Book 8), Vampire Hunter, Blue Moon (Anita Blake

I could not put this book down. This series just keeps getting better and better. Yes, the sex is pretty graphic, but graphic writing is one of the things that hooks you into this series. I find it interesting that the people who complain about the detailed descriptions of sex have no complaints about the equally detailed descriptions of mutilated corpses and rotting vampires. Think about it. Anita's powers do keep growing, but they aren't just falling out of the sky: they can all be traced back to a source, be it Jean-Claude's marks, sharing with Richard or her own necromancy. The fact that Anita's changed so much since the first books is one of the other things that has addicted me to this series. She's has to adapt and grow, and we've been along for the ride. DON'T read this series out of order if you can help it -- going from this book to Guilty Pleasures and Lunatic Cafe(or vice versa) without the intervening info could be confusing.

Ah for those innocent days when this series still had potential and we didn't know what was coming next. Back when Blue Moon was released things still looked good, we had the possibilities of a true Triumvirate of Power being formed to look forward to, we saw Richard stand up to Anita and set terms for their relationship, well before his unexpected and poorly written meltdown in later books. The book still had a plot and a purpose back then.

What a shame it wouldn't last.

Blue Moon is the last book in what was the original series. Though many fans will tell you the next book Obsidian Butterfly is still good, Blue Moon is the last book when all the real characters where on the page together, even if only in spirit. It was the last book that had any real emotion to it, any real zip. It was the last book before Hamilton began retroactively changing her series into something unrecognizable. Blue Moon is the last book that suggests there is a positive future ahead for Anita, Richard and Jean Claude. Blue Moon is the last book most people should ever read in this series.

Blue Moon takes Anita out of town, out of her element. Richard has been arrested for rape, and Anita in usual fashion doesn't believe he can get himself out of trouble and so against Jean Claude's wishes rushes off to save him. Corrupt cops, a demon summoning wizard, a rival Master vampire, a ghost from the past and werewolf pack politics drives the last real Anita Blake Vampire Hunter story, and once upon a time it was good. There's plot, purpose, action, character development, sex that was still fresh and new, and even a Richard who can stand up to Anita without coming across as a jerk.

But the writing is as they say on the wall; looking back many of the flaws that would so cripple the last books Hamilton has released are there in larval form, just waiting to chew their way maggot like through the writing. Dropped plot threads, shifting details, grammatical weaknesses, and an over abundance of re-used lines fill the book, but at least the editor at the time could catch basic spelling mistakes unlike now.

I discovered Hamilton's Anita Blake series just when I like to, after there is already a generous amount of novels are already out there. Unfortunately, though, in reading them back to back you tend to notice some repetitiveness. Does any of this sound familiar to the fans?
"My Browning hi power is an extension of my hand..."; "I left the top two buttons undone so I could reach my gun..."; "Jean-Claude was wearing a clasp at the collar of his shirt..."; "Skin tight leather...second skin...no underwear..."; "If I needed more than *blank* bullets, I was in trouble..."
Don't get me wrong, I love the characters and the world she has created. As long as she keeps writing them, I'll keep buying. But I have one thing to say.
Sarcastic. Who, me? Ri--ght.

This book doesn't talk about the "Edward favor" (that'll be the NEXT book!), but it's quite a good read. Anita's off to Tennessee to help out Richard when he's framed for a crime he didn't commit. Jean-Claude won't let her go alone of course so Anita leaves Missouri with an entourage of were-animals and vampires. Fans of Asher, take note: he's one of the vampires along for the ride with Anita. Jason's there too as always. Even Nathaniel. There's plenty of action at break-neck speed which makes this latest installment another quick page-turner. This book is guaranteed to keep you up 'til dawn ;)

Although in the last few books the mystery element seems to have taken a second seat to the developing relationship(s) between Anita and the boys, and the pack, AND the pard, I think they just get better and better. The emotions behind these changes and the way she feels about the escalating level of violence she resorts to, have an immediacy and sincerity that grabs you by the throat...love the new characters, and ecstatic to see the return of old favorites with a new twist. My only complaint is that the book goes so fast - even at 400+ pages, when you can't put it down, it doesn't last long....:^) Enjoy!

I enjoyed this book, as I've enjoyed all installments of the Anita Blake series. When this book starts Anita drops everything (including Jean-Claude temporarily) and runs off to the Tennessee mountains to rescue Richard. After being accused and arrested for assault Richard is at his most annoying. Whiny, petulant, inconsiderate and unappreciative of Anita's help. Ms.Hamilton does and excellent job of making him throughly unlikable and still making the story itself pretty good.
Of course Anita saves the day, after a lot of bloodshed and an interview with a very, scary, demonic entity. Great book, great writer.

This book like many others of Hamilton's includes Anita(Necromancer), Jean-Claude(Master Vampire), and Richard(WereWolf). These three characters are always getting tangled up in plots and such. In Blue Moon Richard is in jail for some chumped up charges convicting him of Rape. Anita can hardly believe it she would think of Murder before rape with Richard. She flies out to the wilds of Tennesse to free him. She only has a few days till the Blue Moon. Which is the Second Fll moon in the month. I loved this book and all have read the whole Anita Blake Series and am looking forward to her new book coming out soon

It was too soon after reading book #7 for me to start another Anita Blake novel. Usually I read a second one right away and regret it. This time I waited longer, but apparently not long enough. She repeats too many of her phrases and uses the exact same wording in her explanations and bits of storyline so I find I need at least a six month gap between reading them.

Also, this book was too repetitive in other ways. It was like everything that happened happened three times. There were three plot arches, in order. Anita asked what being a "top" was three times. She had a scene coming to terms with the leopards being touchy-feely three times. Etc, etc, etc. It was annoying. Ms. Hamilton could have edited a bit and made things more compact. If everything happened twice it would have been less annoying. Does she get paid per word?

I love Anita Blake and i love all the books in the series...but this book, while REALLY good, is not up to par with the other Anita books. Unfortunately, there was just to much sex and too little character development to give it a very high score. On the up side of the argument...I found the character development of the secondary, supporting cast to be superb...giving new feeling and insight into the characters of Jason and Asher (among others). I still recommend this book highly, but if you are a new reader to Anita Blake...i'd say go back and read the series from the beginning...you'll love "Blue Moon" all the more when you do!

I have yet to be bored by one of these fabulous books. I swear..I dont know how Anita can hold herself back when shes surrounded by all of those hott hott men!! Sometimes I wish she'd just give in to each and everyone of them...I suppose that makes me sound awful, but hey..its fiction... :o)...Anyways..I was happy to see more of Asher in this book..I find him to be the yummiest and wish Anita would go for him...Soo many choices!! "Blue Moon" was ,of course, full of tons of action and I am planning on starting the next installment as soon as Im done writing this review. I wholeheartedly recommend getting into this series..it is wildly entertaining and is coming with me to the Isle for sure.

Don't get me wrong, I *LOVE* the Anita Blake novels. She's sassy, bitchy, and a real character... until now. Progressively the books are getting out of hand. Anita's powers are becoming a little too unrealistic and her relationship with ol' Rich and Johnny is a little TOO convenient. I much preferred it when Anita actually had some weaknesses as opposed to the magically beefed-up version of her now. The only saving grace is that her character is still complicated and not just wishy-washy, although getting a little too disturbed, admittedly. Still, it was an entertaining book. I suggest it to those looking for a "non-thinker" book.

I spent four hours combing bookstores to find this book after not be able to wait to order it. I understand where some of the reviews are coming from..it is not your normal book. However, for those of us who like the world of the abnormal enough to devote serious time to pretending to be someone else, such as a vampire it is an amazing read. For us the sex and pack politics is everything we think it should be. The descriptions of pack behavoir are what we dream them to be. I agree the plot seems contrived at places to provide the charactors with something to bounce against. But that is not nessarily a bad thing. It is the people, places and powers that make this and all of her book well worther the read. For the person bored with this world, the one who would run with a pack or be a vampire this is the world you want.

I love the Anita Blake series but the only thing keeping me reading is the characters. I can accept the changing direction of Anita, the excessive violence, and ridiculous level of sexual tension in the last two novels, but where's the plot? The mystery plot has become so secondary to character development that it is almost a whole different genre. Saying all that, this book will still be a must to Anita fans and seems necessary to come full circle of the Killing Dance. I just hope that next novel has a more consistant plot or it may be my last.

This is the eighth book in the "Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter" series. From the start, this has not been a "G" rated series; the first book might be considered "R" for violence, "PG13" for sexual content. The violence never wavers, but the sexual content has been getting gradually more graphic as the series progresses. In this book, the progression stops being gradual.

Many people consider this deeply disappointing and a serious complaint against this book and the subsequent books in the series; starting with this book, the sexual content is no longer "PG13" tending toward "R"; if it isn't past "R" and into the "X" realm, it's certainly tending that way. If you don't want something with sufficiently explicit sex scenes to be at the very least soft-core pornography, this is probably not the book for you. On the other hand, if you can accept the heavy-duty sex as part and parcel of where the series, and the character-development therein, is heading (a major subplot throughout the series has been Anita's gradually being forced by circumstances beyond her control to sacrifice more and more of the things that she thought were her defining morality, and to accept that what defines her morality is in fact somewhat more subjective than she would at first have liked to think) you will probably find this book interesting. And if, like me, you actually enjoy a few well-written graphic sex scenes, you will probably love it.

Alright, folks, this book totally sucks! I mean, what kind of woman is Anita, to sleep with two men? She claims to have high morals, but in the end she is unable to resist their advances! The scene near the end when Anita somehow became Freya, the Nordic goddess of love (in this case meaning she was irresistible to all the other male wolves), was soooo crazy--I could practically feel the sexual excitement in the air! I really think that this book is a deterrent to the whole series--Richard is too wimpy and such a goody-goody--Anita needs somebody who understands her, who is dangerous like herself, who has no qualms about the horrors of the world--to sum it up, she should be with Jean-Claude. I mean, Jean-Claude (sigh) is the ultimate sexy vamp--Anita is a fool not to fall in love with him at first sight!!! But I'm still gonna read this series--I want Jean-Claude back!!! Now I can't wait for the 10th book in the series to come out in October 2001!

This novel could be 75 to 100 pages shorter if Hamilton would cut down the excessive descriptions of character's clothing and appearance. She describes every stitch on every character. Paragraphs about their hair color, what their eyes remind her of, skin appearance, and an in depth analysis of their footwear. Please. The prologue kicks off very nicely, but it goes way down hill from there. With every book, it seems Hamilton gives Anita more and more power for only one reason -- to continue this contrived story and prolong the series. Yes, there are a few good books in the series, but this is certainly not one of them. You know it's bad when you can predict the next scene before you even read it.

There's so MUCH in this book! A fitting follow-on to Burnt Offerings and a good set-up for Obsidian Butterfly. Anita's on top of absolutely everything, and everyone. Little more than a year has past in Anita's universe since Guilty Pleasures; is it all beginning to take its toll?
Jean-Claude pouts and Richard gets a clue -- both sights to behold. Richard's cute-as-a-bug baby brother and formidable mom make noteworthy appearances. But if Nathaniel get hurt one more time...argh!
The proofreaders at Penguin/Berkley/Ace are up to their usual antics, but muddle past -- the ride is worth the struggle.

I really enjoyed this book because most books are very weak on emotions creating the ideal human were everything ends happily ever after. That is not real life. In real life you don't always understand why somebody did something all you can do is make an educated guess. You react in the moment not completely sure why you did what you did later on but having to live with the results of your actions. I love the way Hamilton has work relate to personal and vice versa it makes it believable even though it deals with fantasy.

Although this is not my fave in the series, (that would have to be Circus of the Damned tied with Guilty Pleasures) I thoroughly enjoyed the newest (available) title in the overall excellent Anita Blake series. I discovered Anita back in 1993 with Guilty and was completely hooked from that moment on. This series has some great action. Reading Anita Blake is the equivalent to watching something like "Blade Runner" or "The Matrix" with vampires and werewolves. Although I am a romance fan, I feel that she has lost some of her edge from the first books and I cannot completely enjoy the unholy triangle of Jean-Claude/Anita/Richard because the character of Anita is way too wishy washy in declaring her feelings for either one of them. That said, this book takes off after she has chosen (?) Jean-Claude in The Killing Dance and Burnt Offerings. She gets a call from Richard's little bro telling her to come down to Tennessee to help out her ex, Richard, who has been accused of rape. Jean-Claude, who has his own agenda for Anita (as usual) sends his vampire minions down with her to help her deal with the local master vampire, Colin. Chaos ensues, of course, and Anita almost ends up being pawed by every werewolf in Myerton. And her feelings for Richard are far from resolved... All in all, a great addition to the Anita series but I only gave it four stars because there is no Edward. :( (I hear Obsidian Butterfly is gonna be his book... can't wait.) Meanwhile, you still have time to read the first 8 books. What are you wasting time reading this review for? Hurry up and sink your teeth into this awesome series!

Anita discovers it is tricky to have all those supernatural powers and supernatural leadership responsibilities. So much so, she has to get lessons from others, and help from a witch to deal with some of it before she is overwhelmed.

Throw in werewolf shagging and her having to deal with the jealousy of the situation with Richard, who reckons if she can do whoever, so can he. He, of course, has some hot wolf girls after him, considering he is the boss.

I jumped into the Anita Blake stories midstream - with this book. I disagree with another reviewer - I don't think the sex distracts at all. Its part of the story line, but only put in where appropriate. Thats not what the book is about. Its about Anita saving Richard, and discovering her growing powers etc. Laurel Hamilton has a fantastic writing style. Quite refreshing. I started with Blue Moon, and am reading Obsidian Butterfly. Another good book - but to me Blue Moon is better.

I would defin. recommend her books and this on in particular.

Blue Moon is my 5th anita blake novel. i think she is a unique and wonderful character...but. This book starts with anita in a sexual quandry over her vampire and werewolf lovers and somehow manages to work a story about rescueing Richard in there somewhere.
I guess i am wanting less time describing how some mans hair looks and what color it is and how his silk pants hug his manhood and more time spent on the actual story. i love laurel hamilton and her writing and her characters . It seems to me that too much time is spent on the sex and sexual stuff than on what anita is up to.
I would like maybe 300 pages of story and 100 pages of description of wolfen emotions and satin shirts.

It seems repetitous on the story also. seems anita gathers a group of vamps and werepersons and has trouble relating to them, runs into bad guys, fights, then a big shoot out scene. sure it is different people but still same story line.

laurel hamilton sure does not need me to tell her how to write but she creates such unique and real characters that i would like more about what they do rather than feel.
I will continue to read anita stories but i have the feeling she is headed for disaster and maybe the best thing would be to "kill every one" and start over with just anita.

When I started with the first book I could not put it down. She makes the characters so 3D it's like being there. Shoot I was there I saw and felt everything Anita did. I love reading books where I feel I am the characters in the book. Ms. Hamilton took my imagination to a new level. I have read alot of Scifi, Gothic and Gore books, but none has give me romance like the Anita Blake series. Her books are like a good movie, you hate it when it ends and inpatiently await the sequel. I would love for her to pick up where Blue Moon ended, With Ms. Blake getting to know her powers and the triangle love affair between her and the most SEXIEST Men/Monster in her life. I could go on and on about this but I won't. However, I would like to state that I agree with one of the customer review that I read about bashing her last two books. When can come up with one you can write better. I would be happy to read it. But, I think that customer put it best.

L. Hamilton seems to have trapped herself in continuing downward spiral. With each book, she feels the need to one-up the previous in terms of the power of adversity that Anita Blake faces, and subsequently increases Anita's abilities in step. Gone is the gritty down-to-earth nature of Anita in the earlier books that was such a humorous juxtaposition to the bizarre world she lives in. Now she seems to be empowered to do almost anything; heal at will, summon apparently endless resources to deal with her problems, or call on her now long list of friends to help her. Anita's "if it's you or me, it's you" pragmatism of the earlier novels has become flippant disregard for others bordering on brutality. Further, the violence and gore attendent to the story appears to almost be the point instead of a byproduct, and frankly seems to be getting out of hand. Very disappointing. Ms. Hamilton, if you chance to read this - please, save this character. At the current rate in the next novel she will kill of the root of all evil in the universe, and then where will you be?

And this newest edition is as page-turning as the others.
Anita's werewolf boyfriend is in jail on a charge that is obviously false. Anita's on her way to rescue him...even if it means rescuing him from himself. Add to the plot one very annoyed master vampire, a bunch of were-people, a police force obviously up to something not quite legal and just for good measure throw in some ghostly beings and it's another fast-paced Anita Blake story!

after reading many of the reviews that complained of the sexual content, it was my thought that perhaps the readers failed to understand that this particular aspect has become a significant part of the genre....Hamilton has taken a newish twist to vampire and were lore, and I praise her for this...as far as S&M and sex she is in the middle of the spectrum when compared to authors who write on a similar theme....

_Blue Moon_ is the eighth book in the fabulous Anita Blake series. This is the book I secretly dub "the Richard book," because it takes place in Tennessee instead of Missouri, and its main focus is the werewolves. Anita heads over to Tennessee to rescue her ex-fiance Richard, who has gotten himself into a bit of trouble. Lots of shapeshifting and continuing character development goes on, so I would recommend that new readers read the other books first.

I've read all the Anita Blake books. I actually have very mixed feelings about them, mostly because I find Anita Blake a hard character to truly like and relate to, and as the books are written in a first person narrative you are stuck in her head, reading only her thoughts (a very limiting style of writing). And with her ever increasing powers, she is more Mighty Morphin' Super Anita now then the very human, complicated woman she started out as. However, I liked her in Blue Moon and I liked how the story took us out of St. Louis.
The plot has been described numerous times here, so I'll just give my overall impressions. I liked the storyline, I liked Anita getting away from Jean-Claude for a bit (his pouting boyfriend scene in the beginning of the book is cringe-worthy). I prefer Richard, and frankly have a tough time figuring out why he gets so much [heat] from other readers...except, perhaps, that he's serious competition for Jean-Claude. People seem to forget every manipulative and underhanded thing Jean-Claude does. Hey, I expect it from him, he's Master of the City, but it hardly makes him a good guy. You'd think that having morals, and very human conflicts about being a werewolf was some sort of criminal offense. I think Richard is a far more complex character *because* he struggles with his conscience and his morals and has difficulty reconciling his 2 selves. And frankly THANK GOD for ONE character that has some qualms about Anita's penchant for violence and killing. One of my favorite parts of the book is Richard telling her that if he can't have monogamy from her, she can't have it from him. ITS ABOUT TIME somehow finally called Anita on her annoying double standards. I'm for Richard all the way, but also find myself hoping that all 3 players in the TRI continue to be bonded, and their relationship continues to evolve (after book 10 though, forget it...author blows it BIGTIME).
Even though I enjoyed this book a lot, I still can't say that I think Laurell Hamilton is a particularly gifted writer. She has the talent to tell an engaging and imaginative story. I particularly find her idea of having lycanthropy be a disease, like AIDS, very creative (though she doesn't really flesh out this idea very well). But she repeats phrases over and over, her scenes can be very repetitive (past the 3rd book, most readers could probably write the numerous "Anita pulls her gun almost instantly on someone, makes some sarcastic quip and must extracate herself from the room" scenes). She has described at least 3 different characters as "raising as though lifted by strings" and her attention to continuity and detail is not even close to being the best. She also has a very disconcerting fascination with rape and attempted rape. How she has used it over and over in her books gives me pause. Was there any real reason for its inclusion in this book?
But of all the books, Blue Moon is the one I would recommend most highly, and the one I would most likely want to reread. It really is a fun read, even with the problems. And just because it isn't said enough, GO RICHARD !!

I very much enjoyed Blue Moon. This book focused on the relationship between Richard and Anita. They've been at war of sorts since Anita left him for Jean Claude.

In Blue Moon, Anita is forced to face Richard and how she really feels about him. At this point the books are REALLY focusing on sex a great deal. It seems a little overboard but the storyline is still great for the series.

Oh my goodness, I read some of the other reviews that were on this page and was completely mortified. I have now read all of the books in the Anita Blake series and am anxiously awaiting the next. Blue Moon is one of my favorite books out of the series, that is why I'm choosing to write a review on this one and few others.

At first I was disappointed that Jean-Claude was not going to be in this book but after a little bit of reading I felt more comfortable and willing to put that on the back burner, knowing that it would be something that showed up in the next book.

This book let me let out a breath that I surely knew that I was holding ::sigh:: Before this book I would have absolutley chosen Jean-Claude over Richard, but after, I wasn't so sure anymore and I liked that.

The series was--passable--from the beginning, but this book has totally ruined it for me. In an attempt to support the paper-thin plot, LKH throws as much sex as possible into the book, even having Anita, in a move totally uncharacteristic and rather disgusting, on the whole, sleep with Richard. The werebeasts seem to bring out the worst in Anita, and I don't like it. The earlier books of hers, that involved blood and ritual for the magic, were far more interesting. It appears that LKH can only attract readers by appealing to their erotic natures. I hope that Anita, Jean-Claude, and Richard come back in a better form in the next book, because I'm bored with horny werewolves and naked wereleopards. There must be some real plot she can use.

I didn't expect to truly enjoy this book, as the last two Anita Blake books have been drifting more into erotica than plot. But it actually was a bit interesting, probably because I liked the deeper look into lycanthrope psychology and sociology. I was rather suprised with the Richard/Jean-Claude angst-fest to go forth and enjoy the ending as well, with Anita's crisis of faith.

I gave the book three stars because that is how I would rate it compared to fantasy in general. Compared to the rest of the Anita Blake series though, it's an alltime low. The plot is almost inexistent. Not that I have anything against erotica, but I still would like it to have some plot. Anita Blake was hard enough to believe from the beginning (Given a consistent timeline she ought to have begun killing vampires at...well, sixteen? Buffy the Vampire Slayer comes to mind) but the books were wellwritten enough to make one forget that. Without plot, you notice it at once. And if Hamilton keeps up this pace there simply won't be anything outrageous enough to keep the readers' interest by book ten. Godhood is just a minor step up. The end saved a lot of the book, though. The idea of true faith (of any kind) being the sole help against demons was a fascinating plot device. Well, it's still good fantasy (or erotica :) and I look forward to Obsidian Butterfly.

This was my least favorite so far. Not because she cheated on Jean-Claude, not because of the sexual content at all. I didn't think there was too much sexual content. The problem was with the pace. It was a little boring for me compared to other Anita Blake books. However, I think this was required for the development of the characters for the future books

Initially, I enjoyed this series (until The Killing Dance); however, I'm finding it difficult to stay interested in the storyline as it's become redundant (Anita's indecision between her lovers and her feelings towards sleeping with immortals)and the lead character (Anita) so one dimensional. I like to feel something towards the characters I'm reading about and this series is not doing it for me (with exception to Jean Claude). Maybe Ms. Hamilton should dedicate a book detailing Jean Claude's past life and relationships (before and after his becoming immortal); at least there have been hints of a more compelling storyline and characters.

In my opion it was the best one I've read of the Anita Books. I got from the library on many occasions and must have read it over fifteen times. Richard is in trouble and Anita drops everything to go help him out. The book is mainly focused on Anita and Richard. They're outa town and they's no Jean-Claude to ruin the moment. They think over what's kept them apart over the last few months and relize that it dosen't really matter. They get back together and work things out. Contains lots of information on the werewolves.

I'm sad because this series was great in its first two books. Now the series is nothing better than badly written porn. The characters are uninteresting. Those that are featured are either one-dimentional or completely unappealing. The reason for the decline is the fact that the author apparently projects too much of her personal life onto Anita Blake, thus the dropping of Jean Claude for Richard after the author's divorce.

If you're into rotting-vampires raping shapeshifters, this book is for you. And you should be locked up.

This series has devolved into a pornographic soap opera. 1 star.

this series is basically my paranormal encyclopedia. . . it always seems like every book i read after is just a book but these are the "real way its supposed to be" hahahah. . . .definately the best vampire/paranormal series ever written i think

In Blue Moon we are finally getting to see Anita step out from behind Jean Claude and Richard. I like the way that she is coming into her own powers. Laurell Hamilton's writing style is exciting, graphic, action packed filled with humor and sarcasm. Blue Moon introduces new characters as well as giving intresting insights into Asher, Jason and Damien. I really like Blue Moon and could not put the book down. I can't wait for the next one.

This was the first Anita Blake book I read, and I couldn't wait to read another one! I read until ,y eyes couldn't focus on the words any more, and yet I couldn't stop reading! The fights are so fast paced you feel as if you're in the middle of the chaos. There is also some great information on werewolves. If you want to learn more about werewolf hierarchy and rituals I highly recommend reading this book!!!

What ever happened to good old humans? It seems Anita has crossed over to the side of the "monsters", but it is difficult to discern at times who the real monsters are. Anita's pension to kill first and think later was disconcerting and the amount of the text tied up with sex made me question if I was reading a sci-fi/horror book or a romance novel.
But, on the strength of the series as a whole I would recommend this book, especially because at the end of Blue Moon Anita seems to be getting back to the Anita we first met in Guilty Pleasures, and Hamilton seems to be righting the ship a bit.

Although I am a newcomer to Anita Blake's amazing antics, I have to admit that finding her - and Laurell K. Hamilton - was a pleasant surprise. One of my secret addictions is to good fiction about the supernatural and occult (along with chocolate), and Anita and her cohorts fill the bill nicely. It ain't Anne Rice, but it's pretty darn good. It was a tad bit bloody for my taste, and more than a little violent - arms torn off and whatnot - but the fascinating characters, and the hot, push-me-pull-you menage a trois between Richard, Anita, and Jean-Claude, make up for it. I will certainly be reading more of Anita's adventures.

Anita, Richard and various other characters are more developed in this novel. Although at times it seems unrealistic, it is very realistic. The characters are being more developed and LKH is growing further as a writer. I had to read this book in one sitting.

I have been a fan of this series for some time, and to me this book is a great disappointment. Whether at the urging of her publisher or out of her own needs Ms. Hamilton has become completely focussed on sex and female dominance. This is not a horror story but a steamy romance novel, which makes me the wrong audience for it. I wouldn't have minded the sex, but it is a poor substitute for the utter lack of plot this volume shows. We have leopards running one way, werewolves running in another, several dashes of stereotypical bumpkins and a vague soupcon of vampires. But absolutely no continuity. This is a real shame! Ms. Hamilton showed considerable potential at one time and it's sad to see greed outpace good writing and taste. Ms. Blake was, at one time, an intriguing main character with a good deal of intelligence. She has degenerated into a loud mouthed, semi-intelligent, over-developed bimboid with a fascination for kinky sex. I hope Ms. Hamilton gets her grip back and returns to writing the good stuff real soon now.

I think Hamilton writes to make Anita Blake come across like someone we all would know, yet with all the supernatural occurrences it makes for some very great reading that is indeed entertainment for the "Horror" fan. What a combination!!

this is my faverot anite blake book( it was the first one i read) but it was the best. her little thing for richard made the book a gripper but personaly i like nathaniel and zane. i have a thing for wareleperds. but any way the story filled the void of the peranormel for me. a definet winner , esecually with asher in it he is a great replacement for jean-claude(you always have to have a vampire in the story). I bet form this review you get that i like everybody but anite. well hafe true she is a little to rough in this book. her brushes with death are a little to i can do all by my self and she refuser to ask for help. its ok girl there are normal humans out there.

My brother has given me the books to read. Totally Awesome!!!! Can't wait to hear whats happens to Jean-Claude and Richard. And if Anita is able to control her new found powers. Please don't make us all wait for the next book!

I adore all of Laurell K. Hamilton's books. The Anita Blake seriers was great, but now it is getting boring. Richard is not a deep enough charactor to base a book on. I understand her next book is based on another shallow charactor. What happened to the Vampires and Wererats. Now they were exciting.
I love sex, but enough is enough. It's time to go back to the basics and base the story on the mystery and interactions of the charators instead of vice verse.
I look forward to a return to basics and Ms. Hamilton's new line of books on the Fey.

Anita finds herself in one more fantastic predicament. With the help of Raina's munin (albiet, not always welcome help in Anita's mind) she rocks through this book with complete abandon. She has a sensual episode (not sex) with almost every one of your favorite male characters in this book, then FINALLY, it is Richard's turn. For all of your werewolf fans out there, you will find this book delightful and fulfilling! Laurell K Hamilton has done it again!

many people seem to think that the antia blake series is getting weaker as it progesses. How ever with each bood Hamilton lets anita grow and change instead of just letting anita stagnate. Hamilton also let some of the other major charters grow and change and in doing so she has made the books a better read. In the latest installmet anita proves the depth of emotion she has for richard and in the end has some very tough choices to make. It is now obvious that the series will continune to grow and prosper well into the future and I hope hamilton will contiue to let her charaters grow.

Were you looking for more werewolf goodness? It's right here for you. I must admit that I am much more partial to the vampires in this series, but I enjoyed the look this novel gave me. I have come to really enjoy all of the werecats as well.