I'm one of the rare (it seems) folks who really still like LKH and Anita Blake. I really liked The Harlequin and thought there was a step forward in a return to some bit of balance with that one. This one felt like two steps back to me, but not necessarily in regards to the balance.

I have a couple key things that I found annoying. First, the style/quality of the writing seem to be amateurish. I've always really enjoyed her style of writing in the past, but sometimes even simple writing mechanics seemed painful here. I found myself groaning (and not in a good way) with how some of the stuff was written.

Second, this book was far longer than it needed to be. I can't even believe I just said that. I've always thought her books could be bigger and go on forever, and I would be perfectly happy with that. Not this time. This book should have been like Micah... small paperback, and really cheap. I'm almost annoyed that this was put into a hardback.

While some of the underlying character development was really good, and even the skeleton seemed solid, something just seemed to get lost in execution. Jason is going home to his dying dad with his bed buddy just so he can prove he is truly straight... seriously!?! This just baffled me. I can't even put my finger on why, but it just seemed so whack. Then when you add the whole looking like the local celebrity into the mix, it just felt entirely too contrived.

I still enjoyed it, cuz these are some of my favorite characters, but I felt like I got a glimpse of them on some seriously bad hair days or something.

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More Anita. More sex. More people trying to kill Anita, more of Anita killing other people. More pouting and stupidity from Richard. A Jean Claude who is nearing maudlin. Jason begging (again). Nathaniel wanting rougher sex (again). Men and women both bespelled by Anita's cuteness and charm (again...and, yet, what?).

Basically, for followers of the series, you'll read it, because even if someone told you it was made up of only three 20-chapter sex scenes, you'd still read it. But please, do yourself a favor and borrow it from the library. At least that way you can save your money, even as you give up your common sense.

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I am not a member of the Laurell K Hamilton bashing commitee. You know the people who buy the books and then blog about how horrible they are and reminisce about the good ol' days, but this book was horrible. It was Micah 2.0 but crappier. I know she says that she has so many ideas that she could write Anita Blake novels forever but there were no new ideas in Blood Noir. Anita has lots of sex, she gains some powers, she has a baby scare, she contemplates her relationships, she "grows", ends up in the hospital and impresses/scares everyone with her awsome powers. I'm sorry if I have given too much away but really, did you think you were going to be surprised? I won't start blogging about it (this is it, I swear) because I'm not going to read another one. Ugh!

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This book was alright, but nothing spectacular. It feels as though Hamilton is just using her Blake series as an outlet for fevered sex-dreams at this point than as a vehicle for story development. I have no problem with that, though, so I still rush to buy the books as they are released.

I wouldn't recommend this book to the Blake "purists" out there that long for more character involvement and less "accidental sex", but it was a quick read with some pretty entertaining moments for those of us that still enjoy the series.

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I heard this book was not the best... I think several of the other reviews cover it pretty well but wanted to add that the dialogue between the characters fell flat; totally flat. I didn't even make it through the FIRST chapter before I put the book down the first time. And, seriously, who wants a 4 chapter bad sex scene? Like one review stated...I can rent a bad porn. I quit reading the book and took it back to the library (thanking my lucky stars that I didn't purchase it)after a few pages into the 5th chapter. I have liked Jean-Claude since the first book and tried to pick out his sections in the book to redeem it but there was nothing there either. Overall, the sex scenes were not good and over drawn, everybody was whishy-washy, needy and whiny while Anita is talking/thinking about how good she thinks she is... Ok, I am going to stop now! If you feel you need to read this, don't buy it- just borrow; you will be glad you did!

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This book was pretty much agonizing for me to read. It was all angst and had bad sex scenes. There was not one sex scene (which is pretty much all there is to these books anymore) that I was like, "oh, that's so hot. I've never read THAT before." This was by FAR the most redundant Anita Blake book I have read yet. It's like she has no new ideas or thoughts, and just keeps repeating the same garbage over and over and overWell, you get the point.

I really have nothing good to say about this book, and this whole review will just be a snark fest. I'll try to make it short. We start off with a description of everyone and everything in the room. Oh, Jason and Nathaniel are strippers, and they shift on stage which is like totally awesome, I guess. Last I checked when they shift to their animal form there is goop and gunk everywhere! This does not sound like a stripper I'd want to be around, but I guess the women just LOVE it.

Let's see, Jason is my favorite character so there was that. Except, the storyline SUCKED. Jason has to go home to see his dying father, but his father thinks he's gay. Nathaniel being the understanding boyfriend that he is offers Anita up to Jason to take with him. Every father's dream right? When they get to Jason's hometown things start going downhill right away! Jason's cousin (who is really a half brother) looks JUST like him. So of course craziness ensues! But wait! The mother of all darkness is after Anita againor is she? What the hell, nothing even happened. Except a sex scene with two new characters that we didn't even get to read about! Oh, and another animal for her to call. Yes, everyone welcome the Tiger! Ugh. Richard's back, and now he has contracted the Ardeur, it's like a disease! He should have used it on Anita and ended this series with them behind that picket fence we are constantly reminded of. That would have been best, that way these books wouldn't get published just because she is Laurell K. Hamilton.

This was by far the worst book yet. There were a few scenes that made me almost slam down the book and not even finish it.

For those who have read the book, am I wrong? Nah, I know I'm not. But what did you think?

I know this isn't like my normal reviews, but this just burns me up that there are amazing authors out there struggling to get published. Then crap like this goes out without a hitch, just because of a name.

I'll add this in, first week this was released it debuted at 2 on the NYT Best Sellers; then swiftly made its way lower and lower on said list. It only has 2.5 stars on Amazon, and I'm shocked that 35 people felt that this book deserved a 5 star review. SHOCKED!

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After reading The Harlequin, this book seems just not enough. And again no sex with Jean Claude, WHY. But there is sex and lots of it and maybe just a tad too much of it. There is also Richard who continues his moody and downright angry attitude toward Anita, although it is explained why he is so angry. But this book did not actually let on what the deal is with the town Jason is from. Don't want to spoil it but some questions are left unanswered. I believe this to be my least favorite Anita Blake book, it picked up steam but still fell sorta flat. I am so glad I checked it out at the library.

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I wasn't really pleased with this one. This one in particular seemed to make Anita more of a porn star than the tough, detective that the story line started with. (I keep waiting for the original Anita to re-surface through all the other stuff.)

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Most folks who are long-time readers of this series know that Ms. Hamilton took a turn into crazy sex land a good while ago. I have stuck with the series, just to follow the characters that started the series. I imagine other folks are in a similar situation. The series is still convoluted with many characters, some only referred to in passing but I found this book to be more "readable". Thankfully, Ms. Hamilton choses to skip over a 2 day love feast induced by a metaphysical link Anita had obtained from yet another evil vampire.

I find myself wishing that Ms. Hamilton would explore the relationships between her orginal characters verses heaping on more and more strange twists and people. Maybe that's just me.

Back to the book, this book is readable and made me consider going out and buying the hardback edition of Skin Trade, the latest edition. She must be doing something right!

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I agree with most of what everyone else has already said. Except that review that said it reminded them of Obsidian Butterfly. I get why it was said~ because it was out of town....but that's the only similarity I can see. O.B was one of my favorites, and this one was a big let down. With 'The Harliquin', I was so happy that things were getting better~ more action and plot, not just a bunch of constant sex, then this comes out...and I was dissapointed. I thought the writing was done poorly,and the story line went like a cheesey soap opera! That being said, I do still like the series, but I am giving LKH 3 more books before I give up reading them if things don't improve!! If things stay as they are...well, I'm in it for a STORY...if I wanted straight "sex,sex,sex" like this book was I'd rent a porno flick with bad actors, It would be cheaper! lol.

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This is the sixteenth book of the Anita Blake series with no end in sight. Why do I read this series? I ask myself that a lot. I am now getting them from the library because I am not willing to spend money on them. I think I read this series because I like the characters and I am curious as to how the whole mess that is Anita's life will be resolved (will it ever be resolved may be a better question).

In this book Jason's dad is dying and Anita travels with him to visit his dad in order to show support for Jason. Unfortunately upon arrival to Jason's home town it ends up that a man named Keith Summerland (who looks identical to Jason and is a colossal jerk) is in town for his wedding. Most of the book deals with Jason being mistaken form Keith and the ramifications of that. Of course Anita and Jason also have to spend many, many, many long pages confronting their relationship and if it is a friendship or if it's more. Things get dangerous when some vampires gunning for Keith end up targeting Anita and Jason. Then, of course, Marmee Noir has to rear her ugly head and add in a ton of strange paranormal junk (oh yes and more guys for Anita to add to her harem).

For the most part this book was boring. So much page space was given to Anita and Jason hashing and re-hashing their relationship that it was ridiculous. The whole mistaken identity premise that propelled the plot of the book was contrived and unlikely and in general kind of came out of no-where. All of the interesting parts with Marmee Noir happened in the last fourth of the book and were quickly shoved in. There were less sex scenes than in previous book, and the ones that were in here were pretty poorly done. All in all I think this book could have been 20 pages and said all it needed to say. Like previous books this one covers a time span of only a few days.

There were some positive aspects to the book. It was nice to learn some of Jason's back story and to learn about his family. You also learn a bit more about Anita's childhood. The end of the book showed that things are coming to a head with Marmee Noir and this (again) made me curious enough that I will probably read the next book. Truthfully I am just hoping that this series comes to a close in the next couple years. I am not sure there is much good left to read about these characters.

Will I read the next book? Of course. But I will get it from the library. These books are no longer keepers and are to be quickly read and then gotten rid of.

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Love this book and hated it at the same time, it was more focused on learning more about a single character and his background but it gave a bit more of an answer to some questions between Anita and Richard....not that I liked them Kinda lagged but it involved more with the mother of darkness and some of her roles in this but as always Ms Hamilton has again introduced new charecters into the scene and still has me wondering about the lion from Chi town. But it is still Fantastic! If I sound like I am grumbling it's because I have, for the first time since I have started reading the series, messed up and did not have the next book to start on immediately and it has been 10 days. I think. I am having withdrawls from Richard, Micha, Nathaniel, Jean Claude, and Asher. Anita's just getting on my last nerve cause if I had all them to go between I don't see where complaining would come into it I would just say whatever and go visit one I wasn't mad at for awhile LOL.

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This book is a pretty good one for Anita Blake it really sets things up for the next book

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This was another great book in the series. Granted, there was a lot of nookie, but there was still some pretty cool intrigue and action going on. It did feel a little short, but the stuff with Marmee Noir and what she may have in store yet for Anita makes you want the author to hurry up and get the next book out already!

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This book is focused on Anita and Jason. Other than that there is little plot movement. This book is a short story in long form. I will keep reading just to see how the series ends up but I liked the first few books much better. Anita as a necromancer was much more interesting than reading about her sexual exploits again, and again, and again....

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I enjoyed the book but need more Jean Claude. Good story. I love Jason. Got to see a different side of him. Lots of action. I love the series. Feels like reading a letter from a friend instead of just another addition to the series. You're glad to hear they are still alive and what is going on in their world.

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I really liked this book, but it truly was not my favorite. I personally enjoy a little more Jean Claude and Richard. This book reminded me of Obsideon Butterfly where the story takes place in another state and with different characters. But it was still good.

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BLOOD NOIR is a really good addition to Hamilton's Anita Blake series---and a very fine illustration of the adage that 'no good deed goes unpunished.'
Anita is simply trying to do her friend Jason a favor---keep him company as he goes home to say goodbye to his hated but dying father. Sounds pretty simple, doesn't it? But high-level politics, a look-alike cousin, and then vampire politics all jump in to stir the pot, mixing a simple situation into a complicated and dangerous stew of lethal consequences.

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Very good, but Anita's sex live just keeps getting more and more complicated.

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I keep telling myself that I will stop reading this series soon if Anita doesn't find some direction soon. It seems that her charater has completely changed several books ago. These books get more and more about kinky sex then about the actual charaters. I still enjoyed the book, don't get me wrong, but I just wish the books would once again find some direction instead of piling lovers into Anita's bed for stranger and stranger reasons each book.

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Haven't read the others...this one didn't interest me. Didn't finishe it.

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This was better that the last several Anita Blake books. It at least had a story along with some sex.

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I have all of her Anita Blake Series. And, recommend all of them. Make sure you start from the beginning!! (Better than True Blood!)

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I am only giving it two stars cause at least the ending didn't end with a big pile of people having sex. Point for Anita I guess. I am also glad that I did not pay for this one. As with all the other reviews about this one, this woman gets more men then a working girl in a day! Don't we wish all the men where so friendly. I am glad to see she didn't have sex with the dumn one for a change that would have just made me want to throw the book out. Normally I would keep all of this series in my collection but I think this one is going to have to go back up in here to be sent off. Let someone else get to read it without having to pay for it. It's not worth paying for. I just hope the next one is better.

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I enjoyed this book very much! Laurell Hamilton knows how to write.

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Excellent followup to her past novels. I can't wait for the next one!

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Was good.Can't wait for the next one

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Awesome! Highly recommended!

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Horrible......Horrible.....HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!

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