Rating: 
Summary: Not the best, but a good continuation
Review: I am an avid LKH fan, and totally love Anita. This book was a little disapointing in the fact that it ended quickly and suddenly leaving us with little to no epilogue. THere was an intersting developement with Jason however that made the price of the book very worthwhile. Also Anita is finally realizing that Richard is going to get himself and others killed. The best line was, "I wondered how long it would be until I began to hate him." I already Hate Richard and was glad to see that he seems to be fazing out. LOVE the series and can't wait for the next book which will hopefully include Edward.
Rating: 
Summary: I couldn't put it down!
Review: The latest installment in Anita's life is not to be missed! Fans of the series will enjoy the combination of L.K.H.'s signature bad-guy butt-kicking and the newer focus on Anita's emotional relationships with those around her. "The arduer" is still in full effect, so those who didn't like Narcissus In Chains because of the added sex scenes will probably not like this book as much as some of the earlier works in the series. Overall, this is a solid addition to the Anita Blake saga, and it follows Anita's natural progression. BTW, if you are lucky enough to be able to see Laurell K. Hamilton in person, DO NOT PASS IT UP! She's an amazing person to meet.
Rating: 
Summary: I kinnot hold'er cap'n, she's breakin' up...
Review: This wasn't even a LKH novel, at least that is what I'm telling myself in order to be up for future books. It had little story line, what it did have was incoherent and very un-LKH like. One sexual travesty to the next and then in the last few pages the quick "Last five minutes of Star Trek" wrap up. This book contains brief mentions of the furry... the upcoming new "big-bad" and then it ends with a bit of an "eh". This book could have been so much more, should have been so much more. This would have been the ultimate Edward book, but he was emasculated in Obsidian Butterfly.I hate to say it, but I'm losing my faith. I miss the old Anita. Guess I'll have to go back and read the earlier books in the series for my "fix". Bitterly Disappointed
Rating:
Summary: Reads like a bad movie sequel
Review: Marginally better than the last but very cluttered. There are too many characters, so every chapter requires pages of clarification on relationships, most of which are really stupid. Vampire politics continue gangland boring, a page and a half each meeting of "Tell me again why I can't just shoot them?" Because we need to stretch this book another hundred pages. The "ardeur" continues to be a dull feature, lots of unconvincing and un-sexy sex. Hamilton has fallen into the trap of increasing Anita's powers and adding several relationships with nearly every book, and seems compelled to account for every nonhuman Anita ever met in every book. The series is fizzling as a result. I miss the zombies, and I'm disappointed that Richard has devolved into an annoying stereotypical "I love him (why?) but he is too filled with self-loathing for a relationship" ex. Character development and the wonderful world-building have petered out. I loved the first six Anitas, the Anita Classics, and have hated these latest three. I won't be buying the next Anita.
Rating:
Summary: nothing new
Review: most of the books in the blake vampire series have offered something new. not this one. i still plan on reading the next book(s) in the series, but very little happened. the excitement peaked in the middle, and the ending was a let down. also, the plot was not extended much at all, leaving me wondering what Ms. Hamilton was trying to accomplish. In that respect it reminds me of Robert Jordan's latest, i read it so i can read the next book, but felt like nothing happened. Wait for paperback or till you can borrow it from someone. the only reason i rated it 2 stars instead of 1 was that it still involved characters i liked, and it was easy reading, just like the rest of the series.
Rating:
Summary: L. Hamilton strikes again
Review: This series has been about the most addicting thing ever for me. I started with Guilty Pleasures just after Christmas (after hearing the name Laurell Hamilton on another website) and read the first 10 books in just over two weeks. *** Ms. Hamilton's newest novel, Cerulean Sins, is not the best of the series, but it is acceptable. The new evil introduced could definitely lead to some great action in future books, but the bad vamps of this story weren't as bad as those of old, in my opinion. Anita is kick-butt as always, but not like we've seen in other books. In fact, I was slightly surprised by the lack of action -- This novel definitely allows the characters, especially Anita, to get very introspective. All in all, though, this is a must read for all AB fans!
Rating:
Summary: Character Development or Growing Up
Review: First, I have to express what a huge fan I am of Laurell K. Hamilton. I wait impatiently for the next installment. So, please take this into consideration of what I am about to say.
Cerulean Sins is an excellent fiction read. It doesn't offer the meaning of life or the cure for cancer. However, it offers the reader a ride through a world full of colorful characters.
Yes, there is more sex and violence, but one has to consider that Anita Blake is falling deeper and deeper into a world completely ruled by magic and non-human elements. If you wish to revisit the 'old' Anita, then I suggest you reread the first books.
Hamilton has allowed her character to grow, perhaps in ways we don't all agree, but grown nonetheless. When there are so many cookie cutter series, Hamilton tries to give the reader new and inventive plots each time. This current installment focuses on the vampire element in Anita's life. Something we have missed for awhile. Also, a greater force (scary, too) starts to raise it's head. Without revealing any of the plot, I would consider this story one that should be read by those interested in strong women, mystery, and the paranormal.
I consider my time reading an investment, and I will always invest in Ms. Hamilton...no matter what road she decides to take us down.
Rating:
Summary: Better than Narcissus in Chains....
Review: I've been a fairly devout follower of the Anita Blake books since LKH started writing them. I've starting buying them in hardcover because I a) cannot wait to read them, and b) loan them out to so many people and it's easier to keep hardcovers intact. Many of the issues I had with Narcissus in Chains were lightened in this book, and while I'm not adverse to the sex scenes (so many people keep saying that LKH's other series somehow blended with Anita nd changed Anita's view of sex...) I'm glad there seemed to be more plot and the sex wasn't the entire issue.
One thing I keep looking for - LKH has created so many alpha characters that take the spotlight and keep it - Richard, Jean-Claude, Asher, Edward, etc.: when she first introduced the Rat-King, Rafael, I wanted to know more about him. And as the were-rats often feature in the books, I keep hoping to see one more glimpse of the character. Maybe because he was definitely alpha and never seems to have many problems LKH doesn't think she needs to elaborate his position? With the sheer number of new characters flooding each book - something I like - you'd thin there'd be room for one more character, who as the leader of the were-Rats should be around more often?
On the whole, I'm much more satisfied with this book than NiC.
Rating:
Summary: Continuing in the Path of NIC
Review: The 11th book in the Anita Blake-Vampire Hunter series continues in the footsteps of the last book, Narcissus In Chains. If you hated that book, I doubt this will be a marked improvement for you, though I thought it was very slightly better. I don't think either book holds a candle to her earlier efforts that were far more rich in action and character development. It seems to me that Ms Hamilton has decided that Anita's sexual travails will be the centerpiece of the books. I find Anita's ever increasing stable of submissive hunks becoming tedious. Some of these male characters started out wonderfully. The enigmatic, manipulative vampire, Jean-Claude. The good guy, honest but angsty werewolf, Richard. They took time to develop and I love how they stood toe to toe with Anita, and how she struggled to deal with her love for both of them while being the the fiercest executioner in town. Now, Jean-Claude is completely subservient to Anita, submissive in nearly everyway, and Richard is a manic-depressive basket case. And Anita's merry-go-round of love interests now includes the underwritten "yes" man Micah, the pouty Asher, the child-man Nathanial, the vampire servent Damian, and the wisecracking werewolf Jason. Her relationship with all these men is intimate on some level, and its just too much. All her connections seem so shallow because there are so darned many of them. I miss the original triumverate. Now, I find it hard to believe that Anita truly loves anyone. The crime part of the story is much better then in the last book, where it didn't exist at all. I was sorry to see Dolph trashed, that anyone that disagress with Anita tends to go down in flames, or disappear from the books altogether, in short order. I did think Anita was a bit obnoxious with throwing her federal marshall title around too much, and was incredibly reckless in her pursuit of a bad guy.
Rating:
Summary: This series is aways fun to read.
Review: Actuall,I would give this book 41/2 stars if the ratings would allow. The only thing that kept me from giving 5 stars would be Edward. I wish in the next book that they are teamed together and he has to come to terms with her increasing num. of men that are in her group. Musette was fantastic and wierd as usual the two small children vampires Valentina and Bartolome could be valuable assets to Anita and Jean-Claud in future books when the Vampire Council comes into town. I'm really unhappy about Richard I hope that he can come to terms with all his issues and once more become part of the tri. But I'm reall glad that Jason finally got a major part in this story he is also one of my favorites. I also hope that Dolph can learn to accept Anits's new lifestyle or they will always be at odds. Good book, read and enjoy you will be glad that you did. I just hope that she hurries up with the next book. I can't wait.
|
