Guilty Pleasures
discussion
The "Anita Blake" Series: Not Worth It.
message 51:
by
Mark
(new)
-
rated it 2 stars
Feb 22, 2013 10:32PM
I just completed book 1 of the series, and was not particularly impressed with the character nor the narrative style. I've been thinking that maybe it improves as the author improves her skill, but these comments seem to suggest I'd be wasting my most precious resource. There's plenty more paranormal series out there to get stuck into.
reply
|
flag
Judy wrote: "Like many others, I enjoyed her early books up to about Micah, when it just became sex, sex, sex (and yes, I actually would skip the sex to see if I could find some plot). Now I enjoy erotica. I ..."
Nailed it! the early Anita kicked ass now she just jumps in the sack every third page :( come on man
Judy wrote: "Like many others, I enjoyed her early books up to about Micah, when it just became sex, sex, sex (and yes, I actually would skip the sex to see if I could find some plot).Now I enjoy erotica. I have no problem with it. But this Mary Sue with forced sex I agree was just bleagh. Hamilton reached new heights in making sex boring. Also, the more Mary Sue Anita became, the less I liked her. I haven't read anything after Obsidian Butterfly, and I don't plan on it. She's pretty much done, in my book. "
I thought Micah took place between books 12 and 13 but Obsidian Butterfly is book 9? Just wondering because otherwise I am putting it in the wrong place!
I think "Micah" is book 11, not sure though - "Obsidian" is book 9, that's the last one I read, and that would have been followed by "Narcissus in chains". I think that "Micah" came out next because it's been the last installment of which I did catch more than the title.
Even Laurell will admit she got too into the sex and away from the basics that made you want to read about Anita. And personally I think there is something of us in each character we write about and something in each character we want to be like. Some are overblown sure but who hasn't wanted to have some of that at one time or another? Some of her books in the series I found so so but overall I have quite enjoyed the series. Meredith Gentry was ok but not exactly my kind of thing.
I haven't read as far as some others but I find the Anita Blake series incredibly hard to ingest. I've started on Bloody Bones so many times that I've forgotten the plot of the novels that came before it and I honestly get tired of just how "great" Anita is. I've noticed the problems that you've brought forth here: every single person who comes into contact with Anita wants her, either they want her bodily or want her dead and it's so irritating and over the top that I can't bring myself to read many parts of the books. Sometimes I find myself skipping over paragraphs just to skip through her questions of "should I be with him or him?" Paranormal romance and erotica are one thing but this series just takes these things and puts them above the line to the point that I feel annoyed. I'm going to attempt to get further than Bloody Bones, but these inherent problems remind me of why I'd given up on the series after the first book so many years ago.
The best book in the series for me is Obsidian Butterfly, which is as far as I got with finishing books, and at least that one I didn't have to force myself through it.
OK. I stopped reading all the "comments" about 2/3 of the way down. Not that you don't all have valid points but I only have a 30 minute break. :-DI'm going to throw in my 2 cents worth and state that I really like this series. I don't care if it's not realistic, believable, or even sane. There are vampires, were-_____ (fill in the blank), ghouls, etc. It's not supposed to be real. Duh!
I read it to escape my own reality. If I want reality, I will read the newspaper.
Call it "brain candy" or whatever you want to . . . I like it! :-D
Have a great day!
Joanne wrote: "OK. I stopped reading all the "comments" about 2/3 of the way down. Not that you don't all have valid points but I only have a 30 minute break. :-DI'm going to throw in my 2 cents worth and stat..."
While I acknowledge your point, wanting Anita to be more realistic does not mean we are averse to fantasy and "unreal" things. Anita is just too ridiculous for me to take seriously, though.
I have read every one of the Anita Blake novels except for the new two ones and I have ,for the first time in my life, began to hate the main character. I see Anita as not being developed much as poited out before and I see her as running from her problems which only cause more problems. She needs to get all her shit together and just go with the flow and try to find out what she truly wants out of her strange life and who she wants to be involved with her life for example Richard shoulden't be involved in her life anymore because he's a whinny little baby that can't get over himself to see how he hurts the people around him.
I have read the first three. After the first I had to force myself to read the next two. Now, I've decided that if I have to force myself to read anything it's not worth my reading time. I was curious about the sex though because in those books there is pretty much ZERO sex. I guess somewhere in there Anita becomes a big ole slut. I've given up and am never going to find out which, by the sounds of what is said above, is fine by me. Not that I'm a prude but I like fiction, thrillers and mystery for the stories, not to get off.
Stacey wrote: "I have read the first three. After the first I had to force myself to read the next two. Now, I've decided that if I have to force myself to read anything it's not worth my reading time. I was curi..."Try the last few books in the series. They're better, have a mystery/action plot and not all about her being a slut. Some of the characters or history may be lost to you, but the books are about a case she's working for the US Marshall service and working with Edward.
Missyb wrote: "Stacey wrote: "I have read the first three. After the first I had to force myself to read the next two. Now, I've decided that if I have to force myself to read anything it's not worth my reading t..."Thanks! Maybe I will :)
Stacey wrote: "Missyb wrote: "Stacey wrote: "I have read the first three. After the first I had to force myself to read the next two. Now, I've decided that if I have to force myself to read anything it's not wor..."I was getting bored with the series until the last few books.
Same here, even Bullet was starting to edge into the sex crap but she reigned it back with Hit List. Here's to hoping the new one is at least half way decent.
I love this series. Why is the sex such a big deal? Just enjoy the sexy men. What would YOU do with all of that male attention?
My wife says its not the sex . . . its the drawn out, lame, dragging, redundant, painfully repetitive and exhaustive use of tired cliches over and over again . . .For example, "She could see the blood in his neck. it pulsed and throbbed. In his neck. The blood. The hot, hot blood, that was in his neck. Just under the skin. She could almost taste it. The blood. In his neck. Under the skin. Throbbing and pulsing. In his neck. And she licked her lips, because there was blood, throbbing . . ."
Cut-n-paste for 99 pages, then somebody turns into a leopard and they tear up all the furniture . . .
My wife insists that this could have been done in a couple of pages, four at most, and even then it is bad porn.
For my part, being male, I'm not interested in male attention. Further, really? This is what she writes? I read, and enjoyed, the first two books. Book three, if I recall correctly, started down that slope, and then book five, Narcissus in Chains, just went off the reservation for me because I don't do BDSM. Oh, and I have a friend who is into BDSM and she says its bad BDSM. Really bad BDSM.
I actually made it through book nine, but only managed it by literally skipping over the pages were Anita and her bestial collection of slut puppies/leopards/goats/tigers/swans/vampires, etc romped through extremely bad writing. Book nine rocked because it was an Edward book and Anita was doing what drew me to the series in the first place. Taking out, and I don't mean on a date, the bad guys.
The book that finally ended any attempt on my part to find anything good in these books was number ten . . . I paid how much for a book and only about of quarter of it was actual story? Get real!
So, whats the big deal with all the sex? I read books for the story. For the plot lines. For the character development. It's really hard to carry a plot line when you have three orifices stuffed full of manly vampire, werewolf, and leopard members. Its really hard to show character development when the only dialog for page upon endless page is the mindless moaning of the lizard brained creatures splayed across the scene. And with all of the mindless, brainless, pheromone driven sex, its really hard to see any of it as anything but mediocre storytelling, at best.
I applaud you Jacq if you truly like this stuff. Have at. Even Laurel K. Hamilton deserves to earn a living . . . well, maybe not from her writing, at least in my opinion.
I apologize to all of you who actually like these books, but I had to respond to the "Why is the sex such a big deal" question. Now you know at least my thoughts on that question.
Howard wrote: "My wife says its not the sex . . . its the drawn out, lame, dragging, redundant, painfully repetitive and exhaustive use of tired cliches over and over again . . .For example, "She could see the ..."
Oh my God! I love your response!
Howard wrote: "My wife says its not the sex . . . its the drawn out, lame, dragging, redundant, painfully repetitive and exhaustive use of tired cliches over and over again . . .For example, "She could see the ..."
Oh man, I laughed so hard while reading this response it was spot on.
I'm not a prude (at all) but I have found all the books since Blue Moon so boring because of the repetitious ex scenes that they are almost unreadable. And I'm a guy - we're never supposed to get sick of sex ;-)
Jacq wrote: "I love this series. Why is the sex such a big deal? Just enjoy the sexy men. What would YOU do with all of that male attention?"For me it wasn't the sex, it was the lack of plot and just sex. The overall story wasn't moving along and she was just having sex with anyone and everyone. It got boring.
Howard wrote: "My wife says its not the sex . . . its the drawn out, lame, dragging, redundant, painfully repetitive and exhaustive use of tired cliches over and over again . . .For example, "She could see the ..."
In the last book if she described Nathaniel or Ash or her white tiger's hair (or anyone's hair) one more time I was going to scream.
And the descriptions of what she was wearing! How fascinating, red top, jeans, black sneakers. Duh.
I really love these books. I can see what many say about the nonsense sex scenes. I missed the old formats of the first 10 books that there would be a murder mystery to solve. It seemed that the later books were more drama. But I must admit that I loved one of the later books, Hitlist. Any of the stories that have Edward and his team in them, I enjoyed them most because there was more action in those books.
I have read all the books in the series, like everybody else I like the first ones a lot and you gotta remember when LKH started out there wasn't much to the UF genre she really was one of the pioneers. Now I put up with them when they became all about sex, it wasn't the sex that bothered me it was the fact that I couldn't keep track of the new characters she was doing anymore there were just too damn many. Some of the main characters I hated Micah and Nathaniel, god I wish Olaf would kill one of both of them!But what started to annoy me besides the lack of plot was that Anita never lost. Yes I know it's fantasy and the good guy always wins but...none of that ridiculous harem ever gets killed well no one important anyway. If you like UF like I do and read a bunch of it you can use Dresden as an example...yes Harry always wins the day but sometimes at a HUGE personal expense. Anita, yeah never occassionally someone she sorta likes has to die but nowhere near often enough.
I also miss JC who is barely around in later books, and oh god don't give me anymore personal angst...am I a monster...yes but I have to be to save the ones I love...blahblahblah.
Now that Anita has taken out the Big Bad, the Mother of All Darkness I don't see where this story has to go, humans are no match for her she has no credible bad guys left.
I read it until...mmmh...Cerulean Sins? No, Incubus Dreams, and I'm far annoyed by them. I loved the early books so much I'm very disappointed that the plot is completely GONE. And I really liked the serie before everyone tried to enter in Anita's pants. I liked her, her humor, her way to be a badass, ecc. Even if it was unrealistic, it was funny. But now? Jeez, is she the only damn woman left on Earth? Why add the Ardeur to her? It was unecessary, and a damage for the story, 'cause now everything is about how often she oh-my-god-I-need-to-fuck-like-an-animal-or-I'm-dead. *facepalm* with random characters that enter the story just to satisfy her. I mean, even Game of Thrones has a lot of sex in it, and rape, and torture, and hard stuff like this, but you never lost track of the story. Or, well, you lost track only because it's all a damn mess in itself. In the end, I keep buying AB only because my sister is addicted to them, and even her is getting bored, so...we'll see.
Laurie: Almost Faemous wrote: "I have read all the books in the series, like everybody else I like the first ones a lot and you gotta remember when LKH started out there wasn't much to the UF genre she really was one of the pion..."I love Olaf!!! Even though he is creepy as hell. I wish he was in more of the books because his character is really interesting.
Vanessa wrote: "Laurie: Almost Faemous wrote: "I have read all the books in the series, like everybody else I like the first ones a lot and you gotta remember when LKH started out there wasn't much to the UF genre..."Me too! That's why I can't stand Micah or Nathaniel, too much the doormat for me.
Desiree wrote: "I'm forcing myself to go through this Anita Blake series, because I was given 15 of the books for free. Unfortunately, this series is beyond the pale and has the exact same problem as Twilight and ..."OMG, I am laughing so hard, I love your comments! I was just talking about this series and whether or not I would continue reading it. I read smutty books and yet, Anita's books are hotter than the smut I've read. I was just telling my best friend how I have to stop reading the book and look at Anita on the back cover...like "Dam" you have a Super freak buried in that little Napoleon package. Seriously, I have recommended these books to family members, now I'm looking like: "Hey, don't look at me all crazy, I'm shocked too". Lol
Joanne wrote: "OK. I stopped reading all the "comments" about 2/3 of the way down. Not that you don't all have valid points but I only have a 30 minute break. :-DI'm going to throw in my 2 cents worth and stat..."
Who can tell with all the screwing?
Tabitha wrote: "Same here, even Bullet was starting to edge into the sex crap but she reigned it back with Hit List. Here's to hoping the new one is at least half way decent."Glad to know because Hit List has been sitting on my shelf, I was having a hard time convincing myself to read it. It's bad when you start looking at the next book in a series like, What now and do I even want to know.
N. wrote: "Tabitha wrote: "Same here, even Bullet was starting to edge into the sex crap but she reigned it back with Hit List. Here's to hoping the new one is at least half way decent."Glad to know because..."
I also agree. Hit List is better with that. There is more action and it started to be more like the old Anita books.
I love micha as well, I'd like to see her with just him, but also Nathaniel and Jason. In her working life I am totally in love with Edward. When I read Skin Trade, it was great how L H develops his character. I think this has to be one of my favourite Anita Black novels. They got a bit boring after book 10,to much focused on all the sex. Whoshe would have sex with at that given moment, with completely boring pages long discussions about it, then decideing they had somehow coerced her into these situations. That is especially true with Jean Claude. I only read the one following book 10, and then I gave all of them to my friend.
Tabitha wrote: "I too gave up Anita Blake but I made it through to Blood Noir. I really did like her books up until Incubus Dreams hit then I struggled through a few before saying I'm Done! It might as well have b..."
Thanks I needed to hear that! I really did give up after Incubus Dreams. I'm just over the whole "I'm a woman but more like a man" thing she has going on. Also I didn't like how every woman except Anita was written so .... I can't think of the words right now. But thanks. Maybe I'll wait another year and try again.
Thanks I needed to hear that! I really did give up after Incubus Dreams. I'm just over the whole "I'm a woman but more like a man" thing she has going on. Also I didn't like how every woman except Anita was written so .... I can't think of the words right now. But thanks. Maybe I'll wait another year and try again.
I have to say that I have read the whole series and have to say Affliction was my least favorite.. I was disappointed because there was no story line per say....about 98 percent about anita and her love life...and 2 percent story.... I think its time LKH should retire anita and her men before they are all about sex instead of story.
John wrote: "Too late."
I agree...
I agree...
Desiree wrote: "I'm forcing myself to go through this Anita Blake series, because I was given 15 of the books for free. Unfortunately, this series is beyond the pale and has the exact same problem as Twilight and ..."I totally disagree with you about the first five or so books - I really enjoyed those. There *was* a good bit of character growth, some decent plots etc.
Since then, well I agree with everything you claim.
Tasula wrote: "And the descriptions of what she was wearing! How fascinating, red top, jeans, black sneakers. Duh."Welll now, sometimes she switches it up, and she puts on a blue top. For the new readers, I think the only colors in her wardrobe are red, blue and black. The men are all fine with looong hair, and they only want her, it does get tiresome after awhile. Lol
Welll now, sometimes she switches it up, and she puts on a blue top. For the ne..."My wife says not to forget the ". . . blood in his neck. it pulsed and throbbed. In his neck. The blood. The hot, hot blood, that was in his neck. Just under the skin. She could almost taste it. The blood. In his neck. Under the skin. Throbbing and pulsing. In his neck. And she licked her lips, because there was blood, throbbing . . ."
My wife also wonders of anyone has gotten Richard a Midol . . .
Just sayin . . .
I really liked the series, until I got to the one (was it Incubus Dreams?) where it was pretty much 3 days of her life and all she did was have sex with everyone.I've read the rest, hoping it will get better.
sigh.
Yes but Sookie only slept with Bill, Eric and quin in the whole of the series, where as Anita I've got no idea because there's so many. Anita in her work live is on Edward s level and the most enjoyable books are the ones that involve him. The books went from virginal Anita to totally overboard in the sex department. In book 6 it was good to see she picked Jean Claude but then in book7 it started to grow in number. I can't work out how one woman can have sex with so many men all at the same time.
Angie wrote: "I can't work out how one woman can have sex with so many men all at the same time..."Now, that part is just a matter of logistics. :D
Stephanie wrote: "Well I just started the series yesterday actually. Normally if I LOVE a book it takes me no time to finish. But I put it down many times because the first book I've gotten to thus far wasn't as cap..."One-sided, yes. Nonsensical, no. The reason this series is in such freefall is that Hamilton is writing her fantasies. Anita is an avatar for Hamilton's wish fulfillment, which becomes more and more obvious as the series wears on. There's no room for dissent or failure since in your daydreams you always get your way. Everyone either loves you unconditionally or hates you irrationally and you always save the day simply because you're you. Sound familiar?
So what about lkh' s other series, the Merry Gentry books. There was no waiting until book six for all the sex it was from book one. As with Anita Blake she has lots of men, do you think this was also lkh 's wish fulfilment, if you check when the books were written it all happens at the same time.
Same thing; Merry's description is the same as LKH/Anita's, they have the same issues and it's all the same wish fulfillment. Only real difference is MG was all about sex from the outset.
Im glad Im not the only one who came to that assumption. I often wondered if that was lkh's secret fantasy. Maybe she was overlooked, invisible, or akward. Again I hate that Anita is always portrayed as the superior woman, and every man wants her. AND (side note) Just because you can admit your faults doesn't make it OK.... Every book. AND everyone who ever goes against her ends up dead or miserable. Thanks for letting me vent.
You should come to the Amazon forums- you'd find lots of fellowship there... and cookies.
Desiree wrote: "I'm forcing myself to go through this Anita Blake series, because I was given 15 of the books for free. Unfortunately, this series is beyond the pale and has the exact same problem as Twilight and ..."SOLD ME ...I WON'T BOTHER .... THANKS
VAMPIRE ELITE JO-A
I've just checked out your book and it sounds a bit different to a lot of the other vampire novels so l downloaded it. I'm looking forward to reading it in the next few days. I can't believe the Anita Blake books are up to number22! The last one I read was the novella Flirt. She picked up another shifter in that, I'm wondering if she kept him. I didn't read them after that because I found out that Richard, Wicked and Truth joined in on the bed. They must have a reinforced bed by this point.
all discussions on this book
|
post a new topic
Guilty Pleasures (other topics)
Books mentioned in this topic
Blood Noir (other topics)Guilty Pleasures (other topics)
