… or any other of the works by Laurell K Hamilton.
Rather than hijacking this thread with talk of the Anita Blake novels, I decided to start a thread of my own.
There, PunditLisa said
I dunno. I like Richard, but there’s something about Jean-Claude that just turns me on… However, if I have to choose among all of the guys in Anita’s life, I’d still choose Edward. Maybe I just like my guys a bit dangerous. I loved Obsidian Butterfly and am always anxious to find out more about Edward. (There were still too many mysteries left about him, but I’m sure hints will be dropped as time goes by.) Now I’m just anxiously awaiting Narcissus in Chains. It’s supposed to be coming out this month, isn’t it?
On a different note, I just got Kiss of Shadow and read it. Has anyone else read it? I liked it, but it wasn’t up to the same quality as her Anita Blake’s, IMO. I thought it wandered a bit too much, and the end seemed a little too… I don’t know… neat?.. in cleaning up the things that hadn’t really been mentioned since the beginning of the book. But I know I’ll buy whatever sequel will be coming out, because I’d like to find out what happens with Merry and the guards.
So, any other Laurell K Hamilton fans want to check in?
I love the series. Mostly because I’m a modern fantasy addict. The idea of Vampire rights activists with “Vampires are people too.” pins is hysterical.
Memememe! I’ve been hooked on the series since the Killing Dance. I like the triumvirate characters, but it’s the supporting cast in the books that really does it for me. I love the depth of those characters. Sure, most of 'em may be shapeshifters or vampires, but they seem “real”. I prefer Jean-Claude to Richard, too. IMO, he’s a better match for Anita. Richard’s a bit lacking in spine. Out of all Anita’s men, however, my favorite is probably Damian. He’s much less manipulative than either Jean-Claude or Richard, and he’s a redhead, too.
Narcissus in Chains is already out in hardcover. I haven’t picked it up yet, will likely wait for the paperback. (I’m a cheapskate) From reviews and spoilers I have read, there’s some big changes for Anita in it. Some reviews I have seen from die-hard Blake fans weren’t real positive. They compare it more to Kiss of Shadows (which I haven’t read) than to the previous books in the series.
Memememe! I’ve been hooked on the series since the Killing Dance. I like the triumvirate characters, but it’s the supporting cast in the books that really does it for me. I love the depth of those characters. Sure, most of 'em may be shapeshifters or vampires, but they seem “real”. I prefer Jean-Claude to Richard, too. IMO, he’s a better match for Anita. Richard’s a bit lacking in spine. Out of all Anita’s men, however, my favorite is probably Damian. He’s much less manipulative than either Jean-Claude or Richard, and he’s a redhead, too.
Narcissus in Chains is already out in hardcover. I haven’t picked it up yet, will likely wait for the paperback. (I’m a cheapskate) From reviews and spoilers I have read, there’s some big changes for Anita in it. Some reviews I have seen from die-hard Blake fans weren’t real positive. They compare it more to Kiss of Shadows (which I haven’t read) than to the previous books in the series.
Memememe! I’ve been hooked on the series since the Killing Dance. I like the triumvirate characters, but it’s the supporting cast in the books that really does it for me. I love the depth of those characters. Sure, most of 'em may be shapeshifters or vampires, but they seem “real”. I prefer Jean-Claude to Richard, too. IMO, he’s a better match for Anita. Richard’s a bit lacking in spine. Out of all Anita’s men, however, my favorite is probably Damian. He’s much less manipulative than either Jean-Claude or Richard, and he’s a redhead, too.
Narcissus in Chains is already out in hardcover. I haven’t picked it up yet, will likely wait for the paperback. (I’m a cheapskate) From reviews and spoilers I have read, there’s some big changes for Anita in it. Some reviews I have seen from die-hard Blake fans weren’t real positive. They compare it more to Kiss of Shadows (which I haven’t read) than to the previous books in the series.
Whoa Vera a bit enthusiastic huh? [sup]Blesses her posts as Patron Saint of Multiple Posts[/sup]
Heh if you see the name you can guess I’m an Anita Fan… well Laurell in general actually. I’ve read almost all of her books and am very annoyed that the local Coles doesn’t have Narcissus as that is the only place I have a card to get a discount on. I have to go digging at Indigo and Chapters. For any of the Anita books I’d gladly pay full hardcover price but I probably won’t as I am a cheapskate too and will dig around the secondhand stores to find back novels.
Personally I like Jean-Claude [sub]He can come mark me any day[/sub] too… Richard is a sweety and sexy in his own way but Jean mmm he just exudes it from his pores. And Edward [sub]He can come protect me from all the big bad vampires… except Jean Claude[/sub] man now he is wicked. I want to know more about his past too then just the little tidbits tossed out in the course of things. Maybe we’ll encounter him in the books to come? I really really hope so.
I’m also curious about what will happen to Merry. She interests me. I found Kiss of Shadows an interesting turn away from Anita.
I too am hooked on AB - with one exception. I refuse to accept the existence of Burnt Offerings. There was just something about that book that hit me all wrong - and I haven’t reread it - I don’t even own a copy any more.
I am going to pick up Narcissus this weekend - it should be interesting. Like others said, it sounds like this book is very different than the others.
As for Merry - I borrowed Kiss of Shadows from the library and enjoyed it, but I am in no rush to buy it in hardcover. Maybe, maybe when it comes out in paperback. As for the next in the series, I think I’ll wait and see if my new library gets it. Merry just didn’t impress me as much as Anita.
Well, y’all know how I feel about Jean-Claude. He’s a little prissy and effeminate for my taste. For instance, he insists on color coordinating everything and wears lace and leather. How cliche is THAT?
And then he insists on calling Anita “ma petite.” I’ll give you ma petite, JC.
Yup, give me Richard anyday. Chivalrous, loyal, muscular, fair…those expressive brown eyes. And he may not have much of a spine now, but he has potential.
Woof.
BTW, haven’t read either of the hard bound books yet. I have a limited “hard cover” budget and it’s been earmarked by “Fiery Cross” and the new Jean Auel book due out early next year. And my stinking local library doesn’t carry Hamilton books. Cretins. (Pronounced CREE-tin, not CREH-tins. Who knew?)
So…I didn’t know that these books existed until this weekend, when I picked one up at the bookstore and was impressed by the exerpt on the back cover. I’m planning on giving the series a shot since it sounds like something I could really enjoy. The problem, though, is that I can’t seem to determine which book is the first one, and I’m a die hard believer in “first things first.” So which is the first one?
Guilty Pleasures
The Laughing Corpse
Circus of the Damned
The Lunatic Cafe
Bloody Bones
The Killing Dance
Burnt Offerings
Blue Moon
Obsidian Butterfly
Narcissus in Chains
Anita Blake novels are like strips of fat attached to steak. You eat them even though you know that you’ll regret it later. That being said, I an an inverebrate fat-eater.
Agree with susan_foster about Burnt Offerings. What is the connection between vampires and rape fantasy, anyway?
I love these books – they’re addictive in a nasty-good way. In fact, I just yesterday rejoined the Science Fiction Book Club to get the whole Anita Blake series in hardcover. Guilty Pleasures, The Laughing Corpse, and Circus of the Damned in a three-in-one omnibus; The Lunatic Cafe, Bloody Bones and The Killing Dance also in a three-in-one omnibus; Burnt Offerings and Blue Moon in a two-in-one omnibus (is it an omnibus with only 2 books?) and Obsidian Butterfly. I already own Narcissus in Chains. I also bought the first three Harry Potters, which I hadn’t yet got around to buying. All that for $25ish (with the s&h) – pretty good, I thought. Especially as the earlier Anitas aren’t available in hardback and I prefer hardbacks.
I’ve read the Merry Gentry books, too (from the library) and while I enjoyed them well enough I can’t help but think there is too much sex spread over too little plot. Really, I wonder sometimes about Hamilton’s sex life – is it just me or does she seem a little bent?
And I would choose Richard.
BTW, anyone who enjoys Anita ought to read Charlaine Harris’s Dead Until Dark and Living Dead in Dallas. Excellent books in the same vein as Hamilton’s – set in our familiar world as it would be if vampires (and other such things) actually existed. Not so gory or kinky as the Anita books. Both were straight to paperbacks, so it’s a cheap investment. They must have done pretty well, though – the next book in the series is going to be in hardback.
I, too, enjoy the Anita Blake series. The one (mild) complaint I have is that in most of the books, the story starts when Anita’s detective buddy calls her up at an inconvenient time and tells her to scamper off to some remote location to examine a gory crime scene. Can’t Laurell think of a different way to get the book started? That being said, I just couldn’t wait for the paperback versions of Narcissus in Chains or A Caress of Twilight, so I ordered them from www.half.com.
The part I really liked about the first few Anita Blake novels (her no-nonsense, hard boiled detective approach) is completely gone.
The thing that really bugs me is LKH’s description of Anita (short, petite, dark curly hair). Flip over the book and look at the author photo. Uh huh.
If you liked the Anita Blake books, you might also like Tanya Huff’s “Blood” books, set in Toronto, also featuring Vicky Nelson. Tanya Huff hasn’t sold out her character, yet…
I picked up one of the Anita Blake books while at a friend’s house a couple of months ago and got suckered in by the back-of-the-book blurb. Since he owns all of them in paperback, I’ve been at his mercy ever since. The books have filled an important “candy” niche in my reading lineup, something I had been lacking for some time.
I’ve also read the first book in the Merry series and must admit, after the drought that was Anita’s sex life, it was an enjoyable kinky romp. I’m also pleased at the differences in the characters (i.e. Merry isn’t Anita Blake II). I’m obviously not as fussed as LKH’s long-time readers at the introduction of sex to the Anita Blake series; my problems with the series as a whole have more to do with the stubborness/daftness of Anita in certain situations, particularly in the later books.
On the Richard vs. Jean-Claude issue, I must admit a certain fondness for the vampire…since the very first book, in fact. Richard, to me, is both too immature and too wimpy for Anita.
I’m anxiously awaiting NiC’s arrival in paperback; the excerpt from Obsidian Butterfly has me intrigued. In fact, it might have been my favorite part of that book (Obsidian might be my least favorite book thusfar; I had to reread it b/c my intense dislike for the character Olaf was so distracting the first time through.).
Well, I re-joined the sci-fi book club too (I really really really want The Black House for less than $24.95) so I bought the first two of the anita blake collections. Once I get them, I’ll hit this thread again
I’m a Hamilton fan, and I thought the books were very interesting. Not having read many books with a female protaganist (my loss) I found them to be a lot of fun. I’ll admit there were times when Anita seemed a little too stubborn (and Richard so naive it made me dislike him) but all in all I deeply enjoyed them.
I did have two complaints: these vampires have been around for so long, but they all back off when Anita gives 'em the evil eye? Arrogant buggers, just coasting on their own “immortality” and not trying to improve themselves. I also wish more had been done with Mr. Oliver. He kicked ass.
I kept waiting for someone to show up in a shirt with a fanged smiley face on it and the words “Werewolves Bite. Vampires Suck.”
Merry was a fun departure from the vampires.
As for Richard or Jean-Claude...neither, thanks. Though I do like Jean-Claude's fashion sense.
I’m a Hamilton fan, and I thought the books were very interesting. Not having read many books with a female protaganist (my loss) I found them to be a lot of fun. I’ll admit there were times when Anita seemed a little too stubborn (and Richard so naive it made me dislike him) but all in all I deeply enjoyed them.
I did have two complaints: these vampires have been around for so long, but they all back off when Anita gives 'em the evil eye? Arrogant buggers, just coasting on their own “immortality” and not trying to improve themselves. I also wish more had been done with Mr. Oliver. He kicked ass.
I kept waiting for someone to show up in a shirt with a fanged smiley face on it and the words “Werewolves Bite. Vampires Suck.”
Merry was a fun departure from the vampires.
As for Richard or Jean-Claude...neither, thanks. Though I do like Jean-Claude's fashion sense.
Well, I got my books from half.com and I am impressed with this website. I got my books in excellent condition within 5 days of ordering. I read them and I really liked A Caress of Twilight, because there seemed to be a slight plot amidst the vast array of sex scenes. Narcissus in Chains just didn’t appeal to me as much as Anita’s earlier adventures. Now, I like kinky sex scenes in literature as much as anyone, but that’s about all I recall from this book. Some of the sex scenes bordered on torture and that turns me off. I might just have to pass on the next book in the Anita Blake series and concentrate on Meredith NicEssus instead.
Hate to bump this again . . . but dammit, I’m grumpy.
I was please as punch with Obsidian Butterfly. It had critters, creepiness, green chile . . . and Edward. Oh my, but I was happy with Edward.
And I’ve finally picked up Narcissus.
Here’s the thing: I don’t want sex. I don’t want the crying, bitching and moaning relationship crap. And I don’t want a superhero protagonist.
IMHO, Butterfly returned to the flavor of the first couple books, in which we explored a really cool alternative reality beside a character who was special, unusual, but all human.
Narcissus might as well have been written by a different author.
I prefer Jean-Claude to Richard, too. IMO, he’s a better match for Anita. Richard’s a bit lacking in spine. Out of all Anita’s men, however, my favorite is probably Damian. He’s much less manipulative than either Jean-Claude or Richard, and he’s a redhead, too. 