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Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter for Animators, Inc., is offered a cool mil to raise a 283-year-old corpse. But she knows that "the older the zombie, the bigger the death needed to raise it." Only a human sacrifice is "big" enough to raise this old soul--and Anita's no murderer. Original.
Laurell K. Hamilton is a full-time writer and mother. Her bestselling Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter novels include Narcissus in Chains, Obsidian Butterfly, Blue Moon, Burnt Offerings, The Killing Dance, Bloody Bones, The Lunatic Café, Circus of the Damned, The Laughing Corpse, and Guilty Pleasures. She is also the author of A Kiss of Shadows and A Caress of Twilight. She lives in a suburb of St. Louis with her family.
Hamilton has not always been under the spell of undead things that go bump-and-grind in the night. When she was a young girl, her literary tastes were a bit more on the traditional side. "I wanted to be Louisa May Alcott, who wrote Little Women, because I had never read any science fiction, fantasy, or horror," she confessed in a podcast on Mayor Slay.com. "Then at 13 or 14 I found Robert E. Howard's short story collection [Pigeons From Hell]. It was the first horror, the first heroic fantasy, the first science fiction I'd ever read, and the moment I read that I knew that not only did I want to be a writer, but this is what I wanted to write."
Furthering Hamilton's burgeoning fascination with the fantastic, she discovered Anthony Masters's The Natural History of the Vampire at her high school library. Coupled with the ghost stories her grandmother had told her when she was a child and heavy doses of Hammer Horror movies from Great Britain, Hamilton was well on her way to creating a character that would only be rivaled by Buffy in the field of vampire slaying.
Hamilton first introduced vampire huntress Anita Blake in her third novel Guilty Pleasures. Blake is an unlikely combination of action hero, federal marshal, "necromancer," and lusty dame. Her exploits between the sheets and in the graveyard won Hamilton a rabid following hungry for something new in the well-traveled vampire genre.
Along with the kinds of scares normally associated with vampire stories, Hamilton's books are notable for their unflinching eroticism. Vampires have had a sexual lure since Stoker, but Hamilton particularly draws that aspect to the surface of her work as one of her creatures might draw blood from a victim. "I [want] a kiss to be so believable it gives the reader shivers," she says on her website. "Two things I do well are sex and violence, but I don't want gratuitous sex or violence. The sex and violence is only as graphic as need be. And never included unless it furthers the plot or character development."
Another unlikely trait of her books is humor, vampire tales classically being of the more solemn sort. However, a writer weaned on a book titled Pigeons From Hell is not likely going to shy away from wit. Consequently, her books have been consistently entertaining and fun, as well as creepy and sexy.
Hamilton has also brought her delicious combination of sex, humor, and frights to another series, this one more ingrained in dark fantasy than horror. Her faerie princess/P.I. Meredith Gentry made her debut in Kiss of Shadows in 2001 and has since sparked her own crowd-pleasing sword and sorcery meets pulp series.
Increasingly, the Anita Blake and Merry Gentry books have added more sexual content to their story lines, classifying both series in a new hybrid genre that blends romance, erotica, and paranormal fantasy. To judge from Hamilton's consistent appearance on the bestseller charts, readers find the mix spellbinding.
Before Laurell K. Hamilton made a full-time career of blood, guts, murder, and mayhem, she had more humane pursuits -- she volunteered at an animal shelter where she played with unwanted pets.
In our interview, Hamilton shared some fun and fascinating facts about herself with us:
"I am incredibly stubborn. Telling me I cannot do something, especially if you cite the fact that I am a girl, will make me want to do it more and do it better."
"I am not my characters. We have some of the same traits in common, but we are very different people."
"Everything inspires me. Getting up in the morning, walking the dogs, watching a music video. Inspiration comes from everywhere."
"I love animals. I own four dogs, two of whom are rescues. In fact, Jimmy is with us because they were going to gas him if we didn't take him with us. As an older dog his chances of finding a home were fairly slim. But he has been a wonderful addition to our home."
"I like spending time with my family and friends. Something I often feel I do not do enough of. But there are only so many hours in a day."
"I like to read other people's works. I love reading cozy or historical mysteries when I can."
"I enjoy interacting with fans at planned public events. I enjoy talking to them and have met many wonderful people."
Anonymous
Posted Mon Jul 30 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I was excited to read this series because it had it all-action, romance and the supernatural. While the story lines are interesting, I stopped after book 3 because the "romance" was leading in too many directions. First, the character loved this guy; then, she fell for this guy and now let's add another male to the mix. I am a one-guy woman with a little side sexual tension thrown in.. Anita Blake seems wishy-washy and that doesn't make for a strong heroine. I became frustrated with Stephanie Plum and Sookie Stackhouse novels because no one can commit, similar attitudes here. You CAN have steamy sex and good writing in a supernatural novel, just ask Karen Marie Moning and Christina Dodd and Christina Feehan.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I actually liked this one. After reading the first I got to say I was up in the air about continuing. I feel like I've gotten to know a little more about our main character Anita Blake. The character development is really what I feel was lacking in the first book and I'm glad I got a better understanding of her. Do I think it can be elaborated more? Yes, especially her relationship with Jean Claude. I think her descriptions of the murder scenes are fantastic I really could envision all the gore. I read another review that stated that her character shouldn't have done what she did in the end and I have to full disagree. Given the circumstances I feel it was the lesser of two evils and a necessary act of power for both the people plotting against her and the bystander watching. I would borrow not buy this one if possible.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Wed Feb 16 00:00:00 EST 2000
I read this book first in the series, I was hooked, I knew when I went to the bookstore the next day and got two more in the series. Though heavy on the gore, which really didn't bother me, it's got a good storyline and plot. One of the boys are in this, Jean-Claude only makes a couple apprearences, at the end saying Anita scares him a little. So if you like reading supernatural vampire stuff or werewolf stuff, go get it!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Thu Jan 03 00:00:00 EST 2013
This author has no pproblem keping me interested. I can't wait to read more about Anita!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sat Dec 29 00:00:00 EST 2012
As all anita blake books its awesome!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Dec 27 00:00:00 EST 2012
I love the anita blake series, you learn more about the characters in every book as they continue to grow.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.MrRayne77
Posted Wed Jul 30 00:00:00 EDT 2014
The first novel I have managed to read in tis series. But it will not be be my last!!
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Posted Tue Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I have been reading AB books for almost 12 years now. My sister started reqding them in highschool and i would steal them from her when she was through with them. It always frustrated me that the books didnt have a listing of the order of the titles. I hage figured out the story line and had to piece things together along the way, but each book is impossible to put down! I am going back now and reqding them in order since i have found a title listing. This is one title i do not recall reading and it has made some of the puzzle pieces click for me.
Reading the series out of order is doable, but i highly suggest saving yourself the headache, and reading them in order!
Anonymous
Posted Wed Jun 04 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Dont leave. And im not trying to change the subject..
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Posted Thu Jun 05 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Walkd in
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Posted Fri Jan 31 00:00:00 EST 2014
Quick interesting read! I will definitely read the rest of the series.
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Posted Wed Jan 22 00:00:00 EST 2014
Leaders den
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Posted Mon Jun 03 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I like how the story is progressing so far. Looking forward to 3rd book.
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Posted Thu Apr 11 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Boobs
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Mar 02 00:00:00 EST 2013
Love these!
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Posted Fri Jan 25 00:00:00 EST 2013
Read most of the series before. Not a fan of her books after number aix though.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Oct 06 00:00:00 EDT 2012
A can't put it down book.
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Posted Tue Aug 07 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I love the way this author writes. It's very relateable and makes you laughs out loud while reading. She blends a very strong female character but also captures the inner sensitive parts as well. This particular story had a really good villan that you just love to hate. Anita Blake is turning into one of my more favorite series.
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Posted Fri Jul 13 00:00:00 EDT 2012
Anita Blake is a vampire hunter and animator. Anita and her boss Bert Vaughn are asked to do a job by Harold Gaynor. Anita finds that it's a job she will not do human sacrifice. Harold Gaynor thinks offering more money will change Anita's mind but he didn't know Anita very well. Anita is helping the police's RPIP Dolph Storr. Some preternatural creature is murdering small families in their homes and it's up to Anita to solve this mystery. Dolph asks for a list of people who could raise the dead and Anita frowns at this request. Anita also learns that the Master of the City wants to speak with her and Anita hopes that Jean~Claude would forget about her but no such luck. Anita needs more information that only Irving Griswald, a reporter of St. Louis Dispatcher, can give her. Dead David hopes that Anita will do the wise thing and meet with the Master but Anita never said she was either wise or smart. Anita meets with Dominga Salvador, a powerful vaudan prietess, with Manny. Anita wants nothing to do with Dominga Salvador or her crazy schemes. Domigna warned Anita that she would be sorry. Jean~Claude wants Anita to play human servant to secure his power based yet he would allow Anita her freedom as much as he could. What is Harold Gaynor and Dominga Salvador hiding? Will Anita solve this case? Will She play Jean~Claude's games? Who wants to harm Anita? Your answers await you in The Laughing Corpse.
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Posted Thu Jul 05 00:00:00 EDT 2012
This is one of my favorite series
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Overview
Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter for Animators, Inc., is offered a ...