The Harlequin: An Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Novel, Book 15

I have read several reviews of this book and others, both before and after reading this and other earlier and later A. B. Books. Some I thought were not long enough, because I like a long robust novel, but when a tale is told it is done and adding pages doesn't change that. Ms. Hamilton's books are a continuation of Anita's story. We all grow and change with our experiences. I was amazed from the beginning that her novels, while indisputably full of sex, are not pornagraphic. If you don't believe me, find a book that is, ONLY PORNOGRAPHY, to read. The plot will be practically non existent, the characters will be cardboard flat and there will be no heft to the book at all.Ms. H, could have been much more descriptive in the sex scenes if she was only interested in pornography and fluff. Instead she has made all of her characters real and there is always a reason for the sex as part of the narrative. They have all grown and changed with each book. I have been amazed since the first Anita Blake novel at her deep understanding of human nature both good and bad and the way it effects people. I have read each book in order of it's writing except this one. I thought that I had read it, as it was in my library, but I kept running into references to things that I should have known, but didn't, about in later books. So of course I went back and read it. It filled in a lot of the blanks that lack of knowledge caused in the few later books I have read. If you have any issues with sex and sexuality these books are probably not for you, but if you have even a small understanding of human nature and are interested in people you will enjoy them. They certainly take a different view of vampires, wereanimals of any kind and GOOD & EVIL, and they are a lot of fun to read.

"The Harlequin" is Book 15 in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series and the first one to come out since Marvel started publishing its comic book adaptation of Laurell K. Hamilton's first book in the series, " Guilty Pleasures ." That graphic reminder of how good those early novels were, when the emphasis was more on horror and a whole lot less on sex, made me a bit wary when I started reading "The Harlequin," especially given how disappointed I and countless legions of fans have been in Hamilton's recent novles (and not just the Anita Blake ones). But while I have to admit that it could be a case that things have been down so long it looks like up to me, bottom line is that I found "The Harlequin" to be the best Anita Blake novel in years. We also have the nice little irony that in this novel she actually lives up to her title of being a Vampire Hunter, which has rarely been the case in the series.In virtually every novel our heroine manifests a new power, from the ability to raise an entire graveyard of corpses to forming her own triumvirate with Damien as her vampire and Nathaniel as her beast to call, which makes the main triumvirate with Jean-Claude and Richard even more powerful. Now Jean-Claude has his own bloodline and in the world of vampire politics this is a seismic event and back in the old country the Vampire Council is taking notice of what is happening in St. Louis. As "The Harlequin" begins (and this time the title refers to people rather than a place), somebody is apparently doing something about it and the threat is so bad that if Jean-Claude tells Anita about it they are all going to die. Fortunately, Anita trusts Jean-Claude well enough that she is willing to take his word even though it cuts against her grain not to make her own decisions. There might not be any sex during the first fifteen chapters, but they sure talk about it a lot for people who should be at DEFCON 5 (sorry, I still think in Cold War terms: this century I should be saying Code Red using the Homeland Security Advisory System). Once the Harlequin masks start showing up staying alive is the only thing that matters and sundry reasons for getting into Anita's bed should not even be close to being secondary concerns.My complaint about all the sex is qualitative as well as quantitative in that since it took several books for Anita to finally choose between Jean-Claude and Richard, that first sex scene in Jean-Claude's bath tub was ultra hot and it has all been downhill from there. The sex scenes in "The Harlequin" are relatively few, short, and to the point: there is way more talking about sex than having sex this time around, and while it is a welcome change and the discourse often touches as much on the vampire politics involved as it does on Anita's feelings, it does slow down the action a bit, which matters since they are in the middle of a major crisis. I understand that at this point Anita Blake has to have sex to feed the ardeur the way Jean-Claude has to drink blood and Richard needs to bitch and moan, so any novel that takes place in more than one day is going to have to have a sex scene. But if the Harlequin are coming to get you I think discussions about whether Anita can give Nathaniel what he needs when it comes to being dominated during sex can wait until the crisis is past. Anita was always a talker and part of the problem is that she has so much more to talk about these days (although she actually manages to put off several conversations in this story, believe it or not). Still, on balance, things are a lot better in this latest novel in terms of the sex as far as I am concerned.After all the sex stuff my biggest complaint about recent novels would be that the climax, so to speak, almost always involves Anita pulling a new power out of a hat, although at this point I have to admit there are so many dimensions to her power that I am having trouble distinguishing between the old ones and the new ones. I know that it all has to do with Anita being a necromancer and that whatever she is going to be when all is said and done, she is not there yet. Consequently, "The Harlequin" is another part of a bigger game in which Belle Morte will figure prominently. It reminds me of when Anita owed Edward a favor and we waited several years for the bounty hunter to collect, and that was a pretty good payoff. Another strength of this novel is that Edward is one of several familiar faces that pop up again, along with Peter, Olaf, and Dolph. More importantly, unlike the previous novel " Danse Macabre ," this time we actually get to the payoff and things hit the fan. Because the end game involves what could be a welcome change in the ardeur and a moment that has been a LONG time coming between Anita, Jean-Claude and Richard, I was tempted to rate this novel even higher. However, despite my enthusiasm for these welcome changes in direction, Hamilton would have to prune down the sexual discourse to truly justify a five-star rating like in the glory days. Still, "The Harlequin" proves that when it comes to sex in these books, less is more.

CONTAINS SPOILERSI found "The Harlequin" to be, as noted in the review title, a solid addition to the Anita Blake series. That's not to say that I was without complaint entirely, as noted by many reviewers the plethora of grammatical and other (lack of) editing errors did grate a bit. However, this has become ever more true of most books these days. I can't remember the last time I purchased a book that was *without* such glaring editing mistakes. Proof-readers seem to be a thing of the past, sadly. As well, there were some basic character/previous history errors that stopped me in mid-read. For example, Sylvie the werewolf's declaration that she wouldn't aid with raising the "ardeur" because she, "didn't do women", when it was firmly established in "Burnt Offerings" (and other early installments) that Sylvie is a lesbian. From the same book we also learned that Willy McCoy's true love is called "Hannah", not "Candy". Yes, I realise that this series is quite long now, and the cast of characters quite extensive. Again, a good editor, familiar with the series, should have caught these inconsistencies. However, while irritating, these issues did not ruin my overall enjoyment of the book, they simply earned it a lower rating. I found the villains intriguing, the fight scenes engaging and the continuing evolution of the characters and Anita's powers compelling, especially the influence that her basic nature and beliefs have wrought upon the "ardeur", or her "flavour" of it. As well, any installment that includes Edward is a joy, he ties with Anita as favourite character for me.I have been a fan of the series from the outset. Like any series, some installments are stronger than others and some developments are harder adjusted to. Like most other fans, I very much enjoyed the early, straight forward murder mysteries. Hamilton has written some engaging, compelling "who-dunnits" that aren't easily solved by the reader within the first few chapters and I greatly admire that. I also admire that she faced the true gruesome reality that murder leaves in it's wake. It's not simple or pretty, it's horrifying, sickening and she never lets one forget that. Especially with supernatural perpetrators added to the mix... super strength/power equals even worse carnage, a grounding in "reality" that gives even more strength to Anita's world. What I have also found to be "true to life" is how characters have changed as the series has unfolded, some for the better and some for the worse. For example, as Dolph has of late, some folk become ugly strangers when confronted with changes in friends and associates that are contrary to personal beliefs, even when those changes are unchosen, beyond control. Though pretty to think otherwise, friendship does NOT always win out.When the "ardeur" was introduced, I admit to feeling some trepidation regarding how this would impact one of my favourite literary characters. It required an adjustment period to be sure. I've no problem with graphic sex scenes, I just prefer that they serve a purpose to the narrative. Initially, I felt that these did not but I've changed my opinion on that. It's easy to forget that this series does not run in "real time". In Anita's world, the "ardeur" is still a relatively new development and the character HAS been reacting in a manner true to her nature as it was previously established. She fights it, she over-processes, she lashes out... all things that most folk would do when faced with a "life change" that is so utterly contrary to one's previous beliefs. In some ways, the "ardeur" is to Anita, what lycanthropy is to Richard, a resented, hated "reality of life" that cannot be ignored or changed. Ultimately, though, she's been established as the better "survivor" than he's proved to be thus far. In order to continue forward, she has *evolved*, adapted much as anyone who wishes to survive life's curve balls must do, for good or ill. In "The Harlequin" we see that, though Anita has HAD to let go of most of her previous sexual inhibitions, she has *not* changed her basic feeling that intimacy is firmly entwined with emotion, for her, preferably affection. When necessity demands intimacy with a stranger, her responses *have* been true to character, she's embarrassed and angry. However,she does what is required for the greater "good" but, unlike Richard, she doesn't allow those necessary concessions to "eat her alive". Frankly, I've never been a big fan of Richard's, he always struck me as a bit sexist and self-involved, even before he inherited some of Anita's rage, which has amplified all of his negative character traits. His clinging to untenable idealism is wearying and I wish he'd develop some of Anita and Jean-Claude's practicality: change what you can, accept what you can't and move forward, perhaps even finding a way to make those changes some sort of an advantage. Don't even get me started on his ignorance that relationships are all about compromise!The "Anita Blake" series has indeed changed greatly as it has gone on. I for one am still enjoying it. It has provided some interesting points to ponder upon, for me at least. For instance, if Anita had become a diabetic and required twice daily injections to live, none would blink an eye. However, since the "treatment" for *her* condition is sexual, there is little acceptance of it, despite the fact that said condition is, also, life threatening if left untreated. As well, the exploration of the human capacity to love more than one person at a time. I personally believe the heart is infinitely capable of doing that. Perhaps not for all people, but definitely for some. Love is something that there shouldn't be a limit upon. I'm enjoying that Anita has become more than a detective and animator, as well, I look forward to her continuing evolution.

I must admit, the last few books felt wrong. They lost a lot of the Anita Blake flare; they were overcomplicated in their small and many pointless details. They also concentrated almost exclusively on only two elements: the first being the new and developing powers Anita and the others gain, the second being the multiple relationships. Not a necessarily bad thing, but it really went too far and made the plots shallow.I persevered, both because i like to see a series through to the end, and because i had faith in Anita, Jean-Claude and others as character. In the end i was rewarded with this book. It's almost back to where the series started in that the story has the same feel, it has a real plot-line that carries the series forward and adds intrigue, mystery and action whilst balancing with the emotional aspects raised in the previous few books (but does not allow them to overpower the plot). In short, a very nice recovery for the series.If the books keep to this standard then I will be thrilled, because truly, the last few, though readable, lost a lot of the series' charm. Glad to see that things have improved.That said, the earlier books are still better in my opinion, hence 4 instead of 5 stars. However, a very good read, thoroughly enjoyable.

Hmmm, when I saw the low star rating on this one I wanted to balance it out and add some stars because I enjoyed it. But first I read the other reviews and, to be honest, I agree with them.There is too much pointless, plot-less sex in the books (since about book 9) and now any storyline is stuffed behind Anita 'thinking' about sex, relationships and other general moaning. It's not that much fun to read yet read it we (fans) all still do. I finished the book really quickly and I do love all the characters and the politics, but where's the Goddamned story?!?!!? The books are never as good as the early plot driven novels - One thing I get really annoyed at is Anita's immense powers that never seem to amount to much. A sign of dragging the series out too long maybe?I know that here on amazon.co.uk we're British and maybe sex isn't something we're totally hindged on (The american reviews often praise the sex) and I have to say the sex in the Merry Gentry books is perfectly pitched - I really enjoy that, but we're only on book 6 there, by book 14 that too may not be enough to keep me reading.I just wonder if it's time for the conclusion of Anita Blake?

Anita blake has always been an interesting character, From book 9 onwards the series took a nosedive into explicitly pornographic tales of anitas ardeur power causing her to sleep with a load of people ... Finally in the Harlequin we have some semblance of Anita returning! , there’s still overly pointless descriptions of her sexcapades but this is about the vampire police ( Harlequins) coming to town .. edward is back. Hopefully the series continues on the up from here because of the many boring sex scenes im only giving 3 stars

Well, being a great fan of this collection, right up to Obsidian Butterfly (book 9)I have kept going only because of the amount of time and emotion I have invested in the characters. But frankly, since the introduction of 'the ardeur' they have turned into an excuse for badly written fantasy porn, with little attempt at a decent plot. Sad, but true. In this book (which is far from the worst in the series)we do get a glimpse of what the earlier books had to offer but I'm not sure its enough to make me go any further. Ms Hamilton, you have lost your way.

I absolutely loved the first few books of this series, Anita Blake independent, sassy, head strong and stubborn....what has happened?? I must admit this has been a better book than the past 3 or 4 there was less pornography but I still miss the original character. Bring back Anita as she started she was zombie ass kicking awesome! I will continue to read these books in hopes that she learns to control her Sex drive and decides to be independent again