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HORROR / THRILLER |
| STORY TIME | HARRY SHANNON | FANBOY | HORROR MOVIES | CONVENTIONS | HORRIBLE NEWS |
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This is a horror novel. Get that straight. Many aficionados tend to sneer at this kind of series. Let me tell you…this is not 'Buffy'. There are scenes in this book which are absolutely horrible, genre fans will not be disappointed. I found myself grimacing with revulsion and disgust, while simultaneously delighting in the sheer grossness. This is the ninth volume in a series I hadn't even heard of before last year. Hamilton's 'Anita Blake - Vampire Hunter' is a character who lives in a world almost identical to our own, the difference being the existence of all manner of supernatural creatures such as werewolves, demons, and among many others…vampires. It's handled a lot better than you might expect, and doesn't come across nearly as corny as it sounds. Anita Blake is one of those smartmouth protagonists who doesn't take crap from anyone, but is not so good that she doesn't occasionally get beaten to a pulp. But she always bounces back for more. Despite being the ninth outing for the character, this volume is actually a perfect introduction to Anita's world, because Blake is taken entirely out of her usual environment (St. Louis) and called to New Mexico to investigate some gruesome mutilations. As a result, she's left the bulk of her cohorts and sidekicks behind, so you don't get confused by a cast of characters you don't already know. The only character present here from earlier novels is Edward (and fans of Edward from previous books are in for a treat!). The vampires call Anita 'The Executioner', but Edward is probably the only person in the business who is tougher, faster, and arguably better than she is. There's a nice tension between them…a 'who-would-kill-who-in-a-real-fight?' kind of thing, and it feels genuine. Edward has called Anita in because he feels it will take the two of them to handle what he's been investigating. He's right. People are being horribly mutilated by…'something' (which doesn't even begin to describe what's going on!). Suffice to say that the lucky victims are the ones who actually die. In addition to investigating the case, Anita also has to deal a cop who despises her kind of work, branding her as 'evil'. And then there are Edward's two sidekicks…both very experienced in their respective fields (you'll see)…one who wants to sleep with Anita, one who wants to kill her. They are both held in check only by their fear of Edward. There's plenty of action along the way, and the climax is well executed (sorry!). There are eight books preceding this one. Take a chance…if you like it you've hit the jackpot. 4 BookWyrms
This review copyright 2001 E.C.McMullen Jr. |
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