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totallykayt's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jimbowen0306's review against another edition
4.0
This was a much better book than anything I've read by Laurell K. Hamilton in a while.
In this book, Hamilton's lead character has to investigate a series of fires that seem be being set by someone and deal with the "Vampire Council" (who sort of oversee Vampiric affairs worldwide), who have come into the area, generally looking to assert their influence over the vampires in the area.
When I state the plot as badly as that, it might sound a little daft (if I'm honest it is a little daft) but compared to the immediate predecessor books in this series, it makes for a much better read, because it focuses on the story more.
In this book, Hamilton's lead character has to investigate a series of fires that seem be being set by someone and deal with the "Vampire Council" (who sort of oversee Vampiric affairs worldwide), who have come into the area, generally looking to assert their influence over the vampires in the area.
When I state the plot as badly as that, it might sound a little daft (if I'm honest it is a little daft) but compared to the immediate predecessor books in this series, it makes for a much better read, because it focuses on the story more.
katbri78's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
leetrumbull's review
I intended to read Burnt Offerings by Robert Marasco insteadđ
ked90's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence
kathydavie's review
5.0
First read Dec 15, 2009.
Seventh in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter urban fantasy series set in an alternate St. Louis, Missouri.
The Story
Drama all aroundâSt. Louis has a firebug, the Vampire Council has come to town taking Jean-Claude's vamps hostage, and Anita discovers the wereleopards are anyone's meat ever since she killed their "alpha", Gabriel.
Ostensibly, the Council is in town to find out why Jean-Claude is not taking his seat on the council after killing the Earthmover. In truth, Padma the Beast Master wants to kill Jean-Claude and Yvette's master is of the Earthmover's persuasion. Asher. Asher simply wants his revenge.
Then Humans First strikeâŚa modern Day of Cleansing (Inferno to the vampires) in which they are killing as many vampires as they can find including firebombing the Church of Everlasting Life. Rescuing the vampires trapped in the basement causes Anita to ask the Traveler for aid as a humanitarian gesture.
My Take
After this visit from the Council, I have a better understanding of Jean-Claude's desire for power. After the life he's suffered so farâŚughhâŚ, the possibility of creating a safe haven for himself and for other vampires who have also suffered is very understandable. Yes, I know he can still be pretty brutal and when you look at the actions of some of the vamps he has under him, you know he has to be hard. On them.
Lots of rescuing by AnitaâNathaniel almost dead in the hospital, a skinned Rafael from the Council, Vivian and Gregory trapped at the Circus at the "mercy" of the Council, Richard from some of his ignorance, and Asher.
And Anita is forced to put her sexuality on display to save herself from Asher, to save Jason from Yvette, to bring power back to Jean-Claude and save them all. The start of her slide into erotica.
The Cover
The cover is an intriguing blend of soft flames framed by a woman's bent legs on the left and her nude torso on top with long, narrow, red-to-orange flower petals falling through the air. Definitely Burnt Offerings, yet another vamp-owned club in the city the theme of which was horror stars of the sixties and seventies. It is also the offering Yvette intends to offer up to her master when the city burns.
Seventh in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter urban fantasy series set in an alternate St. Louis, Missouri.
The Story
Drama all aroundâSt. Louis has a firebug, the Vampire Council has come to town taking Jean-Claude's vamps hostage, and Anita discovers the wereleopards are anyone's meat ever since she killed their "alpha", Gabriel.
Ostensibly, the Council is in town to find out why Jean-Claude is not taking his seat on the council after killing the Earthmover. In truth, Padma the Beast Master wants to kill Jean-Claude and Yvette's master is of the Earthmover's persuasion. Asher. Asher simply wants his revenge.
Then Humans First strikeâŚa modern Day of Cleansing (Inferno to the vampires) in which they are killing as many vampires as they can find including firebombing the Church of Everlasting Life. Rescuing the vampires trapped in the basement causes Anita to ask the Traveler for aid as a humanitarian gesture.
My Take
After this visit from the Council, I have a better understanding of Jean-Claude's desire for power. After the life he's suffered so farâŚughhâŚ, the possibility of creating a safe haven for himself and for other vampires who have also suffered is very understandable. Yes, I know he can still be pretty brutal and when you look at the actions of some of the vamps he has under him, you know he has to be hard. On them.
Lots of rescuing by AnitaâNathaniel almost dead in the hospital, a skinned Rafael from the Council, Vivian and Gregory trapped at the Circus at the "mercy" of the Council, Richard from some of his ignorance, and Asher.
And Anita is forced to put her sexuality on display to save herself from Asher, to save Jason from Yvette, to bring power back to Jean-Claude and save them all. The start of her slide into erotica.
The Cover
The cover is an intriguing blend of soft flames framed by a woman's bent legs on the left and her nude torso on top with long, narrow, red-to-orange flower petals falling through the air. Definitely Burnt Offerings, yet another vamp-owned club in the city the theme of which was horror stars of the sixties and seventies. It is also the offering Yvette intends to offer up to her master when the city burns.
hazelrayson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
sarahrheawerner's review
1.0
Ugh. I read the next book in the âAnita Blake, Vampire Hunterâ series, and in doing so decided I was done with the âAnita Blake, Vampire Hunterâ series. Burnt Offerings by Laurell K. Hamilton is the seventh book in the series and⌠for a number of reasons, I simply didnât enjoy this installation.
It was relatively plot-light, which is sometimes OK with books and book series where the main focus is the main characterâs growth and relationships with other characters. But I really canât say those are especially well done here, either.
Donât get me wrong â I love horror. But everyone has subtle preferences where genres are concerned. I prefer creepy tales of psychological horror and madness and supernatural creatures and loud crashes in the basement. (See: House of Leaves, The Haunting of Hill House.) I donât enjoy the side of horror that revels in torture and cruelty and hurting people. And that is whatâs in the spotlight here. There are multiple violent rapes, intentional cruelty, and much else that I find personally distasteful.
So! You might enjoy continuing with this series if youâre OK with the more torture-y side of horror (and no judgment here if you are!) â it simply wasnât something I enjoyed. It was fun while it lasted, Anita.
It was relatively plot-light, which is sometimes OK with books and book series where the main focus is the main characterâs growth and relationships with other characters. But I really canât say those are especially well done here, either.
Donât get me wrong â I love horror. But everyone has subtle preferences where genres are concerned. I prefer creepy tales of psychological horror and madness and supernatural creatures and loud crashes in the basement. (See: House of Leaves, The Haunting of Hill House.) I donât enjoy the side of horror that revels in torture and cruelty and hurting people. And that is whatâs in the spotlight here. There are multiple violent rapes, intentional cruelty, and much else that I find personally distasteful.
So! You might enjoy continuing with this series if youâre OK with the more torture-y side of horror (and no judgment here if you are!) â it simply wasnât something I enjoyed. It was fun while it lasted, Anita.
mollymarsland's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
redqueen84's review
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.25