An Epic Journey Begins

Book Info: New Spring: The Novel by Robert Jordan. Published by Tor Fantasy in 2005.

My first semester of Grad school is finally over so I have some time to myself. This means I can go back to reading books that I want to read instead of text books.

I figured this was as good a time as any to start my re-reading of the Wheel of Time Series. I began reading this series in 1998 and quickly purchased all that were available at the time. It wasn't until years later that I learned there was no end in sight for the series. By 2003, I was only purchasing the books as they became available in paperback and promising to read them when they were finished. Then Tragedy struck! Robert Jordan died, with the series unfinished! The torch was passed to Brandon Sanderson and the final book is to be released

 in January. This means I won't get my hands on a paperback copy for a while. But, I can probably snag it on my kindle once I have finished the 11,004 pages of the 14 other novels.

In that vein, I read the prequel novel last night. New Spring was written about half way through the series, though it takes place 20 years before the first Novel. It is also considerably shorter then any of the other novels. (In Mass Market Paperback it is only 334 pages. The next closest is The Path of Daggers which has 672 pages). While, it is not necessary to start with this novel, it provides certain insights to major characters in the series. Readers meet the young Accepted Moiraine and Siuan and learn how their quest began. The reasoning behind their actions, as well as Lan's actions becomes clear.  The story is fun. Since I have knowledge of these characters already it was nice to see their beginnings, but it wasn't necessary. Personally, I will always start my re-read here, but I am not sure those who have never read the books would benefit from beginning here.

Of the writing style, well, it is Robert Jordan. It is definitely an epic fantasy novel. The description is amazing, and sometimes overwhelming.  All those years ago, I learned to skim reading these novels. Last night, I found myself reverting to that old reading style once again. Jordan's description can get repetitive, but he makes sure the images he is creating are complete in your mind.

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.

A different kind of Circus

Book Info: Circus of the Damned by Laurell K Hamilton. Published by Ace Books in 1995

So we started with Vampires, then moved to Zombies, and now we are back to Vampires with a bit of shapeshifter thrown in.

Anita finds herself the unwilling participant of a turf war, but not just any turf war. Jean-Claude is fighting for control of the city. The vampire world knows that he cannot control his human servant, and Anita doesn't care.  She has no desire to be a human servant and therefore no desire to help Jean-Claude. But an effort to change her mind goes awry and Anita hands Jean-Claude over to the bad guys. She then realizes, that there are worse things then Jean-Claude, much worse.
On another track, we are introduced to another hate group, Humans First. These guys have no qualms about killing those they deem not human and Edward is hired (again) to kill the Master of the City. Throw in a few immortal snake gods and a battle to the death and thats the story in a nutshell.

Much like the first two books, there is a lot of gore and scary situations, but this isn't one of Hamilton's best. There are a few mistakes in the story. One glaringly obvious mistake is the car issue. In Chapter 25 her new co-worker Larry has to drive her home because she had totaled her own car. She even laments over how her car will never be parked in it's spot again. Yet, in Chapter 29, it is the next day and she has driven to meet someone in the middle of nowhere. Then, the day after that, Larry is driving her around again. Now she could have gotten a cab the first time, but she talks about following someone in her car therefore she had to have something that was left in a lot. Maybe it was a rental, but she really didn't have time for that. Plus, if she had gotten a rental, why would Larry be driving her the next day? It's a minor mistake but by not clarifying she throws the reader.

While such mistakes might be annoying, this is a necessary book in the series. In this book we meet the bane of many fans (including me), the famous Richard Zeeman. Richard will become Anita's on again, off again boyfriend. Richard appears to be a mild-mannered junior high school science teacher with a wicked smile and soft lips. But it will become apparent in future books that he is more than meets the eye. We also learn that Jean-Claude gets jealous and the marks tying Anita to Jean-Claude can and are broken. Therefore, Anita is no longer attached to him in any way by the end of this novel. She has a choice going forward. And finally we see what four marks will do to Anita. Her "master" had no control over her. The question that will come: Could she have controlled him?

A whole new level

Book info: The Laughing Corpse by Laurell K Hamilton. Published by Ace Books in 1994.

Years ago when I first read these books, they took me to a whole new level of gore. At that point, I had never really gotten into horror or cop dramas. It would be years before I was comfortable watching shows like Criminal Minds or Law and Order: SVU. Re-reading them now I realize that became my measuring stick. These are as scary as I go. I don't do creepier than Laurell K. and this book is definitely creepy.

As usual there are 2 separate story lines moving through this novel which come together in the end. On one hand Anita is assisting the cops on a set of gruesome murders. The goriest scenes she has ever visited with the bodies of adults and children ripped apart and partially eaten. She determines that they must be the work of a zombie but unlike any zombie she has ever heard about. On the other hand, a very rich man names Harold Gaynor wants to pay Anita a million dollars to raise a corpse that is almost 300 years old. Though Anita's boss is all for it, once Anita explains that a corpse that old would require a human sacrifice, the deal is off the table. But as anyone knows, anyone willing to do a human sacrifice isn't going to take no for an answer.
More then just a gory story, Hamilton is still building her world and fine tuning her craft. These are her first novels. She builds on the world she had created in the first book and each character seems to have a bit more depth. We come to understand the reality of Anita's job, as animator, as executioner, and as paranormal expert for the police. While she is one of the best in her field, it is obvious that the field is still young. There seems to be quite a bit she just doesn't know. Even more there are things she doesn't want to know. We are also introduced to other practitioners of the art (animators) and we see the varying levels associated with it. As with all jobs, there are good people and bad people. Anita seems to want to be on the side of the good people but she is beginning to compromise. For the first time we se her philosophy plainly explained:

     "I have no personal stake in these people, Jean-Claude, but they are people. Good, bad, or indifferent, they are alive and no one has the right to just arbitrarily snuff them out."
     "So it is the sanctity of life you cling to?"
     I nodded. "That and the fact that every human being is special. Every death is a loss of something precious and irreplaceable."
     "You have killed before, Anita. You have destroyed that which is irreplaceable."
     "I'm irreplaceable too," I said. "No one has the right to kill me either."

This seems to be the mantra that lives through the rest of the series. She does expand some to include all beings, but the theme remains the same. Everyone is irreplaceable, shapeshifter, vampire or human. Anita will fight to protect them all. Yet, she has the right to defend herself as well. Therefore, if you are going to try to take out any of those that she deems hers, you better take her down first. Because you won't get a second chance. Hence the final scene when she makes sure to eradicate those that were willing to kill her.

Anita Blake, the ultimate badass

Book Info: Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K Hamilton. Published by Ace Books 1993

I was introduced to the books of Laurell K Hamilton about 5 or 6 years ago and was intrigued by the humor and horror of the world the author created. While I rarely suggest these books to any (I have actually discouraged some friends who wanted to try them) I continue to purchase each book as it is released. Why would I discourage anyone from reading a book? Let's just say these come with an adult label. Some reviews call them an R-rated Buffy the Vampire Slayer and expect them to be a romance version of the show. But it isn't really.
The cover shot I have included is the one I actually read. It is the 2nd iteration of the cover. So far, there have been 3 different covers.



Guilty Pleasures sets the stage for the rest of the 21 books (and counting) in the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series. Readers are introduced to a Saint Louis, Missouri unlike anything we know. A world where the United States has granted vampires a legal status and they are currently fighting for the suffrage. We are introduced to various characters that represent the various opinions society has about the things that go bump in the night. Some are sympathetic to the cause because vampires are just "fanged people"(100). Others like the Humans Against Vampires (HAV) fight in the legal world to eradicate the vampires. One vampire even started a church and they recruit "like the Mormons and the Jehovah's Witnesses" (135). Some people seem to like the idea of never dying. To others it is a tourist thing, it becomes a novelty. Get your hair and nails done by a vampire or go to a strip club to see a vampire stripper. Some have even chosen getting bitten by a vampire as a their drug of choice. In this reality, it becomes an addiction like alcohol or tobacco. Others kill the vampires out right. And in this first book we meet the bogeymen of the vampire world. Edward hangs out on the non-legal side of the line. He is the hit man of the paranormal world. Anita refers to him as "Death itself" (85). And then, on the legal side of the line, is our heroine, Anita Blake. A short, sarcastic woman who raises the dead for a living (zombies not Lazarus) and is referred to by the vampires as The Executioner. She is who the law calls when there is a warrant to execute a vampire legally. Meaning: when vampires rampage Anita is called in to kick ass.

All of this information is filtered through the internal dialogue of Anita herself. The plot is written in a first-person narrative that some people have called whiny. I prefer to see it as a form of sarcasm. I think it is interesting to see Anita's diagnosis of herself and each situation. She is an awkward woman and doesn't seem to fit the role society would like her to play. She raises zombie and carries a gun. She is in her mid 20's and single with no plans to marry. She is religious and carries a blessed cross as protection (which can only be of use to someone who has faith). She works with the men on the police squad to help with preternatural crimes. She hates dresses and pink and yet, much to her dismay, she blushes easily. There is no way to hide the main characters fears or insecurities in this type of narrative. They are displayed for each reader. With that, one hopes, readers will also understand her choices when dealing with certain situations. Anita seems to have an innate desire for justice and to protect those she deems weaker then herself. Which apparently includes almost everyone she comes in contact with. While some may call her a "Mary Sue," I think the author's use of the first person narrative provides a depth to the character that many ignore. This is not a super woman with no faults. This is a woman who struggles with her role in society and her understanding of right and wrong. All while getting her butt kicked repeatedly. Granted she wins in the end but has a few new scars to add to her collection, including a new one on her heart.

The Warning Label:

As with all of the rest of the books in the series this book is full of gore. The things that go bump in the night are alive and well in this world and they are out for blood, or in one instance rape. With Vampires, Lycanthropes, and hit squads it is not shocking that battles must be fought. I will admit to having to put the book down in the middle of the night because it got to creepy for me. These are not for the faint of heart.
Also, while this book does not have any sex in it, nor do the next couple of books in the series, by book 7 or so there is not only sex but I believe there are even some full scale orgies. It is not shocking that, though they began as books that were suggested to young women as a strong role model, they are now kept in the adult only section. Many people can not handle some of the later scenes. But I think readers should understand what is coming so as not to get sucked into a world they are not going to be able to handle in a few books time.