Good to see the return of Edward but he just did not get to kill enough :( ( )

Man, oh man, oh man. I am excited about this series again. This book got back to a lot of the things that made me devour this series in the first place -- a big bad villain, Edward, and Anita's general kick-assedness. If this book had been nothing but sex like the last, oh, 3 or 4, I may have given it up. But there was no sex in this one until page 143, and even then there were only 3 sex scenes total. Hallelujah! Maybe Hamilton's finally listening to her fans. Now, if she could just figure out a way to get rid of Richard without killing Anita and Jean-Claude. I'm getting rather sick of him. If you loved the first 9 books of this series, you will love this one. ( )

I am much relieved, and greatly delighted that, with The Harlequin, Laurell K. Hamilton has delivered a story-line more in keeping with the earlier, highly entertaining books in the Anita Blake series - even supplying a somewhat suitable explanation for all that sex!

This interval in Anita’s life brings to the fore the machinations and intent of some vampires in the council – especially those now greatly fearing of Jean-Claude and his human servant, and their increasing supremacy. And it allows the return of Edward, as much needed back-up, when The Harlequin – a form of vampire police – indirectly attacks the authority of the Master of the City, by threatening Anita’s existence, and ultimately all the members of his power base. Pushed to confront a diabolical force possessing abilities greater than ever experienced before, Anita and her coterie begin a desperate fight for survival, while attempting to find these hunters and the reasons behind their under-handed attack. And, in doing so, Anita uncovers the necessary knowledge and understanding of her innate abilities and thus, control: of the ardeur, of her triumvirate and all her internal beasts.

This was another fast, gripping, action-packed read. Laurell K. Hamilton revisits past designs from this series, with emphasis, once more, on popular, engaging stratagems and plot development – Anita is a smart, sassy broad, whose sense of mischief, at times, makes me laugh out loud; badly missing in recent books. The return of Edward and company was significant, to my mind, in bolstering the story-line by offering a humanistic viewpoint to the otherworldly; though it is interesting that the most monstrous character of them all is, in fact, human – clever that. And the constant conflict and soul-destroying torment with Richard is, possibly, approaching some sort of dénouement.

But the genius and the success of this tale is with the uncovering of additional layers in this paranormal world Ms Hamilton is crafting. A quintessential dark urban fantasy, and possibly not for the faint-hearted, this is a weave of stark, black horror – with the tendrils of the future paths now offering tantalising glimpses of forthcoming events. I am, once again, enthralled by this series and, though still a little wary, looking forward eagerly to the next chapter. And hoping fervently that Anita is, indeed, back to her best kick-ass style! ( )

I thought that the shiny had begun to wear off this series and it was becoming just another vampire porn. Not so. Anita has come through some pretty raunchy chapters in her life- but I never should have doubted Laurell- she knew where she was going all along. ( )

Ok series, but I wish she would get back to zombies and police work ( )