Another in the Hamilton Parade

Book Info: Blue Moon by Laurell K. Hamilton. Published by Ace Books in 1998

Things began to change in The Killing Dance and here is another transition book. The next book, Obsidian Butterfly, will be the last of the transitions and then we are into the new phase of Anita's world.

In this book, Anita gets called out of town again. She travels to Tennessee to help Richard who has been charged with rape. Of course it turns out to be an ugly plot that involves rotting vampires, crooked cops, and an evil demon.

One of the major issues I have with this book is that I am not a Richard fan. That is not to say he isn't an interesting character, he just tends to get on my nerves. I understand the desire not to be a monster, but by now he needs to get over it. You can't change your genetic make-up (well he can't go back to being just human) so he needs to stop the whining and learn to accept himself. He and Anita are in this constant love war. He loves her, he is jealous. She loves him but she is jealous. And we are not even half way through the currently released books.  It is apparent that they are trying to work on the issue, but I have the least amount of sympathy for this relationship. They do sleep together, which leads to yet another power upgrade, but sex doesn't solve anything.

Yet, we have a few interesting character developments in this novel. We learn more about Damien and his connection to Anita. Anita has a control over him that no one else does, and that scares not only him, but her as well. Damien maneuvers Anita into ordering him to tell her the whole truth about the marks which she has been given. Unfortunately, the truth just leads to more questions, which leads to more frustration because Anita feels left out of the loop. The connection to Damien will play an important role in the future.

Also we see Anita trying to understand her role as Nimir-Ra (leader) of the were-leopards as well as lupa of the were-wolves. She seems to understand the violence needed for the wolves but her leopards are walking wounded and she struggles being what they need. Her connection to Nathaniel is strengthened but she is still flabbergasted by the young man.

The final scene is key in the growth of Anita's character. Richard's mother (Charlotte) and brother (Daniel) are kidnapped by the bad guys... not only the corrupt cops but the evil guys. One of the corrupt cops informs Anita of the events by bringing her a lock of Daniel's hair and one of Charlotte's fingers. He tells her to get out of town or things will continue. He also lets her know that both victims had already been raped. Anita tortures the location of the hostages from the corrupt cop by cutting off his fingers one at a time until he tells and then shoots him. She isn't alone in her actions, but she takes full responsibility for them. After she finishes she contemplates her actions..

I threw up in the corner until there was nothing but bile and my head felt like it was going to explode. And I knew that I'd finally done something that I wouldn't recover from. Somewhere between the first blow or the second, I'd broken something inside myself that would never heal. And I was content with it. If we got Daniel and Charlotte back, I was content with it. (391) 

For all her shootings and killings, she had never taken this step before. She only took it now in an effort to save those that she knew and cared for. Yet, what does she do to her own soul in an effort to save others? Where do we stand on the line? This becomes a sore subject between Richard and Anita for many books. To save Richard's family, Anita did what Richard could not. Did that make her stronger, or more of a monster?

This scene is offset by the rescue of Charlotte. When Anita finds her, Charlotte is tied in a circle being sacrificed to a demon. The circle protects against evil, therefore those that are evil cannot cross it. The demon can't get out, and evil can't get in. Yet, Anita can step across it. Her, Charlotte, and all the good guys quote religious scriptures and recite prayers (from all sorts of faiths) as a protection from the demon.  Up until this point in the series, Anita has been questioning her own righteousness. Especially in the aftermath of the torture. Here the author provides readers with the truth of the situation. Whatever she is, Anita is not evil. I think it shocks more than one character, but the bad guy clears it up for everyone:

     He licked his lips, and it took him two tries to speak. "How did you pass the circle?"
     "It was meant to trap evil inside or keep it out. I'm not evil."
     "You raise the dead," he said.
     "I'm a necromancer. I was kind of doubting where that put me on the scale of good and evil, but apparently God's okay with it."
     "You stepped into the circle not knowing if you would be safe?" He was frowning, clearly puzzled.
     "I couldn't just sit there and watch Charlotte die."
     "You would have sacrificed yourself for her?"
     I thought about that for a second or two. "I didn't think about it that clearly, but I couldn't let her die, not if I could save her." (410)

It seems that, in this world, the line between good and evil is drawn by what the person is willing to do to protect those around them. Whether they are protecting the weak and helpless, or the strong and morally upright, it is about what they are willing to sacrifice for someone else. Apparently Anita is willing to sacrifice all.

Yet Another Two-fer

I was visiting family this weekend, so I didn't have time to write. Here is what I read:

Book Info:  The Killing Dance by Laurell K Hamilton. Published by Ace Books in 1997

Here Hamilton has incorporated all aspects of Anita's life into one story plot. Anita is dating both Jean-Claude and Richard, and since each man is a major player in is preternatural community, Anita becomes involved in each of those communities as well.  Jean-Claude brings a sick vampire to visit Anita in hopes of her healing him. This is the first time we see Anita in the healer role. She is quite often the protecter and savior, but this is the first real opportunity for her to be more.

Richard is still battling for the Alpha role of his pack and is trying to keep Anita out of it. Here we get a chance to see why Richard frustrates Anita so much. Anita doesn't trust anyone to keep her safe but herself. Therefore, withholding information that could get her killed is yet another breach of her trust. If you are trying to protect her it means you don't think she can handle herself. If you aren't trying to protect her you are hiding secrets. It might not be very fair, but in a world where everyone around you is a million times stronger, I can understand her need to know everything. You can't be prepared for what you don't know. To top that off, I think she fears that the current leader will use her against Richard in some way, and Anita hates to be used by anyone, but especially when she is used to harm someone she cares for. Richard also still has the naiveté to believe that everyone is inherently good; that a world of vampires and shape-shifters can live without violence. Though Anita encourages the loss of such innocence, she is still saddened by it.

Edward shows up when he is contacted for a hit on Anita. While I am still not sure that Edward understands friendship, I do believe he has friendly feelings towards Anita. Even if it is only because he "gets to kill more people guarding [Anita]" (19).

Why would someone want to kill Anita? Well, doesn't everyone? It sure seems that she pisses off more people then she befriends. As usual the plot line twists and turns so you don't know your rear-end from your elbow by the time everything unfolds. What you do know is that, though she loves Richard, she is not going to end up with him in the way everyone hoped. There will be no white picket fence and happily ever after for that couple. Anita makes her choice. Though, the choice is the result of her not being able to handle Richard in all his glory, she still makes the choice. Oh... and we get our first sex scene in this book.... Dear me.

A small subplot with huge consequences is that of Raina and Gabriel. These two are bad, so bad that I would almost call them evil. Gabriel and Raina set it up so Anita gets to be the star of yet another snuff film. Which means that Anita ends up killing both of them to save her self, as well as Richard and Jean-Claude. She doesn't understand the consequences of these actions right away, but they do have some longstanding effects.

I really enjoyed this book but there were a few minor issues that frustrated me. As before they are detail things, but where in book 1 and 2 I was more forgiving, this is book 6. By now, Hamilton should have a better grasp on some things and her editor should be catching others. For example, Anita and Richard end up at a dinner party hosted by her friend Catherine. Anita says this is Catherine's first party since her wedding. Unfortunately, Anita's first date with Richard was to be a halloween costume party hosted by Catherine in The Circus of the Damned. Anita and Richard might not have been able to attend, but Catherine still had a party before this dinner party. Like the car issue in Circus of the Damned they need to get a handle on the details of their own stories.

I still enjoyed it, but unlike my first reading of these books, I don't get pulled into the story. That doesn't mean I will stop reading them.

Book Info: Burnt Offerings by Laurell K Hamilton. Published by Ace Books in 1998.

Anita is now sleeping with Jean Claude, and Richard is avoiding her as much as possible. Anita was declared lupa of the were-wolves (sort of female leader) but Richard has cut her out of the pack by not including her. Richard has also left for the summer to work on his master's degree. He leaves Sylvie in charge of the pack in his absence.
Unfortunately, the big baddies come to town. We get to meet some of the Vampire Council and learn a bit more about vampire politics. Along with the Council comes a few key players: The Master of Beasts, who calls all the were-animals to him. Only Rafael and Sylvie refuse to give up their respective packs. Elizabeth gives up the leopards and there are disastrous results. Torture seems to be the weapon of choice and all of the animals suffer. We also get to meet Asher. Asher and Jean-Claude were once part of a triumverate (similar to Richard, Anita, and Jean-Claude) and the outcome was horrible. Asher holds a grudge against Jean-Claude.
All of this is playing against the backdrop of a city in flames. Vampire and shifter businesses all over the city are being burned in an effort to cleanse the city. It is the re-creation of an incident from centuries ago.

This book is better written then The Killing Dance, though it doesn't seem as intense. The important plot points are that:

1. Anita, Jean-Claude, and Richard have a great deal of power, yet they can't work together
2. The were-leopards have been left on their own because Anita killed their protector. Therefore Anita takes on the role. 
3. We meet Nathaniel.
4. The wolves are forced to respect Anita because she is willing to kill and die for them. 
5. Raina is not truly gone, and she gets off on torturing Anita emotionally and mentally.
6. Anita's human friends are questioning her. Both Dolph and Ronnie do not approve of her lifestyle.
7. Anita is stil questioning herself. The fear that she has become a monster is always on her mind.

I think number 7 is one of the long lasting themes of these novels. We will see it in almost every book. Some have complained that Anita needs to get over her self doubt, but for me I can understand it. Anita's upbringing would cause her to question herself and her actions. 

Also the introduction of Nathaniel is an important one. With Nathaniel's appearance the books take a turn. At the author signing I went to last month, Laurell K. talked about how Nathaniel came about. She explained that she had read an article about a man who was a submissive to the extent that he required a dominant. When his dominant died he disappeared. No one knows what happened to him. Laurell K incorporated a way for her to save this man in fiction. But by doing so, she introduced an entire culture to Anita. One that would have to be learned in order to completely save Nathaniel. From here on out, the themes of the books change. Though she still doubts herself, Anita takes a more sexual role in the books then ever before. 

I have finished the next book but don't have time to write it up. Maybe tomorrow.

A Two-fer

I have finished another 3 books by Hamilton but haven't written them up. So you get a quick two-for-one deal tonight.

Book Info: The Lunatic Cafe by Laurell K Hamilton. Published by Ace Books in 1996

And we return to the shape-shifters yet again. Hamilton cranks up the sexual tension (or frustrations) in her novel as Anita dates both Richard and Jean-Claude. She doesn't sleep with either of them... so don't get your hopes up. That doesn't' happen for another 2 books.

Here we have rampaging were-animals, snuff films, illegal hunters, and a jealous vampire. Richard proposes and Anita accepts, until they push things off. Richard has to change in front of Anita and be able to accept all that he is. 

We also meet Gabriel, the leader of the were-leapards. Talk about major creepy. But his character is essential to the progression of the novel. 

and finally we begin to understand Anita's mindset. We see her worry about becoming too much like Edward. 

Book Info: Bloody Bones by Laurell K Hamilton. Published by Ace Books in 1996

Hamilton returns to Anita's roots of zombie raising by having her travel out of state for a job. She has been asked to raise an entire cemetery that includes some who have been dead more than 300 years. It is interesting to note that Hamilton takes this as an opportunity to explain how impressive Anita's powers truly are. Not only are readers introduced to the top 3 Animators in the country but it is explained that Anita is number 1. She can do what the others can't. Therefore the argument of why she is always up against the worst of the worst is explained: She is the top of her field.

Of course there are vampires in this novel and Jean-Claude and Jason (the were-wolf) join Anita and Larry (the animator in training) for the out of town job, in hopes of getting help from the local vampires. This of course don't work out and we learn Anita's greatest desire. We also learn that she has more power then even she thought.


The writing style is still the first person narrative which people are referring to as "an overly simplistic style." I enjoy it but I am seeing a few issues. There are some repeats of descriptors that shouldn't happen, and some of the descriptions get a little too deep for me... I don't need to know the color of her jogging socks or of the swoosh on her Nikes. Though I do see how the character of Anita would think that she would need to color-cordinate the swoosh and her shirt for her personal monochromatic style.