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The Harlequin
(Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #15)
by
Anita Blake is about to face the challenge of her life. Into her world-a world already overflowing with power-have come creatures so feared that powerful, centuries-old vampires refuse to mention their names. It is forbidden to speak of The Harlequin unless you've been contacted. And to be contacted by The Harlequin is to be under sentence of death.
Long-time rivals for An ...more
Long-time rivals for An ...more
Hardcover, First Edition, 422 pages
Published
June 5th 2007
by Berkley Books
(first published 2007)
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Community Reviews
(showing 1-30)
For once, I actually can relate something resembling a PLOT that occurs in this book! YIPPEE!
Anita Blake is at her workplace (don't faint!) and meets up with Malcolm, the leader of the Church of Eternal Life. Two of his vampire followers have Execution Hits out for them - executions that Anita is set to enact - but Malcolm hints that his followers have been falsely accused, that there is another threat. And then, while on a date with Nathaniel (and between his pressuring her to do BDSM, somethin ...more
Anita Blake is at her workplace (don't faint!) and meets up with Malcolm, the leader of the Church of Eternal Life. Two of his vampire followers have Execution Hits out for them - executions that Anita is set to enact - but Malcolm hints that his followers have been falsely accused, that there is another threat. And then, while on a date with Nathaniel (and between his pressuring her to do BDSM, somethin ...more
Jul 28, 2007
Amy
rated it
did not like it
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 the series, i ...more
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, i ...more
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
Aug 16, 2013
Argona
rated it
it was ok
Shelves:
vampire-tales,
urban-fantasy,
shounen-ai,
shifters,
paranormal,
reviewed,
zombies-undead,
romance
2.5 stars.
This book is actually very similar to the previous ones when it comes to writing style, pacing and everything else, so if you liked those, you will probably like this one too.
But I am starting to get tired of Anita. Too tired!
The truth is, I have very fond memories from this series, discussing it with my friends, complaining about Anita and simply talking about our favorite boys. Therefore I have always been too generous when rating these books. But I think, I am losing the ability to ...more
This book is actually very similar to the previous ones when it comes to writing style, pacing and everything else, so if you liked those, you will probably like this one too.
But I am starting to get tired of Anita. Too tired!
The truth is, I have very fond memories from this series, discussing it with my friends, complaining about Anita and simply talking about our favorite boys. Therefore I have always been too generous when rating these books. But I think, I am losing the ability to ...more
The Harlequin is a very interesting book.
Have you ever tried to make spaghetti sauce from scratch? In the beginning, you add all the spices and you think you have a good thing going. Then after you let it simmer for a few hours, everything explodes and you have this monstrosity of a pot of sauce that has drowned itself in too many flavors?
Well ...that’s this book.
Some people say that you could never have too much of a good thing. I disagree. I enjoy reading about all of Blake’s sweeties, all the ...more
Have you ever tried to make spaghetti sauce from scratch? In the beginning, you add all the spices and you think you have a good thing going. Then after you let it simmer for a few hours, everything explodes and you have this monstrosity of a pot of sauce that has drowned itself in too many flavors?
Well ...that’s this book.
Some people say that you could never have too much of a good thing. I disagree. I enjoy reading about all of Blake’s sweeties, all the ...more
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.
SO CALLED SPOILER WARNING! TW: RAPE
UPDATE
Im on the third chapter, and already these things have occured:
- "metaphysical" x 3
- "Who, me?" x 2 (well, the other is a bit of a strech... :-))
- "hard" and "tight" x who knows? (not in the sense you're thinking of though, thank goodness)
- overly describing boytoy's looks x 1
- "it was as if" x 2
- someone could do something "like a sonofabitch" x 1
- Anita being bitchy and needy and gets praise from someone she hasn't earned it from x 2
- a gun is mentioned ...more
UPDATE
Im on the third chapter, and already these things have occured:
- "metaphysical" x 3
- "Who, me?" x 2 (well, the other is a bit of a strech... :-))
- "hard" and "tight" x who knows? (not in the sense you're thinking of though, thank goodness)
- overly describing boytoy's looks x 1
- "it was as if" x 2
- someone could do something "like a sonofabitch" x 1
- Anita being bitchy and needy and gets praise from someone she hasn't earned it from x 2
- a gun is mentioned ...more
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 books have become porn wi ...more
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 books have become porn wi ...more
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
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 being use ...more
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 being use ...more
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 almost gave it up ...more
I'm a little surprised I've hung with the series this long. I almost gave it up ...more
The Harlequin, the deadly and secret Wild Hunt of the Council, the ultimate police force and nightmare of the vampire world, has arrived in St. Louis. Ostensibly there to examine Malcolm after his refusal to Blood Oath his followers, they are casting their eyes on Jean-Claude
And they are not playing by the rules
The biggest, scariest enforces of vampire kind! Created to strike fear in even the most powerful Masters of the City! Scary! Powerful! A force that should make even Anita quake in her boo ...more
And they are not playing by the rules
The biggest, scariest enforces of vampire kind! Created to strike fear in even the most powerful Masters of the City! Scary! Powerful! A force that should make even Anita quake in her boo ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Anita Blake just became one of my favorite heroes. I am interested in her and all of her supporting characters. The book is wonderfully well written and full of surprises.
It is however violent and sexual so if that is not for you then don't read the series.
Well, I believe that the whole series is like this, not just the one book. You don't have to read the other books in the series for this one to be good, thankfully. I really appreciate that as I have only read book four I think and this is b ...more
It is however violent and sexual so if that is not for you then don't read the series.
Well, I believe that the whole series is like this, not just the one book. You don't have to read the other books in the series for this one to be good, thankfully. I really appreciate that as I have only read book four I think and this is b ...more
The vulturi, ahem, harlequin are in town.
Anita is back to being a self righteous b**** and I really really disliked her in this book.
Apparently,things keep working in her favor, to the point of ridiculousness.
Sometimes I wonder if the books would be shorter is she stops bringing up stuff that doesn't matter like her inner monologue and her pruderies.
For example: chapter 28 was a total waste of time. She starts nagging about Olaf and Peter coming along yet she approves at the end.
It is official. ...more
Anita is back to being a self righteous b**** and I really really disliked her in this book.
Apparently,things keep working in her favor, to the point of ridiculousness.
Sometimes I wonder if the books would be shorter is she stops bringing up stuff that doesn't matter like her inner monologue and her pruderies.
For example: chapter 28 was a total waste of time. She starts nagging about Olaf and Peter coming along yet she approves at the end.
It is official. ...more
~Has slight spoilers.~
Anita Blake is calling in the big gun's-- Edward as The Harlequin, very old vampires who kill for the council and wear masks-- come to St. Louis. But Edward isn't the only one she is going to need--Jean-Claude and Richard must come together with Anita and her other trivium if they are to defend themselves against The Harlequin.
I really enjoyed this fifteenth Anita Blake book. I think we get some of the good-action-suspense-plot back we had from the earlier Anita Blake books ...more
Anita Blake is calling in the big gun's-- Edward as The Harlequin, very old vampires who kill for the council and wear masks-- come to St. Louis. But Edward isn't the only one she is going to need--Jean-Claude and Richard must come together with Anita and her other trivium if they are to defend themselves against The Harlequin.
I really enjoyed this fifteenth Anita Blake book. I think we get some of the good-action-suspense-plot back we had from the earlier Anita Blake books ...more
First read January 28, 2010: Thank god for the "police", I think. Who'da thunk vampires would have an enforcement group... Although, it's not surprising that there's rebellion within the ranks. The tension continues and the advancements tear on.
Read again September 14, 2011
Fifteenth in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter erotic urban fantasy series set in an alternate St. Louis, Missouri. The story revolves around Anita Blake's increasingly vampiric powers and the issues it creates for her and the p ...more
Read again September 14, 2011
Fifteenth in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter erotic urban fantasy series set in an alternate St. Louis, Missouri. The story revolves around Anita Blake's increasingly vampiric powers and the issues it creates for her and the p ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
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 world already overflowing with power-have come creatures so feared that powerful, centuries-old vampires refuse to ...more
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 world already overflowing with power-have come creatures so feared that powerful, centuries-old vampires refuse to ...more
This was probably the best Anita book I've since the...well since the ardeur (sp) started and Anita became a whore. Sorry to say that because I love Anita, but she did turn into quite the whore... it was getting to the point where I thought Ms. Hamilton had crossed wires, between the Anita Blake series and the Meredith Gentry series. Because in Anita's first 8 or 9 book maybe less she was this complete barney bad-ass that kicked anyone's ass the f****ed with her. Then she started turning into th
...more
The Harlequin is Anita Blake’s 15th book in the: Vampire Hunter series of PNR action and erotica novels by LKH.
The story starts with Malcolm in Anita’s office, telling she will be getting a warrant for the execution of some of his following in The Church of Eternal Life in St. Louis. He has not required blood oaths of the vampires under him, hence he has no ability to keep them from becoming dangerous predators.
Anita is known to be homophobic, and we find with long arguments with Nathaniel and B ...more
The story starts with Malcolm in Anita’s office, telling she will be getting a warrant for the execution of some of his following in The Church of Eternal Life in St. Louis. He has not required blood oaths of the vampires under him, hence he has no ability to keep them from becoming dangerous predators.
Anita is known to be homophobic, and we find with long arguments with Nathaniel and B ...more
such a great novel. it had so much action and emotion; just fabulous! not only did Anita and her "monster's" kick some serious butte =)
Richard committed the final offense and Anita has had enough (me too). he has finally been moved to my ultimate crap list. he's becoming a character i love to hate, and do. i guess all the men in the series can't be alluring and oh so dangerous but lovable. Hamilton surely knows what she's doing. she also brought back Haven (Cookie Monster), from Danse Macabre, a ...more
Richard committed the final offense and Anita has had enough (me too). he has finally been moved to my ultimate crap list. he's becoming a character i love to hate, and do. i guess all the men in the series can't be alluring and oh so dangerous but lovable. Hamilton surely knows what she's doing. she also brought back Haven (Cookie Monster), from Danse Macabre, a ...more
Richard! Hep göt herifçilik yapmak zorunda mısın?Gerçekten!Bir yere kadar artık.Şüphelerini yenemiyorsan kendinle barışık değilsen istediğini nasıl elde edebilirsin ki?Seni severim ama olmuyor böyle.
Richard'ı bir kenara bırakırsam heralde en sevdiğim sahne Olaf'ın Anita'ya yaptığı haraketti.Beni güldürmek öldürecekti resmen.HAHA!! Olaf'tan böyle bir haraket beklenirdi zaten.
Edward'ın yeni değişiklerini garipsiyordum ama alıştım heralde.Uzun zaman sonra yeniden Edward'ı okumak hoştu.
Nathaniel dom ...more
Richard'ı bir kenara bırakırsam heralde en sevdiğim sahne Olaf'ın Anita'ya yaptığı haraketti.Beni güldürmek öldürecekti resmen.HAHA!! Olaf'tan böyle bir haraket beklenirdi zaten.
Edward'ın yeni değişiklerini garipsiyordum ama alıştım heralde.Uzun zaman sonra yeniden Edward'ı okumak hoştu.
Nathaniel dom ...more
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 lot.
No mas!!!
Had a promising start which devolved into one ginormous bitchfest. I could have done without the Dolph angst and the Richard angst. New characters showed up out of no where only to disappear just as quickly and I'm supposed to care?
Who finds this crap appealing?
No more Anita Blake novels for me.
Had a promising start which devolved into one ginormous bitchfest. I could have done without the Dolph angst and the Richard angst. New characters showed up out of no where only to disappear just as quickly and I'm supposed to care?
Who finds this crap appealing?
No more Anita Blake novels for me.
4.5 Stars
This installment in the Anita Blake was surprisingly good. In my review of the last book, Danse Macabre, I said that this series had lost my interest and I was feeling like this series had run its course. I questioned how Laurell K. Hamilton could continue with the same story lines over and over again. I felt like the series was getting repetitive and a big part of me wanted to stop reading it all together.
I am so glad that I took a step back and waited a few months before coming back ...more
This installment in the Anita Blake was surprisingly good. In my review of the last book, Danse Macabre, I said that this series had lost my interest and I was feeling like this series had run its course. I questioned how Laurell K. Hamilton could continue with the same story lines over and over again. I felt like the series was getting repetitive and a big part of me wanted to stop reading it all together.
I am so glad that I took a step back and waited a few months before coming back ...more
As much as I bitch about this series, there must be something worthwhile about it, or I'd stop reading it, right?
My complaint with The Harlequin like with the last several books in the series, is, LKH coms up with good titles, and good premises, sets them up and gets you interested then bogs the plot down with one of three things: Too much sex, the Recurring Butt Hurt of Richard, or the Anger is My Name of Dolph the detective. I know with an ongoing series an author has repeating characters and ...more
My complaint with The Harlequin like with the last several books in the series, is, LKH coms up with good titles, and good premises, sets them up and gets you interested then bogs the plot down with one of three things: Too much sex, the Recurring Butt Hurt of Richard, or the Anger is My Name of Dolph the detective. I know with an ongoing series an author has repeating characters and ...more
Anita's finally gaining some more control over all of her metaphysical powers, which is cool--it was getting a little lame that after all this time, she still couldn't control herself, especially with the ardeur. I like the way her powers are developing. The sex in this one was really awkward, but that's kind of ok--at least it wasn't a constant sex-a-thon. Also...Richard...can we talk about Richard for a second? He sucks so hard...and not in the good way.
I liked this one better than the last. The plot wasn't as thin, and there was a better balance between action/character development and the sex scenes. I also noticed fewer typos, and fewer repeated phrases. What I did notice a lot more of, however, was that the author got on her "moral highground" soapbox too much. The story/plot would be running along smoothly and suddenly everything would stop so she could get on her soapbox (with Richard usually as the instigator). It was very jarring, and s
...more
Is there anyway to replace Richard Zeeman, he just doesn't fit. He is psycho, no one acts like him. He got off on the blood, but you are supposed to love her - I mean wow. That turned him on, but he can't get over the fact that she kills. I have never liked Richard, he is the punk I thought he was from the beginning. Now the story, if we could just tone down all the sex - it would be good. Olaf is a Scary man. I love Edward - Anita is his soulmate, not Donna (ugh) I like Cookie Monster, I hope t
...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Is it just my copy? | 9 | 99 | Aug 24, 2017 08:42AM | |
| Anita Blake Vampi...: The Harlequin (Book 15) | 7 | 56 | Jan 02, 2017 02:59AM | |
| Out of Antia's men who's ur favorite? | 86 | 292 | Feb 06, 2015 02:42PM |
Laurell 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
...more
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Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter
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“She should have remembered that people have given everything they own, everything they are, to be taken care of, and to have their pain gone. It's the lure of cults: the promise of a good family; it's what people think love is, but love isn't absence of pain, it's a hand to hold while you're going through it. ”
—
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“You take insult where none is intended, but if you will find insult where none is meant, then perhaps I should try harder to insult on purpose.”
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