Laurell 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.
Laurel pushes the boundaries even further in books 16-19. If you found the previous books raunchy, I wouldn’t bother venturing any further. But if you are like me, and you rather enjoy the 50 shades of Blake, then I recommend you continue the journey with this collection. I loved Blood Noir because it took me to my current home town of Asheville, North Carolina. Sure, it let us all see a whole new side to Jason and his story, but being set mostly inside the Grove Park Inn was thrilling because it was as though Anita and I both stayed in the same hotel. Lol. The other books were just as pulling. I was a little disappointed that Flirt was only 100 pages. Just like Micah, it made me feel a bit ripped off to have such a small book in the series. Until I came across the tidbit of information that both books were a surprise addition to the series and weren’t ever planned to be. Which changed my perspective entirely to know they were both bonus books. Funny how that works, lol. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Well obviously 15 books in there is a lot going in and a lot that has happened so I suggest you read up if you haven't already. Back to the stories lets sum it up easily by saying erotic action mystery drama with supernatural or rather preturnatural (meaning vampires, shifters, zombies, demons, magic, witches, etc) Books down to a couple different stories all revolving around necromancer vampire executioner Anita Blake and her harem of lovers and guards either fighting to stay alive or take down the bad guy.
As I reading this series in the collection sets, I’m learning more and more about the main characters and what drives them to be what and who they are. Books 16 thru Book 18, were the normal pornographic, voyeurism that I’ve just learned to accept from the author. I think I’d be happier if this series was supposed to be romance novels aka “smut” but they are as the author explained she doesn’t just fit in one genre. I now see that after reading 18 complete books in this series. I was recommended this series because of my love of no nonsense strong willed female lead characters like Merit, Jane Yellowrock, Mercy Thompson, etc.. Yes, Anita Blake fits that model and I love her character for that but I’m learning that I like those other series a lot more because they don’t cross that line from descriptive romance scenes in a book to the graphic pornographic descriptions like this series. I find myself putting the book down to do other things when I’m a cover to cover book devoured! I think this is finally figuring out what and why I don’t have that intense urge to read cover to cover and honestly I’m starting to feel that maybe these books just don’t fit. Book 19 is like every other book in the series except maybe the last chapter or 3 to 4 pages at the end of the book. It was the quickest, choppy, thrown together at the last minute to finish it as fast as possible ending I’ve ever seen. It didn’t flow, or even make sense! I’d rather have been left on a cliffhanger waiting for the next book that that crappy ending. I mean seriously who does that to loyal readers especially at Book 19 in a series? I mean I know I’ve paid ALOT for these collections of Books in the last few weeks, but I feel like that at this point I want to ask for my money back! I already know that this isn’t a series I’d reread like my other ones. Those are old friends that you can reread as many times as you want and always go back for more, I’m barely making it thru once. I hope others take the time to read this review because I’ve always loved every book I’ve opened (except Robert Jordan’s “Wheel of Time Series “ where I tried 8 times in 40 years to get past page 30 and given up). I hope you enjoy these books because the main characters deserve it but overall the graphic sex scenes are too much.
After discovering this series via the 25th book, Crimson Death, I have sought out and devoured the first 19 books in this series. I will seek and read each and every book in this series. For me, my love of a book or a series is character-,driven. I have loved watching Anita and her lovers grow throughout this series. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series. If you love relatable characters, non-stop action, intense suspense and incredible plot twists, you will enjoy these books as much as I have.
This has books 16, 17, 18 & 19 in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series. Each stand on their own quite well, with different goodies in each. Others have given good reviews so I don't bring much new to the table other than these hold together more tightly than a few others in the series. My biggest problem is how to get credit for reading all four to go towards my reading challenge! 😁
Yallllllll!!! Just absolute fire! The only issue is that Kindle and Goodreads only counts 1 book. So even though you read for it says one! The plot in each book! Fire!!!!!!!
Great collection with the usual later book Anita Blake relationship drama and preternatural eroticism though the moral quandaries can grade occasionally.
This is an overall review for all the books in the collection. I was disappointed... a lot. If you took out half of the sex scenes, group arguments and Anita's moral crisis du jour then you're not left with much. I miss the old days when Anita was a butt kicking vampire executioner and necromancer. Now she just whines about all the hot guys she has to do... poor thing. Jean Claude was always my favorite guy, but he got downright needy and whiny, just like Richard. It was out of character and never explained, maybe JC was channeling Richard or just a plot device? My favorite part was that Claudia finally got to kick some serious tail.