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Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #20
Hit List
ŷ Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Paranormal Fantasy (2011)A serial killer is hunting the Pacific Northwest, murdering victims in a gruesome and spectacular way. The local police suspect "monsters" are involved, and have called in Anita Blake and Edward, U.S. Marshals who really know their monsters, to catch the killer.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
649 people are currently reading
12608 people want to read
About the author
Laurell K. Hamilton
392books25.5kfollowersLaurell K. Hamilton is one of the leading writers of paranormal fiction. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Hamilton writes the popular Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter novels and the Meredith Gentry series. She is also the creator of a bestselling comic book series based on her Anita Blake novels and published by Marvel Comics. Hamilton is a full-time writer and lives in the suburbs of St. Louis with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,687 reviews
March 11, 2017
DON'T READ THESE BOOKS.
Here is the "plot" of this installment: The Harlequin are killing people. Anita teams up with Edward and they become BFFs. Bernardo and Olaf are called in for shits and giggles. Jean-Claude, Micah, and Nathaniel are not even mentioned until page 175. Laurell K. Hamilton STILL has not bought a thesaurus. Anita has sex with a new guy for fuck knows why. Her animals "inside her" react to other shifters and save the day, and the actual main plot of the story doesn’t rear its ugly head until there are only 20 FUCKING PAGES LEFT.
LKH's alleged no-edit clause in her contract is made so fucking apparent that I wanted to claw my eyes out while reading this.
Some AWESOME examples:
Page 18 � The "Otto Jefferies" identity was to Olaf what "Ted Forrester" was to Edward. Olaf was scarier than Edward, though, because among the mercenary stuff his hobby was being a serial killer. He'd promised Edward and some part of some government that he wouldn't do his hobby on American soil. It was one of the ways he kept his day job helping train some uber-secret unit. His victims of choice were petite dark-haired women.
Page 192 � Olaf was also Marshal Otto Jefferies, an alias that allowed him to work for the armed forces on special projects sometimes, and the name on his U.S. Marshal badge. He'd never broken the law on U.S. soil to my knowledge, but in other countries, under his real name, he had. He earned his money as a mercenary and assassin, but his hobby was killing women. He'd kill and torture men, too, but usually only if necessary for work. Small, dark-haired women were his victims of choice, and I was very aware that I fit his victim profile.
I really wonder whose intelligence she's questioning more by including this info twice. Aha! Do I win some sort of scavenger hunt by finding this? Do I?!
How about constantly using the same word, over and over and over again?
"They'll be traveling as they hear about the bodies." There was a faint bitter smell because we were standing near the end of the body. Death isn't neat, or pretty, or clean; it's all outhouse smells as your body does everything it can do all at once. I squatted beside the body on the balls of my feet. I made myself look at the body. "This body was sliced." "So why tear the body into pieces?" "They wanted the bodies to match the other bodies." "The first body and the third were savaged." He was looking at the body as he said it."
This occurred within the span of TWO PAGES. TWO!
He smiled and it actually reached his eyes; it was a real smile, not Ted's smile, but Edward smiling. I didn't get to see the smile often, so I valued it when I did. I had to smile back. I shook my head, still smiling.
This is actually an unedited paragraph. Wrap your heads around THAT one.
Check my updates for the overuse of "blood," "warrant," "flirt," and my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE: "coffee."
Can we also address the fact that LKH chose to have a whole conversation about parallel parking? Seriously? For REALS?
"Edward and I will be there," he said. He'd found an empty space and was parallel parking like a pro, smooth, no hesitation.
"You live in the city," I said.
He killed the engine and turned to me. "Why, because I can parallel park?"
I nodded. "A city where that's the only parking you get to use most of the time, or you grew up where that was the only parking."
"Don't profile me, Anita."
"Sorry, can't I just be impressed with your parking skills?"
He seemed to think about that for a minute, then shrugged. "Then just say 'Good job' or something, don't speculate."
I nodded. "Okay, great job parallel parking. I suck at it."
"Country girl," he said.
"Most of my life," I said.
HOW IS THIS EVEN RELEVANT?
How about Anita constantly asking the questions, "What does that mean? What? What do I do? Why? How do I explain that? What should we do?" and then the characters spelling out exactly what should happen and why and how and everything in between instead of just LETTING THE ACTION PLAY OUT NATURALLY.
We have a few sexist cops thrown in for comedic relief � well, they were funny to me at least. I swear LKH has some sort of program running in the background of her word processor to "insert Dolph-like cop here" in order to "create tension." Here’s something CRAZY that I just want to point out: nobody gives a FLYING FUCK whom you're sleeping with in real life. They don't snicker, or point and laugh, or jump to conclusions if your partner stayed in the same hotel room with you to keep you safe from fucking psychopaths. Cops care way more about keeping body counts down than this childish and immature notion that LKH seems to want to portray.
Then there's the fact that LKH isn't even paying attention to her own fucking story.
Page 240 - "She needs this, Otto," I said, remembering just in time that his official name was Otto Jefferies. Marshal Otto Jefferies."
Page 243 � "Patience is a pretty funny name for a doctor. Anyway, Olaf is pretty serious about the new woman in his life, but Bernardo is free and clear for dating."
For fuck's sake, LKH, didn't you just remind your character 3 pages ago that you should call him Otto?
And then there's Edward. I liked Edward. LIKED. Then LKH decided that she had to fuck with his character and make him another robot that follows Anita's magical cooch around. I don't even recognize him as the character she introduced in the first few books; she's effectively neutered him. Here's a totally plausible conversation between the two of them, not made up at all:
Edward: "I'd kill anyone who kills you."
Anita: "I'd kill anyone who kills you."
Edward: "Not unless I kill you first, to see if I could."
Anita: "Not unless I kill you first, because I'm faster than you now and I think I'd win.
Edward: "You could try, but I'd win you over with my good ol' boy grin and my arctic blue eyes and my cowboy hat tipped just so."
Anita: "Braid my hair."
Edward: "Okay."
I expected the epilogue wrap-up that's become a staple of this series. I DIDN'T expect it to only last 3 pages. I really felt like this was LKH's final "fuck you!" to her fans, and I am (not) sorry to say that I am officially done with this series. 20 books and I'm done. I know that makes me sound mentally challenged, but I always hoped she'd turn things around and get back to the Anita I loved in the first books. This is NOT the case. It is clear this will NEVER be the case. If you thought this review was long, check out my status updates for a clearer view of exactly how fucked up this book was. I've never read a more convoluted piece of shite in my life.
I'll admit that Laurell K. Hamilton doesn't need an editor; she needs a fucking paper shredder.
Here is the "plot" of this installment: The Harlequin are killing people. Anita teams up with Edward and they become BFFs. Bernardo and Olaf are called in for shits and giggles. Jean-Claude, Micah, and Nathaniel are not even mentioned until page 175. Laurell K. Hamilton STILL has not bought a thesaurus. Anita has sex with a new guy for fuck knows why. Her animals "inside her" react to other shifters and save the day, and the actual main plot of the story doesn’t rear its ugly head until there are only 20 FUCKING PAGES LEFT.
LKH's alleged no-edit clause in her contract is made so fucking apparent that I wanted to claw my eyes out while reading this.
Some AWESOME examples:
Page 18 � The "Otto Jefferies" identity was to Olaf what "Ted Forrester" was to Edward. Olaf was scarier than Edward, though, because among the mercenary stuff his hobby was being a serial killer. He'd promised Edward and some part of some government that he wouldn't do his hobby on American soil. It was one of the ways he kept his day job helping train some uber-secret unit. His victims of choice were petite dark-haired women.
Page 192 � Olaf was also Marshal Otto Jefferies, an alias that allowed him to work for the armed forces on special projects sometimes, and the name on his U.S. Marshal badge. He'd never broken the law on U.S. soil to my knowledge, but in other countries, under his real name, he had. He earned his money as a mercenary and assassin, but his hobby was killing women. He'd kill and torture men, too, but usually only if necessary for work. Small, dark-haired women were his victims of choice, and I was very aware that I fit his victim profile.
I really wonder whose intelligence she's questioning more by including this info twice. Aha! Do I win some sort of scavenger hunt by finding this? Do I?!
How about constantly using the same word, over and over and over again?
"They'll be traveling as they hear about the bodies." There was a faint bitter smell because we were standing near the end of the body. Death isn't neat, or pretty, or clean; it's all outhouse smells as your body does everything it can do all at once. I squatted beside the body on the balls of my feet. I made myself look at the body. "This body was sliced." "So why tear the body into pieces?" "They wanted the bodies to match the other bodies." "The first body and the third were savaged." He was looking at the body as he said it."
This occurred within the span of TWO PAGES. TWO!
He smiled and it actually reached his eyes; it was a real smile, not Ted's smile, but Edward smiling. I didn't get to see the smile often, so I valued it when I did. I had to smile back. I shook my head, still smiling.
This is actually an unedited paragraph. Wrap your heads around THAT one.
Check my updates for the overuse of "blood," "warrant," "flirt," and my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE: "coffee."
Can we also address the fact that LKH chose to have a whole conversation about parallel parking? Seriously? For REALS?
"Edward and I will be there," he said. He'd found an empty space and was parallel parking like a pro, smooth, no hesitation.
"You live in the city," I said.
He killed the engine and turned to me. "Why, because I can parallel park?"
I nodded. "A city where that's the only parking you get to use most of the time, or you grew up where that was the only parking."
"Don't profile me, Anita."
"Sorry, can't I just be impressed with your parking skills?"
He seemed to think about that for a minute, then shrugged. "Then just say 'Good job' or something, don't speculate."
I nodded. "Okay, great job parallel parking. I suck at it."
"Country girl," he said.
"Most of my life," I said.
HOW IS THIS EVEN RELEVANT?
How about Anita constantly asking the questions, "What does that mean? What? What do I do? Why? How do I explain that? What should we do?" and then the characters spelling out exactly what should happen and why and how and everything in between instead of just LETTING THE ACTION PLAY OUT NATURALLY.
We have a few sexist cops thrown in for comedic relief � well, they were funny to me at least. I swear LKH has some sort of program running in the background of her word processor to "insert Dolph-like cop here" in order to "create tension." Here’s something CRAZY that I just want to point out: nobody gives a FLYING FUCK whom you're sleeping with in real life. They don't snicker, or point and laugh, or jump to conclusions if your partner stayed in the same hotel room with you to keep you safe from fucking psychopaths. Cops care way more about keeping body counts down than this childish and immature notion that LKH seems to want to portray.
Then there's the fact that LKH isn't even paying attention to her own fucking story.
Page 240 - "She needs this, Otto," I said, remembering just in time that his official name was Otto Jefferies. Marshal Otto Jefferies."
Page 243 � "Patience is a pretty funny name for a doctor. Anyway, Olaf is pretty serious about the new woman in his life, but Bernardo is free and clear for dating."
For fuck's sake, LKH, didn't you just remind your character 3 pages ago that you should call him Otto?
And then there's Edward. I liked Edward. LIKED. Then LKH decided that she had to fuck with his character and make him another robot that follows Anita's magical cooch around. I don't even recognize him as the character she introduced in the first few books; she's effectively neutered him. Here's a totally plausible conversation between the two of them, not made up at all:
Edward: "I'd kill anyone who kills you."
Anita: "I'd kill anyone who kills you."
Edward: "Not unless I kill you first, to see if I could."
Anita: "Not unless I kill you first, because I'm faster than you now and I think I'd win.
Edward: "You could try, but I'd win you over with my good ol' boy grin and my arctic blue eyes and my cowboy hat tipped just so."
Anita: "Braid my hair."
Edward: "Okay."
I expected the epilogue wrap-up that's become a staple of this series. I DIDN'T expect it to only last 3 pages. I really felt like this was LKH's final "fuck you!" to her fans, and I am (not) sorry to say that I am officially done with this series. 20 books and I'm done. I know that makes me sound mentally challenged, but I always hoped she'd turn things around and get back to the Anita I loved in the first books. This is NOT the case. It is clear this will NEVER be the case. If you thought this review was long, check out my status updates for a clearer view of exactly how fucked up this book was. I've never read a more convoluted piece of shite in my life.
I'll admit that Laurell K. Hamilton doesn't need an editor; she needs a fucking paper shredder.
Want to read
February 12, 2013Ive been on this train wreck for so long I might as well ride it out.
June 12, 2011
I can’t do it. I can’t do another straight-up review of an Anita Blake novel . . . it’s too depressing. I need alcohol to get through this, the 20th instalment of a once-great series.
Let the alcohol poisoning begin!
Drink When . . . you read this common phrase / description;
� Someone’s hair is ‘spilled around their shoulders� - 1 drink
� Someone’s hair isn’t just black, it’s blue-black � 1 drink
� Somebody asks the conveniently open-ended question: ‘what do
you mean?� thereby prompting Anita to spout a long diatribe, explaining everything that’s happening and happened in the plot up to this point, including everyone’s private motivations � 1 drink
� Anita says: naked puppy piles OR naked kitty piles � 2 drinks
� Anita says that someone has ‘kitty-cat eyes� � 1 drink
� Anita describes Jean-Claude as being femininely beautiful, yet still utterly masculine and male � 1 drink
Drink When . . . during one of the (many) sex scenes
� Someone says; “so tight� or “so wet� or “so warm� while they have sex with Anita � 1 drink per term or CHUG! if someone says all three at the same time.
� Someone is so big that Anita straddles the line between pleasure and pain � 1 drink
� Anita says, “I screamed my orgasm into his mouth� � CHUG!
� Anita calls all genitalia ‘bits�, because deep-down she’s still a country-girl prude, aw shucks! � 1 drink
� Anita orders someone to “just shove it in!� � 1 drink
Drink when Anita . . .
� Anita calls the cachet of men in her life her ‘sweeties� � 1 drink
� Someone comments on Anita’s stunning good looks, and Anita deflects by claiming such praise is ‘girly mind games� or she is paltry compared to the handsome men in her life � 1 drink
� Anita meets an attractive and powerful woman, who is dead by the end of the book- 1 drink
� A white middle-aged cop infers that Anita is a wimp/slut, and Anita takes the negativity in stride, claiming it’s a ‘guy thing� � 1 drink
� Anita is reluctant to have sex with a stranger because, deep down, she is still a country-girl prude . . . but she soldiers on and has sex anyway (*ahem*, to feed the ardeur) � 1 drink
� Anita blushes (usually in the prelude to sex) and a man is utterly charmed by her naiveté and ability to still be embarrassed, aw shucks! � 1 drink
� A guy compliments Anita on her large breasts (to which she all but replies, “what? These old things? Aw, shucks!�) � 1 drink
� Anita tries (unsuccessfully) to justify sleeping with a sixteen-year-old boy (nope . . . still fantastically creepy and inappropriate) � 2 shots
� Anita is accused of becoming ‘one of the monsters� she was sworn to kill � CHUG!
� Somebody (often female) challenges Anita’s status as tiger queen or Nimir Ra, and claims that Anita cannot take an animal to call . . . resulting in an orgy � CHUG!
� Anita adds a new ‘sweetie� to her harem (reluctantly, of course) � CHUG!
� Anita has sex with a gorgeous stranger because the ardeur needs to feed and said guy is somehow down-trodden/outcast/misunderstood etc, but he appreciates Anita’s blatant arousal of him (she likes me, she really likes me!) � CHUG!
� Anita gets a new scar that she doesn’t care about because she has so many already and they’re proof that she survived something nasty, plus she’s not a girly-girl to care about how pretty she is � 1 drink, or CHUG! if Anita recounts the story of how she got the holy-cross scar on her arm to some poor, unsuspecting paramedic who just asked her if she wanted an Aspirin?
Drink when Edward . . .
� Anita calls Edward ‘good ol� boy Ted�, and mentions that he wears a cowboy hat � 1 drink
� Edward wonders who would win in a fight-to-the-death between him and Anita, but doesn’t live out his fantasy because they’re friends � 1 drink
� Discussions about how Peter wants to be a stone-cold-killer, just like his step-daddy � 1 drink
� Edward mentions that he has modified his weapons � 1 drink
Drink when Bernado . . .
� Bernado or Anita mention that Bernado has a big dick � 1 drink, 2 drinks if either of them use the phrase ‘hung like a horse� (because his name is Bernado Spotted Horse. Get it?)
Drink when Olaf . . .
� Olaf does something utterly creepy, forcing Anita and Edward to threaten to kill him if he steps out of line . . . without ever actually pulling the trigger � 1 drink
� Anita muses to herself that one day Olaf will go too far and either she or Edward will have to kill him � 1 drink
Drink when, as a reader you . . .
� Don’t have a clue who half of Anita’s sexual ‘sweeties� are. Domino? Nicky? Bobby who? When did Anita have sex with a married guy? Huh? � 1 drink per man you can’t remember reading about in previous books, but who is now a part of Anita’s harem
� You grind your teeth and keep muttering ‘where are Jean-Claude/Nathaniel/ Asher/Jason/Micah/Richard?� � 1 drink
� You don’t understand why Anita claims to miss all her sweeites so much, but doesn’t even take five minutes to make a phone call home and say ‘hey!� � 1 drink
� You had such high-hopes for the Marmee Noir storyline, thinking that she could be the big-bad evil to turn the series around . . . only to have all your expectations dashed in one hurried and anti-climactic finale that basically ends in ‘happily-ever-after� � CHUG!
� You sigh and wonder whatever happened to vintage Anita Blake. The non-slutty ass-kicker of yesteryear � 1 drink
Let the alcohol poisoning begin!
The Anita Blake ‘Hit List� Drinking Game
Drink When . . . you read this common phrase / description;
� Someone’s hair is ‘spilled around their shoulders� - 1 drink
� Someone’s hair isn’t just black, it’s blue-black � 1 drink
� Somebody asks the conveniently open-ended question: ‘what do
you mean?� thereby prompting Anita to spout a long diatribe, explaining everything that’s happening and happened in the plot up to this point, including everyone’s private motivations � 1 drink
� Anita says: naked puppy piles OR naked kitty piles � 2 drinks
� Anita says that someone has ‘kitty-cat eyes� � 1 drink
� Anita describes Jean-Claude as being femininely beautiful, yet still utterly masculine and male � 1 drink
Drink When . . . during one of the (many) sex scenes
� Someone says; “so tight� or “so wet� or “so warm� while they have sex with Anita � 1 drink per term or CHUG! if someone says all three at the same time.
� Someone is so big that Anita straddles the line between pleasure and pain � 1 drink
� Anita says, “I screamed my orgasm into his mouth� � CHUG!
� Anita calls all genitalia ‘bits�, because deep-down she’s still a country-girl prude, aw shucks! � 1 drink
� Anita orders someone to “just shove it in!� � 1 drink
Drink when Anita . . .
� Anita calls the cachet of men in her life her ‘sweeties� � 1 drink
� Someone comments on Anita’s stunning good looks, and Anita deflects by claiming such praise is ‘girly mind games� or she is paltry compared to the handsome men in her life � 1 drink
� Anita meets an attractive and powerful woman, who is dead by the end of the book- 1 drink
� A white middle-aged cop infers that Anita is a wimp/slut, and Anita takes the negativity in stride, claiming it’s a ‘guy thing� � 1 drink
� Anita is reluctant to have sex with a stranger because, deep down, she is still a country-girl prude . . . but she soldiers on and has sex anyway (*ahem*, to feed the ardeur) � 1 drink
� Anita blushes (usually in the prelude to sex) and a man is utterly charmed by her naiveté and ability to still be embarrassed, aw shucks! � 1 drink
� A guy compliments Anita on her large breasts (to which she all but replies, “what? These old things? Aw, shucks!�) � 1 drink
� Anita tries (unsuccessfully) to justify sleeping with a sixteen-year-old boy (nope . . . still fantastically creepy and inappropriate) � 2 shots
� Anita is accused of becoming ‘one of the monsters� she was sworn to kill � CHUG!
� Somebody (often female) challenges Anita’s status as tiger queen or Nimir Ra, and claims that Anita cannot take an animal to call . . . resulting in an orgy � CHUG!
� Anita adds a new ‘sweetie� to her harem (reluctantly, of course) � CHUG!
� Anita has sex with a gorgeous stranger because the ardeur needs to feed and said guy is somehow down-trodden/outcast/misunderstood etc, but he appreciates Anita’s blatant arousal of him (she likes me, she really likes me!) � CHUG!
� Anita gets a new scar that she doesn’t care about because she has so many already and they’re proof that she survived something nasty, plus she’s not a girly-girl to care about how pretty she is � 1 drink, or CHUG! if Anita recounts the story of how she got the holy-cross scar on her arm to some poor, unsuspecting paramedic who just asked her if she wanted an Aspirin?
Drink when Edward . . .
� Anita calls Edward ‘good ol� boy Ted�, and mentions that he wears a cowboy hat � 1 drink
� Edward wonders who would win in a fight-to-the-death between him and Anita, but doesn’t live out his fantasy because they’re friends � 1 drink
� Discussions about how Peter wants to be a stone-cold-killer, just like his step-daddy � 1 drink
� Edward mentions that he has modified his weapons � 1 drink
Drink when Bernado . . .
� Bernado or Anita mention that Bernado has a big dick � 1 drink, 2 drinks if either of them use the phrase ‘hung like a horse� (because his name is Bernado Spotted Horse. Get it?)
Drink when Olaf . . .
� Olaf does something utterly creepy, forcing Anita and Edward to threaten to kill him if he steps out of line . . . without ever actually pulling the trigger � 1 drink
� Anita muses to herself that one day Olaf will go too far and either she or Edward will have to kill him � 1 drink
Drink when, as a reader you . . .
� Don’t have a clue who half of Anita’s sexual ‘sweeties� are. Domino? Nicky? Bobby who? When did Anita have sex with a married guy? Huh? � 1 drink per man you can’t remember reading about in previous books, but who is now a part of Anita’s harem
� You grind your teeth and keep muttering ‘where are Jean-Claude/Nathaniel/ Asher/Jason/Micah/Richard?� � 1 drink
� You don’t understand why Anita claims to miss all her sweeites so much, but doesn’t even take five minutes to make a phone call home and say ‘hey!� � 1 drink
� You had such high-hopes for the Marmee Noir storyline, thinking that she could be the big-bad evil to turn the series around . . . only to have all your expectations dashed in one hurried and anti-climactic finale that basically ends in ‘happily-ever-after� � CHUG!
� You sigh and wonder whatever happened to vintage Anita Blake. The non-slutty ass-kicker of yesteryear � 1 drink
July 19, 2011
*Rating* 3.0
*Genre* Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance/Erotica
*Review*
Hit List is the twentieth installment in the Anita Blake series and it nearly made me rethink my desire to abandon this series. Why? Because it actually felt like Hamilton was trying to return to the old Anita Blake that I knew and enjoyed for the first eight to ten books before it turned into Erotica Incorporated. With other more enjoyable series out there, something had to be done to change the course of this series. Did it change my mind? Stay tuned.
US Marshal’s Blake and Edward aka Ted Forrester team up to take on the Harlequin and the final battle between Blake and the Mother of all Darkness. MOAD isn’t exactly alone however. She has the half of the Harlequin working with her. Her goal is to take over Anita’s body and thus have control over all the vampires and shape shifters (Wereanimals).
The Harlequin is the vampire equivalent of police, spies, judges, jury and executioners. Some are vampires, others are wereanimals. It appears that MOAD is using the Harlequin to go after anyone not affiliated with a pack or pard. The Harlequin is so scary and evil that if you even mention the name Harlequin, ALA Harry Potter, they track you down and kill you. If you tell anyone else, they also end up dead.
Blake is fast becoming weary of all the bloodshed and dealing with consecutive murders across the nation. She is far from home and her lovers and underlings. Edward is understandably puzzled as to why she is clueless to the fact that MOAD has lured her away from St. Louis with the intention of kidnapping her and taking over her body.
He is disturbed that she couldn’t figure out any of this on her own without his help. She also can’t exactly tell her fellow Marshals that she needs to “feed� on others because of her addiction to the ardeur because she is a succubus and a living vampire. If she was still in St. Louis, she has a massive pride/pack/hoard to help her out as well as bodyguards to protect her.
In my opinion, Edward is the star of this book, bar none. He is a hard-ass yes, but he is also a family man who is scared of losing Peter and his family to the hunt. Edward seems almost too protective and caring when it comes to Anita. He even opens up to her and really shocks her by trusting her with some secrets he’s been carrying around. At times he even backs her to the hilt when fellow a Marshal tries to undermine her efforts to stop the Harlequin.
Naturally, I fully blame Anita’s inner succubus and the fact that she’s slept with some fifty men and some women for the problems with her reputation and troubles dealing with fellow marshals and others in law enforcement. She can’t go anywhere without having a backup sex toy to feed on. (Yes, she adds one more to her growing harem). Her reputation as the Babylon Whore among fellow Marshal’s is justified and earned without any assistance from anyone else. No point in complaining about it; deal with it or quit already.
If this series ever does end, I want to see either a final confrontation between Anita and Edward or Olaf, or a new series featuring Edward. There are a lot of unanswered questions surrounding Edwards past which I would love to read about. They claim he is the scariest hunter around; I want to know why and how he came to meet Olaf and Bernardo.
With the exception of the whole Olaf being changed and his desire for Anita not going away anytime soon, there’s not a lot that hasn’t already been dealt with over the course of twenty books. So, why not end the series with this book? What is the point of continuing to put out this series without any sort of direction that you can take Anita in that hasn’t already been done? If it’s due to money, then I would fire my financial advisor and try to recoup my loses instead of continuing with the series.
*Negative* Comparing the Harlequin to the Harry Potter series was just a desperate move by Hamilton. Sorry, but originality has gone out the window in this series. A huge subtraction in rating points for me.
*Negative* I truly wish that Hamilton would either shift Blake into one of her five different strains of lycanthropy she carries and be done with it, or turn her into a freaking vampire for real since he a so called living vampire already. It’s not like she really wants to be a Marshal any longer. So, just do it and be done with it. She’s pretty much lost all touch with her humanity as it is.
*Negative* The final battle between the Harlequin and MOAD felt rushed and left a lot to be desired. After all this time of dealing with MOAD in her head, and trying to take over her body, it ends, for me, in a whimper instead of a blaze of glory. Even the end chapter felt like a wrap up instead of a carry-over into a new book.
*Positive* Little, if any sex scenes. ::applauding:: You can hate me for not liking all the erotica, but it’s just not that appealing to me to have her sleep with so many men at the same time. I don't care for erotica, and that won't change overnight.
*Positive* Already mentioned above; Edward. Second, Olaf and how absolutely scary he really is. Now that he’s been changed, he is even more of danger to everyone, including Bernardo and Edward. It also leaves room for a short story in the hunt for Olaf and a missing doctor he seems to have brought with him.
~*~ Time shall tell whether or not I continue reading if Hamilton releases yet another book. If so, I want to see more stories like this one. I want to see less erotica and more blood and guts.
*Genre* Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance/Erotica
*Review*
Hit List is the twentieth installment in the Anita Blake series and it nearly made me rethink my desire to abandon this series. Why? Because it actually felt like Hamilton was trying to return to the old Anita Blake that I knew and enjoyed for the first eight to ten books before it turned into Erotica Incorporated. With other more enjoyable series out there, something had to be done to change the course of this series. Did it change my mind? Stay tuned.
US Marshal’s Blake and Edward aka Ted Forrester team up to take on the Harlequin and the final battle between Blake and the Mother of all Darkness. MOAD isn’t exactly alone however. She has the half of the Harlequin working with her. Her goal is to take over Anita’s body and thus have control over all the vampires and shape shifters (Wereanimals).
The Harlequin is the vampire equivalent of police, spies, judges, jury and executioners. Some are vampires, others are wereanimals. It appears that MOAD is using the Harlequin to go after anyone not affiliated with a pack or pard. The Harlequin is so scary and evil that if you even mention the name Harlequin, ALA Harry Potter, they track you down and kill you. If you tell anyone else, they also end up dead.
Blake is fast becoming weary of all the bloodshed and dealing with consecutive murders across the nation. She is far from home and her lovers and underlings. Edward is understandably puzzled as to why she is clueless to the fact that MOAD has lured her away from St. Louis with the intention of kidnapping her and taking over her body.
He is disturbed that she couldn’t figure out any of this on her own without his help. She also can’t exactly tell her fellow Marshals that she needs to “feed� on others because of her addiction to the ardeur because she is a succubus and a living vampire. If she was still in St. Louis, she has a massive pride/pack/hoard to help her out as well as bodyguards to protect her.
In my opinion, Edward is the star of this book, bar none. He is a hard-ass yes, but he is also a family man who is scared of losing Peter and his family to the hunt. Edward seems almost too protective and caring when it comes to Anita. He even opens up to her and really shocks her by trusting her with some secrets he’s been carrying around. At times he even backs her to the hilt when fellow a Marshal tries to undermine her efforts to stop the Harlequin.
Naturally, I fully blame Anita’s inner succubus and the fact that she’s slept with some fifty men and some women for the problems with her reputation and troubles dealing with fellow marshals and others in law enforcement. She can’t go anywhere without having a backup sex toy to feed on. (Yes, she adds one more to her growing harem). Her reputation as the Babylon Whore among fellow Marshal’s is justified and earned without any assistance from anyone else. No point in complaining about it; deal with it or quit already.
If this series ever does end, I want to see either a final confrontation between Anita and Edward or Olaf, or a new series featuring Edward. There are a lot of unanswered questions surrounding Edwards past which I would love to read about. They claim he is the scariest hunter around; I want to know why and how he came to meet Olaf and Bernardo.
With the exception of the whole Olaf being changed and his desire for Anita not going away anytime soon, there’s not a lot that hasn’t already been dealt with over the course of twenty books. So, why not end the series with this book? What is the point of continuing to put out this series without any sort of direction that you can take Anita in that hasn’t already been done? If it’s due to money, then I would fire my financial advisor and try to recoup my loses instead of continuing with the series.
*Negative* Comparing the Harlequin to the Harry Potter series was just a desperate move by Hamilton. Sorry, but originality has gone out the window in this series. A huge subtraction in rating points for me.
*Negative* I truly wish that Hamilton would either shift Blake into one of her five different strains of lycanthropy she carries and be done with it, or turn her into a freaking vampire for real since he a so called living vampire already. It’s not like she really wants to be a Marshal any longer. So, just do it and be done with it. She’s pretty much lost all touch with her humanity as it is.
*Negative* The final battle between the Harlequin and MOAD felt rushed and left a lot to be desired. After all this time of dealing with MOAD in her head, and trying to take over her body, it ends, for me, in a whimper instead of a blaze of glory. Even the end chapter felt like a wrap up instead of a carry-over into a new book.
*Positive* Little, if any sex scenes. ::applauding:: You can hate me for not liking all the erotica, but it’s just not that appealing to me to have her sleep with so many men at the same time. I don't care for erotica, and that won't change overnight.
*Positive* Already mentioned above; Edward. Second, Olaf and how absolutely scary he really is. Now that he’s been changed, he is even more of danger to everyone, including Bernardo and Edward. It also leaves room for a short story in the hunt for Olaf and a missing doctor he seems to have brought with him.
~*~ Time shall tell whether or not I continue reading if Hamilton releases yet another book. If so, I want to see more stories like this one. I want to see less erotica and more blood and guts.
June 2, 2011
Now there's the Anita Blake I've been looking for! This book was great and I loved every moment.
This book felt more like the earlier books in terms of trying to solve murder cases and focusing on the storyline instead of Anita's romancing troubles. There's alot of Edward in this one and we got to see another side of him in little glimpses. The action scenes were great aswell. Full of blood and screaming...ahhh music to my ears. We do meet a new addition in this book called Ethan. He was quiet and didn't say a whole lot but he reminds of a mix between Micah and Nathaniel, I hope to hear more about him in the future.
Hmmm what else....oh mustn't forget the creepy psychopath Olaf. God he gives me the creeps, he still wants to 'date' Anita and even mentions he would be willing to try vanilla sex with her. Lol He still hasn't made a move towards her yet so Edward won't kill him, but something at the end of the book may change that drastically.
My one complaint was that none of her main guys were in this book at all, no Jean-Claude, no Micah, no Asher, no Nathaniel. It was still a fantastic book but I've learn to love those characters and I was a little disappointed. Overall I'm extremely glad I didn't give up on this series.
This book felt more like the earlier books in terms of trying to solve murder cases and focusing on the storyline instead of Anita's romancing troubles. There's alot of Edward in this one and we got to see another side of him in little glimpses. The action scenes were great aswell. Full of blood and screaming...ahhh music to my ears. We do meet a new addition in this book called Ethan. He was quiet and didn't say a whole lot but he reminds of a mix between Micah and Nathaniel, I hope to hear more about him in the future.
Hmmm what else....oh mustn't forget the creepy psychopath Olaf. God he gives me the creeps, he still wants to 'date' Anita and even mentions he would be willing to try vanilla sex with her. Lol He still hasn't made a move towards her yet so Edward won't kill him, but something at the end of the book may change that drastically.
My one complaint was that none of her main guys were in this book at all, no Jean-Claude, no Micah, no Asher, no Nathaniel. It was still a fantastic book but I've learn to love those characters and I was a little disappointed. Overall I'm extremely glad I didn't give up on this series.
July 18, 2011
Oh, Laurell. What happened to turn this series from interesting mystery (featuring fascinating lesser-known creatures of a variety of mythological and folk traditions) into involuntary cautionary style book on how NOT to write (featuring mostly Rainbow Weretigers)? Just for fun, let's point out some of your more egregious crimes against the coherently written word...
1. When even your own characters feel the need to comment self-consciously on the fact that the only name you can come up with for your mysterious super-villains is "the ones who can't be named," a la Harry Potter, maybe it's time to actually sit down with a thesaurus and try to think of something else to call said super-villains.
2. It defies all credibility that Anita's cohorts in the Marshal service would be "impressed" by things like Anita reciting facts about serial killers that are included in any common news story on the subject. E.g.:
3. It also defies credibility that said Marshals who deal exclusively with supernatural creatures would need several pages of explanation from Anita about how a werewolf wearing a cape and a mask would have a different appearance than a human in the same outfit. Wait, a SNOUT would make a mask stick out more? And the hind legs would bend differently in an animal? And what's this about dogs not tracking supernatural creatures because they are afraid of them, something you'd think someone else in the service would have noticed by now? Stop your crazy talk, you kooky sex-having lady! We don't believe you, even though we must have observed the same thing ourselves every single day in the field!
4. You should not waste everyone's time explaining commonly-used words or expressions as part of your plot. It smacks of filler, and it is tedious and unnatural conversation. E.g.:
Yes, she is indeed attempting to mock you for your perceived homophobia and/or homoerotic leanings. Good that you could pick up on that. Similarly:
EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT "CAN'T PROVE A NEGATIVE" MEANS. You do not have to explain it in a long, drawn-out paragraph. There's another whole page of discussion about what "don't take this the wrong way" means, but I will lose the will to live if I have to type it all out here, so you'll just have to trust me.
5. Keep track of your own plot points. It seems a tad unprofessional to have a character specifically say at the outset that he has "three" shape-shifter forms, and then after having sex with Anita and her Magic Vagina, to marvel that he has added ANOTHER form, so that now he has...THREE! Also, while we are on the subject on the Magic Vagina...
First of all...I realize that most men don't generally possess a LARGE repertoire of vaginally-related compliments, but I'm beginning to think that the main reason Laurell introduces new men into Anita's harem is so that they can all take a turn saying this exact same thing the first time they have sex with her (and several subsequent times as well). Secondly, good for Anita, finally realizing that maybe she doesn't have to say every damn thing she thinks aloud, especially when the reader has already read the thought before it was spoken. Also...good for recognizing that it may not be the perfect moment to be casually discussing your perfectly normal physiological responses. Some people in the throes of passion might find that off-putting.
6. Finally, there is a huge, gaping hole in your universe's theology. Namely:
Why? Why let the theological discussion wait for another day? The fact that a man doesn't believe in God when, in your world, God has a clearly manifested and scientifically demonstrable power, makes no sense at all. Exploring why that is would be far more interesting than reading another paragraph of "commonly used acronyms spelled out and discussed at length" or "people persistently commenting on how it is so charming that Anita remains emotionally hypocritical and humorless."
I apologize for the length of this posting, but I trust that it will serve to prove my point about how very tedious the full-length book is...
1. When even your own characters feel the need to comment self-consciously on the fact that the only name you can come up with for your mysterious super-villains is "the ones who can't be named," a la Harry Potter, maybe it's time to actually sit down with a thesaurus and try to think of something else to call said super-villains.
2. It defies all credibility that Anita's cohorts in the Marshal service would be "impressed" by things like Anita reciting facts about serial killers that are included in any common news story on the subject. E.g.:
"Statically [sic] speaking, over ninety percent of all serial killers are male. Using he as the pronoun is probably accurate, but, you're right, I don't know that it's a he. Though female serial killers are more likely to use poison or a gun; a blade is more typical of male serial killers. ... You seem surprised that I knew that." He leaned back in his chair and looked at me, but now it was an appraising look. "I'd been told that the only reason you have more executions than anyone else in the preternatural branch is that you're fucking the monsters, so they talk to you, but maybe that's not all of it."
3. It also defies credibility that said Marshals who deal exclusively with supernatural creatures would need several pages of explanation from Anita about how a werewolf wearing a cape and a mask would have a different appearance than a human in the same outfit. Wait, a SNOUT would make a mask stick out more? And the hind legs would bend differently in an animal? And what's this about dogs not tracking supernatural creatures because they are afraid of them, something you'd think someone else in the service would have noticed by now? Stop your crazy talk, you kooky sex-having lady! We don't believe you, even though we must have observed the same thing ourselves every single day in the field!
4. You should not waste everyone's time explaining commonly-used words or expressions as part of your plot. It smacks of filler, and it is tedious and unnatural conversation. E.g.:
"Jealous" I asked. "Of what, the men?" "You're jealous of something. If it's not the men, then what the fuck is it?" "Are you calling me a homosexual?""
Yes, she is indeed attempting to mock you for your perceived homophobia and/or homoerotic leanings. Good that you could pick up on that. Similarly:
"I learned a long time ago that I can't prove a negative." "What the hell does that even mean?" "It means I can't prove that I didn't sleep with someone. It's easier to prove you did something than that you didn't. You know that from court cases, every cop does, but cops love rumors, they fucking love 'em, so either way, believe what you want, but if you're not going to believe the truth, don't ask."
EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT "CAN'T PROVE A NEGATIVE" MEANS. You do not have to explain it in a long, drawn-out paragraph. There's another whole page of discussion about what "don't take this the wrong way" means, but I will lose the will to live if I have to type it all out here, so you'll just have to trust me.
5. Keep track of your own plot points. It seems a tad unprofessional to have a character specifically say at the outset that he has "three" shape-shifter forms, and then after having sex with Anita and her Magic Vagina, to marvel that he has added ANOTHER form, so that now he has...THREE! Also, while we are on the subject on the Magic Vagina...
"Gods, so tight, so wet, so warm." I wanted to say that sometimes after oral sex I seemed to tighten, but I had no words outside my head as he pushed the head of himself inside me.
First of all...I realize that most men don't generally possess a LARGE repertoire of vaginally-related compliments, but I'm beginning to think that the main reason Laurell introduces new men into Anita's harem is so that they can all take a turn saying this exact same thing the first time they have sex with her (and several subsequent times as well). Secondly, good for Anita, finally realizing that maybe she doesn't have to say every damn thing she thinks aloud, especially when the reader has already read the thought before it was spoken. Also...good for recognizing that it may not be the perfect moment to be casually discussing your perfectly normal physiological responses. Some people in the throes of passion might find that off-putting.
6. Finally, there is a huge, gaping hole in your universe's theology. Namely:
"You've seen my cross glow. You know blessed holy water works. I've never understood why you don't wear something." "Holy water works because a priest blesses it; a cross works only if the wearer has faith in God. I don't." I let the theological discussion wait for another day.
Why? Why let the theological discussion wait for another day? The fact that a man doesn't believe in God when, in your world, God has a clearly manifested and scientifically demonstrable power, makes no sense at all. Exploring why that is would be far more interesting than reading another paragraph of "commonly used acronyms spelled out and discussed at length" or "people persistently commenting on how it is so charming that Anita remains emotionally hypocritical and humorless."
I apologize for the length of this posting, but I trust that it will serve to prove my point about how very tedious the full-length book is...
July 14, 2011
Warning: rant about the Anita Blake series in general about to commence.
I'm a long time fan of Laurell K. Hamilton. I started reading when she only had three books out, and despite my current frustration with her writing I have faithfully continued to read the entire series.
I don't mind reading about sex, even graphic depictions of sex. I do mind when an author starts turning a strong, interesting female character into a two-dimensional woman with a magical vagina who everyone loves and desires. The character Micah is a joke and has no real personality and the action sequences (when she has them) are sloppily written.
All that being said, Hit List was pretty good. I like the character Edward and always enjoy books with him. Anita Blake only had sex with one new man. I think my biggest complaint about this book and the progression of these novels in general is that in each one, Anita and her men take on bigger, meaner, and tougher baddies. They never fail, and Anita keeps getting stronger and stronger and with new amazing never seen before powers. A true main character hasn't been killed off in a long time. "Perfect" heroines are boring and comes off as lame wish fulfillment on the author's part ("She's not perfect! Her flaw is that she's beautiful but doesn't know it..." ugh gag me).
Will I continue to read the Anita Blake series? Yup. (unless they all start reading like Flirt) Will I continue to bitch? Probably...unless Laurell K. Hamilton can make Anita a little more accessible, slightly less slutty, and stop adding details that seem awkwardly auto-biographical.
I'm a long time fan of Laurell K. Hamilton. I started reading when she only had three books out, and despite my current frustration with her writing I have faithfully continued to read the entire series.
I don't mind reading about sex, even graphic depictions of sex. I do mind when an author starts turning a strong, interesting female character into a two-dimensional woman with a magical vagina who everyone loves and desires. The character Micah is a joke and has no real personality and the action sequences (when she has them) are sloppily written.
All that being said, Hit List was pretty good. I like the character Edward and always enjoy books with him. Anita Blake only had sex with one new man. I think my biggest complaint about this book and the progression of these novels in general is that in each one, Anita and her men take on bigger, meaner, and tougher baddies. They never fail, and Anita keeps getting stronger and stronger and with new amazing never seen before powers. A true main character hasn't been killed off in a long time. "Perfect" heroines are boring and comes off as lame wish fulfillment on the author's part ("She's not perfect! Her flaw is that she's beautiful but doesn't know it..." ugh gag me).
Will I continue to read the Anita Blake series? Yup. (unless they all start reading like Flirt) Will I continue to bitch? Probably...unless Laurell K. Hamilton can make Anita a little more accessible, slightly less slutty, and stop adding details that seem awkwardly auto-biographical.
February 27, 2018
Well, after reading this was way better. Still it's not where the series started. Anita may not spend the whole book between naked bodies. However, she spends most of the book TALKING!
And I just realised that I have no idea who most of the characters are and I need to google them pretty often.
I also "loved" that Anita and the other female marshal, Laila Karlton used body shamming of skinny girls to bond over. Funny how Anita talks big how she's for diversity and acceptance of others except for skinny girls. And this is not the first book that used this "trope" and I am asking why?!
Shame someone based on race, orientation, religion or because they have some extra weight and people gonna eat you alive. But shaming someone because the person is skinny it's suddenly okay. So tired of that.
And I just realised that I have no idea who most of the characters are and I need to google them pretty often.
I also "loved" that Anita and the other female marshal, Laila Karlton used body shamming of skinny girls to bond over. Funny how Anita talks big how she's for diversity and acceptance of others except for skinny girls. And this is not the first book that used this "trope" and I am asking why?!
Shame someone based on race, orientation, religion or because they have some extra weight and people gonna eat you alive. But shaming someone because the person is skinny it's suddenly okay. So tired of that.
January 8, 2012
Simple review - If you read all the books up to this one, let’s be honest you are going to read this one too... It’s an average story at best and fails to build to anything that the conclusion deserves.
Complex review - I took up reading the series as I loved the initial concept of necromancy + Crime + fantasy, sounded great and a lot of the initial books had a solid plot line with some good action scenes and a decent world to be based in. While the whole area of vamps/weres/differing flavours of horror is nothing new, I enjoyed the stories. I didn’t even mind too much when it turned into a hard romance series as the plots/cases Anita was working on still held some adventure.
However this latest book has no real plot/case. Anita knows who, what and why the baddies are doing the killings straight away, so the plot is just wandering around for 75% of the book waiting for page count to get high to trigger a confrontation and the ending.
The typical filler subplots are being rehashed way too much;
Problems with Olaf, Edwards family probs/he’s a murderholic
The tired old ideas/stereotypes are played out again after being talked about in nearly every book so far, some cop not liking her cause of the rumours she’s a slut/has a higher kill count.
Anita is really a prude but her powers force her to sleep with any tiger colour she hasn’t banged yet.
Explaining to the latest rookies/local cops how much of a badass/powerful she really is and how monsters aren’t really all bad there just misunderstood.
However the totally worst point of this book is as follows,
SPOILER
Anita is finally confronted with the mother of darkness, and wipes the floor with her and kills her in less time than it takes for me to write this out... After building this massive fight for several books now were left with a simple fight and wash of the hands. The most fearsome enemy that has existed before there was cavemen and it’s killed without a fanfare or even outsider help... I can’t describe how much of a let-down this plot point is after the massive build-up in power/partners Anita has had over the entire book series, the "fight" she has with a tree is more discussed and considered in an earlier chapter.
The whole book reeks of a short story turned into a book for money and when the later chapters come and there’s been little to no progression in the overall story LKH pulls the biggest monster she has out and kills it with less consideration then it would take for Anita to kill a fly.
I really hope this is the last book she writes in this series as I don’t see how she can come back from this without Anita being queen of anything not human and feared by everything. The fact that there isn’t much of a conclusion to all the characters and there’s still several minor subplots left open shows there probably will be a follow up, and who am I kidding if I said I wasn't going to read it, and its generally agreed we jumped the shark a while back but I still have hope there’s something left to care about in the next one.
Complex review - I took up reading the series as I loved the initial concept of necromancy + Crime + fantasy, sounded great and a lot of the initial books had a solid plot line with some good action scenes and a decent world to be based in. While the whole area of vamps/weres/differing flavours of horror is nothing new, I enjoyed the stories. I didn’t even mind too much when it turned into a hard romance series as the plots/cases Anita was working on still held some adventure.
However this latest book has no real plot/case. Anita knows who, what and why the baddies are doing the killings straight away, so the plot is just wandering around for 75% of the book waiting for page count to get high to trigger a confrontation and the ending.
The typical filler subplots are being rehashed way too much;
Problems with Olaf, Edwards family probs/he’s a murderholic
The tired old ideas/stereotypes are played out again after being talked about in nearly every book so far, some cop not liking her cause of the rumours she’s a slut/has a higher kill count.
Anita is really a prude but her powers force her to sleep with any tiger colour she hasn’t banged yet.
Explaining to the latest rookies/local cops how much of a badass/powerful she really is and how monsters aren’t really all bad there just misunderstood.
However the totally worst point of this book is as follows,
SPOILER
Anita is finally confronted with the mother of darkness, and wipes the floor with her and kills her in less time than it takes for me to write this out... After building this massive fight for several books now were left with a simple fight and wash of the hands. The most fearsome enemy that has existed before there was cavemen and it’s killed without a fanfare or even outsider help... I can’t describe how much of a let-down this plot point is after the massive build-up in power/partners Anita has had over the entire book series, the "fight" she has with a tree is more discussed and considered in an earlier chapter.
The whole book reeks of a short story turned into a book for money and when the later chapters come and there’s been little to no progression in the overall story LKH pulls the biggest monster she has out and kills it with less consideration then it would take for Anita to kill a fly.
I really hope this is the last book she writes in this series as I don’t see how she can come back from this without Anita being queen of anything not human and feared by everything. The fact that there isn’t much of a conclusion to all the characters and there’s still several minor subplots left open shows there probably will be a follow up, and who am I kidding if I said I wasn't going to read it, and its generally agreed we jumped the shark a while back but I still have hope there’s something left to care about in the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2011
Anita Blake book #20. That’s impressive.
All old Anita Fans will enjoy this book, especially those that loved Obsidian Butterfly.
I opened the book and prepared myself for sex scenes and clothing descriptions. So I sat down with Hit List, grabbed myself a coffee and prepared to find out what Anita was up to/wearing/screwing/shooting lately.
I read the sample chapter a while ago and was glad to see Edward and hoped it went down that path. So let’s kick it off there. It’s a crime scene; bodies lying everywhere and they figure out that Anita is the target. The mother of all darkness is after her once and for all.
Edward is protective of Anita and their friendship grows and they learn to finally trust the other completely. Olaf shows up and there are only a few scenes with him. There is no Jean Claude, he maybe has a paragraph right at the end. No whining Richard or Asher stomping that he isn’t getting action. There were only 1.5 sex scenes in the whole thing. I know!
Raina, Richard, Nathaniel etc, none of them was on stage. Men that you really barely remembered were there. I felt like the first half of the book was like the old Anita days.
The action scenes were great, Anita had grown. There is one scene where they are under attack on the road, I think it was my favourite action scene yet with Anita. It was well written, I was there, I couldn’t stop. I had to know how they survived or who didn’t.
Over all, I read the book completely and was intrigued until the end. I found myself laughing as Anita bantered with others. I smiled at her thoughts. I loved the few moments between her and Edward. I found myself enjoying a new man and how it came about.
The let downs I guess would be the last few chapters. I was waiting for something to be huge, the ending to make me put the book down wide eyed and fulfilled. Instead I scratched my head. I wanted fire works, a massive show down. I wanted her to go nuts on her enemy. End that enemies life in an epic way, like she did to Seraphina in Bloody Bones.
I also found myself tired of the constant mention from others around Anita about how they had an issue with her being a female that’s better at her job. It seemed like everyone had an issue except Edward. It was like any one in the same career as Anita was jealous. The same insults and the same issues every time, by the end I was felt like screaming, ‘Ok I get it, everyone with a penis has a inferiority complex in Anita’s company!�. I thought the comments didn't match the fact that Anita had been called in to work the scene because of her record.
Things I enjoyed about the book;
That it was in a new location.
The plot wasn’t directly about Jean Claudes power base.
Less sex scenes.
Less talk about peoples clothes.
Anita has grown to know herself, she is confident and wise.
She doesn’t puff out her chest to prove herself... as much.
The ardeur is there, but it's not ruling the book.
None of her normal ‘men� are on every page or padding into a room wearing G strings.
There are some great twists that I hope to see resolved in the next book.
Over all, great book. Better then the last two by a long shot.
All old Anita Fans will enjoy this book, especially those that loved Obsidian Butterfly.
I opened the book and prepared myself for sex scenes and clothing descriptions. So I sat down with Hit List, grabbed myself a coffee and prepared to find out what Anita was up to/wearing/screwing/shooting lately.
I read the sample chapter a while ago and was glad to see Edward and hoped it went down that path. So let’s kick it off there. It’s a crime scene; bodies lying everywhere and they figure out that Anita is the target. The mother of all darkness is after her once and for all.
Edward is protective of Anita and their friendship grows and they learn to finally trust the other completely. Olaf shows up and there are only a few scenes with him. There is no Jean Claude, he maybe has a paragraph right at the end. No whining Richard or Asher stomping that he isn’t getting action. There were only 1.5 sex scenes in the whole thing. I know!
Raina, Richard, Nathaniel etc, none of them was on stage. Men that you really barely remembered were there. I felt like the first half of the book was like the old Anita days.
The action scenes were great, Anita had grown. There is one scene where they are under attack on the road, I think it was my favourite action scene yet with Anita. It was well written, I was there, I couldn’t stop. I had to know how they survived or who didn’t.
Over all, I read the book completely and was intrigued until the end. I found myself laughing as Anita bantered with others. I smiled at her thoughts. I loved the few moments between her and Edward. I found myself enjoying a new man and how it came about.
The let downs I guess would be the last few chapters. I was waiting for something to be huge, the ending to make me put the book down wide eyed and fulfilled. Instead I scratched my head. I wanted fire works, a massive show down. I wanted her to go nuts on her enemy. End that enemies life in an epic way, like she did to Seraphina in Bloody Bones.
I also found myself tired of the constant mention from others around Anita about how they had an issue with her being a female that’s better at her job. It seemed like everyone had an issue except Edward. It was like any one in the same career as Anita was jealous. The same insults and the same issues every time, by the end I was felt like screaming, ‘Ok I get it, everyone with a penis has a inferiority complex in Anita’s company!�. I thought the comments didn't match the fact that Anita had been called in to work the scene because of her record.
Things I enjoyed about the book;
That it was in a new location.
The plot wasn’t directly about Jean Claudes power base.
Less sex scenes.
Less talk about peoples clothes.
Anita has grown to know herself, she is confident and wise.
She doesn’t puff out her chest to prove herself... as much.
The ardeur is there, but it's not ruling the book.
None of her normal ‘men� are on every page or padding into a room wearing G strings.
There are some great twists that I hope to see resolved in the next book.
Over all, great book. Better then the last two by a long shot.
March 22, 2021
3.5 stars...yes you read it right...I’m kinda surprised at the high rating too 😆
It’s been years since I read an Anita Blake book. I adored the first handful of books in the series. I still have those on my bookshelf. But then as we all know LKH kinda lost the plot and Anita was just sex sex sex and v v little plot. It was a shame and I stopped buying the books, started borrowing them from the library and then kept getting disappointed and sad that the characters I adored were just not the same anymore and I stopped reading the books altogether. So I am not sure what made me pick up this one...perhaps I was looking for an easy read and curious to see what was happening with the gang 🤷♀�
Anyhoo, I was pleasantly surprised. There was just one sex scene. Yes, just ONE! Amazing right?! It was with a newbie...of course, it was...add another one to the 101 people she is having sex with 🙄🙄🙄...but as it wasn’t so drawn out and protracted, i ain’t complaining.
Anita actually was working as a Marshall....yay!...trying to track down a serial killer with Edward....whoohooo!....all the lover boys were left back home....🥳🥳🥳.....so less whining and “Boo boo hurt feelings� by the men 🙌
As with every Anita Blake book I’ve read, we have the obligatory:
- men and women who are jealous of Anita bc everyone is obsessed with her (she’s just so darn cute).
- Every policemen hates Anita bc a) she has sex with everyone but them b) she is female and better at the job
- The never ending powers and animals Anita has to call
- The strange and downright freaky eye colour of the men in great detail
What I realised though while reading this book is that LKH likes to repeat herself. She will get Anita to think to herself how something isn’t a good idea bc of x, y, z and then a page later she will have Anita explain to someone why it wasn’t a good idea bc of x, y, z! 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀� If you took all the repetition out, you would be left with only have the number of pages. And if you take out the long winded descriptions of the men’s eye colour and hair styles, you would take out a quarter of the remaining pages.
That being said, it was a good Anita Blake book to read after such a long hiatus.
It’s been years since I read an Anita Blake book. I adored the first handful of books in the series. I still have those on my bookshelf. But then as we all know LKH kinda lost the plot and Anita was just sex sex sex and v v little plot. It was a shame and I stopped buying the books, started borrowing them from the library and then kept getting disappointed and sad that the characters I adored were just not the same anymore and I stopped reading the books altogether. So I am not sure what made me pick up this one...perhaps I was looking for an easy read and curious to see what was happening with the gang 🤷♀�
Anyhoo, I was pleasantly surprised. There was just one sex scene. Yes, just ONE! Amazing right?! It was with a newbie...of course, it was...add another one to the 101 people she is having sex with 🙄🙄🙄...but as it wasn’t so drawn out and protracted, i ain’t complaining.
Anita actually was working as a Marshall....yay!...trying to track down a serial killer with Edward....whoohooo!....all the lover boys were left back home....🥳🥳🥳.....so less whining and “Boo boo hurt feelings� by the men 🙌
As with every Anita Blake book I’ve read, we have the obligatory:
- men and women who are jealous of Anita bc everyone is obsessed with her (she’s just so darn cute).
- Every policemen hates Anita bc a) she has sex with everyone but them b) she is female and better at the job
- The never ending powers and animals Anita has to call
- The strange and downright freaky eye colour of the men in great detail
What I realised though while reading this book is that LKH likes to repeat herself. She will get Anita to think to herself how something isn’t a good idea bc of x, y, z and then a page later she will have Anita explain to someone why it wasn’t a good idea bc of x, y, z! 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀� If you took all the repetition out, you would be left with only have the number of pages. And if you take out the long winded descriptions of the men’s eye colour and hair styles, you would take out a quarter of the remaining pages.
That being said, it was a good Anita Blake book to read after such a long hiatus.
November 17, 2021
Anita y Edward estan en una investigacion de una serie de asesinatos que al parecer son realizados por el Arlequin, el problema es que ya van dos semanas y todavia no logran dar con el lugar de descanso de los vampiros, ni de sus lacayos cambiaformas. Sabiendo que Momma Noir esta detras de todo eso, y aprovechandose de que la quiere viva para poder apoderarse de su cuerpo, Anita y Edward, junto con un grupo de guardaespaldas de St. Louis, ademas de Olaf y Bernardo intentan crear una emboscada donde puedan atrapar al grupo de asesinos.
Solo los nuevos poderes de Anita junto con un par de los cambiaformas de Arlequin que los han traicionado, logran derrotar a la Momma Noir, ahora quedara esperar que se quede muerta para siempre.
Es un muy buen fin de serie, lleno de accion, dudas, romance y fuerza de voluntad, donde el drama esta al minimo, la prota por fin confia en si misma, y los malos salen perdiendo. Es lo que esperaba como fin de saga.
Sin embargo, todavia quedan por lo menos 9 libros mas de esta saga, no se de que mas pueden tratar o si van a ser mucho mas drama del que quisiera leer, pero voy a seguir leyendo mientras sigan siendo interesantes.
Hasta ahora la saga ha tenido altos y bajos, es quizas una de esas series que de verdad tienes que amar los personajes o ser perseverantes para leer, no creo que cualquiera sea capaz de hacerlo. El autor comenzo siendo muy disperso en su trama, pero poco a poco (por lo menos en esta serie), ha ido consiguiendo la forma que la trama sea de manera lineal con un par de twist que vuelven la lectura interesante, espero que continue asi.
Solo los nuevos poderes de Anita junto con un par de los cambiaformas de Arlequin que los han traicionado, logran derrotar a la Momma Noir, ahora quedara esperar que se quede muerta para siempre.
Es un muy buen fin de serie, lleno de accion, dudas, romance y fuerza de voluntad, donde el drama esta al minimo, la prota por fin confia en si misma, y los malos salen perdiendo. Es lo que esperaba como fin de saga.
Sin embargo, todavia quedan por lo menos 9 libros mas de esta saga, no se de que mas pueden tratar o si van a ser mucho mas drama del que quisiera leer, pero voy a seguir leyendo mientras sigan siendo interesantes.
Hasta ahora la saga ha tenido altos y bajos, es quizas una de esas series que de verdad tienes que amar los personajes o ser perseverantes para leer, no creo que cualquiera sea capaz de hacerlo. El autor comenzo siendo muy disperso en su trama, pero poco a poco (por lo menos en esta serie), ha ido consiguiendo la forma que la trama sea de manera lineal con un par de twist que vuelven la lectura interesante, espero que continue asi.
January 29, 2012
I love Laurell Hamilton. I have been seduced and enthralled with the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series. I have been looking forward to the release of Hit List for some time.
With that said, this book has profoundly disappointed me.
The phrase “love’s triangle� is a silly understatement when it comes to the relationships in Anita’s life. Although her latest books have become somewhat repetitious with the lustful scenes and never-ending additions to her sec life, it was a nice change to read a book in this series without having every 10 pages tossing you on a bed with two or more men.
I think her main squeezes are amazingly wonderful, I do. I missed them in this book. It was nice to have the book centered more on Edward and the reality that revolves around him.
This book was nothing special. Someone died. Anita and Edward investigate the crime scene. Other cops are difficult and shun their presence. Olaf is his usual but something has changed inside of him. I am curious where that relationship will go. There were several intriguing moments that left me thinking, “Hmm .. what if .. ?�
There was not too much progression with Anita’s relationship with Edward. He cares for her, deeply. His two identities are merging a bit and that leaves them both slightly confused.
Who is the bad guy? Well, that’s always the question when I start reading her books. The Mother of Death is devising a plan of destruction and will do whatever it takes to possess Anita’s body. What’s new?
The book has several scenes that are boring and predictable. The ending? Well let’s just say .. after all the build up with this badass “Mother� .. everything is concluded within a few pages. Seriously?
*sighs* I suppose the bottom line to this review, and I try my best to be as positive as possible, total let down. Bummer.
June 19, 2011
I have no real reason for why I'm still reading this crap. I guess since I've been with it so long, I just have a hard time letting go. So, as long as I don't have to shell out any money for it and can get it at the library, I'll probably keep reading. But make no mistake: this series has gone to shit. Anita can't take a crap without analyzing it to death first. So many things seem to be so urgent in this novel, but instead of hunting the bad guys, we have to have page after page about why Anita can't do this or that. Hamilton makes a giant deal about why they can't say "Harlequin" out loud and then does it a few pages later. Anita pretends to be shy and old fashioned about sex, but she's ready to fuck the new rainbow kitty guy 5 seconds after she's met him. Anita Blake: You're full of shit. I used to like her a lot, but now she's just pathetic. It seems more and more like Hamilton's adding little quirks to Anita that are her own. It feels like that because Anita will mention some stupid thing about herself, but it has nothing to do with anything at all. It's just....these books are SO FREAKING TEDIOUS.
Want to read
January 25, 2011I've already been on this ride this long, I might as well wait until the car stops
October 23, 2014
"Hit List" is her best Anita Blake book in probably the last 8 or so. My hopes that Hamilton would get her head out of her vagina came true. There was only 1 sex scene that was easy to skim through & a fair amount of action took place. The edge was missing, because there was also too much talk with tons of angst going on during it. I know far more about everyone's motivations & thoughts than I wanted to.
I doubt we'll ever get the old Anita Blake back, but the world is still pretty cool & I am sure that there will be at least one more book. While a lot of Anita's problems are resolved, another hits high gear & begs for a finish. Unfortunately, the resolution didn't make a lot of sense to me. With all the repetition in her writing (there were a couple of explanations in the book that were made early on & were pasted, word for word, into the last part) I would expect to have understood or felt the magic better, but it just didn't pop for me.
While the resolution that took place could easily be grown into more problems, I'm hoping that Hamilton will put this series to bed on a higher note than I've been expecting. She could & should wrap up nicely in one last climactic novel, but I doubt she will because the last chapter felt clumsily tacked on simply to put in teasers for the next book.
Some predictions: Hopefully I'm wrong, but the whole series seems so predictable now that it's hard not to make some. It will be fun to see what really happens...
Anita going through a crisis over her growing lack of humanity especially with new powers & urges she's bound to feel. (IOW, more angst. I'm not sure I wouldn't prefer the sex since it's easier to skim through, but this is a given.) The only question is how many of Anita's friends will die or get hurt. There's no doubt Anita's guilt will drool from every page, unfortunately.
I won't buy Hamilton's books new, anymore. I reserve that for writers I really like. I bought a lot of hers & then she really disappointed me with the last dozen books or so. I wouldn't have read them, but a friend at work (I turned her on to the series & loaned her the first dozen.) kept loaning them to me. For all my bitching, I'm kind of glad I read this one & will read the next.
I doubt we'll ever get the old Anita Blake back, but the world is still pretty cool & I am sure that there will be at least one more book. While a lot of Anita's problems are resolved, another hits high gear & begs for a finish. Unfortunately, the resolution didn't make a lot of sense to me. With all the repetition in her writing (there were a couple of explanations in the book that were made early on & were pasted, word for word, into the last part) I would expect to have understood or felt the magic better, but it just didn't pop for me.
While the resolution that took place could easily be grown into more problems, I'm hoping that Hamilton will put this series to bed on a higher note than I've been expecting. She could & should wrap up nicely in one last climactic novel, but I doubt she will because the last chapter felt clumsily tacked on simply to put in teasers for the next book.
Some predictions: Hopefully I'm wrong, but the whole series seems so predictable now that it's hard not to make some. It will be fun to see what really happens...
Anita going through a crisis over her growing lack of humanity especially with new powers & urges she's bound to feel. (IOW, more angst. I'm not sure I wouldn't prefer the sex since it's easier to skim through, but this is a given.) The only question is how many of Anita's friends will die or get hurt. There's no doubt Anita's guilt will drool from every page, unfortunately.
I won't buy Hamilton's books new, anymore. I reserve that for writers I really like. I bought a lot of hers & then she really disappointed me with the last dozen books or so. I wouldn't have read them, but a friend at work (I turned her on to the series & loaned her the first dozen.) kept loaning them to me. For all my bitching, I'm kind of glad I read this one & will read the next.
June 7, 2011
Wow. I love Anita. Yes some of the books in the series have been stronger than others but that's the case in every series. While I liked Bullet, the last book in the series, I loved Hit List and read it in one sitting.
There were so many great things about this book. First of all Edward. I love Edward, he shines in every book he is in and I would love to read something from his POV. I'm sure it will never happen but a girl can always hope. As with other books Edward is in, we also get to see Bernardo and the uber creepy Olaf again. Just when you thought the big guy couldn't get any creepier, LKH throws in a scene that makes him jealous. He is so much scarier than any villian in this series and with the ending of this book it's probably gonna get worse.
Unlike the last couple of books, Anita is on a big case in this one and is away from her sweeties. She is back in all of her ass kicking glory and seems to be really haunted by things in her past. PTSD can have some serious side effects and Anita's dreams are rough. Add in the fact that The Mother of All Darkness is back and has the Harlequin doing her bidding and you get an action packed book.
Another great thing about this book was the addition of the weretiger, Ethan. Anita has a lot of men in her life and she really didn't need to add to the pile but things happen and Ethan seems to be a perfect fit for her. He was beautiful, haunted, lonely and unique. I certainly understood why she was drawn to him. He ranks right up there with Micha for me and that's saying something. I really hope we get more of Ethan in future books.
Though it was really reserved in this book and I probably shouldn't mention it, I get so tired of reading about people disliking this series because of the sexual content and in turn bashing all of the books. Anita is more than a necromancer, she's a succubus, the Mistress of Tigers, Lupa to the wolves, Nimer ra to the leopards and a living vampire. She is seriously powerful and a lot of that power comes from her sexuality. If you are a prude, have an issue with polyamorous relationships and only want sex scenes that are vanilla, you should not be reading the series. You obviously don't get Anita and the growth of her power and/or abilities. If you don't like it, don't read it and/or judge those of us who do love the greatness that is Anita. It's as simple as that.
There were so many great things about this book. First of all Edward. I love Edward, he shines in every book he is in and I would love to read something from his POV. I'm sure it will never happen but a girl can always hope. As with other books Edward is in, we also get to see Bernardo and the uber creepy Olaf again. Just when you thought the big guy couldn't get any creepier, LKH throws in a scene that makes him jealous. He is so much scarier than any villian in this series and with the ending of this book it's probably gonna get worse.
Unlike the last couple of books, Anita is on a big case in this one and is away from her sweeties. She is back in all of her ass kicking glory and seems to be really haunted by things in her past. PTSD can have some serious side effects and Anita's dreams are rough. Add in the fact that The Mother of All Darkness is back and has the Harlequin doing her bidding and you get an action packed book.
Another great thing about this book was the addition of the weretiger, Ethan. Anita has a lot of men in her life and she really didn't need to add to the pile but things happen and Ethan seems to be a perfect fit for her. He was beautiful, haunted, lonely and unique. I certainly understood why she was drawn to him. He ranks right up there with Micha for me and that's saying something. I really hope we get more of Ethan in future books.
Though it was really reserved in this book and I probably shouldn't mention it, I get so tired of reading about people disliking this series because of the sexual content and in turn bashing all of the books. Anita is more than a necromancer, she's a succubus, the Mistress of Tigers, Lupa to the wolves, Nimer ra to the leopards and a living vampire. She is seriously powerful and a lot of that power comes from her sexuality. If you are a prude, have an issue with polyamorous relationships and only want sex scenes that are vanilla, you should not be reading the series. You obviously don't get Anita and the growth of her power and/or abilities. If you don't like it, don't read it and/or judge those of us who do love the greatness that is Anita. It's as simple as that.
July 5, 2011
This book was beyond awful. It's without a doubt the worst Anita book that Laurell Hamilton has ever written - and that includes Micah which was another horrible book. Unfortunately this series jumped the shark several books ago and has never bounced back.
There are about 30 pages of fresh content in this one... the rest (of an already very small book with wide margins) is repetitive character introductions (if you don't know who the main characters are after 20 books what is the point of reading the series at all?), mindless "I don't understand so Anita needs to explain in excruciating depth instead of letting the author's writing tell the story" ramblings and absolutely no plot development. There is a thread of a story which could have been a very decent one and Anita is back being a Marshal again... but the overall plot is unrealized and completely undeveloped.
Through all this, Hamilton also managed to take Edward, the last character standing that didn't have any form of a sexual relationship with Anita, and left strong hints of sexual tension developing for future books. Really?
But the icing on the cake for me was that Hamilton chose this book to kill off the big scary villain (Mother of Darkness) along with the Harlequin - which are characters she had been developing over 5+ books - within in a span of 3 pages with no battle and no real contest and without Jean Claude. Are you serious? You're going to kill off the big scary vampire mother without your leading vampire ever appearing once in the book? Not even a phone call? That's how bad this book is.
I believe Hamilton has been writing without a real editor or has a clause in her contract regarding freedom over the editing process... this book needed an editor to cut 80% of it and re-write the other 20%. This will be the last book I purchase from Hamilton. I always seem to come back to the series... hoping... hoping Hamilton will return to the writer she once was. But after 5-6 books now it's become apparent she is tired of writing Anita books and is simply writing filler books in order to fulfill her contract obligations. Maybe Hamilton's tired of writing all together.
I'm certainly tired of spending my money on her crap books in hopes that this time she wrote it like she used to write... I guess that is just never going to happen. So is me buying another one of her books.
There are about 30 pages of fresh content in this one... the rest (of an already very small book with wide margins) is repetitive character introductions (if you don't know who the main characters are after 20 books what is the point of reading the series at all?), mindless "I don't understand so Anita needs to explain in excruciating depth instead of letting the author's writing tell the story" ramblings and absolutely no plot development. There is a thread of a story which could have been a very decent one and Anita is back being a Marshal again... but the overall plot is unrealized and completely undeveloped.
Through all this, Hamilton also managed to take Edward, the last character standing that didn't have any form of a sexual relationship with Anita, and left strong hints of sexual tension developing for future books. Really?
But the icing on the cake for me was that Hamilton chose this book to kill off the big scary villain (Mother of Darkness) along with the Harlequin - which are characters she had been developing over 5+ books - within in a span of 3 pages with no battle and no real contest and without Jean Claude. Are you serious? You're going to kill off the big scary vampire mother without your leading vampire ever appearing once in the book? Not even a phone call? That's how bad this book is.
I believe Hamilton has been writing without a real editor or has a clause in her contract regarding freedom over the editing process... this book needed an editor to cut 80% of it and re-write the other 20%. This will be the last book I purchase from Hamilton. I always seem to come back to the series... hoping... hoping Hamilton will return to the writer she once was. But after 5-6 books now it's become apparent she is tired of writing Anita books and is simply writing filler books in order to fulfill her contract obligations. Maybe Hamilton's tired of writing all together.
I'm certainly tired of spending my money on her crap books in hopes that this time she wrote it like she used to write... I guess that is just never going to happen. So is me buying another one of her books.
January 5, 2015
Dear Anita Blake,
How vain is it that after x amount of adventures you still insist that EVERYONE and their mother is either jealous of you or wants to do you? If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then honey it's a duck. Book after book you defend to everyone that you aren't a whore, but in each book you sleep with a virtual stranger for "food". And what's with every man you do boink falling madly in love with you? Do you have magic fairy dust sprinkled in your whoo haa that keeps you "so wet and so tight" after dozens of men all the size of a California redwood running through your panties? If you do, please share your supplier with the rest of us.
Did you know that you really don't have to describe everything in such excruciating detail? If we took the descriptions out you'd be left with a short story. Let us readers use our imagination for some things, especially if you've already painfully described that item at least three times in previous chapters.
ps - Are you a full-time Federal Marshal now or is that the best way to turn EVERY CASE YOU WORK to be a plot to kill you, steal your body, or trick you into saving the world with a blowjob?
Sincerely,
Me
How vain is it that after x amount of adventures you still insist that EVERYONE and their mother is either jealous of you or wants to do you? If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then honey it's a duck. Book after book you defend to everyone that you aren't a whore, but in each book you sleep with a virtual stranger for "food". And what's with every man you do boink falling madly in love with you? Do you have magic fairy dust sprinkled in your whoo haa that keeps you "so wet and so tight" after dozens of men all the size of a California redwood running through your panties? If you do, please share your supplier with the rest of us.
Did you know that you really don't have to describe everything in such excruciating detail? If we took the descriptions out you'd be left with a short story. Let us readers use our imagination for some things, especially if you've already painfully described that item at least three times in previous chapters.
ps - Are you a full-time Federal Marshal now or is that the best way to turn EVERY CASE YOU WORK to be a plot to kill you, steal your body, or trick you into saving the world with a blowjob?
Sincerely,
Me
Read
June 7, 2024Spoilers: Anita and Edward are in Tacoma, WA, hunting the Harlequin—the vampire boogeymen are hunting clanless weretigers, and as the preternatural unit US Marshals, they're trying to work with the human police to catch the killers and keep the humans alive. Anita meets Ethan, the weretiger carrying 4 strains of tiger. Olaf and Bernardo make their appearances again; Olaf and Nicky know each other from the bad days, and when Olaf witnesses Nicky's rolled personality with Anita it scares him. Anita ends up drinking the Mother of All Darkness' essence in a metaphysical vampire feed with Domino and Ethan's help and just like that, the Mother is dead. This book is a fun time, and fun Edward romp, but I'll be honest: it's pretty anticlimactic for the massive tiger plot we spent books honing in on. This one does give us a very cool cliffhanger though... Olaf's now a werelion, and he's going to keep his distance from Anita because he "doesn't want to be her pet cat."
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July 10, 2011
Anita, Anita, Anita...what has happened to the series I loved so dearly? Let me start by saying that I am NOT one of those fans that complained about LKH writing too many 'naughty' scenes in the books! In fact, I loved them!! I also loved how Anita balanced sex w/her multi-partners w/her kick ass ability to solve crimes/hunt monsters. I honestly can't get my thoughts organized enough to write a decent review, but here it goes...
*FEW SPOILERS*
I think this was a 'filler' book. I liked the beginning & how LKH brought back Edward & Olaf (yes, I know he is a killer, but still a likeable one). Then the middle of the book starts to BORE me to TEARS!! I got soooo tired of Anita telling everyone she met 'Yes, I f*ck a lot of men!' Ok, we get it about the first 25 times you have said it. Maybe it was for the benefit of readers that have not followed the series, I don't know...I just know that I felt like I was reading the same pages over and over and over, which caused me to put the book down and start reading something else...now eventualy, towards the last 25% of the book, it gets good!! I'm excited!! My heart is racing, and then I click the next page on my Kindle, and POOF! It's over! WTF!!
*MAJOR SPOILER*
Olaf is postive for lycanthropy!! A female dr is missing!! Anita finally, yes finally, reaches out to JC and the rest of her men!! And after all the books leading up to killing the mother of all darkness, it's over with in the snap of a finger? No earth shattering KABOOM??!! Where was the earth shattering KABOOM??!! ACK!!! And this is why I think this was a 'filler' book. I do believe LKH is going to have an Olaf and Anita showdown...perhaps Anita will sleep w/Olaf and make him her bride or human servent or something...have no idea. Not even sure if I care after this one...
I will say that if are looking for hawt dirty sex that those of us have come to love, IT IS NOT HERE!! In fact, if you blink, you will miss the one and only sex scene in the book, and that was w/a newbie. Yes, she is adding yet another man to her group, and it's not Edward.
If you are new to the Anita Blake series, please do not start w/this one! Please! This was once a wonderful series, and now I feel as if I'm reading chapter book stories w/a bunch of filler pages. I say this will be my last Anita book, but I'm sure I will not be able to pass up purchsing the next.
I did have a few fav passages that I will share...
"Anita, come on, no one would use pitchforks or torches anymore. It'd be flashlights and guns."
"I gave myself to the moment and the man in my arms."
"...whatever I needed to prove to myself, I did it years ago, and your opinion of me doesn't matter."
"Some days it's not about catching the bad guys. Some days it's about helping the good guys feel better. It had taken me a few years to realize that the second part of the job was every bit as important as the first."
*FEW SPOILERS*
I think this was a 'filler' book. I liked the beginning & how LKH brought back Edward & Olaf (yes, I know he is a killer, but still a likeable one). Then the middle of the book starts to BORE me to TEARS!! I got soooo tired of Anita telling everyone she met 'Yes, I f*ck a lot of men!' Ok, we get it about the first 25 times you have said it. Maybe it was for the benefit of readers that have not followed the series, I don't know...I just know that I felt like I was reading the same pages over and over and over, which caused me to put the book down and start reading something else...now eventualy, towards the last 25% of the book, it gets good!! I'm excited!! My heart is racing, and then I click the next page on my Kindle, and POOF! It's over! WTF!!
*MAJOR SPOILER*
Olaf is postive for lycanthropy!! A female dr is missing!! Anita finally, yes finally, reaches out to JC and the rest of her men!! And after all the books leading up to killing the mother of all darkness, it's over with in the snap of a finger? No earth shattering KABOOM??!! Where was the earth shattering KABOOM??!! ACK!!! And this is why I think this was a 'filler' book. I do believe LKH is going to have an Olaf and Anita showdown...perhaps Anita will sleep w/Olaf and make him her bride or human servent or something...have no idea. Not even sure if I care after this one...
I will say that if are looking for hawt dirty sex that those of us have come to love, IT IS NOT HERE!! In fact, if you blink, you will miss the one and only sex scene in the book, and that was w/a newbie. Yes, she is adding yet another man to her group, and it's not Edward.
If you are new to the Anita Blake series, please do not start w/this one! Please! This was once a wonderful series, and now I feel as if I'm reading chapter book stories w/a bunch of filler pages. I say this will be my last Anita book, but I'm sure I will not be able to pass up purchsing the next.
I did have a few fav passages that I will share...
"Anita, come on, no one would use pitchforks or torches anymore. It'd be flashlights and guns."
"I gave myself to the moment and the man in my arms."
"...whatever I needed to prove to myself, I did it years ago, and your opinion of me doesn't matter."
"Some days it's not about catching the bad guys. Some days it's about helping the good guys feel better. It had taken me a few years to realize that the second part of the job was every bit as important as the first."
November 5, 2019
So I had originally rated this book 4 stars back in 2011. Apparently I'm a more picky reader now lol.
Well, we finally got back to good ole police work with this one. And boy was I happy. Don't get me wrong, these books will always be my guilty pleasures but they've been lacking lately and quite ridiculous. The reason I fell in love with these books was the core characters and the crime factor. Anita had a job, a life - and she was good at it until it all became about sex.
This book starts right off with Anita doing her marshal duties, which of course means we get more Edward - which I'm always fine with because he has somehow become the best character in this series. Anyway, Anita and Edward solving murders, I'm here for it. We got a few familiar faces, but I'm still missing my core group. The cast has become so big that I forget a lot of these new people right after I meet them. Anyone that's come in after book 12, yeah forget it, I don't remember you. And that's a problem. These new characters aren't fleshed out. They're just sex bait and it's frustrating because not only are you not allowing your characters to mature and grow (mostly because it seems like you forgot about them), but then you're introducing characters for a hot minute that we're suddenly supposed to care about. Well I don't, so you failed.
Side note: can Anita just grow up and learn to feed herself like an actual adult? The fact that multiple times every book someone has to remind the girl to eat is ridiculous. And not only that, she pouts about it every time. Even though she knows the outcome, apparently this makes her a strong independent female - no, it just makes you stupid. It seems Anita keeps losing brain cells the more sex she has. What I wouldn't give for her to finally own her sexuality and stop whining every book.
Also, Olaf. Why is he still alive? It literally makes no sense. He's creepy and not in a fun way that makes me want to read more about him, no I want him gone. Dead. There's no point to him.
I know it seems like I complained a lot about this one, but mostly they are the same complaints I have about the series recently . But the plot here was better and there was less sex, so yay! Progress. I have also finally reached the point where I originally stopped reading the series so everything after this one will be all new to me. Here's hoping they keep getting better, we get our core group back, Anita grows up, and Olaf dies. I know, it's a lot to wish for but a girl can dream, can't she?
Well, we finally got back to good ole police work with this one. And boy was I happy. Don't get me wrong, these books will always be my guilty pleasures but they've been lacking lately and quite ridiculous. The reason I fell in love with these books was the core characters and the crime factor. Anita had a job, a life - and she was good at it until it all became about sex.
This book starts right off with Anita doing her marshal duties, which of course means we get more Edward - which I'm always fine with because he has somehow become the best character in this series. Anyway, Anita and Edward solving murders, I'm here for it. We got a few familiar faces, but I'm still missing my core group. The cast has become so big that I forget a lot of these new people right after I meet them. Anyone that's come in after book 12, yeah forget it, I don't remember you. And that's a problem. These new characters aren't fleshed out. They're just sex bait and it's frustrating because not only are you not allowing your characters to mature and grow (mostly because it seems like you forgot about them), but then you're introducing characters for a hot minute that we're suddenly supposed to care about. Well I don't, so you failed.
Side note: can Anita just grow up and learn to feed herself like an actual adult? The fact that multiple times every book someone has to remind the girl to eat is ridiculous. And not only that, she pouts about it every time. Even though she knows the outcome, apparently this makes her a strong independent female - no, it just makes you stupid. It seems Anita keeps losing brain cells the more sex she has. What I wouldn't give for her to finally own her sexuality and stop whining every book.
Also, Olaf. Why is he still alive? It literally makes no sense. He's creepy and not in a fun way that makes me want to read more about him, no I want him gone. Dead. There's no point to him.
I know it seems like I complained a lot about this one, but mostly they are the same complaints I have about the series recently . But the plot here was better and there was less sex, so yay! Progress. I have also finally reached the point where I originally stopped reading the series so everything after this one will be all new to me. Here's hoping they keep getting better, we get our core group back, Anita grows up, and Olaf dies. I know, it's a lot to wish for but a girl can dream, can't she?
June 9, 2011
Anita Blake has grown to a fully mature woman, finally!
Hit List brings a confident Anita back to her faithful readers who rolled along with her emotional self- discovery and her seemingly endless sexual hang-ups.
I understood in previous novels we were all watching a character develop as if she was a real human being working through major emotional issues and questioning her own morality. Many people have complained she and her paramours are too whiny, too demanding, too� much and I have always held onto the belief that Laurell K. Hamilton was leading us up to something and I believe that we are seeing the fruits of that labor in “Hit List.�
“Hit List� gives us a confident Anita, finally being secure in her sexual life and her professional life. Edward is back also (I love his character) and it’s a fully fleshed out story line not just Edward thrown in to the story to sell to his fans, we see via “Hit List� how Edward has changed, if only a little, over the years since he was first introduced.
I don’t want to spoil the plot or the characters story for those who have not been able to read it, so I will end with my thoughts that this was one of the best Anita books since “Obsidian Butterfly� and “Narcissus in Chains.�
Thank you Laurell for a wonderful read!
Hit List brings a confident Anita back to her faithful readers who rolled along with her emotional self- discovery and her seemingly endless sexual hang-ups.
I understood in previous novels we were all watching a character develop as if she was a real human being working through major emotional issues and questioning her own morality. Many people have complained she and her paramours are too whiny, too demanding, too� much and I have always held onto the belief that Laurell K. Hamilton was leading us up to something and I believe that we are seeing the fruits of that labor in “Hit List.�
“Hit List� gives us a confident Anita, finally being secure in her sexual life and her professional life. Edward is back also (I love his character) and it’s a fully fleshed out story line not just Edward thrown in to the story to sell to his fans, we see via “Hit List� how Edward has changed, if only a little, over the years since he was first introduced.
I don’t want to spoil the plot or the characters story for those who have not been able to read it, so I will end with my thoughts that this was one of the best Anita books since “Obsidian Butterfly� and “Narcissus in Chains.�
Thank you Laurell for a wonderful read!
September 9, 2011
I don't know why but this book has been keeping me up at night. Actually, I do know why. Because I can't figure out what happened. I feel like I need to reread the series to dissect when everything went horribly wrong. It has been many years so I can't pinpoint the exact book, but I'm sure many readers could spout it off the top of their heads.
I have one theory that has to do with something major happening in the life of the author. It seems as if Anita changed so dramatically and against character. I feel like the author is writing more about herself and less about the character. Now, I realize that all authors put something of themselves into characters, but this seems over the top. For example, Anita's defensiveness about being a women, short, attractive, having lots of boyfriends, etc. Anita was always a bit insecure so I find it hard to believe that she would all of sudden become the type of woman who thinks everybody is envious of her life or judging her for that lifestyle. Everybody changes and all series show the main character evolving or growing, so I expect Anita to change. However, I would expect her personality to remain the same or become more mature as she herself aged. This doesn't seem the case. In fact, I feel the opposite that Anita became stupid and immature.
Several readers express feelings that the series took a turn for the worse when the sex scenes started getting more and more prevalent and graphic. I don't really think this is what put most people off. It was the story line and Anita. She went from being this badass warrior and a bit of a prude (remember her telling Richard she wouldn't sleep with anyone until marriage) to being a nursemaid and a porn star. In this book she wants to go hold hands with the marshall in the hospital whose having a hard time dealing with becoming a shifter instead of catch the bad guys. What?? She treated Jean-Claude like crap for forever and now she wants tons of men to follow her around. Did one of her lovers literally **** her brains out? Maybe she has multiple personality disorder? Or...she really died in Guilty Pleasures and we are going to discover that Anita's heaven is tons of sex with really hot guys while occasionly hunting bad guys?
There are so many questions I have about this series. What I really want to know is why the stories have gotten so boring? I felt like I was missing something about the story. We were dropped in the middle of it and lots of interesting things happened before we got there. I feel like the books used to be much longer and more involved. I don't think I can solve the mystery anytime soon but I will go back and try to find the characters how they used to be. Oh, how I miss The Killing Dance. I really only wanted Anita to be with Jean-Claude any way.
I have one theory that has to do with something major happening in the life of the author. It seems as if Anita changed so dramatically and against character. I feel like the author is writing more about herself and less about the character. Now, I realize that all authors put something of themselves into characters, but this seems over the top. For example, Anita's defensiveness about being a women, short, attractive, having lots of boyfriends, etc. Anita was always a bit insecure so I find it hard to believe that she would all of sudden become the type of woman who thinks everybody is envious of her life or judging her for that lifestyle. Everybody changes and all series show the main character evolving or growing, so I expect Anita to change. However, I would expect her personality to remain the same or become more mature as she herself aged. This doesn't seem the case. In fact, I feel the opposite that Anita became stupid and immature.
Several readers express feelings that the series took a turn for the worse when the sex scenes started getting more and more prevalent and graphic. I don't really think this is what put most people off. It was the story line and Anita. She went from being this badass warrior and a bit of a prude (remember her telling Richard she wouldn't sleep with anyone until marriage) to being a nursemaid and a porn star. In this book she wants to go hold hands with the marshall in the hospital whose having a hard time dealing with becoming a shifter instead of catch the bad guys. What?? She treated Jean-Claude like crap for forever and now she wants tons of men to follow her around. Did one of her lovers literally **** her brains out? Maybe she has multiple personality disorder? Or...she really died in Guilty Pleasures and we are going to discover that Anita's heaven is tons of sex with really hot guys while occasionly hunting bad guys?
There are so many questions I have about this series. What I really want to know is why the stories have gotten so boring? I felt like I was missing something about the story. We were dropped in the middle of it and lots of interesting things happened before we got there. I feel like the books used to be much longer and more involved. I don't think I can solve the mystery anytime soon but I will go back and try to find the characters how they used to be. Oh, how I miss The Killing Dance. I really only wanted Anita to be with Jean-Claude any way.
December 2, 2019
Hit List by Laurell K Hamilton
Is this series nearly over after 20 books or will Ms. Hamilton keep trying to push for more? It seems to me that Ms. Hamilton may be getting somewhat tired of Anita and her Harem and it shows in the writing of this novel. In addition, if Laurell is tired at this point can you imagine just how her longtime fans feel? Luckily, this book is not as horrid as some of her previous attempts at writing action/erotica. It goes a long way in making up for the previous books that have so insulted her fans' intelligence and hopefully Ms. Hamilton may have finally given up on the assumption that we (her long-time fans) will stick with the series no matter how faulty the writing.
One of the biggest problems in this book is that there is a lot of repetition both in dialogue and in character types. Some dialogue and descriptions seem to be reproduced nearly word for word in the space of two chapters. It is as if Ms. Hamilton is too tired to think of anything new to throw at Anita and Crew. Perhaps her beta readers and editor fell down on their jobs. Marshal Raborn seems to be a caricature or a regurgitation of Dolph. Dolph when he was at his worst. Remember the books in which he is angry and takes it out on Anita? I’m tired of these kinds of repetitive ‘macho� men and Anita having to defend herself; as if Ms. Hamilton really needs to remind us that Anita is MORE than just a sex object now. Oh, wait…maybe she does?
One good thing about this book is that the excessive descriptions of long hair are missing since none of her “sweeties� is in it, but we do get descriptions of ‘anime� hair. Also missing are the ramblings of Anita discussing her wardrobe and the ever-popular lengthy dialogues and soliloquies just before she deigns to have sex with anyone. Amazingly, sex takes a backseat to the other goings-on in this book. No sex until halfway through the book!!!
But Anita’s nearly constant need to size herself up against all the other women, to constantly be reminding us of how cute, curvy and large breasted she is, how desirable she is, is taking a major toll on this reader. It’s annoying and makes me wonder just how insecure the author is in her own life.
Now for the ending and my thoughts-------------SPOILERS---------SPOILERS--------SPOILERS
So we have a conclusion to the Mother of All Darkness, but did we have an ending? Is this a true death of Marmee? On the other hand, will this be a red herring? Why did Ms. Hamilton choose to end the “Big Bad� but not the series? I’m annoyed that we’ve gone through twenty books with perhaps ten of them building up to this and then it is such a letdown. Although I do find it interesting that Olof/Otto is now going to be a lion.
Is this series nearly over after 20 books or will Ms. Hamilton keep trying to push for more? It seems to me that Ms. Hamilton may be getting somewhat tired of Anita and her Harem and it shows in the writing of this novel. In addition, if Laurell is tired at this point can you imagine just how her longtime fans feel? Luckily, this book is not as horrid as some of her previous attempts at writing action/erotica. It goes a long way in making up for the previous books that have so insulted her fans' intelligence and hopefully Ms. Hamilton may have finally given up on the assumption that we (her long-time fans) will stick with the series no matter how faulty the writing.
One of the biggest problems in this book is that there is a lot of repetition both in dialogue and in character types. Some dialogue and descriptions seem to be reproduced nearly word for word in the space of two chapters. It is as if Ms. Hamilton is too tired to think of anything new to throw at Anita and Crew. Perhaps her beta readers and editor fell down on their jobs. Marshal Raborn seems to be a caricature or a regurgitation of Dolph. Dolph when he was at his worst. Remember the books in which he is angry and takes it out on Anita? I’m tired of these kinds of repetitive ‘macho� men and Anita having to defend herself; as if Ms. Hamilton really needs to remind us that Anita is MORE than just a sex object now. Oh, wait…maybe she does?
One good thing about this book is that the excessive descriptions of long hair are missing since none of her “sweeties� is in it, but we do get descriptions of ‘anime� hair. Also missing are the ramblings of Anita discussing her wardrobe and the ever-popular lengthy dialogues and soliloquies just before she deigns to have sex with anyone. Amazingly, sex takes a backseat to the other goings-on in this book. No sex until halfway through the book!!!
But Anita’s nearly constant need to size herself up against all the other women, to constantly be reminding us of how cute, curvy and large breasted she is, how desirable she is, is taking a major toll on this reader. It’s annoying and makes me wonder just how insecure the author is in her own life.
Now for the ending and my thoughts-------------SPOILERS---------SPOILERS--------SPOILERS
So we have a conclusion to the Mother of All Darkness, but did we have an ending? Is this a true death of Marmee? On the other hand, will this be a red herring? Why did Ms. Hamilton choose to end the “Big Bad� but not the series? I’m annoyed that we’ve gone through twenty books with perhaps ten of them building up to this and then it is such a letdown. Although I do find it interesting that Olof/Otto is now going to be a lion.
June 13, 2011
"Lately, I didn't have to disassociate to pull the trigger. That probably should have worried me, but it didn't. Olaf worried me. One monster at a time, even if one of them is yourself."
I enjoyed the change in Edward and Anita's relationship. He's finally admitting that he cares for her and wants to keep her safe. Edward's character has been one of my favorites ever since I started this series, so I was glad to see that he played a larger role in this story.
I'm not afraid to admit that I love Olaf and all of his homicidal creepiness. He has an interesting twist at the end and I can't wait to see how it plays out in future stories.
I loved the action but I still didn't feel like it was enough. The ending felt too rushed especially since what occured was something that has been building up for a long time now.
There were only two significant problems that I had with this story. The first was that Anita's thoughts and responses have become entirely too predictable. I knew what she would say or what her thoughts would be to most situations before I read them. I can't decide if it's a lack of creativity in the writing or if it's because we know her so well after reading 20 of her books. Even so, it has a tendency to make most conversations rather dull.
I also had a problem with characters constantly asking "What?" or "What does that mean?" in nearly every conversation. I suppose that's the author's way of feeding information to the reader, but it wasn't always necessary. Sometimes they were asking "What does that mean?" even when Anita's meaning seemed obvious. I've also noticed this happens a lot in her Meredith Gentry series as well.
Overall I enjoyed it but I couldn't help but wonder what Jean-Claude, Nathaniel, and Micah were up to back at home. I suppose I will just have to keep wondering because I'm sure it will be a long, long wait before we find out.
I enjoyed the change in Edward and Anita's relationship. He's finally admitting that he cares for her and wants to keep her safe. Edward's character has been one of my favorites ever since I started this series, so I was glad to see that he played a larger role in this story.
I'm not afraid to admit that I love Olaf and all of his homicidal creepiness. He has an interesting twist at the end and I can't wait to see how it plays out in future stories.
I loved the action but I still didn't feel like it was enough. The ending felt too rushed especially since what occured was something that has been building up for a long time now.
There were only two significant problems that I had with this story. The first was that Anita's thoughts and responses have become entirely too predictable. I knew what she would say or what her thoughts would be to most situations before I read them. I can't decide if it's a lack of creativity in the writing or if it's because we know her so well after reading 20 of her books. Even so, it has a tendency to make most conversations rather dull.
I also had a problem with characters constantly asking "What?" or "What does that mean?" in nearly every conversation. I suppose that's the author's way of feeding information to the reader, but it wasn't always necessary. Sometimes they were asking "What does that mean?" even when Anita's meaning seemed obvious. I've also noticed this happens a lot in her Meredith Gentry series as well.
Overall I enjoyed it but I couldn't help but wonder what Jean-Claude, Nathaniel, and Micah were up to back at home. I suppose I will just have to keep wondering because I'm sure it will be a long, long wait before we find out.
July 16, 2015
Started out good. Ted and Anita about to kick some un-dead ass. All was great. Anita started projecting what might happen: Yeah, I don't want the new girl to get hurt. The new girl is too new and is gonna get hurt. What happens? Wait for it--------NEW GIRL GETS HURT!
Secondly, Ted. Ted, Ted, Ted. He used to despise what Anita was becoming, but is now having meaningful conversations with her about how she should go get sexed so she can get stronger. And he's getting all emotional. Fail.
I am so over her inner animals that are ready to break out of her body like the Aliens movie. Do it so this chick will shuttthefuckup already. How many mutha-cluckers do you have to freak before it becomes inexcusable.
Anita is now the definition of a prostitute. She gives her body (sex) to collect the necessary animals or whatnot to keep herself and the triumvirate powerful (benefit). The whole click must give up the dick and contribute when needed.
I am still hoping that Asher finds his way as Hamilton has made him into a whiny-baby-bitch.
The men seem to be a bunch of bitch-asses bowing down to Anita. I'm all for female power, but this is ridic.
Why am I still reading then, you ask. My answer: Hope. Hope for that one moment Jean-Claude gets what he wants. Hope that I'll get a story that is mostly un-sexual. Hope that Anita sets her minions free to live their lives. Hope for a traditional LK read.
I will never buy another one of her books unless she reverts to her origins though.
Secondly, Ted. Ted, Ted, Ted. He used to despise what Anita was becoming, but is now having meaningful conversations with her about how she should go get sexed so she can get stronger. And he's getting all emotional. Fail.
I am so over her inner animals that are ready to break out of her body like the Aliens movie. Do it so this chick will shuttthefuckup already. How many mutha-cluckers do you have to freak before it becomes inexcusable.
Anita is now the definition of a prostitute. She gives her body (sex) to collect the necessary animals or whatnot to keep herself and the triumvirate powerful (benefit). The whole click must give up the dick and contribute when needed.
I am still hoping that Asher finds his way as Hamilton has made him into a whiny-baby-bitch.
The men seem to be a bunch of bitch-asses bowing down to Anita. I'm all for female power, but this is ridic.
Why am I still reading then, you ask. My answer: Hope. Hope for that one moment Jean-Claude gets what he wants. Hope that I'll get a story that is mostly un-sexual. Hope that Anita sets her minions free to live their lives. Hope for a traditional LK read.
I will never buy another one of her books unless she reverts to her origins though.
June 15, 2011
SO SO SO SO Much better than the last few books! I felt like the old Anita we had loved in the beginning was starting to peek her head out a little in this new book.
I received this book yesterday in the mail and just couldn't wait to read it so two other books got put on hold so I could have time to speed through it. I've already finished it though and I'm dying for more.
This book brought Anita back in the field doing her work the fact that it also happened to revolve around the Harlequin as being the serial killers she was after was a plus. Though I did feel a little cheated because The Harlequin were suppose to be the big bad or the vampire world and it just seemed that she defeated them too quick and with not quite enough explanation. There could have been another 50- 75 pages in the quick explanation of the last chapter but oh well I still loved the ending.
Some of the book bordered on redundant and seemed to be fillers. However with the ending she left us with and Anita going back to work I think I was happy to read a little filler. The 5 million dollar question will be "Can Miss Hamilton Keep It Up And Make Anita Back Into The Woman We All Loved To Read." I think we all know what the back drop for the next story will be and who she will be hunting so can she keep her hands to herself and love the men she's accumulated or will she continue her slutty ways?
I received this book yesterday in the mail and just couldn't wait to read it so two other books got put on hold so I could have time to speed through it. I've already finished it though and I'm dying for more.
This book brought Anita back in the field doing her work the fact that it also happened to revolve around the Harlequin as being the serial killers she was after was a plus. Though I did feel a little cheated because The Harlequin were suppose to be the big bad or the vampire world and it just seemed that she defeated them too quick and with not quite enough explanation. There could have been another 50- 75 pages in the quick explanation of the last chapter but oh well I still loved the ending.
Some of the book bordered on redundant and seemed to be fillers. However with the ending she left us with and Anita going back to work I think I was happy to read a little filler. The 5 million dollar question will be "Can Miss Hamilton Keep It Up And Make Anita Back Into The Woman We All Loved To Read." I think we all know what the back drop for the next story will be and who she will be hunting so can she keep her hands to herself and love the men she's accumulated or will she continue her slutty ways?
July 8, 2014
So, this is the strongest Anita Blake book since Obsidian, easy.
-AMAZING action.
-One sex scene, which was actually good. Unlike most of them.
-Cutting back on the men.
. . . And, we finally get to see some bodyguards, you know, guard Anita. LOVE IT. Ugh. I'm not going to spoil it and say who shows up, but it was perfection.
Also, many things were tied up this book, we even get to hear about how other folks are doing back home and abroad. Two books ago, I thought Anita was dead in the water. But boy, was I wrong. If the series died along the way, it just came back as a m**king Master Vampire book. If we had to go through all that crap just to get this book, I'd say it was pretty much worth it. YES. I was worried Edward was going to be all soft and pansy, same with Nicky, and Olaf, but this book proves that LKH is NOT heading that direction.
PLUS less repetitive sentences, and focus on clothing/appearance!!!
To be fair, though, this book is really a 4. But I loved it so much, it made me squee, so I gave it five simply for the enjoyment factor.
-AMAZING action.
-One sex scene, which was actually good. Unlike most of them.
-Cutting back on the men.
. . . And, we finally get to see some bodyguards, you know, guard Anita. LOVE IT. Ugh. I'm not going to spoil it and say who shows up, but it was perfection.
Also, many things were tied up this book, we even get to hear about how other folks are doing back home and abroad. Two books ago, I thought Anita was dead in the water. But boy, was I wrong. If the series died along the way, it just came back as a m**king Master Vampire book. If we had to go through all that crap just to get this book, I'd say it was pretty much worth it. YES. I was worried Edward was going to be all soft and pansy, same with Nicky, and Olaf, but this book proves that LKH is NOT heading that direction.
PLUS less repetitive sentences, and focus on clothing/appearance!!!
To be fair, though, this book is really a 4. But I loved it so much, it made me squee, so I gave it five simply for the enjoyment factor.
March 14, 2012
Bu yorum aynı zamanda Romancekolikte yayınlanmıştır.
English Review;
Yay! finally wait is over and I read twelve book in the series. Yeah I finished but I want to read more and this is not possible :( I kind of miss Anita in charge. This book contain much of that. Anita little bit sore of her lost of Haven and in the few scene feeling over come her and make me sad again about the things what happened in the Bullet.
I was loved Haven but Anita underestimate him and almost Haven kill her most beloved. And with that reason I couldn't forgive her. Anyway new man come in her harem. I like him, his name is Ethan and he can form 4 different type of tiger.
Yeah Ethan is cool and quite because he keep away with his pack they didn't even touch him because he is not poor tiger. And he feels lonely for some a time but Anita took away that feeling and make him happy first time in a two year. But he is a little jealousy issue, for in time that will less I think.
Edward all around the book at least 3/4. But in this book Edward different then the other books. He over protective against to Anita and love her than the shows everyone feeling toward her. And I love him - not a fanatic - but like Anita's he creep me out! He can act 2 different role and switch between these in the instant! I really will never get used to such a thing.
This books contains one and long sex sciences. And in the sciences Anita sex with Ethan.
J.C and the rest of Harem in the St. Lois go on their life. But in the final scene J.C show up Anita's mind and says "Ma petite" yeah I felt relief :D However I doesn't like J.C's preferences but I do like him he is the my first love in the series.
And Olaf get hurt by werelion and infected. He will turn a werelion next month but don't worry he will never come after Anita at least he says so.
Well finally Mothers of All Darkness dead ! Yes truelly dead! Anita and metaphysical bond with her took energy for Mother of All Darkness. But questions wandering my mind.
What happening in the after? Who will be the next enemy? etc. etc.
Türkçe Yorum;
Kitabı çok beğendim diğer anita hikayelerine göre daha az seksüel sahneler daha çok iş başında olan Anitayı gördük. Bence bu güzel bir değişiklik oldu. Yanılmıyorsam en son 16. kitapta böyle bir uğraş içindeydi :) Evet bu kitapta haremine yeni bir tane daha eleman katmayı becerdi.
Bu seferkinin adı Ethan. 4 farklı tip kaplana dönüşebilme özelliğine sahip. Kızıl kaplanlar için korumalık yapan biriydi ama safkan değil diye çocuğu çok horlamış dışlamışlar elemana dokunmuyorlarmış saf kan değil diye o derece ! Anitada 2 yıllık hasreti sona erdirdi adama şefkat gösterdi hoştu o sahneler anitadanda bunu beklerdim. Elemanın biraz kıskançlık sorunu var gibi gibi gerçi 2 yıl sonradan sonra onu sevecek bir kadın bulup kıskanmamak elde değil hak veririm.
Onun dışında Edward kitabın her yerinde ama bu seferki daha değişik. Anitaya karşı çok fazla korumacı ve gösterdiğinden daha fazla seviyor onu. Harlequinler anitayı kaçırmaya çalıştıklarını anladıkların itibaren destek çağırıyorlar ve böyle Bernardo ve Olaf hikayeye dahil oluyor. Evet koca adam gene problem çıkarıyor ama azıcık.
Fare adamlar, Nicky ve Domino dışında diğer tanıdıklarımız yoklar bu kitapta. Yani bi J.C, Rich, Micah ve Nathaniel'i göremiyoruz. Çünkü anita başka şehirde avda. Ama kitabın sonunda J.C bir ma petite dedi de içim rahat etmedi değil :D
Ve sonunda Karanlıkların Annesi nalları dikti cidden bak bu sefer ruhunu parçalama filan zımbırtısınıda beceremedi oh oldu ona :D Anita ve metafiziksel olarak ona bağlananlar enerjisini her bir haltını emdiler :D Ama bu onları kötü mü yaptı umarım ki yapmamıştır. Anlayacağınız son sahneler bol aksiyonlu. Eğer hala okumadıysanız ve bu yorumu okuyorsanız durmayın derim ;)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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