Status
Available
Call number
Collections
Publication
Berkley Hardcover (2007), Hardcover, 432 pages
Description
Into Anita Blake's world-a world already overflowing with power-come creatures so feared that centuries-old vampires refuse to mention their names.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Lman
I am much relieved, and greatly delighted that, with The Harlequin, Laurell K. Hamilton has delivered a story-line more in keeping with the earlier, highly entertaining books in the Anita Blake series - even supplying a somewhat suitable explanation for all that sex!
This interval in Anita’s life
This was another fast, gripping, action-packed read. Laurell K. Hamilton revisits past designs from this series, with emphasis, once more, on popular, engaging stratagems and plot development – Anita is a smart, sassy broad, whose sense of mischief, at times, makes me laugh out loud; badly missing in recent books. The return of Edward and company was significant, to my mind, in bolstering the story-line, by offering a humanistic viewpoint to the otherworldly; though it is interesting that the most monstrous character of them all is, in fact, human – clever that. And the constant conflict and soul-destroying torment with Richard is, perhaps, approaching some sort of dénouement.
But the genius, and the success of this tale, is with the uncovering of additional layers in this paranormal world Ms Hamilton is crafting. A quintessential dark urban fantasy, and possibly not for the faint-hearted, this is a weave of stark, black horror – with the tendrils of the future paths now offering tantalising glimpses of forthcoming events. I am, once again, enthralled by this series and, though still a little wary, looking forward eagerly to the next chapter. And hoping fervently that Anita, is indeed, back to her best kick-ass style!
This interval in Anita’s life
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brings to the fore the machinations and intent of some vampires in the council – especially those now greatly fearing of Jean-Claude and his human servant, and their increasing supremacy. And it allows the return of Edward, as much needed back-up, when The Harlequin – a form of vampire police – indirectly attacks the authority of the Master of the City, by threatening Anita’s existence, and ultimately all the members of his power base. Pushed to confront a diabolical force possessing abilities greater than ever experienced before, Anita and her coterie begin a desperate fight for survival, while attempting to find these hunters and the reasons behind their under-handed attack. And, in doing so, Anita uncovers the necessary knowledge and understanding of her innate abilities and thus, control: of the ardeur, of her triumvirate and all her internal beasts.This was another fast, gripping, action-packed read. Laurell K. Hamilton revisits past designs from this series, with emphasis, once more, on popular, engaging stratagems and plot development – Anita is a smart, sassy broad, whose sense of mischief, at times, makes me laugh out loud; badly missing in recent books. The return of Edward and company was significant, to my mind, in bolstering the story-line, by offering a humanistic viewpoint to the otherworldly; though it is interesting that the most monstrous character of them all is, in fact, human – clever that. And the constant conflict and soul-destroying torment with Richard is, perhaps, approaching some sort of dénouement.
But the genius, and the success of this tale, is with the uncovering of additional layers in this paranormal world Ms Hamilton is crafting. A quintessential dark urban fantasy, and possibly not for the faint-hearted, this is a weave of stark, black horror – with the tendrils of the future paths now offering tantalising glimpses of forthcoming events. I am, once again, enthralled by this series and, though still a little wary, looking forward eagerly to the next chapter. And hoping fervently that Anita, is indeed, back to her best kick-ass style!
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LibraryThing member saltypepper
This was better than the last two have been, but Hamilton is still nowhere near the top of her game with this.
The sex-to-plot ratio has improved with this book, but there is still way too much annoying dialogue intruding on the action, leading one to wonder what the bad guys in any given scene are
The sex-to-plot ratio has improved with this book, but there is still way too much annoying dialogue intruding on the action, leading one to wonder what the bad guys in any given scene are
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doing while the good guys stand around and have the same argument again and again and again... Show Less
LibraryThing member Pompeia
To those who have stuck with the series ever since its downward spiral after Obsidian Butterfly, it comes as no great surprise that this book containd lots of boring sex and even more angst (in the from of drawn-out talks between Anita and her paramours) about sex.
What is surprising, is that unlike
However, for me the book is completely spoiled by a fairly minor detail. I don't want to spoil anything for those who haven't read it yet, but I must say I found it completely repulsive how, after declining to have sex with Anita because he's married, a character disappears with the implication that he has been killed because he's so unreasonably uncooperative. And this is portrayed as practicality, not insane egomaniacal cruelty. Hard to like a book if you're starting to think that the bad guys are actually better than the supposedly good main character...
What is surprising, is that unlike
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its predecessors this book is a step in the better direction. There's actually something resembling a plot and we even get to see the only not-sex-objectised character left in the series, Edward the assassin (who is somewhat different than previously and doesn't really do anything, though).However, for me the book is completely spoiled by a fairly minor detail. I don't want to spoil anything for those who haven't read it yet, but I must say I found it completely repulsive how, after declining to have sex with Anita because he's married, a character disappears with the implication that he has been killed because he's so unreasonably uncooperative. And this is portrayed as practicality, not insane egomaniacal cruelty. Hard to like a book if you're starting to think that the bad guys are actually better than the supposedly good main character...
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LibraryThing member Mels_Books
I thought this Anita Blake book was better than its predecessor, Danse Macabre. There were fewer instances of the author repeating herself, and fewer typos. I enjoyed the book up until the sizeable section where Anita sat in a room and a parade of people, most of whom had no bearing on the plot,
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came in to talk to her. It felt as if we were being told, "Hey! Don't forget about these guys!" All in all, the book was an improvement, but I still miss the tight writing and exciting, breakneck plotting of the first eight Anita books. Those I will always treasure. Show Less
LibraryThing member Ilithyia
In the latest Anita Blake novel, I think LKH finally took some of her readers' comments to heart and toned down the sex a bit. It was still there and there was still a lot of talk about it, but it certainly wasn't as prominent as in some of the more recent ones.
I liked this one (well I've liked
Also, I liked the plot with the Harlequin, sort of vamp police force, and the character development between Anita and Richard (though he's gone back to being a bastard). And Malcolm, the head of the Church of Eternal Life, having to humble himself before Anita was quite funny.
I know some of you have, but I'm just not ready to give up on Anita yet. I will admit, that LKH isn't the greatest writer (grammatically or when recapping), but she comes up with great storylines - and for that I'll stick with her.
I liked this one (well I've liked
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them all) for a couple of reasons. One, she brought back Edward! Yay, I've missed our sociopathic bounty hunter/preternatural hitman. He also brought his stepson along and Peter was a pretty good character.Also, I liked the plot with the Harlequin, sort of vamp police force, and the character development between Anita and Richard (though he's gone back to being a bastard). And Malcolm, the head of the Church of Eternal Life, having to humble himself before Anita was quite funny.
I know some of you have, but I'm just not ready to give up on Anita yet. I will admit, that LKH isn't the greatest writer (grammatically or when recapping), but she comes up with great storylines - and for that I'll stick with her.
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LibraryThing member miyurose
Man, oh man, oh man. I am excited about this series again. This book got back to a lot of the things that made me devour this series in the first place -- a big bad villain, Edward, and Anita's general kick-assedness. If this book had been nothing but sex like the last, oh, 3 or 4, I may have given
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it up. But there was no sex in this one until page 143, and even then there were only 3 sex scenes total. Hallelujah! Maybe Hamilton's finally listening to her fans. Now, if she could just figure out a way to get rid of Richard without killing Anita and Jean-Claude. I'm getting rather sick of him. If you loved the first 9 books of this series, you will love this one. Show Less
LibraryThing member millhold
The "veriest" crap. Nobody to root for. The Anita Blake character was tiresome in the extreme. I'm putting this book in my DUMP pile--what a waste of paper.
LibraryThing member DianeS
I'm not sure why I'm still reading Anita Blake books. I can't keep up with the players any more, I'm not sure I like Anita all that much, Richard is incredibly annoying, and Jean-Claude is not a nice man. Uh, vampire. And it's not the sex, which seems to have become a game of can she top (pun
That said, Hamilton is still a good writer. When she does character development and/or plot development, she does it well. And in this book, the climatic scene, other than taking too long to get into moving the plot along, actually kept me interested and even surprised.
I probably won't pick up the next Anita Blake book, because I can't see much in the way of plot. And Anita has begun to annoy me (though not as much as Richard). Hamilton feels the need to set up a situation, then have Anita (or Merry) ask for an explanation, so it can be explained to the reader. It's a perfectly good strategy, but used as often as she does, it begins to make Anita sound stupid. Considering that I'm not living in the middle of the mess, if I can follow what's going on around her, I think Anita should be able to, too.
I gave this four stars because of the climatic scene and because I really do like Hamilton's style.
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intended) her last big sex scene in the last book. I don't consider sex a competitive sport. I suppose I'm awaiting the next Merry Gentry book. The sex in that series has become competitive also, but I'm keeping up with the players, still, and there's a storyline I can follow and care about. As in the Anita Blake books, the characters are too talky-talky when they should be fighty-fighty (or kissy-kissy) and plot points are occasionally repeated too often. But goodness knows I've read worse!That said, Hamilton is still a good writer. When she does character development and/or plot development, she does it well. And in this book, the climatic scene, other than taking too long to get into moving the plot along, actually kept me interested and even surprised.
I probably won't pick up the next Anita Blake book, because I can't see much in the way of plot. And Anita has begun to annoy me (though not as much as Richard). Hamilton feels the need to set up a situation, then have Anita (or Merry) ask for an explanation, so it can be explained to the reader. It's a perfectly good strategy, but used as often as she does, it begins to make Anita sound stupid. Considering that I'm not living in the middle of the mess, if I can follow what's going on around her, I think Anita should be able to, too.
I gave this four stars because of the climatic scene and because I really do like Hamilton's style.
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LibraryThing member susanbevans
Better than the last book. The plot and conflicts were great and the reading itself was pretty interesting. I'm glad I held on through the not-so-great books to get to this one. Maybe this will be a turning-point for the author. Can't wait for the next one.
LibraryThing member Telute
Well this is volume 15 in a well established series so readers of the previous volumes are unlikely to find any surprises here.
Anita Blake is a vampire hunter/necromancer/succubus and the plot (if it can be called that) of this volume is that the police force of the vampire council have come to
Most of the book is taken up with the continuing exploration of just how much angst can be generated by Anita's need to sleep with lots of men and Richard's (the werewolve third of her and Jean Claude's triumvirate) desire to just sleep with her. The answer is a lot - which fans of the series will already know and those who aren't fans probably won't stick around long enough to find out.
The series started with slightly more plot driven books, but has seemingly run out of story and now generally survives on sex scenes and complaining. while I don't really mind this, and indeed enjoyed the book holeheartedly, I will admit that its unlikely to grab new readers. (Oh and there's not enough of Asher in this volume)
Anita Blake is a vampire hunter/necromancer/succubus and the plot (if it can be called that) of this volume is that the police force of the vampire council have come to
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town with a view to ascertaining whether Anita and her vampire master, Jean Claude pose a threat to them. Most of the book is taken up with the continuing exploration of just how much angst can be generated by Anita's need to sleep with lots of men and Richard's (the werewolve third of her and Jean Claude's triumvirate) desire to just sleep with her. The answer is a lot - which fans of the series will already know and those who aren't fans probably won't stick around long enough to find out.
The series started with slightly more plot driven books, but has seemingly run out of story and now generally survives on sex scenes and complaining. while I don't really mind this, and indeed enjoyed the book holeheartedly, I will admit that its unlikely to grab new readers. (Oh and there's not enough of Asher in this volume)
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LibraryThing member lewispike
There is a review on the inner cover of this book that reads "A hard-core guilty pleasure." That really sums this book up quite well.
From other authors I wouldn't long for the next book, I wouldn't have read this as avidly as I did, and I wouldn't have stayed engaged. But something in the mix has
At the beginning of the series I'd have said it was watching the character change - she did, a lot and in ways that were convincingly painful and convincingly conflicted but reasonable responses to her situation. But now the stories don't last long enough for her to need to change - like many of the recent ones this is all over in about 3 days. She is coming to peace with who she is and what she needs, so she's not changing so much because of conflicts either.
There's an interesting riff on needing lots of partners for feeding the ardeur but still picking and choosing her men whenever she can - something that is kind of obscured but there, and something that I rather suspect is a reflection of the author's life choices too (something I suspect a lot of Anita's issues reflect). Perhaps it is that watching a real person uncover their demons and resolve them that is the tick that keeps this series better than the simple mechanics of it would suggest.
What is actually in the book? There's not as much sex as you might expect, nor is it as graphically described as has been in the case in some of the recent books, although there's still a fair bit. There's yet another hard vampire, or group of vampires in this case, flinging their weight around and trying to nudge Anita and Jean-Claude out of the way. There are some fights - several emotional, at least one political, one sort of sexual come political fight-come-seduction, a couple with guns, knives, swords and the like. In that sense it's the same-old, same-old. There is, if we hadn't been here before, what I'd be tempted to say was a final resolution to the Richard-Anita situation. I find myself hoping it is a final one, because I'm bored of it, although in fairness it only flared up a couple of times and not for long either time really, so it wasn't too bad. So, there might be a final resolution there too as the next bit of plot.
There's quite a bit of follow-up stuff to Obsidian Butterfly, so if you haven't read that you might want to, but diving in to book 14 of a series you've got to expect some backstory, surely?
From other authors I wouldn't long for the next book, I wouldn't have read this as avidly as I did, and I wouldn't have stayed engaged. But something in the mix has
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me hooked, and has me hooked on it as a guilty pleasure.At the beginning of the series I'd have said it was watching the character change - she did, a lot and in ways that were convincingly painful and convincingly conflicted but reasonable responses to her situation. But now the stories don't last long enough for her to need to change - like many of the recent ones this is all over in about 3 days. She is coming to peace with who she is and what she needs, so she's not changing so much because of conflicts either.
There's an interesting riff on needing lots of partners for feeding the ardeur but still picking and choosing her men whenever she can - something that is kind of obscured but there, and something that I rather suspect is a reflection of the author's life choices too (something I suspect a lot of Anita's issues reflect). Perhaps it is that watching a real person uncover their demons and resolve them that is the tick that keeps this series better than the simple mechanics of it would suggest.
What is actually in the book? There's not as much sex as you might expect, nor is it as graphically described as has been in the case in some of the recent books, although there's still a fair bit. There's yet another hard vampire, or group of vampires in this case, flinging their weight around and trying to nudge Anita and Jean-Claude out of the way. There are some fights - several emotional, at least one political, one sort of sexual come political fight-come-seduction, a couple with guns, knives, swords and the like. In that sense it's the same-old, same-old. There is, if we hadn't been here before, what I'd be tempted to say was a final resolution to the Richard-Anita situation. I find myself hoping it is a final one, because I'm bored of it, although in fairness it only flared up a couple of times and not for long either time really, so it wasn't too bad. So, there might be a final resolution there too as the next bit of plot.
There's quite a bit of follow-up stuff to Obsidian Butterfly, so if you haven't read that you might want to, but diving in to book 14 of a series you've got to expect some backstory, surely?
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LibraryThing member amf0001
I'm a real fan. I bought this in hard cover! LKH goes back to her roots, this book has far more plot, even though much of it is simply reminding readers what happened in the past books. It's got all the favorites and I'm enjoying it far more than her last few.
LibraryThing member dragonfairy
This was fun and exciting. I feel like Anita's world just gets better and better. I was really glad to see Edward reappear for a bit too.
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
This is a series I've stopped waiting for and I'm just borrowing from the library. It's just not making me want the books, it's more curiousity that's driving me these days.
Edward was the driving force behind my reading this one and he does appear. However if I was him I'd be very tempted to run to
Richard still deserves to be slapped until he stops behaving like one of his students, Jean-Claude is slipping from being interesting to invoking my wonder that he survived for so long and several of the other characters seem to have a backbone until they face Anita.
This series is devolving and I'm not sure that the author wants to fix it.
Edward was the driving force behind my reading this one and he does appear. However if I was him I'd be very tempted to run to
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another master vampire and suggest strongly joining forces and taking Anita out because she's getting so powerful she's going to end up in charge of the world and honestly, I don't think she has the patience for that without mass killings.Richard still deserves to be slapped until he stops behaving like one of his students, Jean-Claude is slipping from being interesting to invoking my wonder that he survived for so long and several of the other characters seem to have a backbone until they face Anita.
This series is devolving and I'm not sure that the author wants to fix it.
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LibraryThing member SunnySD
Sleeping with multiple men was stressful, but now poor Anita is now facing pressure from her sweeties to actually DATE -- like a real date with dinner, a movie, and possibly popcorn. Scary stuff.
As if that wasn't enough pressure, a mysterious menace is stalking and killing members of the local
Harlequin is much, much better than the last few installments, although still not quite on par with the earlier books in the series. Anita is still conflicted, but there's more dialogue, less spurious sex, and more plot to enjoy. (And maybe, possibly, the Richard situation is approaching resolution?) Definitely NOT the spot to start the series, but if, like me, you'd almost given up on Anita, you might give her one more shot.
As if that wasn't enough pressure, a mysterious menace is stalking and killing members of the local
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vampire congregation, and it seems to have taken an interest in Anita. When an apparently innocuous gift rattles the unflappable Jean Claude, Anita calls in reinforcements -- Ted Forrester and back-up (okay, she's not so thrilled when that turns out to be a psychotic, obsessive, serial killer and a sixteen-year-old kid), but by the time they arrive things have already gotten bloody. Marmee Darling is stirring, alliances are failing, and emotions, as always, are running high.Harlequin is much, much better than the last few installments, although still not quite on par with the earlier books in the series. Anita is still conflicted, but there's more dialogue, less spurious sex, and more plot to enjoy. (And maybe, possibly, the Richard situation is approaching resolution?) Definitely NOT the spot to start the series, but if, like me, you'd almost given up on Anita, you might give her one more shot.
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LibraryThing member leelerbaby
Anita Blake, vampire executioner, zombie riser, necromancer, human servant to the master of the city, Federal Marshall, Namir Ra, Lupa (just to name a few). A woman with almost as many lovers as she has titles, so that when " The Harlequin" (the vampire police) come to town and start messing with
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everyone's minds in order to take over the vampire church and it's members lead by Malcolm. Emotions get heated and tempers fly, but Anita with help from her friends and lovers comes out on top just like she likes it. They realize the rogue harlequin member was actually trying to kill Anita because her power as a necromancer was waking the Mother of all Vampires. During the fight they raise the arduer but unlike before where it was always in the form of sex, Anita realizes it can rise as love and caring for one another. Great fantasy read. Author manges to mix drama, action, and emotions into a great fantasy story. Right up there with Anne Rice only a lot more sex. Show Less
LibraryThing member crashingwaves38
I enjoyed this novel, more than I have some, less than I have others. I still feel that the ardeur is just an excuse to include lots and lots of sex. Don't get me wrong--I'm all about the sex. ;) But I just feel like at some point, Anita and company have to learn some other way to fix their
As always, loved seeing Edward. You know there's going to be a future book about the showdown between Edward, Anita, and Olaf. He's just creepy.
The basic premise of the Harlequin was interesting. I thought it was fascinating that they are Marmee Noir's children, basically. I also thought it was interesting to discover that there are other vampires out there that can be both shapeshifter and vamp--suggests an interesting biological sort of thing about early humans. Marmee Noir taking shape, and why, was scary, and it makes me wonder if Anita's the only person whose rage is deep enough to actually bring her back into a physical form. Questions were raised that I hope get answered soon, and obviously a showdown with Mommy is coming soon. All of the different places Hamilton can go with the threads started in this novel are fascinating to think about.
If you enjoy the later Anita books, then you'll enjoy this one.
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problems than through sex. It's just gotten old at this point, and I'm ready to get past it, and her weirdness towards the idea that any of her lovers have a sex life outside of her (see Asher and Nathaniel's interest in BDSM).As always, loved seeing Edward. You know there's going to be a future book about the showdown between Edward, Anita, and Olaf. He's just creepy.
The basic premise of the Harlequin was interesting. I thought it was fascinating that they are Marmee Noir's children, basically. I also thought it was interesting to discover that there are other vampires out there that can be both shapeshifter and vamp--suggests an interesting biological sort of thing about early humans. Marmee Noir taking shape, and why, was scary, and it makes me wonder if Anita's the only person whose rage is deep enough to actually bring her back into a physical form. Questions were raised that I hope get answered soon, and obviously a showdown with Mommy is coming soon. All of the different places Hamilton can go with the threads started in this novel are fascinating to think about.
If you enjoy the later Anita books, then you'll enjoy this one.
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LibraryThing member teharhynn
this book was great. Someone approached me at borders and asked me "is she actually solving cases or is it all just sex?" I told her it was great and that I'd thought it was awesome that we got to meet the vampire council. I can't wait until blood noir comes out!
LibraryThing member silentq
I'd *almost* given up on the Anita Blake series, but figured I'd give it one more go. I was honestly surprised to get 100 pages in and Anita hadn't had sex with anyone yet. The sex is toned way down (in frequency at least) in this one, and she's dealing more with the Harlequin coming to town and
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threatening all and sundry. Lots of new faces, I honestly had to go back and re-read a chapter to figure out where one guy came from. The last chapter did a far too quick summing up of the wrap up of her adventure and more teasers for the next book, but at least one element she's left dangling, she tried dealing with already (Anita topping Nathaniel - but oh, god, I have to read the next one to see how Asher gives her lessons *fans self* (yeah, I'm an Asher fan)). The lust/love thing was handled well, highlight of the book for me. Show Less
LibraryThing member TheBooknerd
I agree with some other reviews that this book is an improvement on some of the previous books. There's still a lot of eyeroll-worthy drama slogging down the action, but at least the characters are all starting to realize that their weepy, self-absorbed hysterics are getting old. I'm actually
There is a bit of disconnect from the sheer number of people LKH keeps trying to add. I don't mind a large cast so long as I and the author can keep track of everyone ... which isn't the case here. I'm a little bugged by the large absence of leopards. Other than Micah and Nathanial, they seem to have faded into the background. Sure, Cherry made an appearance in this book, but where did everyone go? Did I miss something? Why does LKH find it necessary to constantly bring in new people instead of developing the characters she already had?
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surprised I liked this one as much as I did, given the astonishing display of poor behavior exhibited by many of the characters. Happily, Jean-Claude and Nathanial seem to have grown a pair or two, and thus were much more likable than ever before. There is a bit of disconnect from the sheer number of people LKH keeps trying to add. I don't mind a large cast so long as I and the author can keep track of everyone ... which isn't the case here. I'm a little bugged by the large absence of leopards. Other than Micah and Nathanial, they seem to have faded into the background. Sure, Cherry made an appearance in this book, but where did everyone go? Did I miss something? Why does LKH find it necessary to constantly bring in new people instead of developing the characters she already had?
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LibraryThing member Waianuhea
Even I've reached my "this series has really gotten out of control" threshold. I won't stop reading it though. I like Anita too much.
LibraryThing member ursa_diana
I thought that the shiny had begun to wear off this series and it was becoming just another vampire porn. Not so. Anita has come through some pretty raunchy chapters in her life- but I never should have doubted Laurell- she knew where she was going all along.
LibraryThing member jimmaclachlan
Better than "Micah", but still too much sex & not enough adventure for me. I really like Anita Blake. She's tough & good hearted, facing some trials that would take most people under. She hangs in there & tries to do the next right thing. When she can't figure out what the next right thing is, she
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at least tries not to do the wrong thing. It doesn't always work out. Twisted, complicated world she lives in.I'm a little surprised I've hung with the series this long. I almost gave it up, especially after "Micah", but I'm glad I got this one. Hamilton is still expanding her world & this book was no exception. It was logically done, too. Show Less
LibraryThing member claydragon
I've read all of Ms. Hamilton's so far, and I'll admit to having some doubts about a couple of them. To say I was pleasantly surprised by The Harlequin would be an understatement.
The Harlequin in my opinion is the best of the lot so far.
In this one, Anita has more control over her power(s), comes
The book starts with Malcom, the head of the Church of the Eternal Life (the vampire church), asking Anita for help. Why? Because someone or something was masking itself during one of Malcom's services and Malcom could only think of one entity that could do that - The Harlequin. The Harlequin is so scary and secret that vampires can't talk about it unless dealing with it at the time, otherwise it's considered a death sentence. The rules state that the Harlequin must make contact with the delivery of a mask (one of 3 colors) a white one to indicate they are watching, red for pain, black for death. Anita receives a white mask, but if what happens next is considered just watching, then the St. Louis vampires might not survive. Turns out that The Harlequin has changed the rules to suit themselves, instead of being neutral they want to rule. Even the Mother of All Darkness has to step in to help Anita and company survive.
The Harlequin in my opinion is the best of the lot so far.
In this one, Anita has more control over her power(s), comes
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to understand them a little better. Anita also proves that love is stronger than lust. There is a LOT of action in this one and mystery is back as well. Old favorites are brought back, new characters added. The plot in this book is tight, and everything that happens, happens for a specific reason. The last chapter helps explain a few things from not only this book, but from previous ones. The book starts with Malcom, the head of the Church of the Eternal Life (the vampire church), asking Anita for help. Why? Because someone or something was masking itself during one of Malcom's services and Malcom could only think of one entity that could do that - The Harlequin. The Harlequin is so scary and secret that vampires can't talk about it unless dealing with it at the time, otherwise it's considered a death sentence. The rules state that the Harlequin must make contact with the delivery of a mask (one of 3 colors) a white one to indicate they are watching, red for pain, black for death. Anita receives a white mask, but if what happens next is considered just watching, then the St. Louis vampires might not survive. Turns out that The Harlequin has changed the rules to suit themselves, instead of being neutral they want to rule. Even the Mother of All Darkness has to step in to help Anita and company survive.
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LibraryThing member CrystalJoy04
This book definitely exceeded my expectations especially since the last few have been let-downs. Edward is back for the first time since Obsidian Butterfly and he brings Olaf and Peter - who are also introduced in that book.
Since Edward hasn't been mentioned for five books, I wondered what his
There was a lot of recalling of events that happened in the previous books to bring certain parts up to speed for the readers who skipped the books that were needless to say under par. However if you have read these previous books the recapping can be really irritating. It just makes you want to say "I know, I know get on with it."
Anita is still dealing with the arduer and there are only four sexual encounter described in the book (you know that is good if you've read some the previous ones) but all four were necessary to either save her life or the lives of the people she loves. -isn't that convenient? At least they are not two chapters long. :)
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I did not like the fact that she had sex with the rat king and the swan king at all. I'm starting to agree with some of the opinions that say she is turning into a whore.
-----------------------Spoiler End ---------------------------------------
There was a lot more action in this book. It has definitely given me hope for the next one. I liked the appearance of both Peter and Olaf, surprisingly. The whole Malcolm not blood-oathing his congregation of vamps comes back in a very negative way. The Mother of Darkness and Belle Morte are back as well. A lot happens in the book and finally the plot outweighs the sex instead of the sex overpowering the plot. She fights some badass vamps and her ruthless side comes back which is a major plus! It seems that any book she puts Edward in is bound to be good just because he is such a good character.
Since Edward hasn't been mentioned for five books, I wondered what his
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reaction would be to Anita's ardeur. He reacted in true Edward fashion which was pleasing but he also has had some changes of his own because of his relationship with Donna, Becca, and Peter. There was a lot of recalling of events that happened in the previous books to bring certain parts up to speed for the readers who skipped the books that were needless to say under par. However if you have read these previous books the recapping can be really irritating. It just makes you want to say "I know, I know get on with it."
Anita is still dealing with the arduer and there are only four sexual encounter described in the book (you know that is good if you've read some the previous ones) but all four were necessary to either save her life or the lives of the people she loves. -isn't that convenient? At least they are not two chapters long. :)
---------------- Spoiler Alert --------------------------
I did not like the fact that she had sex with the rat king and the swan king at all. I'm starting to agree with some of the opinions that say she is turning into a whore.
-----------------------Spoiler End ---------------------------------------
There was a lot more action in this book. It has definitely given me hope for the next one. I liked the appearance of both Peter and Olaf, surprisingly. The whole Malcolm not blood-oathing his congregation of vamps comes back in a very negative way. The Mother of Darkness and Belle Morte are back as well. A lot happens in the book and finally the plot outweighs the sex instead of the sex overpowering the plot. She fights some badass vamps and her ruthless side comes back which is a major plus! It seems that any book she puts Edward in is bound to be good just because he is such a good character.
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Subjects
Language
Original publication date
2007-06-05
Physical description
432 p.; 9.1 inches
ISBN
0425217248 / 9780425217245