Monday, August 17, 2009

Review: Skin Trade



This is the 17th book in the Anita Blake series by Laurell K. Hamilton.

Book Blurb:

When a vampire serial killer sends Anita Blake a grisly souvenir from Las Vegas, she has to warn Sin City's local authorities what they're dealing with. Only it's worse than she thought. Ten officers and one executioner have been slain - paranormal style. Anita heads to Vegas, where's she's joined by three other federal marshals, including the ruthless Edward. It's a good thing he always has her back, because when she gets close to the bodies, Anita senses 'tiger' too strongly to ignore it. The weretigers are very powerful in Las Vegas, which means the odds of her rubbing someone important the wrong way just got a lot higher.

I am so pleased with this book!!!

As most of you know, I had become so disenchanted with this series that I had honestly thought of just giving up and not reading it anymore. I was tired of reading a book with no storyline or plot other than 'all sex, all the time'.

But I have to say that I absolutely loved this book. It reminded me of the Anita of old. The book opens with Anita at work at Animators, Inc. - and how long ago has that happened?

We have a plot - an honest to goodness plot. A story that does not hinge on the ardeur and Anita's need to 'feed'. Woo-hoo!! We did not get our first sex scene until page 380 - page 380, can you believe it? LOL

I don't know about you, but I am pleased. I wonder if more of LKH's readers feel the way I do and if our feelings have any thing at all to do with this turn around in Anita.

Whatever the reason - be it reader disapproval and flagging sales or just a natural progression of a storyline - I, for one, am very happy with this Anita and hope the next books continue on with this trend.

As always this is my opinion - because my daughter thought the book was awful. LOL

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. :)

M
Guilty PleasuresThe Laughing CorpseCircus of the DamnedThe Lunatic Cafe
Bloody BonesThe Killing DanceBurnt OfferingsBlue Moon
Obsidian ButterflyNarcissus in ChainsCerulean SinsIncubus Dreams
MicahDanse MacabreThe HarlequinBlood Noir
Skin Trade

10 comments:

D Swizzle said...

I feel like the only person on the planet not to read a Hamilton book! I definetly have to get around to it!

Amy C said...

I read the first in this series years ago. I didn't like it :). I've thought about trying it again, but I don't know. Not much into the UF's. But I've seen alot of people share your thoughts about the series not being any good as the books came out. But I'm glad to hear that this one changed that for you!

Patti (@TheLoveJunkee) said...

A lot of people didn't like this book, but I did. I was a little "ooged out" by the teenager but all in all I liked the book.

I will say I was disappointed there was no Richard. I think he's a very redeemable character.

Blodeuedd said...

page 380, sounds good. Cos yes I know, sex, sex and no plot can drive me insane.

I really should try out a book..but book 17, yikes, that is a lot to catch up on

Michelle Greathouse said...

Dannie,

Some of the books are better than others...but it's always best to start with the first one - otherwise you'll be lost. I've read all of them and I still can't keep everyone straight. LOL

Amy,

I was pleased with this one and hope it's a turning point in the series. Thanks for stopping by. :)

Patti,

I'm glad to hear someone else enjoyed this one. I felt the same way about the teenager, but at least we weren't subject to a play by play account. I don't know about Richard - I like him better than Jean-Claude, but that's not saying much because I really don't like Jean-Claude very much. LOL

B,

Do they have this series at your library? You seem to have a really good library - better than the small one I have. If you could get this series from there it would be great, that way if you don't like it, you're not out any money. :)

As always, thanks for stopping by.

M

Mandi said...

I'm so happy to read a review of this book!!! And a positive one at that!! I still need to read Blood Noir..but I have that and ST..can't wait to get to them. I will admit..I loved the series (even the ardeur!!) until Danse Macabre. The Harlequin was a bit better.

Still, one of my absolute favorite series.

Unknown said...

Hi Michelle!

I so love Anita Blake! I have debated reading this book for fear I would be let down, so many reviews have not be positive. Now, I can't wait to get the book. You made my day! I love urban fantasy, and I thought Edward's story would be great. What do you think of the movie/series that they have been planning?

Have you read her Merry Gentry Series as well?? I love that series too, but have been a little disappointed there too. I hear the next book in the series is suppose to be good.

B, if you haven't tried the books, the first books in the series are great! It will be definitely through your time.

Dottie :)

Anna said...

I love this series I really do, but this book for me was a bit disappointing. I just found Anita really annoying in this one.

But the plus for me was Edward. :) Glad to see him again.

These last two books she was off traveling. I'd like to see her back in St. Louis.

Kimberly Swan said...

Hi Michelle - I'm an LKH fan through and through. Loved the review, and I'm happy to see you enjoying the series again. :)

Donna said...

I've not read this series yet. Yeah, here's another I'm behind on. Glad you enjoyed this one. :)