Search - The Harlequin (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 15)

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It has a plot! It was interesting. Old characters that I love were back. Go Edward! Richard was forced to face his fears and to understand that his feeling affect others. It's about freaking time. Nathaniel is really coming into his own and is quickly becoming my favorite boyfriend. Cookie Monster is back and in a way that I think I could like him as a steady character. This book honestly left me hoping for another book.

I was ready to stop reading this series. It had become nothing but one sexual romp after another. I am so glad I continued and bought this book!! I give this two big thumbs up!! It seems Ms. Hamilton has listened to her critics and returned to writing the type of books that brought her fame. There is some sex, but it is not over to top, and actually fits into the story line. (There is a story line!) I am once again a loyal reader of this series and cannot wait for the next installment.

THE HARLEQUIN, for me, redeems the Anita Blake series. Although there's still sex (which in itself has never been a problem for me), the ratio of sex to story has finally turned. There's an actual plot in THE HARLEQUIN, and it's a pretty dang good one.

The Harlequin, what is akin to the vampire police, has come to town -- presumably just to observe. It soon becomes apparent, however, that at least some members of this elite and uber-scary group have harsher things on their mind.

The usual characters are all here, as well as reapperances by Edward (aka Tod Forrester) and the serial killer, Olaf. Peter, the teen who was rescued several stories back, is also there.

Some typical things happen -- Richard (once again) has serious problems with Anita and the ardeur. Some new plot lines develop -- the local lion king refuses to help in a moment of need, and the swan leader comes to the rescue.

Overall, THE HARLEQUIN was a quick, satisfying read that I totally enjoyed. I have renewed faith in the Anita Blake series, and hope that the next book doesn't take away that feeling.

OK, so this is probably actually a three star if compared to the early books but Edward and Olaf's reappearances combined with the (comparatively) minimal amount of Anita ardeur porn earned it the extra bullet. If anything, the book was talky giving a lot of background on The Harlequin and building an actual plot. I won't say that LKH has finally redeemed the series back to it's former state, but this was a breath of fresh air compared to the last several entries.

The Harlequin is a great name for this book, but it should be the publisher not the title. Ms. Hamilton has gone from a great writer to a writer of cheap romance novels. I remember when Anita Blake was a great necromancer and vampire hunter. Now, she's nothing more than a vessel for the ardeur, which means there's not much more to the book than sex. Granted, there's less in this book in previous books, but nonetheless the sex is a dominant part of her book.

I hate to say it, but I've most of the Anita Blake series, but this is definitely the last one I'll be reading - actually I said that after the last book, but I'm sticking to it this time.