Obsidian Butterfly

January 3, 2000
An inhabitant of an alternate Earth very much like our own--except that magic coexists there with natural law, and preternatural beings like vampires and werewolves coexist with humans--Anita Blake is full of contradictions that make her a potent lead character for this continuing series. Although Anita is a licensed vampire executioner, one of her lovers is a vampire (the other is a werewolf); she packs more firepower than a small army, but is a dedicated Christian; she's tough-as-nails yet ultrafeminine; she tangles with seriously dangerous supernatural forces, but she's as matter of fact about dealing with magic as she is about bashing bad guys, and she's as quick with a quip as she is with a well-placed kick to the groin. In her ninth adventure (after Blue Moon), Anita is summoned to New Mexico by Edward (aka "Death"), the cold-blooded killer from previous books to whom she owes a favor. In the course of investigating a series of grotesque murders (victims torn to bloody bits, survivors flayed of all flesh), Edward becomes more human and Anita less so. Celibate for six months, Anita's usual steamy sexual encounters with her inhuman but hunky boyfriends are missing from this novel, but there's still a lot of beefcake to appreciate and the considerable sexual tension is both humorous and supportive of the plot. The gory story line--which wraps around an Aztec vampire goddess, a dwarf necromancer, bull-headed bigoted cops, hearts ripped from chests and a witch who conveniently appears in the nick of time--needs that bit of sustenance, but the book is still a monstrously entertaining read.

June 15, 2010

No. 1 New York Times best-selling author Hamilton's (www.laurellkhamilton.org) ninth Anita Blake entry, originally published in 2000 and available for the first time on audio, follows Blue Moon (1998), also newly available from Penguin Audio and read by actress Kimberly Alexis. Set in New Mexico, it is the first Anita Blake story to take place without the vampire hunter's preternatural entourage. Although the plot is action-driven, the character interactions take the story to the next level as Anita wonders: If assassin Edward can lead a "normal" life outside of death, does that mean that she can, too? Alexis keeps Anita's anger level at an undertone, allowing it to drive her conversations. She also does a credible job of voicing Olaf. Fans will welcome this series favorite. [Audio clip available through us.penguingroup.com; the Ace hc, described as containing "an abundance of thrills, chills, violence, and sexual innuendo," was recommended "for all public libraries," LJ 12/99.--Ed.]--Jodi L. Israel, MLS, Salt Lake City

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