JUNE FEATURE #2: Kiss the Dead: An Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Novel by Laurell K. Hamilton

[paulgoatallen]

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[paulgoatallen]

Here is another much-anticipated release – I have to applaud LKH for how she has evolved this long series over the years from horror to urban fantasy to paranormal mystery. Has anyone read this one yet?

Paul

[Origami77]

It's actually evolved from horror to urban fantasy to paranormal mystery to romance novels lacking any plot. 


The storyline in the latest book is abysmal.  I've tolerated a lot from the series, but LKH attending a PTA meeting (with JC) for the under-age minor she's 'banging' is distasteful on so many levels. 

[SciFiCanuck]

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Origami77 wrote:

It's actually evolved from horror to urban fantasy to paranormal mystery to romance novels lacking any plot. 


The storyline in the latest book is abysmal.  I've tolerated a lot from the series, but LKH attending a PTA meeting (with JC) for the under-age minor she's 'banging' is distasteful on so many levels. 

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Ummmmm, LKH OR Anita attending the PTA meeting?  LOL

I can't believe I forgot about this release!!  Just ordered it online...gotta wait a week now, DOH!  Very much looking forward to this next one.  :-)

[paulgoatallen]

This one is up next for me – hopefully I'll finish it by Friday!

[Fangbanger]

I am about 60 pages in and I have to say I really like it so far.  What LKH seems to be setting up as the main conflict of the novel is really interesting and something that she has not explored, which is pretty incredible considering this is the 21st Anita Blake novel.  I have to say, for me, starting with Skin Trade, I think LKH has done a good job of balancing plot with sexy time.  There has been a few things that have sort of annoyed me so far about Kiss the Dead, like LKH basically saying the same thing four times in different ways, like she is trying to make sure that we dense readers get her point.  Trust your readers, Laurell we get it.  But, like I said, these are nitpicky things, so far, pretty great.  I am excited to see where this goes.

[ThirstyFlea]

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Fangbanger wrote:

I am about 60 pages in and I have to say I really like it so far.  What LKH seems to be setting up as the main conflict of the novel is really interesting and something that she has not explored, which is pretty incredible considering this is the 21st Anita Blake novel.  I have to say, for me, starting with Skin Trade, I think LKH has done a good job of balancing plot with sexy time.  There has been a few things that have sort of annoyed me so far about Kiss the Dead, like LKH basically saying the same thing four times in different ways, like she is trying to make sure that we dense readers get her point.  Trust your readers, Laurell we get it.  But, like I said, these are nitpicky things, so far, pretty great.  I am excited to see where this goes.

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I plan to read the book this weekend! I really hope it's good... although you make me nervous when you say that she's being repetitive. Huge pet peeve of mine. I've noticed it in a few of her other books- actual word for word / sentence for sentence repeats, which drove me batty. Um, where's the editor?!?

Anyway, hope the sex and the plot blend well in this one, and I really really hope she doesn't continue to add more to her harem- I can't keep track of them all!

[paulgoatallen]

I'm hoping to finish later today – much more on this book....

[Fangbanger]

Paul, I am really interested in your thoughts on this one.  I am a little over halfway done and I am still really enjoying it.  There is a chapter really early on with Larry and Anita and I would point to it when people say that Anita hasn't shown any growth.  I read the chapter twice and I thought it was really well written.

[Origami77]

< LKH OR Anita attending the PTA meeting?  LOL>



Does it really matter, at this point? The author has inserted herself so far into this series.  

The idea of the series protagonist (ANITA) having a sexual relationship with a minor and then going to a PTA meeting as that minor's guardian is completely immoral. Plus.. SQUICKY! 

[paulgoatallen]

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Fangbanger wrote:

Paul, I am really interested in your thoughts on this one.  I am a little over halfway done and I am still really enjoying it.  There is a chapter really early on with Larry and Anita and I would point to it when people say that Anita hasn't shown any growth.  I read the chapter twice and I thought it was really well written.

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I have to admit, I'm struggling with it. I actually put it down to read another book. I'll pick it back up tomorrow – it's the pacing so far that is so troublesome. I think I've read almost 100 pages and there has only been essentially one major scene... I'm not giving up hope – just needed a respite!

Paul

[Fangbanger]

I agree with that Paul.  I haven't read since Friday and I am pretty much in the same place as you.  They just had dinner and it was three chapters of them in the diner.  I am ready for her to just move on to something else.  It seems like the "vampire hunt" portion of the book is going to be over soon, so I'm not sure where the rest of it is going afterwards.

[ThirstyFlea]

I read this whole book yesterday. I was also not a fan of how drawn out the first police / hunt scenario was- 18 chapters of 1 night (140 odd pages?!?)! I love all of LKH's descriptions, and Anita's introspection & inner monologues - that was one of the things that kept me reading the books all along- but I think it was a little too much here. There just didn't seem to be enough balance between all of that and an actual progression of the story line. 

That being said, I actually liked this book! I definitely liked it better than her last one, no question (I don't even remember what the last one was about). And I didn't think it was as bad as everyone had been saying (I really shouldn't look at reviews before I read a book I know I'll read anyway...)

I liked all the interactions she had with her sweeties- no huge orgie scenes, and I think there were 3 sex scenes total in the book. Although I never really had a problem with the sex scenes, just that I was losing track of all the guys and missing the "regulars". While some of the guys were still absent in this book, they did get a couple of quick mentions. I mean, I think the whole book took place over maybe 2 or 3 days?? There's only so many guys even LKH can fit into Anita's sex life in that time

There was no "big bad" in this book to defeat, and the ending was a bit anti-climactic. I wish there had been a little more development on that end of the story line, I think it really could brought the story to a higher level. But alas, no such luck here. 

Anyway, overall liked it! 'nuff said.  

[ThirstyFlea]

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Origami77 wrote:

It's actually evolved from horror to urban fantasy to paranormal mystery to romance novels lacking any plot. 


The storyline in the latest book is abysmal.  I've tolerated a lot from the series, but LKH attending a PTA meeting (with JC) for the under-age minor she's 'banging' is distasteful on so many levels. 

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I believe it was just said that Anita was extremely uncomfortable with the idea of attending PTA meetings for Cynric (Sin) and sleeping with him- she's still having a major moral dilemma about that and spent a lot of the book working out her issues with him. She doesn't actually go to any PTA meetings or Sin's sporting events in the book, so we are not forced to sit through those awkward moments with her. Although the resolution of JC attending the meetings instead could also be weird if he's joining in the sex, I suppose. It's definitely discussed, but it's not thrown in your face. 

I mean, I thought it was handled as tastefully as possible given the whole situation in the first place... 

[SciFiCanuck]

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ThirstyFlea wrote:

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Origami77 wrote:

It's actually evolved from horror to urban fantasy to paranormal mystery to romance novels lacking any plot. 


The storyline in the latest book is abysmal.  I've tolerated a lot from the series, but LKH attending a PTA meeting (with JC) for the under-age minor she's 'banging' is distasteful on so many levels. 

---

I believe it was just said that Anita was extremely uncomfortable with the idea of attending PTA meetings for Cynric (Sin) and sleeping with him- she's still having a major moral dilemma about that and spent a lot of the book working out her issues with him. She doesn't actually go to any PTA meetings or Sin's sporting events in the book, so we are not forced to sit through those awkward moments with her. Although the resolution of JC attending the meetings instead could also be weird if he's joining in the sex, I suppose. It's definitely discussed, but it's not thrown in your face. 

I mean, I thought it was handled as tastefully as possible given the whole situation in the first place... 

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That was exactly my thought as well.  I have not read the book yet (it just arrived today, WOOHOO!!), but I know from past books that it troubled her immensely the fact that he was underaged and she DID NOT want to sleep with him.

[Origami77]

ThirstyFlea wrote:

I thought it was handled as tastefully as possible given the whole situation in the first place... 

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SciFiCanuck wrote:

 it troubled her immensely the fact that he was underaged and she DID NOT want to sleep with him.




Anita is the adult.  If she really didn't want to sleep with him, then don't. A 30 year old man rolling a 17 y.o high school girl with something like the ardeur would be repugnant no matter how tastefully it was presented by the author. I'm unable to view the situation differently just because the person abusing the minor is a female and the victim a male.

 

 

[Fangbanger]

Origami, I am not for sure how to respond to these  posts of yours.  You obviously aren't enjoying the series anymore, and you don't seem to care for the character of Anita or for LKH's writing for that matter, so I'm not sure why you continue to read the books.  If you don't enjoy them anymore, then you should just cut your losses and stop.  I'm not saying that your criticisms aren't valid, for you, I just don't understand why you would put yourself through reading something you don't enjoy.

As for Sin and Anita's relationship, I agree with Thirsty.  I think that Anita still struggles with her attraction to Sin partly because of his age and partly because of how their relationship started, with sex that was not consensual for anyone.  I also think a big issue is that Sin wants to be in a relationship with Anita like she is with Jean Claude, Micah, and Nathaniel, and she isn't for sure if she can ever be in love with him like she is with them.  It is an interesting situation and I think that she handles it as tastefully as she can. 

[paulgoatallen]

I picked this one back up and I do feel more "immersed" in the storyline, although there are a few things I have minor problems with.

I am really amazed at how far this series has evolved since it first began – regardless of what the haters say, no other series EVER has been able to embrace, over time, so many different genre elements. It's pretty cool to envision Anita then and Anita now, as the Executioner.

[ThirstyFlea]

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paulgoatallen wrote:

I picked this one back up and I do feel more "immersed" in the storyline, although there are a few things I have minor problems with.

I am really amazed at how far this series has evolved since it first began – regardless of what the haters say, no other series EVER has been able to embrace, over time, so many different genre elements. It's pretty cool to envision Anita then and Anita now, as the Executioner.

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Paul, pleeeeease finish the book and let us know what you think!! I'm dying here!! 

[MADIS]

I have not read an Anita book in awhile.  I am probably a good 5 behind.  The sex was never a problem for me, just Anita's whining. Still, I have most of the new books because I always knew I would want to read them eventually.  I have to say this discussion has sparked my interest.  I have to see where I will come down on this controversy.