Anita was getting way too edgy in this one. Like, I like heroines that have some clever remarks or mouth off, but Anita was hostile and provoked a fight for no good reason.

The main characters packed strong plot armor. ( )

Thriller

I enjoyed reading this addition to the series. The plot was good, and action-packed, and the author did a great job building the tension between Anita and her two love interests. The world-building was as good as usual, too. The only flaw that was serious enough (in my opinion) to affect my review is that I didn't buy into the love between Anita and Richard as much as I wish I could have. It seemed that they didn't have enough experiences together and affection for each other for the relationship to progress as deeply and as quickly as it did. Even with less page-time, I bought into Anita's love for Jean-Claude much more easily. I don't know why, but I did, and the "flatness" of Anita and Richard's relationship impacted my enjoyment of the story somewhat. Other than that, this was well worth the read and I look forward to reading the next book in the series. ( )

I like the Anita Blake series. I love Anita's boldness, her brashness, the blood-soaked encounters, and the way Hamilton skilfully blends horror and urban fantasy. What doesn't work so well for me in these novels is the romance, if we can call it that. I didn't mind Jean-Claude lusting after Anita in previous instalments, or even her struggle to resist his otherworldly magnetism. But with the introduction of Richard and the resulting bizarre love triangle, I started to lose patience. I mean, sex is one thing. I'm all for steamy sex and well-written erotic exploits. But Anita wanting to save herself for marriage felt hollow; like an author's contrivance to make sure the tension remains high. Will they or won't they? (We all know they will!) It's like watching a TV show with leads who are clearly hot for each other, but who are kept apart by ridiculous scenarios to ensure people keep tuning in.

I will continue with the series for now, but I'm not a fan of being strung along. (And hopefully, neither are Richard and Jean-Claude.) ( )

This book made me give up on the series to be honest, and *SPOILERS*
the main reason for that is that Jean-Claude is still around. I was naive enough to believe that he wouldn't be around, or at least not as much, after the end of the third book.
Seriously, this whole lust-dark love bullshit is just so stupid, and the forcing her to date him is worse.
Jean-Claude has a rapists mentality and I'm just so thoroughly disgusted at this point that I won't be reading any more of this series. ( )