|
| Blood Noir (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 16) | 
 enlarge | Author: Laurell K. Hamilton
Publisher: Berkley Hardcover
Category: Book
List Price: $25.95
Buy New: $11.95
You Save: $14.00 (54%)
New (46) Used (26) from $11.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  287 reviews
Sales Rank: 1076
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 352
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.5 x 6.6 x 1.3
ISBN: 0425222195
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780425222195
ASIN: 0425222195
Publication Date: May 27, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: FIRST EDITION! ~ COLLECTIBLE! ~ NEW WITH DUSTJACKET!
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Blah Blah Blah May 28, 2008
62 out of 70 found this review helpful
Well I loved these books, even when the sex started getting steamier. They are ok now, biggest complaint is lack of mystery. This one takes the cake in that department. There were so many chances to make this an interesting book, from the mystery surrounding the Summerlands, to the resolution at the end with the mysterious vampire and wife duo. But practically none of it was on screen. It was all "Oh well- that was taken care of" in vague terms, leaving just one 'action' (non sex type) scene in the entire book. I finished with the Meh? feeling that I really dislike from a book. The feeling that says, where was the character development? Where was the plot advancement? What was the mystery? Was there a mystery? What powers did she use/acquire?
Basically, the answer is meh.
 Taking a Girlfriend Home to Meet the Family July 12, 2008
58 out of 82 found this review helpful
Blood Noir (2008) is the sixteenth fantasy novel in the Anita Blake series, following The Harlequin. In the previous volume, the Harlequin team exceeded their orders and tried to take over the domain. They underestimated Anita and lost the battle and their lives.
Richard and his self-doubts became a liability during the metaphysical battle and he was told to get in or get out. He chose to withdraw from the triumvirate and this time Anita didn't feel any regrets. Maybe this time their breakup will be forever.
Both Belle Morte -- head of Jean-Claude's bloodline -- and Marmee Noir -- Mother of All Darkness and queen of the vampires -- manifested for a short time through Anita. They were helpful in the battle, but were eventually repelled. Marmee Noir was definitely beginning to wake.
In this novel, Anita came home to find Nathaniel and Jason Schuyler sitting at her kitchen table. Jason -- Nathaniel's best friend -- has a problem. He has just found out that his father is dying and wants to see him and his girlfriend. But Jason has recently broke up with Perdy and lacks a girlfriend at this time.
Jason's father has always been disappointed with his only son and is firmly convinced that he is gay. Jason is definitely heterosexual, but might be bisexual. Of course, his father would consider that the same as homosexual.
Nathaniel suggests that Anita go with Jason as his girlfriend. She has reservations, but finally agrees to do so. Jason is also her friend and ardeur partner, but she is not really his girlfriend in the way that his father would accept. So she wants to help him out in this situation, yet feels a little uncertain about the implicit lies.
Jean-Claude is also a little leery about the circumstances, but still gives his permission. Then Anita learns that she will have to fly to Jason's home in a small prop plane. She definitely doesn't want to do that, but Jean-Claude lets them use his personal jet. Even then, Anita feels uncomfortable, but she is going to follow through with this commitment despite her fears.
In this story, Jason and Anita reach Asheville, North Carolina, without any problems, but they find that the town has been invaded by the media. Keith Summerland -- son of a presidential candidate -- is scheduled to marry Lisa Bromwell in Asheville within the next few days. Unfortunately, most people mistake Jason for the Summerland twins and vice-versa. This is a longstanding problem, but the timing is terrible. Then they find out that the Summerland party is staying at the same hotel as they are.
Jason and Anita get into the hotel through the parking garage within a limo with dark glass windows. Despite the security in the garage, a photographer still gets a picture of Jason. So Jason gives Anita a very theatrical kiss for the camera. The photo man gets away from security while taking even more pictures guaranteed to upset Governor Summerland.
Later, Jason and Anita try to get to the hospital in a taxi, but the media has a feeding frenzy and blocks the driveway. Jason gets out and tells them that he is not Keith Summerland. Then Anita introduces herself to the crowd and a reporter recognizes her relationship with Jean-Claude. Suddenly the reporters fabricate a story about Anita spurning the sexy vampire master of Saint Louis and marrying Jason. While the media are having a creative frenzy, Jason and Anita walk back to the hotel.
When they finally get to the hospital (in a dark glass limo with a police escort), Jason's father is very sarcastic and disparaging. Anita retaliates and chews the father up one side and down the other. She tells him a few unwelcome truths. Suddenly, the old man decides that she is all right. Maybe he is really is a bully like his family believes.
One of the things about Asheville that bugs Anita is that many of the people look alike. She is told that Jerediah Summerland had led a cult into the area to get away from worldly temptations. Jerediah was very self-righteous, but believed in spreading his seed. Later Anita meets the bridesmaids -- all former girlfriends of Jason -- and they all have the same Summerland look.
This tale gets even more complicated when men pursuing Keith catch Jason and Anita instead. Then weretigers and vampires become involved. Anita discovers a new power, but Marmee Noir also reveals a previously unknown ability. Anita loses some memories for a while, but finally recovers them.
This novel contains more sex than recent works, but mostly with Jason only. He certainly appreciates her undivided attention. One of his problems with Perdy was her prudery, but this is not a problem with Anita.
Once again, Anita gets into a very difficult situation because people are withholding information from her. So she finds the truth in her own way. Enjoy!
Highly recommended for Hamilton fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of sexual antics, preternatural affairs, and various forms of love.
-Arthur W. Jordin
Don't waste your time May 29, 2008
52 out of 61 found this review helpful
I generally loved Hamilton's first 6 books or so in the Anita Blake series. Obsidian Butterfly is one of my all time favorite books, period. But don't waste your time on this one (Blood Noir) if you're looking for a serious book. The first 280 pages are all fluff and filler and long, drawn out angst. The actual story only happens in the last 20 pages or so. Buy it as a used paperback in a year if you really want to read this one.
 No longer disappointed - just a sad farewell June 19, 2008
50 out of 56 found this review helpful
I used to say that I was disappointed at the turn of the Anita Blake series, but no longer. Now it's time to say goodbye.
I had hoped that with The Harelquin, the sexual revolution that had overthrown what had been a fantastic character and series was coming to an end. I was mistaken. I've been forcing myself to continue to buy this series, but when it's over, it's over.
This book has no plot, no believable dialogue, nor anything of interest. All of its flaws have been outlined well by other reviewers, so I will only add that I would recommend to readers new to the series to begin with book one and end at book eight.
Originally, Anita was a powerhouse character. She had standards and aquired power as the books progressed. I very much enjoyed the developing coldness of Anita, particularly her pragmatic decision to torture someone to get information about Richard's kidnapped family.
Anita still defines herself as a vampire executioner and necromancer. When was the last time she actually executed a vampire? Killing them with "love" doesn't count. What happened to the blood and guts of this series? As for being a necromancer, I couldn't point to the last book in which she raised the dead. Isn't that supposed to be how she earns a living? Did she win the lottery somewhere in the series and I missed it? Every now and then she says something about "my job" or "my boss" and it throws me every time.
Perhaps Ms. Hamilton should consult a necromancer herself in an effort to resurrect her skill as a coherent and exciting story teller.
Ultimately the responsibility for the incredible decline of this series - and of the author's writing - rests solely with the editor and publishing house. When they saw what was happening with the series, they should have suggested - no insisted - that Ms. Hamilton start a new series to explore her sexuality, and let Anita alone. Or end the Anita series entirely.
The only ones to blame that this series continues to be published is us, the fans of the original Anita Blake. If we stopped spending money on these "books," the publisher would stop printing them. It's about the numbers, people, and I for one am not going to be counted for this author anymore.
Bloody bored to death June 4, 2008
48 out of 55 found this review helpful
I haven't bought one of her books since Obsidian Butterfly but I keep checking them out from the library hoping........
Forget it. LKH just can't write a decent Anita Blake book anymore. Makes me wonder if she really wrote the first ones. How can a person's writing change this much? How can the person who wrote the first ten books write the drek that is Blood Noir? She breaks the cardinal rule of writing: Show, don't tell. There is no showing, there is just talk and talk and talk and then guess what? More talk. I couldn't even get worked up about the uninteresting sex, I was too bored to care. I didin't care about Jason's look-a-like cousin or any part of that plot. When finally something interesting happened and The Big Bad takes them over the scene quickly fades to black and LHK TELLS us what happened. She was supposed to SHOW us what happened, instead everyone wakes up two days later and Richard comes riding in to explain what happened. Yak, yak, yak, I was bored to tears by the whole book.
And the absolute worst thing is? I used to go back and reread the early novels with great enjoyment. Now I am so disgusted by LKH, her overexposed personal life, and her horrible writing that it has ruined my enjoyment of the early books I used to love. I can't stop thinking about the real Laurell and all the stupid things that come out of her mouth. I've learned a valuable lesson. When an author has a mid-life crises and marries a boychild, thereby thinking she is the first person to discover sex, you can be given way too much information. The bizarro personality of Laurell herself has eclipsed Anita Blake. Her career path is truly the weirdest thing I have ever seen.
I keep wondering when she will ruin the Merry series. Soon, I imagine. This is worse than when Anne Rice completely lost touch with her early talent. LKH keeps churning them out, each one worse than the last. I can't believe they get printed. If she had started with these books she never would have gotten published. How long can she ride the coattails of that first dozen or so books?
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
