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Book Reviews of Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10)

Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10)
Narcissus in Chains - Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10
Author: Laurell K. Hamilton
PBS Market Price: $8.09 or $4.19+1 credit
ISBN-13: 9780515133875
ISBN-10: 0515133876
Publication Date: 2002
Pages: 656
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 935

4 stars, based on 935 ratings
Publisher: Jove
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

57 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on
Helpful Score: 13
This is definitely where the books start dispensing with the plot and make straight for the sex scenes. If you read for the nookie, keep going. If you sort of miss the old Anita who kicked more ass than she tapped... well.
virgo63 avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 31 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Number 10 in the Anita Blake series. While I am a huge Anita Blake fan, I didn't like this one so much. We are introduced to Micah, the wereleopard alpha who Anita is immediately is attracted to (& having sex with). As if she didn't have enough men in her life, she's added another alpha male. We are also inroduced to the ardeur - the curse that Anita has inherited as a result of her ties to Jean Claude. Anita's relationship with the wereleopards is getting weird, she's having random sex with strangers, and her personal life is a mess (as if it could get messier). Not sure I'm liking where LKH is taking the series.
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 242 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
The Narcissus referred to in this book, "Narcissus in Chains", is a hermaphrodite who owns an S&M Club. He/she is a nasty piece of work who loves to seriously torture people, vampires, werecreatures; anything that moves. She is called to Narcissus' club to rescue two of her friends, Nathaniel and Gregory, who are being tortured by some patrons of the club. I use the word "patrons" loosely because they're into real torture not playful sadism and they happen to be wereserpents. (Whoever heard of such a thing? I've never encountered "wereserpents" in anything I've ever read but Hamilton puts them to effective, evil use in her plot). They're a nasty bunch who pop up to give Anita and friends grief at the end of the book. Getting Nathaniel and Gregory out of the torture room proves much harder than initially thought.

The bizarre plot just moves on from there with more twists and turns. Richard's group of werewolves is falling apart mainly due to his attempts at democratic leadership. He's also announced to his group that Anita will no longer be the female leader in the near future and that he's looking for a replacement. To make matters even worse between them, the werewolves have imprisoned Gregory in a deep, dark, very smelly pit in preparation for his execution. The charge? Anita's murder. Even though they know Anita is alive, the fact that they misunderstood a previous event and voted for Gregory's death still stands. Talk about stubborn! Richard refuses to interfere though he has all the power to do so. He cites the groups' votes as more the be-all and end-all, refusing to take up any veto power. But I knew part of his refusal was his animosity towards Anita.

Then Anita finds herself under the increasing power of the ardeur and finds she needs more and more "food" as time goes by. Yep, Anita is well on her way to becoming a living succubus. Not only is Anita needing to feed the ardeur through sex with more partners but she finds herself drawn to drawing blood from her too willing victims and reveling in the sight of that blood. Is vampirism next on Anita's agenda? We must read and see. But frankly, after this book and others that came after, I think Anita has her hands full just with the ardeur. That and all the rescuing activities she gets involved in.

Oh, and I forgot she also has boyfriends. Jean-Claude is her main boyfriend and Richard has been delegated to a working relationship though most of the time it hardly works due to Richard's rage, stubborness and idealism.

So, lots of stuff is going on in this book and despite the increasingly weird subplots, I enjoyed it. There's some steamy sex here and there but if you're looking for really steamy, hot sex, read Hamilton's "Danse Macabre". "Narcissus in Chains" is stronger in plot and has such interesting characters. The only thing I didn't like is seeing Anita starting to become harder and more dominant in her actions and personality. I know characters need to grow but do they have to get worse instead of better? I also saw this negative part of Anita more prevalent in "Danse Macabre" and it was all I could do to keep myself from reaching inside the pages and smacking her.
daedelys avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 1218 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This was another page-turner in the series. I couldn't put it down and really enjoyed that a new character, Micah, has been thrown into the plot. Truthfully, I've gotten sick of Richard and his whining and really don't understand how someone like him is in charge of the wolves--if he were to be written out, I don't think I'd be too heart-broken. We don't usually learn a lot about the guys (in-depth), but considering the story is in first person narrative, that's totally understandable. We get enough by Anita's perception of the people around her. (It's not like the guys are suddenly going to confess their deepest-darkest secrets to her... how many of us actually know guys who voice their feelings like what goes on in Anita's head when she talks about hers anyway?)

A couple of plot-hole(like?) complaints with the series that I've noticed are that Anita keeps calling herself a "Sociopath", yet is constantly worried that she is one or is becoming one. Well, I have good news for her. A true sociopath wouldn't have those kind of questions, so she's in the clear. Yay for her?

Also, most of the lycanthropes tend to follow some sort of trend in developing the instincts of their particular "breed". Ummm, last I checked, lions are the only "pack" cats, so why are the leopards doing this? Sure, cats can all be social, but the don't have the "need" to be like these seem to.

I've seen reviews on this book and others further on in the series as becoming something like soft-core porn. Well, in my opinion, it just wouldn't fit with Hamilton's writing style to make short-work of of how Anita feels and what she experiences during the core of a story and what has happened to her. This descriptiveness is what allows the reader to understand her character, whether we can relate or not. If a person wants to find read a story about a monogamous relationship they should find a nice, safe romance novel. You know, the kind where the guy was a player (which seems to be okay with our society) until he meets the "girl of his dreams"--even though we're not sure if those stories didn't hit the 50% divorce rate once we've read how they professed their undying love for one another. (After all, there are a plethora of romances out there with storybook endings that we should figure at least half of those characters love lives probably failed--if they were really real of course ;P)

I also continue to be impressed by Hamilton's creativity and bringing so many different types of mythical and fantasy creatures into her stories. I've always been a fan of Dungeons and Dragons-like things and it's rare to see an author use the different creatures I've like that particular game/stories have used but for a different fan-base. This explains why there can be so many different lycanthropes--authors like Hamilton are only limited to their imagination, and if they want to create new creatures I say go for it. It gets boring having to read the same old thing all the time about the same old critters.

Overall, I'm enjoying this series. It's different yet maintains a quality that a lot of other paranormal stories don't. Hamilton is a great writer who has easily become one of my favorites.
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 215 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The Vampire Hunter series. Very exciting and definitely for those who like vampire tales that flow with action and excitement. Those who like the Anne Rice books will like Laurel Hamilton.
SoCaliGirl avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 37 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
So far ive been impressed with each new novel in the series, They've been page turners that I havent been able to put down. This one I kind of got bored with,it was way to predictable, too much sex and not enough storyline.I hope the next one is better. I want to see Anita kick some ass again!
after9pmreader avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 59 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Gonna have to say my favorite...Yes...I was so ready for some real sexual contact...And yes we have it...Now Anita gets into character...I am little upset that Jean Claude is left out alot in this one...I know that it was about her new relationship...So looking forward the next book....Finished this one is like a day and half..
KitchenwitchMama avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Not bad if you're looking for a sexy fantasy romp. Just make sure you bring a power bar and a can of Red Bull; she pulls you along at such a pace that you feel almost as exhausted as the main character by the end of the book.
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 48 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is by far one of Anita's busiest episodes. She reconciles with Jean-Claude and Richard; faces becoming a were creature after meeting with some horrific new were's at the night spot, Narcissus in Chains. She fights more evil, deals with more challenges and fills over 600 pages with action, terror and love.

Anita's personality is truly developing and growing. She is getting to know herself; dealing with her role to the were-leopards and her role with Richard's clan. By the end of this book she has more titles than she knows what to do with.

New bad guys Jacob, Marco and Orlando never give her a break and the introduction of the weresnakes is really creepy. Thank goodness she has King of the wererats Raphael and King of the Swans Donovan in her corner plus a new wereleopard Micah to keep her on her toes.

A stimulating and thoroughly satisfying read that I found hard to put down even though it was her longest book to date.
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 50 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Part of the Anita Blake Series
1. Guilty Pleasures
2. The Laughing Corpse
3. Circus Of The Damned
4. Lunatic Cafe
5. Bloody Bones
6. The Killing Dance
7. Burnt Offerings
8. Blue Moon
9. Obsidian Butterfly
10. Narcissus In Chains
11. Cerulean Sins
12. Incubus Dreams
13. Micah
14. Danse Macabre
15. The Harlequin (2007)
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on
Helpful Score: 1
This is where everything changes for Anita. Her life is never the same.
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 29 more book reviews
One of the better of the Anita Blake books.
michker avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 4 more book reviews
For the most part this was one of the better books in the series. This is the start of the Ardeur and the introduction of a lot of new characters into the anita universe. Some of them i could have done without some of them may turn out to be welcome addition but the author kept the pace up and going in this book going from one sexually charged scene to a tense or life threathening scene. The pace was kept up throughout this book it was a very good read you had no time to linger too much on happenings.
Clair avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 225 more book reviews
Good but but not if your squeamish. Anita's world is bloody and violent. It has a lot of sex and gore and if you don't like it don't read this one. Personally I thought it was a good story full of great twist and turns. Good story telling.
kahanachameleon avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 33 more book reviews
Micah finally shows up in the series! If I got to vote on who Anita should end up with (if she's restricted to just one), I would vote for Micah any day.
nymphadora avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 95 more book reviews
My 2nd favorite in the series. Lots of fighting and a very sexy new character!
solarawynn avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 724 more book reviews
Wasn't my fave,but will continue the series
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 127 more book reviews
I like the books earlier in the series better. This one was not as memorable to me- which is why I am willing to swap it
zzonielady avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 90 more book reviews
This book is by far the most stunning in the Anita Blake series so far. Quite frankly I lust for Micah, the leopards Nimir-Raj, and I am finding the tormented Richard, Wolf King, to pathetic for words. Laurell K Hamilton can keep this series alive forever as far as I am concerned. If I REALLY like Anita, would that make me a wannabe Bolverk, wolf king's executioner? Seriously, each book in the series is better than those preceeding it in the spellbinding world of "otherly" creatures. This series is darker that The Dark Carpations, The Nightwalkers, or the ligher Sookie Stackhouse series and I enjoy them all. Maybe Anita Blake the most, however.
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on
I am absolutely in love with the Anita Blake series. I have just finished Narcissus in Chains. I was very impressed. The end was not what I expected at all and I loved that because I can generally guess how a book will end by the time I get half way through.
nrezac avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 160 more book reviews
Detailed and exciting, just as the rest of the series!
GemGirl avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 37 more book reviews
Great story. This is where Anita, Jean Claude and Richard all finally come together, and the tension is heartbreaking. For those who like the later installations, this is where all the taboo begins.
munk avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 40 more book reviews
Love, Love, Love ALL the Anita Blake series!
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 76 more book reviews
Bestseller Hamilton's Anita Blake, police consultant, executioner, necromancer, private eye and wereleopard protector, returns in her amorous 10th adventure. 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? Blake is eventually infected by the "ardeur" from the vampire clan and tinged with shapeshifting abilities from the were clan.
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 5 more book reviews
I felt this book had a lot of different plots and it is something I enjoyed. The name of the book is the only thing that I would have changed. Narcissus the owner did not have but one main part. He was not a main character in this book. Otherwise, it was a good book.
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 10 more book reviews
Very good, unexpected twists. I enjoyed it.
BobbieH avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on
Book 10 in the series. Some claim one of the last "good" books, as it still has some non-relationship plotting. If you like the later books (post OB), you'll like this one as well.
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 503 more book reviews
For LKH fans, Anita Blake fans, Narcissus in Chains is a major turning point in the series. Anita really has become one of the monsters. At this juncture, Anita has become a succubus, she has multiple "boyfriends" and participates in group sex. The books in the series, from here forward, have much more emphasis on sex as not only a thing of romance but as a tool and a weapon in the supernatural world. For those who find the change in the character and narrative of this series distasteful, you should stop reading the series here because it only gets more graphic. There is no going back to the Anita Blake of books 1-4, sorry folks.

The plot points in this book were pretty engaging. In re-reading the series it is easy to decide what I can skip (too much detail about what people wear) and what to re-read. Over the last few books it becomes ever apparent that each bad guy with whom Anita interacts eventually passes his or her unique powers to Anita. So it is interesting and worthwhile to see what new powers she develops. Also interesting to see which new love interests she develops and be reminded what those relationships were like in the early days.

This book introduces Micah, a character whom I gather is pretty controversial. He arrives on the scene out of nowhere, insinuates himself into Anita's life and bed, and admits to having an ulterior agenda - to find someone who can save his pard. The story also moves Nathaniel from a more peripheral and child-like character into someone who is part of Anita's core group and also binds Damien and Anita more tightly.
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 37 more book reviews
Definitely different! This was my first read and I think the male characters need more development....
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 107 more book reviews
The last one in the series that actually has a plot.
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 204 more book reviews
Better than Obsidian Butterfly but I wish Anita would get back to solving crimes.
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 54 more book reviews
Anita at her best! Excellent book, almost sorry to part with it.
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 162 more book reviews
Great read! This one has got to be one of the best. It is quite a bit more sexual then the others, but Anita is making more choices and learning some side effects to her new found powers!
timetravelgirl avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 153 more book reviews
Great!
Cannot wait to read all this authors books!!
ocnsangel avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 224 more book reviews
Wow her books just keep getting better read this in a day
just couldnt stop.
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 82 more book reviews
Although I enjoyed the earlier Anita Blake books, the later in the series are VERY graphic and for a mature audience only.
carlamo avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 269 more book reviews
The series takes on an interesting twist, along with the addition of a new character: Micah.
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 2 more book reviews
Typical wonderful Anita Blake adventure, loved it.
paintnmynails avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 25 more book reviews
Not really my cup of tea. I prefer my horror without s and m orgy sex in them.Just crossed the line for me. Yuck
Erinyes avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 279 more book reviews
I need less touchy feely Anita and more kick butt Anita. I'm not understanding the direction of this series at all.
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on
Another great book in the Anita Blake series
KMZ avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 11 more book reviews
Great new book in sreies. Love the new characters the added in.
mistysmere avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 140 more book reviews
Anita Blake #11.

Anita is back in town. She has faced the pard, but has yet to face Jean Claude and Richard. Then she gets clawed in battle by one of her wereleopards. Will she become Nimir-Ra for real?

This book takes the series to a new level. No Edward, but we may have ODed on him in the last book. Richard is starting to tick me off with his attitude about everything. It seems to endanger the pack, who are the innocent one in this case, and that just seems wrong.
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 8 more book reviews
Laurell K. Hamilton has an awesome imagination, and is an intelligent, funny woman. You will love the entire Anita Blake series!
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 11 more book reviews
This was a fun entertaining book from a very imaginative author.
VeganFreak avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on
Tenth book of a series. Way more sex than the other books. I wasn't really into this story at first, but it picked up and I did enjoy it. Lots of werecreatures (wereanimals?)..uh lycanthropes.
FineLQQKn avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 173 more book reviews
I have all of her Anita Blake Series. And, recommend all of them. Make sure you start from the beginning!! (Better than True Blood!)
gummy13 avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on
enjoyed the story
LadyLioncourt avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 45 more book reviews
Another great book in the series. It moves a lot faster than Obsidian Butterfly but the plotline seems to be sort of on the side while most of it is Anita's complicated relationships with Jean-Claude, Richard, and the latest character Micah.
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 330 more book reviews
I didn't want to put it down.
scifimom avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 48 more book reviews
lots of fun! if you enjoyed the others this is just as good.
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 14 more book reviews
Back cover is a bit bent. This is my favorite of the series and after this the series went horribly wrong. Just my two cents. Still this is definitely worth checking out!
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 10 more book reviews
An Anita Bake Vampire Hunter Novel.
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 9 more book reviews
I just want to rate this so that I can add it to my BIR list
jennybock avatar reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 25 more book reviews
I just never got into these books. I've read a couple of her Anita Blake vampire series and just can't get into them. I like Feehan more.
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 30 more book reviews
Anita Blake #10.
reviewed Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 10) on + 44 more book reviews
Hardcover Book. I replaced it with a paperback book. It is in excellent shape.
It's a change in Anita Blake's life. You need to read it if you're following the series.