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Merry Gentry #8
Péchés Divins
« Enfin j'ai réussi : je suis enceinte d'un héritier de la cour Unseelie. Sauf que je me rends compte que l'amour maternel, c'est autre chose... Voilà que je refuse la couronne et que je m'exile dans le monde des humains. Mais ma tranquillité ne dure pas, malheureusement : des meurtres très étranges chez les demi-Feys m'obligent à reprendre le travail... »
446 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 8, 2009
616 people are currently reading
8349 people want to read
About the author
Laurell K. Hamilton
422 books25.7k followersLaurell K. Hamilton is one of the leading writers of paranormal fiction. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Hamilton writes the popular Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter novels and the Meredith Gentry series. She is also the creator of a bestselling comic book series based on her Anita Blake novels and published by Marvel Comics. Hamilton is a full-time writer and lives in the suburbs of St. Louis with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 811 reviews
March 11, 2017
I'm not really sure why I read this series anymore. The actual mystery of the novel is shoved aside for the better part of the book to make way for arguing, sex, and pissing contests. And if it's not that, then the rest of the book is made up of hair and eye color descriptions for all the various characters. Hamilton's fascination with hair down to the ankles and with the varying heights of the characters is mind-boggling. She seems to spend more time thinking up these various combinations than actually working on the plot.
Merry's decided she's going to be a detective now that she's been exiled to California. She gets called in to help the police with a case where faeries are being murdered and arranged and posed to look like pages out of a fairy tale book. Merry's men don't want her to get too involved since she's pregnant, but Merry is stubborn and wants to know who's killing her people. About 250 pages go by after this initial setup and we arrive at the conclusion of the story. The mystery is figured out and wrapped up within the last 30 pages or so. Just about everything that happens in between is either a rehash of old events, pissing contests between the men, or Merry running around trying not to get herself killed.
Doyle and Frost, Merry's two main men are little more than bodyguards in this book. She doesn't sleep with them and Frost barely says a word at all. Doyle's main phrase throughout the book is; "Once I was the Queen's Darkness ..." while Frost's phrase is; "I was once the Killing Frost ..." They both like to wax poetic on how badass they used to be but it just seems silly now. It's gotten to the point where I honestly like Sholto better, his character is more developed and he actually has a personality. Doyle and Frost seem castrated and I've grown bored with them.
My biggest problem with this book though is the repetition and constant explanations that are unnecessary and bog the book down. There are so many phrases and scenes in this book that feel lifted from the previous novels that at times it feels like Hamilton copied and pasted to fill up the pages. There would be times when someone would say or do something wrong and this would be pointed out to the reader and then someone would say, "what did I miss, why is that wrong?" and then it'd be explained.
Then, if things weren't being explained constantly, Merry was arguing with her men about who was in charge. And if Merry wasn't arguing about who was in charge then the men were arguing with each other. I don't know why Hamilton thinks this moves the plot along because it doesn't. It's frustrating to say the least.
The men Merry sleeps with in this book are mostly secondary characters and it's gotten to the point where it just doesn't make sense anymore. She claims to love Doyle and Frost as her main men but hardly spends any time with them. She's pregnant now so she doesn't have to whore around so much but she chooses to anyway and I don't see the reason for this other than Hamilton wanting to write all the different and strange sex scenes. I have to say that probably without the sex scenes this book would be even weaker than it was though.
This series has so much potential and each book it just seems to be wasted. The main mystery is forgotten for most of the book and then neatly wrapped up within the last few pages. Hamilton's writing suffers more and more with each book and she could really benefit from a new editor, or maybe even a break from writing all together. I'm mostly disappointed because I thought Swallowing Darkness was actually a step-up from the previous books, but now it seems like that was just an anomaly. I honestly don't know if Hamilton will ever change her writing though, because she does sell her books. I can hope though.
Merry's decided she's going to be a detective now that she's been exiled to California. She gets called in to help the police with a case where faeries are being murdered and arranged and posed to look like pages out of a fairy tale book. Merry's men don't want her to get too involved since she's pregnant, but Merry is stubborn and wants to know who's killing her people. About 250 pages go by after this initial setup and we arrive at the conclusion of the story. The mystery is figured out and wrapped up within the last 30 pages or so. Just about everything that happens in between is either a rehash of old events, pissing contests between the men, or Merry running around trying not to get herself killed.
Doyle and Frost, Merry's two main men are little more than bodyguards in this book. She doesn't sleep with them and Frost barely says a word at all. Doyle's main phrase throughout the book is; "Once I was the Queen's Darkness ..." while Frost's phrase is; "I was once the Killing Frost ..." They both like to wax poetic on how badass they used to be but it just seems silly now. It's gotten to the point where I honestly like Sholto better, his character is more developed and he actually has a personality. Doyle and Frost seem castrated and I've grown bored with them.
My biggest problem with this book though is the repetition and constant explanations that are unnecessary and bog the book down. There are so many phrases and scenes in this book that feel lifted from the previous novels that at times it feels like Hamilton copied and pasted to fill up the pages. There would be times when someone would say or do something wrong and this would be pointed out to the reader and then someone would say, "what did I miss, why is that wrong?" and then it'd be explained.
Then, if things weren't being explained constantly, Merry was arguing with her men about who was in charge. And if Merry wasn't arguing about who was in charge then the men were arguing with each other. I don't know why Hamilton thinks this moves the plot along because it doesn't. It's frustrating to say the least.
The men Merry sleeps with in this book are mostly secondary characters and it's gotten to the point where it just doesn't make sense anymore. She claims to love Doyle and Frost as her main men but hardly spends any time with them. She's pregnant now so she doesn't have to whore around so much but she chooses to anyway and I don't see the reason for this other than Hamilton wanting to write all the different and strange sex scenes. I have to say that probably without the sex scenes this book would be even weaker than it was though.
This series has so much potential and each book it just seems to be wasted. The main mystery is forgotten for most of the book and then neatly wrapped up within the last few pages. Hamilton's writing suffers more and more with each book and she could really benefit from a new editor, or maybe even a break from writing all together. I'm mostly disappointed because I thought Swallowing Darkness was actually a step-up from the previous books, but now it seems like that was just an anomaly. I honestly don't know if Hamilton will ever change her writing though, because she does sell her books. I can hope though.
January 3, 2016
I really like this series!
It seems that I like LKH's writing style. As expected, hoer books are not for everyone, you either really like them or you really don't (but if you stuck to this series 'til here, you probably d0).
So the story continues. This book is more of a "filler" for the series, nothing will happen if you skip it (and go to the next one); I think the previous book was meant to be some sort of ending. But well, I'm really glad the story keeps on, I really am curious to see how everything will end (and there aren't a lot of books that make me curious).
Can't wait to try the next (and, for now, the last) one!
It seems that I like LKH's writing style. As expected, hoer books are not for everyone, you either really like them or you really don't (but if you stuck to this series 'til here, you probably d0).
So the story continues. This book is more of a "filler" for the series, nothing will happen if you skip it (and go to the next one); I think the previous book was meant to be some sort of ending. But well, I'm really glad the story keeps on, I really am curious to see how everything will end (and there aren't a lot of books that make me curious).
Can't wait to try the next (and, for now, the last) one!
December 10, 2009
Merry and her Muppet multi-color haired men are back, but definitely not for the better. This book didn't do much for me. I have enjoyed the series, but one of the biggest problems has been when the plot drags. This particular book dragged for me. The Queen of the Unseelie Court did not make an appearance in this book, and she is one of the more interesting plot pieces in the series.
As usual, Ms. Hamilton could use a better editor. The redundancy of the text kills me. This next snippet won't spoil the story, I promise... but I just have to share (I edited out some text in (...)):
"What were they wearing, Bittersweet?"
"Plastic"(...)
"What do you mean, 'plastic'?"(...)
"Clear plastic like you wrap leftover food in."
"You mean they wore plastic wrap?"
(...)
"What color was the plastic?"
(...)
"It had no color,"(...)
"Do you mean," asked Lucy, "that it was colorless?"
"That is what I said"
As usual, Ms. Hamilton could use a better editor. The redundancy of the text kills me. This next snippet won't spoil the story, I promise... but I just have to share (I edited out some text in (...)):
"What were they wearing, Bittersweet?"
"Plastic"(...)
"What do you mean, 'plastic'?"(...)
"Clear plastic like you wrap leftover food in."
"You mean they wore plastic wrap?"
(...)
"What color was the plastic?"
(...)
"It had no color,"(...)
"Do you mean," asked Lucy, "that it was colorless?"
"That is what I said"
October 16, 2025
Too many events in too short amount of time.
It starts with horrible murders, which continue throughout the book, but next few events seem like something that should have been spaced out in a few days, not few hours. This book gives us a bigger insight into fae culture in the human world - especially the culture of the lesser fae.
Merry pregnant and full of hormones, emotions clouding her judgement, is a MOOD. We see more of her men and other guards caring for her, and each other. The guards are finally starting to relax and have hope to be able to move past their traumas.
Unpopular opinion perhaps, but I kind of like Bittersweet as a character. She's completely out of her mind mad.
It starts with horrible murders, which continue throughout the book, but next few events seem like something that should have been spaced out in a few days, not few hours. This book gives us a bigger insight into fae culture in the human world - especially the culture of the lesser fae.
Merry pregnant and full of hormones, emotions clouding her judgement, is a MOOD. We see more of her men and other guards caring for her, and each other. The guards are finally starting to relax and have hope to be able to move past their traumas.
Unpopular opinion perhaps, but I kind of like Bittersweet as a character. She's completely out of her mind mad.
March 11, 2010
I'm not sure why I keep doing this to myself. I spend money on LKH book and then feel like a shmuck afterwards. Allow me to explain.
This is book 8 of a series. 8 books and all that has happened with the Merry, a half breed fairy princess living in the U.S. is:
1- Knocked by multiple men (if you are scratching your head, just roll with that idea because it is magic),
2-She has killed her sadistic, murdering and raping cousin Prince Cel; and
3-The mother/earth goddess has named her queen of fairy but the majority of the other fae will not accept her because she is a half breed.
Yup 8 book that that is the advancement of the plot.
The plot is loosely linked by multiple sex scenes. It is obvious LKH is vicarously living out some fantacy of have a male harem with a bunch of long haired metro-sexuals. Somehow Merry/Anita Blake loves the 30 guys she is sleeping with. She loves them so much that even when her “hot box” is worn out by multiple gang bangs she is so over come but lust for just about any man that she can get over the pain and can satisfy yet another guy. One of harem always develop some sort of new power through intercourse. Feel free to skip the sex scenes (cuts out half of the book), I do.
The formula of her books is simple. First you run around like headless chicken trying to solve some type of crime. Second you fight amongst your selves and Merry/Anita Blake has to put the male in their place. Third mystery is solved by happy accidents (no real crime solving skills needed). Four battle villain (don’t forget to find out why villain is a psycho, not enough hugs as a child or some such crap) and kill said villain. Five she goes off into the sunset with her harem.
Well as bad as the books are, I am always entertained maybe that is why I keep buying them.
Spoiler Alert
A group of the most powerful people on the planet had to put together a strike force to stop the killer Tinkerbelle.
This is book 8 of a series. 8 books and all that has happened with the Merry, a half breed fairy princess living in the U.S. is:
1- Knocked by multiple men (if you are scratching your head, just roll with that idea because it is magic),
2-She has killed her sadistic, murdering and raping cousin Prince Cel; and
3-The mother/earth goddess has named her queen of fairy but the majority of the other fae will not accept her because she is a half breed.
Yup 8 book that that is the advancement of the plot.
The plot is loosely linked by multiple sex scenes. It is obvious LKH is vicarously living out some fantacy of have a male harem with a bunch of long haired metro-sexuals. Somehow Merry/Anita Blake loves the 30 guys she is sleeping with. She loves them so much that even when her “hot box” is worn out by multiple gang bangs she is so over come but lust for just about any man that she can get over the pain and can satisfy yet another guy. One of harem always develop some sort of new power through intercourse. Feel free to skip the sex scenes (cuts out half of the book), I do.
The formula of her books is simple. First you run around like headless chicken trying to solve some type of crime. Second you fight amongst your selves and Merry/Anita Blake has to put the male in their place. Third mystery is solved by happy accidents (no real crime solving skills needed). Four battle villain (don’t forget to find out why villain is a psycho, not enough hugs as a child or some such crap) and kill said villain. Five she goes off into the sunset with her harem.
Well as bad as the books are, I am always entertained maybe that is why I keep buying them.
Spoiler Alert
A group of the most powerful people on the planet had to put together a strike force to stop the killer Tinkerbelle.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2009
This book is brought to you by the words, "Copy" and "Paste."
Seriously, Hamilton has always been a lazy writer in desperate need of a thesaurus but this book really takes the prize. The EXACT SAME SENTENCES were featured over and over in every chapter. This book reverted to the "all boring sex scenes, no plot" problem she's had in other novels and it seemed like each sex scene was a template of the same descriptions, actions and words into which she simply changed the name of the male partner as needed.
The so-called "plot" of the book is treated like unwanted leftovers; barely included to give a slight connection between the repetitive and boring sex scenes. She shows up at a crime scene, makes a few comments, then goes home, sleeps with more guys - repeat for two hundred pages until another character comes by and explains the ENTIRE "mystery" to her, giving her the answer so she can rush in and have a five-page finish to the storyline.
It's all so completely and utterly pointless. Literally nothing of value happens. Anything that does happen takes place in one sentence blurbs that never get followed-up on - if that! The cover claims that "dark suspicions of banned magical activities swirl around me" and yet...that's not even in the book. Not a single sentence. The cover also claims, "Mortals I once healed with magic are suddenly performing miracles" to which you get one dream sequence about four pages long.
Hamilton may have meant for there to be a storyline but she obviously forgot to include it in the published book.
Seriously, Hamilton has always been a lazy writer in desperate need of a thesaurus but this book really takes the prize. The EXACT SAME SENTENCES were featured over and over in every chapter. This book reverted to the "all boring sex scenes, no plot" problem she's had in other novels and it seemed like each sex scene was a template of the same descriptions, actions and words into which she simply changed the name of the male partner as needed.
The so-called "plot" of the book is treated like unwanted leftovers; barely included to give a slight connection between the repetitive and boring sex scenes. She shows up at a crime scene, makes a few comments, then goes home, sleeps with more guys - repeat for two hundred pages until another character comes by and explains the ENTIRE "mystery" to her, giving her the answer so she can rush in and have a five-page finish to the storyline.
It's all so completely and utterly pointless. Literally nothing of value happens. Anything that does happen takes place in one sentence blurbs that never get followed-up on - if that! The cover claims that "dark suspicions of banned magical activities swirl around me" and yet...that's not even in the book. Not a single sentence. The cover also claims, "Mortals I once healed with magic are suddenly performing miracles" to which you get one dream sequence about four pages long.
Hamilton may have meant for there to be a storyline but she obviously forgot to include it in the published book.
February 20, 2011
Ahh...
Princess Meredith's Magical Vagina tour rolls on...
Okay we get it - sex is magic - and your girl the princess has such a magical hoo-haw as to invoke all the lost treasures of Faerun. Good for her.
This will be the last Meredith Gentry book I read.
I wasnt offended by the rampant sex, I expect that. I wasnt shocked by the rough and tumble (accent on ROUGH) aspect of some of the sex. Hell, I like some of that my self.
I just had a problem with the NON-STOP part of the sex. Of the 365 pages in this book, I got the sense that 320 of them were sex scenes, most one after another after another...
Laurell dear, if you are out of ideas, shelve the Princess and do something else...
Dont rape your fans for the price of another P M G book, then fluff it with nothing but sex.
Maybe it wasnt just the volume or percentage, but the repitiveness of it that really burned me...
How many times did I read - "guided him to my opening" oh, and - "SCREAMED" or "SCREAMING"
We get it, she is enthusiastic...
Screamers are overrated... It is hard to handle your business with a woman who is constantly trying to shatter your eardrums... Though it is healthy for the ego, I can't recomend it long term.
Certainly you dont want a church mouse, but every encounter is scream - worthy?
Seems unlikely to me.
Unless you want pornography, but are too shy to purchase pornography - I wouldnt recomend this to anyone who isnt just looking for cheap thrills with less stigma than a dirty magazine / book...
Princess Meredith's Magical Vagina tour rolls on...
Okay we get it - sex is magic - and your girl the princess has such a magical hoo-haw as to invoke all the lost treasures of Faerun. Good for her.
This will be the last Meredith Gentry book I read.
I wasnt offended by the rampant sex, I expect that. I wasnt shocked by the rough and tumble (accent on ROUGH) aspect of some of the sex. Hell, I like some of that my self.
I just had a problem with the NON-STOP part of the sex. Of the 365 pages in this book, I got the sense that 320 of them were sex scenes, most one after another after another...
Laurell dear, if you are out of ideas, shelve the Princess and do something else...
Dont rape your fans for the price of another P M G book, then fluff it with nothing but sex.
Maybe it wasnt just the volume or percentage, but the repitiveness of it that really burned me...
How many times did I read - "guided him to my opening" oh, and - "SCREAMED" or "SCREAMING"
We get it, she is enthusiastic...
Screamers are overrated... It is hard to handle your business with a woman who is constantly trying to shatter your eardrums... Though it is healthy for the ego, I can't recomend it long term.
Certainly you dont want a church mouse, but every encounter is scream - worthy?
Seems unlikely to me.
Unless you want pornography, but are too shy to purchase pornography - I wouldnt recomend this to anyone who isnt just looking for cheap thrills with less stigma than a dirty magazine / book...
April 17, 2011
This is the 8th book in Laurell K Hamilton’s ‘Merry Gentry’ series.
Ever since ‘Narcissus in Chains’ (Anita Blake #10) I have preferred Hamilton’s ‘Merry’ books to ‘Anita’. At least in the ‘Merry’ books all the erotica, orgies, BDSM etc is legitimized by Merry and her men being Sidhe (fey) who are a very sensual, sexual species. Plus it was essential to the storyline that Merry have as much sex with as many of her men as possible – since she was in a race to make an heir and be crowned Queen of the Unseelie (fey) court. All the sex was for a legitimate reason – versus Anita’s sudden downward spiral into sluttiness, despite being a morally upright character prior to book #10.
So, I am a fan of Hamilton’s ‘Merry’ books. But to be honest I thought the series could have happily concluded with book #7, ‘Swallowing Darkness’, because a huge story ARC was wrapped up nicely. I was a little cautious going into ‘Divine Misdemeanors’ because I couldn’t really gauge where Merry’s story would go since so much was concluded in the previous book.
I was right to be wary.
‘Divine Misdemeanors’ flounders from page one. Merry is back to being a Private Detective and the opening chapter has her consulting on a crime scene. Once upon a time Laurell K. Hamilton could masterfully mesh science and crime fiction – she was at the top of the Urban Fantasy genre with her ‘Anita Blake’ series. But her ‘Merry’ books have never had the same crime/fantasy angle as ‘Anita’, so I don’t really know why Hamilton felt the need to start now in book #8. ‘Merry’ was always the series that explored politics, royal families and despotism. The crime storyline in ‘Divine’ is boring, made more so by the lack of uber-villain Queen Andais.
Queen Andais is to Merry what Belle Morte is to Anita; a seriously delicious, conniving mega-bitch. Hamilton may lag behind in plot and spout tired and trite sentences in her many sex scenes (‘I screamed my orgasm into his mouth’, ‘so tight, so wet’ etc, etc, etc) but she knows how to write a good bad-girl. Queen Andais is Merry’s aunt and reigning Queen of the Unseelie court. She is also a raving lunatic, and sado-masochist. She is an atrocious character; so evil that she’s fun to read – and her absence is keenly felt in ‘Divine Misdemeanors’.
In previous books ‘Merry Gentry’ did a good job of exploring politics through mythological creatures – observing the tyranny of autocratic leaders, and the power plays that go on behind closed doors. It made for fascinating reading. From Merry negotiating a treaty with Kurag, the Goblin King (not David Bowie, unfortunately) to playing humble before her insane aunt, Andais. But all that is missing from ‘Divine’. I really hope that Hamilton turns it all around in book #9, because the crime storyline may sometimes work in Anita’s universe, but it certainly doesn’t in Merry’s. The best part in all of ‘Divine Misdemeanors’ comes when Barinthus (Sidhe politician) gives Merry a dressing-down for refusing to step up and become Queen – that was the only high point in the entire book.
I’m not really all that surprised that the ‘plot’ of ‘Divine Misdemeanors’ was lacking. Tags for Hamilton’s books on Amazon.com are along the lines of ‘erotica without plot’. While that was more the case with her recent ‘Anita’ books, Hamilton’s ‘Merry’ series did have previously interesting plotlines (with heavy does of erotica) but in ‘Divine’ Hamilton falls into the same traps.
It’s actually pretty funny – Hamilton tries to inject her vapid sex scenes with legitimate character discussion, with hilariously bad results. While having sex with Sidhe/Goblin Kitto, he and Merry randomly get onto the topic of her alliance with the Goblin King. As though she realizes that all the sex is getting in the way of storyline, Hamilton tries to negotiate by combining the two.
“But what does all the politics have to do with the oral sex in the privacy of our own bedchamber?”
Exactly.
To be honest, I was halfway through ‘Divine Misdemeanors’ and seriously considering giving the entire series the flick from here on in. Then Hamilton pulled out one line of dialogue that gave me hope that books from here on in will become more interesting.
“Are you all going to be sitting in some rocket-powered car a century from now telling our children about me?”
From book one we’ve known that Merry is mortal (her mother was part human, while her father was Sidhe – Merry is aging at a slow rate, but she will eventually die of old age) while Merry’s men are all immortal. Merry has said in passing on several occasions how sad it is that she will one day die, while her lovers and children will go on without her. I’ve always thought it was odd that Merry has never had a little cry about this fact. She’s just fallen in love with all these Sidhe men, she’s pregnant by six of them and while pregnant with these fey twins she has the knowledge that she won’t be around to watch over them forever, while their fathers will. It’s mentioned a few times in ‘Divine Misdemeanors’ – which leads me to think this will be the focus of book #9. If so, that’s one storyline I would love to read about, so even though number 8 left me cold, I do intend to read book 9.
Ever since ‘Narcissus in Chains’ (Anita Blake #10) I have preferred Hamilton’s ‘Merry’ books to ‘Anita’. At least in the ‘Merry’ books all the erotica, orgies, BDSM etc is legitimized by Merry and her men being Sidhe (fey) who are a very sensual, sexual species. Plus it was essential to the storyline that Merry have as much sex with as many of her men as possible – since she was in a race to make an heir and be crowned Queen of the Unseelie (fey) court. All the sex was for a legitimate reason – versus Anita’s sudden downward spiral into sluttiness, despite being a morally upright character prior to book #10.
So, I am a fan of Hamilton’s ‘Merry’ books. But to be honest I thought the series could have happily concluded with book #7, ‘Swallowing Darkness’, because a huge story ARC was wrapped up nicely. I was a little cautious going into ‘Divine Misdemeanors’ because I couldn’t really gauge where Merry’s story would go since so much was concluded in the previous book.
I was right to be wary.
‘Divine Misdemeanors’ flounders from page one. Merry is back to being a Private Detective and the opening chapter has her consulting on a crime scene. Once upon a time Laurell K. Hamilton could masterfully mesh science and crime fiction – she was at the top of the Urban Fantasy genre with her ‘Anita Blake’ series. But her ‘Merry’ books have never had the same crime/fantasy angle as ‘Anita’, so I don’t really know why Hamilton felt the need to start now in book #8. ‘Merry’ was always the series that explored politics, royal families and despotism. The crime storyline in ‘Divine’ is boring, made more so by the lack of uber-villain Queen Andais.
Queen Andais is to Merry what Belle Morte is to Anita; a seriously delicious, conniving mega-bitch. Hamilton may lag behind in plot and spout tired and trite sentences in her many sex scenes (‘I screamed my orgasm into his mouth’, ‘so tight, so wet’ etc, etc, etc) but she knows how to write a good bad-girl. Queen Andais is Merry’s aunt and reigning Queen of the Unseelie court. She is also a raving lunatic, and sado-masochist. She is an atrocious character; so evil that she’s fun to read – and her absence is keenly felt in ‘Divine Misdemeanors’.
In previous books ‘Merry Gentry’ did a good job of exploring politics through mythological creatures – observing the tyranny of autocratic leaders, and the power plays that go on behind closed doors. It made for fascinating reading. From Merry negotiating a treaty with Kurag, the Goblin King (not David Bowie, unfortunately) to playing humble before her insane aunt, Andais. But all that is missing from ‘Divine’. I really hope that Hamilton turns it all around in book #9, because the crime storyline may sometimes work in Anita’s universe, but it certainly doesn’t in Merry’s. The best part in all of ‘Divine Misdemeanors’ comes when Barinthus (Sidhe politician) gives Merry a dressing-down for refusing to step up and become Queen – that was the only high point in the entire book.
I’m not really all that surprised that the ‘plot’ of ‘Divine Misdemeanors’ was lacking. Tags for Hamilton’s books on Amazon.com are along the lines of ‘erotica without plot’. While that was more the case with her recent ‘Anita’ books, Hamilton’s ‘Merry’ series did have previously interesting plotlines (with heavy does of erotica) but in ‘Divine’ Hamilton falls into the same traps.
It’s actually pretty funny – Hamilton tries to inject her vapid sex scenes with legitimate character discussion, with hilariously bad results. While having sex with Sidhe/Goblin Kitto, he and Merry randomly get onto the topic of her alliance with the Goblin King. As though she realizes that all the sex is getting in the way of storyline, Hamilton tries to negotiate by combining the two.
“But what does all the politics have to do with the oral sex in the privacy of our own bedchamber?”
Exactly.
To be honest, I was halfway through ‘Divine Misdemeanors’ and seriously considering giving the entire series the flick from here on in. Then Hamilton pulled out one line of dialogue that gave me hope that books from here on in will become more interesting.
“Are you all going to be sitting in some rocket-powered car a century from now telling our children about me?”
From book one we’ve known that Merry is mortal (her mother was part human, while her father was Sidhe – Merry is aging at a slow rate, but she will eventually die of old age) while Merry’s men are all immortal. Merry has said in passing on several occasions how sad it is that she will one day die, while her lovers and children will go on without her. I’ve always thought it was odd that Merry has never had a little cry about this fact. She’s just fallen in love with all these Sidhe men, she’s pregnant by six of them and while pregnant with these fey twins she has the knowledge that she won’t be around to watch over them forever, while their fathers will. It’s mentioned a few times in ‘Divine Misdemeanors’ – which leads me to think this will be the focus of book #9. If so, that’s one storyline I would love to read about, so even though number 8 left me cold, I do intend to read book 9.
July 7, 2020
I have no idea why my past self initially rated this book 4 stars. I guess a lot has changed in 10 years because this was in NO WAY a 4 star book. Especially when the previous book had a pretty good ending for the series as a whole. I think reading them all back to back might be the reason for my change in views.
Ok so my main issue is that this series is turning into the Anita series. Merry is working with the police because her magical talents are helpful, but wait, she's also too distracting to be there and so is her entourage that she has to take everywhere. Aside from that, the mystery takes up so little of the story that it gets lost in all the whining that happens. And OMG is there whining. And major pissing contests. Cause Merry is obviously just an object that everyone has a right to.
Oh, and we can't forget the giant tantrum that Baranthus threw because he didn't have all of his powers back.
I also don't understand how if she's now pregnant and knows who the fathers are (yes, fathers because there must be multiple), why does she still need to sleep with everyone around her? There is no reason given for this and it gets frustrating because for people who like having a little romance in their paranormal books, I get nothing that I can latch onto. It's hard to be invested in any of the guys and their tie with Merry because it keeps changing.
I only have one more book to go and it will be the only one that will be a first time read. I'm both dreading it and happy that it will finally be done.
Ok so my main issue is that this series is turning into the Anita series. Merry is working with the police because her magical talents are helpful, but wait, she's also too distracting to be there and so is her entourage that she has to take everywhere. Aside from that, the mystery takes up so little of the story that it gets lost in all the whining that happens. And OMG is there whining. And major pissing contests. Cause Merry is obviously just an object that everyone has a right to.
Oh, and we can't forget the giant tantrum that Baranthus threw because he didn't have all of his powers back.
I also don't understand how if she's now pregnant and knows who the fathers are (yes, fathers because there must be multiple), why does she still need to sleep with everyone around her? There is no reason given for this and it gets frustrating because for people who like having a little romance in their paranormal books, I get nothing that I can latch onto. It's hard to be invested in any of the guys and their tie with Merry because it keeps changing.
I only have one more book to go and it will be the only one that will be a first time read. I'm both dreading it and happy that it will finally be done.
December 9, 2009
In Los Angeles, demi-fey are being killed in a certain way, the crime scenes bloody close to illustrations in storybooks. 'Twould make a macabre but compelling plot, but instead here it's only a sub-plot. For a private detective, Merry Gentry doesn't seem to do much work. In this tome, she visits crime scenes, a lab, and basically does a lot of talking. There's no personal danger for her, considering she's guarded by at least two men at all times. So if you're looking for a thriller or mystery, you've come to the wrong book.
If relationship melodrama is your thing, you'll gobble up Divine Misdemeanors. If you thought becoming pregnant would kill Merry's sex life, you're strongly mistaken. She has five different partners in this series's eighth novel, and her snatch continues to be magical: Shagging in the sea creates a new sithen, and shagging a demi-fey makes the male grow to human size - and not just in the pants department. Not kinky enough for you? Apparently tentacles go for boobs, because the appendages have spines, and would likely damage a snatch, perhaps even Merry's magical one.
The storybook serial kills are fascinating, but they barely get a look in here. Don't bother buying the hardcover - wait for the paperback, or just borrow the hardcover from the library. But really, if you never get to read Divine Misdemeanors, you're not missing anything of note.
If relationship melodrama is your thing, you'll gobble up Divine Misdemeanors. If you thought becoming pregnant would kill Merry's sex life, you're strongly mistaken. She has five different partners in this series's eighth novel, and her snatch continues to be magical: Shagging in the sea creates a new sithen, and shagging a demi-fey makes the male grow to human size - and not just in the pants department. Not kinky enough for you? Apparently tentacles go for boobs, because the appendages have spines, and would likely damage a snatch, perhaps even Merry's magical one.
The storybook serial kills are fascinating, but they barely get a look in here. Don't bother buying the hardcover - wait for the paperback, or just borrow the hardcover from the library. But really, if you never get to read Divine Misdemeanors, you're not missing anything of note.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2009
The plot was somewhat tighter (whodunit wise only) and It was fun to see some of the characters from book 1 again. There were some vaguely touched upon interesting developments concerning: the human soldiers she saved last book, the gangs home away from home, and in Merry's demeanor. But this still is LKH we're talkin' bout so there's still less editing than healthy, more sex (with random side characters) than necessary, and abounding wtfery. How she can spend pages upon pages sexin' the goblin boy wonder and other assorted fantastical navel gazing; but not explore the more interesting turns of events or characters is beyond me. The stories still grip me, but it often feels that they're scribbled in crayon compared to the rest of the dark fantasy genre (Adult, YA, or heck even some of the Children's novels).
December 29, 2009
Divine Misdeameanours is the 8th installment in the Meredith Gentry series by the amazing Laurell K Hamilton. And what a book it was! I was begging for this book to come out, and I had no complaints. The only thing close to a complaint I had was the price of the Hardcover, but with my store discount how cold I not. I wasn't planning on waiting long to read this anyway.
What I like about this series is that unlike some other longer series they seem to drag out each book and I find myself not as interested as I once was, but with this series I love each book just the same. This time around Meredith is pregnant and her fellow lovers aren't happy about her still insisting on working, especially since her jobs aren't always easy or normal. And this case seems to be a bit nerve wrecking for both Merry and her lovers. Someone is killing the fey in the human world and stageing it to look like old fairy tales. It's gruesome and evil and merry feels she owes it to her fey race to catch this killer. Merry is her usual kick butt self, but has a softer side since carrying the twins. She has to learn to be more careful because her future had even more to protect.
Merry's usual men are a current role in this book, but I found even though Frost and Doyle to be a big part in the book, they don't have much face time with Merry. Rhy, Kitto and Royal seems to be becoming a bigger role in Merry's life as well. But even said that, Frost and Doyle are still Merry's number one(thank goodness!) but I just found Hamilton played the other characters up more in this book, which was good for a change. I liked the drama that was between Barinthus, Merry and the rest, and I loved the twists that lead to the revealing of the murderer. I found this story compelling and exciting. It has romance, mystery, fantasy and action, what's not to love? And after that being said, like most of Hamilton's books I rate this a 5 out of 5!
Now just another year wait for the next one.. He He!
What I like about this series is that unlike some other longer series they seem to drag out each book and I find myself not as interested as I once was, but with this series I love each book just the same. This time around Meredith is pregnant and her fellow lovers aren't happy about her still insisting on working, especially since her jobs aren't always easy or normal. And this case seems to be a bit nerve wrecking for both Merry and her lovers. Someone is killing the fey in the human world and stageing it to look like old fairy tales. It's gruesome and evil and merry feels she owes it to her fey race to catch this killer. Merry is her usual kick butt self, but has a softer side since carrying the twins. She has to learn to be more careful because her future had even more to protect.
Merry's usual men are a current role in this book, but I found even though Frost and Doyle to be a big part in the book, they don't have much face time with Merry. Rhy, Kitto and Royal seems to be becoming a bigger role in Merry's life as well. But even said that, Frost and Doyle are still Merry's number one(thank goodness!) but I just found Hamilton played the other characters up more in this book, which was good for a change. I liked the drama that was between Barinthus, Merry and the rest, and I loved the twists that lead to the revealing of the murderer. I found this story compelling and exciting. It has romance, mystery, fantasy and action, what's not to love? And after that being said, like most of Hamilton's books I rate this a 5 out of 5!
Now just another year wait for the next one.. He He!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2009
This book was lacking plot more than any other I have seen form LKH. We started out with a good mystery story but it quickly dissolved into a bunch of random mini dramas with her harem. Not even original drama at that. More than a few times throughout this book i recognized scenes and descriptions almost word for word form previous books. Not just a writing style, but almost a copy and paste job.
There were three pages describing the licking of icing off a cupcake. Three pages. They served zero purpose. Random descriptions of hair, and clothing choices took up more of the book than the actual crimes and murders at hand.
Another good portion was filled with recaps of the previous books. While i understand that some small recapping is necessary for those who haven't read all of the books, or a little memory refresher, when a book is this short and more than half of it is not related to the story at hand that doesn't leave much meat left.
This would have probably made a good short story. Maybe even a side plot to something with more to it, but as a stand alone novel it seemed as if this was just fleshed out with filler in order to make pages.
perhaps it is time for LKH to step back from the series she writes and take some time off. Recent books are reminding me of when bands put out cds of 99% filler just to fulfill contractual agreements.
In the end this just left me shaking my head and making disgusted sounds as i went through the pages.
There were three pages describing the licking of icing off a cupcake. Three pages. They served zero purpose. Random descriptions of hair, and clothing choices took up more of the book than the actual crimes and murders at hand.
Another good portion was filled with recaps of the previous books. While i understand that some small recapping is necessary for those who haven't read all of the books, or a little memory refresher, when a book is this short and more than half of it is not related to the story at hand that doesn't leave much meat left.
This would have probably made a good short story. Maybe even a side plot to something with more to it, but as a stand alone novel it seemed as if this was just fleshed out with filler in order to make pages.
perhaps it is time for LKH to step back from the series she writes and take some time off. Recent books are reminding me of when bands put out cds of 99% filler just to fulfill contractual agreements.
In the end this just left me shaking my head and making disgusted sounds as i went through the pages.
December 14, 2009
The murder mystery, I think, should've received more attention, although the 'themes' linking the victims together were interesting. The introduction of the Fairy Godmother and Fear Dearg had potential, but was similarly allowed to drift. As always, I did enjoy the personal interaction between all the fey; however, this book mostly seemed like one large interlude between the bloody action of the last and...what? Merry will no doubt be sucked back into the court life as both her aunt and uncle spiral further off into insanity.
That said, the book definitely could've used another editor or at least a final review. There were several misspellings and other typos, not to mention continuity issues. For instance, on page 12 Merry informs Lucy that some demi-fey have two forms and the detective expresses surprise ("Five feet? Really, from eight inches tall to five feet?"). Then, page 219, Merry tells her again as though it were the first time:
"Some demi-fey can shift to a larger size, between three or four feet tall. It's an uncommon ability, but if you could make yourself that tall you could strap down the wings, depending on the kind of wings they are."
"Really?" Lucy asked.
Page 108, we are introduced to Caswyn, his hair described as being "straight and raven black like Cathbodua's or even Queen Andais herself." And yet, not three pages later, he undergoes an unexplained transformation, his "pale hair sweeping out and around his body" (111). I think from then on Cathbodua is also referred to as blonde when on page 108, and not to mention in the previous books, she possessed black hair.
I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised; Laurell K. Hamilton has been pretty consistent about appearance inconsistencies. I remember Nicca being introduced with pale lavender hair, and when returning in a larger character part, it was a nutty shade of brown. In one scene, Rhys winks what should be his missing blue eye at Merry.
Such mistakes are somewhat funny, but do not flatter the author, her editors, etc.
That said, the book definitely could've used another editor or at least a final review. There were several misspellings and other typos, not to mention continuity issues. For instance, on page 12 Merry informs Lucy that some demi-fey have two forms and the detective expresses surprise ("Five feet? Really, from eight inches tall to five feet?"). Then, page 219, Merry tells her again as though it were the first time:
"Some demi-fey can shift to a larger size, between three or four feet tall. It's an uncommon ability, but if you could make yourself that tall you could strap down the wings, depending on the kind of wings they are."
"Really?" Lucy asked.
Page 108, we are introduced to Caswyn, his hair described as being "straight and raven black like Cathbodua's or even Queen Andais herself." And yet, not three pages later, he undergoes an unexplained transformation, his "pale hair sweeping out and around his body" (111). I think from then on Cathbodua is also referred to as blonde when on page 108, and not to mention in the previous books, she possessed black hair.
I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised; Laurell K. Hamilton has been pretty consistent about appearance inconsistencies. I remember Nicca being introduced with pale lavender hair, and when returning in a larger character part, it was a nutty shade of brown. In one scene, Rhys winks what should be his missing blue eye at Merry.
Such mistakes are somewhat funny, but do not flatter the author, her editors, etc.
December 27, 2009
At the end of Swallowing Darkness, I felt LKH had successfully brought closure to what proved to be an intriguing series. I worried a new arc would only dilute the effectiveness of the universe and its characters.
I prepped myself for complete disappointment. The reality was...meh.
What held my attention, and will guarantee my continued reading, was the mention of the soldiers Merry saved in SD. The Goddess has taken an interest in those humans, and I'm compelled to find out where it's all heading.
Having loved the first arc primarily for the courtly drama, I'm also heartened by hints that Merry may be forced to step up her role as leader. Some unsavory things are happening with the Unseelie nobles, Goblins and Demi-fay, and I can't imagine Merry ignoring them for long.
Now, interesting tidbits aside...the writing is awful. The dialogue is stilted and every conversation sounds like a "who's on first" joke. Ideas as well as whole sentences are repeated over and over--is copy and paste to blame, or did LKH truly forget she used the same phrase 5 pages earlier? And 3 pages before that, and...if I have to read "painted my pleasure" one more time...
The mystery aspect was merely an add-on, lost amidst all the bickering, recaps, and stupid questions. It served no true purpose other than giving the men a reason to fret.
And did I need two paragraphs on how the sofa was not too big, but not too small? Just sit the hell down, Goldilocks, and stop letting your mind meander down pointless avenues.
I won't deny that LKH's universe is filled with dark, creeping places that cry out to me. But I also won't deny she desperately needs an editor to streamline her work. One who can introduce her to a thesaurus and can convince her that once is enough for describing how the blue ankle-length hair undulates with emotion.
In short, I like the concepts, but the presentation often leaves much to be desired.
I prepped myself for complete disappointment. The reality was...meh.
What held my attention, and will guarantee my continued reading, was the mention of the soldiers Merry saved in SD. The Goddess has taken an interest in those humans, and I'm compelled to find out where it's all heading.
Having loved the first arc primarily for the courtly drama, I'm also heartened by hints that Merry may be forced to step up her role as leader. Some unsavory things are happening with the Unseelie nobles, Goblins and Demi-fay, and I can't imagine Merry ignoring them for long.
Now, interesting tidbits aside...the writing is awful. The dialogue is stilted and every conversation sounds like a "who's on first" joke. Ideas as well as whole sentences are repeated over and over--is copy and paste to blame, or did LKH truly forget she used the same phrase 5 pages earlier? And 3 pages before that, and...if I have to read "painted my pleasure" one more time...
The mystery aspect was merely an add-on, lost amidst all the bickering, recaps, and stupid questions. It served no true purpose other than giving the men a reason to fret.
And did I need two paragraphs on how the sofa was not too big, but not too small? Just sit the hell down, Goldilocks, and stop letting your mind meander down pointless avenues.
I won't deny that LKH's universe is filled with dark, creeping places that cry out to me. But I also won't deny she desperately needs an editor to streamline her work. One who can introduce her to a thesaurus and can convince her that once is enough for describing how the blue ankle-length hair undulates with emotion.
In short, I like the concepts, but the presentation often leaves much to be desired.
June 2, 2010
I'm not going to say much about this book cause there was nothing good about it. I did not rush out to buy it on the release date and instead had to bring myself to read it cause I was scared to. I was honestly hoping that the author saved the series in this book but was sorely disappointed.
This author (Laurell Hamilton) and her books is the reason I actually joined Goodreads, cause I was tired of buying her books and being disappointed. In my opinion this authors writing has been going downhill for awhile. Her Anita Blake series is no longer the same one it was in the first 7 or so books. and as for Meredith Gentry it has gone downhill even faster. I no longer buy her book settling instead for reading them from the library or in the bookstore.
Here is why I no longer like her books. 1. the editing is terrible. So many times I am reading along and notice a double word or misspelled word and it bothers me. Not to mention how repetitive she is. I think she copy pastes alot of the lines in her books. 2. She rushes so much through the books anymore. She contradicts herself so many times anymore in the later books from what she says in the earlier ones. 3. She butchers the original characters personality's and changes them to whatever she wants.
Honestly I have been severely disappointed with her newer books. The seem rushed and out of character. Where was that bad ass Anita I used to like and the quick thinking intelligent Merry I read about. Now both characters have been reduced to slow, incompetent, sex maniacs. I would no longer suggest the books to a friend except to warn them or tell them only to read the earlier ones. I personally believe that Laurell Hamilton is a dying author and we won't see much of her in a few years except more broken books.
This author (Laurell Hamilton) and her books is the reason I actually joined Goodreads, cause I was tired of buying her books and being disappointed. In my opinion this authors writing has been going downhill for awhile. Her Anita Blake series is no longer the same one it was in the first 7 or so books. and as for Meredith Gentry it has gone downhill even faster. I no longer buy her book settling instead for reading them from the library or in the bookstore.
Here is why I no longer like her books. 1. the editing is terrible. So many times I am reading along and notice a double word or misspelled word and it bothers me. Not to mention how repetitive she is. I think she copy pastes alot of the lines in her books. 2. She rushes so much through the books anymore. She contradicts herself so many times anymore in the later books from what she says in the earlier ones. 3. She butchers the original characters personality's and changes them to whatever she wants.
Honestly I have been severely disappointed with her newer books. The seem rushed and out of character. Where was that bad ass Anita I used to like and the quick thinking intelligent Merry I read about. Now both characters have been reduced to slow, incompetent, sex maniacs. I would no longer suggest the books to a friend except to warn them or tell them only to read the earlier ones. I personally believe that Laurell Hamilton is a dying author and we won't see much of her in a few years except more broken books.
Read
November 3, 2020The penultimate Merry Gentry book is slow at times and entertaining at others, but it largely feels like a placeholder delaying the end. Following the big battle in the prior book, which took down one of the bosses, this return to the circumstances in the first couple of books, with Merry and co. working as private investigators feels like a backwards step. I get why it's happening, but from a narrative perspective, it's deeply unsatisfying to spend this book delaying the inevitable conflict at the Unseelie courts. As usual, the novel's rather scattered, getting distracted from plot for sex purposes, but that's less my issue than the lack of development in the overarching plot.
July 21, 2016
It's 4.5*
I wish she would interrupt the plot less, the sex, we get it, it's important, but please don't fuck so much all the time all over the place *sigh*
I wish she would interrupt the plot less, the sex, we get it, it's important, but please don't fuck so much all the time all over the place *sigh*
December 30, 2018
Super disappointed. This book, to me, went no where. I feel like I skipped half the book for all the damn details in looks and clothing and such. Anyway. I got through it. I will get through the others so I can be done with the series.
January 4, 2010
I really can't figure out the draw to this series. I have read them all and I feel that they are all just kind of mediocre. In hind sight, I might have rated them a little higher than they really deserved--but I will leave the ratings alone.
I was pretty sure I knew who the killer was as soon as the character made his/her entrance in the book. Little imagination there Hamilton...
What was this book about anyway? I felt that it was pretty anti-climatic. The only reason I keep going is because enquiring minds want to know...who she is going to bed next.
I get sick of hearing her descriptions of Merry's colorful men-literally--and all their extra bits. I think I am done with this series.
✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews
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I was pretty sure I knew who the killer was as soon as the character made his/her entrance in the book. Little imagination there Hamilton...
What was this book about anyway? I felt that it was pretty anti-climatic. The only reason I keep going is because enquiring minds want to know...who she is going to bed next.
I get sick of hearing her descriptions of Merry's colorful men-literally--and all their extra bits. I think I am done with this series.
✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews
___________________________________________________
If you like this type of book, you might enjoy one of these groups. Check us out!
Menage Readers
Erotic Enchants
Bookie Nookie's Erotic Lending Group
February 24, 2011
I am adoring this series. The political intrigue, the inclusiveness, the power games and there's real science fiction in it; oh, and the lovely men folk. It's a shame this is the last book so far, I'll just have to be patient from now on.
Given that I'm currently also reading "The Prince" and the dictatorships in the Middle East are changing shape so rapidly the parallels are fascinating in the series overall as well.
Given that I'm currently also reading "The Prince" and the dictatorships in the Middle East are changing shape so rapidly the parallels are fascinating in the series overall as well.
November 1, 2020
Review at book 9
November 17, 2019
It took me over a year to get through this awful book. The author fills the pages with continuous descriptions of clothing & repetitive sex scenes that have absolutely nothing to do with the plot. The entire plot could have been written in 3 chapters , rather than the 40 something chapters it took to tell a story of a little brownie named Bittersweet who went on a killing spree because she wanted to be full-sized instead of small. Bad, bad read.
October 29, 2010
Now I will admit- the last two volumes of this series entertained me enough to give them both 3 stars. 'Lick of Frost' had a bit of the old Hamilton return to it, while 'Swallowing Darkness' was so unintentionally funny that I was incredibly entertained the whole way through. I just wish that I'd have found that sort of entertainment here.
The plot of the book was supposed to be Merry attempting to solve a series of murders where the victims are dressed up to mimic pages from a children's book. What we get instead is boring & drawn out scenes of Merry either boinking one of her multiple men or even more exciting scenes where Hamilton feels the need to describe Merry & her men driving or parking cars. I was just incredibly bored throughout this entire book. The murder "mystery" is barely looked into. Merry visits two scenes & really doesn't do anything at either scene. In fact, at the second one her boss is far more helpful than she or her men are & SHE'S supposed to be the expert!
And if all of this wasn't bad enough, we're treated to a scene of Merry going overseas via astral projection & helping the troops in the Middle East by healing them & carrying them to safety via a magic car. No, I'm not kidding you. That really happens. And yes, it's as horribly bad as it sounds.
Bottom line: this book read more like it was a short story idea that never got past the beginning stages of planning. Hamilton supposedly wrote this in 5-7 months & it shows- the plot is weak & the sex is dull even for Hamilton's work. Originally when I was 1/2 to 2/3rds of the way through, I was going to give this book about 2 stars. After reading the weak finish, I can't see giving it that many stars. There was just no effort put into this book & I'm disappointed- up until this point Hamilton's work had been improving.
Oh, and if I had to read "spill" or some derivative of it one more time I was going to chuck the book across the room. (Which the bookstore wouldn't have appreciated.) LKH, get a thesaurus!
The plot of the book was supposed to be Merry attempting to solve a series of murders where the victims are dressed up to mimic pages from a children's book. What we get instead is boring & drawn out scenes of Merry either boinking one of her multiple men or even more exciting scenes where Hamilton feels the need to describe Merry & her men driving or parking cars. I was just incredibly bored throughout this entire book. The murder "mystery" is barely looked into. Merry visits two scenes & really doesn't do anything at either scene. In fact, at the second one her boss is far more helpful than she or her men are & SHE'S supposed to be the expert!
And if all of this wasn't bad enough, we're treated to a scene of Merry going overseas via astral projection & helping the troops in the Middle East by healing them & carrying them to safety via a magic car. No, I'm not kidding you. That really happens. And yes, it's as horribly bad as it sounds.
Bottom line: this book read more like it was a short story idea that never got past the beginning stages of planning. Hamilton supposedly wrote this in 5-7 months & it shows- the plot is weak & the sex is dull even for Hamilton's work. Originally when I was 1/2 to 2/3rds of the way through, I was going to give this book about 2 stars. After reading the weak finish, I can't see giving it that many stars. There was just no effort put into this book & I'm disappointed- up until this point Hamilton's work had been improving.
Oh, and if I had to read "spill" or some derivative of it one more time I was going to chuck the book across the room. (Which the bookstore wouldn't have appreciated.) LKH, get a thesaurus!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2010
Meredith Gentry #8: Divine Misdemeanors, by Laurell K. Hamilton
I had high hopes at the start of this Merry book - she's back in Los Angeles, back at the Grey Detective Agency, even back on a crime scene. Someone in the city is murdering the demi-fey and posing their bodies after pictures in children's books, and the police want her help before any more fey die.
But that promise quickly degenerates with too much recap of previous events, multiple sex scenes, and a weak ending. Hamilton goes against sidhe customs introduced in previous novels - now that Merry is pregnant, she shouldn't be sleeping with anyone but the fathers of her babies, but she's still on her back for anyone who wants it. And of course, many of the men do, and we're treated to more magic by sex, including the construction of a new sithen in L.A. It felt like the men were waiting in the wings for their turn, as it was almost methodical in how most got laid.
Barinthus, one of my favorite characters, goes off the deep end. He fights with Merry, threatens Galen, and becomes a general pain in the ass, without a valid explanation. Nor is this really resolved, just glossed over as other events take prominence.
With Merry back at her job from book one, I thought the detective work would be more prominent. Instead it's overpowered by paparazzi issues, sex scenes, and a lackluster ending. The crime is solved too neatly, and with a very blah resolution. I was disappointed.
There were some good funny moments, such as when Hamilton describes some of newer sidhe exiles cooking dinner, but there just weren't enough of them to overcome the rest of the faults. I will say that I enjoyed mostly enjoyed the book on the surface, but the more I thought about it, and the more I read, the less I liked it.
2/5.
I had high hopes at the start of this Merry book - she's back in Los Angeles, back at the Grey Detective Agency, even back on a crime scene. Someone in the city is murdering the demi-fey and posing their bodies after pictures in children's books, and the police want her help before any more fey die.
But that promise quickly degenerates with too much recap of previous events, multiple sex scenes, and a weak ending. Hamilton goes against sidhe customs introduced in previous novels - now that Merry is pregnant, she shouldn't be sleeping with anyone but the fathers of her babies, but she's still on her back for anyone who wants it. And of course, many of the men do, and we're treated to more magic by sex, including the construction of a new sithen in L.A. It felt like the men were waiting in the wings for their turn, as it was almost methodical in how most got laid.
Barinthus, one of my favorite characters, goes off the deep end. He fights with Merry, threatens Galen, and becomes a general pain in the ass, without a valid explanation. Nor is this really resolved, just glossed over as other events take prominence.
With Merry back at her job from book one, I thought the detective work would be more prominent. Instead it's overpowered by paparazzi issues, sex scenes, and a lackluster ending. The crime is solved too neatly, and with a very blah resolution. I was disappointed.
There were some good funny moments, such as when Hamilton describes some of newer sidhe exiles cooking dinner, but there just weren't enough of them to overcome the rest of the faults. I will say that I enjoyed mostly enjoyed the book on the surface, but the more I thought about it, and the more I read, the less I liked it.
2/5.
January 27, 2010
Meredith Gentry is back in LA working as a private detective, living with an unspecified number of exiles from the Unseelie court, and pregnant with twins. Someone is killing demi-fey--the small winged creatures humans think of when they think of "fairies"--and arranging the corpses to copy children's book illustrations.
Much of this book is perfunctory--less a novel and more a short story padded out with recaps of previous books in the series and re-introductions of the many different characters. Some new supernatural characters are introduced, including a "Jack-in-Irons" named Uther. A couple of characters gain new powers from Meredith, and a new sithen is produced magically, disguised as an apartment building, although that development happens entirely off-stage.
Meredith faces off against Barinthus, a former sea god who is regaining some of his former strength by living next to the ocean, and who wants to return to Faerie to rule with Meredith through power and fear. Meredith refuses and makes clear that he has obligations to contribute to the upkeep of the LA exiles.
Not worth the purchase price--if you have to read everything by Hamilton, get this from the library, read it at the bookstore, or wait until the inevitable clearance sale lowers the price on this one to under five bucks. Safe to skip--all the developments will be recapped in future novels. Read it with very low expectations, otherwise it's disappointing. Fans can hope that Hamilton is working on something meatier and that this is a contractual obligation; ex-fans can feel justified that Hamilton has run out of ideas.
Much of this book is perfunctory--less a novel and more a short story padded out with recaps of previous books in the series and re-introductions of the many different characters. Some new supernatural characters are introduced, including a "Jack-in-Irons" named Uther. A couple of characters gain new powers from Meredith, and a new sithen is produced magically, disguised as an apartment building, although that development happens entirely off-stage.
Meredith faces off against Barinthus, a former sea god who is regaining some of his former strength by living next to the ocean, and who wants to return to Faerie to rule with Meredith through power and fear. Meredith refuses and makes clear that he has obligations to contribute to the upkeep of the LA exiles.
Not worth the purchase price--if you have to read everything by Hamilton, get this from the library, read it at the bookstore, or wait until the inevitable clearance sale lowers the price on this one to under five bucks. Safe to skip--all the developments will be recapped in future novels. Read it with very low expectations, otherwise it's disappointing. Fans can hope that Hamilton is working on something meatier and that this is a contractual obligation; ex-fans can feel justified that Hamilton has run out of ideas.
December 19, 2024
There are spoilers ahead for the overall series, Swallowing Darkness in particular. Remember how I said it felt like the series could have ended in the previous novel? Divine Misdemeanors reinforces that idea. Merry refused the crown to live happily ever after with her guys, and that’s exactly what happens here. The problem is that it ends up feeling a bit like its own fanfiction. There’s nowhere else for the overarching plot of the faerie courts to go, so it’s just the characters going about their lives with no real endgame. It’s not bad in and of itself, but it’s a definite change of pace from earlier books, where the threats and stakes were much higher.
That being said, this book does have possibly the most interesting murder case of the series and, given the lack of outside threats, it gets a lot more attention here. Merry visits a number of crime scenes where the fae murders are creepy and creative. As a paranormal investigation novel apart from the faerie court drama, it’s pretty good. As is typical for Hamilton, the final confrontation with the villain happens entirely too quickly in a single short chapter. Overall, it’s fun to be in this universe with these characters, but this feels more like a self-indulgent companion novel than a necessary addition to the series.
I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.
That being said, this book does have possibly the most interesting murder case of the series and, given the lack of outside threats, it gets a lot more attention here. Merry visits a number of crime scenes where the fae murders are creepy and creative. As a paranormal investigation novel apart from the faerie court drama, it’s pretty good. As is typical for Hamilton, the final confrontation with the villain happens entirely too quickly in a single short chapter. Overall, it’s fun to be in this universe with these characters, but this feels more like a self-indulgent companion novel than a necessary addition to the series.
I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.
January 11, 2010
Oh, Laurell.
Not sure what to say about this one, other than I read them pretty much out of habit moreso than anything else. Also, this one isn't as much fairy porn as some of the other installments in the series. In fact, this one almost had something resembling a plot--the downside was that plot was quickly abandoned every time Merry put her detecting-and-crimefighting agenda on hold in order to make the sweet sweet lovin' with one of her harem of men.
Which is too bad, as there were some really interesting plot points that were left completely undeveloped. Merry has a brownie relative that owns a butchershop? Cool, but then we have to go have sex. Demi-fey are being killed ritualistically? Interesting, but now I have to go have sex in the ocean. There's a weird agenda on the part of both Kurag and Niciven? Interesting, but not as interesting as the pet snakegoblin's cock.
Enough fucking sex. (Ha.) Merry's knocked up already. Have a plot.
Not sure what to say about this one, other than I read them pretty much out of habit moreso than anything else. Also, this one isn't as much fairy porn as some of the other installments in the series. In fact, this one almost had something resembling a plot--the downside was that plot was quickly abandoned every time Merry put her detecting-and-crimefighting agenda on hold in order to make the sweet sweet lovin' with one of her harem of men.
Which is too bad, as there were some really interesting plot points that were left completely undeveloped. Merry has a brownie relative that owns a butchershop? Cool, but then we have to go have sex. Demi-fey are being killed ritualistically? Interesting, but now I have to go have sex in the ocean. There's a weird agenda on the part of both Kurag and Niciven? Interesting, but not as interesting as the pet snakegoblin's cock.
Enough fucking sex. (Ha.) Merry's knocked up already. Have a plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2010
Booooring. Seriously. This book is terribly, horribly boring. Hamilton's total inability to weed any of the characters provides a throng that is getting terribly difficult to keep track of...if one would want to keep track of this many whiny baby characters. Seriously...thousands of years old here...you would think they would get less fond of drama. Even the sex is boring. Blah blah, he brought me, blah blah, magic, blah, somebody grew *something* new. The actual mystery was a good one; if more time was spent on it, and not characters being drama-licious and screwing, then this might be a better book. Could anyone actually be anywhere near fearful at the climax scene at the end of the book, considering that Merry has the scariest power of them all? The climax of the book ends up being an anti-climax; the last few pages serve as a relief that I can put this one down and call it done.
January 10, 2023
Ne gerek vardı bu kitaba. Seri neden bitmiyor anlamadım. Serinin başında bir amaç vardı ve o gerçekleştiği anda ay ben istemiyorum kafasına girdi kadın karakter. Ne alaka? Ve bir kitap daha var. Kurgunun başına döndük resmen ve çok sıkıcıydı. 2 yıldızı sadece Buz, Rhys ve Galen için veriyorum.
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