Laurell K Hamilton

[Jess]

Some people think that her Anita Blake books started sucking at a certain point. I don't know if I think they started sucking as much as evolving. any thoughts?

[B]

I never got into the Anita Blake series, but I have read the Merry Gentry series. I like/liked it, but with the latest one I did feel it was a little stale. I still enjoyed it, but I definitely didn't devour it like I used to or like I do with books by other authors.

[Jess]

I agree! the first few books I read I couldn't wait to read the next one. But as I got to the later books I wasn't quite as interested in them. I felt it had become very monotonous, and half the time I couldn't figure out what the plot of the story was, if any at all.

[B]

With the Gentry series, I found myself reading sections and not really knowing exactly what was going on. I guess at first it was exciting and new, but after awhile I realized it was just confusing. :)

[B]

But I'll still keep reading if another one comes out! :)

[Jess]

That's similar to what I think about Anita Blake, I still read the books, but I won't buy them anymore. I do have to say that I think the last book in the series (Blood Noir) had the same feel as the first few books so I'm hoping that the series is going to be getting better. But I still won't buy them

[Jael ~ *~ Syhren ~* ~]

Well I am still loving the Anita Books and Jess I have to say Blood Noir didn't feel like the old Anita at all , too me atleast. I think the Harlequin was more like the first few than Blood Noir( I was really disappointed in that book because I thought it would be the big standoff b/t Anita and Marmee Noir)can't wait to see what Skin Trade is all about.

[[deleted user]]

I really enjoy the writing style of Laurell K. Hamilton. But the more I read, the more I realize that thing she does with Character Driven Plots drives me bugnuts.

For me, it appears that while each book usually has a plot and story, when you look at the entire series as a whole, they are going nowhere. Mentally, I call that the downward death spiral.

For the same reason, I can no longer read Rachel Caine's Weather Warden series. Lots of action, but no storyline to the series.

[Tiwaztyrsfist]

Yeah, as far as I'm concerened it was book 9 (Narcisus in Chains) where the Anita Blake series started to fall off.

Basically, the problem I have with the newest ones is that she's stopped tying up the loose ends.

In the Early books, there's a plot, sub-plots, character development, plot branching, and at the end all the sub-plots and plot branches get tied up, and the Plot of the book resolves. And the characters go on developing.

In NiC, Several of the plot branches never resolved.
In Cerulean Sins, Plot Branches and Sub-plots just trailed off with no resolution.
In Incubus Dreams, as far as I could tell the BASE PLOT of the book never actually resolved...

I haven't touched one since.

Which is sad, because the Early ones were SOOOO GOOD. I loved them. I pre-ordered them. At times, I counted days till they came out.

Ah well.

[Jess]

Tiwaztyrsfist wrote: "Yeah, as far as I'm concerened it was book 9 (Narcisus in Chains) where the Anita Blake series started to fall off.

Basically, the problem I have with the newest ones is that she's stopped tying u..."

Many times I find myself wondering what the hell is going on in some of the books. I forget the plot line because the characters are busy having sex for 3 chapters in a row.

I am definitely getting sick of Anita killing everything in site and being such a "badass" that she often acts stupid.

I think that her latest book Blood Noir, felt a little closer to her original books, so I will read the next in the series just to see what happens with it. It almost feels like the author had a grand scheme of where all of the books were going and then got lost along the way, and the past 4 or 5 books was her trying to find a new path. I hope that the next book is a little better because the series was so good at first.

[♥Tricia♥]

I love the series and I love where she has taken it. Thats really all I can say without possibly offending anyone that feels otherwise /shrug.

[Jess]

No one will be offended, it is your own opinion!

[♥Tricia♥]

Well, ok here goes :P lol

First, perhaps its the dark pervert in me that just adores where she has taken the series. And while I DO get that the sex is in abundance at times.. it all just makes sense!

You cant be a succubus and not feed it.. and if its not controlable what do you get? Strange situations of course!
When I read books I put myself into the shoes of the character and sure sometimes I think to myself *yeah that wouldnt happen in real life*.. but duh.. it wouldnt would it?
And if I had the ardur riding my ass I certainly wouldnt want it busting out in the middle of some enemies.. so yeah I am going to try and feed it before hand even tho it seems like an inoportune time.. but thats what the whole story is about! :)

For Anita to be with either man, and ladies you know we love them!, she HAS to grow, and in growing she is getting more powerful and she very well has to just accept that part of them and what they are about.
And I think this is where the story has taken Anita and why people dont like it anymore. Because she isnt that stuck up prude bitch anymore, instead she is in love and is growing with her men.

Bottom line the sex is part of the story line. I read it that way. I not once ever read it as an interruption of the story because without it there would be a huge loss of the story line due to all of the circumstances and men that she loves in her life. And yes I love that she has so many! Good lord what I would give to have them all in mine! :P

[Tracy]

I'm like Bonnie. I never gotten into the Anita books, but I did get into Merry. I found myself reading passed my usual bedtime to find out what's going to happen. But I found the last one a lil dragging. I sure hope the next one will be more of the orginal plot. Unless she's changing what Merry really wants. That would be confusing.

[Ranata]

Tricia wrote: "Well, ok here goes :P lol

First, perhaps its the dark pervert in me that just adores where she has taken the series. And while I DO get that the sex is in abundance at times.. it all just makes se..."

I don't think that's growing. I think that's polygamous. LOL. She's in love with all these men and sleeping with and that's the plot?! What is turning me off and i'm not even that far into the series is the fact that she's always killing something. It's unnecessary violence. I could have dealt with the sex..no I couldn't have. It would have annoyed me to no end. It's just, Anita's not likeable. Jean-Claude deserves better, LOL. I don't see how she's changed. She's a just a slutty murdering bitch now instead of a prudish murdering bitch, LOL

[Jael ~ *~ Syhren ~* ~]

It's not unnecessary violence. Anita will kill when she or those she love are threatened. IMO that's what make her stand out. She's not some heroin that has to think it through then whine about killing someone who trying to kill her. She shoots first and ask questions later. It's funny that when the men in our books do it we think they're bad-ass sexy but when Anita does it makes her unlikable. I'm not a violent person but I do believe if your coming for me or the people I love I'm going to take you out no second thoughts about. Which is why I love Anita. Ranata you're adamant in your hate for Anita LOL
so this wasn't a try to persuade you statement. I already know you cannot be persuaded :)

[[deleted user]]

"...It almost feels like the author had a grand scheme of where all of the books were going and then got lost along the way..." what Jess said, IMO feels like she just lost direction for the series. And I miss the old JC, he was steaming hot but now just seems kinda sidelined.

I loved the first several Merry books, until the one where she wandered around naked in the dark for the entire book. Like Anita, it's starting to feel like the plot has lost direction even tho this series is supposed to have a definate ending.

LKH is an extremely talented author, but IMO would really benefit by a stronger editor. I think the fame means they let her write whatever she wants. I've read comments from some excellent authors that blog their editor returned a book for major rewrites. Big PITA, but the end product was vastly superior to the original...and on my keeper shelf. Patricia Briggs made this comment about one of her recent releases.

[Ranata]

Jael wrote: "It's not unnecessary violence. Anita will kill when she or those she love are threatened. IMO that's what make her stand out. She's not some heroin that has to think it through then whine about kil..."

Jael wrote: "It's not unnecessary violence. Anita will kill when she or those she love are threatened. IMO that's what make her stand out. She's not some heroin that has to think it through then whine about kil..."

LOL. Sorry Jael but I really, really do not like Anita. It's not because she's bitchy cuz she's not really bitchy. She's full of bitchassness, though. LOL. I just feels like she does kill unnecessarily. She was like "if you kill that man, i will kill you" and she did and Richard was like, "why did you have to kill him instead of taking him to the cops?" and she's all nonchalantly, "oh cuz i said i would". WTF kinda reason is that?

And I also hate her for her interest in Richard. I hate her because she's redundant and I hate her because she later turns into a hoe. If I was reading a book about a male hoe (and I am cuz I'm reading At Grave's End and we all know Bones is a Mega Hoe), I'd feel the same way if they were not likeable. I don't feel she's relatable at all. It's okay for a man to assist you sometimes. Damn. It's not taking the feminists movement back 100 years or anything.

Ugh. I can't stand this fictional, semi-autobiographical (I hear Anita is based on LKH herself) strong female protogo. I'd prefer weak Bella Swan to strong Anita Blake. Bitch. LOL. Sorry. LOL

[♥Tricia♥]

If we can agree on one thing its your Richard comment :)

That man annoys me to no end and I cant stand that he is still even in the books.

We can just agree to disagree on the rest, as we all wont love every book we read right? :)

[Ranata]

Tricia wrote: "If we can agree on one thing its your Richard comment :)

That man annoys me to no end and I cant stand that he is still even in the books.

We can just agree to disagree on the rest, as we all won..."

I keep hearing that nobody really likes Richard and I can see why. I hated him from the second she noticed him. I'm a Jean-Claude kinda girl and Richard just needed to be killed already. LOL. If he's still there that really gives me incentive never to read them again.

But yes, not everyone would love every book. I knew I was gambling and it's okay. I'm glad there are people who DO enjoy it.

[Jess]

I still read her books, but I just go into it knowing that there will be a lot of sex and not as much plot and it doesn't bother me quite as much. Well no, it bothers me but I ignore it lol. I just want to see where the series is going.

But out of all the men, I DESPISE Richard. What a whining SOB!!! Every scene, he's whining about something. Anita doesn't love him, Anita has sex with too many people, JC is around too much BLAH BLAH BLAH!!!!!

Get rid of him LKH... he's useless to the story.

[Ranata]

Jess wrote: "I still read her books, but I just go into it knowing that there will be a lot of sex and not as much plot and it doesn't bother me quite as much. Well no, it bothers me but I ignore it lol. I just..."

I think he needs to get over JC, especially since he knew Anita FIRST.

I do agree she has sex with too many people and I can't see why she can't fight the aduer (sp?) AND be monogamous at the same time. LoL.

I digress. I will never get far enough in the series to really get the necessity of this "condition" Anita got from JC.

[Jess]

I don't really understand the whole thing either. I just take it as it is and read it to enjoy the series... although there hasn't been much enjoyment as of lately.

Like I said before, I think she had such a great idea at first, and then I think she went off the path a little bit and is now confused over where the overall story should be heading.

I did read that she went through this whole divorce which probably is what affected her writing. (All of a sudden her character had lots of sex with various men... could the author be living vicariously through her character? I think so.)

[♥Tricia♥]

I dont mind the sex with multiple partners.. tho sometimes the # of partners IS a bit much... but I never minded it anyhow.
I am the kind of gal where 2 men flat does it for me too so I guess for me thats my kind of story lol.

[Ranata]

Jess wrote: "I don't really understand the whole thing either. I just take it as it is and read it to enjoy the series... although there hasn't been much enjoyment as of lately.

Like I said before, I think she..."

People have told me they heard her husband was writing the series at first and then she was forced to do it herself after the divorce. I can understand a change because of that but of this magnitude?? Anita does not sound like the same person and that's fine and all but I think they only thing that has changed is her sex drive and how many penises she can take in a session.

[♥Tricia♥]

Wow if this is true I can see why the story changed so much. Either way I like the story but still it would make more sense in why it changed.

[Ranata]

Tricia wrote: "Wow if this is true I can see why the story changed so much. Either way I like the story but still it would make more sense in why it changed."

Wouldn't it? And that would be soo very sad to me because really, it's not great literature to begin with but you had to have your HUBS write for you?? How lame!

[Jess]

lol, that is an intersting theory that her husband was the one writing the series because I also noticed that the writing changed as well. And it's not just that Anita Blake is having sex more, but it's the fact that her character has completely changed. I don't mind sex in books, but there needs to be a plot.. and I feel like now the books introduce a plot and it's either ignored, never resolved, or makes no sense.

[Jael ~ *~ Syhren ~* ~]

Ranata wrote: "Jess wrote: "I don't really understand the whole thing either. I just take it as it is and read it to enjoy the series... although there hasn't been much enjoyment as of lately.

Like I said before..."


Oh please those are just naysayers trying to start dumbass rumors b/c they dxon't enjoy the series. I personally don't have any multiple partners and never would but I like the progression of Anita.

Ranata- she killed him b/c she said she would. When your under 5'3 and a woman. The boys never take you at your word so she had to keep her word LOL I love it! Anita knows to get help when she needs it but come on in the earlier books all she has is JC, Richard and Edward. IMO only 1 out of those three is badass enough to be Anita backup and that's Edward. I love JC but Anita seems to be surrounded by weak ass men.

[Jael ~ *~ Syhren ~* ~]

Oh wait and Micah. Micah will tear you a new ass.

[Ranata]

Jael wrote: "Ranata wrote: "Jess wrote: "I don't really understand the whole thing either. I just take it as it is and read it to enjoy the series... although there hasn't been much enjoyment as of lately.

L..."

I'm sorry but that's a lame reason. They already knew she was tough shit. She did not need to kill that man because she said she would. That just made her sound stupid and arrogant and I actually agreed with Richard in that aspect of it.

I just don't see being on her back all the time as someone growing. It should have been the opposite, like she was a hoe first and then slowed down her hoeishness. I think LKH just wanted a reason to write about gratuitious sex.

And I don't even mean her getting help in fighting and such. I mean her getting help in little ways. Somebody offers to help her out of a truck. Taking his arm would be giving up her female strength? That's lame! They already know she's a bitch to be reckoned with so why does she feel like she always has to prove herself?

To me, Cat from Jeaniene Frost's series is like Anita but she's funny, she's relatable and she knows when to ask for help even if it's just something little as getting a bullet out of her. Cat grew from weakling to this big bad bitch and she didn't do it on her back all the time. I don't consider being a big "Im up for any dick cuz I gotta feed the aduer! =D" as growth but it's just my opinion.

It might be a rumor but it's a rumor that is believeable. He'd have been her ghostwriter. She lost him and now she's stuck so I guess I'll turn my supposedly strong female protog into a walking "My legs are open all night!" highway sign. But I digress. We all know I hate her. LoL. I just can't see it any other way and I have tried.

[Jael ~ *~ Syhren ~* ~]

Yeah I know Ranata and the two of us going back and forth would be pointless. I see Anita one way and you see her another. It starts to feel like your the vamps and I'm the Fellowship of Light( or is that the other way around) It's not believeable to me that her husband was her ghostwriter but what is believeable that he was repressing LKH which reflected in her work by being a repressive person and then once divorced she became a woman who could finally let loose and she did in a big way by giving her character a big makeover.Anyway you have your opinions and I have mine. LOL I can't believe we're clashing over LKH since we have so many other books in common oh well :) I can't keep defending Anita I love her you hate her. It's all good.LOL

[Ranata]

Jael wrote: "Yeah I know Ranata and the two of us going back and forth would be pointless. I see Anita one way and you see her another. It starts to feel like your the vamps and I'm the Fellowship of Light( or ..."

I can agree to disagree. It's what makes the world go round. That bit about her being repressed by him and it reflecting in her book makes even more sense than him as her ghostwriter. I didn't think about it that way.

Like I said, I'm glad people enjoy the series and defend it because it proves her fans are loyal. I might not like that type of thing but someone else might not like what I like. And it's fine that we disagree on one and agree on so many others. Again, it's what makes the world balance out. LOL.

*hugs* here's to more Anita Blake in your future! And how is Jean Claude doing btw? He was my favorite. I loved the Circus of the Damned because of him.

[Jael ~ *~ Syhren ~* ~]

oh boy let's just say If I'm with a guy I can't tolerate it if he likes to sex up men as well. That's one of the turn off about JC for me. I like Asher but I had lots of love for JC and finding out that about him dropped him down in my book.So if I don't like it I'm glad your not continuing b/c I can hear the rants now LOL

[Ranata]

Jael wrote: "oh boy let's just say If I'm with a guy I can't tolerate it if he likes to sex up men as well. That's one of the turn off about JC for me. I like Asher but I had lots of love for JC and finding out..."

lmao. Are my rants that bad? I could go on for days, girl, not caring if I prove my point or not. I just have to say it. LOL. Sorry!

And no, that's not cool about JC and other dudes. I did glimpse it in the first books but I didn't pay much attention. She had to ruin him, didn't she?!

[Jael ~ *~ Syhren ~* ~]

LOL love the rants. They're very passionate something only a true lover of books could write but yeah she ruined JC for me with that one, there was actually a scene where I had to skip b/c I didn't want to read about JC in that way. IDK but ever since than I have felt that all the men seem weak and a little whiny I guess that's why I like Anita because she's the dominant one .

[Ranata]

Jael wrote: "LOL love the rants. They're very passionate something only a true lover of books could write but yeah she ruined JC for me with that one, there was actually a scene where I had to skip b/c I didn't..."

Aww thank you. I've been a reader since forever. It's in my blood. If I hate something I could go on for days, not really trying to convince you but just saying my thoughts. Sometimes people will be like Oh yeah, that is so true so see, my bitching works. LOL

Oh no about JC. Bummer! Let me remember him as I last read about him in Circus of the Damned.

[Jael ~ *~ Syhren ~* ~]

LOL you do that for the both of us since I no longer can.

[Jess]

Ohhh I remember that scene... JC and that vamp guy. yeah.. he's not as hot to me. I'm not much into the homosexual scenes (although Jenna Black does a pretty good job in her Morgan Kingsley series).

I love Ashers character.. but as always LKH has stopped focusing on the people I enjoy reading about. Since now she has so many damn characters and love interests I can't even remember them all.

I don't much like that whole were leopard.. or whatever were animal they all are. I wish it would go back to just being asher, JC (as he was originally) and Anita.. sigh. the good old days

[Jael ~ *~ Syhren ~* ~]

LOL yeah I get where all the characters are confusing to some, I love them all to a point but Micah and Nathaniel are my faves right now I never really liked Asher too much. I don't have a problem with m/m scenes(loved it in Wolf Tales) but I just don't like men that I like to want men as well. Asher being bi doesn't bother me at all but it hurts with JC.

[Jess]

I agree with you... Asher being bi doesn't bother me either. but knowing that JC is bugs me. I don't know why lol.

Yeah Micah and Nathaniel! I completely forgot their names... I liked Micah orginially, I guess he's okay. I just don't like that it took away time with JC and Asher. But I don't like Nathaniel. He's just annoying to me.

[Jael ~ *~ Syhren ~* ~]

Yeah He was annoying to me b/c he was the weakest but he has been growing less weak and I'm liking it. I miss JC as well. I think LKH needs to write a book with just Anita and JC.

[♥Tricia♥]

I agree Jael.

Though I adore all of her men. I have a special spot in my heart for Nathanial.. something about a submissive that I just like hehe

[Robin]

I know its been awhile since anyone has said anything on this thread, but I just spent the past month reading through the entire Anita Blake series. Almost finished with Blood Noir.. still have Skin Trade to read.

I agree with each point. I definitely agree that the plot has lost its way. As a series as a whole, it isn't really going anywhere. And each book seems to be covering a shorter and shorter amount of time. As for character development, we are starting to see how Anita being with multiple men are affecting the MEN in her life...not just how it bothers her.

Yes, the sex can be a bit much at times. However, it seems that some crazy metaphysical shit is happening during most of it. If JC's bloodline is based on lust and sex, wouldn't it make sense that that is when most of the "power changes" (or whatever you want to call it) would take place?

And we see that Anita doesn't like having to have sex with so many men (well, she does... but). The point I'm trying to make is that it can make her feel uncomfortable. She took Jason of the "feeding chart" when it interfered with his relationship with Perdy. She tries to not let anyone become addicted to the arduer.

What's funny - if you can call it funny lol - is that my favorite book in the series is Obsidian Butterfly. Where she is aways from all the guys, down in New Mexico with Edward... and we meet creepy Olaf. I love Edward and I hope Anita and him NEVER have sex. It would just ruin it for me. If it happens in Skin Trade PLEASE don't tell me! I would cry lol!

[Melodie]

Jess wrote: "I agree with you... Asher being bi doesn't bother me either. but knowing that JC is bugs me. I don't know why lol.

Yeah Micah and Nathaniel! I completely forgot their names... I liked Micah orgi..."

I don't like te bi-men thing either. And JC does nothing for me anymore after that. I don't mind bi-women, but whole guy thing just gives me the "all-overs" as my grandma used to say. Especially the REALLY hot men!! LOL

[Kyle]

Robin wrote: "I know its been awhile since anyone has said anything on this thread, but I just spent the past month reading through the entire Anita Blake series. Almost finished with Blood Noir.. still have Sk..."

Obsidian Butterfly is my favorite too which is probably one of the reasons I liked Skin Trade more than others :P

[Susan (Suz)]

It's interesting to hear how the series changes... I'm currently reading Blue Moon, it's taking me a bit to warm up to it, anita is annoying me at the moment and i'm not sure why, but I LOVED the first 7 in the series... I'm definitely going to keep reading, cuz now I have a morbid curiousity about all the guys she ends up sleeping with LOL, LOL

[Literary Ames]

My favourite characters have to be Jean-Claude and Edward. I also liked Asher's vulnerability and Requiem's old world politeness and charm even though they weren't the happiest of people.

My favourite books are OBSIDIAN BUTTERFLY (you gotta love Anita's interactions with Olaf)and NARCISSUS IN CHAINS(really enjoyed Anita crushing the rogue element in the pack), though there were elements I didn't like in this one. I could just about tolerate INCUBUS DREAMS but I couldn't stand DANSE MACABRE and THE HARLEQUIN. I didn't bother with BLOOD NOIR but I am wondering about SKIN TRADE, the reviews seem to be better but not good enough for me to buy it.

I really liked Edward, he was a restraining influence on Anita when it came to the "monsters" and maybe if he had been around more after OB the series probably wouldn't have gone downhill. The same goes for the ardeur, if it hadn't been introduced or if it had been cured quickly the series wouldn't have fallen off a cliff.

[Kneosha]

The thing that has bugged me especially with the last 2 books (Blood Noir and Skin Trade) is where in the hell did her Necromancy go???? She convoluted the whole thing with all the shapeshifter crap that she erased what Anita IS and always SHOULD BE. All of the books up until Blood Noir were amazing but we lost Anita Blake Necromancer and Vampire Executioner with the last 2 books.

[Kneosha]

♥Tricia♥ wrote: "I agree Jael.

Though I adore all of her men. I have a special spot in my heart for Nathanial.. something about a submissive that I just like hehe"

Nathaniel is my favorite too! he's so sweet