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Into Anita Blake's world-a world already overflowing with power-come creatures so feared that centuries-old vampires refuse to mention their names.Tags
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I'd been away from this series for a while, but coming back into it was like finding an old friend. Hamilton's characters are so specific and real that, this far into the series, the character struggles and the dynamics among them flow seamlessly into the fast-paced plotting, dialogue, and steamed up romance. There were moments in this book that reminded me why I fell in love with the series to begin with, and moments that were so striking, so flawlessly drawn, that they reminded me why other urban fantasy I come across just doesn't really come close to the power of this series.
There are so many characters, and the details of things are so intricate at this point that I think readers would have to start with the earlier books in order show more to enjoy this one, but I certainly think it lives up to the precedent that this series has set for itself. show less
There are so many characters, and the details of things are so intricate at this point that I think readers would have to start with the earlier books in order show more to enjoy this one, but I certainly think it lives up to the precedent that this series has set for itself. show less
Anita is going on an anniversary date with Nathaniel and the whole thing is making her uncomfortable. More than that, Nathaniel is giving her an ultimatum about his bdsm needs. All this would be bad enough, but then a group of vampire bogey men roll into town. The Harlequin is the vampire version of the secret police. They are unaffiliated vampires of immense power that are tasked with keeping all vamps honest. They have come to town to investigate Malcomb's Church of Eternal Life, but it also seems like they are using the visit as an excuse to investigate the Master of the City and his notorious human servant.
Although they are only supposed to be being observed by these vampires of nightmare, it very quickly becomes clear that they are show more under attack. A metaphysical assassination attempt is made on Anita, Jean Claude, & Richard which is almost successful. Now it's up to Anita to make the most of the many supernatural connections she has all over the city. They will need every ally at their disposal if they are to contend with the Harlequin run amok.
Sheesh, these books are really getting tedious. So much of the books are just repetitive conversations, descriptions of people's wardrobe, and excruciatingly detailed recounting of Anita's every thought. Furthermore, all the conflict between characters is TIRED. Richard is just constantly showing up and calling Anita a whore. Like... CONSTANTLY. He'll be all like, "I've changed, I'm trying to be better." And then immediately behave exactly the same as he always does or worse. And then he and Anita will have the exact same argument they've had for the last five books.
Dolph is another character that I am frankly tired of seeing. He's become such a cartoonish buffoon. He's supposed to be a police detective and literally he comes into Anita's hospital room and begins interrogating her about her sex life. It's bizarre. It quickly becomes clear that he has no professional reason for being there. He just wants to harass his coworker and threaten her friends with lethal violence. At this point it's just silly. And also, very very old. They have the same argument they've been having for a half dozen books which takes several pages.
All these scenes are obviously there only to pad out the book's run time. All in all, I wasn't thrilled with this book because it was pretty light on my favorite characters. Even though it's a book about vampire junk, there's very little of Jean Claude and almost nothing of Asher. Boo. show less
Although they are only supposed to be being observed by these vampires of nightmare, it very quickly becomes clear that they are show more under attack. A metaphysical assassination attempt is made on Anita, Jean Claude, & Richard which is almost successful. Now it's up to Anita to make the most of the many supernatural connections she has all over the city. They will need every ally at their disposal if they are to contend with the Harlequin run amok.
Sheesh, these books are really getting tedious. So much of the books are just repetitive conversations, descriptions of people's wardrobe, and excruciatingly detailed recounting of Anita's every thought. Furthermore, all the conflict between characters is TIRED. Richard is just constantly showing up and calling Anita a whore. Like... CONSTANTLY. He'll be all like, "I've changed, I'm trying to be better." And then immediately behave exactly the same as he always does or worse. And then he and Anita will have the exact same argument they've had for the last five books.
Dolph is another character that I am frankly tired of seeing. He's become such a cartoonish buffoon. He's supposed to be a police detective and literally he comes into Anita's hospital room and begins interrogating her about her sex life. It's bizarre. It quickly becomes clear that he has no professional reason for being there. He just wants to harass his coworker and threaten her friends with lethal violence. At this point it's just silly. And also, very very old. They have the same argument they've been having for a half dozen books which takes several pages.
All these scenes are obviously there only to pad out the book's run time. All in all, I wasn't thrilled with this book because it was pretty light on my favorite characters. Even though it's a book about vampire junk, there's very little of Jean Claude and almost nothing of Asher. Boo. show less
I've been skipping the Anita Blake books for awhile now. I prefer the earlier zombies-and-police-work kick-ass and celibate Anita to the Anita who is lying at the corner of Hello and Sailor in Monstertown adding more sex notches to her lipstick case.
Dare I say, this book started out well for me and didn't disappoint. It had Edward. It had actual plot that didn't center on bed games. It had Anita maybe finally getting tired of Richard and his whining and self-hate. Gaaaawwwd, but I wish we could just throw Richard into a bear pit and be done with him already.
Also, the author photo on the back is lovely, and I know someone who is convinced that LKH is really Sara Gilbert.
Dare I say, this book started out well for me and didn't disappoint. It had Edward. It had actual plot that didn't center on bed games. It had Anita maybe finally getting tired of Richard and his whining and self-hate. Gaaaawwwd, but I wish we could just throw Richard into a bear pit and be done with him already.
Also, the author photo on the back is lovely, and I know someone who is convinced that LKH is really Sara Gilbert.
I finally put my finger on why Anita bugs me so in ways she didn't at the beginning of the series. It's that whenever she gets called a whore--and she does often--she says "I'm not a whore, the ardeur made me do it." Dude, get over it. Just embrace the fact that you like to have sex with a lot of pretty men, sometimes more than one at a time. Honest, it's okay to do it, write it, read it. You don't need to excuse or rationalize it.
I'd be way happier if Anita returned to kicking ass, raising zombies, and gave me a very brief monologue about how she wants to be satisfied when she gets home. I'd even be happy if she continued on with explorations of her own morality and beliefs, but all the excuses have got to go. It makes me feel as if show more LKH thinks she's writing something *dirty* and that's no fun to read. show less
I'd be way happier if Anita returned to kicking ass, raising zombies, and gave me a very brief monologue about how she wants to be satisfied when she gets home. I'd even be happy if she continued on with explorations of her own morality and beliefs, but all the excuses have got to go. It makes me feel as if show more LKH thinks she's writing something *dirty* and that's no fun to read. show less
This time it isn't the Council itself coming to visit, but rather the long arm of vampire law: the Harlequin. These are the silent assassins of vampiredom -- the Justicars, for those who know White Wolf, who enforce the Council's law, observing and eliminating vampires who break the rules. this book is closer in tone to the older books than any book has been in a while, since "Obsidian Butterfly" at least; there are still some pretty graphic sexual scenes, but they don't dominate the book the way they have for the past few books.
I probably rated this so high because the last few books in the series were so disappointing.
This had an interesting plot and Edward was back in this one. He's a very interesting character. He's one of the few human characters in the book. He's a vampire executioner and now a federal marshal.
The big bad has come to town, to "observe" Malcolm and the Chirch of Eternal Life, but there is a hidden agenda. The Mother of all Vampires makes an appearance as well. Anita has gained more control of her powers. Richard is his usual whiney self. I really used to like his character but he's turned into someone who causes more problems--almost gets Anita and friends killed. If he was strong in his convictions, it would be one thing, but he has so show more much doubt. He's a self-loathing werewolf and isn't doing anything to come to terms with that.
There were no long drawn out boring sex scenes--thank goodness. I have the next book in the series, so I'll be moving along to that one. I think this is the last in the series that I own. Most of the rest seem to have mediocre or negative reviews, so I don't think I'll be buying any more. As much as I'd like to see what happens with Anita and the vampire council, and learn more about Edward, and find out if Anita ever kills Olaf, and if there's a giant confrontation between Anita and the Mother of All Vampires--I just don't think I can wade through more repetitive sex and whining characters. show less
This had an interesting plot and Edward was back in this one. He's a very interesting character. He's one of the few human characters in the book. He's a vampire executioner and now a federal marshal.
The big bad has come to town, to "observe" Malcolm and the Chirch of Eternal Life, but there is a hidden agenda. The Mother of all Vampires makes an appearance as well. Anita has gained more control of her powers. Richard is his usual whiney self. I really used to like his character but he's turned into someone who causes more problems--almost gets Anita and friends killed. If he was strong in his convictions, it would be one thing, but he has so show more much doubt. He's a self-loathing werewolf and isn't doing anything to come to terms with that.
There were no long drawn out boring sex scenes--thank goodness. I have the next book in the series, so I'll be moving along to that one. I think this is the last in the series that I own. Most of the rest seem to have mediocre or negative reviews, so I don't think I'll be buying any more. As much as I'd like to see what happens with Anita and the vampire council, and learn more about Edward, and find out if Anita ever kills Olaf, and if there's a giant confrontation between Anita and the Mother of All Vampires--I just don't think I can wade through more repetitive sex and whining characters. show less
THE HARLEQUIN, for me, redeems the Anita Blake series. Although there's still sex (which in itself has never been a problem for me), the ratio of sex to story has finally turned. There's an actual plot in THE HARLEQUIN, and it's a pretty dang good one.
The Harlequin, what is akin to the vampire police, has come to town -- presumably just to observe. It soon becomes apparent, however, that at least some members of this elite and uber-scary group have harsher things on their mind.
The usual characters are all here, as well as reapperances by Edward (aka Tod Forrester) and the serial killer, Olaf. Peter, the teen who was rescued several stories back, is also there.
Some typical things happen -- Richard (once again) has serious problems with show more Anita and the ardeur. Some new plot lines develop -- the local lion king refuses to help in a moment of need, and the swan leader comes to the rescue.
Overall, THE HARLEQUIN was a quick, satisfying read that I totally enjoyed. I have renewed faith in the Anita Blake series, and hope that the next book doesn't take away that feeling. show less
The Harlequin, what is akin to the vampire police, has come to town -- presumably just to observe. It soon becomes apparent, however, that at least some members of this elite and uber-scary group have harsher things on their mind.
The usual characters are all here, as well as reapperances by Edward (aka Tod Forrester) and the serial killer, Olaf. Peter, the teen who was rescued several stories back, is also there.
Some typical things happen -- Richard (once again) has serious problems with show more Anita and the ardeur. Some new plot lines develop -- the local lion king refuses to help in a moment of need, and the swan leader comes to the rescue.
Overall, THE HARLEQUIN was a quick, satisfying read that I totally enjoyed. I have renewed faith in the Anita Blake series, and hope that the next book doesn't take away that feeling. show less
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Author Information
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Laurell K. Hamilton was born in Heber Springs, Arkansas on February 19, 1963. She received degrees in English and biology from Marion College, which is now Indiana Wesleyan University. She writes the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series and the Meredith Gentry series. (Bowker Author Biography)
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- Canonical title
- The Harlequin
- Original title
- The Harlequin
- Original publication date
- 2007-06-05
- People/Characters
- Anita Blake; Jean-Claude; Micah Callahan; Edward a.k.a. Ted Forrester; Nathaniel Graison; Marmée Noir "The Mother of All Darkness" (show all 64); Donovan Reece; Rafael (the Rat King); Louis "Louie" Fane; Jason Schuyler; Richard Zeeman; Asher; Damian; Requiem; Olaf Gunderson; Otto Jefferies; Belle Morte; Peter Parnell; Wicked; Truth; Haven; Malcolm; Sylvie Barker; Rudolph "Dolph" Storr; Ixion; Remus; Bert Vaughn; Avery Seabrook; Sally Hunter; Cisco; Nivia; Mercia; Soledad; Willie McCoy; London "The Dark Knight"; Candy; Sylvie (werewolf); Dr. Lillian; Joseph; Bobby Lee; Rebecca Parnell; Jennifer Hummel; Claudia; Cherry; Jamil (werewolf); Dr. Chris; Pantelone; Graham; Bev Leveto; Giovanni; The Traveler; Jake; Juanito; Morte D'Amour ("Lover of Death"); Augustine "Auggie"; Byron (vampire); Columbine; Fredo; Marriane; Padma ("The Master of Beasts"); Perdita "Perdy"; Margaret Ross; Sampson; Samuel
- Important places
- Missouri, USA; St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Dedication
- To Jonathon, who never freaks about my choice of research. He took away my serial killer books, at my request. When I was ready he gave them back. He's helping me understand that just because someone else thinks you're a mons... (show all)ter doesn't mean that you are. Even if that person says they love you. Here's to finding love that builds you up, instead of breaking you down.
- First words
- Malcolm, the head of the Church of Eternal Life, the vampire church, sat across from me.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Will letting Asher teach me how to make Nathaniel happy break me? I hope not.
- Original language
- English
- Disambiguation notice
- ISBN 9780425217 - There are three different books and authors with this ISBN.
For Her Pleasure by Maya Banks
The Harlequin by Laurell K. Hamilton
Unnatural Selection by Aaron J. Elkins
Unknown... (show all) exactly which book the iSBN goes to since WorldCat shows a completely different book and author.
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