Reviews
FYI I love the whole series - I just happen to be re-reading again for the umpteenth time cause I just got the book set!
Hmmm. This entire book felt like quite a departure from the main storyline for what doesn’t seem to amount to a whole life of story progression — however there are a number of subplots being developed here, not to mention a redemption and a bunch of characterization, which I guess justify this being a whole novel rather than a novella. All the threads will lead somewhere, and they couldn’t have been developed if the book were much shorter (as it is, it’s only a little over 400 pages.) That said, I do think that there are a few elements that could perhaps have been left out, like Richard’s study topic. I felt like it was unnecessary and just there to provide a reason for his being out of town and unwilling to leave, but because it didn’t result in its own sub-plot, it ended up being distracting, and messing around with the pacing, which was already a little off to begin with. But... I did like the questions raised here; I like the characterization and redemption achieved in the novel; and I find myself quite impressed with the amount of werewolf and were-animal lore weaved into the plot. (Also, if you’re here for the smut, it’s well done and well utilized in the plot; but it’s not all over the place, which I appreciate.) I did think the level of violence towards the end was unnecessary, though I understand it was used to justify a specific reaction and a series of reflections on Anita’s part. But I still find it over the top and unnecessary. All in all, I find that while I didn’t enjoy this novel as much as the previous one, I do find myself overall intrigued by the direction the story is taking, and looking forward to continue my reread, because I have pretty much forgotten what happens in this series, other than in the broadest strokes. So I’m giving it 3 1/2 STARS and plan on moving on to the next book very soon!
Eighth book of the Anita Blake series starts off with Anita receiving a call that Richard is in jail, accused of a crime he didn't commit. Anita heads out of state to try and help him out. It turns out the local sheriff is having Richard framed and it seems to be tied into a land dispute and the protection of mountain trolls. As part of welcoming Anita and her group, they have been invited to attend a gathering of the local werewolf pack. However, before they go the master vampire of the area shows how uneasy he is about Anita being there by attacking one of her own. Richard and Anita's relationship grows in this one, though I'll admit that Richard isn't necessarily one of my favorite characters. The local sheriff once again comes to threatening both Anita and Richard if they aren't out of town by nightfall.
Not my favorite one in the series but it was still good.
