the Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake) thread

[Nelsmom]

Definetly like the series the way it is now.  I like seeing the development of the characters and relatioships.  I wish that the sex was not so graphic but it is part of her and what is going on  so I can overlook that and enjoy the series.  Laurell and her husband are really great.  They were here in Salt Lake City, Utah on the last Merry Gentry tour and took time to talk and answer questions from my son as well as mine.  Got seven of our books signed.  She signed Nels graphic novel of hers besides the six we were allowed.

Toni 

[LordRuthven]

Speaking of her graphic novels...I am amused/disgusted at the way some "fans" have been acting towards LKH's foray into that medium. Some of the customer reviews I have seen on various sites have expressed shock that LKH dared to venture into a format that they think is for kids. I have seen plenty of plenty of reviews that say "this is not a book, but a COMIC BOOK..." Yeah, deal with it. I don't expect everyone to like the form; I am not into comics per se, but I don't mind them either. But simply blowing it off as an unworthy medium is ignorant at best and arrogant at worst. Neither is a redeeming quality.

[Nelsmom]

Graphic novels are great for those like my son who have a hard time reading especially books the length of Laurell's  but who enjoy her work..  He has both of her graphic novels and has thourghly enjoyed them.  And she was so nice to answer his questions and sign it when she didn't have to.  I think that everyone can have there own opion but I think that they should express it nicely or at least find out the whole story behind them.  For those that have reading problems but love books they are great.

Toni

[dragonchica]

All I have to say is that LKH is the only reason I found out this genre even existed.  While in highschool, most of the books I read were YA series and their main theme was always some chick who falls head over heels for some guy and over the course of two days confesses undying love and all that other crap, and then he leaves her and she blames herself for everything, and so on.  My point being that all the books I read up to LKH made the woman seem weak and almost mindless, then boom I find Guilty Pleasures all of a sudden heres this super regular chick (sans necromancy) who shows how powerful and strong a female person/personality you can be, even if you are 5 foot (that I can relate to ).  So in conclusion, LKH kicks major booty!!! And without her I'd probably have saved hundreds on all these paranormal books

[paulgoatallen]

Derek:
I would have to say that the medium of graphic novels is a hugely untapped field with equally limitless potential – in the last few years or so, there have been some amazing graphic novels inspired by novels that are definitely for "adults" (whatever the heck that means): Stephen King's Dark Tower, Artemis Fowl, Terry Brooks' Shannara, etc. I love this concept, although I have to admit I didn''t like the Anita Blake graphic novel all that much because I already had my own "visual" of what Anita looked like and it didn't completely jive with that of the graphic novel. But hey, that's nit-picking – other than that, it was cool – anyone who is a fan of LKH's series should be enthralled by the graphic novelization.

[Nemhain]

I really don't like all the sex in her latest books. I don't like it because I don't find it really tied to relationships. It's to satiate a metaphysical need, period. As such, it could perfectly be satiated off camera. Unless it were truly related to one of her relationships. Topping Nate, participating of the re-encounter of Jean-Claude with his old lover Asher, being with Jean-Claude, or any of the others for emotional reasons, that I can accept (even enjoy, like her encounter with Jean-Claude at his office in ID). But the kind of sex that happens in Danse Macabre, no, please, no.

I read the first chapter posted in her site, and after that disappointment I'm almost tempted to say I will not buy it until I'm sure it's worth my time. However, I read the blurbs, and now I'm intrigued. There is hope that the main arc plot (a showdown with Marmee Noir) is in the making.

I'm more interested in her relationships than in action Obsidian Butterfly style. Obsidian Butterfly was the book that I least enjoyed from the old ones. I think that it rates second less enjoyed after Danse Macabre now. However, I cannot say there is much relationship development lately. At least, I cannot accept the events in the latest books as "character development".

Richard and Anita are still  in the same place from almost NiC to this day. That needs closure, once and for all. Anita is hurting those she says she cares for promising book after book resolution on the several relationship issues, that also needs to be solved. Either these things explodes in her face, or she moves on, and takes a more proactive approach.

So yeah, I can say that my first priority are her relationships, rather than the police work. But her constant whining about the lot that she has gotten in life is starting to grate on my nerves. One book, ok, two, ok, three. Ok, five? Not so ok.

I consider The Harlequin a step in the right direction, and Danse Macabre as the lowest point in the new approach in the series. I just hope Blood Noir is more like The Harlequin than Danse Macabre. As I've read in her blog that Edward shows up (and Olaf and Bernardo) in the book after Blood Noir, hunting bad guys again, I keep certain optimism in that LKH is making Anita to find a balance. I want that Anita that was worried about her relationships as in Burnt Offerings, The Killing Dance or Blue Moon, while she still could be the tough as nail vampire hunter.

Of course, the series is LKH's to do as she pleases, but I would feel really sad if I had to stop reading it after the time and the pleasure I derived from reading her books almost until now.

[LordRuthven]

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paulgoatallen wrote:
I love this concept, although I have to admit I didn''t like the Anita Blake graphic novel all that much because I already had my own "visual" of what Anita looked like and it didn't completely jive with that of the graphic novel. But hey, that's nit-picking – other than that, it was cool – anyone who is a fan of LKH's series should be enthralled by the graphic novelization.

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I'm with you 100%, the art in the comics looks too romanticized for my tastes. My issue was with people with the attitude of "I can't believe that LKH stooped to putting out COMIC BOOKS," like that is a bad idea in and of itself.

[TiggerBear]

Nemhain
take a bow!

What a wonderful non ranting way to put it. I tend to foam at the mouth.(chuckle)

[TiggerBear]

LordRuthven
I'm quite sure no one needs to tell you, the number of narrow people that still think of graphic novels and comics as a low brow medium. I recently had several frustrating discussions about how not all manga is cute boy+cute boy. Sad fact is far too many people make poor assumptions about the whole medium.

[LordRuthven]

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TiggerBear wrote:
LordRuthven
I'm quite sure no one needs to tell you, the number of narrow people that still think of graphic novels and comics as a low brow medium.

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True, I just hate willful ignorance. And arrogance. Which is often the same thing.

[SciFiCanuck]

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paulgoatallen wrote:
Okay friends and fantasy lovers:
I just finished LKH's newest Anita Blake novel, Blood Noir, and I have two distinct trains of thought here – the first is that, as many of you have stated, her latest is definitely supersaturated with erotica. The first four chapters are basically one prolonged sex scene. The graphic nature of the sex scenes isn't as in-your-face "pornographic" as some of her novels but it's definitely there. So, that being said, some readers may continue to find this series devolving, so to speak. My second thought is that LKH is sloooowly leading this series towards a much broader storyline... one involving Marmee Noir (the Mother of All Vampires), Jean-Claude and basically, the power over all supernaturals. It's moved forward a little bit in this novel but there's still a long way to go before the cataclysmic event happens...

Which leads me to this question: would you rather read an Anita Blake saga that is action-packed and breakneck paced (and would encompass way less novels) or one that is drawn out like the current series, where there is much more emphasis on character development, inter-personal relationships, etc.?
Paul

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I personally like the current series with the emphasis on character development & interpersonal relationships, with a murder/police backstory.  Then there is a little bit of both.  Although I am only on Narc. in Chains so I haven't really gotten to the "smutty" stuff yet either.  :-)  This is the first book where I am over half way through and there hasn't been any police case yet, so I'm wondering if there is going to be one?  If not, then I am okay with it because the book is still keeping me very interested.  I have all the rest of them on my bookshelf already...purchased them as a birthday present to myself, LOL!  Just missing The Harlequin as I am waiting for it to come out in paperback.

I picked up the fist two Merry Gentry books as well....after I read the next Dresden Files book I'm going to read her MG series.

Teresa

[PhyllisJ]

Sounds like a nice Birthday present to yourself.  I picked up the first two Merry Gentry books, and the first book, by Jim Butcher.  My TBR pile is always growing.  I just finished reading, The Road to Hell by Jackie Kessler, I read it in one sitting. I really enjoyed it.

[SciFiCanuck]

Well I guess I spoke to soon...shapeshifters are disappearing.  LOL

I didn't have a TBR pile before a couple of weeks ago...but now I have about 15.  haha

Yeah the gift cert was awesome...$60!!  Took me a while to decide which books I wanted though...sooooo many I want to read!

I wish I could read a book in one sitting but I guess too, these next few Anita Blake books are around 600+ pages.  Not likely for me...I have too much other stuff to do.  :-(

[psyop1sf]

paulgoatallen

I've been trying to track Down a Blood Noir ARC.  Would you be interested in selling yours?

[PhyllisJ]

Hi SciFiCanuck,

I only read a book in one sitting after I do all of my housework and my laundry, and my grocery shopping, and whatever is on my to do list. 

Message Edited by PhyllisJ on 04-21-2008 12:50 PM

[SciFiCanuck]

So I've finished NIC and just started reading Cerulean Sins...NOW I see what everyone means about Richard.  Holy moral high ground batman!!!

One minute he's accepting his beast and the next minute he's not and wants to be "normal".  I can't believe he was mad at her at the end of the book for killing Orlando.  Now first of all, he wanted to die...secondly...he was the bad guy and was trying to kill her among other people!!  Not to mention the fact that he was torturning and cutting people up!  What the crap?  The way I see it is Orlando deserved what he got. 

Then...one minute he's doing her...then the next storming off because she fed from him.  Geez.  Yeah I can see why people have complained about him.  Plus wasn't he Jean-Claude's wolf to feed from when she first met him?  Before Jason became his "pet wolf"....  Or did he only decide that when he became Ulfric?

Another thing I am wondering about...how come she has the Ardeur and he doesn't?  Didn't she have it through Jean-Claude's marks?  Or is it because she is human and/or a necromancer and he's a shapeshifter?

Teresa

[SciFiCanuck]

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PhyllisJ wrote:

Hi SciFiCanuck,

I only read a book in one sitting after I do all of my housework and my laundry, and my grocery shopping, and whatever is on my to do list. 

Message Edited by PhyllisJ on 04-21-2008 12:50 PM

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Hahaha!  I work full time and have a house full of animals (plus a 19 year old who never cleans up after herself) and 150+ orchids and plants so that alone takes up a large chunk of my time.  I do sneak in a chapter or two in between though.  :-)  I read about a book a week...normally it used to take me a month toget though a book!  I think I have just been neglecting other things...LOL!

Teresa

[PhyllisJ]

Hi,

I see, I live alone, and I am very neat, except for my desk, but I know what is in each pile. 

[dearivette]

I agree that Laurell is stetching her storylines using sex to lead us into as you said a "cataclysmic event" but I disagree with you that if the books were more action paced there would be less novels. I love the character background info and interpersonal stuff that alone keeps me reading and I'm sure can keep Laurell writing. What's so wrong having more of it?  I can't see how less books would have been written if she had focused more on action, character development, interpersonal relationships and of course some sex. That to me is a long enough list to keep her busy as much as the sex has by itself. I mean she doesn't have to eliminate the erotica completely.  In a way in not so many words you basically said that if it weren't for the sex there wouldn't be as many books as there are now. As some would say less is more. I think Laurell is a very creative mind who could of created a more balance world for Anita. I think Laurell should start a new series for Edward and I would like to see how far she would go without all the sex. I bet you very far. Granted the series may not be as long as the Anita Blake series but only because I can't see Edward story going on & on it's just not for him. None the less, I think we would view each book in the Edward's series as a gem versus debating over the quality like we do now with the Anita Blake series.

paulgoatallen wrote:
Okay friends and fantasy lovers:
I just finished LKH's newest Anita Blake novel, Blood Noir, and I have two distinct trains of thought here – the first is that, as many of you have stated, her latest is definitely supersaturated with erotica. The first four chapters are basically one prolonged sex scene. The graphic nature of the sex scenes isn't as in-your-face "pornographic" as some of her novels but it's definitely there. So, that being said, some readers may continue to find this series devolving, so to speak. My second thought is that LKH is sloooowly leading this series towards a much broader storyline... one involving Marmee Noir (the Mother of All Vampires), Jean-Claude and basically, the power over all supernaturals. It's moved forward a little bit in this novel but there's still a long way to go before the cataclysmic event happens...

Which leads me to this question: would you rather read an Anita Blake saga that is action-packed and breakneck paced (and would encompass way less novels) or one that is drawn out like the current series, where there is much more emphasis on character development, inter-personal relationships, etc.?
Paul

Message Edited by dearivette on 04-21-2008 11:56 PM

[dhaupt]

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SciFiCanuck wrote:

So I've finished NIC and just started reading Cerulean Sins...NOW I see what everyone means about Richard.  Holy moral high ground batman!!!

One minute he's accepting his beast and the next minute he's not and wants to be "normal".  I can't believe he was mad at her at the end of the book for killing Orlando.  Now first of all, he wanted to die...secondly...he was the bad guy and was trying to kill her among other people!!  Not to mention the fact that he was torturning and cutting people up!  What the crap?  The way I see it is Orlando deserved what he got. 

Then...one minute he's doing her...then the next storming off because she fed from him.  Geez.  Yeah I can see why people have complained about him.  Plus wasn't he Jean-Claude's wolf to feed from when she first met him?  Before Jason became his "pet wolf"....  Or did he only decide that when he became Ulfric?

Another thing I am wondering about...how come she has the Ardeur and he doesn't?  Didn't she have it through Jean-Claude's marks?  Or is it because she is human and/or a necromancer and he's a shapeshifter?

Teresa

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My thoughts exactly about High Horse Richard, and I think the more you get into the series you'll find out why she has the Ardeur. I just finished Danse Macabre so I'm almost caught up, but then if I catch up I'll have to wait for the next release.
Life's just not fair.