May 22, 2006
The uniquely complicated life of Anita Blake, the St. Louis–based necromancer, gets even more complicated when Anita discovers she may be pregnant in the 14th novel in bestseller Hamilton's vampire hunter series (Micah
, etc.). Her sexual magic powers require multiple lovers, so there are six potential fathers. One possible dad, werewolf Richard, has trouble understanding that, baby or not, Anita's still a federal marshal who raises the dead and executes vampires. In addition, terrifying, life-threatening obstetrical challenges are involved, since the maybe-mommy has to deal with vampirism and several strains of lycanthropy coursing through her veins. That Anita has no detecting to do may disappoint some fans, but playing hostess to a gathering of North American vampire Masters of the City, ostensibly in town for a performance by a vampiric ballet troupe, keeps her plenty busy. When the vampire ballet takes the stage toward the end, several new plot elements emerge. The very lack of a finale suggests that there's no end in sight for this fabulously imagined series.
July 1, 2006
The events of this latest entry in the -Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter - series take place over one weekend. The incredibly handsome Jean-Claude, Master Vampire of the city of St. Louis and Anita -s first lover, has invited fellow Masters from throughout the country to attend a gathering at his place. The ardeur, a power fueled by sex, is rapidly gaining strength. In order to satisfy the craving it produces, Anita must find a new lover to add to her list of seven. One male will be chosen from those who attend the gathering. To complicate matters, just as the weekend begins, Anita thinks she might be pregnant. Besides wondering how she could fit a child into her unconventional life, she tries to figure out which one of her preternatural partners could be the father. Hamilton (Micah) writes well and shares interesting insights into Anita -s relationship with other characters. As in the more recent series novels, graphic sex is abundant. For This Danse Macabre will appeal to Anita Blake fans and those who enjoy erotic romance." -Patricia Altner, Information Seekers, Columbia, MD"
Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
July 1, 2006
Last seen in " Incubus Dreams" (2004) and the novella " Micah" (2006), Anita Blake is back and more embroiled in supernatural politics than ever. She is in the market for a new " pomme de sang" to feed the otherworldly passion known as the " ardeur" that she and her lovers are subject to, but she has a more pressing problem on her hands when she discovers she might be pregnant. Anita can't imagine how a baby would fit in with her vampiric lifestyle, nor does she know which of her lovers is the father, though she suspects either possessive werewolf Richard or sensual wereleopard Nathaniel. To make matters worse, vampire masters are converging on the city for a massive meeting, and Anita is wary of her role in the gathering. This time Hamilton relies a little too heavily on complex vampire politics, though sex and intrigue abound, and Anita's pregnancy dilemma makes particularly compelling reading. Longtime series fans will enjoy the yarn while probably hoping there will be more action for Anita next time.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)