|
India Press Store - Blood Noir (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 16)
|
List Price: $25.95
Our Price: $9.99
Your Save: $ 15.96 ( 62% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Berkley Hardcover
|
Average Customer Rating:   
|
|
Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780425222195
ISBN: 0425222195
Label: Berkley Hardcover
Manufacturer: Berkley Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 352
Publication Date: 2008-05-27
Publisher: Berkley Hardcover
Studio: Berkley Hardcover
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight customer reviews:
|
Customer Rating:
Summary: Lost her Literary Compass
Comment: It would be easy to say that Laurell K. Hamilton is a bad writer, but that would be untrue. She is a good author and reading some of her earlier works in the Anita Black series you can easily see where she excelled and what propelled the series' popularity. Unfortunately, where these books now fail is in structure.
Telling vs. Showing: A basic tenant for good writing is the ability tell the story through the characters actions and reactions versus an author telling the reader what's happening. After many pages of three way sex, one participant says to another (and main character), Anita Blake: "You are so uncomfortable with sex Anita..." Huh? What?? This after not just any old ménage a' trois, but one tinged with light bondage. The statement just throws the reader off because that is not what the story has said so far.
Talking Heads: "Dr. Phil's approach to relationships and the supernatural." I've never read a book that devoted entire chapters to whether or not to have sex. When deciding to have a ménage a' trois or not - does one person really say to another, "And you, Anita, what's your motivations?" Ms. Hamilton usually does a nice job with her dialogues, but these type of statements are awkward and happens several times through out the book.
Failed plot points: There's repeated references the Vampire Council and Anita jeopardizing Vampire master Jean-Claude's position by her not being a better "human-servant." Much conversation is dedicated to this. Toward the end of the book she and friend, Jason, are mistakenly targeted by another vampire leader and attacked. There are no real repercussions on the council level to this - especially after the leader and his own human servant are killed. Why?
Anger Management: In regards to Richard tantrums: Can we please move on? Every book there is some sort of over the top emotional, angry argument with Richard and his love/hate relationship with Anita. Although for several books, we've known that this is due to the psychic link between he, Anita, and Jean-Claude; Richard has taken on some of Anita's emotions. Although I was grateful that we have some resolution here (Anita re-absorbs the rage) Richard does the same thing, but under a different guise (now Anita's "ardeur" or succubus ability is shared). Richard as an emotional slave and whipping boy is getting old.
False Advertising: In the book flap of Blood Noir the description leads a potential reader to conclude that the book is about battling or dealing with Marmee Noir, the "ancient [and very scary] mother of all vampires." However when Marmee finally makes her metaphysical appearance (3/4th of the way through the book,) in context to the entire story, the action surrounding this is relatively brief.
I am again disappointed by this latest in the Anita Blake series. Although I understand that the author would not want to go back to what she wrote earlier in her career, but I do think that a quick review of the first six books may remind Ms. Hamilton of what made this series so popular in the first place. I hope in the future to see (1) a real plot (beginning, middle, and end), (2) tightened dialogues, (3) try to get some middle ground between narrative portions and overly long yacking to communicate important plot points. The last few books have basically been soft porn connected by weak attempts at a story line. I continue to be hopeful for future books by Ms. Hamilton.
Customer Rating:
Summary: In continuing tradition - Excellent
Comment: I really enjoy these books - whereas some readers don't enjoy the direction that Anita's life has taken - it's all part and parcel of the way things are.
I have to say that her life gets more and more difficult. The sexual aspect of the story is HOT - although I found it humerous that she did experience a - well - I can't go there - that would ruin it for others.
Basically, I do wish that she would do a little more hunting - go back to being as dangerous as she was - Obsidian Butterfly and her story there with Edward was one of the scariest books that I've ever read. Her ties to that Vampire there are one of the reasons that her power is coveted.
I like how all the books are tied together - expanding on the relationships and going deeper into the psyche of the characters as well as the lives of them all...This story focuses on Anita's relationship with Jason. Richard is still himself in this story but Anita really helps him out - again, why ruin the story.
Her love, loyalty and friendships toward all her ongoing relationships continue to expand and her thoughts are further delved into. Her conflicting thoughts and her resentment towards the ardouer (spelling?) are discussed further.
Again, while I wish her adventures and romps contained a bit more mayhem, her developing storyline is fascinating and I will continue to be a fan - a HUGE fan of Anita and of Laurell.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Blood Noir by Laurell K. Hamilton
Comment: I thoroughly enjoy reading Hamilton's books. This one was very good but I wished it was longer. The subject matter always captures my interest and before I knew it I was finished reading the book. I can't wait for the next installment in the Anita Blake saga or for the next Meredith Gentry book.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Always more fun coming along
Comment: I wish more authors I love would write this many books!! I reread them a lot, I get a lot out of them. They're extremely meaningful to me. This new one isn't my favorite, but I bought it, read it, and it was just as crazy as every other book in the series. I love the way the ante just keeps getting upped, and upped, and upped some more, both in the vampire and lycanthrope subcultures and in Anita's personal life. I really can't thank LKH enough for what she has done for fiction. Thank you Laurell!!! Don't stop any sooner than ya gotta. I'll be truly sad when this series finally winds down.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Advid Reader
Comment: I'm never disappointed by Hamilton. This was a GREAT read. Her only problem is that she doesn't write her books on "Blake" fast enough. I can't wait to see "Blake's" next adventure, but I think it's time to kill off "The Mother of All Darkness."
Laurell, thanks for the wonderful entertainment!
|
|
|
Editorial Reviews:
|
Readers can’t get enough of the #1 New York Times bestselling author.
A favor for Jason, vampire hunter Anita Blake’s werewolf lover, puts her in the center of a fullblown scandal that threatens master-vampire Jean- Claude’s reign—and makes her a pawn in an ancient vampire queen’s new rise to power.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
