The Harlequin (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #15)

by Laurell K. Hamilton, Cynthia Holloway (Narrator)

book data

5,154 ratings, 3.81 average rating, 253 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		33%
4		30%
3		22%
2		9%
1		3%

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published

April 28th 2008 by Brilliance Audio on CD Value Priced (first published June 5th 2007)

details

Audio CD

characters

Anita Blake, Jean-Claude, Richard Zeeman …more

setting

United States

isbn

159600049X (isbn13: 9781596000490)

description

Readers haven't seen anything yet-new in the "fabulously imagined series" (Publishers Weekly) from the #1 New York Times bestselling author.…more

find at: Amazon • WorldCat • more options…

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Jul 28, 2007

Amy rated it:

(review of isbn 0425217248)

bookshelves: junkfood, readsummer2007

Read in July, 2007

recommends it for: Only those who feel obligated to read it.

The Harlequin relies very heavily on dialogue between the characters, which is typical of Hamilton's work but in this case it comes off as clunky and tiresome. Harlequin is riddled with pages of conversation between Anita and a minor character that not only does nothing to advance the plot but does not advance the character development.

Speaking of characters, Harlequin has too many of them. The core cast of characters, long thought by myself and others to be one of the strengths of t...more The Harlequin relies very heavily on dialogue between the characters, which is typical of Hamilton's work but in this case it comes off as clunky and tiresome. Harlequin is riddled with pages of conversation between Anita and a minor character that not only does nothing to advance the plot but does not advance the character development.

Speaking of characters, Harlequin has too many of them. The core cast of characters, long thought by myself and others to be one of the strengths of the series, is bogged down with a ridiculous amount of minor characters who are given way too much stage time. There are several characters whose appearance does absolutely nothing to advance any plot or subplot(s). It almost seems like they were thrown in so you wouldn't forget that they existed within the world (and sometimes they are minor enough where you really have forgotten who they are), but with all of them making an appearance it is difficult to follow the storyline. Subsequently the characters of Anita, Jean-Claude, Richard, Edward, Nathaniel, and even the long obsessed about Micah suffer from neglect. There needs to be a very large battle or war or something to trim the character list (and Anita's six or seven long-list of lovers) back down again.

The one who suffers the most is Anita, who has lost whatever sense of realism that she once had. Yes, she lived in a world of vampires and zombies and had a quirky day job, but she was still realistic. You could relate to her and feel like if you lived in a world of vampires and zombies you could kick butt too. What happened to her zombie job? Not a mention of it, even though the opening scene takes place at work. I think that was the only time she went to work. What about her hobbies? They have seemingly fallen away to be replaced by managing her sex life - and with six/seven lovers, it really is a full time job (and an unrealistic one at that. Few can manage to date one person, some can manage two, no one could handle six). Her conflict with her faith and her mortal friends? It has been reduced to a bit scene with Dolph - portrayed as a one dimensional racist - raging on about her love life. When was the last time she went on a crime scene? Raised a zombie? Had coffee with a friend? Dealt directly with her necromancy for some reason other than because it created problems for the ardeur?

I did like how Edward was reintroduced. Even though there were only a handful of strong scenes with him, they were the stronger ones in the book. I also like the development of Nathanial as a character but I didn't like his new prominent role in the book. I'd like his role better if it seemed like Hamilton could make up her mind regarding him - it seems like she doesn't know if he's important or not. The same goes for Micah. Now that you've written a whole novella about him, you're going to regulate him to the backseat? Decide who is going to be the main cast and who isn't and stick to it.

In short, this work is inconsistent with sloppy writing and an unwieldy cast. You are not missing much if you wait until the library's copy frees up to read the book - or better yet, don't read it at all. You're looking for Anita and the Anita that we all know and love died sometime between Obsidian Butterfly and Narcissus in Chains - the one in the current series is supremely shallow and undeveloped.

What is desperately needed - aside from an end to the series - is an editor with a spine. She needs an editor that will tell her "We can't print that, it's a cumbersome, incoherent mess. Cut out X, Y, Z and go back and tighten up your characters, your dialogue, and the flow of your storyline." (less)

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Aug 22, 2008

Jim rated it:

(review of isbn 0425217248)

bookshelves: fantasy, paranormal-urban

Read in August, 2008

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 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 ...more

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Aug 07, 2007

MissM rated it:

(review of isbn 0425217248)

bookshelves: read-2007

Read in August, 2007

I stopped buying the Anita books awhile back when they turned into lame bodice rippers. I kept reading them though because I was interested and invested in the Anitaverse. Oddly enough, this book had significantly less sex than previous titles, but sadly, it didn't improve the quality of the story. After years of wishing we could have some plot withOUT sex, we get it and it's dull. The horrible, terribly irony.

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Mar 26, 2008

Anita rated it:

(review of isbn 0425217248)

The thing I love and hate most about Anita Blake novels is one in the same: I find them utterly and completely addictive. Really, they are nearly impossible for me to put down. LK Hamilton (the author) does a tremendous job of getting inside the heads of her characters. None of the characters are fictional perfect - in fact, it's the flaws they have to overcome that make them interesting. There's never a cut and dry happily ever after, but there is joy, sorrow, fear, love - a whole range of emot...more

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Dec 19, 2007

Samantha rated it:

(review of isbn 0425217248)

Hmm, I debated and debated and debated whether to even write a review for this book because of all the controversy surrounding Laurell K. Hamilton changing her characters. I liked this book. Was it the best Anita Blake book? No. Was it better than the last couple? Yes. It's not a stand alone book so if you haven't read the others you probably should. I always enjoy the politics of the vampires and the wereanimals. I think that it is interesting just like I find our American political system fasc...more

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Aug 21, 2007

Marian rated it:

(review of isbn 0425217248)

bookshelves: readit

Read in July, 2007

The sex scenes no longer occupy more pages than anything else, but the character list only continues to grow wildly out of control. Which I can live with, actually. What might be the final nail in the coffin, however, is the fact that some of Anita's actions this go round can, and probably should be, seen as those you'd typically associate with any given villain.
Rex of the lions won't bed her so she can feed on all the lions [which the book likens to rape since it's not like everyone ...more

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Jul 09, 2007

Beth rated it:

(review of isbn 0425217248)

Read in July, 2007

recommends it for: Grown up Fantasy Readers

I'm not done yet. These are my thoughts so far:

Lots of repetition of lines or acted upon thoughts. Anita says something, someone repeats. Anita thinks something, someone else does it. I’m waiting to see if this is a symptom of the Harlequin’s visit or just sloppy writing on Laurell K. Hamilton's part. I’m inclined to think the latter because of some very awkward sentence structure and word usage. The sex isn't as gratuitous as it was in the last two or three ((does Micah count?...more

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Jun 19, 2007

Merry rated it:

(review of isbn 0425217248)

Read in June, 2007

Series: #14 Anita Blake

Pages: 422

Number: 37

First Sentence:

"Malcolm the head of the Church of Eternal Life, the vampire church, sat across from me"

Synopsis:

From the Publisher
Readers haven't seen anything yet-new in the "fabulously imagined series" (Publishers Weekly) from the #1 New York Times bestselling author.

Anita Blake is about to face the challenge of her life. Into her world-a worl...more

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

1 comment

Feb 23, 2009

Ashley Ann rated it:

(review of isbn 0425217248)

bookshelves: my-personal-library

Didn't really like it. These books normally only take me a day or two to read, but this one took me almost two weeks. I just couldn't get into it.

I used to be a die-hard fan of the series, but my interest is fading. I personally think LKH should have either stopped with Obsidian Butterfly which was the last Anita Blake book that I actually enjoyed, or should could have kept going but made the ardour a temporary thing. Pretty sure that was what killed my interest.

These b...more

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Jan 19, 2008

Gail rated it:

(review of isbn 0425217248)

Read in June, 2007

I am getting so tired of Richard the werewolf and his angst. Hopefully, Hamilton is too. Anyway, this time, the vampire police have come to town. They're messing with Malcolm and his non-blood-oathed religious vampires—or somebody is—and they don't seem to be following the vampire cop rules. So she calls Edward for help—and he brings his stepson. There's lots of blood and mayhem. Lots of angst from Richard. Lots of sex. And there may be the final straw with Richard. I liked it anyway. A lo...more

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Dec 11, 2009

Christina rated it:

(review of isbn 0425217248)

Read in December, 2009

To be fair this book more deserves 2 1/2 stars than only two. I was promised "hot vampire sex" by a friend if I read this author. I guess I picked up the wrong book because the few actually sex scenes were more disturbing than anything. For a character whose life literally depends on having sex, it was a disappointment.

The story line did keep me reading and I found the last 100 pages to be quite entertaining. Entertaining enough that I plan on reading another book of her's....more

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Oct 21, 2009

Jimyanni rated it:

(review of isbn 0425217248)

Read in October, 2009

When this series began, I rated the violence content "R", and the sexual content "PG"; the violence has remained more or less constant throughout the series, but the sexual content has gradually increased until it got to the point, three or four books ago, that I would have to rate it "X"; if you enjoy a fast-moving, well-written pornographic novel, as I do, then you'll continue to enjoy this series; if that's not what you're looking for but want to read books like ...more

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Jan 21, 2009

Kelly rated it:

(review of isbn 0425217248)

Read in December, 2008

I have a love/hate relationship with this entire series. In the beginning, there was this Law-and-Order-on-paper feel to the books that I really enjoyed and felt drawn into. Then, when sex got introduced into the plot, the books quickly took a nose-dive into the trashy romance category for me - which doesn't tend to be my favorite genre. Luckily, Hamilton seems to have realized that many of her fans would prefer she kept some of the raunchier sex scenes down to a minimum and has accommodated.......more I have a love/hate relationship with this entire series. In the beginning, there was this Law-and-Order-on-paper feel to the books that I really enjoyed and felt drawn into. Then, when sex got introduced into the plot, the books quickly took a nose-dive into the trashy romance category for me - which doesn't tend to be my favorite genre. Luckily, Hamilton seems to have realized that many of her fans would prefer she kept some of the raunchier sex scenes down to a minimum and has accommodated....more I have a love/hate relationship with this entire series. In the beginning, there was this Law-and-Order-on-paper feel to the books that I really enjoyed and felt drawn into. Then, when sex got introduced into the plot, the books quickly took a nose-dive into the trashy romance category for me - which doesn't tend to be my favorite genre. Luckily, Hamilton seems to have realized that many of her fans would prefer she kept some of the raunchier sex scenes down to a minimum and has accommodated. The best way to explain this that I have found is that previously she described the scenes like a photograph - all harsh lights and vivid detail. Now, she seems to have taken the brush-art approach. Rather than stark details depicting every movement of bodies, Hamilton has toned down and has used her artistry to merely suggest the entire act with a few broad strokes.

That being said, this book was a fantastic example of the current positive trend in Hamilton's writing. The sexual aspect of the novel was kept to a minimum and actually tended to enhance the plot rather than detract from it. The mystery aspect of the book hearkened back to the beginning of the series. I felt that the ending was a bit rushed and would have liked the book to have more hints throughout about the central mystery instead of "Oh, there's a mystery. Oh, end of the book, reveal!" I really miss the old Anita Blake who actually solved crimes and mysteries instead of just being drug along via sex and danger to the resolution of the book.(less)

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Mar 02, 2010

Leslie rated it:

(review of isbn 0425217248)

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 12, 2010

Brandi rated it:

(review of isbn 0425217248)

Read in March, 2010

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

We're getting a little better...

If you haven't read any of my other reviews for the Anita Blake series, I'll sum it by saying the first few books were fast-paced, had a quick-moving plot, and the characters were enjoyable. And then... everything slowed down.

Other reviewers blame the ardeur and the sudden gratuitous sex for this. After finishing The Harlequin, I realized I don't necessarily blame the ardeur, I blame Anita for turning a little wimpy. Was it the ardeur that ...more We're getting a little better...

If you haven't read any of my other reviews for the Anita Blake series, I'll sum it by saying the first few books were fast-paced, had a quick-moving plot, and the characters were enjoyable. And then... everything slowed down.

Other reviewers blame the ardeur and the sudden gratuitous sex for this. After finishing The Harlequin, I realized I don't necessarily blame the ardeur, I blame Anita for turning a little wimpy. Was it the ardeur that made her so? I don't know. But what I miss the most is her utter ruthlessness, her "It's my way, no highway option" attitude.

The last several books has seen a big shift in Anita. I know she's growing as a character and trying to adapt to forty different responsibilities at once, and I don't really blame her for being confused or mellowing out; I do think it was necessary to show her with realistic concerns, and to show her calming down, since she was becoming a bit tedious herself. But I wish she had a little more of her old attitude. I think it would have been interesting, if not downright hilarious, to have seen Anita's old attitude deal with the ardeur, instead of fears and insecurities. But humor isn't exactly what this series is about.

With all that being said, I did find myself enjoying The Harlequin, much more than the last few books. Was it because the last few books felt like Laurell K. Hamilton checked out? Probably, because The Harlequin really wasn't that great. It moved better than the last four books, but still had chunky monologues. Everybody's still talking about their feelings at really inappropriate times (like during battles or when there's a time constraint - hello? Did you all forget you were trying to fight the big bad here, or are the bad guys just more polite in Anita's world, calmly minding their manners while everybody talks?). Why is everyone still yapping on about the same arguments they've been having for five or sex books, now? Enough talking. Resolve something, because having the same conversation again and again and again is annoying.

Despite the randomness of characters and the unresolved bits of the plot (whatever happened with Rafael? What was his reaction to experiencing the ardeur firsthand? After he's shown making a big to-do about keeping his rats safe, we never hear about him again in the book, which I find SO annoying), I really enjoyed the end. It had a nice twist that I didn't expect (because I don't expect much anymore), but what I'm over the moon about is that Anita and Jean-Claude finally called Richard out on being such an ass. I'm delighted, and I hate saying that I despise a character that much. The friend that encouraged me to read this series said Richard was a character you love to hate, and I do. I'd love to pick up the next book and find that Richard is gone for good. After everything he's put Anita and Jean-Claude through, I'd love it if there was some metaphysical way to break the triumvirate without killing everybody else. I know it's stupid to hope for something like that, but I can't help myself.

I will say that I hope that some of the revelations in The Harlequin stick for the next book or two; but where Anita has taught her men caution, Laurell K. Hamilton has done the same to me. I know where i'd like to see the series go, but I highly doubt it will go where I want it to go. Still, after fifteen books, I'm resolved to see where this goes. I'm committed.(less)

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Jul 25, 2009

Caitlinstuart07 rated it:

(review of isbn 0515144614)

Read in July, 2009

This book was a major improvement in the storyline, and I really enjoyed the harlequin and the terror that they attempt to rain down. And there was definitely less porn in this one. Finally. But I agree with others that sometimes there was an awful lot of blah blah blah dialogue and I still want Richard to go away. Maybe he did, given the ending? It was a little unclear if he was finally going to get out of the supernatural mess. But Nathaniel sticking up for himself was a good progression, as w...more

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Apr 07, 2009

Joe Easton rated it:

(review of isbn 0425217248)

Read in April, 2009

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

The Harlequin is a supernatural troop of vampires developed by the mother of all vampires, Marmee Noir, to keep all the other vampires in line. This group will test a master vampire through a series of masks, the white mask means they will monitor and watch, a black mask means they will torture and harm the vampire and crew, while a red mask means they will kill the master vampire and anyone who gets in their way.
A rule about the Harlequin is if a master vampire tells anyone about the ...more

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Feb 22, 2009

Sara rated it:

(review of isbn 0425217248)

I have loved everything that ms. hamilton has written. while i usually get bored with any series that has more than 4 or 5 books in it, i find myself eager awaiting each installment of the anita blake and merry gentry series. my only complaint, is that there seems to be waaaaaay too much focus on sex. I know that the sex scenes are an integral part of both stories, with anita having to feed her ardeur and merry trying to get pregnant. It just seems that as the stories progress, there is more and...more

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Jun 18, 2009

Tammy rated it:

(review of isbn 0425217248)

bookshelves: urban-fantasy, vampires

Read in June, 2009

I finally put my finger on why Anita bugs me so in ways she didn't at the beginning of the series. It's that whenever she gets called a whore--and she does often--she says "I'm not a whore, the ardeur made me do it." Dude, get over it. Just embrace the fact that you like to have sex with a lot of pretty men, sometimes more than one at a time. Honest, it's okay to do it, write it, read it. You don't need to excuse or rationalize it.

I'd be way happier if Anita returned to ki...more

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Dec 22, 2009

Jennifer Priddy rated it:

(review of isbn 0425217248)

Read in November, 2009

A friend of mine suggested that I read these books after she found out I liked the Southern Vampire Novels. They are a lot of fun to read (as long as you don't blush to easily), and are short enough that you can read them in a day or two. I started with The Harlequin, which, I know, is kind of wierd to start on book 15 of a series, but it was easy to pick up on most of the story because she refers to the major plot lines of the other books often and well. I've read all of them now, and am wai...more

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