Blood Noir

I've heard a lot about these books so when I saw it in the Bargain Bin I figured I'd give it a shot and after the first chapter I stuffed it to the back of my bookcase. The characters didn't grab me and the mild erotica felt like pop and fizzle rather than adding anything to the characterization or the story. I kept telling myself one more page and it will get better but I just wound up dissatisfied and scratching my head at what read more like gratuitous sex scenes than anything that would actually develop the stories or the characters. I've read better.

What I really like about this book was Jason and that this book was about Anita and Jason and didn't involve everyone else and the ardeur. Quite frankly, I'm getting tired of reading about the ardeur and feeding the ardeur. It was good to learn at the end of this book that Anita is starting to get a handle on it, so maybe we can start reading books again in this series where the focus isn't on the ardeur.

This book is about Jason having to go back to his hometown because his father is dying. Anita agrees to go with him. When getting into town a scandal starts. Jason looks almost identical to a Keith Summerland who is getting married. Of course, the media think Jason is Keith and Anita is the other woman. When trying to set the story straight, Jason and Anita make things worse because now the media thinks they are together and Anita has left Jean-Claude etc.... and it blows up from there. And if that isn't enough, Anita gets a visit from the ancient vampire queen. This developing storyline about the queen is getting more interesting!

I enjoyed the heart to heart talks between Anita and Jason, and the chat Anita has with Jason's dad at the end of the book . We learn alot more about Jason and how Anita feels about him and where he fits into her life. I'm glad that Jason got his own story. Not my favourite in this series, but definitely better than the previous.

...I really can't. I love the Anita Blake series. This is another great addition to the series. Here we get to see more of Jason, a character that has been more on the sidlines than front and centre. Even so, we have seen his character develop over the course of the series and this time there is something that happens that will guarantee a bigger role for him in future books. Having gone home with Jason as a favour to him while he visits his dying father, Anita thinks the most she will have to worry about is flying there and dealing with Jason's dysfunctional family. Of course, she is so wrong. Marmee Noir rears her ugly head and the ardeur responds. There are several developments that should make future stories interesting including the introduction of a couple of new characters. Richard is also part of this story, and for a change, I'm left feeling hope that his character will finally become likeable again. I can't wait for the next book, Skin Trade, due out this June (2009).

So it wasnt my favorite book, however; it was excellent. After so many books with Jason as a "back end" character, it was nice to see him as her main man for once. His character was developed nicely.

I LOVE what happens to Richard in this book. When Richard was first introduced into the books, I adored him, and then he broke my heart. In The Harlequin, he get his worth and in this book it is extended ten fold. I LOVE IT!

I cant wait until Skin Trade comes out (only 5 more days!), so I can engulf myself in more of Anita Blakes adventures!