Blue Moon

Reading this book felt like reconnecting with an old friend. I grew up, but she’s still as wild and dramatic as ever. This series has been my guilty pleasure for over 20 years, and book eight didn’t disappoint. It’s over-the-top and ridiculously sexy in a very 90s way—definitely tamer than today’s steamy romance—but that’s part of the charm. It’s also super gory, so if blood and guts aren’t your thing, you might want to steer clear. For me, though, this is all part of the fun.

One of the best things about this series is how unapologetically layered it is. There’s the drama of the love triangle, the fast-paced action, the ever-complicated supernatural world, and this book piles it on without feeling overwhelming. This show more entire series is part mystery, part romance and part horror, with a nuanced blend of all of the above I absolutely love.

The world-building in this series has always been one of its strongest points, and Blue Moon doubles down on that. We’ve got vampires, werewolves, necromancers, witches, magic—everything you’d want in a supernatural drama and then some. It’s intense, sometimes ridiculous, and I loved every second of it. I think what makes it work is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s bold, it’s extravagant, and it’s just plain fun.

Now, I have to admit, my love for this series is tied up in a lot of nostalgia. I started reading these books in my 20s, and they’ve been with me ever since. If I were to pick up the first book now, I’m not sure I’d feel the same way about it. But having followed Anita through her journey for so long, I can’t help but feel invested. These books are like comfort food for my brain.

I read this book on the balcony of a massive cruise ship, and it was the perfect vacation read. Fast-paced, emotional, and over-the-top. Pure escapism into the supernatural world I’ve come to adore. It’s gory, it’s sexy, it’s dramatic, and it’s everything I love about this series. While it might not be for everyone, for me, it’s an absolute joy to dive back into Anita Blake’s world, and I can’t wait to see what trouble she gets into next. show less

First read: May 2006
Re-read: July 2017

The plot: Anita is called away from her home in St. Louis to a small town in Tennessee where Richard has been arrested on a rape charge. Anita is convinced he is innocent, and with the full moon coming, if Richard isn't freed from jail before then, his parents and his employers will learn he's a werewolf and he could lose everything.

What I liked:
- Blue Moon was a much more enjoyable re-read than I had been expecting. I despise Richard as a love interest and a Richard-heavy book was not a re-read I thought I’d enjoy. However he was actually a different, more reasonable, likeable character here than he was in the previous novels.
- I probably write this for every Anita Blake review, but the show more world-building is excellent. The little details dropped in about the history of Trolls as a species and the different sub-species; the magic structure of the pack with the munin and the significance of the lupinar; the metaphysical abilities the human population - such as clairvoyants, witches, and of course necromancers; the vampires, the European council, and the different bloodlines that were ‘allowed’ to go out and make more vampires and those that weren’t are all fascinating. I would love for Hamilton to write a proper guide to Anita’s world, putting all these details across all the books together into one comprehensive piece of work.
- Loved the small town setting that took Anita out of her comfort zone. The smaller cast of characters meant that we got more depth and backstory on some of the lesser characters like Cherry, Zane and Damien.
- That ending! Hamilton had set up throughout the book just how far Anita was willing to go for those under her protection – including risking her own life – but I wasn’t prepared for the torture scene. The demonic appearance that followed was also suitably terrifying, but I did like that Anita’s faith still worked against the demon despite how much she has changed over the course of the series so far.

What I disliked:
- I am now at that point in the re-read of the series where the ardeur is going to make an appearance, I think in the next book. This has been set up here with the reference to Jean Claude being able to feed from sexual energy and it is my least favourite part of Anita’s new found magical abilities.
- I am not a fan of Damien; he is too pathetic and needy. (Nathaniel is also fragile and needy, but I don’t mind these traits in him for some reason!)
- The true bad guys don’t make an appearance until very late in the book and although they were well written, I felt they could’ve been introduced a little earlier and I also found their reasoning as to why they needed to own the land a bit weak.

Rating: 5/5 stars show less

By far my most disappointing read this year. I don't know why I keep picking up the Anita Blake books, but I guess it's because there's always this faint hope in the back of my mind that this series will get better despite the declining ratings and what people have told me. And for about thirty minutes there, I thought for sure things have turned around! What an awesome intro and premise -- Richard has been arrested and thrown in jail, framed on a rape charge. Anita and pals must get him out before the next full moon rises in a few days and he becomes a werewolf. This actually had the potential to be a great story. In any case, it was enough to get me fully on board.

But my excitement was short lived as things immediately started to fall show more apart. For one thing, there's hardly any plot in this novel. I didn't know what I expected after the intense build up of the intro, but it certainly wasn't 300 pages of Everything-You-Ever-Wanted-To-Know-About-Anita-Blake's-Sex-Life. The characters have sex, talk about sex, think about sex, and yet none of it seems to have anything to do with the story. Normally I wouldn't have minded that sort of stuff, as long as it has a point. But I honestly couldn't see one here, and that's what disappointed me. I felt like the book drew me in under false pretenses, then completely blindsided me with something I didn't ask for.

This has also soured me on many of the characters. Apparently, in the world of Anita Blake, to be a werewolf or vampire is to have the mental maturity and world view of a hormonal teenager. Everyone around Anita seems to depend on her to explain why certain things are socially wrong or innappropriate, especially when it comes to matters of sex ("You mean you shouldn't automatically jump into bed with someone just because you find them physicaclly attractive? Golly whiz!") For that matter, Anita own way of thinking isn't any better or more logical. For one thing she's constantly being wracked by guilt over her rash decisions and violent actions, and yet this hasn't made her any less trigger-happy or less apt threaten to kill people at the drop of a hat. Many times, she seems to do exactly the opposite of what she intends especially when it comes to sex or her relationships (she says she doesn't want to feel like a slut? Well, then don't act like one!)

I also realized recently that on the whole, these books haven't aged too well. Some of the physical descriptions of the characters and what they're wearing is reminiscent of 90s goth/rave attire, and while it didn't bother me so much when I read these books then, it just makes me cringe when I try to picture it today. Small nitpick, but compounded with many of the characters' naive and infuriating attitudes towards sex, they just became so unattractive in my eyes.

The only saving grace was the fact I listened to this book on audiobook, and I have to say the narrator is fantastic; Kimberly Alexis is one of the best voice actresses I've had the pleasure of listening to. If I end up picking up the next book, it would be because of her performance in this series and the fact that these digital audio titles are available to borrow at my county library. I may do it if I run out of audiobooks to listen to, but chances are I won't. I think I've stuck around long enough, and it's time to give up. I remember why I liked the earlier novels and I just feel that Anita's character has changed along with the series' direction. Life's just too short to force myself to continue with a story or characters I no longer feel connected to. show less

Anita is called out of town suddenly when she learns that Richard was been arrested on rape charges. Things are not right between them, and he's been in Tennessee studying for his Masters Degree. Despite their baggage, Anita is ready to drop everything and go rescue him. There's just one problem, the local Master Vampire forbids any of Jean Claude's people from coming to visit. He believes he will be deposed and replaced. In the end, Anita decides to bowl her way in regardless and just take the consequences. Jean Claude is not happy, but chooses her entourage carefully and wishes her luck.

Anita is able to get Richard out of jail, but it becomes clear very quickly that he was framed by the local police who are extremely corrupt and want show more them all to leave town immediately. However, Richard refuses because if he leaves, all the local trolls he's been studying will be slaughtered. They need to figure out who wants the land the trolls are living on and why and they have to do it before local police or the local vampires kill them all.

Oh, and of course there's a bunch of drama with the local werewolf pack as Richard has been "auditioning" new Lupas. Naturally there's tension and drama between him and Anita as well, which is only exacerbated by the ghost of the last Lupa who likes possessing Anita. This will all end in lots of sex and a demon being summoned to search for the spear that pierced Christ's side. I'm not kidding.

Woof, this one is a struggle because it's a Richard heavy book which makes it annoying. We also get to meet Richard's entire family which is tedious and also annoying. It's also pretty boring watching Anita throw down with every single woman on the planet. Richard has been fucking a lot of ladies, and for some reason, that makes them hate Anita instead of him. Truly, Richard is a massive asshole in this one, and it becomes increasingly clear that Ms. Hamilton has a lot of problems with women. This book is brimming over with internalized misogyny.

But alas, Asher is in this book. Which makes me like it. At least a little bit. show less

Anita, Richard Zeeman, (an alpha werewolf and her old boyfriend), and Jean-Claude, (her present lover), had formed a Triumvirate of power - Master Vampire, Ulfric and necromancer. In other words, when the three connect, they exude tremendous force and are able to do much more magic than any one or two can do alone. The three are still bound to each other, even though Richard is furious with Anita for dumping him. She had to choose between "a flesh eater and a bloodsucker." Do you see a pattern here?

Late one evening Anita receives a phone call from Richard's brother. Zeeman had been spending the summer in Meyerton, Tennessee, studying the Lesser Smokey Mountain Trolls which live in the area, and fulfilling the requirements for his show more Masters degree. He has been arrested for the rape of a local women, and is obviously innocent of the charge. Richard is squeaky clean, the ultimate Boy Scout, and very gentle, especially for a lycanthrope. To make the situation worse, a full moon will occur in five days. As luck would have it, this month, August, is a blue moon month - that means two full moons in 31 days - a phenomenon which arises every 3-4 years. And we all know what happens to werewolves during a full moon, don't we?

These are no longer simply vampire adventure. The sexual theme that has previously created some interesting character dynamics has suddenly become a strong, primary focus. The book is ostensibly about Anita coming to the rescue of Richard, her werewolf more-than-friend, but it is much more about Anita's changing sexuality. This is quite intense, and really makes this book into a kind of tough girl's romance story. There's nothing wrong with that, just not what I expected. **Be warned that the sex is getting more kinky and more graphic.**

If you are considering trying this out as your first Hamilton novel, get some of the earlier volumes and read those first. Hamilton starts right in the action, and too many of the references will be confusing without some background. Romance fanatics and those who are not put off by a lot of sexuality will no doubt love this book. Those who are a bit more timid and just wanted a great vampire/monster novel need to approach "Blue Moon" with more cautious expectations. show less

Anita gets some time away from Jean-Claude in Blue Moon, allowing the story to focus on what's salvageable in her relationship with Richard. Interpersonal relationships, along with a deeper look into Anita's blossoming abilities, are at the forefront of this exciting novel.

Anita has never seemed to have close friendships beyond her relationships with Ronnie and Catherine. In Blue Moon, we see her bond with many of the characters, fully cementing some friendships while tentatively beginning others. Had Blue Moon just been a Anita and Richard book, it would have become tedious quickly. With the entourage they have with them in Tennessee, Anita is placed in the position of having to explore relationships outside of her love triangle. show more Specifically with Jason, Damien, Asher and Nathaniel.

Anita also starts to embrace what it means to truly be Lupa and Nimir-Ra to the wolves and leopards. If the inner workings of the park and pard weren't enough, her necromancy is stronger along with all the other abilities she's acquired since tying herself to Jean-Claude and Richard. The introduction of Marianne as both mystical teacher and human in the world of weres adds some much needed direction to Anita's current situation.

While in Tennessee, Anita becomes involved in an investigation and the local police aren't loving it. Not that this is new territory for her. But when the cops seem to be just as dangerous as the monsters, Anita is stuck in the position of not exactly knowing how to handle the situation. I always love it when Anita is forced to "play nice" against her instincts and the mystery, while obvious, leads her on a horrify rescue mission that changes something deep inside her.

Blue Moon is packed full of action and sexual tension. The truly horrific plot twists happen off-stage, but the knowledge of them is still chilling. Blue Moon is yet another wonderfully frightening and thrilling Anita Blake novel that'll keep you reading until the wee hours. show less

Anita is awakened by a phone call from Richard’s brother – Daniel. Richard has been arrested on charges of rape. Anita is more than a little doubtful of the charges and, naturally, having police and legal connections, she drops everything and makes the flight to Tennessee, despite Jean-Claude’s insecure reservations.

Travelling as a human servant and Lupa is not simple, however, and she quickly finds herself embroiled in local pack politics and in conflict with the local master of the city, who fears and invasion and the power of Jean-Claude’s triumvirate in his territory. Having to dance to werewolf politics and being openly at war with the local vampires complicates things a little.

But then there’s the reason they’re there. show more Richard has been opposing the sale of land that an endangered troll species inhabits – but the person doing the buying is far more dangerous than he imagined. With his full resources – both mundane and mystical – he is determined to make Anita and Richard leave, but this is a battle they cannot walk away from.

To complicate things further, there’s also Anita’s relationship issues – namely that she left Richard after sleeping with Jean-Claude. Between that and Richard’s exes, there’s a lot of tension to navigate.

The plot is actually really involved and written. We start with a simple mission – to save Richard and find out what’s happening. This quickly escalates not only in to a perplexing mystery (why go to this much effort to evict the trolls?) but then adds a layer of epic to become a fight that Anita simply cannot avoid. As the book says, when evil draws a line in the sand, good can’t just walk away. The depiction of Niley and Linus, their backstory and the books’ descriptive style establishes them as EVIL with a capital E. This lends a strong sense of epic to the story and the sense that there is no way Anita and Richard could just go home and let the trolls get on with it. There’s more depth and strength to it – more hangs on it than a simple local land issue and it gives and extra urgency and power to Anita’s actions and those of her enemies.

The book also continues one of the strength of many of the Anita Blake novels, there are several plots running alongside each other yet, at the same time, linked. We have Verne’s werewolf pack, the vampire and their fear of Jean-Claude, there’s Anita’s regular power hiccoughs – and there’s the core plot, Niley and his nefarious plots and the influence he spreads. All of them run together, they’re all well paced, none dominates the other and they all come together in a really neat fashion. None of them feel like distractions so much as the actual consequences in the supernatural world of moving out of state. It’s not a case of simply focusing on the plot line and the rest of the world conveniently fading into the background (except Anita’s job – which regularly seems to be cancelled at short notice without damaging Anita’s income at all).

I also like the book’s portrayal of police corruption – and how Anita and Richard are both very dependent on both their extensive connections and the fact they have lots of nice, upper class, respectable witnesses to prevent the worst of the Sherriff’s excesses. It’s made clear that these are the only things holding the corrupted police at bay – and also just how much power a crooked sheriff in a small town can actually have.

Read More show less