The Lunatic Cafe by Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake Series #4)

Synopsis:

In Laurell K. Hamilton's New York Times bestselling novels, Vampire Hunter and zombie animator Anita Blake is an expert at sniffing out the bad from the good. But she's about to learn that nothing is ever as it seems-especially in matters of the not-so-human heart...

Dating a werewolf with self-esteem issues is stressing Anita out. Especially when something-or someone-starts taking out the city's shape shifters

Review:

In this book, we are introduced to Marcus and Raina, the leaders of the werewolf pack, and all around sadists.  There is a power struggle in this book between Marcus and Richard. Richard wants to be the leader but he is not willing to kill for the position, so he is unable to attain the Ulfric (Pack leader) position.

Shape shifters are missing and Anita has no clue where they are going, they find a skinned man in the lake, and because he is immortal he is able to at least tell them some clues that ultimately lead to the villain.

I love this book because it gave me a little bit more back story around Marcus and Raina, I had always known Raina was the bogey man to the werewolves, making snuff films and sadistic ways of getting off, literally, but it was interesting to see that Marcus allowed it because he was in love with Raina. Go figure.

It also gave me some more of Richard and Anita,  and while through the series Richard hasn't been my favorite in the running for Anita's heart it was nice to see that sweet honey moon phase of their relationship.

I enjoyed the villain in this story. It was not the usual bad guy this time, it actually required some thinking and stealth since most of the shape shifters weren't out of the closet yet about their curse.

One of the best thing's about Anita is that no matter what fight she gets into, if she gets hit, she has a scar. I have read books where there have been some knock down drag out fights and they both walk away without a scratch, but in Anita's series it is almost like she is proud of her scars because she is a survivor and she is a woman to admire, even if she is not real.

Rating:

4.5 Ravens.

Circus of the Damned by Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake #3)

 Synopsis:

A rogue master vampire hits town, and Anita gets caught in the middle of an undead turf war. Jean-Claude, the Master Vamp of the city, wants her for his own-but his enemies have other plans. And to make matters worse, Anita takes a hit to the heart when she meets a stunningly handsome junior high science teacher named Richard Zeeman. They're two humans caught in the crossfire-or so Anita thinks

Review:

The word is out that Anita is Jean-Claude's human servant, and that he wants to talk to her. Anita, while fetching information on a police case, meets up with an informant at a well known vampire bar, where it becomes clear that the new master of the city is requesting her presence.

In this book, Anita comes face to face a creature she though extinct.

I want to point out once again the amount of research I am sure that has to go in these books, the fact that she takes enough time to do it really reflects in her story and how well it is put together.

This is also the book where Anita and Richard meet, and boy, when they have to explain where they first saw each other, I wish I could see their faces because it is a doozy.

Anita is caught between two master vampires, both of which want her as a servant because of her power as not only an animator but as a necromancer, a rarity the cause of which is revealed later on in the series.

It never fails to provide kick butt fight scene's, sarcastic sassy scene's that make your lips twitch with amusement and the kick in the gut as a relationship starts.

Unlike in some books where the main characters fall in love within the first five chapters, Laurell K. Hamilton gives them time to actually date and get to know each other and their history.

Rating:

5 ravens!

The Laughing Corpse by Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake Series #2)

Synopsis:

Harold Gaynor offers Anita Blake a million dollars to raise a 300-year-old zombie. Knowing it means a human sacrifice will be necessary, Anita turns him down. But when dead bodies start turning up, she realizes that someone else has raised Harold's zombie--and that the zombie is a killer. Anita pits her power against the zombie and the voodoo priestess who controls it.

In The Laughing Corpse Anita will learn that there are some secrets better left buried-and some people better off dead...

Review:

It has always amazed me the sort of trouble Anita finds herself in. And, it isn't because she is a bad person, it is because she is a good person with some morals, despite all the killing she does, she is still one of the best super hero's I know. Laurell K.Hamilton has created a super hero that is real, a woman hero that the girls can look up to because of her kick butt and taking names attitude that comes with a side of sass and justice. I would be proud to grow up like her.

As the body count starts to rise Anita finds herself face to face with one of the most powerful voodoo priestess's alive.

It doesn't help that her mouth and attitude pisses off the priestess. So yes folks, this time it is zombies, not vampires but zombies Anita finds herself facing off against.  When animator's run amok and don't realize their power they loose control of a powerful zombie and Anita finds zombies climbing into her window wanting a piece of action, in the non-sexual sense.

How does Anita escape this? Who is the big bad? And why did they loose control of the zombie? What is the amazing feet that surprises even Anita?

To find out, pick up the book and give it a read, I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Rating:

4.5 Ravens!

Favorite Charrie:

Anita Blake