-C is seductive enough to convince Richard to share!

Rating:
Summary: Anita strikes again
Review: Though I did enjoy the book, I was disappointed in that it was like going back to the begining of the series. I reminded me a lot of Guilty Pleasures. I would rather have seen some of the other issues brought up in past books resolved. I did enjoy learning more about Edward, though i disagree with those who thought he became "warm" and "Cuddly". I thought he was scarier, in a way, because the "act" had become so important. In other words, unless its an act, there's no one home.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book one of the best in the series.
Review: This book is the best one that i have read that has Edward as a main character. Also i think that Olaf is a wonderful character and would be great to read about him later expecially if/when he visits St. Louis. Now this mysterious Van Clef is just a odd entry, will we ever learn more about him? One really big question is will she ever find out who pulled her file, and why?

Rating:
Summary: Definite Improvement
Review: Ever since Killing Dance I have not been as happy with the Anita series as I had been. However, with Obsidian Butterfly, Hamilton has redeemed herself. The plot was much tighter and well thought out that it has been for several books. It also lacks some of the discomfiting inconsistencies that have been cropping up. I was very glad to get away from relationship stuff and get back into detective work and killing stuff.

Rating:
Summary: The life of Anita Blake
Review: As expected this was an excellent book. For first-time Anita readers I would recommend starting with the first book before reading this or any of the other Anita books. Not because I don't think they won't be able to understand the story, but because this is a series and there is no other way to read it and really "see" the world through Anita Blake's eyes. Some reviews have said that this book doesn't further the storyline or Anita's character doesn't grow and I disagree on both counts. There are characteristics that are constant in all the books that Anita will probably always have, but the Anita in this book is still very different from the Anita in Guilty Pleasures. I actually found it a welcomed change of pace to have Anita not in her hometown surrounded by familiar places, or faces, focusing more on her and doing the job, as well as learning more about Edward, we --the readers-- finding out the same time she does. In a way, it seems she takes a closer look into herself being away from everyone she really knows and finds out more about herself, and... just maybe... that was the real purpose of this story.

Rating:
Summary: Obsidian Butterfly -- Not Up to Hamilton's Usual Style
Review: If you are a first-time reader of Laurell K. Hamilton I would not suggest that you start with this book. Without, the background, motivations, and context of her series you would be lost. For those who have read the series and have become addicted to the fast pace, action packed, sexy dialogue, I believe this book will come as a disappointment.

There are portions of the book that do not ring true. By the last vampire slayer book, Anita could do everything from, thinking a heart into exploding, raising hundreds of vampires and dead at once, able to heal almost any injury, and having some werewolf powers -- in this book she seems to have forgotten that she has any power at all. The book also states that she has been able to stay away from her two main love interests for six months, which is not believable considering in previous books, one or the other refused to leave her alone for a day. Also it is not believable that Anita was able to get out of being Lupa, head of the were-people, and a vampires human first by just deciding she needed a break.

However, despite reviews, if you are an avid fan, you will still read this book. It is a change of pace to see Anita with totally different book characters as a change of pace. A few self-discovery points by "Anita" might come in handy "for context" when reading the next book of the series. Also, one or more of the characters of this new book look poised to show up in future books of the series.

Rating:
Summary: Haven't gotten to this book yet....
Review: I just wanted to say that I am also a huge fan of Laurell Hamilton. When I first went to the book store to pick up a new sci-fi book I didn't know what to look for. But when I saw the cover of her first book for the Anita Series I was already hooked, when I read the back of the cover I was already walking to the counter. Along with that book I picked up the other 2 or 3 that were also published. When I got home and opened up the first book to my amazment I was actually looking at her signature on the first page. Which I personally thought was great. Because I didn't even open up the book to skim it a little. Just went by the back cover. On the first page in the book it said "Happy Reading:) Laurell K. Hamilton" along with the date. I still have the book and every now and then I'll go back and look at it and laugh. Thinking how lucky I am to actually have her autograph and I haven't even met her.....Yet:) Thanx Laurell for giving St. Louis, a whole new perspective. Keep up the good work and I can't wait to read Obsidian Butterfly.

Rating:
Summary: I thought it was great!
Review: It's too bad so many people hate this book I thought it had allot of appeal to it. She unmasked Edward and he turns out to have a heart *gasp*. In this book she was trying to introduce the real Edward. He was never that evil guy that lurks in the dark and kills anything that was dangerous. I don't think she wanted him to end up killing Anita or going insane. Hamilton I guess was trying for a break from the boys and all the power that Anita had. Everyone keep on saying they hated the trio and said Anita was too powerful. She didn't use her powers and she tried to explain why she needed that trio of power. This book leads to the next when she has to pick between the vamp or wolf. I actulay I thought the old books were like this one. Their were alot of jokes and the old Anita depended on her guns and brains. I'm realy sad because if you keep telling her you hate these books it's likely that she won't make the series anymore. That's what she said so becareful right now you might not appreciat her great books but when she is gone you will... Enjoy

Rating:
Summary: Another great book in the Anita series!
Review: Like every other Anita Blake book, I loved Obsidian Butterfly. Yes, it's Anita at her best. Yes, I missed Richard and Jean-Claude. But I'd have to disagree with others who think that this book was solely about Edward. Through her usual flair, Hamilton shows us that one of the biggest, baddest 'monsters' in Anita's life isn't really a monster after all. And that maybe, just maybe, there's hope for Anita. Hamilton gives us a view of another side of Anita - the one who feels guilty about loving the monsters, the one who wonders what it would be like to be with a human again. Granted the book has serious sexual overtones (a few of which made me cringe), but I think it makes a big statement about Anita's character. Through her great characters, incredibly vivid description, twisting unusual plot, and first person narrative, LKH has given us not just a book about Edward, but a book that gives us a little bit of insight into Anita and her future. If you like LKH - read it. If you're following the series - you have to read it to fill in the holes. If you're just looking for a great book - read it, you won't be disappointed.