Narcissus in Chains

September 17, 2001
Bestseller Hamilton's Anita Blake, police consultant, executioner, necromancer, private eye and wereleopard protector, returns in her amorous 10th adventure, driven more by conflicting desires for the lovers she neglected in her last outing, Obsidian Butterfly
(2000), than by the urge to solve any mystery. Once again, in a world where vampires and werecreatures are protected by law, Blake attempts to resolve her libido's constant crisis. Plunged into the netherworld of a leather D/S (dominant/submissive) bar, Narcissus in Chains, by the abduction of one of her inherited wereleopards, Blake finds herself deep into shapeshifter politics and a were creature power struggle that is all a metaphor for her own inner struggle. Whom should she choose—werewolf Richard or vampire Jean-Claude? Or should she take a new lover? Who cares? Blake is eventually infected by the "ardeur" from the vampire clan and tinged with shapeshifting abilities from the were clan. As she becomes more like the fantastic creatures she protects or kills, she, alas, doesn't get any more interesting as a character. Her obsessions with lust serve mainly to overwhelm a rickety plot. Blake needs to put her clothes back on and get back to work. Too much flesh and not enough plot leads to the old but so true saying, "Less is more." (Oct. 9)Forecast:With a 15-city author tour and 100,000 first printing, this should be as successful saleswise as previous books in the series.

Kimberly Alexis continues as narrator for this installment in the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series, and she is on fire! She maintains her witty, sarcastic, and sexual exuberance while bringing this roller-coaster ride to its greatest height. Blake, who is on the brink of becoming a were-leopard, must protect a number of creatures who come in contact with her. Alexis clearly conveys the character's uncertainty at being all things to all nonhumans. Not only does she humorously portray this over-the-top character, she also believably plays Anita's lovers, friends, and enemies. So many different creatures enter the story that it could have been confusing, but Alexis masterfully makes the necessary distinctions. T.E.C. � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine