Sunshine by Robin McKinley

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This book was recommended to me on my annual shopping trip treat to the Bakka-Phoenix bookstore in Toronto. At least once a year, usually on or around my birthday, I head down and go on a book binge. This year was no different, but I elicited some help from one of the owners of the store in my quest for something interesting to try. She suggested (among others) that I try this one.

Good suggestion.

This is a very dreamy kind of book, almost like a mythical fairy tale but without the romanticizing that you see and read so much of these days when it comes to vampires and other creatures that haunt the night. It has similarities to Charles de Lindt's works in that the main character lives in the real world. It's just that the real world includes vampires. Who, by the way, are as a general rule Not Nice.

The main character, Sunshine, is a talented baker who lives a mundane life that revolves around the cafe in which she works. Her step-father owns it, her mother and boyfriend work there, and her younger step-brothers can usually be found underfoot. One day (it always happens that way, one day) she takes a trip to the lake and ends up a prisoner of some very Not Nice vampires. Another vampire is being imprisoned there as well. What happens as a result of this sequence of events lays the groundwork for this story.

The style has a flavour of Patricia McKillip's magical whimsy -- you can tell that McKinley has written predominantly for the Young Adult and Child markets for fantasy. Reading it is like moving through an extended dream, one of those from which you are loathe to awake because you're just so drawn into the story. It took me a few days to read it because I was savouring.

If you're looking for hard, dark, edgy urban fantasy then you probably won't have the patience for this book. But if you're in the mood to try something a little off the beaten fantasy path, give Sunshine a chance.

Even better, you could drop by Amazon.ca to buy it online. :)

Currently Reading: Widdershins by Charles de Lint

Finally … a book worth reading.

I’m currently meandering through a novel that’s like breathing in clean air in the middle of a field while lying on your back in the grass and staring up at a blue sky with wispy clouds floating by. Sheer pleasure after the last few books I’ve read – and been disappointed by.

Charles de Lint, with his 2007 release called Widdershins, is the book I needed right now. Hits the spot and reminds of how I felt when I picked up my first de Lint book at a second-hand bookstore in Haifa (Israel) while traveling … more years ago than I care to remember!

Am about 150 pages into it so far. Will let you know how it turns out when I’m done.

Street Magic: A Black London Novel by Caitlin Kittredge
Published June 2, 2009 by St. Martin's Press
My Rating: @.5

Disappointing. And such a shame.

As you may have noticed from reading elsewhere on this blog, I've become a fan of Caitlin Kittredge. Her Luna Wilder series really sucked me in.

Unfortunately, Street Magic: A Black London Novel -- the first in a new series by the same author -- did not.

First off, it's implausible -- which is a strange thing to notice in an urban fantasy novel. Magic = implausible. Duh! But in this case, the weak points connecting everything together in this novel really was ... improbable and incongruent.

The main character's accent is the first thing to hit you. Kittredge is American, and she credits someone in the opening with helping her with a proper accent and slang in this book. Unfortunately, the author's lack of native familiarity with the dialect she is trying to use in the story shows -- the conversation seems stilted, without the kind of undercurrent of passion that came through in her other books (written, notably, in "American" English).

The next thing that bothered me was the lead character's working arrangement. She is on the police force and is tracking down who (or what) is taking children. Ok, so far so good. But when she hooks up with a person from her past, Jack, she essentially vanishes from the office while investigating the case. Injures herself. Ends up on desk duty. But ... um ... I don't know of any job out there where you can vanish for days on end, not really check in with your manager, and still have a job to come back to. And yet? She has a job to come back to, and it seems as though no hard questions were asked. It's just too easy.

There seems to be an underlying hint that there is or will be some romantic tension between Pete Caldecott, the lead character, and the mage from her past, Jack. But again, the interactions between these two somehow manage to be both superficial and attemptedly complex at the same time.

Even the cover art. Jack, the mage, is an emaciated junkie when Pete first tracks him down (no pun intended!). The picture on the cover? A very buff guy who is far from the barely skeletal form Kittredge describes in her pages.

Will I buy the next book in the series? Maybe. Depends on how desperate I am for something new to read at the time. Realistically? I'll probably hold out for the next book in the Luna Wilder series instead.

Still want to buy this book? Then please consider dropping by Amazon.ca for it.

Magic Bites, by Ilona Andrews

Published March 27, 2007 by Ace

My Rating: @@

Finished Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews a few days back.

As I was reading it, I was ready to slam this book. It was disjointed, the lead character – a female mercenary with understated/underplayed magical abilities – felt like a two-dimensional stereotype, and there was little passion between her and any of the male leads (or sidelines) in the story. In fact, I was cranky that I was spending time reading it at all given that I’d had the book in my “read me” pile for over a year and only cracked into it because I misplaced my newer, more highly desired reads somehow.

Then, somewhere around the 200 page mark, I finally got into the book.

The lead character, Kate Daniels, is a woman whose guardian was killed by who knows what. Something magical, something somewhat shiftery-slash-undead. Corpulent entrails and other corpseriffic carnage ensues. Supported (in theory, anyway) by a secret society of Guardians, she investigates the death and what the real story is – the one which her now-deceased guardian was investigating at the time of his violent ending.

In her quest for answers, she encounters a morgue doctor named Crest as well as important vampire political players and of course Curran, the Lord of the Beasts (a shifter).

I had a hard time getting invested in any of these characters. The story wasn’t dull to the point where I gave up on the book altogether, and it definitely wasn’t vapid, but it also wasn’t as well written as I would have expected from a book that actually not only made it to publication but also garnered enough support to spawn two more installments in the series.

Digging further into this book, I came across a note on one of the online bookseller sites which explained a lot of the stiltedness – at least up to page 200 or so. Turns out that “Ilona Andrews” is actually a pseudonym for a husband and wife writing team. My guess: they were working out the kinks of their writing partnership with this book.

If you feel compelled to own it for yourself, you can pick up Magic Bites on Amazon.ca.

Personally – I’d borrow it from the library or a friend instead.

Catching Up:
Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand + Kitty Raises Hell, by Carrie Vaughn
My rating: @@@

Apologies. Really should have written my wrap-up review as soon as I finished reading Kitty Raises Hell, if not Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand. So this may be a little thinner than usual ...

Here is what I can tell you. Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand and Kitty Raises Hell are pretty much parts 1 and 2 of a story. I suspect this is why they were released so close together (February then March 2009). Both are quick and easy reads.

Carrie Vaughn's "Kitty" series books are not deep, but they're nowhere near the vapid fluff-level silliness of that Succubus in the City story I reviewed a few posts back. I'd call them more of an escapist light adventure for people with brains. She introduces a few new characters set against the backdrop of the surrealist Las Vegas strip. Throw in an attempted wedding, a gun show, a really old vampire and some politics and you have the storyline of these two books together.

I definitely did enjoy them. Will I remember the detail enough to be able to tell you what happened a year from now? Probably not.

But on a positive note, at least I'll be able to read them again if I'm so inclined!

Pick up Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand at Amazon.ca

Pick up Kitty Raises Hell at Amazon.ca

Currently Reading:
Kitty and Ben hit Vegas for their honeymoon. Kitty does a live TV show from there, and the couple are staying in the same hotel as a gun convention with many werewolf hunters in attendance. I’m about a third of the way through and so far so good. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Book Review: Second Skin by Caitlin Kittredge

My rating: @@@

Finished Second Skin over the weekend. Finally.

I'm now invested in this series, so I was into it and relished the path. That being said, though, I'm noticing that in these kinds of genre series it's difficult to maintain the romantic/sexual tension of a relationship past the first or second book. Spoiler (highlight to read): Luna and Dmitri break up.

It's kind of like The Jewel of the Nile [Blu-ray], sequel to the hit movie Romancing the Stone [Blu-ray]. Episode one (Romancing the Stone): female and male meet under adventurous circumstances. She can save herself, but he is good to have around for backup ... and other things. Episode two (Jewel of the Nile): what happens after happily ever after? Those qualities which were so great in a danger situation can become problematic when these same people are dealing with the day to day mundanalities of life.

Luna and Dmitri are like that in this book. I suspect that the author couldn't take the angsty will-they-won't-they storyline any further and opted to cut her creative losses and move in another direction.

Luna's stubborn refusal to let other people in also felt like it went to a new level in this book but not in a good way. Think Anita Blake after about book 5 or 6 in the series. Still a likeable character with flaws, but her behaviour was extreme in a way sometimes that made her harder to relate to than in the previous books.

But I still enjoyed the book. And will buy the next one as soon as it comes out if I can. If you enjoyed the first two books in this series, I would recommend this one for your collection as well.

Buy Second Skin on Amazon.ca

Book Review: White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison

My rating: @@@

White Witch, Black Curse is the latest release out in the Rachel Morgan series by Kim Harrison.  I just finished it over the weekend. 

If you’re already into the series, you’ll want to read it – like me – to see what happens next to some of your favourite characters.  Let me save you some of the suspense.  Rachel’s actions get her into further trouble. 

Best: Kisten’s murderer is revealed and that part of Rachel’s history is wrapped up.  It’s an emotional moment.  Worst: Rachel continues to do things which isolate her from the community around her and get her involved in things she probably shouldn’t get involved with.

Kim Harrison always spins a good tale.  I wasn’t bored.  But neither was I compelled to pick up the book and read it through in one sitting.  Maybe it was the book and maybe it was my headspace last week, but I suspect it was the book more than anything else.  IMO, Ms. Harrison is starting to lose the energy of the story line – something that often happens after the third or fourth book in a series.  Ivy is less compelling.  Jenks is dealing with the worsening health of his partner Matalina.  Rachel faces some mild sibling disapproval issues and the reality of her mother finally moving on – both emotionally and physically – after many years of mourning.  Al pops up and is entertaining.  There’s a banshee sub-plot that creates some tension.  And once again, Rachel makes some weird and vague emotional decisions when it comes to her love life – such as it is.

I’m really not sure where Harrison can or will go from here with these characters.  As far as I can tell, the next book will involve Rachel getting involved with a former ghost/witch/runner (sigh) and Jenks will probably have to lay the mother of his offspring to rest.  Ivy will do what Ivy does.  Maybe there will be more fun with Trent who was relatively absent from this book.  

I’m glad I read it because I’m already invested in these characters.  And it was well written.  It just didn’t grab me the way the earlier books in this series did.  Jenks’ insights rang a little hollow, and the consistent evidence of Rachel’s bad choices when it comes to her non-business relationships just kept being reinforced in a far too obvious way.

Sure, I’ll pick up the next book.  But maybe I’ll wait a bit longer after it comes out to get it … and maybe, just maybe, I’ll wait for the paperback edition.

Long weekends rock. Finished re-reading Caitlin Kittredge's "Night Life" on Saturday. Before I completely forget all of the details (a distinct possibility, given that I re-read Kittredge's "Pure Blood" yesterday), it's time to write this review already.

* * * *
Book Review: Night Life by Caitlin Kittredge

My rating: @ @ @ @

Melancholy. Loner. The struggle to define self. Duality of nature – particularly highlighted when you’re dealing with a werewolf, a female, and an “insole” (packless) were at that … who is also a police detective.

Luna Wilder is a strong-minded female heroine (what can I say, my favourite kind!) whose strength lies in both her character and in her physique. She can think on her feet AND take care of herself. Most of the time. Although she does tend to get herself into trouble (managing the whole act first and think later trait can be a bit of a challenge for her), Luna is fortunate enough to pull other strong people into her life who can help.

One of these people is Redback pack were leader Dmitri Sandovski. Yep, there is chemistry. Bad boy. But – of course – good for her. Sure, it’s a cliché but hey, when it’s as well-written as this, it’s a cliché to enjoy … again and again.

Luna is far from perfect. But it is those imperfections and underlying vulnerabilities – however much she tries not to show it – that make her that much more interesting as a main character.

The plot: mystery with a dash of the dark-and-dangerous (but of course not to you) male. Magic, blood and mayhem ensue.

It’s a fairly graphic murder mystery, so if you’re looking for swashbuckling fluff with polka dots and unicorns, this isn’t the book for you.

But if you’re looking for a book to get lost in for a few hundred pages, or a new urban fantasy heroine (and/or author) to follow, I highly recommend this book.

I’ve read it twice now, and I’m sure I’ll pick it up again.

Apparently I don't have a lot of time to read these days. Or, more to the point, read anything that isn't in magazine format and therefore bite-sized and bathroom-friendly.

Which doesn't mean that I don't have a shopping list. I do. I'm not sure when I'll get to pick them up, but I will. And hey, if you get to them before me, please drop back here and let me know what you think!

Books In Stores Now:

Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand by Carrie Vaughn
Next book in the Vaughan's series about Kitty the werewolf. There is another one coming out in a couple of months, so I might just wait to pick them both up at the same time.

Outcast Season Book One Undone by Rachel Caine
This is the same author that contributed the Weather Warden series to my collection. I don't love all of her series - example: Morganville Vampires (the kind of heroine you want to shake) - but I'm willing to try this one out and see how I like it. Especially since I don't see another Weather Warden installment on the horizon any time soon.

Living with the Dead by Kelley Armstrong
One of my favourite authors. Bitten is still one of my top 10 books on the I'm-out-of-new-books-what-can-I-read-now? list. Because of that, I want it. Will I get it in hardcover or wait until the paperback comes out? That I can't say - depends how desperate I get for something to read once I'm done with everything else. But whether it's the hardcover version (available now) or the paperback version (probably out in about a year), I'm sure I'll get it.

Men of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong
I'm torn about this one. She is a great author. But much of this material was previously published online as a novella (although it's not up there anymore), and I read it back then. I might buy it anyway to support her, but ... maybe not right away. Sorry Kelley.

Books Out Soon:

White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison (due out February 13, 2009 on Indigo.ca and February 24, 2009 on Amazon.ca)
Well here is a surprise. I want the next book out in my favourite series, and I'm willing to buy it in hardcover to avoid having to wait. And it's being released at the end of the week -- woo hoo!!

Made to Be Brokenby Kelley Armstrong (due out February 24, 2009)
Finally! The next installment in the Exit Strategy series. I'm thinking I might need to re-read the first book in this as well in preparation. Always feel like I'm missing out on something when there is a lag of about a year between author releases. This series diverges from her Otherworld series, but I like it.

Kitty Raises Hell by Carrie Vaughn (due out March 1, 2009)
Clearly, there is a list of pre-orders in my immediate future. Follows on the last Kitty the werewolf book, above. This girl just doesn't catch a break ... but it does make for interesting reading!

Second Skin by Caitlin Kittredge (due out March 3, 2009)
The next book in the Luna Wilder, police detective/werewolf mystery series. Can't wait. I think I'll re-read the entire series in preparation for this next installment.

Dead And Gone
Charlaine Harris (due out May 5, 2009)
I'm almost afraid to include this on my list. The last few books in this series have been hit and miss. Plus I'm still cranky about the tv series True Blood. Does that mean I won't buy this latest book in the Sookie Stackhouse series? Probably not. Might I wait until it's out in paperback? I might well do that.

Speak of the Devil by Jenna Black (due out July 28, 2009)
Argh! I have to wait until the summer for the next installment in this series! No fair. Also no plotline spoilers out for it yet. Sigh. Patience patience ...

I love vacations, especially extended ones involving leaving town and/or enjoying good weather. Among other things, it allows me to read. A lot.

This year I discovered two new authors and series which I highly recommend and plan to continue following as new books come out: Jenna Black's "Devil" series (The Devil Inside, The Devil You Know, The Devil's Due), and Caitlin Kittredge's werewolf series (Night Life, Pure Blood).

More detailed reviews to follow ...

I should have known better.  With a title like “Succubus in the City”, and a fluffy description on the back, the female demographic was clearly the target market assigned to this book.

I had just finished the latest Charlaine Harris mystery in the “cold grave” series and was looking for something a little lighter.  It was clear from the start that this was chick-lit.  But still … come on, not all females are morons!

The concept is this.  A succubus named Lily, living in New York City and surrounded by three of her closest gal pals with input from her beloved boss Satan (who of course goes by the more casual name “Martha” to her friends), is really just looking for love and a deeper meaning to her male-female relationships than the one night stands she engages in.  Sure, she loves her work – ridding the world of idiot, loser males who would only cause other women emotional pain and be selfish lovers is a cause she can get behind.  But then she meets Nathan and she starts to question it all.  Could there be more to relationships?  Could this be the guy who triggers her escape clause with Satan and allows her to give it all up, accepting her for who she is?

Throw in a shadowy group of fervent believers who are trying to destroy her and her friends, a sub-plot between one of her close demon friends and a cute demon doorman, and you’ve pretty much got the plot right there.

It’s not badly written.  It’s not entirely inane.  But if you’re looking for a meaty story that makes you think in any way beyond looking for fashion in a city on designer steroids and hot spots, or maybe the pleasures of expensive haute cuisine which can be ingested without added pounds and therefore guilt, this is not the book for you.

The ending was clichéd.  In case you’re actually still interested in reading it, I won’t spoil it for you but whatever you suspect it would be in the most unimaginative of plot lines … well, it’s probably that.  No resolution to the plot, and a transparent attempt to get you to buy the next book in what will likely be a series to find out what happens.  If you really care.

It’s clear that this book was sparked by the success of Candace Bushnell’s Sex in the City.  But instead of covering new ground, instead it rehashes the same old tired concepts – don’t threaten a guy’s ego, always play games, and if you ever think of NOT playing games you’ll probably be sorry.

If you’re really bored, by all means pick up this book from the library or borrow it from a friend.  You’re welcome to my copy of you like.  Just let me know.

Still interested?  It’s available through Amazon.ca and if you really really want it, feel free to order it online here.  Shameless plug: I’m experimenting with the concept of being an Amazon.ca reseller, so I’ll make a few cents to put towards buying new books if you click through from here.

But don’t feel like you have to. ;-)

My Rating: @@

I know ... I keep posting about True Blood lately. Partly it's because I haven't been able to concentrate on reading a book in a while, and partly because the show is both slightly addictive and really annoying. It swings.

This past weekend's episode (#8?) was annoying. The spraying blood and the subsequent slaying of Longshadow was ok. But what's up with this Jason-Joy-Nerdy/Gay Vampire storyline? And the gooey Oh-Jason-I'm-So-In-Love-With-You business? I mean, sure, in the books Jason has a way with the female portion of the population but come ON! And kidnapping a vampire? Having sex in front of him while he moaned in agony? Give me a freakin' break.

Tell me Charlaine Harris isn't cringing as she watches. Her writing does not go down such cliched, groan-worthy paths. It's a lot more subtle with a healthy dose of irony. I really miss her light touch in this series.

Sure, I'm happy that one of my favourite series is being brought to life (or unlife - LOL) every week. And I hope its popularity helps Ms. Harris out financially -- she deserves it IMO.

But I prefer the books. You know -- the place where Sookie isn't a saucy whiner, where Eric's quips make you laugh, and where Jason is a highly-sexed idiot ... but not THIS much of an idiot.

Ok. 'Nuff said, for now.

And now it's time to start watching the US election results come in ...

For those of you completely sucked into True Blood, I'm going to make another suggestion for you: try the earlier books in the Anita Blake series by Laurell K. Hamilton.

I came across these books in a fairly dark period in my life -- I had just buried two close relatives in two weeks, and I needed some serious escapist fiction. Started out of order with Narcissus In Chains, then went back to the store and got as many other books in the series as I could find. Guilty Pleasures is the first one -- a little uneven, but it's where the story starts. IMO, the books improved from there and continued to be decent reading material until Ms. Hamilton started writing her Merry Gentry series -- a series I absolutely can't stand.

Warning: these books are not for the faint of heart or those who can't stand graphic violence and/or content of an explicitly sexual nature.

For all things Laurell K. Hamilton related, there is a site with regular updates here including a link to the author's blog.

Book #1: Guilty Pleasures

From the Publisher

My name is Anita Blake. Vampires call me The Executioner. What I call them isn't repeatable.

Ever since the Supreme Court granted the undead equal rights, most people think vampires are just ordinary folks with fangs. I know better. I've seen their victims. I carry the scars...

But now a serial killer is murdering vampires -- and the most powerful bloodsucker in town wants me to find the killer...

Guilty Pleasures is available at Amazon.ca.

Book #2: Laughing Corpse

From Amazon.com
Harold Gaynor offers Anita Blake a million dollars to raise a 300-year-old zombie. Knowing it means a human sacrifice will be necessary, Anita turns him down. But when dead bodies start turning up, she realizes that someone else has raised Harold's zombie--and that the zombie is a killer. Anita pits her power against the zombie and the voodoo priestess who controls it. Notice to Hollywood: forget Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Anita Blake is the real thing. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

The Laughing Corpse is available from Amazon.ca

Book #3: Circus Of The Damned

From Amazon.com
The third novel of Hamilton's Anita Blake series has the petite necromancer fighting a giant cobra and a rogue vampire, Alejandro, who wants her for his human servant. Anita is still resisting the advances of Jean-Claude, St. Louis's master vampire, but she does need him on her side, if not in her bed. Anita's reluctant involvement in the odd goings-on at the supernatural Circus of the Damned introduces her to Richard, the werewolf of her dreams, and Larry, her powerful but nervous partner in zombie-raising.

Mystery fans will love the tightly plotted, Paretsky-esque action, and horror fans will love just about everything in this unusual series. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Circus Of The Damned is available for purchase at Amazon.ca

Book #4: The Lunatic Cafe

From Amazon.com
The zombie-raising business gets slow in December, so Anita Blake is starting to see some oddball cases. She's got a neatly typed list of eight missing lycanthropes given to her by Marcus, the leader of the local werewolf pack, who wants her to find them. The trouble is, Anita's occasionally furry boyfriend Richard is locked in a power struggle with Marcus. Jean-Claude, master vampire of the city and Anita's other love interest, is getting jealous as well. To top it off, Anita has to solve some horrific murders and keep her bounty-hunting friend Edward from killing Richard and Jean-Claude. Hamilton alternates between funny and fearsome in this larky series about a monster hunter with a few dark secrets. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Lunatic Cafe is available at Amazon.ca

Book #5: Bloody Bones

From Amazon.com
When Anita Blake's boss at Animators, Inc., informs her that she's expected to raise 300-year-old zombies from a field of jumbled bones just to settle a land dispute, she's understandably annoyed. But as soon as she arrives in Branson, Missouri, to do the deed, the job gets more interesting. A psychotic sword-wielding vampire starts committing multiple murders in the area, and Anita must call on Jean-Claude, her powerful fanged suitor, for help. As always, Anita prevails over the undead, keeping Jean-Claude at arm's length, clearing the cemetery land of an ancient enchantment, and nailing the vampiric killer in one fell swoop. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Bloody Bones is available from Amazon.ca

Book #6: The Killing Dance

From Amazon.com
Anita Blake, vampire hunter, is now herself a hunted woman. Who put the $500,000 price on her head--a man or a monster? It's not just her own skin she needs to save; the rivalry between her werewolf boyfriend, Richard, and Marcus, the other alpha werewolf in his pack, has come to full boil. And there's always Jean-Claude, the vampire who's been waiting for just the right moment to slip inside Anita's head and heart. Don't assume anything, though--Hamilton's probably got a few more surprises in store. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

The Killing Dance is available from Amazon.ca

Book #7: Burnt Offerings

From Amazon.com
Burnt Offerings is the seventh in Laurell K. Hamilton's genre-straddling Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series. Anita carries a gun and an attitude: "Questions are great, but only if you know the answers. If you ask questions and the answers surprise you, you look silly. Hard to be threatening when you look ill-informed."

As Burnt Offerings unfolds, Anita agrees to help track down a possible psychic firestarter. She's also policing the local werewolf pack, though she's split up with their alpha, Richard. Then Jean-Claude, the vampire Master of the City and her lover, needs her help to confront a visiting delegation of the vampires' ruling council. They wonder how he got the power to destroy a council member and believe him dangerous to the hierarchy.

This fast-paced, urban fantasy includes gore, hardboiled mystery and a romantic triangle. The vampires and werewolves are as three-dimensional as the human characters, allowing us to join Anita in wondering who the real monsters are and to understand how her increased personal involvement with them is alienating her from her human colleagues. --Nona Vero --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Burnt Offerings can be purchased through Amazon.ca

Book #8: Blue Moon

From Amazon.com
Anita Blake makes a living raising the dead. She also executes rogue vampires and villains among the local were-folk. Marks bind her to Jean-Claude, the Master vampire of St. Louis and her lover, and to her ex-fiancé, a powerful werewolf who heads up the local pack. Anita shares some of their magic, and her own power over the dead keeps growing. But so does the body count and the situations that force Anita to bend or break her own rules.

In Blue Moon, Anita's ex Richard is jailed in Tennessee, accused of rape. When Anita arrives with a lawyer and an entourage of vampires and 'weres' supplied by Jean-Claude, it's clear that something is rotten in Myerton. The local cops are corrupt, and the trolls Richard was studying are threatened. But if she sticks around to investigate, the local Master vampire will attack her and her friends. The local werewolf clan isn't rushing to welcome her either, and her self-control is going to the, um, wolves.

Blue Moon is the eighth book in Hamilton's Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series; newcomers should start with earlier books. The protagonists' development and their relationships to each other and to the large cast of continuing secondary characters are what make these books so compelling. Be warned--there's steamy sex and graphic violence here, though Anita does reflect on her moral position. But if dark urban fantasy featuring those who hunt the night appeals, pounce on this series. --Nona Vero --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Blue Moon can be purchased from Amazon.ca

Book #9: Obsidian Butterfly

From Publishers Weekly
An inhabitant of an alternate Earth very much like our own--except that magic coexists there with natural law, and preternatural beings like vampires and werewolves coexist with humans--Anita Blake is full of contradictions that make her a potent lead character for this continuing series. Although Anita is a licensed vampire executioner, one of her lovers is a vampire (the other is a werewolf); she packs more firepower than a small army, but is a dedicated Christian; she's tough-as-nails yet ultrafeminine; she tangles with seriously dangerous supernatural forces, but she's as matter of fact about dealing with magic as she is about bashing bad guys, and she's as quick with a quip as she is with a well-placed kick to the groin. In her ninth adventure (after Blue Moon), Anita is summoned to New Mexico by Edward (aka "Death"), the cold-blooded killer from previous books to whom she owes a favor. In the course of investigating a series of grotesque murders (victims torn to bloody bits, survivors flayed of all flesh), Edward becomes more human and Anita less so. Celibate for six months, Anita's usual steamy sexual encounters with her inhuman but hunky boyfriends are missing from this novel, but there's still a lot of beefcake to appreciate and the considerable sexual tension is both humorous and supportive of the plot. The gory story line--which wraps around an Aztec vampire goddess, a dwarf necromancer, bull-headed bigoted cops, hearts ripped from chests and a witch who conveniently appears in the nick of time--needs that bit of sustenance, but the book is still a monstrously entertaining read. (Jan.) Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Obsidian Butterfly is available from Amazon.ca

Book #10: Narcissus In Chains

From Publishers Weekly
Bestseller Hamilton's Anita Blake, police consultant, executioner, necromancer, private eye and wereleopard protector, returns in her amorous 10th adventure, driven more by conflicting desires for the lovers she neglected in her last outing, Obsidian Butterfly (2000), than by the urge to solve any mystery. Once again, in a world where vampires and werecreatures are protected by law, Blake attempts to resolve her libido's constant crisis. Plunged into the netherworld of a leather D/S (dominant/submissive) bar, Narcissus in Chains, by the abduction of one of her inherited wereleopards, Blake finds herself deep into shapeshifter politics and a were creature power struggle that is all a metaphor for her own inner struggle. Whom should she choose werewolf Richard or vampire Jean-Claude? Or should she take a new lover? Who cares? Blake is eventually infected by the "ardeur" from the vampire clan and tinged with shapeshifting abilities from the were clan. As she becomes more like the fantastic creatures she protects or kills, she, alas, doesn't get any more interesting as a character. Her obsessions with lust serve mainly to overwhelm a rickety plot. Blake needs to put her clothes back on and get back to work. Too much flesh and not enough plot leads to the old but so true saying, "Less is more." (Oct. 9) Forecast: With a 15-city author tour and 100,000 first printing, this should be as successful saleswise as previous books in the series. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Narcissus In Chains can be purchased through Amazon.ca

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Note to readers: Any of the Anita Blake books above this line are brain candy and worth reading if this is the kind of thing you're into. IMO, the books written by Ms. Hamilton past this line are substantially weaker in terms of storyline and mystery. I am listing them out here in case you get really desperate for something to read or you become such a fan that you'll read anything in this series. Fair warning!

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Book #11: Cerulean Sins

From Amazon.com
Laurell K. Hamilton's legions of eager fans will be pleased to see Cerulean Sins, the eleventh novel in her Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series, which is set on an alternate Earth where magic works and vampires and werewolves are real. When a sinister stranger tries to hire the magically potent Anita Blake to raise the dead, she finds herself embroiled in the search for a vicious, supernatural serial killer, and also in the clandestine international politics of the vampires. And as she becomes more deeply enmeshed in cruel plots and counterplots, her tangled personal life only becomes more demanding, more wrenching, and more erotically fraught. With ten previous books in the Anita Blake series, Cerulean Sins is not the place to start. Though author Hamilton artfully reveals the backstory in small doses, the numerous returning characters and the complex history will overwhelm most newcomers (and even the most devoted fans may find that the backfilling slows the pace). Also, the characters frequently stand around talking and psychoanalyzing one another, which makes for static stretches unlikely to hold a new reader's attention. Newcomers should start with the first book, Guilty Pleasures. --Cynthia Ward --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Cerulean Sins is available from Amazon.ca ... if you're so inclined.

Book #12: Incubus Dreams

From Amazon.com
As Incubus Dreams opens, Anita Blake may be America's most powerful vampire hunter and necromancer. So it's no surprise that the Regional Preternatural Crime Investigation Team seeks her assistance when a St. Louis stripper is murdered and the evidence points to unusual serial killers: a group of seven vampires. It appears a master vampire has gone rogue--and may prove too powerful for Anita Blake, even if she can gain help from not only her vampire consort, Master of the City Jean-Claude, but from the wereleopard king Micah, her other lover, and the alpha werewolf Richard, her bitter ex-lover.

It would be an exaggeration to say that Laurell K. Hamilton's Incubus Dreams (2004) is just one sex scene after another. This twelth novel in her bestselling Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series presents a wedding, a murder, and a lot of relationship angst before getting down and dirty on page 89; and the sex scenes pause on page 377 to let the mystery plot resume. The series deftly blends elements of alternate history, horror, romance, erotica, and mystery, but anyone reading Incubus Dreams for the murder plot is going to be frustrated. However, Incubus Dreams is a considerably stronger and more interesting book than its talky predecessor, Cerulean Sins, and fans will enjoy the many new developments in Anita's complicated love life. --Cynthia Ward

Incubus Dreams is available through Amazon.ca

Book #13: Micah

From Me:

This is a visit with old friends, and an opportunity to delve deeper into Michah's background. Which is good. On the other hand, it's still not as good as the earlier books in this series AND it's short - much shorter than the average Anita Blake epistle. It's one of the main complaints I've read about this -- that it should have been called a "novella" rather than a "novel". That being said, I didn't mind this Anita Blake release. I bought it, I read it ... but only once (so far). Maybe if I go on another end-to-end Anita Blake binge I'll pick it up again.

If you'd like to both buy and read Micah, it's available from Amazon.ca.

Book #14: Danse Macabre

My review of this book originally appeared on the Chapters-Indigo site, although it no longer seems to be online. The review is here in this blog and is also pasted, below:

*SIGH* Reviewer:Bibi from Toronto Date:13/07/2006 1:12:21 PM

This book was *not* good. I have been a long-time fan of the Anita Blake series -- I even enjoyed Micah for the kind of book it was. But Danse Macabre was ... bad. If you feel compelled to read it for the sake of loyalty and continuity, by all means go for it. But do yourself a favour and borrow it from the library instead of wasting money on the hardcover. Sure, ok, there is at least one hot sex scene in this book. And? If that was all I was looking for from a Laurell K. Hamilton book, I would have bought something from the Merry Gentry series. There is no mystery plotline. The conflict(s) feel contrived. The author frequently tells the reader what a character is thinking or feeling rather than showing us -- one of the fundamental no-no's of good writing. This book was so tedious that I literally skipped paragraphs, even pages. I got within the last 3 pages of the end of the book and couldn't be bothered to finish it for days. Maybe Ms. Hamilton has gotten bored of her characters, or of this series. If so, she needs to either take a break or do something else. Me, I'm getting her next book from the library and looking into other fine authors in this genre again.

If you really want to buy Danse Macabre, please click over to Amazon.ca.

Book #15: The Harlequin

From Me:

This one wasn't bad, although it still doesn't have the fire of the initial 7-10 books in this series. I borrowed it from the library rather than gamble on the cost of a hardcover; since it's now available in paperback, it might be worth picking up if you're of the truly addicted.

Product Description from Amazon.ca:

Readers haven't seen anything yet-new in the "fabulously imagined series" (Publishers Weekly) from the #1 New York Times bestselling author.

Anita Blake is about to face the challenge of her life. Into her world-a world already overflowing with power-have come creatures so feared that powerful, centuries-old vampires refuse to mention their names. It is forbidden to speak of The Harlequin unless you've been contacted. And to be contacted by The Harlequin is to be under sentence of death.

Long-time rivals for Anita's affections, Jean-Claude, Master Vampire of the City, and Richard, alpha-werewolf, will need to become allies. Shapeshifters Nathaniel and Micah will have to step up their support. And then there's Edward. In this situation, Anita knows that she needs to call the one man who has always been there for her...

You can purchase The Harlequin from Amazon.ca

Book #16: Blood Noir

I really can't be bothered to hunt it down and read it until it comes out in paperback, at which point I'll probably buy it. In the meantime, I leave you with the review from Amazon.ca in case you're more of a gambler than I am!

From Publishers Weekly
The florid 16th Anita Blake novel (after 2007's The Harlequin) updates Anita's endlessly erotic adventures as a living vampire with many weird lovers. Anita serves her vampire sweetie Jean-Claude, Master of the City of St. Louis, obsessed with feeding him and her own need to leech off of others' sexual pleasure or ardeur while retaining her rep as vampire executioner (despite the seeming conflict of interest), U.S. marshal and necromancer. She's also accompanying her bed-buddy Jason Schuyler to visit his dying estranged father in North Carolina. After arriving, Jason's mistaken for his rich cousin Keith Summerland, who's ditched his bride-to-be to run off with the wife of a vampire Master, giving Anita a case to solve between wild orgies with wereanimals. Hamilton chronicles Anita's escapades with a growing air of ennui, which longtime readers can't help sharing as sex increasingly takes the place of plot and character development. (June) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

If you want to purchase Blood Noir in hardcover, drop by Amazon.ca