Archive for the ‘Laurell K Hamilton’ Category

Bullet
Yup…still reading it…. Guys, I don’t think I’m gonna make it. This will be a first (at least in this genre). I’ve never read a book so slowly in my life. I keep falling asleep (and with this book I don’t even try to struggle to stay awake). I’m literally halfway through the book, and NOTHING exciting has happened.

Everything’s so convoluted, I never really have an exact idea of what’s going on. Maybe cause it’s making me fall asleep. With all the metaphysical stuff and the ardeur, it’s just a big dreamy haze. I can’t grasp any of it. I just can’t relate to any of them. The characters run hot and cold, the whole lot of them. Whiny, bully, emotional wreck, bully (they even physically bully Anita). How can she be attracted to any of them? And personally, Anita has become so unfeeling and prides herself so much in being the “man” in the relationship (she does!!). I guess it’s her way of proving she’s tough amongst so much whiny alpha male. I can’t connect to any of them. They’re all so weird!

Yup right after orgy #1 (in the first quarter of the book) we headed right into orgy #2 (we hadn’t even hit half way mark yet) and Anita had no choice again. Cause it’s Haven (the “Rex” – head of the lions) and he’s mad cause Anita hasn’t chosen him completely yet, and he is making demands. And well it would be important for Jean-Claude and Anita to…*ahem* “DO HIM” and his clan together in a power force to absorb whatever power will now make lions their latest “animal to call” (meaning I guess, sorta…oh I dunno, animal slave, guard? Something like that).

Apparently in this series, that’s the only logical way to control the situation. ”DO” ’em all into submission. But of course, it’s logical. The “Ardeur” and all that…

Something goes arwy, in Anita’s “group power surge”, and they suddenly want to feed on death. The only way to fix it is to switch power gears from death to sex (Jean-Claude releases the “ardeur” – at FULL force - again). Wait…wasn’t that the plan, sorta, anyway? I dunno…

I had a moment of my skin running cold with fear, and then I suddenly felt a whole lot better about waking up nude, in the middle of what looked like a hell of an orgy. It was better than not waking up at all.

Uhhh….ewwwww!

And it just keeps getting worse for me. LKH just keeps adding more and more characters, animals, reasons (well, not reasons more then just – opportunities) for the animals to want to worship Anita, scenes where the animals power struggle against each other (and Anita)…it’s like putting 7 different species of animals together in a cage and demanding they all get along. Impossible right? Oh but they will GET ALONG as long as Anita orgy’s them in some way shape or form…and “orgy” them she does. And I’ll be honest…even the sex scenes bore me.

Oh sure…some sort of excitement. Another surprise power visit by the Mother of Darkness. She’s a threat I guess. Gonna take everyone over. Of course she wants Anita (who doesn’t, right?). Now they have to plan. That’s where I’m at. Jean Claude is gonna finally become a scary vampire… (evil but for the right reasons, of course). 

“Are you planning to force them to give up power, even if they refuse?”

“To keep Morte d’Amour and the Mother of All Darkness from raping this country, oh yes.”

“This will make you the bad guy,” Richard said.

“I am aware of that.”

“Are you planning on us metaphysically raping the reluctant masters?”

“If necessary.”

“Isn’t that exactly what we’re fighting to keep the council from doing?” Richard asked.

“Yes but we are not doing it for evil purposes.”

“So they just have to trust that we mean well,” Richard said.

“No,” Jean-Claude said, “they just have to do what I tell them to do.”

So that’s pretty much where I’m at. Actually a little further (Haven’s whining, being a bully), they’re cleaning up the orgy (it’s really kinda gross).

So does it get better? Should I continue, or should I move on?

Quick Update: I’m forging on and guess what? Chapter 21 – 25 —>I liked them. This is better. I felt Anita’s nerves, anger, triumph and extreme sadness (very emotional scene). Deeper and more connected, and more realistic then all the metaphysical stuff. This was good.

Bullet
I’m only a quarter of the way through…maybe a bit more, so I’m gonna give it a chance, but…I dunno about this one.

Anita feels a little different to me, or maybe I’ve changed? As I mentionned to my friend Lily in our book discussion today:

I’m reading Bullet right now…not sure how I feel about it yet. I’m starting to kinda not like Anita…and well all of them.

• Gorgeous almost irresistible Asher‘s being a baby (he feels unwanted and instead of talking it out with those he supposedly loves, starts in with some pretty serious threats)…now THAT’S gonna win some hearts
•  Richard‘s had a change of heart and is suddenly being really cooperative (which is a nice change) but why am I resentful of him anyway? Too little, too late? There was a time in the series when he could do NO wrong…then he just started becoming angrier and plain scary that he just seems broken to me.
• …and Jean Claude the absolute most amazing “real” vampire ever, and yet….he just doesn’t get any attention and doesn’t really say anything about it. While he is important (it seems) to this book, he is almost already backburner-ish – he’s there but not ever angry or emotional. Maybe he never really was, and I just projected emotion onto his character because I liked him so much (one of the first vampires I ever loved LOL!). No wait. I swear He USED to be emotional. He’d get jealous, act indifferent, become angry and threatening and scary but now… none of that. He’s just “perfect”. Never overreacts, always polite and completely accepting of Anita and her needs. Oh come on, man!
• Anita. What can I say? What I hate is I can no longer relate to her. From her extreme public affection with each lover, to their unrealistic overall acceptance of each other (‘cept for Asher – who really only wants JC and is becoming quite resentful of Anita). I mean, I sorta get the “ardeur” thing (well…not really) but whatever – I’ll accept it as an integral part of the series (a side effect of being bonded to the “vampire line” that dominates through their sexuality – something important is bound to happen because of it, right?). And the need to help control her beasts is just so sexually complicated too. But even with her internal musings, she never admits being really in love with any of them. Basically, she loves everyone (equally?) which is almost as bad as loving no one to me. How she acts with her lovers, no real tenderness…no real emotion…no real attachment. Just a bunch of convenient arrangements.

I don’t *feel* any of them anymore. Not even Jean Claude Did I ever think this had an aspect of romance in it? I think I keep reading because I’m hoping to connect once again to the characters I’d grown so attached to.

New to the series? Do not mistake this series as being a vampire romance one – while it did have that touch once upon a time, it is quite clear that Anita’s kind of love is no longer conventional. Still interesting, I guess. Just not heart-warming or sigh-inducing anymore.

Wow…all of these impressions from  me and I’m not even halfway through the book. Maybe I’m just taking this all too seriously. It’s just that this was one of my first paranormal series that I got hooked on, and Jean Claude, to me, was just breathtaking, and now…nothing. He’s lost that loving feeling. Or maybe I have.

Oh sheesh, now I’M being whiny! I’m hanging too much with Asher and Richard I think

Okay, so for those of you who have read the book. Am I jumping the gun? What did you think (without any spoilers yet please).

Off I go to see if I can bond with any of them again.

Burnt Offerings
Hey there again. Just kick stuff out of the way to get in here. Ignore the giant 4 toed foot in the Kitchen. Someone has a crappy sense of humor and an obsession with LOST. Don’t look in the backyard either, Stonehenge is back there. I have no idea what I am going to tell the neighbors. Even better freaking Wrath refused to send me clean up help, I guess “That’s what happens when young vampires drink.” *using mocking tone* I guess my nasty hangover put me in a nasty mood and I didn’t use enough “verily’s” to get my way. Also Acheron and his Dark Hunters are on my “kill them and riverdance on their entrails” list. “Just because I can help you clean, doesn’t mean I should.” *used mocking voice again* Shutup! I could SO do without the god act right now. I would pout about it but since you’re here and everything we can talk about my last read. It was “Burnt Offerings” by Laurell K. Hamilton. Don’t judge me. Just cause I’m a vampire doesn’t mean I don’t like Anita. I finished “Burnt Offerings” which is actually book 7 in the series. I know things are going to go downhill from here, I have heard what a big ho bag Anita turns into later but in the meantime I am enjoying the ride.

The book kicks off with a bang, radical groups are getting stronger and hitting the vampires and were’s harder than ever. Anita and Jean Claude’s relationship is growing deeper and we get to see an intimate scene of them at dinner, because Jean Claude can not eat food, he gets to taste it through the marks:

“So just tell me what you like on the menu, and we’ll negotiate.”
“All that is required is that you taste what is ordered. You do not have to eat it.”
“No, no more of this tasting shit. I’ve gained weight. I never gain weight.”
“You have gained four pounds, so I am told. Though I have searched diligently for this phantom four pounds and cannot find them. It brings your weight up to a grand total of one hundred and ten pounds, correct?”
“That’s right.”
“Oh, ma petite, you are growing gargantuan.” I looked at him, and it was not a friendly look.

I laughed at that. How could you not love him when he says cute stuff like that? BTW I hated Anita in that moment – complaining about 4 lbs that bring her up to 110? Bite me. No seriously, break up with the cross toting heifer and join up with me.

Trouble follows Anita like a nasty cloud and more than ever is stirred up. Anita killed Gabriel – a were leopard who was the Alpha of his pack, leaving them without an Alpha, and making them more dangerous than ever. There is still the NASTY tension with Richard and to top of the crap cake there is the Council, the leaders of the Vampires and a really ugly and monstrous lot of evil. They are stirring up more trouble than anyone would have thought and Anita is just the one to remind them how bad they are. I love her special in this book because she is dropping some of those reservations she used to have about shooting the dangerous things. She is also getting more than enough of a good look at how inhumane humanity is. We also meet Asher, the one time vampire companion of Jean Claude and he is there to cause trouble as well. Will the danger around Anita ever end? I think not.

I loved so many parts of this book, and I think I want to actually call it my fave in the series. Anita has such witty dialogue not only with herself, but with others as well and I am compelled into loving her. She is tough. I do love this one part:

Asher was a vampire. How much more dangerous could he be with a gun? But I couldn’t do it. “Let me test my understanding. Is Asher going to ride in the car with us to the meeting?”
“I must to give you directions,” Asher said.
“Then lean against the Jeep.” He frowned at me in an amused, condescending sort of way.
“Excuse me?”
“I don’t care if you’re the second coming of the Antichrist, you can’t sit behind me in my own car until I know you’re not carrying a weapon.” Asher smiled brilliantly at both of us, flashing fang.
“I could rip you into pieces with my bare hands, and you’re worried I have a gun?” He chuckled, a low, skin-prickling sound. “That is so very cute.”

Yes, it really is. I’m sorry if you got anything on your clothes while here today, I have just given up trying to get this place clean. I tried to get everything to fit under the beds and behind the drapes, but with big claw marks down them from the freaking were’s there’s no chance of that. The pool is still purple, and so is my hair. I tried to bleach it out, and all my conditioner is missing, so I look like a fuchsia poodle is nesting on my head. My clothes are all stained from blood and other things I don’t even want to know about. I think it’s chocolate on my leg, but I am not brave enough to sniff it. I can’t find my shoes either and all my other clothes are missing. I look like an out of work MegaCon character. Maybe I can just throw myself on Maryse’s mercy when she gets back. Who am I kidding? The Devil lacks mercy. *sigh* See ya next time. If there is a next time.

1. A Kiss of Shadows (Meredith Gentry, Book 1)
2. A Caress of Twilight (Meredith Gentry, Book 2)
3. Seduced by Moonlight (Meredith Gentry, Book 3)
4. A Stroke of Midnight (Meredith Gentry, Book 4)
5. Mistral’s Kiss (Meredith Gentry, Book 5)
6. A Lick of Frost (Meredith Gentry, Book 6)
7. Swallowing Darkness (Meredith Gentry, Book 7)
8. Divine Misdemeanors: A Novel (Meredith Gentry) (will be released Oct 20th 2009)

1. Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter)  (read my review)
2. The Laughing Corpse (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 2) (read my review)
3. Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 3)
4. The Lunatic Cafe (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 4)
5. Bloody Bones (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 5)
6. The Killing Dance (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 6)
7. Burnt Offerings (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 7)
8. Blue Moon (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book
9. Obsidian Butterfly (An Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 9)
10. Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 10)
11. Cerulean Sins (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 11)
12. Incubus Dreams (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 12)
13. Micah (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 13)
14. Danse Macabre (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 14)
15. The Harlequin (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 15) (read my review)
16. Blood Noir (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 16)  (read my review) 
17. Skin Trade (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 17) (being released June 2nd 2009)

Book #16 – Quick Note: CAREFUL! Do not read this review if you are not that far into the series please. I love experiencing the character development through a series, and there is a *slight* spoiler here in that sense.

This was a nice easy read. Nothing too traumatic, and not too much of a whirlwind of male characters (at least not compared to her last few books). This one is slightly reminiscent to some of her older books, (a slight mystery, some danger, etc…)

It is based mostly on the deep friendship of Anita and Jason (somewhat like the “Micah” book in terms that it is more of a one on one concentration). Jason’s father is dying, and although they are not on good terms, he agrees to see him before he dies. Anita accompanies him, for moral support, and to give the illusion, to his father, that they are a couple.

When they arrive in Jason’s hometown, they discover that someone in his family is having a wedding, and due to their political standing, there is a whirlwind of media attention awaiting. Unfortunately, Jason is almost identical in looks, to the cousin in question, and is mistaken by the media (and other bad guys) as the actual cousin (who is also the Governor’s son). This one was kind of interesting!

Anita does encounter yet another wereanimal trying to break free of her, and again finds a potential “assistant” in this issue that I feel might become a frequent character in the future. I actually liked this new character. Another sweet and gentle “male stripper” that is almost reminiscent of Nathaniel.

Crispin put a hand on the side of my face, and the touch helped, quieted my pulse. he leaned over me and spoke just before he kissed me. “I hear the lady’s call and I answer.”

A pretty good chapter with Richard (a new and interesting development that I hope will continue to be played out in more stories to come). What surprised me was how Richard and friends, (or should I say not friends), in the last book, ”finale -ied” (I know, I know, it’s not a word – but it’s my blog, and I’ll make up words if I want to!). However, in this one, he seems to be right where he always is with Anita? Am I missing something?

Unfortunately, there was barely any Jean-Claude (again). Since he is my favorite (as a “one on one” character), I was disappointed, that he has been portrayed lately, as a “Busy Master Vampire”, and his character is delivered mostly via the conversations of other characters.

Luckily, we did get one of his gentle phone conversations, so at least, there was that:

“You are not thirty and he is twenty three. You are both so very young, ma petite. You will go away to his hometown and be very young together. It is something I cannot be with you. I cannot be young and naive and uncertain.”

“You wouldn’t be you if you were any of those things. I love you the way you are, Jean-Claude.”

“Did I sound like I needed to hear that, ma petite?”;

“Yes,” I said.

…”I find myself strangely conflicted. Jason is my pomme de sang, and is precious to me. That my human servant is taking care of him in such a caring way is a lovely thing. It will make other vampires think me a very kind master, but I know that you do it because you care for him. He is young and handsome and charming.”;

“You cannot be insecure.”

“Why can I not be?”

“Because you are beautiful and amazing in bed, and I love you.”

“But Jason can be one thing for you that I cannot, ma petite.”

“What’s that?”

“Mortal….”

All I can say is ”Awwwwwwwwwww”. Someone undead most certainly needs a *hug*

Book # 15 of the series. This was definitely not one of my favorites. Unfortunately, I’ve forgotten some of the story since it has been a week or so since I’ve read it. I usually retain almost every bit of a book that I’ve loved, but with this series, I don’t know if it is because there are so many of them, that they are simply running into each other in my own memory, or if it’s that I am a little more bored with this series.  However, since I have followed the “Anita Blake” crew from the start, I still appreciate my time with this set.

A quick overview: This is about a group of Vampires called “The Harlequin” (almost like a “secret vampire policing agency”) that investigates, and has the right to “dispose of” other Vampires that are not abiding by the Vampire laws. Unfortunately, they set their sights on Jean Claude, Anita and their entourage, but as time progresses, our Heroine discovers that “The Harlequin” are also not abiding by the rules, and yet again, another metaphysical fight for their lives ensue.

What I liked? Some touching scenes between Anita and her men (Richard in particular). Richard, like usual has some clearer, more accepting, moments of the situations at hand. One particular scene is when Richard, one night, decides to take comfort in Anita and her entourage.

“Ok I love Anita. I’m trying to learn to love all of her, even the part that wants to live with two other men.”

I also thought Edward’s character (he’s back in a big way!) was very human in this novel. We also see a new side of Micah, although, it is somewhat shortlived, as he is not prevalent in this installment.

Of all the people in the room,I hadn’t expected problems from Micah. From the look on Rafael’s face, him either. “I meant no disrespect Nimir-Raj”.

“Yes you did”, Micah said,

“Micah…” I said

He shook his head at me. “No Anita, we can’t let an insult like this go. We can’t.”

What I did not like as much: Richard has his “fits” again (so the constant push-pull is prevalent in this novel). We have a TON of characters in this book, and therefore nobody gets real one on one time. It’s just a constant whirlwind of conversations, love declarations and angst (lots and lots of angst)! I like angst in books, but more so when there seems to be some sort of happy resolution and completion in the end.

One of the softer “angst” moments:

Requiem squeezed my hand and gave me one of his rare smiles. “I take no offense my evening star; he hates what I am, many people do”…

He stopped closer to the door and Edward, away from Dolph, but turned to the big man. ” ‘Darkling I listen; and, for many a time I have been half in love with easeful Death, Call’d him soft names in many a mused rhyme.”

“Are you threatening me?” Dolph asked in a voice gone cold.

“Not you,” I said. “I don’t think he was threatening you.”

“Then what did he mean by that?”

“He’s quoting Keats. ‘Ode to a Nightingale,’ I think,” I said…

“I don’t care what he’s quoting, Anita. I want to know what he meant by it.”

“What it means,” I said, meeting Requiem’s blue blue gaze, “at a guess, is that he’s half-wishing you’d pull the trigger.”

In the Anita Blake series, I never get that sense of relief. Perhaps that’s why I keep coming back for more. I am bound and determined to see it through until true love finally shows. Yes, I know that the concept of this series is that “true love” exists amongst the whole group and Anita (not one is more loved than the other), but my own socially conscious mind, cannot wrap itself wholeheartedly around this concept. Come on…she’s got to have a favorite!!! I know who I vote for! What about you?

WARNING: Although this is just a synopsis, some of the information given, may be considered spoilers…My review in no way gives away the ending, and there is MUCH to read about!

Anita Blake is on a case to solve the recent murders of humans by a supernatural being (appearing to be a murderous Zombie). She is lead to “Dominga Salvadore” (the most powerful Voodoo Priestess in all of the Midwest) through a fellow colleague, that believes Dominga might be able to help in solving the identity of what, exactly, is killing everyone. Anita soon learns about the true power of magic (and evil), in the likes of this Voodoo Priestess.

You see, Dominga, had discovered a way to manipulate the souls of the dead, removing and replacing their souls from their bodies, at will, thus delaying any decay. She intends on using this power to create “sex slaves”, (by selling the dead/alive zombies) and not ever allowing their souls to pass on.

Dominga recognizes the true power Anita possesses and the potential of what Anita could become. She offers to teach Anita how to develop her abilities (and not just her voodoo skills that she limits herself to), and wants Anita to partner with her on this project. When Dominga is refused, she causes a world of torment for Anita, and Anita (all on her own) learns to use her powers to their maximum potential for the fight against evil.

Anita also has a smaller battle to deal with in her private life, in resisting the irresistible Vampire “Jean Claude”. In the recent onslaught of battles, the results of his protecting Anita have also bonded them together via “Vampire Marks” which allow her to heal quickly, be stronger than most humans, and allow each other to communicate in ways unspoken. In the Vampire world, she is now considered his “Human Servant”. However, in the real world, Anita is nobody’s servant, and refuses to attach herself to anyone, let alone a VAMPIRE, in such a way. Despite being seriously attracted to Jean Claude, she is a devout Christian,  and fears damnation by allowing herself to succumb to a Vampire).

Her struggle with her spiritual beliefs

“How do you know what compromises my soul? You don’t have one anymore”

Her struggle with her attraction to Jean Claude:

“I feel your desire for me, ma petite, as I desire you”

I shrugged. What could I say? “It’s just a little lust, Jean Claude, nothing special”. That was a lie. I knew it even as I said it.

While most Vampires would force the issue with their power and through fear, Jean Claude’s affection for Anita is stronger than his desire to control her, and he allows her to fight him, while gently easing his way into her heart.

Problem is, now that he is the Master of the City, he may appear somewhat weak to the other Vampires, as he is unable and unwilling to control his “Human Servant”.

“By fighting me, you make me appear weak. I cannot afford that ma petite“

Anita again, is thrown into a whirlwind of deadly magic, murderous monsters, and fights for her life multiple times throughout this book (she has three different evil villains to contend with – the murderous monster, the Evil Voodoo Priestess, and one of her own clients, who threatens her life if she doesn’t perform his request in raising a certain dead). The tensions run high, the events always frightful. Her strength, skill and strong mind almost always keep her a step ahead, but not without the deadly close calls always nipping at her heels.

Believe me! The end will leave you breathless and wanting more (despite the possible nightmares that you may experience)…