Obsidian Butterfly

This just might be my favourite of the Antia Blake series ... although i don't really like the route that was taken with edward ... but a character has to grow somehow I guess.
I really like the exploration of ethics and how Antia crosses her 'line' from monster-killer to monster that the books have to dwelling on for a while, although I can see it getting old real quick.

I hope Peter comes back and kicks some ass in the future.

Obsidian Butterfly is the ninth book in the Anita Blake series by Hamilton. It is one of my favourites of the series, despite the fact that neither of Anita's "boys" are really in it. What makes it so good is that it is all about Edward. Edward is by far the scariest and most dangerous human being Anita has ever met. He's a cold, calculating sociopath that enjoys killing. All the qualities that any professional hit man should have. Anita's and Edward's relationship, twisted as it is, has developed from mentorship into something akin to friendship. Anita trusts Edward to do two things. One, to keep his word. And two, to protect her back. Other than that, all bets are off, because there is one question in Edward's mind burning to be answered. Who is better? While Edward once told her he got to kill more things if he worked with her than against her, Anita doesn't one hundred percent trust him not to try and find out the answer to that burning question someday. But Edward would warn her when the time came. He'd want her to have a fair chance after all. Thank goodness even her friend the sociopath has rules he plays by.

In Obsidian Butterfly, Anita finds herself in New Mexico. Edward has called in his favour. Anita owes him because she previously killed one of his backups, with good reason of course. Anita is both curious and scared as hell at what she will find because Edward sounds spooked. If whatever it is scares Edward, it will most likely terrify her. Of course Anita isn't one to run from what scares her. Nope, she prefers to face it head one, preferably with a gun in her hand. This time though her guns (and knives and sawed off shotgun) may not be enough when there is something out there flaying people and leaving them "alive".

This is a great addition to the series. While I missed the 'guy's' back at home (especially Jean Claude), this book provides a great look at Edward's character and he is a very interesting (and scary) guy. Needless to say, Edward has some pretty scary friends too and Anita soon finds that the monsters she has to face might include her so-called backup. A word of caution, this is a gory one and has a disturbing rape scene.

2010-096

This is the 9th book in the Anita Blake Vampire Novels.

Anita is called by Edward, a sociopath bounty hunter and calls in his favour from Anita. She owes him a favour when she killed his "backup" in a previous book.

She flies to New Mexico to help Edward solve a series of murders. The cops believe a human is doing the crimes but Edward believes it is supernatural. Anita discovers that some of the victims are skinned alive (and still alive) and the others have been torn apart.

Anita knows that Edward is going under his alter ego Ted Forrester. She realizes that "Ted" has a whole other life, a fiancé and kids and Anita tells him that he needs to leave them or she will kill him. They mutually agree to deal with that after the murders are solved.

Anita is also keeping her distance from her two lovers, Jean-Claude and Richard.

While investigating the murders, Anita has some possible suspects. The Aztec vampire Itzpapalotl also known as Obsidian Butterfly, a priest human servant, the local Ulfric and a necromancer Harold. She also learns that there is Aztec vampire that believes he is a god, called Red Woman's Husband and has been sleeping for centuries and he is awakening. She must solve these murders and try to stay alive.

This was a great book. I love the character of Edward and happy that we had a book completely dedicated to his character.

I enjoyed this book. But then I enjoy the whole developing story. It is a bit harsher than the first books in this series, and they weren't tame. The author does confuse crude with tough at times. I am looking forward to the next addition to this series.