Recent Readings

Hit List by Laurell K. Hamilton

Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Date: June 2011
Page Count: 320

     Anita Blake, Vampire hunter. Not only does she chase down the monsters but she is currently being sought by some of the most elite assassins and hunters used by the vampire nobility. Those who shall not be named have marked Anita as the vessel for the Mother of all darkness to inhabit. Anita also works as a U.S. Marshal hunting supernatural beings for the government. She is currently with Edward, another marshal and also known as "Death" by the vampire community, while Anita is known as the "Executioner". Among her many talents, she is also a succubus and necromancer, and carries many different types of lycanthropy, even though she has yet to change form.
     The Harlequin, (above noted assassins and hunters) are seeking out all of the golden tigers and killing them, along with anybody who gets in their way. Anita and Edward have hunted many dangerous and deadly beings in the past, but this group is proving to be one of their most difficult, all the while they are also trying to capture her for mommy dearest. Life is interesting to say the least. They call for reinforcements and even one of those proves to be a threat and due to the new U.S. Marshall's office sending out newbies, several are going to be a liability or dead. Will she be able to stop the killing and save herself or will this time be the one where she and maybe even Edward have met their match? All this time Anita, has been training to control the many powers and let's say side effects of all that has happened to her, yet new benefits are revealed each time she explores these new traits.
     Laurell K. Hamilton has written many, many Anita Blake novels, several were very sexually graphic and that seems to have been toned down (personally, too bad) but the character remains strong, heroic, and often funny with her sometimes prudish behavior, even though she is currently living with many preternatural beings and is actually in love with several of them. Anita is constantly an intriguing mix of her heritage, beliefs, and persistently changing lifestyles. In addition, her many loves are her support and strength when she would have live a solitary existence. The novel provides many levels of action, drama and interpersonal intrigue. A winner in a series of winners.